Bachelor of Arts in Politics

at University of Wollongong - Wollongong Campus Australia

Criminologists take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding why people commit crime, how societies conceptualise harm, and why some harms are classed as crimes while others are not. Criminologists also investigate how societies respond to crime and whether our responses are effective and fair for offenders, victims and the general community. Social Science draws on a range of disciplines to critically examine current debates and how various contested theories and values translate into policies and practices

This degree
The UOW Bachelor of Social Science (Criminology) involves a common foundation of compulsory social science subjects combined with a major in Criminology. You will complement your degree with a minor study area or elective subjects from any field in the University offering cross-faculty enrolment. You may choose to complete your electives abroad, or stay local and undertake activities to build your cross-cultural communication skills. This degree provides a strong foundation for postgraduate studies in research, Social Work, Public Health, Work Health and Safety and Teaching.

What you will study
Foundational subjects in social science include social determinants of health, human geography, sociology, interdisciplinary competencies and career ready learning. You will also begin your major in first year.

During your second and third years you'll focus on criminology subjects relating to crime and justice with options to extend and explore issues around youth crime, environmental crime, innovative justice, power and resistance, research methods and more.

A Bachelor of Arts – Bachelor of Laws from UOW equips graduates with a comprehensive legal education: a world-class degree that provides a thorough grounding in the law, as well as a real-world focus on the essential practical skills and the social and ethical context in which the law operates. Combining Law with a UOW Arts degree adds flexibility and versatility to your studies.

We believe that practical experience is a vital part of your legal training. We are the only law school in New South Wales that requires you to complete a legal internship, providing highly valued industry experience.

We are committed to social justice and providing a legal education that engages with the complexities of law's intersection with society.

This double degree delivers a practical and contextual legal education that prepares graduates not only for traditional careers in the legal profession but also for a wide range of careers in government, business and community organisations – as leaders, innovators and problem solvers.

What you will study

The Bachelor of Arts – Bachelor of Laws covers the prescribed areas of knowledge for future admission to the profession, as well as including a choice of electives. Additionally, an integrated skills program equips graduates with experience in areas such as legal research, interviewing, legal drafting, advocacy and negotiation. Opportunities also exist to undertake subjects by way of an international exchange. You will select subjects with origins in the humanities including history, languages and philosophy, as well as subjects within the disciplines of social sciences including cultural studies, sociology and politics. You'll also have the ability to take this degree in a creative direction, such as creative writing and photography.

A major in Global Sustainable Development explores ethical issues surrounding global challenges and the interaction between human and environmental security. With 2.4 billion people on the planet living on less than US$2 a day, poverty and inequality remain two of the biggest challenges of our time. Equally, environmental change is a major concern that will affect human activity for the foreseeable future.

The Bachelor of International Studies examines the relationships of politics, society, culture, language, and history in a range of countries. You will analyse national and global issues, focusing on the way global forces and interactions increasingly influence domestic politics. You will also be encouraged to study abroad or undertake a study tour.

What you will study
Core subjects will teach you the key theories, approaches and practices for promoting human development for the future. You can elect to do subjects that specialise in environmental issues from a range of different disciplinary perspectives, or you can focus on issues of development from economic, social and political perspectives.

A major in Environmental Humanities will equip you with the tools to analyse, critique and engage with contemporary debates about the environment. You will acquire a deep and critical understanding of the social contexts through which we experience environmental issues and problems such as climate change, species loss, adaptation, exploitation and natural disasters. You will gain a clear understanding of the role of cultural forces (histories, narratives, cultural values and ethics) that influence and shape relationships to the environment.

What you will study
You will investigate the works of key humanities thinkers in environmental debates, and how these manifest in policies, solutions and conflicts. It will explore ideas for alternative futures, Indigenous conceptions of country, and also how relationships with nature and other animals have been historically and culturally produced. The Environmental Humanities major brings together subjects from International studies, Philosophy, History, Indigenous Studies, Cultural Studies, Sociology, English, Contemporary Arts and Geography. All of the strengths of Humanities research and teaching (critical and creative thinking, questions of social justice, ethics and cultural engagement) will be brought into the domain of the environment. The development of Environmental Humanities is in response to 21st Century environmental crises of climate change; depletion of natural resources, species extinctions, mass migration, natural disasters, global inequalities and climate refugee crises.

Financial Planning is the design of specific financial outcomes that meet a client's unique needs and objectives, given their financial resources and risk profile. Its broad approach is to fulfil clients' total needs, incorporating investment planning, taxation, social services planning, retirement planning, risk planning and estate planning.

This degree
You will undertake a foundation year that covers all core disciplines of business, giving you a solid understanding of issues facing organisations today. From your second year, you will begin your Financial Planning major covering subjects from investment analysis, risk and insurance, to advanced financial planning.

You will also undertake a final-year capstone subject that lets you apply everything you have learned in collaboration with students from other disciplines. Plus, you have the option of applying for an internship to gain valuable experience whilst receiving credit towards your degree.

What you will study
You will investigate securities and the market they operate in as well as theories of the market and the equilibrium prices of securities. You will learn how to assess investments, and the method for identifying the best financial product for a client, with particular attention to their risk profile. You will learn the codes of conduct governing the financial planning industry and relevant regulatory frameworks, advising techniques, and how to build and maintain clients' investment portfolios.

You will utilise advanced technology at our Bloomberg terminals to examine real-time data and research analytics on every major financial market. Whilst analysing the trend of investments, you will also examine macroeconomic events to identify the change in behaviour and learn to provide recommendations for future clients.

Are you interested in understanding the links between the brain and behaviour? Do you want to understand the biological building blocks of human behaviour? Do you want to investigate the psychological and biological basis of mental illness? The Bachelor of Psychological Science-Bachelor of Neuroscience will provide you with a sound understanding of the molecular, neural and cognitive underpinnings of human behaviour and the investigative research methods used in the area. With further study these degrees can lead to professional registration as a psychologist.

What you will study
You will study the psychological and biological basis of human behaviour and learn about the how the brain links to human behaviour. Using a foundation in psychology, biology, chemistry and psychophysiology, the Bachelor of Psychological Science-Bachelor of Neuroscience will provide you with the groundwork for applying knowledge to addressing questions in understanding how we think, the processes underpinning ageing, neurological and mental health disorders.

This degree
Your first year will provide you with a broad understanding of foundation level biology, chemistry, physiology and psychology. You will study the basics of writing research reports, laboratory skills, scientific communication and the scientific knowledge that will be examined in depth later in the course. During your subsequent years, you will gain in-depth knowledge on specific topics such as cognitive psychology, psychopathology, social and developmental psychology, psychopharmacology, cognitive sciences, genetics and quantitative research methods. Throughout your degree you will be an active scientist, gaining scientific skills.

The Master of Engineering (Mechanical) is designed to strengthen and extend your understanding of specific knowledge and technical skills in advanced mechanical engineering. With a focus on design, you will have access to knowledge of design and engineering sciences through courses such as heat transfer and thermodynamics, dynamics and control, aerodynamics, structural design and solid mechanics as well as a range of advanced technical coursework.

This degree

The Master of Engineering delivers expert skills and applied competencies required for the professional engineer. It is designed to train and enhance professional practice, advance technical and specialist skills, and provide an opportunity to put theory into practice with applied projects and research. The degree also delivers communication, strategic and project management skills essential to the practising engineer.

What you will study

You will complete the core subjects in Professional Communications and Engineering Workplace Practice, Advanced Manufacturing Processes, Innovation and Design, Research Methods, Project Management, and Engineering Computing.

For the Mechanical major you will study subjects in Finite Element Techniques in Mechanical Engineering, Strategic Management for Engineers and Technologists, Integrated Manufacturing Systems, plus electives selected from Mechanical or Engineering subjects. You will also complete an advanced project.

Dean's Scholar degrees are highly recognisable, giving you a competitive edge in employment. The Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) offers a challenging and enriched educational experience for high-achieving students who want to perform above the level normally expected. Students are also encouraged to continue their studies through the completion of research programs.

This degree
The Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance (Honours) teaches you the skills to apply sophisticated mathematical and statistical techniques to real-world problems. You are also encouraged to develop computing and communication skills, which are assets in the job market.

Bankers, investment managers, insurance companies and financial companies all rely on financial mathematics to survive and stay ahead of the competition. Maths and Finance graduates work in all areas of industry and government as risk managers, investment advisers, traders, financial analysts and more. They work in all aspects of the finance sector from traditional banking to futures trading.

There are opportunities for scholarships from corporate partners, plus summer scholarships and undergraduate research projects with academic staff, access to programs of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) and inter-university courses via our Access Grid Room.

Places are limited each year. Current students who have achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of 80 at the end of one year of full-time study in a relevant degree may apply to transfer to the Dean's Scholar degree.

What you will study
You will complete the normal course requirements for the Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance (Honours) degree, but receive special privileges as you study such as accelerated learning (where possible) and academic mentoring. Dean's Scholars will complete a research project in their third year and further develop their research skills in the Honours year.

As a high-achieving student, you are also encouraged to contribute to the scholarly life of the Faculty through events in the Faculty's postgraduate program.

The fields of marketing, communications and advertising deliver coordinated messages about products and services through many channels such as television, radio, social media, and experiential activities. They impact on a range of audiences, helping people make informed choices and influencing how they think, feel and consume products.

What you will study
You will learn how methods of communication, along with the use of different technologies, are integrated with our professional, social and political lives. You will address relevant global, economic and political issues affecting the media and communication industries. You will be able to research, plan, execute and manage marketing campaigns. You will acquire skills in issue management, communications technology, product publicity, crisis communications and media relations. This will prepare you for a career in advertising, public relations and corporate branding.

The Bachelor of Creative Arts - Bachelor of Communication and Media has a strong focus on the creative industries and encourages an understanding of how producers and consumers interact in a media-saturated world. UOW connects hands-on studio production with critical reflection. This degree will equip you with a diverse set of skills including critical and creative thinking and effective communication and problem-solving skills, all of which are required for high achievement in a range of careers.

The Bachelor of Communication and Media degree offers students a strong foundation in global communication and media industries. This degree has a focus on preparing students for global careers in digital and social media, visual communication design, journalism, screen media production, marketing communication, advertising and PR. Students will encounter key ideas in the study and practice of media and communications, and gain flexible and transferable skills that will prepare them for informed engagement with the changing world of global media culture.

You will also become part of the creative industries, one of the fastest growing sectors in the world.  In Australia, over 600,000 people create a living from working in film; television and radio; writing and editing; recording and performing; advertising and marketing; design and visual arts; and architecture.  A Creative Arts degree equips you with a sound knowledge of contemporary arts, art theory and history within Australia and how that fits within an international context, reflecting on social, cultural and ethical issues.

What you will study
The Bachelor of Communication and Media offers five majors - Digital and Social Media, Visual Communication Design, Journalism, Screen Media Production and Marketing, Communication and Advertising. You will need to select one major to specialise in throughout the duration of your degree.

The Bachelor of Creative Arts involves the study of theory and practice-based work in the following major study areas: Creative Writing, Music, Visual Arts or Visual Arts and Design.