Bachelor Communication and Media Studies (Honours)

2009 Course Handbook

2009 Undergraduate Courses

2009 Postgraduate Courses

Bachelor Communication and Media Studies Honours

Testamur Title:	Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies Honours
Abbreviation:	BCM(Hons)
Home Faculty:	Faculty of Arts
Duration:	1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Total Credit Points:	48
Delivery Mode:	Mostly face-to-face.
Starting Session(s):	Normally autumn
Location:	Wollongong
UOW Course Code:	878
UAC Code:	N/A
CRICOS Code:	056219G

Overview

The Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (Honours) is a fourth year of study added on to the end of the undergraduate degree. For some students, it gives them an employment advantage in their post University careers. The Honours year also functions in the university curriculum as a bridge between undergraduate study and postgraduate research. It offers a unique opportunity to undertake a personalised research project working closely with a supervisor who is an established expert in the field of study being undertaken. As an entry point for postgraduate research students, it provides a stimulating and supportive environment in which students formulate ideas, engage in debate, develop research skills and acquire the critical tools that will equip them for a research career. To move into a postgraduate research degree, the minimum requirement is a class II division 2 (II.2) grade.

Joint Honours can also be undertaken if a student has a double major.

Students considering Honours are encouraged to talk to the convenor of the degree to negotiate a thesis topic and supervisors.

Entry Requirements

To qualify for entry into the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies Honours, students must have qualified at this University for the bachelor degree with an average of at least 70% across the major and one of the specialisations with the additional requirement of a Distinction in one of the 300 level subjects required by the major and one of the specialisations. To enter the Honours year, students need to submit an application through UniAdvice.

Applicants from other tertiary institutions are also required to meet the same requirements. In exceptional cases, admission will be granted after the applicant has successfully completed other requirements set by the relevant Honours Coordinator.

Course Requirements

The program consists of coursework (which makes up 50% of the final mark) and a research thesis (which makes up 50% of the final mark).

Grade of Honours

The overall grade of Honours is determined by calculation of the weighted average mark (WAM) for the 400-level subject in which the student is enrolled. Honours are awarded in the following categories:

Class I (WAM 85 to 100%)

Class II, Division 1 (WAM 75 to 84%)

Class II, Division 2 (WAM 65 to 74%)

Class III (WAM 50 to 64%)

If the WAM is below 50%, an Honours grade is not awarded.

Areas of Study in Honours

Students may also undertake Joint Honours where two of the areas set out above can be combined or when a discipline from the Faculty of Arts is combined with a discipline from another Faculty. Students who are intending to undertake Joint Honours should consult the Faculty Honours Co-ordinator.

# Students who have completed a double major may be accepted into an Honours year. The Honours course will be administered by the academic unit of the student's second major, subject to approval by the Head of the relevant academic unit and the Head of the Aboriginal Studies Program.

Honours Guide and Code of Practice (Honours)

The Faculty of Arts Honours Guide provides detailed information on all Honours courses. It is provided in hard copy to all honours students can be accessed as a PDF document.

Students are advised to refer to the following University of Wollongong web site for access to the Code of Practice - Honours

Honours Subjects

Full-time students enrol in one 24 credit point subject each session. Part-time students enrol in the 12 credit point equivalent each session. The way the subject is constituted (i.e. the relationship between thesis and coursework) is determined by individual Programs and/or Schools. Details of the Honours courses offered by different Programs are outlined below.