Major study areas for Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Commerce

ANTHROPOLOGY

Anthropology is concerned with human social and cultural diversity around the world. It offers both an intensive understanding of the culture and social organisation of particular communities and a comparative cross-cultural understanding of regional, national and global processes. Staff expertise includes South and Southeast Asia, southern Europe, the Pacific and cultural minorities in Australia.

ARCHAEOLOGY

Archaeology is the study and reconstruction of past societies and their evolution. This major considers material culture (art, architecture, ceramics, objects of daily use) together with social structure, religious beliefs and cultural philosophy. The study of ancient literature and documentary evidence is stressed. The focus is on the study of the cultures of Egypt, Minoan Crete, Mycenaean Greece and ancient Israel. Other cultures examined include Assyria, Babylon, Classical Greece, Rome and the early city-states of the Near East.

ASIAN STUDIES

The Asian studies major explores issues from a comparative perspective across a range of Asian countries, cultures (including music and literature), history, politics and societies. Asia's relations with Australia and the rest of the world are studied, and students can also take a closer look at particular Asian countries such as China, Japan or Korea or regions such as Southeast Asia.

AUSTRALIAN STUDIES

Australian studies investigates the nature of Australian society and culture, and the country's relationship with the rest of the world. Students discover how past and present interpretations of Australia influence national identity, and look at issues such as cultural dispossession, the evolution of the modern nation state, tourism and communications.

AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS STUDIES

This major investigates contemporary and historical studies about Indigenous Australian peoples and their experiences. Areas of study include kinship, political and linguistic systems in urban and remote societies, colonisations on Indigenous societies and economies, and the effects of government policies on organisations and communities. Issues surrounding constructions and representations of Aborigines, 'Aboriginalism' and responses to these by Indigenous Australians are discussed.

BEHAVIOURAL STUDIES

Behavioural studies is an alternative psychology major in which students can study units with a social, humanistic and organisational focus. This area of study provides an overview of human behaviour including the study of the brain, personality, life-span development, emotion, learning, theories, and the conscious and unconscious. The knowledge gained could be applied to the range of occupations relating to human services, including community services, education and business.

CHINESE STUDIES

This program teaches Chinese language from beginners to advanced levels, including a stream for dialect speakers. Elective units are available in media studies, intellectual history and literature. In-country language study abroad programs are also available to students majoring in this area.

CLASSICAL STUDIES

From the poetic epics of Homer to the cinematic epics of the 21st century, the civilisations of Ancient Greece and Rome have an enduring impact on Western culture. In Classical studies, the Greek and Roman world is explored through myth, culture and literature, including epic poetry and theatre, and through the Latin and Ancient Greek languages themselves. Texts can be studied both in translation and in their original languages.

COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA STUDIES

This area of study looks at organisation, processes and effects of traditional and new communications technologies. Students learn to critically analyse the media and understand the structure of communications industries and the relationships between the media, culture and power. Other areas of study that complement the major include writing, public relations, visual communication, marketing, multimedia and advertising.

COMPARATIVE CULTURES

Comparative cultures is an interdisciplinary program that applies cultural, political and social theory to a study of the processes of social development. Students study capitalism; prejudice and discrimination; scientific rationality; ethnicity; nationalism; globalisation and identity; media, gender and sexuality; and Marxist, critical, structuralist and post-structuralist theories.

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

Comparative literature is the study of literature beyond particular national and linguistic boundaries. This major includes studies of two or more kinds of literature of different cultures; of the relations of popular and high literary cultures; and of philosophical, religious and sociological approaches to literature. All texts are studied in English translation.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CRIMINOLOGY

Many thousands of people in the public and private sectors are employed in dealing with the prevention and consequences of crime. They make important decisions about the daily lives and freedoms of thousands of citizens. This program provides students with the skills to understand the complexities of crime and explores areas such as police, courts, corrections, law and order, justice, causes of crime, crime prevention and victims of crime.

DRAMA AND THEATRE STUDIES

Available as a major in the Bachelor of Arts or in greater depth as part of the Bachelor of Performing Arts, drama and theatre studies is concerned with both performance and analysis of theatre texts and processes. The program covers Asian theatre, contemporary and postcolonial drama, music theatre, performance, theatre practice and process, and script development.

ENGLISH

Studies in English cover a variety of literary modes and embrace several ways of speaking and writing about literature. This program includes the literatures of America, Asia, Australia and Britain. Special areas of study include children's literature, medieval to contemporary literature, modern poetry, publishing, women's writing, postcolonial literature, critical theory and the study of writing itself, including professional and fiction writing.

ENGLISH-IN-USE

The English-in-Use program is designed for students whose first language is not English. The course provides a broad understanding of the English language and its cultural attitudes and communicative framework.

EUROPEAN STUDIES

This area of study takes a look at the culture and ideas of modern Europe and their impact on the world today. Contemporary Europe, European integration and changing European identities are discussed in this program. Historical, political, economic, social and cultural perspectives on Europe are also covered. The major accommodates units studied at Prato in Italy and at other Monash centres in Europe.

FRENCH STUDIES

This program provides core study combining the French language from introductory to advanced levels with the study of French society and culture. This study is extended through a range of elective studies in French civilisation, literature, cultural studies, film, translation and French for business. Study abroad (including special exchange relationships with the universities of Paris 3, Lyon 3 and Clermont-Ferrand 2) can be chosen to complete up to half the major. Summer-semester study abroad options in France and the francophone world are also available to students at all levels.

GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

This discipline emphasises an understanding of the relationship between people and the natural environment, from the perspectives of both the sciences and social sciences. Students can specialise in the study of the physical characteristics and functioning of the Earth and its environments (physical geography), regional and global patterns of economic, social and political activity (human geography), and human interaction with the natural environment (environmental science and management).

GERMAN

German language is taught from beginners to advanced levels. Units studied include language acquisition, German for business and trade, research in methodology, German language, linguistics and literature and their relationship to culture and society.

HEBREW

Hebrew language is taught to advanced levels. Literary and linguistic studies in Modern Hebrew are also covered. Yiddish language is offered at first year.

HISPANIC STUDIES

This program teaches Spanish language from beginners to advanced levels. Elective units are also offered in Latin-American culture (popular culture and popular music, 19th and 20th century Latin-American literature), national and cultural identities in contemporary Spanish and Catalan narrative, 19th and 20th-century Spanish and Catalan literature, Spanish detective fiction, discourse analysis and critical discourse analysis, cultural theory, cross-cultural and inter-cultural communication, and translation studies.

HISTORY

Simply stated, history is about understanding the present through studies of the cultures and societies of the past. Thematic approaches are taken towards Aboriginal, Australian, Asian, European and Jewish histories, medieval, renaissance and contemporary histories, war and society, sexuality and gender, culture and representation, uses of past and methods of history.

HISTORY-POLITICS

Students build their knowledge of the history and politics of Europe, Australia, Asia and the major world powers. This major area of study provides a high level of academic competence in the study of continuity and change in human society and a deeper understanding of the nature of the past and the modern world.

INDONESIAN STUDIES

This program teaches Indonesian language from beginners to advanced levels. Language acquisition and proficiency and literary and regional forms are taught at both campuses. The languages of Indonesian business, law, mass media and Javanese are covered at the Clayton campus, and theatre arts and journalism are discussed at the Gippsland campus. Off-campus learning and in-country study abroad programs are also available to students.

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

International studies is a cross-disciplinary major that begins by examining the history of the 20th century before moving on to study the issues facing the world moving into the 21st century. International studies brings to life the issues and events that have shaped, and continue to shape our world. As the world globalises and nations and economies become more integrated, it is important to understand our world and the ideas and beliefs of our neighbours and trading partners. In order to compete in the international marketplace of products, ideas and knowledge, students need to understand and respect the cultures and beliefs of others.

ITALIAN STUDIES

This program teaches Italian language from beginners to advanced levels as well as Italian culture (medieval and Renaissance Italy; Italy between unification and World War I; Italy during Fascism and World War II; Italy at the turn of the 21st century; Italian cinema; Italian migration; and women in 20th-century Italy). Italian studies also teaches Italian linguistics (language and society; language and dialects; specialist languages) and Italian literature (Dante; the Renaissance; Romanticism and verism; Italian theatre; Italian women writers; and Italian Jewish writers).

JAPANESE STUDIES

This program teaches Japanese language from beginners to advanced levels, covering oral and written skills as well as aspects of Japanese culture and society. Higher-level units focus on popular culture, media, Japan in the Asia Pacific, and interpreting and translation. Extensive in-country Study abroad programs are also available to students.

JEWISH CIVILISATION

Students discover ancient, medieval and modern Jewish communities, cultures and experiences. Studies include history, literature, law and philosophy, as well as a unit on modern Israel.

JOURNALISM

This major provides skills and knowledge of the method and practice of journalism in print, radio, television and online material. Media writing, law, ethics, radio and television production and multimedia are covered. Graduates will be professionally competent and equipped to contribute in ethically and socially responsible ways to the communities in which they work. Comparative studies of journalism principles and practice in various countries underpin the course to develop intercultural awareness.

KOREAN STUDIES

Korean language is taught from beginners to advanced levels. Students acquire skills in Korean in business, journalism, law, literature, tourism and translation. In-country Study abroad programs are also available to students.

LINGUISTICS

Linguistics is the study of the structure and function of language and the uses of language in communication including written, spoken and 'cyber' contexts. Students explore how languages differ as well as what they all share. This major provides the techniques and principles to be adopted in the analysis and description of any given language. Linguistic study of language and language use in socio-cultural contexts contributes to our understanding of identities, social and cultural organisation, multiculturalism/multilingualism, institutions and the manipulation of power, as well as the creative functions of language in texts and discourses.

MASS COMMUNICATIONS

This major provides students with conceptual tools for describing and analysing mass communications media in a number of ways: as industries, which employ people and are subject to various forms of regulations; as a series of different textual forms, which audiences receive and make sense of; and as institutions with a central role in the negotiation of social and political relationships such as those which exist between manufacturers, advertisers, consumers, citizens and governments.

PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is the study of fundamental ideas about the world and raises important questions about life. Areas of study include logic (theory of implication), critical reasoning (theory of influence), metaphysics (what sorts of things exist in the world and how are they related?), epistemology (what constitutes knowledge?), ethics and aesthetics (value judgments and their justification), professional ethics (in health care, law, business, science and research, communications and media, information technology, and engineering and technology), political philosophy (principles underlying the structure of a good society), philosophy of mind (how are mind and matter related?) and history of philosophy.

POLISH STUDIES

Pathways through the major in European studies emphasise the culture of modern Poland and advanced Polish language.

POLITICS

Politics is concerned with government, policy and political institutions, resource allocation, decision-making, social behaviour and political action, conflict and power struggles, and the struggle for political freedom. Students at Monash may specialise in one of the following four broad areas of politics: Australian politics, international relations and global politics, politics of culture and identity, or social and political theory.

PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology is concerned with a wide range of phenomena including remembering and forgetting, thinking, problem-solving, learning, the acquisition of skills, language, seeing and hearing, decision-making, verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and emotions. It is also concerned with the practical and ethical applications of psychological research to the profession. While the major focus is on people, animals are also studied because of the light they throw on human behaviour and because they are of interest in their own right.

RELIGION AND THEOLOGY

The study of religion and theology deals with issues relating to the meaning of life, from a comparative viewpoint rather than from any particular faith tradition. Students may choose to study a range of religious traditions, beliefs and theological systems, of both monotheist (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) and Eastern religions (Buddhism, Hinduism etc). Students may also study varieties of contemporary spirituality and/or the mythology and beliefs of ancient cultures.

RUSSIAN STUDIES

Pathways through the major in European studies emphasise modern Russian culture and society.

SLAVIC STUDIES

Pathways through the major in European studies emphasise Polish, Russian and Ukrainian culture, as well as language study in Polish and Ukrainian.

SOCIOLOGY

Sociology students study people and the relationships they enter into as members of various social groups, for example families, schools, workplaces and cultures. Students reflect upon their own lives and look at a range of social issues in contemporary Australian society from a variety of perspectives. Specific subject areas include health, the environment, deviance, women's lives, race and ethnic relations, the family, work and technology, (human) reproduction, social justice and legal institutions, sociological theory and research.

UKRAINIAN STUDIES

This program teaches Ukrainian language from beginners to advanced levels, as well as modern Ukrainian culture and literature. It is also available as a pathway through the major in European studies.

VISUAL CULTURE (INCLUDING FILM AND TELEVISION STUDIES)

The discipline of visual culture includes critical and historical studies in cinema, television and cyber-culture, art history and theory, fashion, advertising and photography, video production and architecture. Students enrolling in visual culture are encouraged to undertake hands-on assessment tasks and an internship program that matches students with institutions. Studies in visual culture are linked with the culture industry so that students are taught critical and strategic skills that can be applied to specific careers in the arts and entertainment industries.

WOMEN'S STUDIES

Women's studies looks at the history and representation of women and sexual difference and the complex nature of gender relations. Areas of study include gender and sexuality, cultural and historical modes of femininity, queer theory, representations of women and gender in film, literature, advertising and the media, feminist research methodology, cross-cultural feminisms and post-colonialism, and the role of women and gender in important political, economic, sociological and philosophical debates.

WRITING

A range of contemporary writing practices are explored in the context of cultural and media studies, materialist and feminist frameworks, and analysis of literary and other media forms. Students will become familiar with different kinds of contemporary writing, and the techniques of contemporary cultural production. A writing portfolio will also be produced by students and contributed to the publishing spaces offered by the red remex website.

ACCOUNTING

Accounting is a system that identifies, measures, and communicates economic information to permit informed judgements and decisions by the users of that information. It is the language of business.

ASIAN DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSITION

Asian development and transition provides a foundation for interpreting and analysing events in the Asian region through various spheres related to the foundational areas in commerce.

BUSINESS LAW AND TAXATION

The law is the backbone of business. It regulates financial transactions and marketing processess, and in doing so applies the law of contract and tort. It regulates those engaged in companies and partnerships and their banking and tax needs. It regulates new economic frontiers, such as e-commerce via the development of cyber laws.

COMPETITION - REGULATION AND PUBLIC POLICY

This major provides an understanding of the conceptual framework of public policy and management and its application in the public and private sector.

ECONOMETRICS AND BUSINESS STATISTICS

Econometrics and business statistics involves the extraction of information from data. It comprises a set of tools for analysing data using economic theories or computer based statistical models. Econometric analysis provides informed support for business and economic decision making.

ECONOMICS

Economics considers how to allocate scarce resources to maximise people's welfare. Microeconomics examines decisions of individuals, business and government, and the structure of industries and markets. Macroeconomics examines behaviour of the economy as a whole, such as economic growth, inflation and unemployment.

FINANCE

The finance major provides conceptual and managerial decision making skills necessary for effective management in the continuously changing domestic and international financial market.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Human resource management is the study of managing people within the employer/employee relationship. It covers strategies and activities that enable people to fulfil their needs in the work environment while achieving the organisation's strategic business objectives.

INFORMATION - STRATEGY AND DECISION-MAKING

Information, strategy and decision-making considers the practical application of concepts and theories and their application to contemporary organisational problem solving and decision making.

INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE

International commerce provides a holistic preparation for employment in the international business sector. It provides an international context for commerce in a range of multidisciplinary subject areas.

LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

This major incorporates the theoretical analysis of employment and labour issues with consideration of the impact of economic variables.

MANAGEMENT

Management is the process by which organisational goals are attained through integrating human activity. It is largely about people and human endeavour. This major provides the body of knowledge for future managers.

MARKETING

Marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services. Marketing aims to satisfy organisational objectives efficiently and profitably. The focus of this major is to develop an understanding of fundamental marketing principles and practices.