Being human is an amazing journey
The study of humanities equips you to ask and answer the big questions, challenging you to explore where we came from, who we are and where we’re going.
Human experience is made meaningful through culture, language, literature, history and philosophy. Enrich your whole life by gaining a deep understanding of these threads that tie us all together.
Exploring the humanities provides you with the skills to power lifelong career success in any field, with enduring skills in critical thinking, communicating and influencing.
Our disciplines
Classics and Ancient History
This covers the study of Latin and Ancient Greek, as well as the literature, history, art and archaeology of these ancient civilisations, and their contributions to the modern world.
Find out moreEnglish and Literary Studies
Studying English and Literary Studies enriches our understanding of major literary, cinematic and theatrical traditions across the globe.
Find out moreEuropean Languages and Cultures
We study languages and cultures of Europe: French, German, Italian and Spanish, and look at social and cultural aspects of contemporary Europe.
Find out morePhilosophy
Philosophy involves thinking about some of the big questions we ask in our lifetime.
Find out moreTranslation Studies
Translation Studies explores a multitude of areas including cognitive translation studies, machine translation and cultural translation studies.
Find out moreGender Studies
Gender is an everyday and embodied experience that shapes our public and private lives.
Find out moreBecome a bilingual citizen of the world at the largest language hub in WA
With four European, four Asian and two Classical languages on offer, UWA is the leading institution in WA for language learning.
Immerse yourself in another language. Learn to see the world in a new way. Move between cultures with ease.
Welcome from the Head of School Alexandra Ludewig
Hear about our courses
Bachelor of Human Rights
The Bachelor of Human Rights is a unique, interdisciplinary program of study that equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage with real-world issues in human rights. Hear about hands-on learning, practical experience and what you can expect to prepare you for a career in a range of areas.
Bachelor of Modern Languages
The Bachelor of Modern Languages enables students with a particular interest in world languages and cultures to study two languages in depth. Choose from Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Our courses
School of Humanities - Alumni
Jared Hill
Product Designer, Canva
Jared Hill
Product Designer, Canva
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce '13
When I reflect on my time at UWA, what stands out most is how well it exposed me to the many possible directions that my life could take. When I graduated, I didn’t feel locked into a particular career path - I felt prepared (and excited!) to explore, experience new things, and apply my skills to whatever situation I found myself in.
I wanted a diverse education that could give me a broad perspective on the world and various industries. Italian was a passion that allowed me to explore another culture deeply, while my Marketing and Entrepreneurship degree gave me practical knowledge and helped me understand how I could apply creativity in a professional context.
At UWA, I was exposed to diverse ideas, cultures, and ways of thinking, which sparked a curiosity and passion that led me to live in a number of different countries over the last decade and helped me throw myself into new environments with ease. The friendships I made and the perspectives I gained were instrumental in developing the adaptability and open-mindedness that have been crucial in my professional journey as I moved from marketing, to consulting, and now product design. UWA provided a foundation not just for learning, but for growth as a global citizen.
Julia Waite
Carbon Neutral 2030 Manager, Meat & Livestock Australia
Julia Waite
Carbon Neutral 2030 Manager, Meat & Livestock Australia
Bachelor of Arts ’12, GradCertEnvSc '13, BSc '16
A double-degree in Arts and Science has supported my career as a conduit between researchers, investors and customers in agriculture. Being able to effectively communicate "the why" of an idea - for better or worse - is often half the challenge to getting a startup funded or project launched. Not everyone in the room will start deeply invested in your topic and the people in each room will rarely be motivated by the same things.
Writing and persuasive argument skills supported by a Bachelor of Arts were key to opening professional doors in inter-disciplinary fields like AgTech and climate science.
My work has taken me to remote farming communities, to venture capital hubs, through to international stages like COP to promote Australian agriculture’s action on emissions reduction.
To my acquired comfort with public speaking, credit is owed to the University Dramatic Society who I spent countless hours with through undergrad in The Bradley and Dolphin Theatre.
While a Bachelor of Arts has played into my broad career strategy, I chose Arts first and foremost because English and History were my natural academic passions - and still are today.
The flexibility of UWA to sample from disciplines outside my major (enter: Archaeology) was also intellectually appealing. This was super charged on a study abroad trip to Vermont where I got to experience the US's intimate, discussion-based class styles - debating new topics of history and American literature different to those on offer back home.
Caitlyn Stone
Caitlyn Stone
Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights - University of Applied Arts Vienna, Austria
Bachelor of Arts (English and Cultural Studies, German Studies) '21, Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in English Literary Studies '22
My four years at UWA were world-opening. I was in the midst of figuring out the person I was, and am becoming, while being surrounded by energetic, kind, and clever peers and friends, many of whom I hope will be in my life for a very long time. My time there taught me to ask the big questions, to shake up knowledges which I took for granted, to be unafraid of uncertainties, seeing ambiguities as places of potential. It taught me to never underestimate the place and importance of the Humanities. The lecturers and professors who accompanied me through my degree, in both English Literary Studies and German Studies, and especially through my honours year, are academics who love what they do, and this love is contagious.
Coming into university, I had no idea about what I wanted to study, other than it being something humanities-related. The flexibility of the first year in undergrad was a life-saver; I tried my hand at a number of different subjects, all of which I found interesting, but was able to settle on German studies and English and Cultural Studies by my second year with confidence. The small size of the cohort meant that the professors knew us all by name and were invested in each of our learning journeys, and, crucial to good language learning, we felt comfortable enough to make mistakes as a part of our growth.
I had so much fun doing my English and Cultural studies major. I looked forward every week to going to tutorials and lectures; stepping into a classroom surrounded by people who are as passionate as you are about the subject, and learning from people who dedicate their lives to understanding it, is a privilege quite unlike any other. Honours year was a culmination of the passion and curiosity of the years preceding it. The culture of learning and encouragement which was fostered in our year group and guided by our teachers has given me a glimpse into what a 'university spirit' can and should be.
Caitlyn has published her first academic article titled 'Translation as an Act of Love' which can be read here.
JK (Jerald Justin Ko)
Senior Producer Presenter, Power 98
JK (Jerald Justin Ko)
Senior Producer Presenter and Assistant Programme Director, Power 98
Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Media Studies) '08 - majored in English
"Studying at UWA was like a global whirlwind tour without ever leaving campus! I met people from every corner of the world, which truly opened my eyes to the vastness of the world. The way tutorials were structured practically pushed me to speak up, share my thoughts, and build inner confidence. UWA didn’t just give me knowledge, it gave me a louder voice too!
Nearly two decades later, I still remember a module on cinematic narratives, where we even watched Memento as part of the curriculum. From storytelling to writing, to digital media, it was all there, a full buffet of creativity. And honestly, so much of what I learned then is still a big part of my life today as a radio presenter and content creator.
I had this amazing exchange program with Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore. We dived into TV production, got hands-on in radio studios, and learned so much about the behind-the-scenes magic of media."
Kasia McNaught
Creative Director, McNaught Media
Kasia McNaught
Creative Director, McNaught Media
Bachelor of Arts, '07
Kasia McNaught is a marketing and communications consultant and in 2016 founded McNaught Media, a digital marketing and branding agency based in Perth.
“I majored in Italian and most of the units completed in my arts degree were linked to communications - nowadays much of the work I do is about discovering a brand's voice and storytelling in an effective and captivating way.
Studying Italian at UWA allowed me to go on a year of exchange to Bologna University, which was certainly one of the most valuable and enriching life experiences I could ever have hoped for. I am so grateful I was able to spend a year abroad as the learning I received through travel and experiences along the way was certainly priceless.”
Sarah Elliott
Senior Protection Officer at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
Sarah Elliott
Senior Protection Officer, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Media Studies) and Bachelor of Laws '09 - majored in History
"I wanted to study journalism and become a war correspondent, but my folks told me that studying law would be a better option (which has ultimately proven to be an invaluable degree in my career). History was my favourite subject in high school, so that was a natural fit for me, and I was also able to combine it with Communication and Media Studies (a win-win for everyone!).
UWA is where I grew into and gained confidence in myself. I was a slightly awkward, extremely conscientious high school student who often felt consumed by the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence - overly concerned about others liking me. I was inspired daily by the vast green lawns and towering trees, the stately buildings, peacocks and grand corridors I walked through. It was also a place that took me on exchange to Canada for six months, where I lived away from home for the first time and met students from all over the world.
I chose UWA because I wanted to study in a place that inspired me to learn, and the grounds, architecture, and calibre of UWA lecturers made this a clear choice. To this day, when I return home from deployments overseas, I drive over to Crawley campus and stroll the grounds, which remain as atmospheric as they always were (peacocks and all!)."
Award-winning teaching
Our staff are consistently acknowledged as the best teachers at UWA. Our award-winning lecturers have been recognised, both nationally and at UWA in the Student Guild’s Student Choice Awards, for their innovative approaches to teaching and supervision. This is backed by membership of some of the world’s most learned academies and a host of international honours.
- Dr Dale Adams
- Dr Miri Albahari
- Dr Kate Averis
- Associate Professor David Barrie
- Dr Kaz Bland
- Associate Professor Ethan Blue
- Professor Susan Broomhall
- Dr Chantal Bourgault du Coudray
- Dr Josh Brown
- Dr Marinella Caruso
- Dr Joseph Christensen
- Dr Ned Curthoys
- Professor Tanya Dalziell
- Dr Kirk Essary
- Dr Giuseppe Finaldi
- Maria Rosaria Francomacaro
- Professor Andrea Gaynor
- Dr Paul Gibbard
- Professor Tony Hughes-d’Aeth
- Dr Daniel Juckes
- Associate Professor Nin Kirkham
- Associate Professor Shino Konishi
- Sabine Kuuse
- Dr Chris Letheby
- Professor Alexandra Ludewig
- Iris Ludewig-Rohwer
- Professor Jane Lydon
- Dr Jeremy Martens
- Associate Professor Christopher Mallan
- Dr Andrew Milne
- Dr Jessica Murray
- Dr Kate Noske
- Dr Lara O’Sullivan
- Dr Neil O’Sullivan
- Dr Shalmalee Palekar
- Assistant Professor Michael Rubin
- Dr Joseph Steinberg
- Associate Professor Bonnie Thomas
- Associate Professor Kati Tonkin
- Dr Lachlan Umbers
- Associate Professor Jacqueline Van Gent
- Dr Clas Weber
- Professor Rob Wilson
School of Humanities - Alumni
Jared Hill
Product Designer, Canva
Jared Hill
Product Designer, Canva
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce '13
When I reflect on my time at UWA, what stands out most is how well it exposed me to the many possible directions that my life could take. When I graduated, I didn’t feel locked into a particular career path - I felt prepared (and excited!) to explore, experience new things, and apply my skills to whatever situation I found myself in.
I wanted a diverse education that could give me a broad perspective on the world and various industries. Italian was a passion that allowed me to explore another culture deeply, while my Marketing and Entrepreneurship degree gave me practical knowledge and helped me understand how I could apply creativity in a professional context.
At UWA, I was exposed to diverse ideas, cultures, and ways of thinking, which sparked a curiosity and passion that led me to live in a number of different countries over the last decade and helped me throw myself into new environments with ease. The friendships I made and the perspectives I gained were instrumental in developing the adaptability and open-mindedness that have been crucial in my professional journey as I moved from marketing, to consulting, and now product design. UWA provided a foundation not just for learning, but for growth as a global citizen.
Julia Waite
Carbon Neutral 2030 Manager, Meat & Livestock Australia
Julia Waite
Carbon Neutral 2030 Manager, Meat & Livestock Australia
Bachelor of Arts ’12, GradCertEnvSc '13, BSc '16
A double-degree in Arts and Science has supported my career as a conduit between researchers, investors and customers in agriculture. Being able to effectively communicate "the why" of an idea - for better or worse - is often half the challenge to getting a startup funded or project launched. Not everyone in the room will start deeply invested in your topic and the people in each room will rarely be motivated by the same things.
Writing and persuasive argument skills supported by a Bachelor of Arts were key to opening professional doors in inter-disciplinary fields like AgTech and climate science.
My work has taken me to remote farming communities, to venture capital hubs, through to international stages like COP to promote Australian agriculture’s action on emissions reduction.
To my acquired comfort with public speaking, credit is owed to the University Dramatic Society who I spent countless hours with through undergrad in The Bradley and Dolphin Theatre.
While a Bachelor of Arts has played into my broad career strategy, I chose Arts first and foremost because English and History were my natural academic passions - and still are today.
The flexibility of UWA to sample from disciplines outside my major (enter: Archaeology) was also intellectually appealing. This was super charged on a study abroad trip to Vermont where I got to experience the US's intimate, discussion-based class styles - debating new topics of history and American literature different to those on offer back home.
Caitlyn Stone
Caitlyn Stone
Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights - University of Applied Arts Vienna, Austria
Bachelor of Arts (English and Cultural Studies, German Studies) '21, Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in English Literary Studies '22
My four years at UWA were world-opening. I was in the midst of figuring out the person I was, and am becoming, while being surrounded by energetic, kind, and clever peers and friends, many of whom I hope will be in my life for a very long time. My time there taught me to ask the big questions, to shake up knowledges which I took for granted, to be unafraid of uncertainties, seeing ambiguities as places of potential. It taught me to never underestimate the place and importance of the Humanities. The lecturers and professors who accompanied me through my degree, in both English Literary Studies and German Studies, and especially through my honours year, are academics who love what they do, and this love is contagious.
Coming into university, I had no idea about what I wanted to study, other than it being something humanities-related. The flexibility of the first year in undergrad was a life-saver; I tried my hand at a number of different subjects, all of which I found interesting, but was able to settle on German studies and English and Cultural Studies by my second year with confidence. The small size of the cohort meant that the professors knew us all by name and were invested in each of our learning journeys, and, crucial to good language learning, we felt comfortable enough to make mistakes as a part of our growth.
I had so much fun doing my English and Cultural studies major. I looked forward every week to going to tutorials and lectures; stepping into a classroom surrounded by people who are as passionate as you are about the subject, and learning from people who dedicate their lives to understanding it, is a privilege quite unlike any other. Honours year was a culmination of the passion and curiosity of the years preceding it. The culture of learning and encouragement which was fostered in our year group and guided by our teachers has given me a glimpse into what a 'university spirit' can and should be.
Caitlyn has published her first academic article titled 'Translation as an Act of Love' which can be read here.
JK (Jerald Justin Ko)
Senior Producer Presenter, Power 98
JK (Jerald Justin Ko)
Senior Producer Presenter and Assistant Programme Director, Power 98
Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Media Studies) '08 - majored in English
"Studying at UWA was like a global whirlwind tour without ever leaving campus! I met people from every corner of the world, which truly opened my eyes to the vastness of the world. The way tutorials were structured practically pushed me to speak up, share my thoughts, and build inner confidence. UWA didn’t just give me knowledge, it gave me a louder voice too!
Nearly two decades later, I still remember a module on cinematic narratives, where we even watched Memento as part of the curriculum. From storytelling to writing, to digital media, it was all there, a full buffet of creativity. And honestly, so much of what I learned then is still a big part of my life today as a radio presenter and content creator.
I had this amazing exchange program with Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore. We dived into TV production, got hands-on in radio studios, and learned so much about the behind-the-scenes magic of media."
Kasia McNaught
Creative Director, McNaught Media
Kasia McNaught
Creative Director, McNaught Media
Bachelor of Arts, '07
Kasia McNaught is a marketing and communications consultant and in 2016 founded McNaught Media, a digital marketing and branding agency based in Perth.
“I majored in Italian and most of the units completed in my arts degree were linked to communications - nowadays much of the work I do is about discovering a brand's voice and storytelling in an effective and captivating way.
Studying Italian at UWA allowed me to go on a year of exchange to Bologna University, which was certainly one of the most valuable and enriching life experiences I could ever have hoped for. I am so grateful I was able to spend a year abroad as the learning I received through travel and experiences along the way was certainly priceless.”
Sarah Elliott
Senior Protection Officer at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
Sarah Elliott
Senior Protection Officer, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Media Studies) and Bachelor of Laws '09 - majored in History
"I wanted to study journalism and become a war correspondent, but my folks told me that studying law would be a better option (which has ultimately proven to be an invaluable degree in my career). History was my favourite subject in high school, so that was a natural fit for me, and I was also able to combine it with Communication and Media Studies (a win-win for everyone!).
UWA is where I grew into and gained confidence in myself. I was a slightly awkward, extremely conscientious high school student who often felt consumed by the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence - overly concerned about others liking me. I was inspired daily by the vast green lawns and towering trees, the stately buildings, peacocks and grand corridors I walked through. It was also a place that took me on exchange to Canada for six months, where I lived away from home for the first time and met students from all over the world.
I chose UWA because I wanted to study in a place that inspired me to learn, and the grounds, architecture, and calibre of UWA lecturers made this a clear choice. To this day, when I return home from deployments overseas, I drive over to Crawley campus and stroll the grounds, which remain as atmospheric as they always were (peacocks and all!)."
Research excellence
The School of Humanities has a breadth of research expertise and hosts several internationally acclaimed journals and national centres, ensuring a vibrant research and postgraduate culture.
Scholar of the Month
- Scholars of the Month
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September Scholar of the month | Hamish Russell
Hamish has joined the School of Humanities this semester in a teaching-intensive position. He’s from Aotearoa/New Zealand but he’s just spent a decade in Toronto, Canada, where he completed his PhD in philosophy and then worked as a lecturer. Hamish is teaching for the school’s interdisciplinary degrees in Human Rights and Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). He’s very happy about this fit, since he found his way into philosophy via a PPE program.
July Scholar of the month | Dara Acosta Vizcaino
A lifelong enthusiast of languages, Dara is deeply passionate about understanding societies and cultures through the lens of their linguistic expressions. Initially, she intended to focus her postgraduate studies on Phonetics, including etymology and dialectology. However, she soon discovered a profound interest in sociolinguistics, neurolinguistics, and psycholinguistics, prompting her to revise her thesis and shift her research focus.
June Scholar of the month | Chris Letheby
Chris Letheby is a philosopher of mind and cognitive science with a long-standing interest in the nature and significance of mystical and spiritual experience. His research to date has focused mainly on a single, endlessly fascinating case study: transformative experiences induced by psychedelic drugs.
Chris teaches a range of units at UWA, from formal logic and first-year “intro to philosophy” to philosophy of mind and philosophy of artificial intelligence.
May Scholar of the month | Kate AverisKate Averis has joined UWA recently as Lecturer in European Languages after having taught at universities in the UK, France and Colombia.
Kate's research spans Spanish and French studies, literary studies and gender studies. She researches literary texts written in and between Spanish, French and English that disrupt conventional understandings of regional and national literary systems by disturbing the monolingual pact between language, nation and culture. Kate studies these effects in contemporary women’s writing, which provides a particularly rich terrain for observing the disruptive crossing of boundaries, whether linguistic, literary, spatial, social, gendered, racialised, or other.
Centres and Journals
Centres
- Centre for Western Australian History
- ARC Centre for Excellence for the History of Emotions (Europe 1100 - 1800)
- Digital Humanities Research Cluster
- Ecology, People and Place (EcoPeoPle)
- Medieval & Early Modern Studies Research Group (MEMs)
- The Digitisation Centre of Western Australia
- Translation and Transcultural Research Cluster
- Westerly Group
- Australian Studies Research Network
Journals
News
Singing the world alive, one First Nations word at a time
A precious message for all Australians has been created by First Nations people with publication of Words to Sing the World Alive.
Read moreCasting a spotlight on the Black convicts of African descent who helped shape Australia
It is a new idea to many Australians that their past is connected to the tragic history of transatlantic slavery.
Read moreNew book reflects on personal experience
We are living in the moment of the essay and a new book examines the strategies the form offers for reflection and sense-making.
Read moreFacilities
Contact
Access
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