Bachelor of Arts
with a major in History
This course is replacing an older version of the course that is being discontinued, and may include updates to units, majors or similar. Enrolments for this new course are open now.
The Bachelor of Arts offers students a unique range of interdisciplinary skills. Students develop their capacity for critical analysis, creativity and problem-solving, as well as a thorough understanding of the relationship between theory, research and practice. They choose from a wide range of major study areas, equipping them for diverse careers in areas such as media, management, finance, education and government.
A key component of the degree is the Grand Challenges final-year project. Conducted in collaboration with the Swinburne Institute of Social Research, the project fosters team-based research activity and challenges students to go beyond the comfort of discipline boundaries. Students develop valuable collaborative skills as they research innovative solutions to contemporary issues facing society. The course offers students lifelong learning skills with a global and multidisciplinary awareness.
Selected major: History
Research, engage and challenge traditional ideas and practices, while developing critical skills in understanding how history is both made and written. Learn about the historical antecedents of contemporary problems, including themes of war and peace, colonialism, gender, media, and political and radical history. Discover Big History and explore human existence in an interdisciplinary study of life from the Big Bang to the present.
Semester 1 starts soon
You still have time to apply for a Swinburne degree or double degree and have a 5-star education experience. It's your move. Apply now.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 2 March 2020
- Semester 2 - 3 August 2020
VTAC codes
- 3400234321 (CSP)
- 3400234323 (IFP)
Faculty
Faculty of Health, Arts and Design
Becoming a Global Citizen
It's not every internship that gives you the chance to see Beyoncé or meet Oprah.
But they were just some of the incredible opportunities Politics and International Relations student William experienced during his internship with Global Citizen in New York.
"It gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how an NGO such as Global Citizen operates,” he says.
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Challenges: Dystopian Present-Utopian Futures | ART10002 | 12.5 |
| Grand Challenges: Skills and Strategies for Social Change | ART20001 | 12.5 |
| Grand Challenges: Making a Difference * | ART30001 | 25 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Selected major: History
Research, engage and challenge traditional ideas and practices, while developing critical skills in understanding how history is both made and written. Learn about the historical antecedents of contemporary problems, including themes of war and peace, colonialism, gender, media, and political and radical history. Discover Big History and explore human existence in an interdisciplinary study of life from the Big Bang to the present.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Global History | HIS10003 | 12.5 |
| Australian History | HIS10004 | 12.5 |
| Big History: From the Big Bang to Global Civilisation | FST20001 | 12.5 |
| Propaganda: A History of Media and Politics | HIS20003 | 12.5 |
| Colonialism: A Global History * | HIS20008 | 12.5 |
| Gender and History * | HIS30002 | 12.5 |
| War and Peace in the 20th Century * | HIS30007 | 12.5 |
| History, Politics and Human Rights * | HIS30012 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Other studies
12 units (150 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 150 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts, graduates will be able to:
- systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understanding in the humanities and/or social sciences
- formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of disciplinary expertise
- critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences, and understand the importance of interdisciplinarity for generating solutions
- define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
- apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
- interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
- coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts.
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides opportunities to gain invaluable skills and confidence in knowing that you have what it takes to land a job in your field by graduation. You can also earn credit towards your degree. Choose from six- or 12-month professional placements, professional internships, industry-linked projects, industry study tours and accreditation placements. Find out more.
Choose a professional placement option:
12 months Six monthsDouble degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Behavioural Science | BEH20004 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Humanities
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Humanities | SOC20019 | 25 |
Double degrees provide the opportunity to complete a placement in your preferred field.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Humanities
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
Career opportunities
Swinburne Arts graduates are well equipped to find work in areas where employers put a high premium on well-developed conceptual understanding and other critical and creative reasoning skills needed to come to terms with and respond effectively to the complex and changing demands of the contemporary workplace. Recent research emphasises the premium which employers place upon communication skills, collaboration, and flexible problem solving among Arts graduates. Area where graduates may be employed include: policy analysis and development, research, community development, administration, public relations, publishing and media.
Depending on their area of specialisation, Arts graduates may find employment as journalists, librarians, interpreters, sociologists, publishers, internet providers, marketers, writers and in the games industry, particularly in areas focusing on interactive content creation, game design, interface design and rapid prototyping.
Graduates may also be equipped to pursue a career in the broader media, digital media/multimedia and communications sectors.
Professional recognition
Graduates of the Digital Advertising Technology major will be eligible for membership of the Australasian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA).
Graduates of the Journalism major will be eligible to apply for membership of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA).
Fees
- Fees for 2019 and 2020.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
Fees for 2019
| 2019 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$19,698 | $6,566 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Fees for 2020
| 2020 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$20,052 | $6,684 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.