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

course description

The Dean's Scholars degree provides an academic space for high-achieving single degree Arts students. With a limited intake of students per year, it aims to provide an enriched educational experience for high-achieving, motivated Arts 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.

This double degree program enables students to combine the prescribed core and at least one major in the Bachelor of Communication Media Studies with a wider range of subjects, including one or more majors from the Bachelor of Arts.  This is a particularly good combination for students who wish to enhance their employment opportunities with both a major program of study--in a second language, for example--and a broad selection of subjects from the Humanities and Social Sciences.  Students have combined majors in Digital Communication with English Literatures, or Journalism with Politics.  Students in this degree combination also have more room to add both a major and a minor program of study from the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts, as well as additional subjects from Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts or another Faculty.  Students taking advantage of this could major in Marketing Communication and Advertising but add a major in French and some general subjects in the environmental sciences.  These are excellent pathways for students seeking to work in an international context.

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. Each Dean's Scholar has an academic mentor, a member of academic staff who undertakes to offer advice in the scholar's major area of study.

The Dean's Scholars 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 Scholars 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 Scholars Annual Dinner;

• Extended Library privileges

The Sub Deans of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts 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.

To remain in the program, Dean's Scholars must maintain an average of 75% in each year of study. If the student's average falls below 75%, the student will be transferred into the BA/BCMS (794).

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, English requirements and credit transfer information are available from the Course Finder.

Course structure

To qualify for award of the double degree of Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (Dean's Scholars) course code 794_2 a student must complete a total of at least 216 credit points.

In November of each year, the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts invites applications from high achieving students to apply to transfer into the BA/BCMS Dean's Scholars Double Degree.

Selection Criteria

To be eligible to apply for a place in the BA/BCMS Dean's Scholars Double Degree (code 794A), applicants would normally meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled in the BA 702 or BCMS 798 or BA/BCMS 794 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.

The 216 credit points shall include:

• The core subjects prescribed (48 credit points) from the BCMS;

• At least one of the four majors from the BCMS degree: Digital Media and Communication, International Media and Communication, Journalism and Professional Writing, Marketing Communication and Advertising;

• A minimum of 90 credit points from subjects offered by member units of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts which includes:

• at least one of the majors listed in the Bachelor of Arts

AND

• subjects that are not already counted towards the requirements of the BCMS;

• To complete the credit points required for the double degree, students can take elective subjects offered by the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts or other faculties.

• Not more than 90 credit points in 100-level subjects.

• 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.

Students can find information at the Peer-2-Peer Mentoring website.

Majors in the Bachelor of Arts

All Arts majors and their requirements are listed under the Bachelor of Arts entry.

Majors in the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies

For details of the majors please refer to the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (single degree entry).

Minor Study

Students can take Minors as part of their double degree program provided they meet the requirements set. 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 the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts degree, refer to the requirements prescribed for that minor.

Internship and International Subjects

The Faculty of Law, Humanities and 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 of Law, Humanities and the Arts 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 Internship Program on our 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:

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.

Honours

Students can do an Honours degree in either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies. This requires additional study (one year full-time, or two years part-time).

Honours may be undertaken by students who meet the requirements for enrolment.

Students should consult the single degree entries for Honours requirements. The Honours Handbook can be accessed as a PDF document.

Other Information

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