Undergraduate Courses
  • 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

UOW Course Code:

798

CRICOS Code:

045471G

Study Area / Disciplines / My University Key Words:

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)

Intake Session(s):

Autumn/Spring

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / 753110

ATAR:

75

Additional Information:Course Finder

Course Description

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

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

Credit Arrangements

Information on credit and articulation arrangements and how to apply for credit is available from the Course Finder.

Course structure

To qualify for the 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) Electives to bring the total number of credit points completed to 144. Students may take another major, a minor or elective subjects offered by any faculty.

d) ARTS100 Peer-2-Peer Mentoring.

No more than 60cp at 100 level can be counted towards the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies degree.

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.

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.

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.

Subject Code

Subject Name

Credit Points

Session

BCMS Core
(all BCMS students must complete the following subjects)

BCM110

Introduction to Communication and Media

6

Autumn

BCM210

Research Practices in Media and Communication

8

Autumn

BCM310

Emerging Issues in Media and Communication

8

Autumn

Three of the following foundational subjects:

PHIL106

Media, Art and Censorship

6

Spring

BCM111

International Media and Communication

6

Spring

BCM112

Convergent Media Practices

6

Autumn

MGMT102

Business Communication

6

Autumn

Plus one of the following upper level subjects:

BCM240

Media, Audience, Place

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

Digital Media and Communication Major (48-52 credit points)

Students must complete BCM112 (Convergent Media Practices) as part of this major.

The internet revolution has brought to life a new ecology of networked digital media, radically changing the way we work, play, and communicate. The DIGC major uses an innovative blend of teaching methods to ensure that graduates have the necessary communication competencies to navigate and take the lead in the ongoing digital media revolution. Compulsory subjects provide students with an understanding of the core cultural and technological dynamics of contemporary digital media. These subjects offer a framework of practical competencies to operate successfully as a professional communicator in a global media environment. Elective subjects allow students to develop digital media skills and understanding in important applied contexts such as Journalism, Political Communication, and Media Arts. Students in this major will be equipped with critical awareness and practical skills suited to a wide range of employment opportunities in the traditional and new media industries.

Students must complete the following subjects:

Subject Code

Subject Name

Credit Points

Session

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

Spring

DIGC210

Digital Dissent

8

Autumn

MEDA201

Time, Space and Data

6

Autumn

MEDA202

System, Play and Interaction

6

Spring

DIGC310

Digital Game Cultures

8

Autumn

DIGC330

Digital Asia

8

Spring

DIGC335

Cybercultures

8

Autumn

MEDA302

Media Arts Project

6

Spring

DIGITAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION Minor

A minor in Digital Media and Communication requires students to complete BCM112 and DIGC202 plus any two subjects from the major including one at 300-level.

International Media and Communication Major (48 credit points)

Students must complete BCM111 (International Media and Communication) as part of 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.

At 200-Level
Students must complete three of these, including BCM 232

Subject Code

Subject Name

Credit Points

Session

BCM232

Key concepts in International Media and Communication

8

Autumn

BCM240

Media, Audience, Place

8

Spring

BCM288

Transnational Media and Culture Industries

8

N/O 2014

CST222

Global Television and Cultural Identity

8

N/O 2014

DIGC202

Global Networks

8

Spring

ELL210

Communication across cultures

8

Autumn

At 300-Level
Students must complete three of these, including BCM 332

BCM330

Australian Content, Global Contexts

8

Summer

BCM332

Global Media Citizenship

8

Spring

BCM390

Media, War and Peace

8

Autumn

CST333

Hollywood and Beyond: Genres across cultures

8

N/O 2014

DIGC330

Digital Asia

8

Spring

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION Minor

A minor in International Media and Communication requires students to complete BCM111 and any three subjects from the major including one at 300-level.

Journalism and Professional Writing Major (60 credit points)

Continuing students should consult the handbook from the year they commenced their degree for the appropriate program of study.

Students must complete PHIL106 (Media, Ethics and Law) as part of 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 must complete the following subjects:

Subject Code

Subject Name

Credit Points

Session

JRNL101

Media Reporting and Storytelling 1 

6

 Autumn

 JRNL102

Convergent Media Reporting and Production 

6

Spring

 JRNL201

Media Reporting and Storytelling 2 

6

 N/O 2014

 JRNL202

Media Editing and Production Practice 

6

N/O 2014

 JRNL301Data Journalism Research and Investigation6N/O 2014
 JRNL302 Narrative Portfolio6N/O 2014

Plus 12 credit points from the following subjects:

 JRNL211

 Advocacy Journalism

6

N/O 2014

 JRNL212

 Magazine and Lifestyle Journalism

6

N/O 2014

 JRNL250

 Professional Writing 1

6

N/O 2014

 JRNL311

Narrative Non-fiction

6

N/O 2014

 JRNL315

 Journalism Project

6

N/O 2014

 JRNL350

 Professional Writing 2

6

N/O 2014

 JRNL360 Convergent Newsroom Practice6N/O 2014

JOURNALISM AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING Minor

A minor in Journalism and Professional Writing requires students to complete the following subjects:

JRNL101Media Reporting and Storytelling 1 6Autumn
JRNL102Convergent Media Reporting and Production 6Spring
JRNL201

Media Reporting and Storytelling 2 

6N/O 2014
JRNL202Media Editing and Production Practice 6N/O 2014
 

Marketing Communication and Advertising Major (48 credit points)

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.  

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

MARKETING COMMUNICATION AND ADVERTISING 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

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 POL301 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 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 2014

HIST270

Western Front Study Tour

Winter

Honours

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

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.

To be eligible to apply for a place in the BCMS Dean's Scholars Degree or Double Degree, applicants would normally need the following criteria:

  • Be currently enrolled in the BCMS 798 or any other degree
  • Be a full-time student
  • Have successfully completed two full sessions of study or 8 subjects
  • Have a WAM (weighted average mark) of at least 80

Other Information

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

 

Last reviewed: 10 January, 2017