Course

Bachelor of Arts

Approved Abbreviation: BA

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1706.3

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 040992A

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year for this course is 2017 or later.

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

Commencement Year 2016 - 1706.2 Bachelor of Arts

Commencement Year 2013-2015 - 1706.1 Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts offers students an opportunity to develop a depth of disciplinary expertise together with the breadth of vision afforded by cross-disciplinary approaches to the humanities. Study in the Bachelor of Arts is designed to develop communication and personal skills, creativity and a capacity for independent thought, adaptability to new situations and problem-solving skills, attributes increasingly demanded by employers. Bachelor of Arts graduates find employment in diverse areas including: communication and media industries; education; psychology and counselling; cultural, political and social policy analysis; writing and publishing. The Bachelor of Arts is a three-year degree designed to provide knowledge and generic skills that form the basis for lifelong learning.

Students wishing to be a primary school teacher should enrol in courses 1651 Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Primary) or 1708 Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Birth - 5 / Birth -12). Students wishing to be a secondary school teacher of English, History, Languages or Human Society and its Environment (which includes both history and social science units) should enrol in 1652 Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Secondary). For further information concerning the requirements for teaching, students are advised to consult the Subject Content Requirements for Primary and Secondary Teaching NSW (Abridged) from the Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES).

http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au/future-returning-teachers/become-a-teacher/

or the School of Education.

Students in this course also have the opportunity to complete a semester of study overseas and receive advanced standing towards their majors, sub majors or electives. They are encouraged to do so but must discuss this with a course advisor.

Director of Academic Program - Dr Dianne Dickenson

Study Mode
Three years full-time or six years part-time.

Accreditation
The Bachelor of Arts Key Program in Psychology including the 40 credit point Bachelor of Arts core units is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Completion of a Psychological Studies major or sub-major does not meet APAC requirements for an accredited sequence in Psychology.

Admission

Assumed knowledge: two units of HSC English.

Recommended studies: HSC English Standard, or equivalent.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International applicants must apply directly to the Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Alternate Entry Pathway

The Exceptional Merit Pathway (EMP) will offer prospective students who demonstrate an aptitude and ability in the Arts areas to receive a direct offer. Students will be required to present a portfolio, complete an audition, take part in a workshop and/or submit a written assessment, in addition to participating in an interview, during one of a series of on-campus events. Successful completion of the EMP requirements will result in a direct entry offer for the following year. Though a non-ATAR pathway, eligibility to accept the direct offer will be contingent on the successful completion of the HSC. Students who participate in this program but do not qualify for a direct offer would be eligible for a conditional offer, with the additional requirement of an ATAR of 55+.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points with no less than 60 credit points at Level 3.

Core Components

All students must enrol in and complete the 40 credit points of Bachelor of Arts Year 1 Core units.

Year 1 Core units

100958

Australia and the World

100960

Contemporary Society

100968

Texts and Traditions

100846

Analytical Reading and Writing

All students must complete

Either a First Specialisation or Key Program in Psychology
A Second Specialisation

First Specialisation

Students must successfully complete an 80 credit point major from the list below (see First Specialisations)

Second Specialisation and electives

Students must complete 120 credit points, by completing

Either

a 40 credit point Arts sub-major in a different specialisation to their major from the list of Second Specialisations below, and
80 credit points of elective units

a second 80 credit point Arts major in a different specialisation to their first major from the list of Second Specialisations below, and
40 credit points of elective units

Bachelor of Arts with a Key Program in Psychology

Students must successfully complete 160 credit point accredited Key Program in Psychology (which includes 40 credit points Bachelor of Arts core units)

KT1000

Psychology

Second Specialisation and Electives

Students must also complete 80 credit points, by completing

Either

a 40 credit point Arts sub-major in a different discipline area to their Key Program from the list of Second Specialisations below (see Second Specialisations) and
40 credit points of elective units

A second 80 credit point Arts major in a different discipline area to their Key Program from the list of Second Specialisations below (see Second Specialisations)

First Specialisation

Students not taking the accredited sequence in Psychology must complete at least one of the following Majors.

Note: Not all majors are available on all campuses.

Note: The following Majors and Sub-majors have inherent requirements; Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, and Japanese. Please see the link below to the Inherent Requirements page:

Inherent Requirements

Anthropology

Arabic

Chinese

Creative Writing

Criminology and Criminal Justice

M1052

Cultural and Social Analysis

M2510

Economy and Markets

M1053

English

M1071

Geography and Urban Studies

M2513

Global Business

M1077

Heritage and Tourism

M1054

History and Political Thought

M1041

Indigenous Australian Studies

M1093

Indonesian

M2514

Innovation and Change

M1108

International English

Please note: M1108 International English has been replaced by M1129 International English for students who commence this course from the 2019 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in M1108 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

M1129

International English

M1055

International Relations and Asian Studies

Islamic Studies

Japanese

Linguistics

Musicology

Music Performance

Organisations and Work

M1083

Peace and Development Studies

M1058

Philosophy

M1110

Psychological Studies

M1073

Sociology

Second Specialisations

All students must complete a second specialisation from the list below.

Note: Not all Arts majors and sub-majors are available on all campuses

Note: Students completing the 160 credit point accredited Key Program in Psychology must not choose SM1115 Psychological Studies.

Arabic

Chinese

Creative Writing

Cultural and Social Analysis

M1053

English

M1054

History and Political Thought

M1041

Indigenous Australian Studies

M1093

Indonesian

M1108

International English

M1129

International English

M1055

International Relations and Asian Studies

Islamic Studies

Japanese

Linguistics

Musicology

Music Performance

Philosophy

Psychological Studies

Arabic

Chinese

Creative Writing

Cultural and Social Analysis

SM1071

English

SM1072

History and Political Thought

SM1128

Immersion Language

SM1049

Indigenous Australian Studies

SM1112

Indonesian

SM1120

International English

Please note: SM1120 International English has been replaced by SM1132 International English for students who commence this course from the 2019 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1120 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

SM1132

International English

SM1073

International Relations and Asian Studies

Islamic Studies

Japanese

Linguistics

Musicology