The new contemporary studies degree offered through the University of Queensland will be at the cutting edge of studies of our culture, according to Faculty of Arts Executive Dean, Professor Alan Rix.
Professor Rix said the innovative, three-year bachelor of contemporary studies (BCS) available from 1999 would deal with key forces for modifications to our culture, allowing students to understand ways of dealing with cultural change.
'Contemporary culture deals with everything in our lives, including the way we speak, the television programs we watch, changes to our multicultural mix, our attitudes to the environment, even fashions in food and style,' Professor Rix said.
'This degree offers the strong analytical and communication skills of an Arts degree, with new knowledge, new ideas and an understanding of the future.
'It aims to educate graduates so they can understand the way our culture and society is changing and how it affects our lives.'
Professor Rix said the contemporary studies degree would contain a significant component of skills training in writing, critical reasoning, information management and presentations. Much of the degree would be delivered in flexible mode.
The contemporary studies degree would be based on subjects offered only at the University of Queensland Ipswich campus and also would be available part-time in the equivalent of six years' study. There may be the possibility of dual degree study at the Ipswich campus.
Unlike a bachelor of arts degree, the BCS will offer set subjects. It will be structured around five core areas: media, communication and change; language and culture; contemporary Australia and the world; ethics and future studies; and culture and nature.
'The content of the degree is very wide. The history, structure and content of the media, and its effects, are the subject of one core area. The place of languages in our culture, including slang and sub-cultures, is another,' Professor Rix said.
'Cultural change in Australia today and in the future is an important core area, as are the issues of the impact of technology, ethical problems in today's world, and the interface between human culture and the natural world, including environmental and ecological issues.'
Professor Rix said a major advantage of the course was that final-year students could undertake project work in the community to balance their theoretical learning with practice in the field.
For more information, contact the Faculty of Arts (telephone 07 3365 1333).
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