dassh-logo
The Australasian Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities
DASSH Home | Submissions and publications | Board | Member Institutions | Constitution | Annual Conference | Collaborative Research Projects | Links
Nature and Roles of Arts Degrees in Contemporary Society

Project home

  1. About the Project
  2. Resources
  3. Reports
  4. Network
  5. Online Survey

Australian Learning and Teaching Council Grant
Nature and Roles of Arts Degrees in Contemporary Society

1. Aims (Vision)

Bachelor of Arts degrees (BAs)  have proved the most enduring and adaptable of University awards. They attempt to meet a range of needs – generalist, specialized with depth of disciplines and breadth of possibilities. This makes it imperative that an overall scoping study identifies the major strengths, difficulties, capabilities and contributions to the community and consider these in the light of emerging needs, opportunities both nationally and internationally. This evidence can then be considered in strategic ways , across the  sector so that  future curriculum development  optimizes the potential value of the BA in university education. While teaching is generally of a high standard, as evidenced  through CEQ results, this proposal is based on a common view that it is important to identify ways in which quality learning and teaching strategies and the design of quality learning environments and curricular can be enhanced.

The aims of the scoping study are to inform the disciplines and awards covered by “Arts” of further work which will

2. Investigation Strategy

Aim 1

Using Websites, 5 yearly reviews and, where appropriate, data from AUQA reports which deal with courses, a summary of the types of BAs (in terms of general and specific) will be developed. A framework document which indicates structural differences, range of disciplines, nature of cross-discipline and interdisciplinary study will be documented. Such an approach would cover:

General BA

  1. General structure, eg. majors, minors
  2. Number of disciplines included in BAs and range – e.g. history, international studies, biology etc. This will also indicate where humanities, social science, science and other disciplines are included
  3. Nature of disciplines – those which are grouped together eg Latin and Greek to make classics, Indigenous Studies, those which are seen as standing alone eg philosophy. The epistemology of various disciplines may form a way to categorise these
  4. Issues raised from reviews, particularly as it pertains to teaching and learning strategies, assessment and the design of curricula.

Specialised BA (designed for specific professions)

As for previous study but with addition of:

  1. Professional elements, with specified skill requirements
  2. Work experience, fieldwork, practicum – the data from the AUTC project on the practicum will inform
  3. Accreditation requirements where applicable.

The data will be sent to the appropriate University for validation and additional information.

Aims 2, 3

From the information gained, several conceptual maps will be developed. These will identify similarities and differences in expected outcomes. Data on trends in student demand, choice of discipline study by age, sex and other characteristics such as entry schemes, ethnicity and numbers of international students and programs will also be identified. This data will be sourced through the Deans. This will assist Deans in making future choices about curriculum, and the nature of disciplinary offerings depending on the  profiles of the students they enrol.

In this first phase of the scoping, data from the CEQ and the GCCA will be tabulated with four year trends 2002-2006. This will enable further follow-up in this and subsequent work where particular issues emerge.

Aim 4

Using the stated aims of Arts degrees, a questionnaire will be devised for the Deans focussing on the nature, extent and characteristics of discipline, interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches. This would be mapped against University statements about the nature of approaches to such studies, given that some Universities see themselves as having an interdisciplinary charter and some do not. The object of the questionnaire will be to understand how the choices of subjects and sets of subjects  impact on teaching and learning approaches (including e-learning), assessment, course design and outcome statements. The data gained from these processes will be combined with the responses from alumni, the enrolment trend data and CEQ data to enable future planning for Deans to be based on a  large database.

During this phase, interviews will be conducted with winners of National Teaching Awards in areas covered by BAs, providing a sample of approaches to integrate into teaching in the BA. These will be framed to feed into the proposed Carrick RIN project .

Aim 5

Models of structural arrangements in the Universities offering BAs will be mapped. It is known that these are varied and will provide some insight into the current relationships between Social Sciences and the Humanities. In this structural mapping, creative arts will be included although it is not the major focus of this scoping study because of the added complexity and because, although this is part of some Faculties of Arts and Humanities, in some Universities it is a stand alone Faculty.  It also could be seen as having potential for a further scoping exercise in its own right.  Focus groups representing the range of models will be formed to explore and document similarities and differences in approach, teaching, assessment, infrastructure and in identifying outcomes for the future. Recommendations and strategies which can be implemented will be made.

Summaries of these will be returned to the Deans for authentication and to provide advice for a further phase of development.

Aim 6

From alumni lists, a stratified random sample will be chosen of graduates who are 5, 10, 15 years out from graduation. Stratification will be by age, age of entry, gender and current positions. Using a mix of questionnaire and focus groups, data will be developed which identifies those aspects of the BA, its learning potential and career paths which have been important for the alumni.

Aim 7

Data collected in the scoping study will be analysed in a variety of ways, using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. From this data, options and models to build on strengths and capacities in the various manifestations of the BA will be proposed and plans to address gaps and limitations will be developed.

3. Goals (deliverables)

The scoping study will:
(a) Provide a map of the types, diversity, structures and discipline distribution within the BA. These will be able to be accessed for future curriculum planning for Arts Faculties
(b) Within the general and the specialized professional BAs, provide an analysis of the constraints, strengths and weaknesses of the various models to inform future planning of new degrees and revision of existing degrees. For the future, sharing of resources between and among institutions may provide new opportunities for Arts Faculties
(c) Identify trends in demand, student profile, choice of disciplines to allow decisions about how disciplines with small or declining enrolments may be enhanced and maintained
(d) Identify relationships between disciplines and teaching and assessment approaches which strengthen these
(e) Identify ways in which curricula have been developed and modified and make recommendations for future better curriculum development
(f) Provide a resource of good practice examples, involving interdisciplinary learning and disciplinary scholarship and relationships between the two  involving learning and teaching methods, effective use of technology, effective attention to globalisation and transcultural curricula that will assist in future curriculum planning
(g) Identify the broad scope of relationships, similarities and differences between Humanities and the Social Sciences in Arts degrees and issues for teaching and learning associated with these identify opportunities when learning and teaching provide a link between them
(h) Identify elements of the BA which have affected careers of BA graduates over the long term and ways in which they can be captured, reinforced and developed for the future
(i) Design a methodology for examining the long term impact of the BA The project will focus on providing rich based line data on the nature and models of BAs, the impact of BAs on graduates learning over the longer term, and types of curriculum decision making which lead to good outcomes. Through analysis, scoping and mapping it will provide options and guidance to the sector for other crucial projects and for further work in implementation and response to future demands.

4. Building on past Success

Has there been any prior discipline-based initiatives (either in your discipline or another) upon which this investigation and scoping is based? If so identify them and describe how they are being used and built upon.

The major prior work undertaken is “The Lettered Country” (Pascoe, R; Macintyre, S; Ainley, J; Williamson, J), produced in 2003 from an AUTC grant. While this gave a snapshot in time, it did not involve the sector as a whole and although it provides valuable background and some areas to be followed by the current scoping study, changes in technology and in the sector mean that new directions need to be taken. The work will, however, continue to inform the project where relevant. Some areas which should be pursued are the notion of ‘real world’ applications, as well as ‘product depth’, ‘knowledge management’, and innovation, employment destinations and trends in Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

Currently DASSH has oversight of the Language Project (Innovative Approaches to the Provision of Languages other than English in Australian Higher Education), funded by CASR managed through UWA. This project is trialling 6 different models of ensuring that languages can survive across the sector through collaboration between Faculties of Arts. The issues and possibilities identified by this project will also inform the discipline-based BA project.  Other documents which may provide additional information are AUQA reports and data from SAGE publications on Arts and Humanities in Higher Education, such as Clerehan, R (2003), “Transition to Tertiary Education in the Arts and Humanities” and from HERDSA and other appropriate sources.

DASSH itself has been undertaking investigation into a number of areas such as Classics, New Media and the Teaching of History.  Issues raised in these investigations will inform the scoping project.

5. Impact

The value of the project is that,  through reviews and workshops of the state of BAs, it will bring together existing data to provide a comprehensive data base of practice. This will enable Deans in each institution to use the database for better educational decision-making. It will allow identification of those capabilities which come through curriculum choices, teaching and learning strategies and the nature of the BA  contributing to long term graduate success. The scoping study will enable the maintenance of diversity and  working towards the identification of established standards in teaching and learning.

The scoping study will provide recommendations of ways forward, which will examine:

The impact of this study is intended to improve the inherent strengths existing and embedded in the BA.  It is also designed to provide useful data to enable faculties to respond to perceived future challenges and be in a position to adapt as the higher education and community landscapes change.

6. Value to the Sector

How does this proposal address any national priorities or workforce and/or skill development agendas?

National priorities are concerned with the general level of education in the population and the development of “useful” capabilities for the workforce. This proposal will lead to the further identification of the contribution of the BA to the community and in the workforce and will enable Universities and the Deans more clearly to articulate these to students, to the community and to the politicians. The study will allow Deans of Arts to use the information from both the scoping and follow up study to hone the skills which are developed in the BA. It will also ensure that good practices, innovative teaching and assessment methods can be shared across the sector, through the Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

In the longer term it will provide evidence of the impact of Arts degrees in society as a whole and of the places in which the  graduates find employment. It will enable a concerted campaign based on the results of the longer term study to counter negative perceptions of the BA as a useful degree to study. Given the changing nature of the workplace, this and a follow up study can provide evidence as to how BAs may be adapted for the future.

7. Engage with the Values and Principles of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council

How will the proposal address the values, outcomes and principles of the Discipline-based Initiatives?

The proposed project addresses the vision of the Discipline-based Initiatives by identifying

Sustainability will be guaranteed as the project is auspiced by the Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

8. Interdisciplinary Possibilities

What opportunities will there be for cross disciplinary collaboration?

The BA is the most cross-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary award in the higher education sector. Not only is its essential nature one which allows for cross and interdisciplinary collaboration, but it is the award most used as part of double degrees - the BA/LLB, the BEd/BA, the BSc/BA, the B.Eng/BA etc

DASSH is forging links with other peak Deans groups which will aid in this process.

9. Cross Disciplinary Learning

What potential learning or application is there for other disciplines?

The potential, particularly in terms of defining elements of learning for the long term and for identifying the impact of higher education in the community is considerable. It is likely that there are practices in the BAs which would be of use to other disciplines. I would anticipate that within this investigation that you would be able to facilitate learning across the various disciplines that constitute the BAs.  However, if this is to happen it would need to be included in the aims , goals and strategy. Given that the Deans of Arts already have links with other peak Deans’ groups (Education, Science, Law) dissemination of good practice will be relatively simple.

10. Stakeholder Engagement

Who are the stakeholders in your discipline and how will they be involved?

Stakeholders are employers eg professional associations and accrediting bodies for the professional focused arts degrees, the academies and there are some major employers such as the public service etc that could be engaged from the start)  in a large range of areas, The Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities are stakeholders, but the external stakeholders are very wide spread and across almost all employment areas. Thus, where there are focus groups, they will be targeted in particular areas. Individual alumni will be involved through the universities and some employers of Arts graduates as well as current staff and students will be contacted.

Because the BA is the largest and most complex award in the Universities and because of the number of disciplines, variation in approaches and structures extensive data gathering will be required. In addition the scoping needs to look at both generalist and professional BAs and to work with a range of stakeholders. Most importantly, from the Deans’ point of view is the need to track what learning is of long term value. Such a study will involve working with graduates after 5, 10 and 15 years to examine which capabilities from the BA have had an impact in their success. the In light of this, an alternative (and preferred) budget is proposed so that the scoping study can lead to furthering University and Carrick outcomes.

11. Budget

Please indicate clearly how the funds sought will be allocated (example – salaries, travel costs, consultants.)The total budget should not exceed $100 000.

TYPE

DETAILS

FUNDING SOUGHT

Salaries

Project officers ( total res B + oncosts) (2X0.5) for 12 months

$85,000

Travel & possible accommodation

1 meeting steering committee
Project Officers

$3,500
$5,500

Miscellaneous

Office Support
Focus group meetings/teleconferences – recorders & transcription
Printing

$2,500

$2,000
$1,000
 

TOTAL (exc GST)

$99,500

Budget Justification
(Explain the contribution and importance of each budgetary item to the success of the investigation).

Salaries are sought for 2 project officers at 0.5. The purpose of 2 officers is to allow a greater spread of focus groups work, given the numbers needing to be involved and the complexity and to allow them to work together to discuss and develop models.

Travel for project officers will allow them to manage focus groups in different parts of the country and to interview in a range of Universities.

The steering committee should ideally meet more than once, but with this budget there will be at least one face-to-face meeting and teleconferences. Budget for the steering committee meeting and teleconferences is included.

Data collection using equipment for the project and transcription will be necessary. Printing for data is included.