Bachelor of Creative Arts

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2024 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Creative Arts
Deakin course code	A317
Faculty	Faculty of Arts and Education
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Online	No
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2024 This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2024 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS course code	109271E Burwood (Melbourne)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7

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 practising creatives when you major in one of the following specialist areas:

- dance
- photography
- publishing
- theatre
- visual arts
- writing.

Along with your major, you will personalise your degree with minors in complementary study areas, like scriptwriting, 2D and 3D practices, theatre production, Indigenous studies and more. Each day you will 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 will 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 will 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 will 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 will develop an entrepreneurial mindset and the leadership skills needed to keep pace in the fast-moving creative industries. Beyond your creative practice, you will develop real-world skills and form connections with the arts industry through programs, internships, and volunteering opportunities.

By the time you graduate, you will 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 will 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 will 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 will 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 the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, 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. For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students 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:

2 major sequences of at least 8 credit points

1 major sequence of at least 8 credit points plus 1 minor sequence of at least 4 credit points

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 or 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
DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (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
Photography	Incompatible with the Analogue Practices and Digital Practice minor sequence
Publishing	Incompatible with the Professional Writing minor sequence
Theatre Previously titled Drama	Incompatible with the Theatre minor sequence
Visual Arts	Incompatible with the 2D Practices in the Visual Arts minor sequence and 3D Practices in the Visual Arts 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 in the Visual Arts Previously titled 2D Practices	Incompatible with the Visual Arts major sequence
3D Practices in the Visual Arts Previously titled 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	Incompatible with the Writing major sequence
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

ACA102

Creativity: Thinking Through Doing

ALW200

Freelancing in the Arts

ALW301

Critical Writing for Creative Practice

Employability sequence

AWL100

Your Future Direction

Plus 1 credit point from:

AWL200

Leadership and Transformation

AWL201

Communication and Persuasive Presentation

AWL202

Entrepreneurial Mindset

AWL203

Expand Your Experience

Plus 1 credit point from:

AWL300

Internship

AWL301

Enhance Your Experience

AWL302

Your 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

ACD101

Introduction to Contemporary Dance Practice A

ACD104

Exploring Dance Styles

ACD202

Dance Making: Principles and Processes

ACA204

Production Lab

ACD207

Improvisation for Dance and Movement

ACD212

Dance and Screens

ACD309

Process Towards Performance

ACA301

Student-Devised Public Performance

Note: Incompatible with the Dance minor sequence

Theatre

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 (Theatre). 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 will 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

Theatre 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 Theatre complete the eight (8) units as specified below

ACP103

Acting Studio

ACP109

Improvisation for Theatre

Production Lab

Director's Workshop

Devising Theatre

Directed Production

Student-Devised Public Performance

ACP324

Ensemble Devising (A)

Note: Incompatible with the Theatre minor sequence

Photography

Unit set code

MJ-A317003 (major)

Overview

Through this course, you will study photography as a 21st century tool for connectivity. Accessing professional-grade facilities and equipment, you will 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

ACI101

Analogue Photography

ACI102

Digital Photography

ACI202

Advanced Digital Studio

ACI203

Darkroom Practices

ACI204

Photographic Storytelling

ACI205

Photographic Lighting and Lens

ACI301

Studio Research

ACI303

Imaging: 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

ADD105

Design Fundamentals

AIX117

Professional Writing for Work

ACC213

Dilemmas, Defamation, Deception and Disinformation

ALJ216

Feature Writing

ALW205

The Role of the Editor

ALW223

Creative Nonfiction: Inquiry, Integrity, Vulnerability [replaces ALW204]

ALW352

Writing and Publishing for Young People

ALW396

Producing Digital Anthologies: From Concept to Publication

ALW204 Publishing Fundamentals [no longer available for enrolment, replacement unit ALW223]

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 will 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

ACV101

Painting in the Visual Arts

ACV115

Drawing and the Body in Visual Arts

ACV206

Abstraction in the Visual Arts

ACV210

Art in Public Space

ACV212

Digital Practices and the Visual Arts

ACV213

Modelling and the Visual Arts

ACV307

Practice-Led Research in the Visual Arts

ACV312

Visual Arts Major Project

Note: Incompatible with the 2D Practices in the Visual Arts minor sequence and 3D Practices in the Visual Arts 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

ALW101

Writer's Toolkit: Craft and Creativity

ALW103

Scriptwriting Fundamentals

ALW223

Creative Nonfiction: Inquiry, Integrity, Vulnerability

ALW225

Designing Fictions

ALW227

Scriptwriting: Character, Action and Reaction

ALW251

Writing for Games: Designing Quests and Characters

ALW394

Writing Project

ALW395

Writing Lives: Emerging Forms and Contemporary Practices

Note: Incompatible with the Creative Writing and Scriptwriting minor sequence

Details of minor sequences

2D Practices in the Visual Arts

Unit set code

MN-A317007 (minor)

Overview

Completing a minor in 2D practices in the visual arts 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 in the Visual Arts complete the four (4) units as specified below

ACV101

Painting in the Visual Arts

ACV206

Abstraction in the Visual Arts

ACV212

Digital Practices and the Visual Arts

ACV307

Practice-Led Research in the Visual Arts

Note: Incompatible with the Visual Arts major sequence

3D Practices in the Visual Arts

Unit set code

MN-A317008 (minor)

Overview

Specialising in 3D practices in the visual arts 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 in the Visual Arts complete the four (4) units as specified below

ACV115

Drawing and the Body in Visual Arts

ACV210

Art in Public Space

ACV213

Modelling and the Visual Arts

ACV312

Visual 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

ACI101

Analogue Photography

ACI203

Darkroom Practices

ACI205

Photographic Lighting and Lens

ACI301

Studio 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

ALW101

Writer's Toolkit: Craft and Creativity

ALW223

Creative Nonfiction: Inquiry, Integrity, Vulnerability

ALW225

Designing Fictions

ALW395

Writing 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

ACD104

Exploring Dance Styles

ACD207

Improvisation for Dance and Movement

ACD212

Dance and Screens

ACD309

Process 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

ACI102

Digital Photography

ACI202

Advanced Digital Studio

ACI204

Photographic Storytelling

ACI303

Imaging: 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:

IND101

Introduction to Aboriginal Studies

IND102

Aboriginal Australian Stories and Songlines

Plus 2 units from:

IND203

Caring for Country

IND204

Australian Aboriginal Holistic Health and Healing

IND205

Global Indigenous Knowledges and Philosophies

Plus 1 unit from:

IND301

Politics of Resistance in Indigenous Australia

IND302

Working 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

AIX117

Professional Writing for Work [replaced with ALW101]

ALJ216

Feature Writing

ALW205

The Role of the Editor

ALW396

Producing 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

ALW103

Scriptwriting Fundamentals

ALW227

Scriptwriting: Character, Action and Reaction

ALW251

Writing for Games: Designing Quests and Characters

ACF307

Major 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

ACP109

Improvisation for Theatre

ACP207

Director's Workshop

ACP214

Directed Production

ACP324

Ensemble Devising (A)

Note: Incompatible with the Theatre 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

ACP104

Technical Production 1

ACP212

Technical Production 2

ACP213

Technical Production 3

ACP314

Technical Production 4

Other course information

Course duration

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.

Contact Student Central

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.