Bachelor of Arts (Deans Scholars) in History and Political Thought

at Western Sydney University - Parramatta South Campus Australia

This double degree is designed for students whose interests span the Arts and Business.

Study in the Bachelor of Arts component is designed to develop communication and personal skills, creativity and a capacity for independent thought, adaptability to new situations and problem-solving skills, attributes increasingly demanded by employers.

History  and Political Thought

Since the revival of humanist thought in the Renaissance, universities have placed studies in history and political thought at the centre of exploring what it is to be human.

At the heart of the History and Political Thought major are four compulsory units which introduce the student to the modern (since 1500) history of humanity. Although Europe is very prominent in the Major, the student will be invited to compare its history to the histories of Asia, Africa and the Americas.

The Major culminates in a capstone unit in students’ final semester discussing historical theories and methods. A wide range of elective units covers European, American, Australian and Asian history and political thought and includes thematic units which range widely over time and place.

This double degree is designed for students whose interests span the Arts and Business.

Study in the Bachelor of Arts component is designed to develop communication and personal skills, creativity and a capacity for independent thought, adaptability to new situations and problem-solving skills, attributes increasingly demanded by employers.

Economics

The Economics major provides a broad pluralist perspective on fundamental aspects of relationships between individuals, firms, institutions and countries. Students will learn how economies function and how public policy and the way organisations behave affect diverse social, economic and environmental problems. Students are introduced to a wide array of competing economic theories, so that they are critically informed about the ways in which they can transform the world. A major in Economics prepares students to be active participants in addressing the wide range of problems faced by governments, social organisations and the business community in the domestic and international economies. Students who study economics can expect to develop their analytical and problem solving skills and to be intellectually challenged, whether they view the discipline as providing specific vocational skills or as an area of academic and intellectual interest to them. An Economics major is very highly regarded in the business world and opens up a very large range of career prospects in general business, finance and the public sector.

We live in a world of screens ­– screens that need content. The Bachelor of Screen Media provides students with the tools and the know-how to make compelling, in-demand content crossing the spectrum of film, television, documentary, web series, video games and interactive experiences.

At Western, we’re pioneering a curriculum that prepares graduates to become the visual communicators of the future. Using our world-class facilities, you will learn to write, produce, direct and edit your own original content whilst also serving as collaborators on your classmates’ productions. You’ll work on campus in our TV studio, fully fitted with multi-cameras, green-screen and professional lighting. We’ll show you how to shape your content in the edit suites, and enhance your productions in the large Mac labs. You can also borrow equipment from the loan store to shoot content on location.

In your first year you’ll gain a strong foundation in different approaches and genres, and get hands-on experience creating short pieces. You’ll learn best-practice filmmaking, camera, editing, sound, be introduced to animation and visual effects, and build an understanding of the business of the industry. As you progress through the degree, you will develop skills in digital storytelling, and explore virtual, augmented and mixed reality. From Day 1, you will start building your portfolio with content created in class, so that by the time you graduate, you will have a rock-solid showcase of your work to impress potential employers.

In your second and third years, you’ll have the opportunity to  choose complementary subjects in either Journalism or Design, depending on your area of interest. If you’d like a future career creating short or long-form documentaries – insightful exposés of ex-world leaders or ‘tiger kings’, or highlighting the impact of climate change: choose the Journalism stream. Or if you’re more interested in creating interactive online experiences, apps and game design – choose the Design stream. Both streams complement the skills and knowledge you develop in your screen media subjects, further enhancing career opportunities.

This double degree in Communications and International Studies encompasses a wide range of subjects including a core program of media studies.

Students in this double degree also have the opportunity to extend their combined studies through a semester studying abroad. In addition, students complete an internship in their Communications Major. The Bachelor of International Studies examines the relationships of societies, cultures, languages and systems of government within the international system. It will develop your capacity to analyse the historical development of relations among nation states and contemporary political, social and cultural issues, such as globalisation, transnationalism and migration.

Public Affairs

The Public Relations major covers the skills and knowledge required in the profession of public relations, including event management, issues and crisis management and campaign development.

The major focuses on the role of the public relations practitioner or adviser and provides a theoretical framework of the industry. Students engage with both theory and practical projects and complete an internship placement.

Become an in-demand computing professional. Get the edge with real-world project experience. This degree is designed for high achievers who want to take on advanced ICT studies and high-level research.

Develops your skills in systems analysis and design, application development, program design, networks, web design and the implementation of technology.

This degree shows you how to apply solutions in practice and  transforms today’s brightest computing minds into tomorrow’s computing leaders.

Be mentored by experienced academics and research groups. Gain access to industry-leading facilities where you can bring your ideas to life. Shape your unlimited future.

This degree is exclusively for high-achieving students, and will continually challenge you to do even better and build on your academic success. Students in the Advanced degree program are automatically enrolled in The Academy Opens in new window which offers interdisciplinary leadership programs, professional development and local and international internship and engagement opportunities for students.

Entertainment Computing

This major will deal with a comprehensive focus on the technical and theoretical knowledge of design, development and deployment of software applications in the field of Entertainment Computing.

Students must maintain a grade point average of 5 or above to remain in the program. Those who do not maintain this average will be transferred to the Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology.

This double degree program is designed for students whose interests span the Arts and Sciences. Our graduates work across a range of academic and professional disciplines, including the opportunity to develop global perspectives.

Sustainable Environmental Future

Managing our environment sustainably requires professionals who are trained in new technologies across multiple disciplines, including biological and physical sciences, risk assessment, policy and management. Understanding how life interacts with water, soil and the atmosphere empowers us to develop sustainable management solutions for our most pressing environmental challenges.

You will learn how to apply fundamental scientific knowledge to evaluate and mitigate the impacts of human activities on natural and managed ecosystems, including the built environment. You will have access to world class ecological and environmental research facilities, and will engage in hands-on, field-based learning, taught by a team at the cutting edge of research in this field. As a graduate, you are prepared for a career in environmental management, consultancy and biological conservation.

Take the lead in a critical area of needed skills. Our Master of Health Science degree offers you the opportunity to lead in the fields of Health Services Management, Occupational Health and Safety or Digital Health.

The degree is specifically designed to prepare new, aspiring, and middle tier health service practitioners, planners, and managers to lead in the strategic and operational management of a wide range of health services and facilities.

Digital Health

The Digital Health specialisation combines the opportunity to study contemporary issues associated with information management in healthcare organisations with the integration of a sound understanding of the impact of digital health, as well as the development and implementation of projects and programs relating to this growing and critical area in both organisations and professional practice. The specialisation would be of interest to clinicians, health management and science (information engineering) professionals, and personnel working in health corporate roles with responsibilities in health data and information. Students in this specialisation can further focus their studies in aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship, and research and development in the digital health space. You will also gain experience with the development and implementation of projects and programs relating to these growing and critical areas in organisations and professional practice.

Be constantly challenged and extended by your studies. Think about a career involving scientific research.

Chemistry

A Bachelor of Science with a chemistry major will prepare you to take part in a process of inquiry, by both contributing to it and by using scientific knowledge to solve current problems. The Chemistry program provides a strong background in the key topic areas of contemporary chemistry, including aspects of chemical theory in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, with a strong emphasis on practical laboratory skills, and applications in contemporary research, industry and the environment. A research project is available to students in the final year of the degree preparing you for a professional career in a wide range of chemistry based industries. The degree allows for the completion of a second major or additional minors and electives to diversify learning for the careers of the future.

Graduates of this degree can look forward to career opportunities as a research scientist, forensic scientist, or a scientist in environment, mining or manufacturing industries. Other opportunities can be found in pharmaceutical industries, health and food industries, in scientific and technical sales, consumer affairs or you can progress into pursuing a research or secondary teaching career.

This double degree is designed for students whose interests span the Arts and Business.

Study in the Bachelor of Arts component is designed to develop communication and personal skills, creativity and a capacity for independent thought, adaptability to new situations and problem-solving skills, attributes increasingly demanded by employers.

Cultural and Social Analysis

Cultural and Social Analysis is an interdisciplinary major developing knowledge, research skills and analytic capacities relevant to understanding and interpreting landscapes of cultural diversity and social difference in our contemporary world, both in terms of the broad contours, as well as specific micro-social environments.

This major provides grounding in contemporary debates and methodologies in cultural studies and social theory, and draws on various disciplines including history, sociology, communications, and linguistics. Topics include popular culture, everyday urban life, cultural and social impacts of scientific theories and new technologies, multiculturalism, and contemporary spirituality.

Study in this area is relevant for work involving commentary and analysis of contemporary social issues and cultural practices (e.g. journalism, teaching, activism) and fields concerned with designing, delivering and evaluating cultural and artistic productions, and education, communication, welfare or health services, in culturally diverse communities.

This double degree program is designed for students whose interests span the Arts and Social Sciences.

It will give you the skills and versatility to work across a range of academic and professional disciplines, including the opportunity to develop global perspectives and communication skills.

You need to include a Social Science Major, so you can design your own academic program within the Bachelor of Social Science program structure.

Disability Studies

This major is designed to meet the increasing demand for specialist expertise in disability care, rights and services. Recent changes in global policy and social service frameworks have generated new labour markets in disability support, and this major meets the need for professionals with in-depth knowledge of contemporary disability issues.

Incorporating units from Social Sciences and Health Sciences, this major explores contemporary frameworks for disability studies. Students will explore inclusive practices and evaluate the impact of social policy on the rights of persons with disabilities.