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Bachelor Of Arts :: Undergraduate :: Courses


Bachelor of Arts



The Bachelor of Arts is a broad-based degree requiring the study of a range of disciplines. It aims to develop committed, well-prepared graduates who can function effectively and contribute positively to the workplace, community, church and society. The degree aims to develop students abilities in problem recognition and problem solving, research skills, analysis and synthesis, and critical and reflective thinking upon society and the human condition in a framework of Christian values. The BA degree provides a broad preparation for future employment in many fields and a sound basis for those wishing to pursue honours or postgraduate degrees. The course requires a minimum of three years full-time study or equivalent part-time.

Duration



Three years full-time or equivalent part-time

Credit Points



144 credit points

Mode of Delivery



On campus.

Accreditation



The degree is accredited by the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Information for International students

Entry Requirements



General Admission Requirements apply to all the majors in the BA, with the following additional requirements for specific majors:

Mathematics major



Recent HSC (or equivalent) Mathematics Extension 1, or recommendation of the Faculty of Science and Mathematics.

Music major



Admission to the Music major is by interview, audition and placement tests. Applicants should normally have studied music for at least six years, but with approval of the Music Co-ordinator may be admitted with other appropriate music experience and may be required to take HA060 :: Foundations of Harmony in their first semester. The written theory placement test will consist of questions on key signatures, scale writing (major and minor), intervals, cadences, writing in four vocal parts, and melody writing.

Visual Arts and Visual Communication programs



Applicants should normally have HSC (or equivalent) Art and are interviewed by phone by the Visual Communication academic staff. If quotas on student numbers need to be applied then applicants may be requested to present a portfolio of art works and be interviewed in person.

Course Structure



The BA consists of a minimum of 24 subjects (144 credit points) studied over six semesters. The course includes three Christian Studies subjects, one required subject and at least 20 subjects (120 credit points) in a combination of majors, minors, specialisations or double majors, and electives. Students in the BA course select one of the following combinations:

  1. Single major with two minors and electives/third minor
  2. Two majors with electives/one minor
  3. Specialisation with one minor and electives or second minor
  4. Double major with one minor or four electives

A BA major is an approved sequence of subjects in one discipline or coherent multi-discipline area comprised of at least eight subjects (48 credit points) including not more than two subjects (12 credit points) at 100-level, and at least three subjects (18 credit points) at 300-level.

A BA specialisation is an approved sequence of subjects in an Arts discipline or a coherent multi-discipline area comprised of 12 subjects (72 credit points) including at least two subjects (12 credit points) at 100-level, at least four subjects (24 credit points) at 200-level and at least four subjects (24 credit points) at 300-level.

A BA double major is an approved sequence of subjects in a specific Arts discipline or a coherent multi-discipline area comprised of 16 subjects (96 credit points) including at least four subjects (24 credit points) at 100-level, and at least six subjects (36 credit points) at 300-level.

A BA minor is an approved sequence of subjects in a specific Arts discipline or a coherent multi-discipline area comprised of at least four subjects (24 credit points) including not more than two subjects (12 credit points) at 100-level, and at least two subjects (12 credit points) at 200- or 300-level.

Electives are undergraduate subjects which a student may freely choose from most faculties (except professional subjects from the teaching, nursing and theology degrees, coded CM, CP, CZ, NR, PP, SP) subject to timetable and prerequisite constraints. Alternatively, electives may be used to augment a major or minor by taking additional subjects in the discipline or by taking allied subjects to broaden the major or minor. Students anticipating postgraduate study in the area of their major/specialisation are strongly advised to take electives in that discipline. Students should seek academic advice from their course advisor or the Dean of the Faculty of Arts.

All subjects are worth 6 credit points (unless otherwise specified) with a notional semester workload of 150 hours, averaging 10–12 hours per week (including contact hours).

Christian Studies Subjects



These subjects address the religious, ethical and social value emphases of Avondale College's philosophy of education derived from its Seventh-day Adventist faith tradition.

In the BA degree the sequence is:


  1. SDA students may select the following alternative to CR243 :: Christian Studies II:
    CY165 :: SDA History and Ministry of Ellen White


  2. The following alternatives to CR243 :: Christian Studies II are available to students of other faith traditions:
    NT160 :: Gospels A
    NT170 :: New Testament Epistles A
    EN223 :: The Bible as Literature - Distance Education
    EN224 :: The Bible as Literature (even years)
    EN264 :: Literature and Religion (odd years)
    TH362 :: Comparative Religions


  3. Students taking a Communication specialisation or major take:
    CC343 :: Ethics and Communication Law


  4. All students may substitute an approved subject from the Faculty of Theology for either CR143 :: Christian Studies I or CR243 :: Christian Studies II.


Required Subject



All BA students are required to take the subject HU156 :: Communicating in the Arts. It is designed to enhance both their written and electronic communication skills.

Double Majors are available in:



Specialisations are available in:



Majors are available in:



Minors are available in:



Electives are available in:




At least one Arts minor must be undertaken by all BA students. Up to one minor from other degrees may be available, subject to timetable constraints and with the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and the Dean of the Faculty offering the proposed minor.

Independent topics in major subjects


In the specialisations and double majors, an Independent Topic subject is mandatory. In majors, students may undertake as an elective one Independent Topic in which they can pursue a particular aspect of their major through supervised independent research at a significant level of intellectual depth, following which they submit a report for assessment. Students wishing to take a second subject as guided research must make application to the Teaching and Learning Committee through their Course Coordinator. All International students must make application to the Teaching and Learning Committee before undertaking an Independent Topic subject. In exceptional circumstances a student may substitute an Independent Topic subject in place of a subject published in their regular course structure.

Guided Reading Subjects:


These subjects are units of guided reading and critical reflection in an area that supplements the student’s field of study. They provide the student with an opportunity to critically review and interrogate the literature in their area of interest. Regular tutorial periods are required for the review of the chosen reading materials. These subjects are normally only offered when for some reason beyond the control of Avondale College a normal subject can not be offered in a given semester.

Batchelor of Arts Standard Structure



The standard course patterns for the Batchelor of Arts degree are:

Summary of minimum requirements in the BA degree



Component of course Single major-two minor pattern (credit points) Two major mattern (credit points) Specialisation (credit points) Double major (credit points)
Christian Studies subjects 18 18 18 18
Required subjects 6 6 6 6
Major A 48 48 - -
Major B - 48 - -
Minor A 24 - 24 -
Minor B 24 - - -
Specialisation - - 72 -
Double Major - - - 96
Electives 24 24 24 24
TOTALS


Batchelor of Arts Standard Structure (One Major and Two Minors)



Semester
1 Major 100 HU156 :: Communicating in the Arts Minor A 100 Minor B 100
2 Major 100 CR143 :: Christian Studies I Minor A 100 Minor B 100
3 Major 200 CR243 :: Christian Studies II Minor A 200 Minor B 200
4 Major 200 Major 200 Minor A 200 Minor B 200
5 Major 300 HU343 :: Ethics and Social Justice Major 300 Elective
6 Major 300 Elective Elective 200/300 Elective


Batchelor of Arts Standard Structure (Two Majors)



Semester
1 Major A 100 HU156 :: Communicating in the Arts Elective Major B 100
2 Major A 100 CR143 :: Christian Studies I Elective Major B 100
3 Major A 200 CR243 :: Christian Studies II Elective Major B 200
4 Major A 200 Major A 200 Major B 200 Major B 200
5 Major A 300 HU343 :: Ethics and Social Justice Major A 300 Major B 300
6 Major A 300 Elective 200/300 Major B 300 Major B 300


Batchelor of Arts Standard Structure (Specialisation)



Semester
1 Specialisation 100 Specialisation 100/200 or Elective HU156 :: Communicating in the Arts Minor 100
2 Specialisation 100 Specialisation 100/200 or Elective CR143 :: Christian Studies I Minor 100
3 Specialisation 200 Specialisation 200 CR243 :: Christian Studies II Minor 200
4 Specialisation 200 Specialisation 200 Elective or Specialisation Minor 200
5 Specialisation 300 Specialisation 300 HU343 :: Ethics and Social Justice Elective or Specialisation
6 Specialisation 300 Specialisation 300 Elective 200/300 Elective


Batchelor of Arts Standard Structure (Double Major)



Semester
1 Double Major 100 Double Major 100/200 Elective 100 HU156 :: Communicating in the Arts
2 Double Major 100 Double Major 100 Elective 100 CR143 :: Christian Studies I
3 Double Major 200 Double Major 200 Double Major 200 CR243 :: Christian Studies II
4 Double Major 200 Double Major 200 Double Major 200 Elective 200
5 Double Major 300 Double Major 300 Double Major 300 HU343 :: Ethics and Social Justice
6 Double Major 300 Double Major 300 Double Major 300 Elective 200