Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Arts, major in Ethics and Technology, is designed for students interested in the ethical, social and political consequences of technology. The major examines issues created by data harvesting, artificial intelligence, surveillance, privacy, human rights, equity and security. Swinburne combines this specialist major with broader Arts study in critical thinking, communication, cultural competency, digital literacy and social change.

Key benefits include:

• Study the ethical and social implications of emerging technologies.
• Examine data harvesting by corporations and governments.
• Explore privacy, surveillance, human rights, equity and security.
• Develop critical and creative reasoning skills.
• Develop communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills.
• Examine the relationship between technology and popular culture.
• Study digital justice and technology's impact on intimacy, family and society.
• Explore ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence and future technologies.
• Examine technology and health, including ethical issues surrounding the human body and healthcare.
• Gain practical industry exposure through Work Integrated Learning opportunities.
• Participate in social-change projects involving community, civil society and industry partners.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Bachelor of Arts requires 300 credit points. Students completing the Ethics and Technology major undertake eight major units worth 12.5 credit points each, alongside Arts core units and electives/other study components.

The current indicative study sequence published by Swinburne is based on Semester 1, 2026 and may change.

Year 1:

Semester 1:

• Technology and Society – ART10002, core, 12.5 credit points
• Popular Culture, Social Change and Technology – SOC10014, major, 12.5 credit points
• Elective
• Elective

Semester 2:

• Introduction to Ethics – PHI10008, major, 12.5 credit points
• Elective
• Elective
• Elective.

Year 2:

Semester 1:

• Skills and Strategies for Social Change – ART20003, core, 12.5 credit points
• Digital Justice – POL20019, major, 12.5 credit points
• Technology, Intimacy and Family Life – SOC20003, major, 12.5 credit points
• Elective

Semester 2:

• Work in a Globalised World – POL20020, major, 12.5 credit points
• Electives.

Year 3:

Semester 1:

• Changemakers in Action – ART30004, core, 12.5 credit points
• Thinking and Intelligence: Critical, Creative, Artificial – PHI30011, major, 12.5 credit points
• Planet B: Space and Extra-Terrestrial Ethics – PHI30012, major, 12.5 credit points
• Elective

Semester 2:

• BA Professional Practice – ART30005, core, 12.5 credit points
• Bodies, Health and Technology – SOC30021, major, 12.5 credit points
• Electives.

The eight specialist major subjects are therefore:

1. Popular Culture, Social Change and Technology
2. Introduction to Ethics
3. Digital Justice
4. Technology, Intimacy and Family Life
5. Work in a Globalised World
6. Thinking and Intelligence: Critical, Creative, Artificial
7. Planet B: Space and Extra-Terrestrial Ethics
8. Bodies, Health and Technology.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The principal specialisation is:

• Ethics and Technology

The Bachelor of Arts also offers other majors, including:

• Climate and Social Justice
• Criminology and Social Change
• Indigenous Studies
• Literature and Creative Writing
• Perspectives on Globalisation
• Politics, Power and Technology
• Screen Studies and Popular Culture
• Professional and Creative Writing, depending on the applicable study structure.

Programme Highlights

• 3-year full-time Bachelor of Arts.
• Ethics and Technology specialist major.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• 300 credit points.
• 100 credit points dedicated to the major.
• CRICOS code 088388C.
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 intakes.
• Strong focus on ethics, technology and social change.
• Study of privacy, surveillance, human rights, equity and security.
• Study of digital justice and artificial intelligence.
• Industry experience through Work Integrated Learning.
• Social-change campaign work involving community, civil society and industry partners.
• Development of conceptual understanding, critical and creative reasoning, communication, collaboration, problem-solving and self-management.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne specifically lists the following career opportunities for the Ethics and Technology major:

• Social researcher
• Policy analyst
• Community development and aid work
• Industrial and community advocate.

The degree can also provide a foundation for roles involving:

• Technology policy
• Digital ethics
• Social research
• Public policy
• Human rights
• Community advocacy
• Government and non-government organisations
• Technology governance
• Social-impact organisations
• Research and analysis.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant visa for an international student undertaking this course in Australia is the Student visa, Subclass 500.

Typical requirements include:

• Valid passport.
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from Swinburne.
• Enrolment in a full-time CRICOS-registered course.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Genuine Student requirement.
• English-language evidence where required.
• Financial-capacity evidence where required.
• Health and character requirements where applicable.
• Any additional documents specified by the Department of Home Affairs.