Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts Learning Outcomes

PURPOSE
The Bachelor Degree qualifies individuals who apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional work and as a pathway for further learning.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts will have: 

KNOWLEDGE

• a broad and coherent body of theoretical knowledge about culture, history, media and society in one or more disciplines in the Humanities such as History, Sociology, Creative Writing and Literature, Journalism, and Public Relations
• knowledge of the principles and practices of research in the Humanities and their application in a range of public and professional contexts, including how these are produced, studied, communicated and received
• knowledge of the key questions about culture, media and society and how ideas develop, evolve and vary in their manifestation
• knowledge of cultural competence, global awareness and a sense of social justice, enabling them to use knowledge and understandings for ethical reflection directed towards life-long enquiry and civic engagement.

SKILLS

• cognitive and conceptual skills to question, investigate, critically analyse and apply their knowledge to the study of culture and society, past and present
• cognitive and research skills to investigate, gather information, critique and synthesize knowledge in the interpretation and creation of knowledge in relation to culture and society in general, with depth in specific disciplines such as History, Sociology, Creative Writing and Literature, Journalism, Public Relations, and Media 
• skills in communication and creative expression, enabling students to articulate their ideas, work independently and with others to produce innovative outcomes and solutions, relevant in their social and cultural contexts, within a wide range of challenging careers. Bachelor of Arts problems with intellectual independence
• communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas

Undergraduate students completing the Bachelor of Arts will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills in diverse public, professional, creative and/or scholarly pathways: 

• using initiative in research, thinking, theories and methods to resolve a question or problem
• making reasoned decisions based on verifiable information and evidence
• exercising critical, ethical, creative and imaginative thinking in making decisions
• using initiative in adapting and applying their knowledge productively with reference to relevant social and cultural contexts
• assessing and using both primary and secondary research sources and materials
• communicating professionally and creatively through oral, textual, visual, digital and/or interpersonal modes enabling them to contribute to the production of ideas and social and cultural development.

Be prepared for a future career as an innovator, communicator and creator. With our innovative majors you can tailor your degree to both your professional pursuits and your personal interests, creating a unique skill set that could help you secure your dream job.

You will gain the understanding, insight and skill to find and communicate creative solutions to important world issues. You will develop advanced writing and presentation skills as well as research and project management skills. You will also learn about societies and cultures, past and present.

You will have the option to develop specialist expertise in contemporary fields such as journalism and public relations, or more traditional fields such as sociology, history and literary studies to name some.

Recommended study pattern

Students are recommended to follow this study pattern:

1. Start with the level 1 core subjects
2. Complete one foundation (level 1) subject for each of your two majors
3. Complete six level 2 and 3 subjects for each of your two majors, with at least two level 3 subjects per major
4. Complete one level 2 core subject
5. Choose your electives

NOTE: The Literature major uses LTR110 Great Books as the foundation subject for the major. Students completing the Literature major should choose an additional elective to make up the 24 subjects required for the program.

Award requirements

The degree will normally be of three year duration for full - time students. Part time students enrolled prior to 2016 may take up to 10 years to accumulate subjects towards the degree. However part time students commencing from 2016 will have 8 years to accumulate subjects towards the degree.

To be eligible for the award of the Bachelor of Arts, a student must complete 24 subjects or equivalent as prescribed below:

• Four core subjects at Level 1, and one core subject at Level 2
• One level 1 foundation subject for each major
• Two major sequences of six level 2 and 3 subjects each from Art History, Creative Writing, Criminal Justice, History, Journalism, Literature, Public Relations, Screen and Media Studies or Sociology, with at least two subjects at level 3 in each major
• Five elective subjects

Other Award Requirements:

• A maximum of ten subjects can be taken at first year level over the entire degree
• A minimum of six subjects must be taken at third year level over the entire degree.
• Note: In accordance with the University's Credit Transfer Policy and notwithstanding the amount of credit which may be given towards the Bachelor of Arts, a student undertaking this program is required to completed a minimum of 8 subjects of second and third year level offered through Griffith University which are part of the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements which have not been credited towards another award.

This degree offers you the opportunity to specialise in:

• Art History
• Creative Writing
• Criminal Justice
• History
• Literature
• Journalism
• Public Relations
• Screen and Media Studies
• Sociology

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Core Subjects

• Major in Art History

• Major in Creative Writing

• Major in Criminal Justice

• Major in History

• Major in Journalism

• Major in Literature

• Major in Public Relations

• Major in Screen and Media Studies

• Major in Sociology

• Recommended Electives

Students are required to register with Griffith University for this award by completing a registration for a study plan (Griffith OUA - Study Plan) by paying the required fee. The non-refundable $150 registration fee is payable when the registration is submitted.

The $150 fee is not applicable to students who have accepted a Commonwealth supported place.

2025 Changes:

Criminal Justice major:

New Subjects:

• CCJ331 First Nations
• CCJ326 Fraud and Cybercrime

Retired Subjects:

• CCJ306 Punishment, Justice and Reform
• CCJ317 Youth Justice

Students who have completed the retired subjects will have them credited towards their degree.

If students have not completed both retired subjects, or have completed only one subject, they can contact the program director, Professor Sarah Baker for advice on how to complete the major: - Professor Sarah Baker (s.baker@griffith.edu.au).

2024 Changes:

Literature major:

New Subjects:

• LHS241 Gothic Afterlives (offered from Study Session 1, 2024)
• LHS242 The Storytellers, Reading Fiction (offered from Study Session 2, 2024)
• LHS243 Narrative Fiction (offered from Study Session 3, 2024)

Retired Subjects:

• LCS221 Understanding Narrative Fiction (not offered from 2024)
• LCS231 Analysing Narrative Fiction (not offered from 2024)
• LCI211 Irish Literature (not offered from 2024)

LHS243 Narrative Fiction replaces LCS221 Understanding Narrative Fiction and LCS231 Analysing Narrative Fiction.

Sociology major:

Retired Subject:

• SGY200 Power and Politics (not offered from 2024)

CCJ207 Crime, Society and Culture replaces SGY200 Power and Politics.

*** Students who have completed the retired subjects will have them counted towards their degree. ***

Changes to program for students commencing 2022 and prior:

No subjects have been withdrawn from offer. New subject, LHS258 Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship is now available to all Public Relations students, including those who commenced prior to 2023.

Students who have already commenced a Screen Culture or Media Studies major are still able to complete those majors, or change to the new Screen and Media Studies major – all courses continue to be offered.

Code Changes

A large number of courses have been given new codes. Students who have completed a course under the old code are not required to complete the new code. Recoding as follows:

• AUS21 is now AUS211 Australia and the World
• CCJ20 is now CCJ200 Psychology of Crime
• CCJ22 is now CCJ202 Introduction to Policing
• CCJ23 is now CCJ203 Introduction to Corrections
• CCJ27 is now CCJ207 Crime, Society and Culture
• CCJ36 is now CCJ306 Punishment, Justice and Reform
• CCJ37 is now CCJ307 Youth Justice
• COM10 is now COM101 Academic Writing
• COM12 is now COM121 Business Communication
• COM14 is now COM141 Creative And Professional Writing
• COM15 is now COM151 Developing Research and Analytical Skills
• COM19 is now COM191 Image, Text and Culture
• COM21 is now COM211 Management Communication
• COM22 is now COM221 Issues in Contemporary Communication
• COM31 is now COM311 Organisational Communication
• CMM10 is now CMM101 Cinema History
• CMM17 is now CMM171 Introduction to Screen Analysis
• CMM26 is now CMM261 Media Law
• CMM28 is now CMM281 Hollywood Cinema
• CMM31 is now CMM311 Media Audiences
• CMM37 is now CMM371 Documentary Scriptwriting
• CMM38 is now CMM381 Drama Screenwriting
• LCI21 is now LCI211 Irish Literature (not offered from 2024)
• LCS22 is now LCS221 Understanding Narrative Fiction (not offered from 2024)
• LCS23 is now LCS231 Analysing Narrative Fiction (not offered from 2024)
• LCS31 is now LCS311 Australian Literature and History 1890 to 1929
• LCS32 is now LCS321 Australian Literature and History 1930 to 1990 (New Title - Contemporary Australian Literature)
• LCS33 is now LCS331 American Literature
• LHS34 is now LHS341 Advanced Project
• SGY14 is now SGY141 Understanding the Social World

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $37,500

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University.

Explore Griffith courses.

QS Ranking 2024:

18

Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:

20

At least 2 OUA undergraduate units or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4.0, completed in the last 12 months at the time of application for admission

A Rank of 65.00 or an ATAR Score of 65.00

More in depth information regarding Griffith entry requirements can be found at Griffith University - QTAC.

Students may be able to receive credit for previous studies conducted at other institutions. For further information please contact the Open Universities Australia Officer, Griffith (OUA) Services at Griffith University.

A prospective student who has previously completed or partially completed a degree, may be eligible for a CSP and may also be eligible for credit transfer. For more information, please visit please visit the following website:

• Credit Transfer