Global Utilities

La Trobe University
University Handbook 2013

Bachelor of Arts

Course code/s: HUSBAM Mildura

The Bachelor of Arts combines a broad general education with the opportunity to sharpen your skills, broaden your horizons and work towards specific occupational or personal goals.  Learn about the past, the present, and the future – about society, culture, history and literature.

The degree of Bachelor of Arts is offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences either as a pass degree or with honours.  The pass degree, if taken full-time is designed to be completed within three years.  An honours degree, which requires an additional year of full-time study, is available at the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus to qualified students.

It is the responsibility of students to familiarise themselves with course requirements and ensure that they are enrolled in subjects that confirm to those requirements.  Students are encouraged to contact the campus office if they have any questions regarding requirements for their course.

Admission requirements

Prerequisite studies: a study score of at least 20 in VCE units 3 and 4 of English or equivalent is required for entry to the Bachelor of Arts. The Faculty will consider for admission applicants from all entrance categories.

Applicants who have not completed year-12 or equivalent may apply under the Special Entry Access Schemes. See the current VTAC Guide for more details or go to www.vtac.edu.au

Applicants who are aged 21 years or more by 1 January of the year of their intended entry and who have not satisfied minimum tertiary entrance requirements may become eligible for entry by completing extra requirements; further information may be obtained from the campus office.

Course requirements

To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 360 credit points, with at least 120 credit points at third year level and include in their course at least one core major.

The following humanities and social sciences disciplines offer core majors to fulfil the course requirements of the Bachelor of Arts at the Mildura campus:

  • Graphic Design
  • English
  • Sociology
  • Visual Arts
Please note that a folio and interview are required prior to enrolling into either the Graphic Design or Visual Arts majors.

The following humanities and social sciences disciplines offer minors:

  • History
  • Photojournalism

Minors are also available for any of the above majors, providing a student is not majoring within the discipline.

Students may choose electives subjects offered by other faculties at the Mildura campus, this is subject to the restrictions in the course requirements below.

Single Major (120 credit points)

A major consists of 120 credit points in a discipline, and must include the following:

  • 30 credit points at first year level (including a first-year core subject),
  • 45 credit points at second-year level (including a second-year core subject) and,
  • 45 credit points at third-year level (including a third-year core subject)

To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 360 credit points, with at least 120 credit points at third year level and include in their course at least one core major. Students can complete a double major by completing two of the listed majors above.

Requirements for completion of the Bachelor of Arts with a single major
First year
Major 1 (core subject) Humanities and Social Sciences Elective Humanities and Social Sciences Elective University Elective
Major 1 Humanities and Social Sciences Elective Humanities and Social Sciences Elective University Elective
Second year
Major 1 (core subject) Major 1 Humanities and Social Sciences Elective University Elective
Major 1 Humanities and Social Sciences Elective Humanities and Social Sciences Elective University Elective
Third year
Major 1 (core subject) Major 1 Humanities and Social Sciences Elective University Elective
Major 1 Humanities and Social Sciences Elective Humanities and Social Sciences Elective University Elective

Double major (240 credit points)

Students can complete a double major within the Bachelor of Arts which consists of 120 credit points in each of two different disciplines. The structure is the same as the structure for a single major but students must complete the requirements for two different disciplines (majors).

Requirements for completion of the Bachelor of Arts with a double major
First year
TE-SEM-1 Major 1 (core subject) Major 2 (core subject) Humanities and Social Sciences Elective University Elective
TE-SEM-2 Major 1 Major 2 Humanities and Social Sciences Elective University Elective
Second year
TE-SEM-1 Major 1 (core subject) Major 1 Major 2 (core subject) University Elective
TE-SEM-2 Major 1 Major 2 Major 2 University Elective
Third year
TE-SEM-1 Major 1 (core subject) Major 1 Major 2 University Elective
TE-SEM-2 Major 1 Major 2 (core subject) Major 2 University Elective
Information in this handbook may be revised during the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences restructure process.

Subjects available for completion of your chosen major (15 credit points)

English Major (120 credit points)

Teaching period Subject name Subject code
First year requirements (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 Texts over Time: introduction to literature (1st year core subject) ENG1TOT
TE-SEM-2 Text Criticism and the Visual ENG1TCV
Second year requirements  (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 Humanities Reading Subject 2A HUS2RS1
TE-SEM-2 Reading Writing Communities (2nd year core subject) ENG2RWC
TE-SEM-2 Shakespeare and Contemporaries (online) ENG2SAC
Third year requirements  (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 Five Shakespeare Plays ENG3FSP
TE-SEM-2 Reading Writing Communities ENG3RWC
TE-SEM-2 Shakespeare and Contemporaries (online) ENG3SAC

Graphic Design Major (120 credit points)

Teaching period Subject name Subject code
 First year requirements (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 Applied Design 1 VPA1AD1
TE-SEM-2 Applied Design 2 VPA1AD2
Second year requirements (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 Applied Design 3 (core) VPA2AD3
TE-SEM-2 Applied Design 4 (core) VPA2AD4
  AND EITHER  
TE-SEM-1 Comparative Studies in Visual Media (Illustration) C VPA2CVC
  OR  
TE-SEM-2 Comparative Studies in Visual Media (Illustration) D VPA2CVD
Third year requirements (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 Applied Design 5 (core) VPA3AD5
TE-SEM-2 Applied Design 6 (core) VPA3AD6
  AND EITHER  
TE-SEM-1 Graphic Design Professional Studies A VPA3GPA
  OR  
TE-SEM-2 Graphic Design Professional Studies B VPA3GPB

Sociology Major (120 credit points)

Teaching period Subject name Subject code
First year core subjects (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 Introduction to Sociology SOC1SAC
TE-SEM-2 Australia and Beyond: Introduction to Sociology SOC1AAB
Second year core subject  (15 credit points)
TE-SEM-1 Social Research Methods (2nd year core subject) SOC2MSR
Second year subjects - choose 30 credit points of subjects from below
TE-SEM-2 Community and History: Creating Stories of People and Place HIS2CHA
TE-SEM-2 Reading Writing Communities ENG2RWC
TE-SEM-2 Sociology of Emotions (online subject) SOC2SEM
TE-SEM-2 Sociology of Health and Illness SOC2SHI
Third year core subject  (15 credit points)
TE-SEM-2 Theory, Culture and Society SOC3TCS
Third year subjects - choose 30 credit points of subjects from below
TE-SEM-2 Making History HIS3MHI
TE-SEM-2 Sociology of Emotions (online subject) SOC3SEM
TE-SEM-2 Sociology of Health and Illness SOC3SHI

Visual Arts Major (120 credit points)

Teaching period Subject name Subject code
First year requirements (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 Visual Arts Media Workshop A VPA1MWA
TE-SEM-2 Visual Arts Media Workshop B VPA1MWB
Second year requirements (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 Visual Arts Media Workshop C (core) VPA2MWC
TE-SEM-2 Visual Arts Media Workshop D (core) VPA2MWD
  AND EITHER  
TE-SEM-1/2 Comparative Studies in Visual Media C VPA2CVC
  OR  
TE-SEM-1/2 Comparative Studies in Visual Media D VPA2CVD
Third year requirements (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 Visual Arts Media Workshop E (core) VPA3MWE
TE-SEM-2 Visual Arts Media Workshop F (core) VPA3MWF
  AND EITHER  
TE-SEM-1/2 Professional Studies A VPA3PSA
  OR  
TE-SEM-1/2 Professional Studies B VPA3PSB

History or Photojournalism Minors

Please note that if you wish to complete a minor in either History or Photojournalism you will need to complete the following:

  • 30 credit points of either History or Photojournalism subjects at first year level, and
  • 15 credit points of either History or Photojournalism at second year level, and
  • 15 credit points of either History or Photojournalism at third year level

Photojournalism will require you to complete the two second year level subjects as they are the prerequisite subjects for third year subjects.

First, second and third year elective subjects

Teaching period Subject name Subject code
First year elective subjects (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 Global Migration Stories HIS1GMS
TE-SEM-1 Introduction to Aboriginal Australia ABS1IIA
TE-SEM-1 or 2 Introduction to Photojournalism 1 (online) VPA1PJ1
TE-SEM-1 or 2 Photojournalism Practice & Theory 2 (online) VPA1PJ2
TE-SEM-2 Critical Thinking (online subject) PHI1CRT
TE-SEM-2 First-Year Academic Seminar: Exploring the Human Experience HUS1FAS
TE-SEM-2 Uni 1: Strategies for Academic Success HUS1SAS
TE-SEM-2 Myth, Legend and History HIS1MLH
Second year elective subjects (15 credit points each)
TE-SEM-1 International Politics of Climate Change: Triumph or Tragedy? POL2IPC
TE-SEM-1 Nazi Germany and Europe: The era of Hitler, Churchill and Stalin 1918-45 HIS2NGE
TE-SEM-1 Medieval Europe C.600-1200 (online subject) ARH2MEU
TE-SEM-1 or 2 Photojournalism 3 (online) VPA2PJ3
TE-SEM-1 or 2 Photojournalism 4 (online) VPA2PJ4
TE-SEM-2 Civil War to Civil Rights in the USA HIS2CWU
TE-SEM-2 Community and History: Creating Stories of People and Place (2nd year core prior to 2013) HIS2CHA
TE-SEM-2 Work Ready Skills and Planning Your Career HUM2WRS
TE-SEM-W International Humanities and Social Sciences Study Tour (Winter semester subject) HUS2IST
Wk 44 - 04 The Ottoman Empire (offered in Turkey) (30 credit points) MDS2OTT
Third year elective subjects (15 credit points each, unless otherwise indicated)
TE-SEM-1 Nazi Germany and Europe: The era of Hitler, Churchill and Stalin 1918-45 HIS3NGE
TE-SEM-1 Medieval Europe C.600-1200 (online subject) ARH3MEU
TE-SEM-1 or 2 Photojournalism 5 (online) VPA3PJ5
TE-SEM-1 or 2 Photojournalism 6 (online) VPA3PJ6
TE-SEM-2 Photojournalism 3 (online) VPA3PJ3
TE-SEM-2 Photojournalism 4 (online) VPA3PJ4
TE-SEM-2 Civil War to Civil Rights in the USA HIS3CWU
TE-SEM-2 Making History (3rd year core prior to 2013) HIS3MHI
TE-SEM-W International Humanities and Social Sciences Study Tour (Winter semester subject) HUS3IST
Wk 44 - 04 The Ottoman Empire (offered in Turkey) (30 credit points) MDS3OTT

 Visual Arts electives for non-Bachelor of Visual Arts or Bachelor of Graphic Design students are available. Subjects include options in:

  • Ceramics
  • Illustration
  • Photography
  • Photojournalism
  • Painting/Drawing
  • Visual Arts Practice are tailored to the Education degrees

Additional requirements for the degree

  • no more than 120 credit points of subjects at first-year level
  • no more than 30 credit points in any one area in first year, and
  • no more than two subjects at each year level can be taken from subjects offered outside the faculty.

On completing the course of study which would lead to the award of the Bachelor of Arts, students may be eligible for entry into the Bachelor of Arts with Honours offered at the Melbourne campus. Enquiries about eligibility and potential study programs should be directed to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences by email at LHUSS@latrobe.edu.au or by telephone on (03) 9479 2023.

Course regulations

  • 120 credit points (60 credit points in each semester) is a full-time study load for each year level. Students require permission from the Faculty to overload by taking more than 60 credit points in any semester. Permission is normally based on the student’s previous academic record.

Subjects from other La Trobe Faculties and other universities

  • Students may take two semester subjects at each year level from other La Trobe Faculties or another tertiary institution.

For further information about the Bachelor of Arts course offered at Mildura, please contact Narelle Tomlinson at n.tomlinson@latrobe.edu.au or by telephone on 5051 4075.