Bachelor of Creative Arts(Honours)

Course 819-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

Faculty of Artshttp://www.arts.unimelb.edu.au/about/contact.html
Course Overview: The BCA (Honours) provides an opportunity for graduates of Creative Arts to extend their knowledge by undertaking supervised research in a fourth year of study, which may lead to formal postgraduate studies. The program may be completed in one year of full-time study or two years part-time. A minimum of 50 per cent of the student's honours year research project will involve theoretical study in their chosen art form area and/or in cross-disciplinary studies.
Objectives: The Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) 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 BCA (Honours) involves one year of study at fourth-year level. Students must complete 75 points of compulsory subjects and 25 points of elective subjects.

Students are required to achieve an honours grade (ie. H1, H2A, H2B, H3) for each component of assessment in the BCA (Honours), and an overall grade of at least H3. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the student will only be eligible for the BCA pass degree. A pass or fail grade in any component will disqualify the student from taking out the BCA (Honours) degree.

Fourth-year studies are usually taken full-time. In exceptional circumstances (such as work commitments, ill-health etc.) and with both school and Faculty approval, students may be permitted to take fourth-year part-time over two years. Students will not usually be permitted to transfer to part-time studies after commencing fourth year, nor will they be permitted to withdraw from fourth-year subjects after the first two weeks of each semester without school and Faculty approval. In all cases, the research project must be completed over two consecutive semesters within a 12-month period of enrolment. Withdrawal from the research project will only be permitted in very exceptional circumstances.

Once fourth-year studies have commenced, leave of absence will only be approved in exceptional circumstances and with the support of the school. The maximum leave that will be granted is two semesters (12 months). If leave is granted, the student must still complete their studies within a maximum of three years of the original commencement date of their fourth-year studies.

Extensions of time for outstanding work during fourth-year studies (eg. as a result of illness) may be granted to 31 December (30 June for mid-year entry students). Extensions must be approved by the school or honours coordinators. Any further extensions will require the prior written approval of the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) as well as the written support of the School.

Subject Options:

Compulsory subjects

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
50
Semester 1
12.50

Creative writing electives

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Theatre studies electives

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

Visual media electives

Students wishing to undertake a practical visual arts subject in 2D or 3D should enrol in 760-412. The project must be different and entirely separate from any practical component of the compulsory research project in 760-491.
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2008
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

Additional electives

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Entry Requirements:

Students wishing to enter the BCA (Honours) program must have:

  • completed all the requirements of the BCA pass degree within the last five years; and
  • completed a major in the particular area/s of study, including any prerequisite subjects; and
  • attained the appropriate standards across the major area/s of study, an average grade of at least H2B over the second/third-year subjects of the major/s.
  • A selection committee will review all applications. The selection process may include an interview.
Core Participation Requirements: .
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: See course objectives
Generic Skills: See course objectives

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