Bachelor of Arts - Advanced (Honours)
2023 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2023 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Arts - Advanced (Honours) |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Duration | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS course code | 093533A Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | A401 |
The final intake into this course was Trimester 2, 2021. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the Handbook archive. | |
Course sub-headings
Course overview
Stand out from the crowd with advanced research skills and specialist knowledge in your field of interest with Deakin's Bachelor of Arts – Advanced (Honours). If you’re a high-achieving student, this course allows you to enrol immediately in a four-year honours degree that combines a Bachelor of Arts with an honours year. You’ll develop high-level critical and systematic thinking skills in your area of interest and apply them through a supervised and supported research project.
As well as diverse coursework, you’ll develop your knowledge through a substantial research project in your fourth year which trains you to investigate, explore and inquire. These practical skills will be crucial throughout your career, or if you choose to continue your studies at a masters or PhD level. There are a broad range of majors to specialise in, from literature and creative writing to history and politics, allowing you to tailor your degree to your unique interests and career aspirations.
Want to spend your days deeply immersed in a topic you’re truly passionate about?
Our Bachelor of Arts – Advanced (Honours) provides similar training and opportunities to our popular arts degree, with the added benefit of an honours year that opens up exciting career and study opportunities. The course gives you the platform to question and examine an area of interest, through a supervised research project with one of our professional academics.
As a researcher, you’ll learn to think critically about how we find information, identify robust source material, and interpret and write about new ideas.
When you graduate, high-performing students will be eligible to apply for higher degrees by research and extend your new awareness through Deakin’s exceptional masters and doctorate programs (admissions requirements apply).
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Acquire coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in a Humanities or Social Science discipline including Creative and Professional Writing, Children’s Literature, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Anthropology, Criminology, History, Languages, International Relations, Literary Studies, Middle East Studies, Politics or Sociology. Acquire advanced knowledge of research principles and methods. Apply this knowledge with initiative and judgement in planning and executing a piece of research and scholarship. |
| Communication | Demonstrate advanced oral, written and electronic communication skills in the clear and coherent communication of research questions, design and outcomes to diverse audiences and in the production of scholarly papers. |
| Digital literacy | Acquire advanced technical skills in the use of a range of digital technologies to research, analyse, synthesise and disseminate information and resources in a rapidly-changing global environment. |
| Critical thinking | Employ intellectual independence and advanced theoretical knowledge and cognitive skills to critically analyse, evaluate and apply appropriate theories and methodologies in finding solutions to complex problems. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced theoretical knowledge and cognitive and technical skills to review, analyse, identify and apply solutions to complex problems in the Humanities and Social Sciences. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility, well-developed judgement and adaptability in learning and professional contexts and accountability for personal actions and in undertaking research and in the communication of research outcomes. |
| Teamwork | Work and learn collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and members of the wider community. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate an advanced understanding and awareness of ethical issues, cultural diversity, and social responsibility when engaging in scholarship and professional roles in the local, national or international community. |
| Approved by Faculty Board June 2016 | |
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Arts (Years 1 to 3), students must complete 24 credit points as follows:
- Two major sequences of at least 8 credit points each. Majors must comprise 2 credit points at level 1 and a minimum of 2 credit points at level 3 (unless otherwise stated).
Or
- One major of at least 8 credit points and one minor of at least 4 credit points consisting of units and level combinations as specified within the selected minor.
Plus
- No more than 10 credit points of units at level 1
- A minimum of 6 credit points at level 3.
- Up to a maximum of 8 credit points may be taken from outside the Arts course grouped units.
- AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
NOTE: Following successful completion of the first 3 levels of the course, students with a WAM (Weighted Average Mark) above 65 may progress to the honours level. A WAM of less than 65 results in an alternative exit from A401 with award A300 Bachelor of Arts.
The Honours (4th year) requires the completion of 8 credit points of study from a discipline sequence below. Half of that requirement is met through coursework, which may include directed reading and/or enrolment in course work units, and half is satisfied through a research project (thesis or dissertation) of 14000-16000 words. There are no attendance requirements for online enrolled students, although regular consultation with an appointed thesis supervisor is required.
Transition to University Study
The Faculty offers two units AIX160 Introduction to University Study and AIX117 Professional Writing for Work, that are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units in their first year.
Major sequences
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.
Please check the rules of each major and minor sequence to see which units you need to complete to achieve the required credit points.
| Major and or Minor | Campus | Notes |
| Anthropology | Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online | |
| Criminology | Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online | |
| English - Children's Literature Previously titled Children's Literature | Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool, Online | |
| Previously titled Creative Writing | Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online | |
| Previously titled Literary Studies | Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool, Online | Warrnambool offering available to continuing students only |
| Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online | ||
| History | Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online | |
| International Relations | Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online | |
| Middle East Studies | Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online | |
| Philosophy | Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online | |
| Politics and Policy Studies | Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool, Online | Offered to Warrnambool enrolled students by a combination of located learning and Online modes |
| Sociology | Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool, Online | Offered to Warrnambool enrolled students by a combination of located learning and Online modes |
For alternative majors/minors please refer to A300 Bachelor of Arts. Refer to the details of each discipline for availability.
To qualify for the award of the Honours (4th Year) students are required to complete 8 credit points of study at level 4. Half of that requirement is met through coursework, and half is satisfied through a research project (thesis or dissertation) of 14000-16000 words.
Where creative works form a significant part of the assessment, they must be accompanied by an exegesis of at least 6000 words, depending on the discipline area. There are no attendance requirements, although regular consultation with an appointed thesis supervisor is required. Students are also required to complete AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit).
Discipline sequences
Discipline sequences - Honours
The School of Communication and Creative Arts offers the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in the following disciplines: Children's Literature, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Creative Writing and Literary Studies.
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in the following disciplines: Anthropology, Criminology, History, Sociology, International Relations, Politics, Philosophy, Languages, and Middle East Studies
Sequencing - Honours
The BA Honours is best taken as a one-year full time course, but it is possible to both enter in Trimester 2 and to study part-time. Students enrolling in Trimester 2 in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences will commence part-time but may convert to full-time study in the following year. Course completion may be 18-months to 2-years.
Honours References
Applicants are also advised to read further information and complete requirements outlined in the Information and Application form. These requirements may include work experience, reasons for undertaking the course, previous academic information and your research proposal.