The Associate Degree in Arts is a two-year course, full time (or part-time equivalent), that provides you with opportunities to interpret human culture and behaviour from different perspectives and periods, to explore today's big questions and learn how to support the social and economic development of humanity, and/or to be immersed in creativity, performance and innovation. The award is designed to allow you to choose your path: it can be the first two-years of your Bachelor of Arts study, or you may like to enrol in this degree to pursue your passion and undertake two of the majors in the BA, or to extend your curiosity and try units from a number of disciplines. The Associate Degree in Arts gives you the flexibility to choose from subjects to build your knowledge and diversify your skills from a wide range of over twenty possible majors and minors in the Bachelor of Arts as well as many individual elective study options.<br><br>Music played an important role in the earliest of human civilizations as a key element of ritual, religion, healing, cultural expression and entertainment. The development of musical styles and genres has been shaped by political and societal change, reflecting the individual and collaborative outputs of those who create music, as well as the influences from patrons, audiences and the commercial music industry. Throughout this major you will learn about the characteristics and evolution of a wide variety of musical styles and significant works, assess the potential impact of recording and sound production on musicians and audiences, compare and reflect on the perspectives of creators, performers, critics and listeners, and develop a rich and interdisciplinary understanding of the role and function of music and music-making in communities past and present.