James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2000

Bachelor of Arts

Townsville, Cairns

DEGREE STRUCTURE

The Bachelor of Arts degree is characterised by diversity, flexibility and coherence.

Diversity: The wide range of subjects listed in Tables Ia and III of the Master Schedule indicates the large number of options available for inclusion within a BA degree. In addition, of the 72 units required for completion of the degree, up to 26 units can be selected from other tables in the Master Schedule.

Diversity is built into the BA degree structure, particularly at level 1 where, with certain exceptions, not more than 6 units may be taken from any one discipline. Greater specialisation may occur at levels 2 and 3.

At all levels some subjects are available without specific prerequisites and at level 1 a number of subjects which do not lead into a three-year sequence are available.

Flexibility: Not only can an Arts degree be constructed from a wide range of subjects and strands, but also these can be put together in a variety of ways. This means that each student’s BA course of study can be tailored to their own mix of interests and talents, with the result that very few students follow a totally identical course of study.

While some limitations to flexibility are contained in the BA requirements (in terms of number of units at each level, in any one discipline, and from outside Tables Ia and III) there remains considerable scope for both flexibility and diversity in constructing a BA degree program.

Coherence: There is no requirement in the Bachelor of Arts degree for students to complete a three-year major sequence in a particular discipline, although many BA students will choose to do so by selecting one or two of the single discipline strands. However, this is not the only way in which students may fulfil the requirement for coherence in the BA degree.

One alternative is to select one of the interdisciplinary strands and thereby to achieve coherence in Aboriginal and Islander studies, Australian studies, Environmental studies, Southeast Asian studies or in Women’s studies. Please see the Faculty Office for information on these strands of study.

Another alternative, in consultation with the Academic Advisers, is to devise an individually coherent program of study, selecting subjects from a number of disciplines which are complementary in some way.

It should be noted that total coherence is not required. Thus it is possible to include in a BA degree, areas of study which are not closely related to the main focus of the degree. For example, while choosing complementary geography and sociology subjects at levels 2 and 3 it is quite acceptable also to include visual arts subjects, thereby developing a life interest alongside subjects relevant to a future career.

GENERAL STRAND

The General strand allows a student, in consultation with the Academic Advisers, to construct an individually tailored degree program which fulfils the conditions of the BA requirements and combines coherence with diversity and flexibility.

Level 1 students are advised to enrol in the General strand in order to experience several discipline areas before selecting one or more specific strands at level 2. Additionally, students who do not wish to follow precisely any of the single discipline or interdisciplinary strands listed below, should enrol in the General strand for all three years of the BA degree.

Once enrolled in a specific strand a student is not obliged to remain in it but may change to the General strand or, provided the prerequisites are fulfilled, to a different specific strand.

Bachelor of Arts

LEVEL 1

(a) At least 6 level 1 units from English (EL), French (FR), Japanese (JA), Journalism (JN), History (HI) or Politics (PL);

(b) at least 6 additional level 1 units from subjects from Table Ia or III of the Master Schedule of Subjects;

(c) remaining level 1 subjects from the Master Schedule.

(Note: The normal full-time load is 24 units. Students must complete at least 18 units of level 1 subjects but can have up to 30 units of level 1 subjects in their degree.)

LEVEL 2

(a) At least 8 units of level 2 subjects from Table Ia or III of the Master Schedule;

(b) at least 7 additional units of level 2 subjects from the Master Schedule;

(c) remaining subjects can be drawn from Table Ia or III or from other parts of the Master Schedule which comply with Sections 2.2 and 4 of the BA Requirements.

LEVEL 3

(a) At least 12 units of level 3 subjects from Table Ia or III of the Master Schedule;

(b) at least 6 additional units of level 3 subjects from the Master Schedule;

(c) remaining level 3 subjects can be drawn from Table Ia or III or from other parts of the Master Schedule which comply with Sections 2.2 and 4 of the BA Requirements.

Strands within the Bachelor of Arts degree

While the Bachelor of Arts degree is characterised by its diversity and flexibility, students wishing to specialise in a particular discipline should refer to the recommended strands listed below and those under the Bachelor of Social Science program beginning on page 265.

English

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 4 (Honours students only)

History

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 4 (Honours students only)

Journalism

Refer to Bachelor of Journalism program on page 263.

Modern Languages

Refer to the Bachelor of Languages program on page 264.

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 4 (Honours students only)

Politics

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 4 (Honours students only)

It is emphasised that the specific strands are identified primarily to provide guidance for students. Thus enrolment in a specific strand is not compulsory, although students considering BA Honours are advised to enrol in a specific strand in the Honours discipline (or, in the case of combined Honours, in two disciplines).

Strands – Townsville campus

Anthropology; Archaeology; Asian Studies; Australian Studies; Computer Science; Cultural Heritage Studies; Economics; English Literature; Geography; History and Politics; Indigenous Australian Studies; Mathematics and Statistics; Modern Languages; Psychology; Social Policy; Sociology; Southeast Asian Studies; Tropical Environment Studies; Visual Arts; Welfare Studies; Women’s Studies.

Strands – Cairns campus

Anthropology; Computer Science; English Literature; Geography; History; Mathematics and Statistics; Modern Languages; Politics; Psychology; Social Policy; Sociology; Tropical Environment Studies; Welfare Studies.