B Arts in Development Studies & Cultural Change... (1 Viewer)

[lexonfire]

...new course in 2008.

i only saw this a while ago flipping through the uac book. anyone out there thinking of doing this?

for the people that go to macquarie, what're your thoughts on how good this new degree will be? i'm not really sure what it's entirely about, it was pretty brief in the uac book and i'm on the DSCC website now...

so i'm getting the gist that it's more geared towards anthropology and human geography - which is great, something i'm genuinely interested in, but where do these kind of courses lead u to? the website only goes, "...offers unique opportunities for global education, including study abroad, internship and volunteer positions."

any further insight from macquarie students? sounds great... but need a more solid understanding.. and opinions on this course would be appreciated too

what other courses are out there like this at other universities? if i'm not wrong, this is the first international-type degree geared more specifically towards cultural studies rather than... the political aspects like most other 'international studies' courses i've seen... thanks guys!!

 

[AsyLum]

It looks fairly interesting, and perhaps its come about because of the popularity of the anthropology in recent years.

As for employment, I'll just say this, very rarely will the degree you graduate with instantly lead to a certain field, particularly in the humanities, you will more likely have to try and find a passion while doing this, and see if you can open opportunities up through internships or other programs.

You could very well lead straight into an unrelated field coming straight from this as some company might want to have an 'open' thinker rather than a straight out cookie cutter. Don't think of being limited by your degree I think is what I'm trying to say.

The amount of anth and geos subjects involved though, may be more research/specialist based for international programs so if that kinda sounds interesting then go for it. Again don't think "why can't this x get me into y?" But think, "this x can get me into l-z"

 

[lexonfire]

It looks fairly interesting, and perhaps its come about because of the popularity of the anthropology in recent years.

As for employment, I'll just say this, very rarely will the degree you graduate with instantly lead to a certain field, particularly in the humanities, you will more likely have to try and find a passion while doing this, and see if you can open opportunities up through internships or other programs.

You could very well lead straight into an unrelated field coming straight from this as some company might want to have an 'open' thinker rather than a straight out cookie cutter. Don't think of being limited by your degree I think is what I'm trying to say.

The amount of anth and geos subjects involved though, may be more research/specialist based for international programs so if that kinda sounds interesting then go for it. Again don't think "why can't this x get me into y?" But think, "this x can get me into l-z"

hmm oh yeah that's true, i suppose i'm just needing more closure cos it's a new degree... actually another one of my preferences is a new one as well and they're all related in that they focus on global and cultural studies... a little hard, aye!

not really sure what's involved with a more research/specialist-based focus. i love the idea of anth subjects themselves... but the word 'research' just makes it sound a bit boring to me... can anyone clarify?

also what's the faculty like over in macquarie uni?

thanks

 

[AsyLum]

By research/specialist I mean is that you could be doing anything from hands-on practical research to writing reports on what other people/you find. Its not really a definite field as you're expected to be able to do both, and can end up doing one or the other or both.

Haven't done any ANTH or GEOS so not specifically sure on them, but it seems to fall under SCMP, and the people there are quite good

 

[K.]

I'm pretty much doing the same program of this degree in my degree. Anthropology and Human Geography is a really good mix. Job wise? You can work with aid relief programs, they are increasingly hiring people with anthropological backgrounds because its vital to understanding a culture and how and what form of aid can/should be provided. You can start off working with local based aid relief branches, e.g TEARS, Mission AU, World Vision, AUSAID, Salvos etc.
For my anth major i'm concentrating towards the human rights and global politics of anthropology, which i'm guessing is what you'd be doing too. Its great because in your first and second years of anthropology you do more cultural/literature/art side of anthropology which leads you into the first side of anthropology, the 'nice' side which is more touristy. Then in your later years you concentrate more into the human rights/geo-pol/pol/global pol side of anthropology, which is very complimentary.

The Human Geography concentration is also great, it takes on a more political/economical side of anthropology. If you lean more towards this in employment interest, you could work for local councils working in urban planning, town planning and local government work. Or you can work for the Bureau of Statistics researching and explaining census data etc. Working for insurance firms is also a likely employment with a major in Human Geography.

If you arent sure about this degree, you can also look at doing the BA/Bsci degree. Its subnamed as a museum studies degree, but you only graduate with a BA/Bsci and nothing actually says you did museum studies.. anyways, it only involves 2 museum units which are basic information manangement units that are pretty much design based and a little bit anthropological. This degree gives you the flexibility of 3 majors, but as part of your science degree you have to do a major in Palaeontology. Before you scrunch your face up, this actually fits in well with the human geography and anthropology major. It gives you a geological background and enhances your employment opportunity because you've covered the scientifical, political and cultural aspects of human-based/related studies. This is particularly handy if you want to do relief work overseas, because you have the advantage of geographical, geological and cultural knowledge. There are many mining corporations that hire geologists/palaeontologists with anthropological background to work on their assignments in building structures in developing countries.

You could also look at employment opportunities in diplomatic work with the said knowledge. As HG and Anth are pretty laiden with politics.

The anthropology and Human Geography units are very stimulating for your mind. More so than other subjects, in my opinion. The anth units that are Human Rights centred often have guest lecturers from various organisations coming in to talk, its rather inspiring. The tutorials are always heated. You may think everyone that does it want to save the world, so all minds are a like. But, wow, they get so heated. There are a lot of passionate people studying these units. Its great. Also, Human Geography and Anthropology units are recommended to people studying economics/politics/commerce to be undertaken as electives, so you always get a mix of people and a wide mix of opinions when discussing topics.

Anyways, I highly recommend you consider this degree, if you don't like it you can swap to a normal BA and do different majors easily.

 

[glitterfairy]

If you arent sure about this degree, you can also look at doing the BA/Bsci degree. Its subnamed as a museum studies degree, but you only graduate with a BA/Bsci and nothing actually says you did museum studies.. anyways, it only involves 2 museum units which are basic information manangement units that are pretty much design based and a little bit anthropological. This degree gives you the flexibility of 3 majors, but as part of your science degree you have to do a major in Palaeontology. Before you scrunch your face up, this actually fits in well with the human geography and anthropology major. It gives you a geological background and enhances your employment opportunity because you've covered the scientifical, political and cultural aspects of human-based/related studies. This is particularly handy if you want to do relief work overseas, because you have the advantage of geographical, geological and cultural knowledge. There are many mining corporations that hire geologists/palaeontologists with anthropological background to work on their assignments in building structures in developing countries.

A friend of mine is doing that. Soon, they'll graduate and enter training of some kind - and get paid for it - then they'll be fully trained and released into the workforce with a six-figure paycheck. Seems like there's a lot of job opportunities for this kind of thing right now.

 

[Natendo]

I've put this as my top preference.. as I want to work in social development/aid.

I am wondering however, how different this is to doing an arts degree specialising in International development?

 

[xeuyrawp]

I am wondering however, how different this is to doing an arts degree specialising in International development?

Macquarie doesn't offer a BA with a major in International Development.

 

[Natendo]

I mean at another university (I should've typed that!)

 

[xeuyrawp]

I mean at another university (I should've typed that!)

haha, common mistake, don't worry!

Noone here will really be able to answer that question - you're better to ask in a forum of that university.

Just so you know, noone on this site is really going to give you a decent comparison between two unis, so when people say 'x is better than y', just ignore them unless they've got good reasoning.

 

[Natendo]

haha, common mistake, don't worry!

Noone here will really be able to answer that question - you're better to ask in a forum of that university.

Just so you know, noone on this site is really going to give you a decent comparison between two unis, so when people say 'x is better than y', just ignore them unless they've got good reasoning.

:gridnod: yes, I guess you're right! I was just (lazily) hoping someone could answer my question to save me from having to do some research of my own ;0)

I gathered that one must show caution when using these forums - especially when it comes to comparisons between unis/coarses/subjects etc. I've read some of the law threads concerning the 'best' place to do it and each one has different and at times contrasting information/opinion. Not that I want to do law by any means; these threads seem to be quite entertaining... with all the flaming and such

thanks

 

[hannahcheeseman]

hey,
I'm in year 12 now and I want to go into aid work/opening my own charity etc.
I've been looking around and this does seem like the course for me but can I get some more info about it from people who are doing the course atm?
cause im not sure about it and whether its right for me.

Thnks

 

[pullmychicken]

I'm in my third year of this course. Basically, yeah, a focus on anthropology and human geography. But if you pick your other first years subjects right (electives) you can also do some development economics, politics, resource and environmental management, urban planning, health studies, etc. I would advise going through the course outline on the mq coursehand book website, looking at the 200, 300 level subjects you want to do/seem interesting at least, see when they are running and also see what prerequisites you need.

As for jobs, I'm looking at the australian youth ambassador for development program (ayad), graduate programs in various gov. departments (e.g. ausaid, dfat, health, etc) and also NGOs (world vision now has a grad program, plus you can look at oxfam, other charities sites for careers info). You can also research some private companies that do development. There are also a few good websites (International Development, NGO, NGOs, Jobs, UN, UNDP, World Bank, Consultants) that database jobs in the field, you can probabaly google a few more.

Experience to get into those jobs is also important, fortunately mac is pretty good at giving you money to go overseas for things such as actual development work during breaks, semesters overseas, short trips in certain units (e.g. one of the main units in human geography GEOS 347 - learn how to research in malaysia), etc. Also its fairly easy to keep an eye out for subjects that give you a chance to do some intern type work or just internships in general.

It's also not a part of this course, but i would also recommend at least doing a year of another language as part of your electives or as a diploma/certificate/etc of languages.

As a side note, this degree is a good start to getting into the planning/policy side of development, e.g. actually establishing, thinking of, managing projects that will go 'on the ground', though as said, it would be good to combine it with experience, language, perhaps also research or further coursework degrees (honours, masters, post grad diplomas). However for working in the development field, it is also definately, (perhaps even more so) possible to get a degree in business, marketing, medicine, IT, teaching, pretty much a range of fields and apply it to the development sector, so you could consider doing a double degree, becoming a development worker specialising in one of those other fields, or perhaps using your electives in either a development or other degree to get expertise in the one your not 'officially' doing (e.g. doing some development units in a business degree, or business units in your dev. degree electives, just check how many electives you are allowed to have! though you can kinda do excess like me, just basically doing and paying, more than you need to ). You could also consider doing a business type degree then doing post grad coursework in development or vice versa. all things to consider.

Hope that helped. the world vision website on the careers page has some job descriptions that you can download too, that are helpful. yeah, in general it is a good idea to go to the careers page of who you would like to work for, check out what they are after.

 

[Salem O'Brien]

I'm thinking of transfering over to this course. If the major is made up of anthropology and human geography units how much of them is dedicated to actual development studies?

USYD has a similiar sort of major in 'development studies and cultural change' and from what i've done so far its just general anthropology units with no focus on development studies. While UNSW has units tailored entirely to development studies in their development studies major. I'm tossing up between changing to either macq or UNSW for the development studies major so it'd be helpful to know if macq is just the same sort of 'lets make up a development studies major out of units that have little to do with development studies' kind of course aswell or whether a large portion of the units are actually focused on it. Thanks in advance.

 

[pullmychicken]

Program of Study - 2009 Course Handbook - Macquarie University

the 100 levels Anth 150 and Geos 111 do have development examples and components, however i found them to mainly be introductions to their respective disciplines

the 200 level required subjects, anth 275, geos 215, are probably the most focused on development, considering they both have some form of the word 'development' in their titles

the other 200 level electives are more specific topics that have some development component, i can really only speak for the ones i did Anth 272 (not recommended), htlh 200 (not bad) and geos 267 (recommended!).

the 300 level stuff, i did Geos 347, gives you the option to do research in a developing country (though the research project you pick may have varying degrees of relevance to development).

in general for the specific subjects besides the two 200 level manditories, they may not be speifically development subjects as some might expect, but give you this skills to develop your portfolio as a development worker (e.g. resource and environmental management, population studies, health, etc). Also i think pretty much every elective subject i have done has had some focus on 'development' e.g. population health and the environment had a major MDG subject

hope that helps