Faculty of Arts
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Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies

Testamur Title:

Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies

Abbreviation:

BCMS

Home Faculty

Faculty of Arts

Course Duration:

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Total Credit Points:

144

Delivery Mode:

On campus (Face-to-face)

Starting Session(s):

Autumn/Spring

Campus:

Wollongong

INTI University College (Subang Jaya campus, Malaysia), Laureate International Universities

UOW Course Code:

798

UAC Code:

753110

CRICOS Code:

045471G

Overview

The Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies degree is an interdisciplinary degree that offers students a broad introduction to the changing fields of communication and media industries. This degree has a strong international focus, and places emphasis on students developing independent research skills that are appropriate to a wide range of professional settings. Students are introduced to core concepts in the academic study of media and communication practice, as well as to flexible and transferable skills that will prepare graduates for informed engagement with global media culture across a range of careers.

Entry Requirements / Assumed Knowledge

NSW HSC entry through UAC

Students apply through UAC and satisfy the ATAR (previously UAI) requirement for the year of application.

Assumed Knowledge: Any two units of English.

Other Secondary Qualifications

Students with secondary qualifications outside NSW and without an ATAR will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Tertiary Qualifications

Applications will be considered from students with the following tertiary qualifications:

A completed Two-year Diploma or Advanced Diploma from TAFE or another accredited institution;

Not less than one-sixth of a Bachelor degree from an approved University;

Other tertiary courses approved by the University of Wollongong.

Overseas Qualifications

Students with tertiary qualifications obtained overseas will be considered provided that they satisfy the University's minimum admission requirements.

Alternative Entry (Domestic applicants)

STAT test

UAP

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander alternative entry program

Core and Majors

This degree includes a 48cp core of subjects that all students must complete. Within this core there are both compulsory subjects, and subjects that students can choose from within a specified set of choices, described below. All students must also complete at least one of the four majors in this degree: Digital Media and Communication, International Media and Communication, Journalism and Professional Writing, Marketing Communication and Advertising.

Electives, Other Majors and Minors

Students can make up the remaining credit points needed for the degree by taking subjects from Arts or from other faculties provided they meet any prerequisites set for the subjects. Other Majors and Minors taken will also be credited to the degree.

Requirements to Graduate

To graduate with a Bachelor of Communication and Media studies, students must complete a minimum of 144 credit points.  The 144 credit points must include the specified core subjects and at least one of the four majors listed above. No more than 60 credit points at 100 level can be included in the 144 credit points.

Honours

Honours is a fourth year of study that students can undertake provided they meet the requirements set out later in this Handbook (see Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies Honours).

Credit Transfer

Please see General Course Rules for more Information.

Course Program

Subject Code

Subject Name

Credit Points

Session

BCM Core

(all BCM students must complete the following subjects)

BCM 110

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies

6

Autumn

BCM 210

OR

MACS230

Research Practices in Media and Communication

OR

Visual Communication

8

OR

8

Autumn

OR

Autumn

BCM 310

Emerging Issues in Media and Communication

8

N/O 2011

Three of the following foundational subjects:

PHIL106

Media, Ethics and Law

6

Spring

BCM111

Transnational Media and Communication

6

Spring

BCM112

Convergent Media Practices

6

Autumn

JOUR101

Introduction to Journalism & Professional Writing

6

Spring

MGMT102

Business Communication

6

Autumn

Plus one of the following upper level subjects:

BCM211

Media Audiences

8

Spring

POL224

Politics and the Media

8

Spring

STS288

Risk, Media and Communication

8

Autumn

BCM311

Advanced Seminar in Media and Communication

8

Spring

Major (48-52 credit points)

Digital Media and Communication

Students must complete BCM 112 (Convergent Media Practices) before commencing this Major

This major provides students with an applied understanding of the role of digital media and communications practices and technologies in communications professions. Compulsory subjects provide students with a theoretical insight into the ways in which digital and networked communications technologies are involved with broader changes in work and leisure, the economy, cultural production and consumption and identity. These subjects also provide students with a framework of basic digital literacies that allow students to operate competently as professional communicators in the contemporary media environment. Elective subjects allow students to develop their skills and understanding in important contexts such as Journalism, Political Communication and Media Arts. Students in this major will be prepared for employment in a number of areas in the contemporary media and communications environment.

Minor

A minor in Digital Media and Communications requires students to complete BCM 112 and DIGC202 plus any two subjects from the major including one at 300-level.

Students must complete the following subjects:

MEDA101

Introduction to Media Arts

6

Autumn

DIGC202

Global Networks

8

Spring

Plus one of the following subjects:

DIGC302

Digital Communication Practice: Final Project

8

Spring

MEDA301

Media Arts Workshop

6

Autumn

Students must complete a minimum of 28cp of subjects from these electives, and ensure that they have completed a minimum of 24cp at 300 level including either DIGC302 or MEDA301 above.

MEDA102

Computational Media

6

Spring

JOUR206

Convergent Digital Journalism

8

N/O 2011

DIGC210

Digital Communication, Regulation and Social Action

8

Spring

MEDA201

Time, Space and Data

6

Autumn

MEDA202

System, Play and Interaction

6

Spring

DIGC310

Digital Game Culture and Practices

8

Autumn

BCM 388

Convergent Asian Mediascapes

8

Autumn

MEDA302

Media Arts Project

6

Spring

Major (48 credit points)

International Media and Communication (48 credit points)

Students must complete BCM 111 (Transnational Media and Communication) before commencing this Major

This interdisciplinary major examines the co-evolution of technological and media innovations, linguistic and cultural practices, and regulatory frameworks that shape transnational communications. Its graduates develop skills in research and analysis that prepare them for international professional futures, including in the media and communications industries. There are two distinctive pathways in the major that bring together ideas from Linguistics, Sociology, Media and Cultural Studies, and Digital Communications. One strand focuses on local, regional, national and international issues in intercultural and interpersonal communication. The other focuses on the global political economy of media policy, production, distribution and consumption. Adding a major or minor in a second language, and/or a minor in English Language and Linguistics will strongly complement students' appreciation of the cultural and technological factors that are transforming communication practices within specific diasporic and international cultural communities.

Minor

A minor in International Media and Communication requires students to complete BCM 111 and LING210 and any two subjects from the major including one at 300-level

At 200-Level

Students must complete three of these, including at least one from each strand

Communications strand

   

LING210

Communicating Across Cultures

8

Autumn

MACS230

Visual Communication

8

Autumn

SOC250

Everyday Interaction

8

N/O 2011

Media strand

DIGC202

Global Networks

8

Spring

MACS225

Australian Content, International Contexts

8

Autumn

BCM288

Transnational Media Industries

8

N/O 2011

MACS222

Global Television and Cultural Identity

8

Autumn

At 300-Level

Students must complete three of these, including at least one from each strand

Communications strand

   

ELL310

World Englishes

8

Autumn

ELL314

Language and Ideology

8

Spring

HIST353

Japanese History Through Film

8

Autumn

MACS310

Locating Media and Communication Practices

8

N/O 2011

Media strand

BCM388

Convergent Asian Media scapes

8

Autumn

MACS333

Hollywood and Beyond: Genres Across Cultures

8

Spring

MACS335

Media Innovation and Global Communication

8

Autumn

Major (48 credit points)

Journalism and Professional Writing

Students must complete JOUR101 (Introduction to Journalism & Professional Writing) and PHIL106 (Media, Ethics and Law) before commencing this Major.

The Journalism and Professional Writing major equips its graduates with the core skills in a range of fields, including journalism, government and corporate communications. The program recognises that writing and research are the skills that underpin modern communications, and that online delivery is central to the provision of information and cultural participation. With this in mind, students learn to source stories and write for a range of publications within the overall news ecology, including newspapers, magazines and websites. In the professional writing subjects they learn how to produce a range of corporate documents, ranging from briefing papers and speeches to company reports and policy documents. All students learn how to publish their work. Students wishing to develop broadcast skills may apply for entry into the six month Graduate Certificate in Broadcast Journalism offered by the faculty of Creative Arts.  

Minor

A minor in Journalism and Professional Writing requires students to complete JOUR101 and 3 subjects from 200-level and 300-level (with at least one subject at 300-level)

Students must complete the following subjects:

JOUR206

Convergent Digital Journalism

6

N/O 2011

JOUR202

Feature Writing

8

Autumn

JOUR205

Professional Writing 1: Writing for Organisations

6

Autumn

Plus one subject below:

JOUR302

Directed Study/ Practice

8

Autumn/Spring

JOUR311

Newsroom Practice

8

Autumn/Spring

And two of the following subjects:

JOUR301

Investigative Reporting

8

Autumn

JOUR305

Professional Writing 2: Editing and Publication

6

Spring

JOUR345

Professional Writing 3: Professional Editing for Industry

6

N/O 2011

JOUR250

Lifestyle & Arts Journalism

6

Spring

Major (48 credit points)

Marketing Communication and Advertising

This major will provide an understanding of the important roles that business and marketing communication play in engaging, building and maintaining key relationships with a diverse set of stakeholder groups, including employees and customers. Compulsory communication-orientated subjects including Advertising, Public Relations and Corporate Branding ensure that students are exposed to relational concepts via an appropriate mix of theory, practice and application. Elective subjects allow students to consider and apply these concepts within other important marketing contexts, such as International Marketing, Internet Marketing, Tourism Marketing and Social Marketing. Students undertaking this Major will gain access to real world organisations and communication projects, aiding understanding while providing critical experience in preparation for future employment.  

Minor

A minor in Marketing Communication and Advertising will require students to complete the following:

MARK101
MARK250
PRMM201
PRMM303


Students may not cross-count any subjects from the minor in any other minor or major study.  This version of the minor is therefore not available to students undertaking the Bachelor of Commerce either as a single degree or in any double degree combination.  Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce and related double degrees, for whom MARK101 is a compulsory subject, may complete a minor in Marketing Communication and Advertising by substituting MGMT102 as follows:

MGMT102
MARK250
PRMM201
PRMM303

Students must complete the following subjects (AS OF 11 AUGUST 2010)

MGMT102

Business Communication

6

Autumn

MARK101

Marketing Principles

6

Autumn/Spring

PRMM201

Public Relations Concepts

6

Autumn

MARK250

Advertising Practice and Creative Strategies

6

Spring

MARK333

Marketing Communication and Advertising

6

Autumn

PRMM303

Corporate Identity and Branding

6

Spring

And two of the following subjects:

MARK301

Internet Applications for Marketing

6

Autumn

MARK320

Social Marketing

6

Spring

MARK343

International Marketing

6

Autumn

MARK395

Tourism Marketing

6

Spring

Double Degrees with Communication and Media Studies

The following double degree programs are available to suitably qualified students of the Faculty of Arts. The Faculty of Arts administers the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies - Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies - Bachelor of Commerce and the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies - Bachelor of Science.

For course codes 760 and 796 students should consult the relevant faculty.

UAC Code

UOW Code

Home Faculty

Course Name

751210

760

Law

Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies - Bachelor of Laws

751350

794

Arts

Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies - Bachelor of Arts

751351

795

Arts

Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies - Bachelor of Commerce

751352

796

Creative Arts

Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies - Bachelor of Creative Arts

751353

797

Arts

Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies - Bachelor of Science

751354

1819

Arts

Bachelor of International Studies - Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies

Other Information

Further information is available at http://coursefinder.uow.edu.au/ or email: Arts - fac-arts@uow.edu.au