About Gender & Cultural Studies (BA)

Are you interested in the way cultural and gender factors affect our lives? If you want to gain a better understanding of culture’s effect on human attitude and behaviour then a Gender and Cultural Studies major may be for you.

The study of gender structures in societies and cultures provides a category of analysis, along with race and class, that investigates the role that gender plays in our history, literature, art, politics, education, sports, health and family. Culture plays a similar role, therefore our degree combines the two areas of study together.

You will study gender and cultural processes, from the level of everyday life and popular culture to the global movement of people, information and ideas. It draws on traditions in gender studies and cultural studies, using a number of academic areas to address problems arising from lived experience.

What is the meaning of contemporary media culture? How do gender categories shape our lives? Where are the opportunities today for creating new cultural futures? You will be able to develop strong skills in critical thinking, research and writing, which you can use in to work in a number of different areas. Specific study areas provide strong pathways into cultural planning, women’s services, political activism, cultural journalism, teaching and creative industries.

What can I do with my Gender and Cultural Studies degree?

Graduates find employment in a wide range of fields, from the cultural and media industries to public and community services and organisations. As a Gender and Cultural Studies graduate you may choose to pursue a role as a:

• Policy Advisor;
• Journalist;
• Media Planner; or
• Sociologist.

Some of your potential employers may be Australian Communications Authority (ACA); State and Federal Parliaments; Department of Health and Aging; Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).

• Download the flyer for this course.

How to apply

Our entry requirements tool will help you find the most appropriate and quickest pathways to admission. The tool will take you through a couple of steps to help identify the best pathways for you based on your situation. Once you have chosen the most suitable pathway you will also be provided you with information on how to apply based on the criteria you are using for admission.

Domestic student applications:

If you would like to apply for this course you can now:

• Apply online
• Apply through TISC
• Download an application form

International student applications:

If you would like to apply for this course you can now:

• Apply online
• Download an application form

Course Details

Length of course	3 years full time internal study or part equivalent Available fully externally
International fee information	$16,000
Location	South Street
Murdoch course code	B1233
TISC code	MUGSC
2008 cut off score	89.15
STAT score	>145
Information on course units	Link to handbook entry

Recommended TEE subjects:

We don’t have prerequisite subjects for any of our courses as we are a strong promoter of a well rounded education. However, remember that you will also need to demonstrate competence in English, normally through passing either English or English Literature or by getting a sufficiently high score in ESL.

Course structure:

Year 1

Foundation Unit

All new first year students take a Foundation Unit. These are designed so you have some idea what’s going on, because, let’s face it, you’ve never been to uni before!

Core Units

You must take these units for a particular major to gain a specialisation in this area.

• Introduction to Gender and Cultural Studies

• Institutions, Culture and Power

General Electives

You must take these units to have enough units to graduate. General Electives give you the flexibility to learn from a variety of different areas. Select five units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites.

• Download our flyer for further details on the course structure

Specified Electives

These are elective units that must be chosen from a specified list to give you further specialisation in your area of study.

Select three of the following:

• Children and the Media

• Representation and Gender

• Bodies and Culture

• Television and Video Cultures

• Moodeitj Yorgas: Indigenous Women

• Women in Asian Societies

General Electives

Select six units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites.

Suggested double majors:

To take a double major, students simply take the core units from another major in place of their general elective units. Further details on double majors are available in the Prospectus. Some recommended double majors are:

• Australian Indigenous Studies;
• Communication, Technology & Policy;
• Journalism;
• Politics & International Studies.

What are my career options?

As a Murdoch Gender and Cultural Studies graduate, your employment outlook is promising, especially if you combine it with other disciplines. Depending on which skill combinations or specialisations you have, your Murdoch degree may lead you towards work and study opportunities in a number of areas. The following are some professions to consider, including extra majors that will improve your prospects of achieving them.

Professions	What they do	Suggested double majors
Policy Adviser / Policy Researcher	Policy Advisors work in the State and Federal Parliaments, political parties or electoral offices. Their job involves analysing, developing and implementing social, cultural, economical policies, depending on their specialisations. Policy Researchers source background information, data and statistics that will aid in policy formulation.	Public Policy and Management Politics and International Studies
Journalist / Columnist / Writer/ Editor	Most Writers and Editors have at least a basic familiarity with technology, regularly using personal computers, desktop or electronic publishing systems, scanners, and other electronic communications equipment. Many writers prepare material directly for the Internet. For example, they may write for electronic newspapers or magazines, create short fiction or poetry, or produce technical documentation that is available only online. Also, they may write text for Web sites. Desktop Publishers are knowledgeable about graphic design, page layout, and multimedia software. In addition, they should be familiar with interactive technologies of the Web so that they can blend text, graphics, and sound together.	Journalism Communication, Technology and Policy English and Creative Arts Multimedia
Media Planner	Media Planners gather information on the public’s viewing and reading habits, and evaluate editorial content and programming to determine the potential use of media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, or the Internet. The media staff calculates the numbers and types of people reached by different media, and how often they are reached.	Media Studies Communication, Technology and Policy Marketing and the Media Marketing Management
Sociologist	Sociologists study society and social behaviour by examining the groups and social institutions people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organisations. They also study the behaviour of, and interaction among, groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyse the influence of group activities on individual members. Sociologists are concerned with the characteristics of social groups, organisations, and institutions; the ways individuals are affected by each other and by the groups to which they belong; and the effect of social traits such as gender, age, or race on a person’s daily life. The results of sociological research aid educators, lawmakers, administrators, and others who are interested in resolving social problems and formulating public policy.	Sociology Theology Politics and International Studies History Community Development Philosophy
Production / Set Designers / Art Directors	Production Designers design the physical environment of the film or television set to create the mood called for by the script. Television art directors may design elaborate sets for use in situation comedies or commercials. They supervise many different people, including illustrators, scenic designers, model makers, carpenters, painters, electricians, labourers, set decorators, costume designers, and makeup and hairstyling artists. These positions can provide an entry into the motion picture industry. Many start in such jobs in live theatre productions and then move back and forth between the stage, film, and television.	Screen and Sound Media Studies English and Creative Arts
Producer / Program Director	Program Directors are in charge of on-air programming in radio stations. Program Directors decide what type of music will be played, supervise on-air personnel, and often select the specific songs and the order in which they will be played. Considerable experience, usually as a disc jockey, is required, as well as a thorough knowledge of music.	Radio Media Studies English and Creative Arts

 

• See our careers sheet for a full list of career options for this study area.