Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Business

Arts

JCU’s Bachelor of Arts offers fourteen majors for you to choose from. Each major provides you with in-depth knowledge in that area.

Anthropology

Study history, languages, politics, economics and social systems. Understand cultural and ethnic differences and analyse how people’s beliefs fit into a wider social, political and economic context.

Learn the research, observation and interview techniques that will equip you to work with those from diverse cultural backgrounds. Develop skills critical in decision making for governments, corporations and not-profit organisations.

Archaeology

Develop skills in archaeological site recording and conservation. Participate in field trips to investigate heritage site excavations and Aboriginal Australian rock art sites.

You may also have the opportunity to travel on South-East Asian excursions. You will learn the fundamentals of archaeology, then expand on this knowledge with more specialised offerings in Evolutionary, Forensic, Asian, Australian and European Archaeology.

Criminology

Learn why people are motivated to commit crime and explore strategies to prevent law-breaking and rehabilitate offenders. Throughout your studies, you can participate in a wide range of extracurricular criminology student activities.

This course equips you with skills to help make a difference in your community. It combines subjects from Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Social Work and Law.

Design and Creative Arts

Amplify your creativity, learn how to think differently, and bring your ideas to life. Using technical equipment, software and programs, you will explore the creative world and cultivate strong individual design aesthetics.

Complement core subjects with one of two specialisations, which vary between campuses. JCU Cairns students focus on the visual arts and digital imaging fields. JCU Townsville students will study future-focused design and innovation.

English

Gain critical communication and reasoning skills and develop your understanding of the English language, while growing your passion for reading and writing. JCU English major students examine a wide range of literary periods and genres that provide a comprehensive source of historical and cultural understanding.

Grow your passion for written and visual literature as you study the talents of Shakespeare, diverse forms of cinema, Australian literature, children’s literature and more.

History

Gain an intimate knowledge of humanity by examining past societies and cultures. You will study the history of North Queensland and develop your understanding of Australian history.

Analyse major historical events in a global context and investigate how political, economic and environmental events shaped different communities. Graduates have the skills needed for careers that demand strong research and communication abilities.

Human Geography

Explore the interrelationship between people and their natural and built environments. Develop specialist skills including urban planning and design, regional sustainability, and social and environmental impact assessment.

Become proficient in identifying problems, communicating explanations, analysing data, and relevant computing techniques. Graduates develop recommendations to assist in solving major social and environmental problems.

Human Services

Develop skills that will prepare you to work with marginalised and vulnerable people. Study social policy, community planning and development, education and capacity building, organisational practice and social responsibility.

Benefit from JCU’s research culture and working relationships with government agencies and local community groups. You will gain practical skills and experience through field trips and project work.

Indigenous Studies

Expand your understanding of the complex interface between Indigenous and Western knowledge, perspectives and practices in Australia today. Explore Indigenous knowledge and traditions, colonial disruptions, and Indigenous re-assertion in the current era, from the local to the global.

Some subjects include field trips, and one includes an optional international trip to an Indigenous community. Graduates are prepared to engage thoughtfully with Indigenous Australians and Indigenous issues in professional and community spaces.

Languages

Become fluent in French, Chinese, Indonesian and Tok Pisin, and gain valuable skills relevant to the globalisation of today’s society. You will study listening, reading, speaking and writing skills through critiquing texts, films and television programs.

Immerse yourself in the language with opportunities to study abroad for six months at one of JCU’s partner universities. You do not need prior knowledge of French to undertake this major, which offers foundation and advanced levels.

Politics and International Relations

Take a deep dive into the people, institutions and issues involved in Australian and international politics. Explore political processes, policy, diplomacy, political economy, and globalisation of Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

You will examine Australia's global position and role, economic and social policies, traditional and non-traditional threats to security, poverty and other topics relevant to our modern society.

Psychology Studies

Gain a deeper understanding of the biological, social and cultural factors that influence how humans think, feel and behave. Explore the history of psychology, the nervous system, memory, cognition, intelligence, motivation, emotion, health psychology, personality and psychological disorders.

This major is not accredited. If you want to become a Registered Psychologist, find out more about the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours). This major is not available at Cairns campus.

Sociology

Develop the analytical skills to learn how society is organised and how we interact with each other. Study social trends and understand why and how societies and institutions have developed through history.

Gain social science research tools and explore a diverse range of topics. Examine the societal issues of the Tropics, including race, gender identity, poverty and wealth.

Business

A major is your chosen area of subject specialisation. JCU’s Bachelor of Business degree has seven majors for you to choose from. You can choose to add a second major to your preferred major or a maximum of two minors. However, when studying a joint degree such as the Bachelor of Arts — Bachelor of Business, it is recommended to choose one major from each degree to ensure a manageable workload.

Business Intelligence and Information Systems

Learn how to integrate information technology systems and data into business strategies and work with digital information systems to manage large amounts of data securely. Use your insight as a business intelligence analyst to create cost-effective systems and identify business opportunities. Ensure your employability and maximise your opportunities in this rapidly growing industry. Graduates can apply for membership with the Australian Institute of Management (AIM).

Hospitality and Tourism Management

Stand out from the crowd with this major and manage tourism and hospitality attractions, events, and services. Gain the professional expertise to manage, plan, and market the food, recreation, accommodation that form the backbone of the tourism industry. Your in-depth understanding of hospitality will allow you to create amazing travel and event experiences.

Human Resources Management

Discover what motivates employees and how you can boost performance and productivity in organisations. Learn how to effectively communicate, develop positive employment relations and create environments that help people thrive. Your passion for human resources can take you across industries within Australia and around the world.

International Business

Build specialised skills to manage and conduct business in a complex global environment. Your passion for developing strategies and planning short- and long-term projects will see you involved in multi-national enterprises. With the skills to work in the exciting international arena, you can build a sustainable, competitive business position in the international marketplace.

Management

Use your love of innovation, entrepreneurship and people-management to strengthen your employability. Learn how to lead businesses in highly competitive environments, solve complex organisational problems, plan effectively and hire the right employees. Managing finances, resources, and direct business operations with confidence in a fast-paced setting. You will learn a variety of transferable skills, important in managing a business or team in any industry.

Marketing for the Digital Age

Gain the skills to speak directly to your customers through traditional advertising, digital marketing and social media. Your creativity and understanding of people will help you to become an effective marketer, fulfilling the needs of your customers or growing a new customer base. Develop industry knowledge by creating sustainable marketing strategies for real-world businesses. Transfer your skills across organisations in private, public, and non-profit sectors and stand out in a competitive marketplace.

Sports and Event Management

Enter the dynamic, fast-paced environments of the sporting and events industries. Learn how to create and coordinate sports, business, and public events on both a small and large scale. Events are central to local, national and international economies and tourism; you will be highly employable in an industry that is growing exponentially. Benefit from our strong industry connections with a major designed to meet employer needs by providing first-hand practical experience.