Bachelor of Creative Arts

Course 413-CA (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus: 2008
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Undergraduate

Contact

Contact details at http://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/about/contact.html

School of Culture & Communication: http://www.culture-communication.unimelb.edu.au/contact.html

Course Overview:

The Bachelor of Creative Arts is a three year full time degree providing a combination of theoretical and practical studies across the fields of visual, literary and performing arts. The course is also available on a part time basis. A fourth year honours program is available to suitable qualified students.

The emphasis of the course is on theoretical studies, supported by practical studies in three disciplines: creative writing, visual media and theatre studies. Both practice and non-practice studies are offered in each year of the course.

The school also offers a sequence of interdisciplinary theory subjects which students may credit to any subject area for the purposes of their major. In addition, elective subjects in arts management are available at third-year and fourth-year honours level.

There is no first year intake of students from 2008.

Objectives:

The Bachelor of Creative Arts has as its objectives that graduates should be able to:

  • explore new ways of preparing artists to work in interdisciplinary contexts;

  • focus on international influences and the intercultural context of the emerging global community;

  • facilitate the multi-skilling appropriate for graduates who will have a number of career changes in their lifetimes;

  • emphasise new technologies and new forms which are emerging through the application of these technologies;

  • explore ways to strengthen the interface between theory and practice, particularly by deconstructing the art of diverse cultures during different periods of time in order to identify the expressive modes and aesthetics which are common to humankind;

  • use core curriculum and community extension activities to develop critical forums which will challenge and change the cultural industry;

  • increase the health of the cultural ecology by promoting better understanding between arts producers, managers, critics and consumers.

Course Structure & Available Subjects:

The Basic Rules

The Bachelor of Creative Arts requires the completion of 300 points of study, comprising:

  • at least 87.5 but no more than 125 points at first year level;
  • at least 87.5 but no more than 125 points at second year level;
  • a minimum of 75 but no more than 125 points at third year level; and
  • the completion of at least one major sequence.

Breadth of Study Requirements

In the first year of the course students normally undertake eight single semester 12.5 point subjects, which must be selected from at least three different areas of study. In second year students normally undertake eight subject across three areas with no more than 50 percent in any one area of study. In third year students normally undertake eight subjects, with no more than 50 percent in any one area of study.

Restrictions on Practical Study

Students who commenced the BCA in or before 2003 must complete a minimum 150 points of theory overall with no less than 50 percent theory subjects in any one year.

The Major Sequence

In order to fulfill the requirements for the degree students must undertake at least one major sequence of study. A major is a specialisation in an area of study requiring the completion of a specified number of subjects at each year level in one area. The major consists of:

  • 25 points (usually 2 subjects) of first year; and
  • 25 points (usually 2 subjects) of second year; and
  • 50 points (usually 4 subjects) of third year.

Major sequences may be completed in creative writing, visual media and theatre studies. Approved interdisciplinary theory subjects may be credited to any subject area as part of the major.

Additional Studies

Students may select from additional studies subjects which include arts management subjects. These subjects are not classified as belonging to any particular area of study. The maximum additional studies points that may be taken is 37.5.

For the Bachelor of Creative Arts / Bachelor of Teaching, see https://app.portal.unimelb.edu.au/view/2008/182-AA

For the Bachelor of Creative Arts / Bachelor of Music, see https://app.portal.unimelb.edu.au/view/2008/424-AA

For the rules and structure of the Bachelor of Creative Arts / Bachelor of Laws, see the 2007 Undergraduate Handbook.

Subject Options:

Creative Writing

For students undertaking the BCA: a major in Creative Writing requires the completion of a minimum of 100 points of Creative Writing consisting of:

  • Up to 25 points of first year
  • 25 points of second year;
  • and 50 points of third year level subjects in creative writing.

First Year Creative Writing Subjects

The following subjects are to be undertaken at first year level only:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Second Year Creative Writing Subjects

The following subjects are to be undertaken at second year level only:

The prerequisite for second-year subjects in creative writing is 25 points of creative writing at first-year level.

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Not offered in 2008
12.500

Third Year Creative Writing Subjects

The following subjects are to be undertaken at third year level only:

The prerequisite for a third or third/fourth-year subject is usually 25 points of second-year Creative writing, including specific prerequisites for some subjects.

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Not offered in 2008
12.500
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Theatre Studies

For students undertaking the BCA: a major in Theatre Studies requires the completion of a minimum of 100 points of Theatre Studies subjects consisting of:

  • at least 25 points of First Year Theatre Studies subjects;
  • at least 25 points at Second Year Theatre Studies subjects;
  • and 50 points of Third Year Theatre Studies subjects.

First Year Theatre Studies Subjects

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

2nd and/ or 3rd Year Theatre Studies Subjects

The following subjects are available as either the 2nd or 3rd year level subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
2
12.500
Not offered in 2008
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1
12.50

3rd Year Theatre Studies Subjects

This subject can only be undertaken at 3rd year.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Visual Media (including visual arts and media arts)

For students undertaking the BCA: a major in Visual Media requires the completion of a minimum of 100 points of visual media subjects consisting of:

  • at least 25 points of first Year Visual Media subjects;
  • at least 25 points of Second year Visual Media subjects;
  • and 50 points of third year Visual Media subjects.

First Year Visual Media Subjects

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Second Year Visual Media Subjects

The following subjects can be undertaken at second year level only:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

2nd / 3rd Year Visual Media Subjects

The following subjects can be undertaken at either second or third year levels:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2008
12.50
Not offered in 2008
12.500
Not offered in 2008
12.50
Not offered in 2008
12.500

3rd Year Visual Media Subjects

The following subjects can be undertaken at 3rd year only:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50

3rd/ 4th Year Visual Media Subjects

The following subjects can be taken at either 3rd or 4th year only:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2008
12.50
Semester 1
12.50

Interdisciplinary Creative Arts Subjects

The following subjects do not belong to any one particular field of study but may be used towards a major in any of the three specialisations available in the BCA.

First / Second Year Interdisciplinary Subjects

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2008
12.50
This subject will not be available in 2009

Second / Third Year Interdisciplinary Subjects

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Additional Arts Management Subjects

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Entry Requirements: There is no further intake into the Bachelor of Creative Arts after 2007.
Core Participation Requirements: The Bachelor of Creative Arts requires a standard level of ability across all disciplines. It will be assumed students are able to access and attend classes on a regular basis, are capable of learning in a University environment and will be able to take responsibility for their own learning. Any ability beyond this threshold will be robustly supported through the curriculum. There are no pre-requisites for first year subjects, and any intensive use of IT or technologies will be adequately supported. Certain subjects have more specific requirements and demands, such as fieldwork or travelling, which are clearly outlined in the Handbook's subject description.

However, the University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. The Faculty Disability Contact Officer works with students, the University Disability Liaison Unit and teaching staff to assist students with their special requirements, with a particular focus on accommodations for in-class and examination assessment tasks. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability.

Further Study: Creative Arts offers many opportunities for further study. The Bachelor of Creative Arts Honours year leads to higher degree study. It also adds vocational skills to your undergraduate degree and increases your employment options. Creative arts graduates might also use postgraduate study to explore in greater depth and detail areas of study they found interesting during their undergraduate studies or to study a completely new field of knowledge.
Graduate Attributes: The Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCA) is designed as a liberal arts first degree, which allows students to specialise in and across the creative arts: creative writing, visual media and theatre studies. It does not provide specific professional training, but provides a foundation education with multiple outcomes. It is a suitable undergraduate degree for any career in public or private industry which requires a degree prior to on-the-job training, because the BCA emphasises teamwork, communication, research skills, creative problem solving and lateral thinking. The BCA is a valuable preparation for a variety of career paths and for leadership and management within the arts sector, including the professions of actor, art gallery director, arts manager, arts critic, designer for theatre or film, film maker, journalist, photographer, public policy in the arts, theatre director, teacher, university lecturer, visual artist, writer. Those students hoping to follow some of the more specific occupational direction in the arts may need to undertake further qualifications following their first degree.
Generic Skills: See under course objectives

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