Bachelor of Arts (Global) for 2013

Major study areas

ANTHROPOLOGY

In its broadest sense, anthropology is the study of all things human. It explores all aspects of humanity - everything from cultures, behaviours and communication to evolution, social structures and relationships. In recent years, there have been major social and political movements throughout the world in which people are stressing a sense of community, shared identity and assertions of difference. As a result, anthropologists are playing an increasingly important role in the world - where human diversity is an issue; anthropologists are called upon to provide their expertise.

ANCIENT CULTURES

Monash integrates archaeology and ancient history to offer a comprehensive approach to understanding ancient cultures, focusing on the Mediterranean. Monash is also the only university in Victoria where you can study ancient Egypt in depth with staff who conduct archaeological fieldwork in Egypt. Students look at the reconstruction of past societies and their evolution based upon all surviving data - art, architecture, religious beliefs, cultures and social structures.

AUSTRALIA IN THE WORLD

Australia in the world looks at Australia's social, cultural and political landscape. At Monash, we are renowned for our field trips, our use of interactive media, and our willingness to look beyond the myths and stereotypes and interrogate Australia in new and different ways. In doing so, students engage with a number of different disciplines including history, politics, literature, geography, international and Indigenous studies.

AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS STUDIES

In this discipline, students are encouraged to engage with what it means to be an Australian today, how our history might have unfolded differently, and how Australia can further enhance its democratic ideals. They use a comparative approach to understand key issues and experiences of Indigenous peoples not only in Australia, but in international contexts.

BEHAVIOURAL STUDIES

Behavioural studies explores the way in which humans act and interact with each other. At Monash, we focus on looking at human behaviour in the changing and challenging environment of the 21st century. Students analyse a range of historical and emerging insights about the way we behave from a variety of disciplines - sociology, culture, philosophy, biology and psychology.

BIOETHICS

The growth of scientific knowledge and technical ability in medicine, genetics and the biological sciences has led to a number of ethical problems which perplex us all, for example: is genetic enhancement of humans ethically justified? Does the fact that we can prolong someone's life in a permanent vegetative state mean that we should? The study of bioethics attempts to develop ethical thinking to keep up with advances in biomedical technology and anticipate further developments that are yet to come.

CHILD AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Poor early life experience of children and adolescents - leading to harmful outcomes like underachievement, behaviour problems and crime - is a major focus in the study of child and youth development. Students learn to assess to needs of at-risk children and youth, and how to design and implement programs and tools that encourage positive behaviour into the everyday life of children for use in a variety of settings including child care, education, the community, parent education, school, support, and juvenile justice. Please note, this area of study is only available in South Africa.

CHINESE STUDIES

Not only is China becoming the powerhouse of the world economy, it is among the fastest growing economies in the world, and is of ever increasing importance to Australia within both government and private sectors. Students who want to study Chinese at Monash have the option of starting from a number of different entry points - whether you are an absolute beginner or have studied Chinese in VCE or overseas, there is an appropriate level on offer for you. Students can also pursue studies in the Chinese Translation stream. Chinese translation provides students with a solid foundation in basic Chinese translation and interpreting. Through exploring business and professional translation as well as basic translation, students develop language skills in both written and verbal forms, and cultural sensitivity and knowledge.

COMMUNICATIONS

Communications focuses on the role of media in society and how this influences the way we receive communications and the way we communicate with each other. Today, we get most of our news and knowledge from mass media and social media, so it is vital that students learn about the structures of communications industries and how to critically analyse the media.

COMMUNITY STUDIES

In community studies, students explore alternative and mainstream communities, community development, welfare work and Australian social justice issues. They are exposed to debates about the purpose of communities, and cover a range of issues including globalisation, citizenship, and the representation and history of Australian societies.

CRIMINOLOGY

Crime is an issue that all citizens and governments confront on a daily basis. In this study area, students debate the causes of crime, the problem of crime, and how it should be dealt with. They also gain the skills to understand the complexities of crime and how to critically analyse its workings and tensions.

ENGLISH

English students combine a love of reading with a passion for thinking, debating and analysing. English at Monash focuses on English literature and language, and its uses for a range of communication and cultural purposes. We aim to equip students with excellent communication skills, knowledge of a wide range of literary genres, and an understanding of the theoretical frameworks that underpin reading, writing and language use.

ENGLISH AS AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE

English as an international language provides students with a new perspective on the use of English in today's globalised world by looking at the implications of intercultural communication. Students explore the use of English in a range of contexts - academic, professional, and international.

FILM AND SCREEN STUDIES

This teaching program extends and enhances everyday ways of thinking about film and screen into more sophisticated and specialised methods and approaches. Students explore the film and screen cultures of Asia, the United States and Europe, looking at everything from contemporary popular Hollywood to documentary film, and everything in between.

FRENCH STUDIES

French is spoken in 42 countries over 5 continents. It is one of the five official languages of the United Nations and is used by important international bodies such as the World Health Organisation, the International Court of Justice, the OECD and the International Olympic Committee. Learning French at Monash gives students access to a culture with a key role in the past, present and future development of western civilisation. Students develop a critical understanding of fundamental areas of French studies, such as literature, film, philosophy and politics.

GEOGRAPHY, CLIMATE AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS

Geography, climate and physical environments integrates the study of environmental processes, landforms, soils and vegetation, climate and climate change, with human interactions and environmental management and policy. Students develop analytical skills in geography and environmental science through practical and field-based work and applied research projects. Students have the option to pursue studies in one of two streams: Climate, Land and Water; or Geographical Studies.

GERMAN STUDIES

Our German program is designed for students who want to specialise in German language, linguistics and culture. Students explore each of these areas and look at how they relate to German society.

HISTORY

History is not simply about dates and facts, but about new ways to interpret and understand the past, allowing us to make sense of the world today. History at Monash delves into different aspects of the human experience, and considers societies and civilisations across a range of periods and continents. Students can study everything from medieval and renaissance Europe to contemporary worlds, Asian civilisations and nations at war.

HISTORY-POLITICS

History and politics are two very interrelated disciplines - so why not study them together? In history-politics at Monash, students build their knowledge of the history and politics of Europe, Australia, Asia, the US and international relations. Students gain a deeper understanding on the past and present world, as well as continuity and change in human society.

HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE STUDIES

Holocaust and genocides studies asks students to reflect upon why genocide takes place and how people come to participate in mass violence. Students study the Holocaust as well as histories of other genocide beyond the Holocaust, including such case studies as Armenia, Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Darfur. Themes studied across all genocides include: trauma and testimony; the limits of representation; the survivor experience across generations and cultures; the role of the law in adjudicating war crimes; media coverage; and the failure to prevent genocide.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Torture, hunger, terrorism, political corruption, racial discrimination - we all agree that these are some of the most serious contemporary human evils. The global effort to redress these evils has largely been organised around a framework of universal human rights. Students of human rights examine debates about the nature and legitimacy of human rights claims, and the role of human rights in the broader context of international affairs.

INDIGENOUS CULTURES AND HISTORIES

In Indigenous cultures and histories, students develop a good knowledge base about key issues in Indigenous societies, including the ongoing relationship between Indigenous and settler Australians, points of contestation and how this has shaped the position of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in contemporary society, and understanding Indigenous relationships to each other and the land.

INDONESIAN STUDIES

Monash has been teaching Indonesian culture and language for 50 years. Our Indonesian language students come from a range of backgrounds and begin at a variety of levels - from no prior knowledge of the language to proficient speakers. Students develop knowledge of the broader social, political and cultural contexts that make up the Indonesian environment and are encouraged to engage with our community of scholars who specialise in Indonesia and the Southeast Asian region.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

International relations provides students with an understanding of the many aspects of contemporary global politics and economics, and a solid intellectual grounding in the key debates, historical events and political institutions that have shaped the international relations discipline. International relations at Monash specialises in four broad areas: international security studies; global and European Union regional governance; international political economy; and foreign policy.

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

As the world globalises and nations and economies become more integrated, understanding our world and the ideas and beliefs of our neighbours is vital. International studies criss-crosses history, politics, international relations, sociology and economics. It starts by looking at the history of the 20th century and then moves to the issues facing our world as we move into the 21st century. Students can also pursue studies in one of two streams: Asian studies; European studies.

ISLAMIC STUDIES

Islamic studies is taught in association with the Centre for Inter-Religious Dialogue at Australian Catholic University. Students can explore a range of different topics including Arabic language, approaches to the Qur'an and Hadith, Islamic history and leadership, and contemporary thought.

ITALIAN STUDIES

Knowledge of Italian is useful in itself, but is also essential to the study of other areas like history, literature, music, art and economics. Italian studies students at Monash explore contemporary literature, cinema and theatre, as well as medieval and Renaissance history and culture.

JAPANESE STUDIES

Communicating in Japanese requires cultural knowledge as well as language ability. At Monash, we have established ourselves as a national leader in developing innovative and effective programs for teaching Japanese. We teach Japanese from 3 entry points catering for everyone from the absolute beginner to semi-native speakers. In additional to language skills, students learn about Japanese culture and society, history, the media, and its broader Asian context.

JEWISH STUDIES

Jewish studies equips students with an understanding of Jewish civilisation in its many aspects - language and literature, history, theology, philosophy, rabbinics, law, politics and sociology. Students can also pursue studies in a Yiddish language stream.

JOURNALISM PRACTICE

In journalism practice, students begin to produce real journalism from day one. The program covers the full range of production technologies - print, video, radio and online - and students are taught to reach high professional standards. As their studies progress, students build a production portfolio of published works that they can take with them to employers.

JOURNALISM STUDIES

Journalism studies complements the journalism major - they are typically taken together - but you can also take journalism studies as a stand-alone area of study. It takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on a range of areas including media studies, politics, economics, history and philosophy. Students learn about the context and practice of journalism in Australia and internationally, while developing skills in media research.

KOREAN STUDIES

Did you know that Korean is Australia's second largest trading partner? This means that employers in business and trade, law firms, schools and universities, and Federal and State Governments have a need for people with Korean expertise. Teaching of Korean at Monash incorporates interactive and multimedia resources to enhance students' learning and bring Korean culture to the classroom. Students can study Korean language from an absolute beginner's level through to proficient.

LINGUISTICS

Put simply, linguistics is the study of language. It looks at the structure of language, such as grammar, its meaning and how it is used, or in other words, its context. Students explore how languages differ and how they are alike, and learn techniques and principles to use in analysing any language. Examples of practical applications of linguistics include communication within organisations, the development of language policies in government and education, and intercultural communication.

LITERARY STUDIES

Our literary studies program encompasses some of the most well-known, interesting and important poems, plays and novels of contemporary times and the past. Everything from the classic texts to contemporary works by Generation Y can be explored. Students learn to think about literature in relation to the ideas and concerns of the current time, as well as the time in which the literature was written. On graduating, students are able to research and write on a variety of challenging topics, engage with ideas, and communicate fluently and clearly in both written and oral form, setting them up for a wide range of employment opportunities.

There are 3 different pathways that students can take in the Literary Studies major: Literatures in English, Creative Writing, International Literatures.

MODERN GREEK

Modern Greek at Monash offers students a unique opportunity to indulge in Greek language and culture, which has exercised a significant influence on Australian society. Students explore the culture and literature of Greece over the past 200 years, as well as the rhythm of life in Greece today.

MUSIC

Become the complete 21st century musician by surrounding yourself with some of the finest professionals in their fields at one of the best music schools in Australia - the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music. Students receive one-on-one teaching to develop their solo and ensemble performance skills, and also explore composition, musicology (the academic study of music), ethnomusicology (the study of music of different cultures), and creative music technology.

PHILOSOPHY

What sorts of things exist in the world and how are they related? How are the mind and matter related? Philosophy raises questions such as these about the basic assumptions of every form of human inquiry - and attempts to find the answers. Students explore the notions of logic, critical reasoning, and both personal and professional ethics.

POLITICS

Politics at university is more concerned with explaining how and why different political systems are constructed, and how they work, than surface level politics such as current affairs. Students look at what happens, but also investigate why, such as the causes of political events and hidden meanings and motivations.

PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES

Psychological studies provides a sequence of units that cover popular applied areas of psychology, such as forensic psychology, the psychology of sport, and psychology and work. It is ideal for students who are not intending to take up psychology as a profession, but want to complement studies in education, social welfare, journalism, criminal justice and sociology.

PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology draws on a range of phenomena including remembering and forgetting, thinking, learning, problem solving, how we communicate, our emotions, and our social interactions. It allows us to examine how we respond to the world around us, providing valuable insights in how we can interact with the world more effectively and safely.

RELIGION AND THEOLOGY

Is there more than what we see? It is important for all of us to acquire an appreciation of the various religions and spiritual traditions that shape our world. Only in doing so can we truly understand contemporary debates and the relationship of different religious and spiritual traditions with the modern world. Students have the opportunity to study a range of religious traditions, beliefs and theological systems within a variety of contexts.

SOCIETY, CITIES AND SUSTAINABILITY

Society, cities and sustainability investigates the changing and complex relationship between people and their environments. Combining human geography, social science and sustainability science, this interdisciplinary area of study provides students with a unique blend of analytical skills and knowledge required to find sustainable solutions to the global challenges of rapid urbanisation, environmental degradation, climate change, deepening poverty, uneven global development, and rising socioeconomic inequality.

SOCIOLOGY

Sociology explores people and the relationships that they have in different contexts such as families, schools and workplaces. Sociologists look to things like social class, gender, ethnicity, power and culture to understand and explain the differences in how people live, think and feel. Students can also pursue studies in a Gender Studies stream.

SPANISH AND LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES

Spanish is the language of over 400 million people. It is spoken officially in 23 countries, and is the second language of the US. At Monash, language classes - even beginners - are taught in Spanish, so you get to listen to Spanish from your very first class. While developing their language skills, students also explore the rich diversity of Spanish and Latin American cultures, including literature, film, music and history, allowing them to develop cultural competency alongside their linguistic skills.

THEATRE

Theatre focuses on the past, present and future of performance. It combines theoretical frameworks with the practical study of key themes, questions and practices. Theatre provides students with the ability to think critically, preparing them for a future where theatre and performance increasing cross genres, cultures, geographic boundaries, and modes of artistic expression.

UKRAINIAN STUDIES

Like all of our language programs, Ukrainian language and studies is available to students with little or no prior knowledge of Ukrainian, as well as students that are already competent. Students develop skills in written and spoken language, while exploring the culture, history, literature and everyday life in the Ukraine.

VISUAL CULTURE

Visual culture involves a critical engagement with all types of visual expression and communication in society, ranging from the traditional fine arts such as painting and sculpture, to recent visual media such as advertising, fashion, film, and cyber-culture.

WRITING

Writing at Monash offers students the opportunity to understand a range of writing practices and to become familiar with different kinds of writing and language use for different audiences and purposes. Students gain a detailed understanding of the range of techniques used in contemporary writing practice, and graduate with valuable analytical, editorial and creative skills, applicable to a variety of careers.