Bachelor of Arts
English
Bachelor of Arts (English)
Campus: Cairns; Townsville; External*
Mode: on campus or external; full time or part time
Duration: 3 years full time
Prerequisites: English
Mid-year entry: Yes
QTAC codes: Cairns 321031; Townsville 311031
External 311039
* depending on subjects chosen
What is English?
Your study
The reading and study of literature has always been a pleasure and an end
in itself, but it is in fact much more than that. By providing training in the
use and understanding of language, the study of English also builds generic
skills of a precise and invaluable nature that serve you well for life in every
profession. To handle language, in terms of both analysis and presentation,
is a great talent.
A selection of subjects for this course includes:
English is also an almost unrivalled source of historical and cultural
understanding. Quite unlike any other subject, it gives an insight into the
scope and variety of human interaction. English graduates have long been
prized for their intellectual sharpness, flexibility, and creativity.
• The Romantic Vision.
Major overview
English involves the study of language and literature, developing critical
thinking and advanced writing, reading and research skills. It ranges across
many types of literary topics, genres and periods. It is available to study on
campus or online.
Students can choose to combine this major with another Bachelor of Arts
major (double major). To add further value it is possible to combine the
Bachelor of Arts with another degree (see Joint degree opportunities).
Major highlights
You can study British Literature, for example, from Chaucer through to the
present day. Additionally, there are many tempting options – Children’s
Literature, Australian and American Literature, Postcolonialism, and
Literary Theory, to name a few. Graduates consistently rate the English
major at JCU very highly for its intellectual interest and the enthusiastic
commitment of its staff.
Employers consistently tell universities that many graduates lack
confidence in the areas of written and oral presentation, and in problemsolving. No other major provides training in these abilities in such an
approachable and enjoyable package as English, making it an excellent
choice.
• Creative Writing
• Reading & Writing the Short Story
• Heroism & Humanism: Shakespeare & the English Renaissance
• Progress and Anxiety: The Victorian Age
Students are encouraged to gain a second major in an Arts or Social
Science area, thereby providing a further distinguishing feature to their
course. The subjects required for a second major will utilise the space
allocated to electives and will not extend the duration of your studies.
For full course outline details, visit www.jcu.edu.au/courses
Honours
An Honours program is available to students demonstrating high
academic performance. Honours consists of an extra year of study and the
development of a personal research project and thesis.
Joint degree opportunities
Joint degrees give students expertise in a complementary discipline in a
reduced time, and can enhance career prospects. At JCU, the Bachelor of
Arts (English) can be combined with:
• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
• Bachelor of Law
• Bachelor of Science.
For further details, visit page 46.
Career opportunities
The excellent analytical and writing skills of English graduates prepares
them for careers in journalism, editing and publishing, creative writing,
research, librarianship, public relations, advertising, script-writing, theatre
and television work, and (with additional qualifications) teaching in all
educational settings.
| 17