Bachelor of Arts in Aboriginal Studies

at University of South Australia - Magill Campus Australia

The Bachelor of Arts (Aboriginal Studies) will prepare you to engage thoughtfully with Aboriginal Australians, and will provide you with a broad understanding of issues pertinent to Aboriginal people and communities. You will develop an understanding of the complex interface between Aboriginal knowledges and Western knowledge, perspectives, and practices, and engage in critical dialogues with the many voices and priorities of Aboriginal Peoples and communities.

• Key areas of study include: 
• Aboriginal knowledges and cultures 
• Aboriginal history and colonialism 
• Aboriginal governance structures and nation building 
• Globalisation, national and international trends in relation to Aboriginal Peoples 
• Caring for Country and its role in Aboriginal heritage issues. 

This degree will give you the knowledge and skills to think critically about the various issues impacting Indigenous communities locally, nationally, and globally, and will enable you to engage thoughtfully with Aboriginal communities and contribute to ethical and professional practice.

What you Learn
You will engage in analysis, discussion and debate around key issues that are of significance to Aboriginal peoples and international Indigenous Peoples, such as language revitalisation, Aboriginal nation building and the broader pursuit of self-determination, social and economic development, and social justice.

You will build interdisciplinary knowledge, community leadership skills and cultural awareness, graduating with the skills necessary to succeed in the rapidly changing global workplace.

You will be given the opportunity to study two majors, ensuring you graduate with advanced skills and knowledge that will set you apart from your competitors in the workplace.?You can choose a second major from the following:

• Applied Linguistics 
• Creative Writing and Literature 
• Cultural Studies 
• History and Global Politics 
• Languages (French, Italian or Japanese) 
• Law, Policy and Politics 
• Psychology 
• Sociology.

This double degree ensures you have the advanced writing and production skills needed for a career in the journalism industry, as well as the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for a career in creative, professional and technical writing.

What you'll learn

This degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to work as a journalist and writer in mainstream, niche and community media, publishing and communication fields. The emphasis on professional writing opens doors to a wide variety of allied professions such as technical writing, tender presentations, and marketing and communication.

You will study historical and contemporary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, autobiographies, essays and plays. As you begin to create your own great classics, you will also learn how different oral and written texts have impacted on cultures around the world. A final year industry internship will further extend your knowledge and training. Under the guidance of skilled academics and researchers, you will:

• develop creative writing skills
• explore how different oral and written texts have impacted on the cultures of the world
• learn how to author and edit written, audio and visual texts within news and non-news environments
• develop the production skills required by news and online media, including filming and editing, problem solving and decision-making
• learn how to use industry-standard hardware and software
• develop analytical and research skills

As a student studying the Law, Policy and Politics major you will develop an understanding of relevant legal systems, international and domestic law, the politics of environmental change and marginalisation in world affairs.

What you'll learn

The Law, Policy, and Politics major will contextualize Australia’s legal and political systems in the broader context of global politics and international policy and law. You will complete courses in relevant disciplines from across the university.

This degree helps you develop many transferable skills including:

• A broad knowledge of global legal and political systems
• Critical analysis
• Contemporary research strategies
• Applying knowledge to a range of legal and political contexts

As a student studying the Applied Linguistics major you will gain an in-depth understanding of human language and learn how language shapes human experience, through the integration of theoretical and applied perspectives, with a strong practical, community and industry focus.

You will:

• Explore the ways in which language is fundamental to human understanding, communication and cultures.
• Gain expertise in the applications of linguistics to contemporary issues and professional concerns.
• Use your high-level linguistic, analytical, research and problem-solving skills as global professionals in a world of linguistic and cultural diversity.

What you'll learn

Under the guidance of world-class researchers1 you will embark on an in-depth study of the nature of human language. You will focus on:

• Developing an in-depth understanding of human language, and how languages and cultures shape communication, identities and learning in the contemporary world.
• Exploring what is fundamental to human understanding, communication and culture.
• Using your high-level linguistic, analytical, research and problem solving skills as global professionals in a world of linguistic and cultural diversity.

Graduates of this degree (the only one of its kind in South Australia) are qualified to work as journalists in any medium, across any platform, and in media organisation newsrooms, local community news sites, niche and community media, and as freelance/entrepreneurial journalists. They are also well qualified to work across communication fields. An emphasis on professional writing opens doors to a wide variety of allied professions, such as technical writing, tender presentations, and marketing and communication.

You can explore journalistic areas of interest such as:

• Science, space and technology
• Data and investigative journalism
• Governments and politics
• International relations
• Economy, business and finance
• Social and legal justice, and inclusion
• Travel writing
• Culture and arts journalism
• Environment and sustainability
• Sports journalism.

Fast-track your communication career and gain a bachelor and master qualification in just four years with our 3 + 1 Pathway to Master of Communication package. This unique offering allows you to elevate your career prospects by completing two industry-informed qualifications that have been developed to meet the fast-changing needs of the communication and media industries.

This package provides you with an opportunity to study a three-year bachelor degree and a one-year master degree (typically two years) in four years by substituting four undergraduate courses for selected postgraduate courses in the third year of your bachelor degree.

As part of this packaged program, you will:

• Major in Communication and Media covering strategic communication, media management, public relations, social media, advertising, and professional communication
• Select a sub-major in areas including applied linguistics, digital media, film and television, journalism, languages, marketing or social media
• Study courses in areas such as campaigns and crises; digital design; communication, media and creative industries; and digital entrepreneurship
• Undertake an industry-supervised project in your final year
• Study industry-informed degrees, which are adaptable and agile changing to the needs and demands of industry.

During your studies you will develop an advanced understanding of communication strategies and theories, and graduate with the capabilities to be a successful leader and decision-maker in any communication setting, across a diverse range of industries. 

What you'll learn

Your undergraduate degree will start with core courses in communication, where you will create, develop and deliver communication strategies for traditional and online media. You will also develop writing skills for a range of platforms, including traditional media, social media and digital platforms.

You will:

• Learn how to manage media and public relations in contemporary society, including the analytical thinking required for strategic planning and communication management 
• Study emerging trends within the communications industry, along with media law and ethics
• Major in Communication and Media covering strategic communication, media management, public relations, social media, advertising, and professional communication
• Select a sub-major in areas including digital media, film and television, journalism, linguistics, marketing or social media
• Undertake an industry internship in your third year
• Study courses in areas such as campaigns and crises; digital design; communication, media and creative industries; and digital entrepreneurship
• Undertake an industry-supervised project or research thesis in the final year of your masters degree.

Through your postgraduate studies, you’ll build your professional skills in social and digital media management, public relations and strategic communication. You’ll also:

• Develop your knowledge of the social and political aspects of communication underpinned by advanced research methods and planning skills
• Explore topics including digital design and strategic communication in campaigns and crises
• Develop your knowledge of the social and political aspects of communication underpinned by advanced research methods and planning skills
• Study in a workshop-based environment with connections to industry partners, real-world projects, and placement and networking opportunities

This degree provides you with a sound knowledge of the political, behavioural and social sciences, and equips you with the skills needed for professional practice in the human services field as an accredited community worker, policy advocate or manager of human services.

This degree has been developed around the following four major areas of study:

• Behavioural and social sciences
• Human service practice
• Human service management
• Social policy.

Become even more employable by combining your Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services) degree with another degree. With just one year of extra study you can graduate with an additional Bachelor of Psychology or Bachelor of Arts qualification. You can discuss the possibilities with Campus Central. 

Skilled communicators are essential in every organisation and industry sector, and this adaptable degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills to plan, develop and deliver communication activities across a range of platforms.

You will develop skills in:

• Writing and creating content for traditional and online media
• Analysing social media and its role in society
• Managing media and public relations
• Critical and analytical thinking required for the strategic planning and management of communication and media.

What you Learn

You will learn how to write, plan, deliver and evaluate communication strategies that engage and inform target audiences using a range of media platforms. With a focus on communication for both traditional and online media, you'll study:

• Writing and content creation for traditional and online
• Social media strategy, engagement and content creation
• Critical and analytical thinking required for the strategic planning and management of communication and media
• Communication and media research
• Media law and ethics
• Emerging trends

This double degree provides a balance of courses in psychology and human services, enabling graduates to enter the workforce with a strong understanding of psychology as it relates to the human services sector.

You will study a range of topics, including:

• Behavioural and social sciences
• Human behaviour
• Critical and analytical skills
• Research and data analysis
• Project management
• Social policy 

This master degree is designed for those who have already completed an undergraduate degree and who would like to work in a setting where they teach English to speakers of other languages.

The unique curriculum allows you to explore a range of educational issues, further develop research skills and to collaborate, network and interact with like-minded professionals. You will also learn about recent developments in theories, research, debates and practices regarding the teaching of English as an additional language.

What you'll learn

You will graduate from this master degree with an advanced understanding of educational theory and TESOL methodologies; you will also develop advanced research skills.

The curriculum is separated into two different streams - the Education Project pathway and the Education Thesis pathway. Each pathway explores research methods, with the Thesis pathway preparing students for further learning, such as doctoral studies.