Humanities and Social Sciences

History Program

Undergraduate Studies

The History Program offers a wide range of units covering aspects of European, British, North American, Latin American and Australian history, as well as some units concentrating on the history of ideas, society or culture, rather than on particular regions or countries. It is therefore possible for students to select a sequence or a major which allows them to concentrate to a considerable extent on certain areas (for example, European, American or Australian history) or themes (for example, culture contact, social history, revolutionary movements in modern history, gender and religion). Other relevant units which may fit into such sequences or majors are offered outside the Program. There are, for example, units dealing with the philosophy of history offered in the Philosophy Program.

Course Structure

Structure of the Bachelor of Arts Degree at La Trobe University, as offered in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences:

The structure of the BA degree is as follows:
The degree will be awarded on the successful completion of units which carry a total of 360 credit points.

In each year of the 3-year degree, students will need to obtain 120 credit points (or equivalent - in certain circumstances, it may be possible to count more than 120 credit points from first year units; however, the degree requires 120 credit points at third year).

Units carrying a total of 120 credit points constitute a year's full time study load. It is of course possible to undertake a lesser load as a part-time student.

At first year, students will complete 8 units each with the value of 15 credit points. This means that students should obtain at least 30 credit points in any discipline. They may take up to 45 credit points in any one discipline in which they might wish to major. They must study in a minimum of three disciplines, and will usually study in four.

At second year, students will complete 6 units each with a value of 20 credit points (or equivalent). The successful completion of at least 30 credit points at first year is normally a prerequisite for the study in a discipline at second and third year.

At third year, students will complete 6 units with a value of 20 credit points (or equivalent).

Within the structure of the degree, students must complete either a major sequence in one discipline, or a double degree in two disciplines.

A major comprises 160 credit points, with at least 60 credit points at third year. Students may not obtain more than 205 credit points in any one discipline.

There are restrictions on the number of credit points that may be obtained from undertaking units either outside the Faculty or outside La Trobe University.

Prerequisites

Students who have passed only one semester unit of first year history can enrol in later year units with the permission of the Program Coordinator (a C-grade or better will be required). A later-year semester unit in history may be used to complete the first-year enrolment.

All units are offered subject to the availability of appropriate staffing and minimum enrolments. Depending on staff availability, it may also be necessary to quota some units.

First Year Units

Second and Third Year Units

Key: * Honours preparation unit. Please complete the application form (pdf 16KB), attach a copy of your academic transcript (from StudentOnLine) and submit to the Honours Coordinator for approval by Friday 6 June 2008.