Bachelor of Creative Arts

2023 Deakin University Handbook

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Year

2023 course information

Award granted Bachelor of Creative Arts
Course Map

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023. 

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023. 

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

CampusOffered at Burwood (Melbourne)
OnlineNo
Duration3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code109271E Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course codeA317
Approval status

This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

The first available intake into this course will be Trimester 1, 2023

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Express your individuality, challenge the norm and create without limitations under the guidance of experienced industry professionals in Deakin's Bachelor of Creative Arts. Immerse yourself in your creative practice and develop the adaptable critical skills necessary to become an agile and versatile creative with a sustainable career in the arts sector.

Get amongst the next generation of dynamic practicing creatives when you major in one of the following specialist areas:

- dance

- drama

- photography

- publishing

- visual arts

- writing.

Along with your major, you’ll personalise your degree with minors in complementary study areas, like scriptwriting, 2D and 3D practices, theatre production, Indigenous studies and more. Each day you’ll delve into new creative mediums and experiment in areas that develop your interests and unique talents.

Want to build a sustained arts career doing what you love?

Realise your creative dreams when you study a Bachelor of Creative Arts at Deakin. You’ll dedicate yourself to mastering your creative practice and spend your days exploring fresh perspectives through your craft.

Explore a diverse range of creative mediums to tell captivating stories through your craft, in a flexible and supportive environment. You’ll have the scope to expand your creative practice beyond what you’ve ever imagined, preparing you to thrive in the contemporary arts world.

From day one, you’ll connect and collaborate with a vibrant community of creatives and makers who share the same passions as you. Our accomplished academics and practising creative professionals will support you along your journey, challenging you to reach your full potential. You’ll create in our specialty learning spaces – including studios, gallery spaces and theatres – and utilise the latest technology to enhance your creative vision.

Over the course of the degree, you’ll develop an entrepreneurial mindset and the leadership skills needed to keep pace in the fast-moving creative industries. Beyond your creative practice, you’ll develop real-world skills and form connections with the arts industry through programs, internships and volunteering opportunities.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have the foundations to work across the arts and entertainment industries in anything from live theatre and dance, film and television to media and communications, or develop an independent freelance career working towards exhibitions, publications, festivals and community productions and events.

Career opportunities

You'll have the freedom to experiment with creative art forms and explore a diverse range of majors and minors, allowing you to become a dynamic creative with a range of in-demand practical skills.

Our work-integrated learning opportunities ensure that you’ll graduate with the professional network and practical skills needed to lead you to your future career in the arts, whether you decide to work in an arts organisation, or pursue your goals as an entrepreneurial freelancer.

You’ll be able to take your degree into a range of careers, including:

  • acting
  • administration
  • art therapies
  • arts administration and curation
  • commercial art direction, design, or illustration
  • community art practice
  • community theatre
  • copywriting and technical writing
  • dance
  • drama
  • editing
  • education
  • event, festival and production management
  • experimental art practices
  • gallery curation
  • photography
  • professional and creative writing
  • publishing
  • research
  • stage management
  • theatre directing
  • visual arts
  • visual communication
For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

Interpret and apply conceptual, theoretical and technical skills in the analysis and presentation of a range of artistic artefacts within areas of specialisation and across multidisciplinary contexts.

Communication

Articulate critical engagement with a variety of mediums, methods, techniques and strategies to present ideas, exhibitions, performances and/or practical work.

Digital literacy

Critically evaluate and apply a range of information technologies, digital tools, devices and environments to support and develop ideas and creative expression.

Critical thinking

Analyse and synthesize research materials through multiple sources and mediums to generate original and innovative ideas about creative work in diverse cultural settings.

Problem solving

Identify, explore and generate solutions to creative arts problems grounded in theory and/or practice.

Self-management

Develop, manage and critically reflect upon the production and presentation of creative works in accordance with industry standards and personal learning goals.

Teamwork

Contribute in a constructive, ethical and respectful way to the collaborative production of creative outcomes.

Global citizenship

Apply critical knowledge and awareness of diverse social and cultural contexts when engaging in creative arts practice.

Approved at Faculty Board February 2022

Course rules

To complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Creative Arts, students must complete 24 credit points including:

  • 3 credit points of creative arts thematic core units
  • 3 credit points of employability sequence units

Plus either:

OR

Remaining credit points may be used to undertake elective units or to undertake an additional minor sequence.

One major must be taken from the majors offered in the degree in which you are enrolled. The other major and minor sequences may be taken from Bachelor of Communication, Bachelor of Design or Bachelor of Film Television and Animation major or minor sequences.

Students must also ensure that they have met the following course rules to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Creative Arts:

  • a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
  • a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3
  • AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

A major or minor sequence is a group of units in a particular area of study taken over the three levels of your course. Each unit is usually worth 1 credit point.

A major sequence is made up of 8 credit points, and a minor sequence is made of 4 credit points.

Students are advised to refer to the details of each major or minor sequence for availability as some may be offered in campus and/or online mode only.

Major sequences

Area of Study Sequence Notes

Dance

Incompatible with the Dance minor sequence
Drama Incompatible with the Theatre minor sequence

Photography

Incompatible with the Analogue Practices and Digital Practice minor sequence

Publishing

Incompatible with the Professional Writing minor sequence

Visual Arts

Incompatible with the 2D Practices minor sequence and 3D Practice minor sequence

Writing

Incompatible with the Creative Writing and Scriptwriting minor sequence

Please check the rules of each major sequence to see which units you need to complete to achieve the required credit points.

Students are advised to refer to the details of each major or minor sequence for availability as some may be offered in campus and/or online mode only.

Minor sequences

Area of Study Sequence Notes

2D Practices

Incompatible with the Visual Arts major sequence
3D Practices Incompatible with the Visual Arts major sequence

Analogue Practices (Photography)

Incompatible with the Photography major sequence

Creative Writing

Incompatible with the Writing major sequence

Dance

Incompatible with the Dance major sequence

Digital Practices (Photography)

Incompatible with the Photography major sequence

Indigenous Studies

Nil

Professional Writing

Incompatible with the Publishing major sequence

Scriptwriting

Nil

Theatre

Incompatible with the Drama major sequence

Theatre Production

Nil

Please check the rules of each minor sequence to see which units you need to complete to achieve the required credit points.

Students are advised to refer to the details of each major or minor sequence for availability as some may be offered in campus and/or online mode only.

Course structure

Creative Arts Thematic Core

ACA102Creativity: Thinking Through Doing

ALW200Freelancing in the Arts

ALW301Critical Writing for Creative Practice

Employability sequence

AWL100Your Future Direction

Plus 1 credit point from:

AWL200Leadership and Transformation

AWL201Communication and Persuasive Presentation

AWL202Entrepreneurial Mindset

AWL203Expand Your Experience

Plus 1 credit point from:

AWL300Internship

AWL301Enhance Your Experience

AWL302Your Professional Story

Work experience

Prepare for your future by getting real world experience and the employability skills to succeed, while completing your degree. The Employability Stream is tailored to support you to be future ready. Deakin’s suite of Work Integrated Learning programs can connect you with internships, social impact programs and opportunities to extend your skills in settings across the globe.

Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Details of major sequences

Dance

Unit set code

MJ-A317001 (major)


Overview

Immerse yourself in the exciting physical, social and conceptual possibilities of contemporary dance. In the Dance major you will learn how the art of contemporary dance intersects with creativity, innovative thinking, community enrichment and technology. Study the diverse ways in which dance can engage and make a difference.

In the studio setting, core studies in technique, choreography, history and theory are complemented by work with digital technologies and other creative arts disciplines. Opportunities include exhibition, public performance and internship experiences.


Career outcomes

The course prepares you to launch a career as a practitioner in the professional dance sector. When you graduate you will be equipped to work across disciplines in a variety of contexts, initiate independent arts projects, or use your skills and knowledge as a dance teacher, who are in strong demand both in the school system and private studios.

Career opportunities include:

  • dance performance
  • choreography
  • community art practice
  • dance education
  • event, festival and production management
  • arts administration and curation
  • dance therapies

Units

To complete a Major sequence in Dance complete the eight (8) units as specified below

ACD101Introduction to Contemporary Dance Practice A

ACD104Exploring Dance Styles

ACD202Dance Making: Principles and Processes

ACA204Production Lab

ACD207Improvisation for Dance and Movement

ACD212Dance and Screens

ACD309Process Towards Performance

ACA301Student-Devised Public Performance

Note: Incompatible with the Dance minor sequence


Drama

Unit set code

MJ-A317002 (major)


Overview

Get amongst the next generation of dynamic theatre makers to create innovative contemporary performance in Deakin's Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama). Become a versatile and agile theatre practitioner equipped with the tools to kick-start your independent theatre career.

You will be challenged to develop physical, creative and intellectual capacities through practice-based learning, while also exploring history and theory, and working with digital technologies and other creative arts disciplines. In a studio setting, you’ll develop core skills in acting, improvisation, collaborative theatre creation, dramaturgy, dramatic text analysis, rehearsal techniques, and site-specific and applied performance.

Real-time practical learning in state-of-the-art facilities is supported by online materials, lectures, guest speakers and access to leaders in the field. Opportunities extend from campus-based learning to include public performance, site-based practice and internship experiences.


Career outcomes

Drama graduates are equipped to create and perform theatre works and to work in a variety of professional theatre contexts, including initiating their own work as independent theatre makers and pursuing various roles throughout the arts and entertainment industries. Our graduates work in careers across the industry in fields such as:

  • acting
  • community theatre
  • drama education
  • festival or event management
  • producing
  • stage management
  • theatre directing
  • youth theatre.

Units

To complete a Major sequence in Drama complete the eight (8) units as specified below

ACP103Acting Studio

ACP109Improvisation for Theatre

ACA204Production Lab

ACP207 Director's Workshop

ACP211Devising Theatre

ACP214Directed Production

ACA301Student-Devised Public Performance

ACP324Ensemble Devising (A)

Note: Incompatible with the Theatre minor sequence


Photography

Unit set code

MJ-A317003 (major)


Overview

Through this course, you’ll study photography as a 21st century tool for connectivity. Accessing professional-grade facilities and equipment, you’ll develop skills in:

  • chemical and digital imaging
  • portfolio creation
  • project management
  • visual communication
  • experimental practices
  • exhibition and online collaboration

Our experienced industry practitioners and technical support staff will guide and encourage you through a combination of:

  • lectures, practical workshops and demonstrations
  • class tutorials and critique sessions
  • gallery visits
  • solo and group projects

Guest speakers and professional practitioner presentations are a regular feature within this course and students also undertake fieldwork, industry visits and exhibitions of their own works.

Learn about the history, theory and culture of photography, and sharpen your skills through studying still and digital images, lighting design and photographic practice.

Get hands-on experience by exhibiting and showcasing your work in Deakin’s own gallery spaces, as well as through participating in external festivals, exhibitions and award programs.


Career outcomes

Photography graduates are equipped to pursue careers as professional practitioners throughout the arts and commercial sectors. Our graduates have moved into career opportunities in roles and fields including:

  • independent fine arts practitioner
  • event and sports photographer
  • commercial portraiture
  • fashion or product photographer
  • community-based arts
  • gallery director or assistant

Units

To complete a Major sequence in Photography complete the eight (8) units as specified below

ACI101Analogue Photography

ACI102Digital Photography

ACI202Advanced Digital Studio

ACI203Darkroom Practices

ACI204Photographic Storytelling

ACI205Photographic Lighting and Lens

ACI301Studio Research

ACI303Imaging: Post-Production to Print and Screen

Note: Incompatible with the Analogue Practices and Digital Practice minor sequence


Publishing

Unit set code

MJ-A317004 (major)


Overview

Gain expertise, practical experience, and develop professional skills in the rapidly changing industry of publishing. The emphasis in this major is the achievement of professional standards in publishing. After undertaking introductory units on professional writing, publishing, and design, you will gain experience in editing, feature writing and writing for young people, and the process of digital publication.


Career outcomes

  • Publishing
  • Editing
  • Education
  • Research
  • Copywriting and technical writing
  • Performing Arts

Units

To complete a Major sequence in Publishing complete the eight (8) units as specified below

ADD105Design Fundamentals

AIX117Professional Writing for Work

ACC213Dilemmas, Defamation, Deception and Disinformation

ALJ216Feature Writing

ALW204Publishing Fundamentals

ALW205The Role of the Editor

ALW352Writing and Publishing for Young People

ALW396Producing Digital Anthologies: From Concept to Publication

Note: Incompatible with the Professional Writing minor sequence


Visual Arts

Unit set code

MJ-A317005 (major)


Overview

The Visual Arts major combines in-depth disciplinary training in drawing, painting, 3D construction, fabrication, and digital technologies alongside a sequence of open-ended studio-based studies encouraging cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary thinking. Gain both the practical studio skills and adaptable critical thinking skills necessary to participate successfully in the art world and creative industries.

Theoretical elements of the course are highly integrated with studio practice and designed to develop transferable skills alongside the necessary specialist knowledge required to participate critically in your chosen fields.

There is emphasis on exhibition making as an integral aspect of professional studio practice and our various studio and gallery spaces are designed to support a dynamic culture of studio production and development, collaboration, experimentation, exhibition and critique. 


Career outcomes

From specialised studio practice and interdisciplinary learning to leading theory and critical thinking, you’ll develop the skills to be an adaptable, articulate and creative practitioner.

Draw inspiration from and gain expertise in:

  • digital technologies
  • traditional techniques
  • interdisciplinary practices
  • studio practice.

Units

To complete a Major sequence in Visual Arts complete the eight (8) units as specified below

ACV101Painting in the Visual Arts

ACV115Drawing and the Body in Visual Arts

ACV206Abstraction in the Visual Arts

ACV210Art in Public Space

ACV212Digital Practices and the Visual Arts

ACV213Modelling and the Visual Arts

ACV307Practice-Led Research in the Visual Arts

ACV312Visual Arts Major Project

Note: Incompatible with the 2D Practices minor sequence and 3D Practice minor sequence


Writing

Unit set code

MJ-A317006 (major)


Overview

Gain expertise, practical experience, and develop creative skills in writing. The emphasis in this major is on publication or the achievement of professional standards in writing. After undertaking introductory units on writing fundamentals, you will progress to specific forms and genres in writing (including fiction, creative nonfiction, scriptwriting, life writing, and writing for games). The major concludes with a unit in which you can develop a writing project of a commercially viable length.


Career outcomes

  • Professional and Creative Writing
  • Education
  • Research
  • Copywriting, speechwriting, and technical writing
  • Performing Arts (including scriptwriting for screen and stage)
  • Video-game industry

Units

To complete a Major sequence in Writing complete the eight (8) units as specified below

ALW101Writer's Toolkit: Craft and Creativity

ALW103Scriptwriting Fundamentals

ALW223Creative Nonfiction: Inquiry, Integrity, Vulnerability

ALW225Designing Fictions

ALW227Scriptwriting: Character, Action and Reaction

ALW251Writing for Games: Designing Quests and Characters

ALW394Writing Project

ALW395Writing Lives: Emerging Forms and Contemporary Practices

Note: Incompatible with the Creative Writing and Scriptwriting minor sequence


Details of minor sequences

2D Practices

Unit set code

MN-A317007 (minor)


Overview

Completing a minor in 2D practices will allow you to develop a range of 2D creative practice skills including painting, drawing and the use of digital technologies. By specialising in 2D practice, you will immerse yourself in rich histories, contexts and debates surrounding these disciplines, and use this knowledge to develop your own creative practice.


Units

To complete a Minor sequence in 2D Practices complete the four (4) units as specified below

ACV101Painting in the Visual Arts

ACV206Abstraction in the Visual Arts

ACV212Digital Practices and the Visual Arts

ACV307Practice-Led Research in the Visual Arts

Note: Incompatible with the Visual Arts major sequence


3D Practices

Unit set code

MN-A317008 (minor)


Overview

Specialising in 3D practice will help you realise the importance of the body, space, site and context while developing your own creative practice. You will learn fundamentals in drawing and modelling in order to visualise your own 2D and 3D artworks and learn skills required to plan and propose public artworks. You will then use these skills to develop your own body of work (in any medium).


Units

To complete a Minor sequence in 3D Practices complete the four (4) units as specified below

ACV115Drawing and the Body in Visual Arts

ACV210Art in Public Space

ACV213Modelling and the Visual Arts

ACV312Visual Arts Major Project

Note: Incompatible with the Visual Arts major sequence


Analogue Practices (Photography)

Unit set code

MN-A317009 (minor)


Overview

Analogue practices will give you the foundational skills required to shoot, develop and print photographic images. You will be introduced to camera handling, darkroom practices and the fundamentals of studio lighting, before developing your own photography project and portfolio.


Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Analogue Practices (Photography) complete the four (4) units as specified below

ACI101Analogue Photography

ACI203Darkroom Practices

ACI205Photographic Lighting and Lens

ACI301Studio Research

Note: Incompatible with the Photography major sequence


Creative Writing

Unit set code

MN-A317010 (minor)


Overview

Develop creative skills in writing. The emphasis in this minor is on the achievement of professional standards in writing. After undertaking a unit on writing fundamentals, you will progress to the specific forms of fiction, creative nonfiction, and life writing.


Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Creative Writing complete the four (4) units as specified below

ALW101Writer's Toolkit: Craft and Creativity

ALW223Creative Nonfiction: Inquiry, Integrity, Vulnerability

ALW225Designing Fictions

ALW395Writing Lives: Emerging Forms and Contemporary Practices

Note: Incompatible with the Writing major sequence


Dance

Unit set code

MN-A317001 (minor)


Overview

In the Dance minor you will discover how dance intersects with creativity, innovative thinking, community enrichment and technology. In the studio setting, core studies in technique, choreography, history and theory are complemented by work with digital technologies. You will have the chance to work on individual and group public performances and choreographic projects.


Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Dance complete the four (4) units as specified below

ACD104Exploring Dance Styles

ACD207Improvisation for Dance and Movement

ACD212Dance and Screens

ACD309Process Towards Performance

Note: Incompatible with the Dance major sequence


Digital Practices (Photography)

Unit set code

MN-A317011 (minor)


Overview

This series of units will teach you how you can use digital technology to achieve amazing results. You will learn how to use digital cameras (of all shapes and sizes) in conjunction with postproduction techniques for digital printing and screens. These skills will help you to develop storytelling and creative practice methodologies, and to develop your own creative style.  


Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Digital Practices (Photography) complete the four (4) units as specified below

ACI102Digital Photography

ACI202Advanced Digital Studio

ACI204Photographic Storytelling

ACI303Imaging: Post-Production to Print and Screen

Note: Incompatible with the Photography major sequence


Indigenous Studies

Unit set code

MN-A000074 (minor)


Overview

This minor sequence of Indigenous Studies units will build understanding, recognition and validity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander's ways of Valuing, Being, Knowing and Doing. Completing this sequence of study will facilitate a deeper understanding of ourselves and Australia's multiple histories to foster productive and meaningful relationships in culturally diverse communities, especially with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples


Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Indigenous Studies complete four (4) units selected from below

1 unit from:

IND101Introduction to Aboriginal Studies

IND102Aboriginal Australian Stories and Songlines

Plus 2 units from:

IND203Caring for Country

IND204Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing

IND205Global Indigenous Knowledges and Philosophies

Plus 1 unit from:

IND301Politics of Resistance in Indigenous Australia

IND302Working Alongside Aboriginal Communities


Professional Writing

Unit set code

MN-A317012 (minor)


Overview

Develop skills in professional, organisational, and online writing, as well as the rapidly changing industry of publishing. After undertaking an introductory unit on professional writing, you will gain experience in editing, feature writing, and the process of digital publication.


Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Professional Writing complete the four (4) units as specified below

AIX117Professional Writing for Work [replaced with ALW101]

ALJ216Feature Writing

ALW205The Role of the Editor

ALW396Producing Digital Anthologies: From Concept to Publication

Note: Incompatible with the Publishing major sequence


Scriptwriting

Unit set code

MN-A317013 (minor)


Overview

Develop skills in scriptwriting for different media and creative industries. After undertaking an introductory unit on the fundamentals of scriptwriting, you will gain further experience in scriptwriting, including writing for games and screenwriting. Students are encouraged to experiment in a range of styles, with a focus on the collaborative nature of scriptwriting.


Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Scriptwriting complete the four (4) units as specified below

ALW103Scriptwriting Fundamentals

ALW227Scriptwriting: Character, Action and Reaction

ALW251Writing for Games: Designing Quests and Characters

ACF307Major Screen Project A - Development


Theatre

Unit set code

MN-A317014 (minor)


Overview

The Theatre minor helps you build physical, creative and intellectual capacities through practice-based learning and collaborative performance creation. You will develop your creative voice and the technical skills required to create new stories, to relate to others, to problem solve, and communicate ideas confidently through speech and other physical and visual modes of expression. In the studio setting, you will explore a combination of acting, improvisation and devising theory and practice along with different performance styles and processes, theatre history, text studies and digital theatre crafts. You will have the opportunity to work on individual and group creative projects where you will gain a comprehensive knowledge of ensemble creation and production management.


Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Theatre complete the four (4) units as specified below

ACP109Improvisation for Theatre

ACP207 Director's Workshop

ACP214Directed Production

ACP324Ensemble Devising (A)

Note: Incompatible with the Drama major sequence


Theatre Production

Unit set code

MN-A317015 (minor)


Overview

The Theatre Production minor provides a foundation in the application of production arts in a theatrical environment. Students will be introduced to lighting, sound and vision systems, stage mechanics, workplace health and safety, and production communication processes - laying the foundations for future engagement in the specialised fields of live theatre production. Students will develop skills required for live production including technical lighting, sound and multimedia production and will explore stage and production management.


Units

To complete a Minor sequence in Theatre Production complete the four (4) units as specified below

ACP104Technical Production 1

ACP212Technical Production 2

ACP213Technical Production 3

ACP314Technical Production 4



Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Typically 150-hours of learning and assessment activities per Deakin credit point.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Other learning experiences

There are opportunities throughout the course for students to work with real briefs and real sites of professional exhibition, and to engage with industry professionals. These experiences will be integrated into units where students create and craft projects for external clients in order to more closely connect the learning experience with industry practices.

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units in this course.