Breadth Questions

[Saur11]

Like many others I am quite confused with Melbourne’s Breadth subjects. I was hoping some current students could shed some light on some of mine and maybe other questions 2012 students may have.

Personally, how do languages work at uni. For example if I did French at school what could I potentially do at Uni. Also, how difficult are the language subjects that are available to students who achieved less than 35?

Also, are there any breadth subjects recommended for commerce students which are relatively easy?

Thanks

[Raahem]

Like many others I am quite confused with Melbourne’s Breadth subjects. I was hoping some current students could shed some light on some of mine and maybe other questions 2012 students may have.

Personally, how do languages work at uni. For example if I did French at school what could I potentially do at Uni. Also, how difficult are the language subjects that are available to students who achieved less than 35?

Also, are there any breadth subjects recommended for commerce students which are relatively easy?

Thanks

there are 3 entry points for french, although the system of french is new for 2012, i'll tell you about my experience in 2011

I did the second level french which was "Intermediate"
for people who scored <35 study score

not sure how best to put this hmm....
MY GOD IT WAS PISS EASY LOL!!!!

If you've done VCE French but cbf advancing in it, this is a very relaxed breadth subject and i definitely recommend it
here's a link to the breadth track, to tell you what Semester 1, 2, and next year subjects to do https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2012/!222AA-BRDS+1003

Next, i would like to recommend a commerce-helpful breadth
UNIB10010 Generating the Wealth of Nations
In normal english: World Economic History

I did it in semester 2, 2011 taught by Professor Jeff Borland. If you dont know yet, the guy is a legend! He will probably teach introductory microeconomics as well.

The subject was about everything from Slave trade times and the malthusian era, to British Industrial revolution, the Soviet centralised system and the recent GFC. Cant even tell you how much i loved this subject!

relatively easy and very interesting. i scored H1 average in the 3 essay assignments! (1200 words every 4 weeks)

hah, if you do french intermediate + generating wealth of nations you will have done the exact same first-year breadths as me

[vea]

A question about language and breadth as well, what is the difference between doing just a Japanese breadth track and doing a Diploma in Languages in Japanese? This will be my first time learning jap so I don't know which to pick if they are even different.

[John President]

Actually Jeff Borland has left UoM and this year will now be Head of Australian Studies at Harvard...

Definitely a shame if you're starting Commerce this year. Many people I know revered him and spoke of him as if he was the Chuck Norris of Unimelb lecturers...

[Raahem]

Actually Jeff Borland has left UoM and this year will now be Head of Australian Studies at Harvard...

Definitely a shame if you're starting Commerce this year. Many people I know revered him and spoke of him as if he was the Chuck Norris of Unimelb lecturers...

He's still listed as subject coordinator. He did the Australia studies thing as an exchange program in 09-10 fall semester. Where did you hear this?

[dc302]

A question about language and breadth as well, what is the difference between doing just a Japanese breadth track and doing a Diploma in Languages in Japanese? This will be my first time learning jap so I don't know which to pick if they are even different.

The diploma is another degree that you will be awarded. You will do the same subjects in the diploma as if you were completing a major in japanese. You can think of the diploma + bachelor as a worse version of a double degree. Doing a breadth sequence in japanese will not award you another degree.

In terms of content, typically a diploma of japanese = 8 subjects, and takes 3.5 years to complete with the bachelor. The breadth track usually consists of 4-6 japanese subjects and thus the bachelor degree takes 3 years to complete. If you haven't studied it before, then you will go into the lowest stream (japanese 1 and japanese 2).

[Gaijin]

Basically a breadth track is where you do a minimum of 3 breadth subjects in a row which are of the same nature, eg. Jap1, 2, then 3.

If you do the diploma you will be awarded a degree+diploma of Languages (Jap) at the end of your degree. The diploma must be done concurrently with your degree.

Say if you don't want to do the diploma from the start and decide later, a maximum of 50 credit points (4 subjects) can go towards it. Example:
Year 1: Jap1, Jap2      no diploma
Year 2: Jap 3, Jap 4    no diploma
Year 3: Jap 5, Jap 6    decide to do diploma, Jap1-Jap4 is credited towards it.

[Gaijin]

I am unsure where this question should go. Please move it if appropriate.

I was wondering how the enrolment into jap 3 or 5 would work. The student portal won't let you. I know you would have to do the placement test first, but say if you did the one on the 21st of Feb, how would you enrol? Doesn't it have to be all done by the 30th of Jan?

[dc302]

I am unsure where this question should go. Please move it if appropriate.

I was wondering how the enrolment into jap 3 or 5 would work. The student portal won't let you. I know you would have to do the placement test first, but say if you did the one on the 21st of Feb, how would you enrol? Doesn't it have to be all done by the 30th of Jan?

No the 30th Jan thing is only for timetabling purposes. Just have it planned until you are able to enroll in it.

[Gaijin]

No the 30th Jan thing is only for timetabling purposes. Just have it planned until you are able to enroll in it.

Got it, but when it comes to enrolling do you think I will be significantly disadvantaged if I were to do the placement on the 21st of Feb? Since the students who would do it in Jan would have had a month before me to choose which timetable slot they want.

[dc302]

No the 30th Jan thing is only for timetabling purposes. Just have it planned until you are able to enroll in it.

Got it, but when it comes to enrolling do you think I will be significantly disadvantaged if I were to do the placement on the 21st of Feb? Since the students who would do it in Jan would have had a month before me to choose which timetable slot they want.

You may be at a disadvantage as it is possible that some classes may be full by that time. However, there are several streams so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Also, there is only ever 1 lecture stream either so you will be assigned that lecture regardless of when you enroll.