Are commerce/business degrees replacing arts degrees? (1 Viewer)

[Sarah]

most ppl who do commerce wouldnt be doing it because they still havent made up their mind yet

commerce (and im talking about MQ here because i was thinking of doing it) have all cores for 1st yr. arts doesnt

so i think if ppl where picking commerce over arts, i doubt its because they are trying to figure out what they want to do, because all u get to experience in a commerce degree is accounting, marketing, eco and finance etc. there isnt any sociology, no politics or anything really that isnt commerce related

and if u chose a commerce degree because you wanted to get a feel for different subjects, i think u would be pretty stupid, because commerce degress dont allow you that

Fornstar, there are always exceptions. Not everyone doing Commerce have made up their minds on what they want to do.

Also, a straight B Comm a Macquarie doesn't have core subjects. Subjects chosen are related to the intended major. On the otherhand, more specialised Comm degrees at Macq e.g B Comm-Marketing do have core subjects.

And from speaking to people and lecturers, you'll find many areas in Commerce overlap with the Arts & Social Sciences and vice versa.

And Commerce degrees do let you have a feel for different subjects. I'm in my 3rd yr (of a 5 yr combined degree) and there are 4-5 majors in Commerce which I can do based on subjects I've done (mixture of 1st and 2nd yr comm subjects).

 

[braindrainedAsh]

Arts degrees are useful in a variety of ways, and in recent times we have seen more and more "specialized" or "unique" types of arts degrees pop up (Communications/Media, International Studies, Bach of Arts and Sciences, arts management, even Liberal Studies which incorporates some business and science)

I study a journalism degree (it is a BA) which has strong vocational outcomes as well as flexibility for wider study in the humanities and social sciences. Degrees in journalism, PR, media production, arts management, visual communication etc do have some kind of career outcome and focus.

The cutoff for UTS journalism has been at 97-98 level (yes, for the straight BA not combined) before and they keep opening up more and more places in the courses to meet demand. In the end we only graduate with a BA, majoring in communications. So obviously arts degrees are useful for something if people that could have studied nearly anything they wanted chose to do an arts degree.

Just your normal BA can open up work opportunities without further study in a variety of fields (besides the fast food industry). Publishing, advocacy, research, writing, teaching (with a Dip Ed), arts management/organization, translating (if you study languages), diplomacy and jobs in the public service.

The fact is if you have a passion for something, ultimately you will go far in that field. And graduate employment shortages affect many degrees out there, even in fields like engineering and law.

I don't understand why people snub arts so much. Engineers may build tall buildings, lawyers may fight for rights, doctors may save lives... all of these pursuits are noble indeed but what is a society without culture? The cultural fields are also highly important.

 

[withoutaface]

The cutoff for UTS journalism has been at 97-98 level (yes, for the straight BA not combined) before and they keep opening up more and more places in the courses to meet demand. In the end we only graduate with a BA, majoring in communications. So obviously arts degrees are useful for something if people that could have studied nearly anything they wanted chose to do an arts degree.

That logic is flawed. At USyd a BE(Mechanical) has a cutoff in the 80s, and a BE(Aero/Space) has a cutoff of 99.4. The former has better employment opportunities, at least in Australia.

 

[chookyn]

Asqy i'd rep you 10x if i could - VERY well said!

*edit* that must've taken awhile!

 

[AsyLum]

I fail to see how an arts degree could be at all useful, but this is my own opinion. I'm a star Commerce and Math student myself, so Arts and Social Science don't really appeal to me.

In reply to this thread, I doubt something like a Business degree would become as redundant and useless as Arts degrees have, as the knowledge gained is so practical and useful. Big business is just a part of life today, but Social Science and the Arts, sadly, are not.

Although I may be wrong, maybe they will become as useless as Arts degrees... Look at what happened to the IT industry. Maybe the same will apply here...

Holy shit batman, you're coming to MQ wth that attitude? Geez, why does MQ attract dickheads

 

[David_O]

"Star" Commerce and Math student with a target UAI of 95.5.
*shakes head*


Arts degrees should be compulsory. Refer to case study: Albert Speer.

 

[jellybeenz]

I fail to see how an arts degree could be at all useful, but this is my own opinion. I'm a star Commerce and Math student myself, so Arts and Social Science don't really appeal to me.

In reply to this thread, I doubt something like a Business degree would become as redundant and useless as Arts degrees have, as the knowledge gained is so practical and useful. Big business is just a part of life today, but Social Science and the Arts, sadly, are not.

Although I may be wrong, maybe they will become as useless as Arts degrees... Look at what happened to the IT industry. Maybe the same will apply here...

Man... you really have no idea... Just because Arts doesn't appeal to you, it doesn't mean its not useful, its useful for learning about life, history, languages, culture, current affairs, literature, philosophy, art... etc etc Arts is learning about People- our past, our present and our future- it is about developing opinions, forming ideas and generally becoming educated members of society.

Arts is everything people do when they aren't doing their boring jobs. Reading the newspaper or a novel- guess what? Its written/edited/published by people with ARTS degrees! Watching a movie? Hmm... someone with an ARTS degree wrote a review on it, someone with an ARTS degree checked the facts, someone with an ARTS degree probably wrote/helped write the goddam thing. Going to an Art Gallery? Someone with an ARTS degree realised the value of the art and put the art in the gallery! How about travelling to another country? Well someone with an ARTS degree put the information in that guide you are using to get around that country. Guess what else? Someone with an ARTS degree taught you to READ!

If you are a star maths and commerce student- think to yourself- if an Arts degree isn't useful- why do so many people do them? It must enrich their life in some way or another, otherwise why would such a large number of people rack up a large amount of debt?

 

[santaslayer]

Fighting the BA bias


I've even gone from a 3.5 grade point average to a 4, so maybe my essay writing has also improved. Essentially, an essay is an argument. I can argue my way out of a paper bag. It may take me seven years of procrastination, but I can do it.

I have learnt, too, to criticise, and to communicate my ideas logically. Strangely enough, some people fail to see the value in this.

It's hard to imagine a world without criticism, a world where we just accept everything that comes along - a world without arts degrees. Aside from the fact it would be boring, it would mean social stagnation. You could say goodbye to Michael Moore and hello to George Bush for another four years.

Now is that the kind of world we really want?
__________________

That's true, but a lot of other subjects do all that too.
I have nothing against BA's but the article hasn't really illustrated what is so special about an arts degree.

 

[santaslayer]

What is so special about commerce graduates?

It is very much a bachelor of attendance. You come out with a limited mind, and get to work as a cog in the big business machine.

How exciting. Now maybe you should go un-fuck yourself and consider the fact that non-accountant aspirants don't need accounting.

Also, have fun when your job is outsourced to china/ latest third world power to take over the world.

But the fact is that accounting DOES open the mind up more than you think.

 

[Sarah]

But the fact is that accounting DOES open the mind up more than you think.

How so?

Umm... no offence but based on my experiences so far in accouting, dealing with Debits and Credits does nothing but numb my mind and makes me sleepy.

 

[Sarah168]

actually, im also curious about how i can, as my lecturer says, turn my acct experience into an amazingly exciting intellectual journey

so far, its not bad, but i dont spot any remotely exciting or eye opening bits lol

I love telling commerce classmates, im also love studying history and staring down their reaction

 

[SashatheMan]

i hope business numbers drop , so it becomes more in demand. that way it will be much easier for me to find a job. having an art degree is like smoking, it takes years of your life and gets nowhere.

 

[withoutaface]

Fighting the BA bias
September 15, 2004

blah, blah, blah
I've even gone from a 3.5 grade point average to a 4, so maybe my essay writing has also improved.

etc etc etc

Good for her, she finally laid off the weed long enough to get the bare minimum standard (ie a P avg). Truly a beacon of inspiration for us all.

 

[withoutaface]

Going to an Art Gallery?

Only someone with an arts degree would do that.

 

[withoutaface]

The opposite of right is wrong.
Young Liberals.

I like you.

 

[hiphophorray123]

I've even gone from a 3.5 grade point average to a 4, so maybe my essay writing has also improved.

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

 

[hiphophorray123]

Man... you really have no idea... Just because Arts doesn't appeal to you, it doesn't mean its not useful, its useful for learning about life, history, languages, culture, current affairs, literature, philosophy, art... etc etc Arts is learning about People- our past, our present and our future- it is about developing opinions, forming ideas and generally becoming educated members of society.

Arts is everything people do when they aren't doing their boring jobs. Reading the newspaper or a novel- guess what? Its written/edited/published by people with ARTS degrees! Watching a movie? Hmm... someone with an ARTS degree wrote a review on it, someone with an ARTS degree checked the facts, someone with an ARTS degree probably wrote/helped write the goddam thing. Going to an Art Gallery? Someone with an ARTS degree realised the value of the art and put the art in the gallery! How about travelling to another country? Well someone with an ARTS degree put the information in that guide you are using to get around that country. Guess what else? Someone with an ARTS degree taught you to READ!

If you are a star maths and commerce student- think to yourself- if an Arts degree isn't useful- why do so many people do them? It must enrich their life in some way or another, otherwise why would such a large number of people rack up a large amount of debt?

agreed...........

 

[poloktim]

Asquithian, marry me.

The rest of you dickheads who want to badmouth Arts degrees, kill yourselves.

 

[sarevok]

How so?

Umm... no offence but based on my experiences so far in accouting, dealing with Debits and Credits does nothing but numb my mind and makes me sleepy.

Well, it's unfair to generalise accounting as simply double-entry bookkeeping. Sure, if you're some dude wit a Tafe Cert. who's doing bank reconciliations all day then it's not going to be terribly exciting, but with a University Qualification in accounting you're much more likely to be involved in managerial accounting or consulting work, which is obviously far more interesting.

And yes, nothing wrong with arts degrees, though IMO they're best combined with something more practical, like commerce or law.

 

[Sarah]

Well, it's unfair to generalise accounting as simply double-entry bookkeeping. Sure, if you're some dude wit a Tafe Cert. who's doing bank reconciliations all day then it's not going to be terribly exciting, but with a University Qualification in accounting you're much more likely to be involved in managerial accounting or consulting work, which is obviously far more interesting.

And yes, nothing wrong with arts degrees, though IMO they're best combined with something more practical, like commerce or law.

What I said:

Umm... no offence but based on my experiences so far in accouting, dealing with Debits and Credits does nothing but numb my mind and makes me sleepy.

What i said and in response to another post. It was more to the comment that accounting opens the mind. I'm not saying that the career paths of accountants are narrow, but just that accounting subject I've studied so far don't get you thinking critically