Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing) (Visual Culture)

Professional Writing and Publishing

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. identify, explain and apply the key disciplinary concepts and principles in professional writing and publishing
2. integrate theory and creative practice in the production and analysis of professional writing texts; conceive, develop and evaluate innovative modes of professional communication
3. access and evaluate the sources, authority and relevance of information, and synthesise key facts, themes and ideas in professional writing and publishing
4. effectively communicate ideas to a range of audiences, across a variety of media, genres, and purposes
5. use and evaluate a range of appropriate technologies to access resources, communicate effectively, and develop writing and research skills
6. use and reflect on disciplinary skills and knowledge to develop autonomous learning, and apply these insights to writing in a range of different professional contexts
7. acknowledge the interrelationship between local, national and global perspectives and the impact of this on professional writing and publishing
8. recognise and value the diversity of cultural knowledge and practices, taking care to represent these, where appropriate, in an ethical and professional manner
9. work independently and/or collaboratively to produce innovative, creative and ethical professional writing that is appropriate to a variety of professional and cultural contexts.

Visual Culture

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. apply discipline knowledge of critical discourses within art and design; contribute to evidence based practice through visual research
2. think critically and reflectively by incorporating creativity within the research and articulation of visual culture
3. critically evaluate visual culture, technology, practices and literature relevant to the discipline, synthesise information from a range of sources
4. demonstrate effective visual, spoken and written communication appropriate to art and design critical discourses
5. use and discern visual and other technologies appropriate to the understanding of contemporary art and design
6. sustain an engagement with visual culture and creative industries through self-directed ongoing learning skills
7. recognise the significance of disparate international visual art and design practices in the development of local and national professional contemporary visual cultural production
8. recognise the importance of cultural diversity through visual language; respect individuals from all cultures; develop cross-cultural collaborations that foster innovation and diversity in art and design
9. work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating art and design professional practice and leadership skills.

The Curtin University Professional Writing and Publishing degree prepares students for writing careers in the private, public and creative sectors through the study and practice of a range of different writing forms, including feature articles, speeches, reports, discussion papers, travel writing, history, humour, writing for the internet, promotional writing, creative non-fiction and media releases. In the Visual Culture major students explore the history and theories of art and learn to critically evaluate how art informs our world. Students are also trained in practices of seeing and representation through technical and intuitive skills based in drawing.

Recommended study pattern

To complete the degree as a full time student, a maximum of two subjects per Study Period is recommended.

Level 1 BA (Professional Writing and Publishing) (Visual Culture) - complete the following:

• APC100 Academic and Professional Communication (core subject)
• COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
• PWP110 Introduction to Writing (Professional Writing and Publishing major subject)
• PWP121 Writing, Rhetoric and Persuasion (Professional Writing and Publishing major subject)
• VIS18 Introduction to History of Art and Design (Visual Culture major subject)
• VIS19 Issues in Contemporary Art (Visual Culture major subject)
• 2 elective subjects

Level 2 and level 3

Single Major BA (Professional Writing and Publishing)

Complete four Level 2 and four Level 3 Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects

AND

Single Major BA (Visual Culture)

Complete four Level 2 and four Level 3 Visual Culture major subjects

The Bachelor of Arts degree incorporates a progressive structure of subjects designed to build knowledge and enable you to successfully progress through the degree.

Award requirements

To obtain the award for the BA (Professional Writing and Publishing) (Visual Culture) students must complete a total of 24 subjects as follows:

• APC100 Academic and Professional Communication (core subject)
• COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
• 10 Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects selected from Levels 1, 2 and 3
• 10 Visual Culture major subjects selected from Levels 1, 2 and 3
• 2 elective subjects

The following criteria also apply:

• The combined Professional Writing and Publishing and Visual Culture structure only allows two elective subjects.
• You must complete the degree within 10 years.
• You must complete at least eight Curtin University subjects where Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is applicable.

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.

• Common Level 1 Subjects

• Level 1 Major - Professional Writing and Publishing

• Level 1 Major - Visual Culture

• Level 2 Major - Professional Writing and Publishing

• Level 2 Major - Visual Culture

• Level 3 Major - Professional Writing and Publishing

• Level 3 Major - Visual Culture

We recommend that all students, as soon as they are eligible, should apply for and take a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). However, if you choose not to be a CSP student, please contact Curtin through the Ask Connect webform and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.

2024 Changes:

From SP1 2024, students completing the Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing) major will be required to transition to the new degree structure as detailed below. 

The following Subjects will be offered from 2024:

• PWP230 Publishing
• PWP240 Workplace Writing
• PWP330 Publishing Studio

 They will replace the following, which will no longer be offered in 2024:

• PWP221 Writing Feature Articles
• PWP220 Tricks of Truth and Authenticity
• PWP322 Advanced Editing and Publishing
• PWP324 Portfolio Development for Writers

Students who have completed the above subjects will have them counted towards the completion of their degrees.

For assistance with Student Services, please phone 1300 222 888 between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm AWST (Tuesday from 9:30 am), Monday to Friday, or contact Curtin Connect via the Ask Connect Webform. 

2020 Changes

Degree structure changes

From SP1 2020, students completing the Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing) (Visual Culture) will be required to transition to the new degree structure as detailed below.  

Level 1:

• Two humanities core subjects; APC100 and COM155,
• Two Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects; PWP110 and PWP121, and
• Two Visual Culture major subjects; VIS18 and VIS19, and
• Two elective subjects

Level 2:

• Four Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects; PWP210, PWP211, PWP221, and PWP220, and
• Four Visual Culture major subjects; VIS24, VIS27 VIS29 and VAR250

Level 3:

• Four Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects; PWP310, PWP311, PWP322, and choose from PWP323 OR PWP324, and
• Four Visual Culture major subjects; VIS320, VIS330, VIS340 and VAR300

Visual Culture Subject Changes

• VIS18 and VAR101 (previously VAR100) are no longer Humanities Core Level 1 subjects. Students who have previously completed these subjects as common core subjects will have these credited to their degree of study.
• VIS18 has been changed from a Humanities common core subject to a Visual Culture major subject.
• VAR110 (previously VAR11) is no longer a Visual Culture major subject. Students may select this subject as an elective subject in level 1.
• VAR250 replaces VAR25.  VAR250 will provide students optional pathways to develop their research skills through theoretical or practical approaches.  
• VAR300 replaces VAR31. VAR300 will provide students optional pathways to develop their research skills through theoretical or practical approaches.
• VIS340 is a new level 3 version of previous level 2 subject VIS25 in the Visual Culture Major. Students who have previously completed VIS25 should not complete the third year level subject VIS340. Instead students should select another VIS subject from level 2 not already completed.
• VAR26 and VAR32 will be available in 2020 only and then deactivated in 2021.
• VIS26 will be available for SP1 2020 only.
• Students who have previously completed VIS26, VAR26 and VAR32 will have them credited in the new structure.

Existing students will need to select from the available subjects to complete the BA (Professional Writing and Publishing) (Visual Culture) major.

Curtin University is committed to the fundamental principle that, no matter which degree structure students choose to stay in or transition into, students will not be disadvantaged in their education. Curtin University is committed to discussion and consultation and would welcome your email or phone contact at any time to ensure you are fully informed and understand the changes. 

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• Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard subjects) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required).

• Successful study through OUA – either:
  • Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level (this satisfies the English language proficiency requirement) OR
  • Successful completion of two OUA degree level subjects with separate evidence of English proficiency is required.

• Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre Prerequisites

• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.

• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
• Finished secondary education more than two years ago
• Bridging and enabling degree entry
  • Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady
• Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.

Additional information

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies
• Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications

Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:

• Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
• Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)

Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at English Language Requirements.

*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***

Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.

Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.

To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)

It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.

More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).

PWP323 has a practicum placement requirement.