Faculty of Arts
Further information
For further information please contact:
Study Abroad Office
International Centre
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Telephone: (+61 8) 6488 8199
Facsimile: (+61 8) 9382 4071
Study abroad students can choose to take units from a wide range of majors which are taught to undergraduate students studying for a Bachelor of Arts. There are 28 different subject areas including 9 different languages and a number of music options.
You could also undertake a work experience project through an Arts Practicum unit, or take an English Language and Academic Communication unit where you will develop the skills to thrive in an Australian university.
Refer to the FAQs section for some information that will help you design your program of study at UWA.
Choose a discipline that interests you and visit the UWA Handbook to see what units are on offer in 2012 and access full unit descriptions.
- Anthropology and Sociology
- Archaeology
- Asian Studies
- Australian Studies
- Classics and Ancient History (includes Latin and Greek)
- Communication and Media Studies
- English and Cultural Studies
- European Studies
- Gender Studies
- History
- History of Art
- Human Geography and Planning
- Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage
- Law and Society
- Linguistics
- Medieval and Early Modern Studies
- Modern Languages (Chinese, German, French, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean)
- Music Studies and Specialist Music Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science and International Relations
- Social and Applied Psychology
- Work and Employment Relations
- Arts Practicum
- English Language and Academic Communication
Anthropology and Sociology
This discipline delves into the fascinating study of humanity and human relationships.
In Level One units, you will be introduced to key concepts of the field. You will discuss what it means to be human using examples from around the world and consider the local effects of globalisation.
If you are majoring in Anthropology, choose from Level Two and Three units covering themes like money, sex and gender, and social inequality.
You can also visit extensive collection of cultural materials housed on campus in the Berndt Museum of Anthropology.
Archaeology
The study of human societies through their material remains is an important field here in Australia: what other discipline can tell us so much about this country’s 60,000-year history?
Enrolling in a Level One unit in Archaeology is the ideal way to discover the principles and methods. In the upper levels, you could take units specialising in Rock Art or Indigenous Australia, taught by experienced local archaeologists.
Asian Studies
As well as offering courses in four Asian languages, UWA offers multidisciplinary units to expose students to the cultures, histories and politics of some of Australia’s nearest neighbours.
You could explore Asian popular culture (from anime to J-pop), or look at the link between gender and power in Asia. These units are filled with thought-provoking discussions, and a lot of fun as well.
Australian Studies
“Australia: Myths and Realities”, is the perfect opportunity for you to discover the history and people of your host country. Through examining cultural practices such as art, sport, national celebrations, music, film and tourism, you will come to understand what it means to be ‘Australian’ and why.
Classics and Ancient History (includes Latin and Greek)
In Level One Ancient History units, you will delve into the history and mythology of the ancient Greek and Roman civilisations, and discover just how significant their legacies are to contemporary society. Upper level units will give you an even closer look at particular themes.
UWA also offers language courses in Ancient Greek and Latin, catering for beginning through to advanced learners.
Communication and Media Studies
Social media, television, print media, the Internet and other methods of communication permeate our everyday lives, yet we hardly ever stop and think about them. By enrolling in Communication and Media Studies units, you’ll change that.
This discipline is extremely relevant to the modern world, and units combine theoretical and practical elements to spice up your studies. Units cover everything from journalism to video games.
English and Cultural Studies
At UWA, units in this discipline range thematically from Australia, England and the USA to post-colonial societies.
If you are majoring in English literature, consider enrolling in “Australian Literature: Classic and Popular” to explore significant Australian fiction, cinema, drama and poetry.
Other units available cover a range of times, places and genres. Whether your interest is Shakespeare, film, autobiography of American literature, there is something for everyone.
European Studies
Europe is undoubtedly an important player in the global environment. The multidisciplinary units run by the European Studies staff at UWA incorporate everything from politics to literature and history to cinema to equip students with an understanding of this diverse and fascinating region.
A European Studies unit would be the perfect complement to a major in a European language, and would also be enjoyed by students of History, Political Science or Cultural Studies, for example.
- More information
Gender Studies
Are you interested in understanding contemporary Australian society by looking at debates at the heart of public and private life? “Days of Our Lives: Gender in Australia”, a Level One unit in Gender Studies, will give you fascinating insights into gender in fields such as science, medicine and technology; health and social welfare; judicial and legislative interventions; and the popular media.
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History
The range of History units is sure to entice every history buff. Units cover China, America, France, Russia, Britain, Africa and more.
If you would like to learn more about Australian history while you are here, enrol in “Conflicts and Controversies in Australian History”. Under the guidance of expert teachers, you will explore a range of events in Australia’s past to understand the dynamics of power and resistance involved.
History of Art
If you know Matisse from Monet – or if you would like to – History of Art is for you. When you enrol in a History of Art unit, you will study not only painting, but also other media such as film, photography, and performance and installation art.
Serious art aficionados will jump at the opportunity to take a Level Three unit focusing on Australian Art. See your host country through the eyes of others by exploring the role of art in Australia’s identity since settlement.
Human Geography and Planning
Do you want to make your mark on the cities and regions of the world? Understand how to guide their development in the face of environmental, economic and social challenges by studying Human Geography and Planning.
Human Geography and Planning offers a great range of units spanning Levels One to Three – you may even get to go on a field trip!
Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage
Australia’s history spans 60,000 years. You can gain an insight the extraordinary people who were the sole inhabitants of this land for most of that time by taking a unit in Indigenous Knowledge, History and Heritage.
In semester 1, “Aboriginal Encounters: Strangers in our Backyard”, examines Aboriginal experience in post-colonial Australia – an oft-contested area of history.
In semester 2, “Knowing Country: the Dreaming and Darwin”, looks at nature from the perspectives of Indigenous people and natural history. This unit includes interactive fieldwork near Albany (on the south coast on WA) in the semester break.
Law and Society
Consider taking a Level One unit offered in Law and Society. You could discover the legal systems of Australia and the rest of the world in semester 2, or explore the shady side of society and understand the phenomenon of crime in semester 1.
Linguistics
Linguistics is the study of the most complex communication system in the world: human language. You do not need to know multiple languages to study linguistics – as long as you are curious about how language works! How do babies learn to speak so quickly? Why does every grammar rule seem to have an exception? Why is English spoken in Australia so different to how you learned to speak it back home?
Take a Level One unit to learn the basics, or if you have already done some Linguistics at your home university, choose from a variety of upper level units such as Phonetics and Phonology, Semantics, Sociolinguistics and Australian Indigenous Languages.
You may even have the opportunity to get involved in fieldwork with professional linguists while you are here.
“Communication across languages and cultures” is a linguistics elective unit perfect for international students, and in fact anyone living in this globalising world. Develop the skills to navigate cross-cultural, multilingual environments.
Medieval and Early Modern Studies
Incorporating fields like Art, English and History, a unit in Medieval and Early Modern Studies is perfect for anyone who wants to step back in time.
Consider taking a Level Two MEMS unit to gain an insight into the role of religion or classical tradition in Early Modern Europe through art and literature. We are sure you will find this discipline fascinating.
Modern Languages
UWA offers courses in Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, and now Korean. Beginners-level classes are available for all of these languages, so this may be your chance to learn a language that is not available at your home university! Or if you already have some language skills, you can join a more advanced class.
UWA’s Modern Language classes are not just filled with boring grammar drills. You will learn all about the history and culture of the language’s speakers, and acquire the skills to use everything from slang to formal business language. In class, you will use authentic texts, from restaurant menus to cartoons, short stories to novels, TV news reports to full-length films. There are also conversation classes, where you will put your skills into practice with native speakers straight away.
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Music Studies and Specialist Music Studies
The School of Music has something for everyone.
No experience is necessary to take part in the Level One unit “Popular Music in Global Perspective”, which will delve into the music industry and the role of music as a form of communication around the world. Case studies ranging from Rock to Hip Hop and Flamenco to Bollywood will make this an extremely enjoyable elective. At Level Two, “Music in World Cultures” may expose you to case studies like West African drumming, Irish folk and Balinese dance.
The range of ensembles that students can participate in provides for everyone from complete novices (all you need is enthusiasm) to experienced musicians. Ensembles may include Show Choir, Djembe Circle, Campus Band, Symphony Chorus, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Winthrop Singers, Opera Scenes, Big Band, Medieval and Renaissance Ensemble, Brass Ensemble and Guitar Circle.
Serious musicians can enrol in rigorous theory, history and performance classes taught by some of WA’s most experienced and highly respected musicians. There are also a number of elective units available to broaden your musical horizons. Consider the Level Three unit “Soundscapes of Australia”, which will examine the works of significant local composers alongside indigenous, folk and popular music.
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Philosophy
By taking a Level One Philosophy unit, you will learn to think critically, reason, and develop a good argument, while exploring areas like ethics and religion.
In the upper levels, seasoned philosophers can delve into areas like bioethics, metaphysics, aesthetics and morality.
Students are also welcome to attend regular Philosophy Society seminars open to the wider community.
Whether or not you fancy yourself the next Plato, UWA’s Philosophy units will give you transferable skills that will be of value in all of your studies and in your life.
Political Science and International Relations
Not just for future politicians, this discipline is also a great choice for everyone from aspiring journalists to teachers-to-be.
Take an introductory unit at Level One, or dive into your area of interest at Levels Two and Three.
Some particularly interesting units on offer include “Constitutional Politics: Australia in Comparative Perspective”, “Australian Foreign Policy”, and “Political Science Internship” (involving a 12-day research project in a public or not-for-profit organisation along with supporting workshops). Other topics range from Islam to the mass media to politics in Asia or the USA.
Social and Applied Psychology
This discipline will give you an understanding of how and why people behave the way they do – a valuable background no matter what your major or dream career is.
You will be able to mix some practical work into your timetable, with structured laboratory sessions alongside lectures and tutorials.
Choose from units covering research methods, industrial and organisational psychology, social behaviour and more!
Work and Employment Relations
Step back and take a look at the dynamics of that place where most of us spend a sizeable chunk of our lives – the workplace. In these units, you will consider topics such as cooperation, conflict, unions and more.
Introductory units are available at Level One, while at Level Two, “Australian Employment Relations” offers you a great opportunity to compare the local system to that of your home country.
Arts Practicum
In an Arts Practicum unit, you will undertake 100 hours of work experience in a host organisation relevant to your interests, skills and studies. This is not a work experience placement where you just make coffees – you will be assigned a real project to work on, giving you real experience.
Arts Practicum will help you identify and develop the skills you will need to gain employment after university – and you will have a lot of fun while you’re at it!
Follow the link below to find full details of the program.
English Language and Academic Communication
If you are worried about surviving classes in an English-speaking university environment, the units English Language and Academic Communication I & II are for you! You can choose to take just one unit, do them both at the same time or do them one after the other.
In class, you will develop the skills you need in order to be a confident student here in Australia, such as writing research reports and giving presentations.
Previous students have found these units enjoyable, useful, and a great way to make friends!
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