Course summary

Immerse yourself in studying issues and concepts that you really care about. The Bachelor of Arts will expand your horizons and challenge your preconceptions. It will empower you to investigate, create, critique, and celebrate the many achievements, ideas and values of our human world and the human condition.

This is a degree that enables critical thinking, community engagement and creative practices in a course that you can tailor to suit your interests and career goals. You can choose to focus narrowly on a single area or choose a broad program, selecting from a diverse range of majors and minors that span communication and politics, creative arts, secondary teaching areas, vocationally-oriented majors such as tourism or psychology or even science.

Regardless of the subjects you choose, the Bachelor of Arts fosters transferable skills valued by employers – including communication, analysis, critical thinking and problem solving. Graduates also develop cultural awareness and a deeper understanding of how to build their creative capacities.

Students can choose to complete a professional placement to build contacts and apply aspects of their degree to the workplace.

Immerse yourself in studying issues and concepts that you really care about. The Bachelor of Arts will expand your horizons and challenge your preconceptions. It will empower you to investigate, create, critique, and celebrate the many achievements, ideas and values of our human world and the human condition.

This is a degree that enables critical thinking, community engagement and creative practices in a course that you can tailor to suit your interests and career goals. You can choose to focus narrowly on a single area or choose a broad program, selecting from a diverse range of majors and minors that span communication and politics, creative arts, secondary teaching areas, vocationally-oriented majors such as tourism or psychology or even science.

Regardless of the subjects you choose, the Bachelor of Arts fosters transferable skills valued by employers – including communication, analysis, critical thinking and problem solving. Graduates also develop cultural awareness and a deeper understanding of how to build their creative capacities.

Students can choose to complete a professional placement to build contacts and apply aspects of their degree to the workplace.

The majors available in humanities and social sciences provide an overview of the humanities (or study of the human condition) and the study of human society and social relationships which contribute to the advancement of human understanding. These majors include:

  • Australian Studies
  • Communication Studies
  • Cultural Studies
  • English
  • History
  • Indigenous Studies
  • International Studies
  • Politics
  • Society and Culture
  • Human Geography.

Note: Humanities and social sciences majors are all available online and on campus at Lismore. Cultural Studies is also available at the Gold Coast campus.

Majors in creative arts provide opportunities for students to develop practical or theoretical understandings of creativity in:

  • Media Studies
  • Creative Arts
  • Music
  • Visual Arts
  • Writing.

Note: Creative arts majors are all available at Lismore campus. Writing and media Studies are also available online.

Majors are in the secondary school teaching areas for students interested in pursuing further studies to become teachers. Students can combine the following majors with a major in Education:

  • Environmental Studies
  • English
  • Physical Geography
  • History
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Society and Culture
  • Visual Arts

Note: These majors are all available at the Lismore campus. Environmental Studies, History, Indigenous Studies, Society and Culture are also available online.

Students who choose a major in the secondary school teaching areas and hope to progress to Southern Cross University's Master of Teaching (which they would need to complete to become teachers) need to choose very specific majors to qualify for entry into the Masters degree and should contact the University for further advice. Students who specifically want to become teachers should apply for one of Southern Cross University's combined education degrees. See related degrees on this page for more information on these courses.

The opportunity to combine traditional arts subjects with majors in sciences allows people to pursue their passions across disciplines in:

  • Environmental Studies
  • Physical Geography
  • Human Geography
  • Mathematics.

Note: These majors are all available on campus at Lismore.

Other vocationally-oriented majors could be combined with studies in the arts. These majors include:

  • Law and Justice Studies
  • Tourism
  • Psychology

Note: These majors are all available online. Law and Justice Studies is also available on campus at Lismore. Tourism is also available on campus at Lismore and the Gold Coast.

Minors

Four units from any of the majors can be taken as a minor. Additional minors in a range of subject areas are also available to provide further opportunity for specialisation in: Curatorial Studies, Event Studies, Food Studies, Healthy Childhood Studies, Sound Production, Welfare State Studies and Human Geography.

Please note, not all units in the minors are available at each location.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Apply critical analysis, reasoning and reflexivity to social and cultural situations and problems.

Demonstrate the ability to develop a persuasive independent argument incorporating a range of perspectives and evidence.

Creativity

Develop innovative and creative responses to contemporary and historical social, environmental and cultural issues.

Ethical practice

Investigate and evaluate issues with reference to principles of social justice and equity and according to ethical conventions.

Demonstrate understanding of cross-sector and cross-cultural differences in ethics and morality.

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of society and culture in chosen disciplines of study.

Apply disciplinary knowledge to diverse contexts.

Lifelong learning

Access, interpret and evaluate information to inform decision-making and action.

Communication and social skills

Communicate effectively in a variety of forms, including in working autonomously or collaboratively.

Cultural competence

Demonstrate a commitment to multicultural perspectives.

Develop awareness of knowledge and skills needed to engage in a culturally competent way with Indigenous peoples.

Students can elect to undertake a professional placement to gain experience in the workplace and to establish professional contacts. In the Bachelor of Arts, students can undertake learning opportunities in the community through a number of units as well as through assessment opportunities.

Course overview

Course code

3007099

Course abbreviation

BA

Credit points

288

Equivalent units

24

Duration

3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Availability details

Domestic

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1 333161 053161
Lismore Session 1 333100 053001
Online Session 1 N/A N/A

Fee information

Commonwealth supported

International

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Lismore Session 1 $24,000 ($3,000 per unit) 016183A

Course requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

  1. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Arts degree a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twenty-four (24) units (288 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A; and
    2. at least one of the eight (8) unit majors and two of the four (4) unit minors from Part B and four (4) electives; or
    3. two of the eight (8) unit majors and one four (4) unit minor from Part B or four (4) electives; or
    4. at least one of the eight (8) unit majors one four (4) unit minor from Part B and eight (8) electives
  2. No unit will be credited to more than one major.
  3. A maximum of ten (10) Introductory level units and a minimum of six (6) Advanced level units should be completed.
  4. To be eligible for the award of the Associate Degree of Creative Writing a candidate shall successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units (192 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A of the Associate Degree of Creative Writing; and
    2. eight (8) units of study from Part B of the Associate Degree of Creative Writing; and
    3. three (3) units from Part C of the Associate Degree of Creative Writing
  5. A candidate who while enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts has completed the requirements of the Associate Degree of Creative Writing may elect to be awarded the Associate Degree of Creative Writing following withdrawal from candidature from the Bachelor of Arts.
  6. To be eligible for the Associate Degree of Arts a candidate shall successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units (192 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A; and
    2. one of the eight (8) units majors from Part B; or
    3. two of the four (4) unit minors from Part B; and
    4. four (4) electives.
  7. A candidate who while enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts has completed the requirements of the Associate Degree of Arts may elect to be awarded the Associate Degree of Arts following withdrawal from candidature from the Bachelor of Arts.
  8. To be eligible for the award of Diploma of Arts a candidate shall successfully complete eight (8) units (96 credit points) comprising:
    1. all four (4) units listed in Part A; and
    2. any four (4) units listed in Part B
  9. A candidate in the Bachelor of Arts who has completed the requirements for the Diploma of Arts may elect to be awarded the Diploma of Arts following withdrawal from candidature from the Bachelor of Arts.

Schedule of units

Title Level of learning Note

Part A
CUL00210 - Australia, Asia and the World Introductory
COM10295 - Written Communication Introductory Note 1
SOC10399 - Critical Thinking for Digital Times Introductory
HUM00271 - Unruly Subjects: Citizenship Introductory

Part B
Majors (8) units or Minors four (4) units

Title Level of learning Note
From the following choose the one (1) foundational unit plus an additional seven (7) optional units for a major or the one (1) foundational unit plus an additional three (3) optional units for a minor:
Foundational:
HUM00270 - Doing Cultural Studies Introductory
Optional:
HUM00272 - Space, Place and Travel Intermediate
HUM00273 - Borderlands: Identity, Culture and Belonging Advanced
HUM00274 - EcoCultural Studies Advanced
HUM00275 - Cultural Studies Research Project Advanced
SOC10400 - Gender, Sexuality and Culture Intermediate
CUL00211 - Perspectives on Australia Introductory
COM20001 - Sensory Cultures Intermediate
COM30001 - Community Engagement Project Advanced
SOY10114 - Independent Project Advanced

Title Level of learning Note
For a major choose the five (5) foundational units plus an additional three (3) optional units. For a minor choose four (4) of the five (5) foundational units.
Foundational:
ENG00400 - Introduction to Written Texts Introductory
ENG00401 - Issues and Themes in Contemporary Writing Intermediate
ENG00406 - Theories of Text and Culture Advanced
WRI10001 - Introduction to Creative Writing Introductory
WRI10002 - The Nature of Narrative: Self, Time, Place and the Environment Intermediate
Optional:
ENG00411 - Writing Genre Intermediate
COM10082 - Film Studies: Cinema, Culture, Context Intermediate
HUM00273 - Borderlands: Identity, Culture and Belonging Advanced
WRI10003 - Short Story Writing Intermediate
ENG00407 - Writing for Performance Intermediate
WRI20004 - Writing Lives Intermediate
WRI20003 - Writing Poetry Intermediate

Title Level of learning Note
Complete eight (8) units for a major or the one (1) foundational unit plus an additional three (3) optional units for a minor:
Foundational:
HIS10016 - Making History Introductory
Optional:
HIS10018 - Writing Place: Landscapes, Memory, History Intermediate
SOC71005 - Colonising Histories Introductory
HIS00235 - Community History Research Project Advanced
HIS10725 - US History: From Reconstruction to Globalization Introductory
HIS10726 - Australian Cultural History Intermediate
COM00471 - Professional Placement Advanced
SOY10114 - Independent Project Advanced

Title Level of learning Note
Choose eight (8) units for a major or four (4) units for a minor from the following:
EDU01308 - Indigenous Australians in Education Advanced
SOC71005 - Colonising Histories Introductory
HUM71006 - Indigenous Knowledge Introductory
SOC73001 - Caring for Country Advanced
CUL00401 - Indigenous World-Views Introductory
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
IHE72006 - Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Intermediate
CSL71001 - Trauma and Resilience I Introductory

Title Level of learning Note
From the following choose the two (2) foundational units plus an additional six (6) optional units for a major or the two (2) foundational units plus an additional two (2) optional units for a minor:
Foundational:
LAW00051 - Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW10157 - Australian Legal System Introductory
Optional:
LAW00520 - The Philosophy of Law Intermediate
LAW00118 - Environmental Law Intermediate
LAW00522 - Human Rights Advanced
LAW00059 - Welfare Law Intermediate
LAW10487 - Animal Law Intermediate
LAW10727 - Marine Animal Protection Law Intermediate
LAW00128 - Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics Introductory
LAW00121 - Intellectual Property Advanced
LAW00126 - Competition and Consumer Law Intermediate

Title Level of learning Note
Choose eight (8) units for a major or four (4) units for a minor from the following:
MAT71215 - Introductory Algebra and Calculus Introductory
MAT10718 - Mathematical Ideas Introductory
MAT10719 - Calculus Intermediate
MAT10720 - Linear Algebra Intermediate
MAT10721 - Multivariate Calculus and Differential Equations Advanced
MAT10722 - Complex Analysis Advanced
MAT10001 - Foundation Mathematics Introductory
MAT10706 - Quantitative Methods with Economics Introductory
MAT10251 - Statistical Analysis Intermediate

Title Level of learning Note
For a major choose the four (4) foundational units plus an additional two (2) units from options A and an additional two (2) units from options B. For a minor choose the four (4) foundational units.
Foundational:
MUS71001 - Musicianship I Introductory
MUS71002 - Musicianship II Introductory
MUS72003 - Musicianship III Intermediate
MUS72004 - Musicianship IV Intermediate
Options A:
MUS71005 - Creative Music Practice I Introductory
MUS71006 - Creative Music Practice II Introductory
MUS10509 - Sounds, Styles and Cultures Introductory
MUS10506 - Music Industry Landscapes Introductory
MUS71010 - Instrumental Techniques I Introductory
MUS71011 - Instrumental Techniques II Introductory
MUS10545 - Oceans of Sound: Global Music Cultures in the 21st Century Intermediate
Options B:
MUS73005 - Musicianship V Advanced
MUS10507 - The Independent Musician Intermediate
MUS10524 - Studies in Western Art Music Advanced
MUS10525 - Advanced Studies in Western Art and Contemporary Music Advanced
MUS10550 - Screen Sound Advanced

Title Level of learning Note
From the following choose the one (1) foundational unit plus an additional seven (7) optional units for a major or the one (1) foundational unit plus an additional three (3) optional units for a minor:
Foundational:
POL10244 - Australian Politics Introductory
Optional:
POL00013 - Global Social Movements Intermediate
POL00005 - Ideas and Ideals in Politics Intermediate
POL10023 - Peace, War and International Politics Advanced
POL20001 - Analysing Policy Problems Intermediate
POL10024 - Justice in World Politics Advanced
POL00010 - Local Government Intermediate
POL30001 - Environmental Politics Advanced
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research Intermediate

Title Level of learning Note
From the following choose the two (2) foundational units plus an additional six (6) optional units for a major or the two (2) foundational units plus an additional two (2) optional units for a minor:
Foundational:
BHS11001 - Introduction to Psychology I Introductory
BHS11002 - Introduction to Psychology II Introductory
Optional:
BHS20001 - Psychological Assessment Intermediate
BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan Intermediate
BHS30004 - Biological Psychology Advanced
BHS20006 - Social Psychology Advanced
BHS20007 - Learning and Memory Advanced
BHS20008 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology Intermediate
BHS30001 - Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology Advanced
BHS30002 - Abnormal Psychology Intermediate
BHS30006 - Behaviour Change Intermediate

Title Level of learning Note
From the following choose the one (1) foundational unit plus an additional seven (7) optional units for a major or the one (1) foundational unit plus an additional three (3) optional units for a minor:
Foundational:
HUM00270 - Doing Cultural Studies Introductory
Optional:
HUM00272 - Space, Place and Travel Intermediate
SOC10400 - Gender, Sexuality and Culture Intermediate
HUM00274 - EcoCultural Studies Advanced
HUM00273 - Borderlands: Identity, Culture and Belonging Advanced
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology Introductory
POL10244 - Australian Politics Introductory
SOC01123 - Deviance in Society Introductory
SOC10430 - Religions and the State Intermediate
SOC10027 - Networked Society Intermediate

Title Level of learning Note
From the following choose the three (3) foundational units plus an additional five (5) optional units for a major or the three (3) foundational units plus an additional one (1) optional unit for a minor:
Foundational:
POL10244 - Australian Politics Introductory
SOC00118 - Introduction to Sociology Introductory
SOC00112 - Social Policy Introductory
Optional:
LAW00059 - Welfare Law Intermediate
SOC00107 - Planning and Delivering Human Services Intermediate
SOC20001 - Doing Social Research Intermediate
CSL10558 - Case Management and Care Planning Intermediate
SOY10114 - Independent Project Advanced

Title Level of learning Note
From the following choose the two (2) foundational units plus an additional six (6) optional units for a major or the two (2) foundational units plus an additional two (2) optional units for a minor:
Foundational:
WRI10001 - Introduction to Creative Writing Introductory
ENG00400 - Introduction to Written Texts Introductory
Optional:
WRI10003 - Short Story Writing Intermediate
ENG00407 - Writing for Performance Intermediate
ENG00411 - Writing Genre Intermediate
ENG10022 - Writing from the Edge Advanced
WRI20004 - Writing Lives Intermediate
WRI20002 - Introduction to Editing and Publishing Advanced
WRI20001 - Writing for Young People Intermediate
WRI20003 - Writing Poetry Intermediate
WRI10002 - The Nature of Narrative: Self, Time, Place and the Environment Intermediate
COM01402 - Act One: Screenwriting Intermediate

Title Level of learning Note
Select the four (4) foundational units and any four (4) optional units for a major. Select the four (4) foundational units for a minor:
Foundational:
AAD71101 - Drawing Introductory Note 2
AAD71102 - Painting Essentials Introductory
AAD72202 - Modern Art and the Avant-Garde Intermediate
AAD71103 - Design Fundamentals Introductory
Optional:
AAD71104 - Photography and Digital Imaging Introductory
AAD72212 - Communication Design Intermediate
AAD72204 - Art after 1960 Intermediate
AAD73302 - Advanced Theories of Contemporary Art Advanced
Any one (1) elective from Art and Design Electives
Minors four (4) units

Title Level of learning Note
Choose four (4) units from the following:
AAD72202 - Modern Art and the Avant-Garde Intermediate
AAD72204 - Art after 1960 Intermediate
AAD73302 - Advanced Theories of Contemporary Art Advanced
COM00471 - Professional Placement Advanced
SOY10114 - Independent Project Advanced


Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Title Level of learning Note
Year 1, Session 1
CUL00210 - Australia, Asia and the World Introductory
COM10295 - Written Communication Introductory
1 unit from your chosen major
1 unit from your chosen minors
Year 1, Session 2
SOC10399 - Philosophy on Screen: Film and Television Introductory
HUM00271 - Unruly Subjects: Citizenship Introductory
1 unit from your chosen major
1 unit from your chosen minors
Year 2, Session 1
2 units from your chosen major
1 unit from one of your chosen minors
1 unit from your other chosen minor
Year 2, Session 2
2 units from your chosen major
1 unit from one of your chosen minors
1 unit from your other chosen minor
Year 3, Session 1
1 unit from your major
1 unit from your chosen minor
1 unit from your other chosen minor
1 elective
Year 3, Session 2
1 unit from your chosen major
3 electives

Title Level of learning Note
Year 1, Session 1
COM10295 - Written Communication Introductory
CUL00210 - Australia, Asia and the World Introductory
1 unit from your chosen major
1 unit from your other chosen major
Year 1, Session 2
SOC10399 - Philosophy on Screen: Film and Television Introductory
HUM00271 - Unruly Subjects: Citizenship Introductory
1 unit from your chosen major
1 unit from your other chosen major
Year 2, Session 1
2 units from your chosen major
1 unit from your other chosen major
1 unit from your chosen minor OR 1 elective
Year 2, Session 2
2 units from your chosen major
1 unit from your other major
1 unit from your chosen minor OR 1 elective
Year 3, Session 1
1 unit from your chosen major
2 units from your other chosen major
1 unit from your chosen minor OR 1 elective
Year 3, Session 2
1 unit from your chosen major
2 units from your other chosen major
1 unit from your chosen minor OR 1 elective

Title Level of learning Note
Year 1, Session 1
COM10295 - Written Communication Introductory
CUL00210 - Australia, Asia and the World Introductory
2 units from your chosen major
Year 1, Session 2
HUM00271 - Unruly Subjects: Citizenship Introductory
SOC10399 - Philosophy on Screen: Film and Television Introductory
2 units from your chosen major
Year 2, Session 1
2 units from your chosen major
2 units from your chosen minor
Year 2, Session 2
2 units from your chosen major
2 units from your chosen minor
Year 3, Session 1
4 electives
Year 3, Session 2
4 electives

Notes

Note 1: A student who receives an absent fail or fail for COM10295 Written Communication will need to complete EDU10010 Language and Learning in your Discipline. If a student passes EDU10010 they will not need to complete COM10295.
Note 2: Double weighted unit