Major structure
Overview
Your course structure
Most Arts majors require 75 points of study (usually six subjects) for attainment. Arts minors require 50 points of study (usually four subjects) for attainment. This means you have the opportunity to achieve two majors or one major and one minor in your course. You will also complete breadth studies and other complimentary Arts subjects.
Completing your studies
If you are taking Sociology as a major, must complete:
- Between 12.5 and 25 credit points (usually one to two subjects) of Level 2 major core subjects (usually in second year)
- Between 12.5 and 25 credit points (usually one to two subjects) of Level 2 major elective subjects (usually in second year)
- One (12.5 credit point) level 3 capstone subject (usually in third year)
- 25 credit points (usually two subjects) of Level 3 major elective subjects subject (usually in third year)
Please note - Foundation Subjects:
A Major begins at second year. Each discipline has one or more first-year Foundation subjects which provide excellent preparation for the Major. The Capstone subject in this Major requires the completion of a first-year discipline Foundation subject as a pre-requisite
If you are taking Sociology as a minor, must complete:
- 25 credit points (usually two subjects) of Level 2 minor elective subjects (usually in second year)
- 25 credit points (usually two subjects) of Level 3 minor elective subjects (usually in third year)
Please note - Foundation Subjects: A Minor begins at second year. Each discipline has one or more first-year Foundation subjects which provide excellent preparation for the Minor. It is recommended students take one foundation subject in the discipline.
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.
Amelia Walters
Amelia Walters is studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Sociology.
After high school, I took a gap year to serve as a UNICEF Australia National Young Ambassador, working alongside a diverse group of young people to advocate for and raise awareness of children’s rights. I was also a Member for the Queensland Youth Parliament and a facilitator with UN Youth Australia. Encountering a wide cross-section of society and ideas sparked my interest in studying the humanities.
Studying Sociology is, in a way, the study of worldviews: it has given me a language with which to describe the world and the tools to reflexively interrogate my views. My two favourite subjects so far have been Understanding Society and Law, Justice and Social Change. Both subjects consider the individual within their collective, and the use of the ‘sociological imagination’ to understand how social issues manifest as personal problems.
Studying research and project development subjects has given me the confidence and practical skills to work and volunteer in the community sector while studying. This has included community mental health services, helping to write policy for an LGBTIQ+ organisation, and using the evaluation skills I learnt during core Sociology subjects to write international reports around mental health training for educators.
Throughout my studies, I have worked with Headspace and the National Youth Mental Health Foundation, supporting and advocating for the needs of young people, and I hope to continue to pursue my passion for promoting mental health, wellbeing, and resilience. I am eager to contribute my learnings in sociology to a career in public policy and community development, through encouraging community participation and empowerment, and promoting services sensitised to the needs of their consumers and communities through participatory action research and co-design.
Moving to a new city, I was fortunate to receive the Melbourne National Scholarship which afforded me the opportunity to live on campus and quickly find new friendships. I have bonded with people in tutorials and study groups.
Explore this major
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this major.