Course details

Summary

The Victoria Bachelor of Arts (BA) will give you insights into cultures, languages, art, history, politics and societies that will challenge your thinking and expand your view of the world. Explore your passions and discover what drives you through our wide range of subject areas.

The Victoria BA will teach you how to think, not what to think. You'll turn ideas over and look at them from several angles. Learn to argue your point of view and be prepared for it to change. You'll study in an inspiring environment with highly qualified lecturers who will help you develop a broad and disciplined intellect, so you can be successful in whatever career you choose.

Pacific Studies

Expand your knowledge and understanding of Pacific lands, cultures and languages. You’ll get an introduction to the ideas and work of leading thinkers, political leaders, activists and artists of the islands. Examine the impacts of imperialism and colonialism on Pasifika cultures and gain an understanding of modern Pacific issues. You'll also learn at least one Pacific Island language - Sāmoan, 毛利 or French.

Course structure

For this degree you'll need to:

Complete at least 360 points, of which:

• At least 240 points must be from courses listed for the BA
• A maximum of 180 points can be at 100 level and
• At least 180 points must be at 200 and 300 level
• Of the 180 points, at least 75 points must be at 300 level
• Of the 75 points, up to 15 may come from courses listed for another degree when they are taken to satisfy the requirements of an additional major subject from another degree
• Of the 180 points, at least 75 must be from courses listed for the BA

In addition to the degree requirements, for this major you'll need to complete:

Four PASI courses:

• The Pacific Heritage (PASI 101)
• Comparative History in Polynesia (PASI 201)
• Globalisation and Popular Culture in the Pacific (PASI 202)
• Framing the Pacific: Theorising Culture and Society (PASI 301)

One courses in Samoan, 毛利 or French language

Courses worth 40 points at 200 and 300 level with a significant content in Pacific Studies, including 20 points from 300-level courses from:

• Art in the Pacific (ARTH 214)
• Pacific Histories: Environments, Peoples and Empires (HIST 219)
• Pacific Nations Education (EDUC 224)
• Te Ao Hangarau, a Rehia/Culture, Performance and Technology (MAOR 212)
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi (MAOR 216)
• Te Puwhenuatanga o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa / The Peopling of Polynesia (MAOR 217)
• Perspectives on Music of Oceania (MUSC 251)

RELI 212

• Samoan Language and Oratory (SAMO 201)
• Samoan Literature (SAMO 202)
• Anthropology in Oceania (ANTH 308)
• Topics in Pacific Art (ARTH 336)
• Multi-ethnic Education (EDUC 322)
• Contemporary Issues in Indigenous Education Aotearoa (EDUC 323)
• Pacific Cinema (FILM 303)
• The Pacific Islands after 1945 (HIST 336)
• Pacific Legal Studies (LAWS 347)
• Studies in Music and Dance of Oceania (MUSC 351)
• Samoan Language and Customs (SAMO 301)
• Interpreting and Translation (SAMO 302)

Future-proof your career

The job-market is changing fast with many current jobs predicted to be automated within 10 to 15 years. Gain skills valuable in any workplace studying for a BA develops your creativity, flexibility and imagination, and teaches you how to think critically and present an argument. You'll also develop research skills and learn to communicate complex ideas in both speech and writing.

Entry criteria

University Entrance, or to meet the requirements of another admission type.

English Language requirements:

• IELTS overall band of 6.0 with no sub-score below 5.5; or
• TOEFL 80 on the internet-based test; or
• A minimum of three ratings of 4 and one rating of 3 in the Victoria University English Proficiency Programme test; or
• Pearson Test of English: A score of 58 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 50).