Bachelor of Arts Australia
People have been creating art ever since the dawn of civilization and a high degree of creativity can be seen in aboriginal rock paintings throughout the Western Desert, cave paintings in France and the United Kingdom and in the earliest writings of the Sumerians, Egyptians, Hittites and other people who make up the Fertile Crescent in the Middle East. Art is still an important subject for many people and comes out of a very simple impulse to create something we like to look at or feel, read or show to another person. And the pursuit of artistic excellence rivals any of humanity’s other endeavors including sport, technology, religion and science. The appreciation of Art crosses cultural, political and geological borders like nothing else and people from widely different backgrounds can find worth and value in some artifact from a completely alien culture because they recognize it as art. Art is powerful and life affirming.
Not only does Australia have a unique art history with the remarkable contribution of the country’s indigenous people that dates back 60 000years and has been in continual existence ever since, but the country offers some of the best ART degrees in the world in an environment that is safe, fun and reasonably priced.
So if you are interested in developing your creative side or want to know more about the humanities then an ART degree will help you to become an informed global citizen. An ART degree from an Australian university will also help you develop skills in critical thinking, research, analysis and writing, while giving you a deeper appreciation for the human condition.
One of the goals of AA Education Network is to create informed global citizens who can cross cultural barriers with confidence. AA Education Network will help you in your goal of attaining a bachelor of ART in Australia from the moment you contact them till the time you set foot in Australia and begin your studies. Helpful and professional AA Education Agents will take you by the hand and guide you through the process of applying for student visa’s, help getting accommodation in Australia, and be an ever-present resource in your goal of mastering all things Aussie with online virtual support via email 24hrs a day and access to up to date web guides that you can peruse free of charge and at your own leisure.
Like New Zealand and Canada it will take you three years to complete a Bachelor of ART full time in Australia. If you want to receive and honours degree in ART you will have to get an median average grade of 65% or higher and complete a thesis of between 10 000 and 20 000 words on an original topic in a fourth year of study. This achievement will open the way for a postgraduate career and with a diploma of Education you will be able to teach at a primary or secondary school level.
The Bachelor of ART program is an old course in most universities throughout the world and the term Bachelor of ART derives from a Latin phrase ‘Artium Baccalaureus’ and the emphasis of all Bachelor of ART programs is to develop critical thinking and excellent writing skills that are a much need asset in the modern workplace and is greatly prized by employers in the fields of: administration, art galleries, museums, trade unions, funding, government, foreign affairs, diplomatic and trade services, education, film and television, politics, public affairs, public relations, publishing, research, retail, marketing, events management, social services, sports coordinating, consumer affairs, cultural organizations, statistics, human resource management, information management and technology.
The ‘majors’ that you can study in an Australian university are almost endless. But here is a list of some of the majors on offer in Australian universities throughout the country and a brief description of what they are.
Aboriginal Studies; is the study of Australia’s indigenous people, an ancient culture that dates back to prehistory and is the only culture of its kind that is still in existence. Aboriginal Studies also emphasise the modern story of indigenous Australian’s since the arrival of Europeans just over 200 hundred years ago and how this has affected them as a people. There are 8 modules in the Aboriginal Studies major and in conjunction with another major area of studies it would be one of the most interesting and rewarding area of study for an international student completing a degree at an Australian university.
American Studies: is the study of the United States of America and covers much of the country’s history with a diversion into the literature of that country. A lot of the American Studies major emphasizes the role of race relations and prejudice in the development of American culture and how race is one of the key defining elements in the United States today.
Archaeology: is the study of cultures and the physical artifacts that these cultures leave behind long after some of them have disappeared into the history books. The studies of Archaeology in Australian universities have an emphasis on Aboriginal archaeology and anthropology, the maritime archaeology. But also deal with biblical archaeology, the Mayan and Aztec cultures of central and South America and other prehistory sites in Europe and around the world. Archaeology major in Australia will give the student an excellent framework in which to build a successful academic career on.
Art History: is the study of art history and how art has developed in key cultures throughout Europe and other parts of the world and how this has influenced the aesthetic quality of these cultures and other cultures influenced by them. The study of art history also has an emphasise on the classical cultures of Europe and more modern and post modern developments in art in the United States of America and art in Australia.
Chinese Studies: is the study of the ancient culture (3000 – 4000 years) of China through to the modern period of Chinese history. A major in Chinese Studies is usually taken with linguistics major and is precursor for a career in foreign affairs, or government. China is the biggest country in the world and will be the culture of the 21st century and an informed understanding of what make’s China the society that it is would be a valuable asset for a student wanting to understand the world and have a career in China or with Chinese speaking people. Most Australian universities have studies in Chinese culture, literature and/or language and the chances of finding an excellent course in Chinese Studies in an Australian university that is right for you is certain.
Creative Writing: is the study of creative writing with an emphasis on fictional prose, poetry and other literary based mediums. Creative writing gives a student skill in this area and is highly valued throughout the marketplace and across multiple industries. Writing is still a key skill and the ability to be a writer who can produce quality material can help you develop your career and take you places that you never thought possible. Here is a list of a handful of areas where a major in Creative Writing can take you: editing and publishing, online writing, journalism, novelist, poet, researcher and academic, marketer, etc…
English Literature: is the study of English literature, the literature of a language of over 800 000 words and a billion speakers. The study of English literature in Australia emphasise Australian literature and the role of Australian literature in Australian society, but also has modules in the British literature, women’s literature, American literature, colonial literature and indigenous literature. The study of English literature at an Australian university gives a student a broad view of the history of English language writing while developing skills in the analysis of literature as a cultural construct.
Gender Studies: is the study of gender as a cultural construct and how this relates to the relationships between men and women. Gender studies is one of the newer research areas at Australian universities and most Australian universities teach some form of it as a part of their Bachelor of Art programs.
German Language: is the study of German language with an emphasis on modern German language spoken in Germany, Austria and parts of Switzerland.
History: the study of history in Australia is designed to give the undergraduate student a broad understanding of how society came to be. The History major is a degree of 8 units in a major studies over three years and can lead to a job in teaching, continued academic research, and employment in foreign affairs departments in government.
International Studies: international studies could also be referred to as global studies with an emphasis on what is the dynamics that go into the evolution of global relationships between countries and the people groups in those countries. It is a prerequisite study for anyone wanting a career in foreign affairs in Australia or their home country. As an international student studying international relations in Australia you would get a better perspective on international relations not being in your home country.
Japan Studies: is the study of Japanese culture, literature, language and art and is a common Art major in most Australian universities.
Library and Information Studies: is the study of how to develop and maintain library catalogues and the associated environment. There is an emphasis on networking and data basing as part of this major and can lead to a career in libraries throughout the world. As a student with a major in Library and Information Studies you could work in university, public and private libraries and other associated fields where there is a need to document and store information in a professional way that is easy to recall and reference for potential users.
Maori Studies: is the study of Maori culture in New Zealand, looking at the culture before European settlement and the problems Maori people are dealing with since that time. Maori people have had a presence in New Zealand for over 800 years and originally come from Hawaii in one of the world’s truly epic sea journeys that has few if any in comparison. Maori culture still has vibrancy and the language of the Maori is still spoken throughout communities in New Zealand. Maori Studies is a relatively new discipline in Australian universities but is becoming an increasingly important one with a steady wave of migration of Maori people to Australia over the past 30 years.
Religious Studies: deals with the study of religion throughout the world with an emphasis on the five major world religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism) and their relationship within themselves and with each other. The course looks at the culture of religion and how it shapes people and societies that have been influenced by religion.
Korean Studies; is the study of Korean culture, language, literature and art.
Classical Language: is the study of Latin and how Latin has been influential in the development of western societies, particularly as a language of scholarship, science, law, and religion. Latin was the language of the Roman Empire and has a history that dates back over 2500 years and is the language of many of the great Roman writers and thinkers who laid the foundation for western civilization.
Drama: is the study of the dramatic arts and the role that drama has played throughout history.
Economics: is the study of economic systems and a student can specialise in one aspect of the study of economics. Some economic course emphasise the philosophy behind the present economic systems that predominate throughout the world while others deal with the practicalities of being a professional and competent operator in a modern economic system. Economics is an excellent study for anyone who is interested in how the financial system operates and the opportunity to develop a successful academic career in economics is rewarding. Being one of the few rare ‘boffin’s’ that people actually take an interest in what you are saying.
Philosophy: Is the study of philosophical thought and gives a student a broad understanding of the major schools of philosophy. Philosophy is a difficult and rewarding discipline and is always impressive on your curriculum vitae.
Journalism and Mass Communication: this study is also relatively new and coincides with the development of the mass media. This course has an emphasis on studying mass media and how this influences people and the decision making process. Originally moralistic and slightly condescending in scope, Journalism and Mass Communication studies has matured into a vibrant area of study that has become increasingly important in the digital age. Most Australian universities offer this major or a major closely related to it, so you have a real chance of studying anywhere in Australia if you want to do a Journalism and Mass Communication major.
Geography: is a broad study of the local, national and international geography in all its forms. An older area of study the geography major is completed over 3 years and is usually done in a combined degree with a Bachelor of Science or something similar.
Visual Arts
Aussies are passionate supporters of the arts and Australian government’s: federal, state, and local give money to the arts on an annual and biannual basis. It is possible for a person to make an artistic career out of winning grant money from these government departments and developing a national and international reputation for their creative ability.
Australia offers some of the finest visual arts courses in the world and can be studied at university, TAFE, and vocational colleges across the country. Some visual arts courses are industry specific and are a sensible prerequisite for people wanting to gain entrance into those industries. Vocational colleges tend to fulfill this industry specific role offering diplomas and certificates in hundred’s of different courses like: animation, art theory, creative industries, electronic arts drawing, apparel design, film production and film making, fine arts, graphic design, illustration, product and interior design, jewelry design, metal work, textile design, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and painting.
Vocational colleges tend to have lecturers and teachers with real world experience and can be studied full time to suit student visa stipulations. While most Australian universities offer a Bachelor of Visual Arts course that is run over 3 years full time and gives a student a grounding in the basics of the mediums that make up the discipline of visual arts.
TAFE courses are the most inexpensive option and can be studied full time as well; they offer large and usually very friendly student bodies of different ages, genders, and ethnicities. It is quite easy for many people to find people of a similar background as themselves and develop relationships with people who are in a similar boat as themselves.
There are departments for international students that are staffed by professional and informed people who will help you with all your study and related needs. TAFE’s also have industry recognized certifications in visual arts and the attaining of certification is an achievement.
So if a Bachelor of Art interests you and you would like to study in Australia in some of the finest tertiary institutions in the world then I would encourage you to speak with a AA Education Agent today s/he will help you on your journey o becoming a global citizen who can move across cultural boundaries with ease and confidence.
