Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Arts majoring in Climate and Social Justice is designed for students who want to understand the social, political and environmental dimensions of climate change and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future.

The major develops knowledge of:

• Climate change and its social impacts.
• Environmental justice and social justice.
• Conflict resolution.
• Justice, rights, equality and sustainability.
• Social movements, protest and political change.
• First Nations perspectives and activism.
• Philosophical approaches to nature and science.
• Climate policy and social responses to environmental change.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The standard Bachelor of Arts consists of core units, the selected major and electives.

The current indicative Climate and Social Justice major structure includes:

Year 1:

• Technology and Society — ART10002
• Environment and Society: Problems and Solutions — SOC10005
• Power and Protest: The History and Politics of Social Movements — HIS10005
• Elective units

Year 2:

• Skills and Strategies for Social Change — ART20003
• History, Politics and Human Rights — HIS20009
• First Nations Resistance, Activism and Empowerment — INS20004
• Philosophical Perspectives on Nature and Science — PHI20010
• Elective units

Year 3:

• Changemakers in Action — ART30004
• Conflict, Justice and Peace — POL30019
• BA Professional Practice — ART30005
• Environmental Philosophy — PHI30009
• Changing our Climate — SOC30020
• Elective units.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The selected major is:

Climate and Social Justice.

The wider Bachelor of Arts currently provides a range of majors, including:

• Climate and Social Justice
• Criminology and Social Change
• Ethics and Technology
• Indigenous Studies
• Literature and Creative Writing
• Perspectives on Globalisation
• Politics, Power and Technology
• Screen Studies and Popular Culture.

Programme Highlights

Key programme features include:

• Focus on climate change and social impacts.
• Study of environmental justice and social justice.
• Exploration of justice, rights, equality and sustainability.
• Conflict-resolution concepts.
• Study of social movements and political change.
• First Nations resistance, activism and empowerment.
• Environmental and political philosophy.
• Climate-change analysis.
• Multidisciplinary study across humanities and social sciences.
• Work Integrated Learning opportunities.
• Practical collaboration with community, civil-society and industry partners.
• Optional six-month or 12-month professional placement.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following potential career opportunities for this major:

• Sustainability and climate change consultant
• Government relations coordinator
• Journalist
• Community advocate
• Community development officer
• Environmental officer
• Policy analyst. 

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current Swinburne listing confirms:

• Course code: BA-ARTS3.
• CRICOS code: 088388C.
• Hawthorn campus.
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 availability.
• 3-year standard duration.
• 300 credit points.
• 2027 commencement dates of 1 March and 2 August.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this CRICOS-registered course in Australia normally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

Swinburne's international application process is:

1. Check academic and English requirements.
2. Submit the application.
3. Receive the Letter of Offer.
4. Accept the offer and pay the required university deposit.
5. Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover.
6. Receive the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
7. Apply for the Student visa.
8. Enrol in the course and select units.

Key visa requirements can include:

• Valid passport and identity documentation.
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Evidence of English ability where requested.
• Evidence of financial capacity where requested.
• Genuine Student requirement.
• Any documents listed in the applicant's Department of Home Affairs document checklist.
• Health and character requirements where applicable.