Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar) | 2020 

Overview 

If you are a high-achieving and motivated student, the Dean's Scholar program will give you an enriched educational experience. Dean’s scholars are assisted by a member of academic staff to advise you on matters concerned with your degree, as well as an annual textbook or resource allowance, and designated study space. You will produce a major self-directed research project as a capstone for your degree in the final year of study. 

A Bachelor of Arts degree is one of the most popular degrees at University. Students who are passionate and curious about humanity and society enjoy the breadth and flexibility of the Bachelor of Arts degree. This degree will allow you to hone your skills of analysis and interpretation, and your ability to synthesise complex ideas; skills that are essential to practical problem solving and highly valuable to a wide range of employers. Every real-world problem today has a cultural and social dimension that can be understood using the skills you will gain doing a Bachelor of Arts degree, whichever major you choose.

The Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar) degree will teach you new perspectives on approaching ideas and problems. Many of the skills learned are generic so that they are applicable in a vast range of careers and provide a broad-based education with a capacity for lifelong learning. However, you will also be challenged to develop expertise in one area. 

Dean’s Scholar Degrees 

Dean's Scholars have the opportunity to attempt subjects not normally available to first-year students. They may be granted exemption from certain first-year subjects and may be permitted extended subject loads, enabling them to complete the degree in less than the normal time and enter Honours in their third year. 

Dean's Scholar students benefit from:

• Access to shared study and workspace;
• Yearly text book or resource allowance for full time students;
• Limited printing privileges;
• Specialised subject LHA 102 Dean's Scholars Seminar;
• Opportunities to attend academic and higher degree research workshops and seminars.
• On successful completion of this degree, students will be guaranteed admission to Honours.

Dean's Scholars are able to use the University's student exchange program to undertake a period of study overseas. Several Dean's Scholars have competed successfully for places in the Australian National Internship Program or the University Capitol Washington Internship Program, which places students in political offices in Canberra or Washington D.C. respectively.

To remain in the program, students must maintain an average of 75% in each year of study. If the student's average falls below 75%, the student will be transferred into the Bachelor of Arts degree. 

Entry Requirements & Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder. 

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

All Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar) students will be able to demonstrate these outcomes. Each major also has learning outcomes that are unique to that major, which are outlined on each handbook page.

Course Structure

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar), a candidate must successfully complete at least 144 credit points comprised of the following:

1. LHA 102 - Dean's Scholars Seminar (6 credit points);
2. At least one major study available in the Bachelor of Arts, outlined below (minimum 48 and maximum 60 credit points);
3. A second major study (minimum 48 credit points and maximum 60 credit points) OR, a minor study (minimum of 24 credit points) from within Law, Humanities, and The Arts;
4. Elective subjects offered to bring the total credit points completed to at least 144.

Note:

• Average mark of 75% or better must be maintained.
• Not more than 60 credit points can be taken in 100-level subjects.
• At least 24 credit points of subjects completed at the 300-level within the major must be at a pass mark or better.

Navigating the Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar) Degree

You construct your Bachelor of Arts degree by selecting majors and minors. Many of the majors and minors reflect areas of study that will be familiar already (such as English, History, Politics) and some that may be less familiar (such as International Relations, Sociology and Environmental Humanities). Completing a major (or two) as part of your Bachelor of Arts degree will give you a set of skills that relate to the discipline you are studying (gaining expertise in History, for example) and also generic skills in critical thinking, analysis, cultural intelligence, and conceptual frameworks. Because you can do more than one major, it’s a good idea to choose widely in your first year, before settling on a major/or majors in your second year. For those thinking of doing a double major + minor, popular combinations include:

• History and Ancient History/Archaeology 
• English and Philosophy, and Language/Linguistics
• Sociology and International Relations and Gender Studies
• Indigenous Studies and Politics and Ethics
• Creative Writing and English and Cultural Studies
• Environmental Humanities and Philosophy and Art History

As long as you complete at least one major and one minor from the Bachelor of Arts, you can also take a major and/or minor from outside of the Bachelor of Arts degree. Popular majors from outside the Bachelor of Arts include: Criminology, Digital and Social Media, Economics, Global Screen Media, Global Sustainable Development, Human Geography, Journalism, Marketing, Communication and Advertising, Visual Communication Design, Global Sustainable Development, International Business, Economics, Human Resource Management, Management and Public Relations.

Majors and Minors

For a list of the major and minor options available int the Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholar), please see the Bachelor of Arts Course Handbook page. 

Work Integrated Learning

Undertaking a work integrated learning experience during your university education is now a significant contributor to being competitive in securing employment in your field of choice when you graduate from UOW.

The internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting.

Some Majors will have a specific internship subject available for students. Otherwise, students can consider CRLP200 'Career Ready Learning and Practice' (6cp). CRLP200 includes a quality assured workplace internship or industry project to give you that competitive edge by developing your professional skills through authentic learning in a real world context. You will focus on your career goals and receive career direction guidance, strengthen your resume and gain skills to navigate the rapidly changing world of work, develop your communication skills and begin to build a professional network.

INDS208 Working with Indigenous Communities is an elective subject available to all students. INDS208 fosters work skills, cultural competency and develops student awareness of Indigenous knowledges and community practices.

Honours

Honours is a fourth year of study that provides training in independent research. Students who complete the single degree with the required academic standard are encouraged to proceed to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours). Please refer to the handbook page for further information about the degree and entry requirements.

Other Information

To remain in the program, students must maintain an average of 75% in each year of study. If the student's average falls below 75%, the student will be transferred into the Bachelor of Arts degree.

For further information email: askuow@uow.edu.au