Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation) (Honours)

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 1 locations

Duration
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
ATAR
New
Fees (first year)*

$15446 CSP

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025
Applications open August 2024
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: to be advised

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)(Honours) is an honours year program of study in the liberal arts, focused on a ‘great books’ approach to the history of ideas in Western culture. The program builds upon the Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation) course and consolidates student learning in the liberal arts, directing students through advanced seminars on hermeneutics and the critical interpretation of foundational texts in the Western canon, as well as a capstone research thesis that encounters key texts from an interdisciplinary perspective and a research methods unit. 

Students admitted to the honours course would be covered by the existing Philanthropic Agreement (2020). As noted above, this agreement provides a generous scholarship (worth $32,000 p.a. from January 2023) for a course (or eligible combination of courses) lasting up to 5 years.

Discover ACU's Western Civilisation Program


Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • Advanced Coursework units Choose ONE Advanced Coursework unit selected from Part A10 cp
  • Advanced Coursework units Choose ONE Advanced Coursework unit selected from Part A10 cp
  • Research Theory and Methods units HUMA402 Introduction to Thesis Research and Design ORResearch Theory and Methods unitsWCIV416 Slow Reading in Wisdom: Interpretation and Research Methods 10 cp
  • Thesis unitsWCIV417Honours Thesis A10 cp
  • Elective units Elective Unit10 cp
  • Thesis unitsWCIV418Honours Thesis B10 cp
  • Thesis unitsWCIV419Honours Thesis C20 cp

Commencing Semester 2

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Bachelor Honours - AQF Level 8

Overseas study available

Students have to option to elect to study a unit overseas.

Entry requirements

Applicants must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.


To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

1.        the ACU Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation)

OR

2.        Equivalent of an Australian bachelor’s degree in a *related discipline

Students must have attained a minimum GPA of 5.50 in the relevant undergraduate degree, as stipulated in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.


*Related disciplines

Ancient History, Archaeology, Classics, Creative Arts, Drama, English, Fine Arts, Geography, Modern History, Modern European Languages and Literatures, Medieval Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Sociology, Study of Religions, Theological Studies, and Visual Arts.


Applicants are also assessed on each of the following to determine suitability for this course:

  1. Personal statement or essay
  2. Performance at interview
  3. Demonstrated suitability on the basis of additional requirements for academic excellence

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

Applicants with higher education study

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.

Search our credit database

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Further study

Graduates of this course may be eligible for entry into further postgraduate coursework degree programs.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$15446 CSP

*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.

A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:

  • Number of units studied per year
  • Choice of major or specialisation
  • Elective units

The University reviews fees annually.

You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

How to apply

Domestic applicants

Direct application

Apply now

Staff Profile

Associate Professor Johanna Harris

Postgraduate Course Coordinator, Western Civilisation Program

Johanna Harris is Associate Professor in the Western Civilisation Program (North Sydney) and Postgraduate Course Coordinator. Her teaching and research focus is on the literature, religion, and politics of the early modern period, with particular interest in non-fictional prose, especially letters, manuscript culture, and puritanism. Raised in the Blue Mountains, she graduated from the University of Sydney with BA (Hons), and then went to the University of Oxford as a Clarendon Scholar, from where she graduated with MSt and DPhil in English. Harris’ publications have focused on well-known writers such as Andrew Marvell, Richard Baxter, and Thomas Traherne, and lesser-known writers such as Brilliana Harley and Lucy Robartes. She is also interested in the ethical value of literature, particularly human dignity, bibliotherapy and the medical humanities, and the role of literature in enhancing intergenerational cohesion. 

 

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