- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies
Testamur Title: |
Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies |
Abbreviation: |
BCMS |
My University: |
Asia Pacific, Australian Studies, Comparative Indigenous Studies; Culture and Identities, Digital Media and Communication, English Literatures, English Language & Linguistics, Ethics, Gender Studies, Global Media, History, Human Security, International Media and Communication, Journalism and Professional Writing, Languages, Management, Marketing Communication and Advertising, Masculinities, Peace keeping, Philosophy, Politics, Postcolonial, Public Relations, Resource & Environmental, Sociology, Science & Technology, Transcultural Communication |
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 |
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. 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)
Applicants who achieve an appropriate score in one of the following qualifications may be considered for admission:
Overseas Year 12, equivalent to Year 12 in Australia.
TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC).
A Diploma or Foundation Studies Program from a recognised private institution
University Access Program (Wollongong College Australia) - for people over 21 years of age, or are 21 during the course of the program.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) for people over 20 years of age on 1 March in the year preceding enrolment.
Indigenous and Torres Strait islander alternative entry program
Course Requirements
To qualify for award of the degree of Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies course code 798 a student must complete a total of at least 144 credit points from subjects listed in the Course Structure of the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies and other subjects as approved by the Faculty.
The 144 credit points shall include:
a) The subjects prescribed in the 48 credit point 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 in the Course Program below;
b) 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;
c) To complete the credit points required for the degree, students can take another major, a minor or elective subjects offered by any faculty.
d) Not more than 60 credit points in 100-level subjects.
e) ARTS100 Peer-2-Peer Mentoring.
Peer-2-Peer Mentoring
Peer-2-Peer Mentoring (subject code ARTS100) is a compulsory zero credit point subject that must be undertaken by each student during their first year. This subject consists of a one hour weekly tutorial during the student's first session of study. This subject is designed to enable incoming students to adapt rapidly to the tertiary environment and engage with the university community.
Majors and Minors
Students can undertake a double major in their degree. As long as the first major is taken from those offered by the Faculty, the second major can be taken from any other faculty, provided students meet the requirements for that major. The most common second majors taken outside the Faculty include Economics, Geography, Management, Marketing and Psychology. If the two majors have common subjects, students can count one subject twice towards the majors but cannot count the credit points twice towards those required for the degree.
Minor studies consist of a minimum of 28 credit points of which no more than 12 credit points at 100 level can be counted. Students may not cross count subjects from a nominated minor into any other minor or major. Minors do not appear on the testamur but do appear on the transcript (i.e. academic record).
Where a minor is taken from outside of an Arts degree, refer to the requirements prescribed for that minor.
Course Program
Subject Code |
Subject Name |
Credit Points |
Session |
BCMS Core | |||
BCM 110 |
Introduction to Communication and Media |
6 |
Autumn |
BCM 210 |
Research Practices in Media and Communication |
8 |
Autumn |
BCM 310 |
Emerging Issues in Media and Communication |
8 |
Autumn |
Three of the following foundational subjects: | |||
PHIL106 |
Media, Ethics and Law |
6 |
Spring |
BCM 111 |
Transnational Media and Communication |
6 |
Spring |
BCM 112 |
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: | |||
BCM 240 |
Media, Audience, Place |
8 |
Spring |
POL 224 |
Politics and the Media |
8 |
Spring |
STS 288 |
Risk, Media and Communication |
8 |
Autumn |
BCM 311 |
Advanced Seminar in Media and Communication |
8 |
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. Contemporary graduates will confront the opportunities and challenges of globalisation in both their work and personal lives. The global reach of the media and communication industries and the cultural diversity generated by new virtual workplaces both create a demand for graduates with a grounding in international media and communication studies. This major focuses on strengthening skills in negotiating cultural difference and diversity, introducing students to international media networks and infrastructure, and on building capacity among students to produce and interpret media content within a range of local, national and international contexts. The major draws from a range of disciplines. At its core, the IMAC major is designed to produce graduates who have a cosmopolitan outlook and a strong sense of their opportunities and responsibilities as global media citizens. MinorA minor in International Media and Communication requires students to complete BCM 111 and any three subjects from the major including one at 300-level. | |||
At 200-Level | |||
Subject Code |
Subject Name |
Credit Points |
Session |
BCM 232 |
Key concepts in International Media and Communication |
8 |
Autumn |
BCM 240 |
Media, Audience, Place |
8 |
Spring |
BCM 288 |
Transnational Media and Culture Industries |
8 |
Spring |
CST 222 |
Global Television and Cultural Identity |
8 |
Autumn |
DIGC202 |
Global Networks |
8 |
Spring |
ELL 210 |
Communication across cultures |
8 |
Autumn |
At 300-Level | |||
BCM 330 |
Australian Content, Global Contexts |
8 |
Autumn |
BCM 332 |
Global Media Citizenship |
8 |
Spring |
BCM 390 |
Media, War and Peace |
8 |
Autumn |
CST 333 |
Hollywood and Beyond: Genres across cultures |
8 |
Spring |
DIGC330 |
Digital Asia |
8 |
N/O 2013 |
Major (50 -52 credit points)Journalism and Professional WritingStudents 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 School of Creative Arts. MinorA 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: | |||
Subject Code |
Subject Name |
Credit Points |
Session |
JOUR101 |
Introduction to Journalism and professional writing |
6 |
Spring |
JOUR206 |
Convergent Digital Journalism |
8 |
Spring |
JOUR202 |
Feature Writing |
8 |
Autumn |
JOUR205 |
Professional Writing 1: Writing for Organisations |
6 |
Autumn |
Plus two of the subjects below: | |||
JOUR302 |
Directed Study/ Practice |
8 |
Autumn/Spring |
JOUR301 |
Investigative Reporting |
8 |
Autumn |
JOUR311 |
Newsroom Practice |
8 |
Autumn/Spring |
Plus one subject below: | |||
JOUR305 |
Professional Writing 2: Editing and Publication |
6 |
Autumn |
JOUR345 |
Professional Writing 3: Professional Editing for Industry |
8 |
Spring |
JOUR350 |
Lifestyle & Arts Journalism |
6 |
Spring |
Major (48 credit points)Marketing Communication and AdvertisingThis 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. MinorA minor in Marketing Communication and Advertising will require students to complete the following:
| |||
Students must complete the following subjects | |||
Subject Code |
Subject Name |
Credit Points |
Session |
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 |
Internship and International Subjects
The Arts internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting. The internship subject ARTS301 is offered in autumn and spring sessions, all Arts students can enrol into ARTS301 providing they meet the pre-requisites. Another popular internship facilitated by the Faculty is the Politics Internships. The Politics internship subject POL 301 presents interested students with the opportunity to be an intern at Washington, New York or Canberra. Read more about the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts Internship Program on our Internship website.
One of the Faculty's aims is to encourage students to study in an overseas university. Students can study abroad for a full session taking three to four subjects, or can study abroad for a shorter period of time by taking a study tour. The Faculty's study tour subjects currently focus on War History and incorporate visits to Gallipoli and the Western Front. Both subjects are listed below:
HIST265 |
Gallipoli Study Tour |
N/O 2013 |
HIST270 |
Western Front Study Tour |
Winter |
Honours
See separate entry for the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies Honours
The Honours Handbook can be accessed as a PDF document from the Honours page.
Transfer option into the BCMS Dean's Scholars Degree or Double Degree
In January of each year, the School of Arts invites applications from high achieving students to apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies Dean's Scholars Degree or Double Degree.
Selection Criteria
To be eligible to apply for a place in the BCMS Dean's Scholars Degree or Double Degree, applicants would normally meet the following criteria:
Currently enrolled in the BCMS 798 or any other degree;
Full-time student;
Have successfully completed two full sessions of study or 8 subjects;
Have a WAM (weighted average mark) of at least 80.
For more information including the full list of Dean's Scholars Degrees and to how to apply online visit the Dean's Scholar.
Credit Arrangements
Please see General Course Rules for more Information.
Assessment
Assessment in this course varies between subjects and typically includes a combination of essays, tutorial/seminar presentations, WebCT exercises and, in some subjects, in-class tests and/or exams. Some subjects may have an additional practical component. The assessment requirements of each subject are set out in the individual subject outlines, which students receive in the first week of session.
Other Information
Further information is available at http://coursefinder.uow.edu.au/