Hear From Students and Academics
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Digital Selves
Dr Francesca and Kirsty Chatterton
In this interview Dr Francesca Collins and student Kirsty Chatterton talk about Behavioural Studies at Monash and the unit Digital Selves. Dr Collins describes Behavioural Studies and how it provides students with a practical and theoretical understanding of human behaviour and human interaction including the mind, personality and identity within physical and virtual spaces.
Digital Selves is a unit that arose in response to a need in industry for graduates who are ready to hit the ground running in virtual workplaces, a form of communication that is becoming increasingly popular because it reduces an organisation's carbon footprint, especially for those who have a geographically diverse workforce.
Bioethics at Monash
Interview with Dr Justin Oakley Director of the Centre for Human Bioethics Monash University
In this interview, Dr Justin Oakley talks about the nature of bioethics and its growing impact on ethical decisions such as "What is 'wrongful life'? What makes a life worth living?". He discusses the critical role philosophy plays in bioethics and how it informs decision making.
Dr Oakley also talks about the Centre for Human Bioethics at Monash as the first established bioethics centre in Australia and its development. He talks about the research conducted at the Centre and how it has positioned itself to be recognised as a world leader.
The variety of programs and flexible study modes are discussed along with course content and career outcomes.
Studying Philosophy with Monash Faculty of Arts
Interview with Dr Dirk Batzly & Honours Student Sven Staalensen
Dr Dirk Baltzly and honours student Sven Staalensen discuss philosophy at Monash. Following a brief definition, they talk about philosophy's broad application and how it engages with a so many other disciplines around the university including law, human rights, history, information technology, geography and science both from a teaching and research capacity.
Sven revisits his first year experience overcoming the challenges of studying philosophy and the rewards that came as a result. An underlying assumption of the course at first year is that the majority of students won't have studied philosophy at school.
Skills acquired include the development of reasoning and ability to construct a logical argument. These are discussed in the context of a work environment.
Monash has an excellent reputation worldwide – we have a number of world class researchers in which means students are on the cutting edge of knowledge.
Studying Music with Monash Faculty of Arts
Interview with Student Dan Sheehan
Dan Sheehan is studying a Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Music degree.
In this interview he talks about his transition from school to university, what the music degree entails, the advantages of studying a double degree and overseas travel opportunities.
He discusses how learning from musicians who are themselves well known performers is inspirational as well as being a motivating factor.
Dan's decision to study a double degree originally stemmed from not being sure about what he wanted to do when he left school but he talks about the benefit of studying subjects in Arts that complement his music studies but also provide a balance to music which can be very consuming.
He describes his overseas study trips to Prato and New York as highlights. The experience of travelling while immersing oneself in music for three weeks at a time has been rewarding and transformational.
Human Rights Theory at Monash
Interview with Dr Toby Handfield and student Amber Evangelista
In this interview Dr Toby Handfield and student Amber Evangelista talk about the interdisciplinary nature of Human Rights Theory and the benefit of being able to branch out from a philosophical base into areas such as politics, history, geography and international studies.
In addition to developing a basic understanding of the concepts of human rights, students develop the skills to apply these studies to practical problems: global poverty, unequal access to medicine, free trade, terrorism, warfare, humanitarian intervention, torture, surveillance, etc.
Students develop a range of generic skills and capabilities in written and oral presentation, argument and analysis. Amber talks about how Human Rights Theory has given her the thinking tools to form considered opinions that allow her to participate in contemporary debates about human rights.
Dr Handfield discusses the successful introduction of new teaching methods that bring a higher level of interactivity into lectures and the growing relevance of Human Rights Theory in a range of careers such s a journalism, policy development, activism and education.
Drama & theatre Studies
Interview with Dr Stuart Grant
In this interview Dr Stuart Grant talks about studying comedy using a philosophical methodology. He talks about the very practical nature of the program and how students learn to analyse their responses to comedy and performance.
In discussing the Centre for Theatre and Performance at Monash it's unique among universities in Australia because the emphasis is on producing theatre makers, we teach a broad base of skills from stage management and design through to directing, through to dramaturgy and I guess you could say that dramaturgy is probably one of our more central concerns. I think if you wanted to divide it up, scenography and dramaturgy. Scenography is the study of everything that is on the stage apart from the performers themselves and dramaturgy is the research that goes into a performance. These are the areas we specialise in.
Bioethics Graduate
Danny Edwards, Master of Bioethics Graduate
Danny Edwards works as a policy manager at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in the UK. Here Danny discusses his Masters experience and the rapid growth of Bioethics.
Corporate Sustainability
Masters Graduate Bjoern Wilhelms
In this interview Bjoern talks about his Masters experience, his lifelong interest in environmental issues and how both have influenced his career path. He talks about juggling career, family life and study, the demands of the course and the time commitment required. The flexibility of the course was an important feature but being able to build the research project into his career was also a valuable asset. He talks about the supportive teaching staff and their commitment.
Bioethics
Extended interview with Dr Justin Oakley Director of the Centre for Human Bioethics Monash University
In this interview, Dr Justin Oakley talks about the nature of bioethics and its growing impact on ethical decisions such as "What is 'wrongful life'? What makes a life worth living?". He discusses the critical role philosophy plays in bioethics and how it informs decision making.
Dr Oakley also talks about the Centre for Human Bioethics at Monash as the first established bioethics centre in Australia and its development. He talks about the research conducted at the Centre and how it has positioned itself to be recognised as a world leader.
The variety of programs and flexible study modes are discussed along with course content and career outcomes.
Interpreting and Translation at Monash
Masters of Interpreting and Translation Studies
In this video, students and academics from the Master of Interpreting and Translation program talk about the content and structure of the program and its points of difference. One of the key strengths of the Masters program at Monash lies with the teaching staff who also work as practitioners thereby giving students access to an extra level of expertise. The convenor of the program, Rita Wilson, talks about its unique aspects including a flexible structure that includes a professional and academic stream.
Studying overseas is a key feature of language studies at Monash. The Master of Interpreting and Translation is offered as a double masters with a university in Lyon, France. Students talk about their individual experience of studying at Monash. Career opportunities and facilities are also discussed.
International Student Experience
Katie Oh talks about studying Communications and her international experience
In this interview Katie talks about her decision to study at Monash, living in Melbourne and her overseas study experience. She talks about her choice of a communications degree instead of business and some of the challenges posed by studying communications as an international student. Katie also talks about the student support services, refining her English skills and the academic staff who are always willing to give their time. Her overseas study experience has been a highlight of her Monash experience and she explains why.
Study Abroad
Graduate Thom Woodroofe and Honours student Stephanie Woodbridge (2011)
In this interview Thom and Stephanie talk about their overseas study experiences and the impact this has had on their intellectual and personal development. Thom has spent three semesters abroad and he talks about the unique experience each provided including a semester at the University of California Davis Campus where he worked for the Speaker Nancy Pelosi and for Governor Arnold Schwarznegger.
Stephanie talks about her progression to honour and the wide variety of units she has been able to study in her degree because of the interdisciplinary nature of studying Arts at Monash. Stephanie describes her study experience in Prato as being unique and truly inspirational.