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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

311509 v.4 Bachelor of Arts (Humanities) (Honours)

BA(Hons)(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 078137E
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 1 Year


Course Overview

Bachelor honours degrees prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional work, research and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.


This course educates students in conceptual and theoretical aspects of academic practice. It also provides them with research methodologies appropriate to their honours project and the practical experience of applying concepts to investigation through the production of a dissertation or creative project and exegesis.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways. Admission to Honours is by invitation and follows high achievement in an appropriate bachelor degree.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, master by coursework and research degrees and doctorates. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Bachelor honours degrees typically comprise an honours course equivalent to one year of full-time study, which is additional to the associated bachelor degree.


In the first half of the course, students undertake two 50 credit units including, either Project 491 or Honours Dissertation 492 and Theories and Methods for Honours Research 412. For the second half of the course, students will continue the second component of the Project/Dissertation unit, i.e. Project 492 (50 credit) or Honours Dissertation 493 (50 credit), and a Concepts unit (50 credits).


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply knowledge of abstract ideas to the investigation of a research or creative research outcome

2. critically evaluate the effectiveness of research techniques to apply an appropriate analytical mode of investigation

3. formulate a research question, apply an appropriate methodology to provide an informed address to that question, and assess the evidence gathered to reach a conclusion

4. effectively communicate orally, visually, and in written format an argument based on research and/or creative findings

5. access and apply in an accurate manner the appropriate information and communication technology resources for a research project

6. work independently to produce a dissertation or a combination of an exegesis and creative project

7. generate new understandings and interpretation of issues by drawing on a range of perspectives

8. employ new understandings within the field of Humanities to achieve research objectives

9. apply research skills both collaboratively and individually in a discipline


Duration and Availability

Honours is normally completed in one year of full-time study or its part-time equivalent. External study may be available through negotiation with appropriate academic personnel.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1       Y  
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y   Y  

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
313993 v.2   Theories and Methods for Honours Research 412 2.0 50.0
310726 v.4 *   Project 491 2.0 50.0
  OR  
313994 v.3   Honours Dissertation 492 50.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
308889 v.5   Concepts and Contexts 412 2.0 50.0
310728 v.3 *   Project 492 6.0 50.0
  OR  
313995 v.2   Honours Dissertation 493 50.0
  100.0

*    Students undertaking a creative arts specialisation should select the Project 491 and Project 492 units. The Honours Program Coordinator will guide students to determine which specialisation area to enrol.




Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Humanities on telephone (08) 9266 3400, email humanities@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://humanities.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.