Welcome to Avondale » Courses » Undergraduate » Bachelor Of Arts

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:

• CR143 :: Christian Studies I


• CR243 :: Christian Studies II* #


• HU343 :: Ethics and Social Justice**

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:

• Religious Studies Double Major Sequence


• Visual Communication Double Major Sequence

Specialisations are available in:

• Communication Specialisation Sequence


• Music Specialisation Sequence


• Religious Studies Specialisation Sequence


• Visual Arts Specialisation Sequence

Majors are available in:

• Communication Major Sequence


• English Major Sequence


• Geography Major Sequence (cannot be combined with an International Development Studies major)


• History Major Sequence


• International Development Studies Major Sequence (cannot be combined with a Geography major)


• Mathematics Major Sequence


• Music Major Sequence


• Religious Studies Major Sequence


• Visual Arts Major Sequence

Minors are available in:

• Biblical Languages Minor Sequence


• Biological Science-Environmental Minor Sequence (with Geography major only)


• Communication Minor Sequence


• English Minor Sequence


• Geography Minor Sequence


• Graphic Design Minor Sequence


• History Minor Sequence


• Information Technology Minor Sequence


• International Development Studies Minor Sequence


• Management Minor Sequence


• Marketing Minor Sequence


• Mathematics Minor Sequence


• Music Minor Sequence


• Religious Studies Minor Sequence


• Visual Art Minor Sequence

Electives are available in:

• Communication Electives Sequence


• English Elective Sequence


• Geography Elective Sequence


• History Elective Sequence


• International Development Studies Elective Sequence


• Mathematics Elective Sequence


• Music Elective Sequence

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:

• BA Single Major and Two Minors


• BA Two Majors


• BA Specialisation


• BA Double Major

Summary of minimum requirements in the BA degree

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

Batchelor of Arts Standard Structure (Two Majors)

Batchelor of Arts Standard Structure (Specialisation)

Batchelor of Arts Standard Structure (Double Major)