Undergraduate Study Guide 2012 Southern Cross University

Melanie Balsom, Fundraising Coordinator/administrator Sydney Medical SchoolFoundation, Sydney UniversityBachelor of Arts, 2010Studying at SCU has given me a belief in my own ability as well as the knowledge, skillsand most importantly, the confidence to know that I can research and write, tell a goodstory, develop characters and plot lines and finish a project. My job involves quite a lotof writing, like writing articles for newsletters that go out to donors, report writing, webdesign and content writing, and communications skills – all areas that my degree hashelped me develop. I am also currently writing a novel which I hope to get published.undergraduate degrees 2012 www.scu.edu.auHUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCESwww.scu.edu.au/socialscienceBachelor of ArtsThe Bachelor of Arts enables critical thinking,community engagement and creative practices.The course explores contemporary issues in cultureand society. It provides the scope to build strongintellectual capabilities and a broad knowledge ofthe liberal arts as well as depth through the study ofmajors.The course allows students to pursue majorspecialisations in the disciplines of writing, culturalstudies, history, and politics and society, with thefreedom to combine these majors with other areasoffered by the School or across the University, such assustainability or Indigenous studies.Graduates develop cultural awareness, intellectualrigour, critical thinking and communication skills in away that integrates creative practice and theory. This isultimately of benefit to the graduate’s future workplaceand lifelong learning, whether they choose to work inservice to the public, in education, as a writer, or tobuild their own career in another field.Majors are available both on campus and by distanceeducation or a combination of both.Majors available are*:Cultural Studies: enables students to connect theireveryday life, personal, community and vocationalinterests to the broader issues and challenges of the21st Century. It equips students with a highly prizedcombination of critical and creative thinking skills andabilities. Cultural studies offers an interdisciplinaryapproach to the study of culture, nature and societythrough textual analysis, cultural theory, media analysisand understanding how meaning is made through power,identity and place. Cultural studies empowers diversity,social inclusion, ethical and innovative scholarshipthat guides and informs how we live, work and learn.Students develop responsible scholarship practices thatare highly valued in both work and life.History: is a dialogue between the past and present.Historians explore the diversity of human experience todraw out patterns and ideas that help us understandthe world today. The focus of the major in history ison the knowledge and critical skills of the disciplinethat can be applied to the study of the past in all itsdimensions, including important professional skillssuch as communication, analysis, critical thinkingand interpretation. Students have the opportunity toundertake independent research projects relevant totheir own interests. The units provide the scope to workin education, exploring histories of place and culture.Through the study of cultural heritage and interpretation,students engage with contemporary issues and ways ofpresenting the past.Politics and Society: brings together two keystrands in the arts and humanities. The approach ismultidisciplinary – drawing on politics and sociology toconsider contemporary issues in society and provideinsights into events that influence the world in whichwe live. Staff have expertise in each of the disciplineareas and share a commitment to interpreting past andcontemporary society by using a range of theoretical andmethodological approaches.Writing: Pursue your passion for writing in a supportive,inter-disciplinary environment which promotes the typeof creative learning needed by cutting-edge writers.Acquire skills in a broad range of writing genres includingnovels, short stories, writing for performance, featureand investigative journalism and essay writing as well asediting and publishing.* Please note that some majors and units may not beavailable at each location. Unit availabilities are publishedfor each study period and vary from year to year. Pleasecontact the School for further information.Additional majors may also be selected from a widerange offered across the University including socialjustice, media studies, education, law and justice,psychology, art and design, organisational management,sustainability, Indigenous studies, and contemporarymusic.Students of the Bachelor of Arts may also exit theprogram with an Associate Degree of Creative Writing,following successful completion of 16 required units.Your careerDepending on choice of majors, graduates may findemployment in community relations, journalism,cultural policy, management and administration,education, publishing, public service, multimediadesign, creative and cultural industries, politics,social justice and human rights.SummaryLocationsLismore, Coffs Harbour,Distance education3 years full-time, 6 years part-timeDurationUAC codes CH - 333151, L - 333100QTAC codes CH - 053151, L - 053001Total units 242011 ATAR 682011 OP 1424