Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (Dean's Scholar)

Overview

The Dean's Scholar Degree provides an academic space for high-achieving single degree Communication and Media Studies students. With a limited intake of students per year, it aims to provide an enriched educational experience for high-achieving, motivated students who are hoping to make a contribution to their field of study through teaching or research, or by working as professionals in their chosen area of study.

Dean's Scholars have the opportunity to attempt subjects not normally available to first-year students. They may be granted exemption from certain first-year subjects and may be permitted extended subject loads, enabling them to complete the degree in less than the normal time and enter Honours in their third year. Dean's Scholars have an academic mentor, a member of academic staff who undertakes to offer advice in the scholar's major area of study.

The Dean's Scholar degree is not a scholarship. Students intending to apply for a place in this degree are encouraged to apply for the University's Undergraduate, Residential, Foundation or Equity and Merit Scholarships.

Dean's Scholar students benefit from:

• Access to shared study and workspace;
• Yearly text book/resource allowance for full-time students;
• Limited printing privileges;
• Dean's Scholar lunch time seminar series (seminars are conducted by high profile academic staff as well as visiting fellows);
• Opportunities to attend academic and higher degree research workshops and seminars;
• End of year Dean's Scholar Annual Dinner;
• Extended Library privileges. 

The Heads of Students of the Faculty oversee the program and have regular meetings with the scholars. Dean's Scholars are assigned an academic mentor - a member of academic staff who nominates to advise the student on matters concerned with the degree. On successful completion of the first part of the course, Dean's Scholars will be guaranteed admission to Honours.

Dean's Scholars must undertake at least one major study from the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies as well as complete the core requirements of the degree. They may also take any of the major or minor studies areas as set out in this Handbook under the entry for the Bachelor of Arts 702.

Dean's Scholars are able to use the University's student exchange program to undertake a period of study overseas. Several Dean's Scholars have competed successfully for places in the Australian National Internship Program or the University Capitol Washington Internship Program which places students in political offices in Canberra or Washington D.C. respectively.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (Dean's Scholar) will be able to:

1. Analyse media and communication research and practice in national and international contexts.
2. Synthesise theoretical and practical knowledge of media and communication issues and apply it to the changing dynamics of the field.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical dimension of media and communication issues and how to address these in different contexts.
4. Develop and apply a set of relevant critical, professional and technical skills in at least one of the following areas: Journalism, Marketing, Digital Media or International Media.
5. Design possible solutions to unpredictable and complex communication and media issues, by applying creative, technical and critical thinking skills.
6. Communicate effectively to a range of audiences through a range of media.
7. Independently plan and execute a research or professional based project that demonstrates an understanding and critical analysis of the area of study.

Course Structure

To qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (Dean's Scholar), a student must complete a total of at least 144 credit points including:

1. 12 credit points consisting of the following two 6 credit point subjects for Dean’s Scholars; LHA 102 Dean’s Scholars Seminar and LHA 302 Dean’s Scholars Research Project;
2. 48 credit points of core BCMS subjects;
3. At least one of the four majors in this degree:
   • Digital Media and Communication
   • Global Media and Communication
   • Journalism and Professional Writing
   • Marketing Communication and Advertising;
4. Electives to bring the total number of credit points completed to 144; and
5. Not more than 60 credit points in 100-level subjects.

Note: Students must maintain an average mark of 75% or better 

BCMS (Dean's Scholar) Core Subjects

 Key:
# Compulsory for students taking the Journalism and Professional Writing major
* Compulsory for students taking the Global Media and Communication major or minor
^ Compulsory for students taking the Digital Media and Communication major or minor
† Compulsory for students taking the Marketing Communication and Advertising major

Majors

Majors are available in the following. Please see relevant pages for information.

• Digital Media and Communication
• Global Media and Communication
• Journalism and Professional Writing
• Marketing Communication and Advertising 

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.

Minors

Minors are available in the following. Please see relevant pages for information.

• Digital Media and Communication
• Global Media and Communication
• Journalism and Professional Writing
• Marketing Communication and Advertising  

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 LHA degree, refer to the requirements prescribed for that minor

Internship and International Subjects

The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts (LHA) 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 to all LHA students providing they meet the pre-requisites. Another popular internship facilitated by the Faculty is the Politics Internship. 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 Internship Program on our website.

* Subject is currently under review and may undergo some changes. 

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:

Honours 

See separate entry for the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (Honours). 

Transfer option into the BCMS Dean's Scholars Degree or Double Degree: In January of each year, the Faculty of Law, Humanities and 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.

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au