What will I study?
Overview
Your course structure
The Bachelor of Arts requires the successful completion of 24 subjects (300-points), including at least one major. Most students study eight subjects each year (usually four subjects in each semester) for three years full-time, or the part-time equivalent.
Most Arts majors require 100 points of study (usually eight subjects) for attainment. This means out of your 300-point program, you have the opportunity to achieve two majors in your course.
Completing your major
If you are taking Indigenous Studies as a major, you must complete:
- Any level 1 Arts elective subject (usually at first year)
- One Arts Foundation subject
- 37.5 points (usually three subjects) of level 2 elective subjects (recommended or optional subjects usually at second year)
- 25 points (usually two subjects) of Level 3 elective subjects (recommended or optional subjects usually at third year)
- One level 3 capstone subject (usually at third year)
If you are taking Indigenous Studies as a minor, you must complete:
- Any level 1 Arts elective subject (usually at first year)
- One Arts Foundation subject
- 25 points (usually two subjects) of level 2 elective subjects (usually at second year)
- 25 points (usually two subjects) of Level 3 elective subjects (usually at third year)
Breadth studies
Breadth is a unique feature of the Melbourne curriculum. It gives you the chance to explore subjects outside of arts, developing new perspectives and learning to collaborate with others who have different strengths and interests — just as you will in your future career.
Some of our students use breadth to explore creative interests or topics they have always been curious about. Others used breadth to improve their career prospects by complementing their major with a language, communication skills or business expertise.
Olivia Bentley
Olivia Bentley is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Indigenous Studies.
I’m a proud Wiradjuri woman with Irish and Scottish settler heritage. I was born and raised on Birpai Country – Port Macquarie. I was particularly drawn to make the move and come to the University of Melbourne because of its model, its breadth of subjects and its Indigenous support.
As an Aboriginal student I already possessed an understanding about my community, our history and the issues we face. However, I had not previously engaged in learning about Aboriginal Australia from the Western teaching perspective. Indigenous Studies has afforded me an understanding of what non-Indigenous people know and don’t know about our community.
One subject I have particularly enjoyed is Racial Literacy: Indigeneity and Whiteness. It unpacks the history, representation and role of race in nation building. The subject challenges students to reflect on their own position and be critical about the construction, deployment and normalisation of race rhetoric.
I have also enjoyed Contemporary Aboriginal Art. Art plays an important role in our community and culture and I was eager to learn more about the nuances and practice of Aboriginal art. Contemporary Aboriginal Art has equipped me with the specific knowledge to identify the art practices, techniques and styles of different Aboriginal artists and communities whilst also providing a greater insight in to the complexities of contemporary Aboriginal art practice such as copyright, appropriation, curating policy and identity politics in the art market.
I’m particularly looking forward to the summer intensive subject On Country Learning: Indigenous Studies. A field-based subject, On Country Learning is taught by Aboriginal people on Yorta Yorta Country.
I currently work at Murrup Barak - Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development - here at the University of Melbourne, as a mentor to new Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students.
Explore this major
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this major.