BACHELOR OF COMMUNCATIONS AND MEDIA HANDBOOK 2016

Transcription

1 THE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES BACHELOR OF COMMUNCATIONS AND MEDIA HANDBOOK 2016 COURSE OVERVIEW MAJORS AND MINORS UNIT DESCRIPTIONS STAFF CONTACTS COURSE REGULATIONS St. Benedict's Building (NDS2) Administration office 8:30AM - 5PM Monday Friday

2 Contents Course Overview Bachelor of Communications & Media 2 Majors/minors/electives 3 Compulsory Course Content 4 Academic Skills building 4 The Bachelor of Communications and Media degree Pie Chart 4 Declaring a Major 5 Choosing Electives 6 Internships 7 Honours 8 Frequently Asked Questions 9 Advertising 11 Major Requirements 11 Communications and Media Compulsory units 12 Unit Descriptions 13 Film & Screen Production 15 Major Requirements 15 Minor Requirements 16 Communications and Media Compulsory units 17 Unit Descriptions 18 Journalism 20 Major Requirements 20 Minor Requirements 21 Communications and Media Compulsory units 22 Unit Descriptions 23 Second Majors 25 Business 25 Major/Minor Requirements 25 Human Resource Management 26 Major Requirements 26 Marketing (Communications & Media) 26 Major Requirements 26 Public Relations (Communications & Media) 27 Major Requirements 27 Degree Planners 28 Academic Staff Contact Details 35 Useful Links for Managing Your Degree: 35 Academic Support 36 Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

3 Course Overview Bachelor of Communications & Media THE 24 UNITS OF A BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA Unit breakdown: 3 compulsory Logos units 1 compulsory academic gateway unit 12 Comms Units (including an 8-unit major in Advertising, Film or Journalism) 8 general electives The Bachelor of Communications and Media equals 24 units of study and takes a minimum of 3 years to complete on a full-time load. Part-time study is available. Within these 24 units, there are four compulsory units: 3 units in the Logos program (PT101, PT102, and PT103). The Logos program is compulsory for all Notre Dame students, as detailed below 12 Communications Units: students must complete a minimum of 12 Communications unit comprising: Map it out: use the degree checklists and degree planners A maximum of 10 first year units (100-level units) are allowable in the Bachelor of Communications and Media, inclusive of the compulsory Logos program. 2 compulsory Communications and Media units (including the academic gateway unit): CO106 Media and Society CO305 Media Ethics and Law 2 Communications and Media Electives (recommended). Students can choose any Communications Electives from here. CO3008 Communications Internship CO204 Digital Cultures 8 Unit Communications Major: in Advertising, Film and Screen Production or Journalism. 9 Elective Units: This leaves a further 9 units for general electives which might include a second major or a six-unit minor. While they are not required to complete a second major or a minor, many students elect to do so. A second major or minor does not add any time to the degree. The list of Communications majors and minors are listed below, in addition to Major/Minors on offer from School of Business. Additional Arts & Sciences Majors/Minors are available see Arts & Sciences Handbook The course regulations for the Bachelor of Communications & Media (including honours) can be found at the end of this handbook, or online at: data/assets/pdf_file/0020/116066/bachelor-of-communications-and- Media.pdf data/assets/pdf_file/0008/126584/bachelor-of-communications-and- Media-Honours.pdf Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

4 MAJORS/MINORS/ELECTIVES As per the General Regulations, ( b): A single Major may include a combination of 100-level, 200-level and 300-level units, provided that no more than three units are to be taken at the 100 level and at least two units are taken at the final year level. Not all majors are available as minors. 2 nd Majors or Minors available (note students must complete at least one major in Advertising, Film & Screen Production or Journalism prior to completing 2 nd major). Advertising History Sociology Applied Psychology Journalism Theatre Studies Chaplaincy Studies Mathematics Theology Counselling Philosophy (See also School of Business) English Literature Politics and International Relations Film and Screen Production Social Justice All majors have 2 first-year foundation units which are compulsory for the major. These are clearly marked in the Major/Minor Requirements pages of this document. You are encouraged to select first year units that will enable you to work towards two majors, to maximise your choices of majors or a major/minor combination. A maximum of 10 first year units are allowable in the Bachelor of Communications & Media, inclusive of the compulsory Logos program. The rules for each major and minor and the unit descriptions for all available Arts units can be found in the Arts and Sciences Handbook. Please note that many units are on rotation, which means that some units are offered in alternating years, rather than every year. Students need to consult the yearly offerings documents for further information. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

5 COMPULSORY COURSE CONTENT Logos Program All students at UNDA are required to complete the Core Curriculum, known on the Sydney campus as the LOGOS program. The LOGOS programme is a sequence of 3 units: Logos I, Logos II and Logos III, offered through modules of study which give students wide choice in relation to which topics they choose to study. There are four compulsory modules: Think: an introduction to the foundations of philosophy and, in particular, the skills of critical thinking and formal logic. Choose: an introduction to the key concepts and theories in Western moral philosophy as well as skills in practical reasoning and decision making. Live: an introduction to some key concepts in theology. Learn: a final exit module that will provide students with an opportunity to learn about what the Catholic Church believes about some key issues, including a number of controversial topics. Students will also complete 20 elective modules in Philosophy, Theology and modules tailor-made for their profession. ACADEMIC SKILLS BUILDING As a Communications student, you are required to complete an academic gateway course which will prepare you for essay writing, critical thinking, and other key skills that you ll need in order to complete your work effectively. In 2016, students will enrol in an academic gateway unit that is tailored to their first major i.e. CO106- Media and Society. THE BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA DEGREE PIE CHART A pie chart diagram of the Bachelor of Communications and Media degree structure appears over the page. You may like to use this diagram to help plan your degree. In your first semester, you may not know what areas would be the best major for you, so we strongly encourage you to seek advice from Course Coordinator to help you make these decisions. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

6 Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

7 DECLARING A MAJOR All students must form a MAJOR as part of their Bachelor of Communications and Media Degree. CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING: Advertising Film & Screen Production Journalism Students often explore all Communications majors in their FIRST YEAR, choosing all the foundation units on offer in Communications & Media. Students are highly encouraged to declare their major by the start of 2 nd Year. CHOOSING a 2 nd MAJOR in a Communications & Media degree takes deliberate planning from first year to ensure you don t add time to your degree. Declaring A MINOR is more common as it requires less units and can add additional focus to your degree. Please note the additional major/minor options on offer from other Arts and Sciences disciplines. (See Handbook online) Please note, you can declare a 2 nd Major or Minor at any time, however you should review your degree each year to see what options you have and aim to finalise you Major/Minor by the start of 3 rd Year. See the requirements and unit information below to complete your major. CHOOSING ELECTIVES When choosing electives you should consider which disciplines are complementary to your Major and your interests. It is common for Communications students to choose electives within the Communications discipline, however students often explore other disciplines. Note the electives you choose in First Year, will inform your choices in 2 nd and 3 rd year due to most disciplines requiring pre-requisites for upper level units. Recommendations For Film majors with a strong interest in drama production & writing, the following disciplines are recommended as electives: Theatre Studies and English Literature. For Film majors with a strong interest in documentary (factual) production, the following disciplines are recommended as electives: Journalism, Sociology, Social Justice, Politics and History. For Journalism Majors the following disciplines are recommended as electives: English Literature, Sociology, Social Justice, Politics and History For Advertising Majors the following disciplines are recommended as electives: Film & Screen Production, Journalism, Theatre Studies, English Literature, Sociology, Applied Psychology. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

8 Internships Developed with industry partners, the School of Arts and Sciences internship program allows students to gain valuable practical and professional skills within industry as part of their degree. Internships can be undertaken by students in the areas of Advertising, Applied Psychology, Communications, Media, English Literature, Film and Screen Production, History, Journalism, Politics and International Relations, Social Justice, Sociology and Theatre Studies. How do internships work? The Internship is worth one unit (25 credits points) and is completed in a student's final year. Interns have the opportunity to work in partnership with host organisations operating in areas directly related to their study. With University support and guidance, students will seek out and apply for internships and gain 80 hours of industry experience with a relevant organisation, business or institution. Students provide a detailed report on their industry experience, and supervisors have a chance to assess the contribution of interns. Interns are required to attend internship workshops during semester one. Workshops provide students with professional development, networking and mentoring opportunities, CV and interview preparation, career discovery, and value and character development in the workplace. What you will gain from an internship: Practical experience of working constructively within the community. Knowledge and understanding of the aims, functions and activities of selected organisations or community service agencies. The development of a range of professional attitudes and vocational skills relevant to Arts. Opportunities to determine one s own learning outcomes and to develop a strategic plan for achieving such outcomes. This plan will then serve as a contract of duties for the duration of the placement. Opportunities for constructive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the student s on-the-job performance. Opportunities to participate in a structured and facilitated process of personal reflection, before, during and after placement. An opportunity to collect and collate examples of work completed, references gathered, tasks negotiated, for inclusion in a portfolio or resume. This portfolio will be valuable when graduates wish to demonstrate to potential employers the range of skills and experience gained during the course of their undergraduate studies. How do students go about starting an internship? In order to complete an internship placement that can gain university credit, students must first be: a. In third year; b. Enrolled in the unit; and c. Have filled out, had their supervisor sign and submitted to the internship manager the relevant paperwork (please note that this is a requirement prior to commencing, and workplace experience will not receive credit retrospectively) Students wanting to know more about Arts Internships should please contact the Internship Coordinator: Denise Buiten: denise.buiten@nd.eu.au NB: Internships must be approved by the Dean of Arts and Sciences as well as by the Internship Manager. All internships must be approved in advance, which means that previous work experience may not count towards an internship. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

9 Honours Interested in doing an Honours degree at UNDA? What is Honours? Honours is a year of study undertaken that is usually after completion of an undergraduate degree for example, after completing a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Education. If you are studying a double degree, such as Law and Arts, you may be able to integrate your year of Honours study in Arts within your degree. During your Honours year, you will complete a major guided research project (thesis) or a guided practiceled/creative project, complete a smaller directed study, and attend weekly seminars which include a series of formal assessments. Why do Honours? An Honours degree has a lot to offer: professionalises the undergraduate degree; makes educational qualifications more competitive; sets a strong foundation for higher degree research, such as Masters or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD); offers experience in managing a large project; provides a sense of satisfaction in taking on a complex project; enhances independence, leadership qualities and critical thinking. How do I apply? If you are interested in applying for Honours, please contact the Honours coordinator, Dr Karen McCluskey (Karen.mccluskey@nd.edu.au), to signal your interest. You can do this ahead of time, if you wish, to plan the remainder of your undergraduate degree with a view to doing Honours. In general, you will need to have strong grades in your major although applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis If you have decided you would like to do Honours, you should submit an application form. Applications to do Honours are generally due around the start of the November prior to the Honours year so, for example, the due date for applying to do Honours in 2016 is 2 November For any questions regarding Honours, please contact Dr McCluskey. Admission to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) is subject to approval by the School of Arts and Sciences Research Committee and the Dean of the School. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

10 Frequently Asked Questions What is a major? How do I complete a major? Within the Bachelor of Arts, every student will complete at least one major. A major consists of 8 units of study, all taken from within a single discipline area. The Handbook shows the majors that are available with the Bachelor of Arts. It also contains lists of units that count toward each major. What is a second major? What is a minor? In addition to their first major, a student may complete a second major (8 units of study) or a minor (6 units of study) in a different discipline area. Having a second major or a minor may be useful for your future career. It is up to students to decide how they would like to structure their Bachelor of Arts. Can I change my major or minor? Yes. It is not at all unusual for students to change their major and/or minor during their degree. Please seek advice from the School of Arts and Sciences reception if you wish to change your major or minor. Can I change my degree? Yes, it is possible to change your degree in some circumstances. If you feel the degree you have chosen is not right for you, please seek advice from the School of Arts and Sciences reception. Your new degree may have different entry requirements to your present degree. You would need to contact your proposed new School to see if you meet those entry requirements. What is a prerequisite? Sometimes, before you can enrol in a particular unit, you will be required to have completed other units of study beforehand. These are known as prerequisites. Example: Within the Journalism major, a student wishing to enrol in CO330 Documentary Studies must have already completed the prerequisite unit CO106 Media and Society. What is the difference between 100, 200 and 300 level units? First year units are usually coded as 100 level units (for example, the English Literature unit EL104 World Literatures Today); second year units are usually coded as 200 level units (for example, the History unit HY2010 Australia and the Asia Pacific); and third year units are usually coded as 300 level units (for example, the Politics and International Relations unit PL3012 The Politics and History of Genocide). Units are coded in this way to denote a progression of knowledge and skills development throughout the course of your degree. However, different discipline areas use the unit codings in different ways. For details about the coding of units in your discipline area(s), refer to the relevant pages in the Handbook. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

11 Can I pick 200 or 300 level units in first year? In their first year of study, most students should choose all 100 level units. However, there are some exceptions to this. Please refer to the pages for your discipline area(s) in the Handbook. How many 100 level units am I allowed to do? Under the Bachelor of Arts, students may complete up to ten 100 level units over the course of their degree. Any addition 100 level units that you complete may not count towards your degree. It is a student s responsibility to plan their degree and make sure they do not exceed the permitted number of 100 level units. What are electives? Do they count towards my degree? Electives are units of study that may count towards your degree, but they do not count towards your major(s) or minor. In general, you may choose your electives from any units that are offered within the School of Arts and Sciences. Can I take a leave of absence from my studies? Yes, an undergraduate student may take a leave of absence from their course. You will need to complete the relevant application form and have it approved by the university. If you would like to take a leave of absence, please contact the School of Arts and Sciences reception for advice. What is a full-time / part-time study load? The university regards 4 units of study undertaken in a semester as a full-time study load. If you wish to study fewer than 4 units per semester, this will affect the time it takes to complete your degree. It may also affect your position with regard to fees and Centrelink payments. You can seek further advice from the fees information webpage at: Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

12 Advertising MAJOR REQUIREMENTS This Major (8 units per Major) is available within the following degree/s and is comprised of these SPECIFIC UNITS: Full descriptions follow: Comprised of specific units as follows: BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA Students must complete the following EIGHT (8) units to: Foundation level: BS122 Principles of Marketing (25cp) BS252 Consumer Behaviour (25cp) BS205 Advertising & Promotion (25cp) BS344 Media Planning (25cp) CO230 Digital Media Production (25cp) CO201 Creative Advertising (25cp) CO351 Advertising & Society CO343 Advertising Design: Professional Brief Unit substitution is permitted with the approval of the Dean. Please note that a Bachelor of Communications and Media requires additional Communications units: CO106 Media & Society CO305 Media Ethics & Law And 2 additional Communications electives Recommendations for Advertising Major: CO3008 Communications Internship CO204 Digital Cultures Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

13 COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA COMPULSORY UNITS CO106 Media and Society (25cp) (No pre requisite) This unit explores how media texts engage the media consumer and influence the consumer s notion of reality. It will enable students to consider their own way of thinking about the media and society. Media theory will enable students to use analytical principles to deconstruct and analyse the media. Students will be encouraged to read print media, listen to radio, browse the Internet and watch television through critical eyes, appreciating the art, skill and power of media representations. CO305 Media Ethics & Law (25cp) (Completion of first year) The media is shaped by laws, regulations and ethical codes, which reflect underlying political, social, cultural and economic debates. This unit explores these debates and how they have shaped issues such as freedom of speech, censorship, defamation, vilification, copyright and privacy. Students will investigate and compare different regulatory approaches, examine current legal and ethical debates, and discuss what our assumptions about media law and ethics tell us about ourselves and our society. CO204 Digital Cultures (25cp) (Pre-requisite: Successful completion of first year of Arts or Communications.) This unit investigates new media as a social practice in contemporary society. Utilising media and cultural studies frameworks, the unit introduces advanced concepts in new media theory, including analysis of new media languages, narrative theory, audience studies, and participatory media culture. Students will gain an understanding of the theoretical concepts underpinning new media research, gaining insight into the construction of user producers and participatory audiences, as well as the ways in which online, portable and social media interact with the traditional forms of film, television and radio. This unit is designed to enhance a student s specialisation in the study of screen production, journalism and media. Students from related disciplines with an interest in understanding new media as a reflection of social practice will also find this unit relevant to their area of study. CO3008 Communications Internship (25cp) (Available to 3 rd year students) Communications internships allow students to gain valuable practical and professional skills within industry as part of their degree programs. Internships may take a student to such areas as Government, Non-Government Organisations and private industry, in which the critical analysis, writing and research skills they have honed at University will be tested in the workforce. Internship students will, ideally, be exposed to a wide range of workplace issues, including professional practice and the ethical delivery of self. Students may be required to complete a research project or similar work as part of their placement, and will be required to complete a report for the host organisation and the University at the completion of their internship. This unit is normally available to students in their final year of enrolment. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

14 UNIT DESCRIPTIONS CO201 Creative Advertising (25cp) (Pre-requisite: successful completion of first year of Arts or Communications) This unit explores the creative dimensions of advertising. Students will be taught methodologies to deliver creative content. They will develop advertising concepts and explore the production dimensions of advertising beyond the storyboard. Students will develop creative concepts for advertising campaigns, engage imaginatively with agency briefs, and work with advertising professionals to develop their skills. This course will be of interest to students seeking to enter either the strategic or creative side of the advertising and communications industry. CO230 Digital Media Production (25cp) (No Pre-requisite) This unit introduces students to the field of digital media production. It aims to develop core competencies in the design and production of digital media that will enable students to participate effectively in a range of digital environments. Skills will be taught in a media lab. Students will work individually and within groups on creative media works, including video, audio and web design. The unit is informed by recent transformations in media technologies, media convergence and participatory culture. CO343 Advertising Design: Professional Brief (Pre-requisite units: BS205 Advertising and Promotion, CO201 Production: Creative Advertising.) This unit is the capstone unit of the advertising major in which students work professionally and creatively to integrate the skills that have been developed across all previous units. Students will formulate an advertising campaign from a simulated client s brief. Working as part of a cross-faculty and cross-functional team, students will research their client s advertising problem, identify strategies to solve it, match creative solutions to innovative media plans, and deliver a boardroom pitch to industry professionals. The project will require students to adopt a variety of industry relevant roles including marketers, account managers, creative specialists and media planners, developing skills and experience in collaborative learning environments that simulate real-world business and creative environments. CO351 Advertising & Society (Pre-requisite: successful completion of first year of Arts or Communications) This unit will examine the communication process between media text and audience at an advanced level. In this unit we will take a critical look at some of the major theoretical issues in communication studies, with a special emphasis on the persuasive power of media. The unit will include a detailed study of persuasion in advertising, as well as a broader look at the communication process at work in a range of media texts. Our own role in this communication process, as analysts, consumers, and/or fans, will be considered as part of a constant attempt to bring issues of readership into the analytical equation. BS122 Principles of Marketing (25cp) (Prerequisite Nil) This is an introductory unit and the prerequisite for all other marketing units. The unit introduces students to marketing; what it is, what it isn't and how it impacts on the world's economy. Topics covered in the unit include: market segmentation and consumer behaviour; the four P's of the marketing mix - product, place, price and promotion; the promotional mix and the tools that are used to develop an integrated marketing communications (IMC) plan; marketing research; and, marketing ethics. Students gain an understanding of how the four P's are interconnected and reliant on each other to create successful products in the market place. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

15 BS205 Advertising & Promotion (25cp) (Prerequisites: BS122 Principles of Marketing) This unit introduces students to the concepts of integrated marketing communications (IMC) and asks students to apply the concepts to a "real world" client. The unit encourages students to use their knowledge of principles of marketing and consumer behaviour as well as media planning, advertising, and promotions to develop and implement a marketing communications plan for their client. The unit identifies the advantages and disadvantages of using media and promotional tools and challenges students to develop the most appropriate advertising and promotional strategies for their client. Students are then asked to present their communication plan to their client. BS252 Consumer Behaviour (25cp) (Pre-requisites: BS122 Principles of Marketing) Consumer Behaviour investigates why people buy things, their motivations and their decision making processes behind their actions. The unit explores the influences consumers are impacted by, such as their belief systems, cultural traditions, and the "power" of peer or family pressures. The unit also discusses personality types, emotional states, purchasing habits and post purchase behaviour and how these also influence a consumers' behaviour. BS344 Media Planning and Buying (25cp) (Pre-requisite unit - BS205 Advertising and Promotion) The Media Planning and Buying unit develops an understanding and knowledge of the media industry, theoretical principles and models available for consideration in planning media strategy. It also provides students an opportunity for practical applied experience in the media planning, media costing, budgeting, allocating budget across media vehicles and evaluating media plan effectiveness commensurate with planned marketing, communication and media objectives. Key content areas include advantages and disadvantages in the media mix, media vehicle selection, reach, frequency, scheduling, audience measurement, media plan effectiveness, media costing, media budgeting and media buying as related to traditional and to new media technologies. This unit is beneficial to students interested in marketing, advertising and/or media oriented career paths. BS391 Directed Research Topic (25cp) is an approved unit substitution when BS344 is unavailable (Prerequisite: Nil) This subject enables students to select and analyse an approved issue within one of the Business disciplines (Accounting, Economics, Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, Public Relations or Sport and Recreation). To fulfill the requirements of the unit, students must select and refine an area of research interest, negotiated with the supervisor on an agreed research topic, present a research proposal for approval, conduct the research, and then write and submit a detailed research report. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

16 Film & Screen Production MAJOR REQUIREMENTS This Major (8 units per Major) is available within the following degree/s and is comprised of these SPECIFIC UNITS: Comprised of specific units as follows: BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA Students must complete the following three (3) units: Foundation level: CO121 Introduction to Screen Production (25cp) Intermediate level: CO203 Language of Film (25cp) CO215 Screen Production: Skills and Practice (25cp) Plus at least ONE (1) of the following capstone units: CO326 Advanced Screen Production: Documentary (25cp) CO327 Advanced Screen Production: Drama (25cp) Students must complete at least one (1) of the following units: CO330 Documentary Studies (25cp) CO362 World Cinema (25cp) CO363 Australian Cinema (25cp) CO309 Adaptation Studies (25cp Plus any three (3) of the following units: CO202 Screenwriting (25cp) CO204 Digital Cultures (25cp) CO230 Digital Media Production (25cp) CO309 Adaptation Studies (25cp) CO326 Advanced Screen Production: Documentary (25cp) CO327 Advanced Screen Production: Drama (25cp) CO330 Documentary Studies (25cp) CO362 World Cinema (25cp) CO363 Australian Cinema (25cp) CO3008 Communications Internship (25cp) PL3017 Screening History and the Politics of Moving Pictures (25cp) Unit substitution is permitted with the approval of the Dean Please note that a Bachelor of Communications and Media requires additional Communications units: CO106 Media & Society CO305 Media Ethics & Law and 2 additional Communications electives: Recommended: CO3008 Communications Internship CO204 Digital Cultures Please note, these are the units on offer in the Sydney Campus. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

17 Film & Screen Production MINOR REQUIREMENTS This Minor (6 units per Minor) is available within the following degree/s and is comprised of these SPECIFIC UNITS: Comprised of specific units as follows: BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA Students must complete the following three (3) units: Foundation level: CO121 Introduction to Screen Production (25cp) Intermediate level: CO203 Language of Film (25cp) CO215 Screen Production: Skills and Practice (25cp) Plus at least ONE (1) of the following capstone units: CO326 Advanced Screen Production: Documentary (25cp) CO327 Advanced Screen Production: Drama (25cp) Plus TWO (2) of the following units: CO202 Screenwriting (25cp) CO204 Digital Cultures (25cp) CO230 Digital Media Production (25cp) CO309 Adaptation Studies (25cp) CO326 Advanced Screen Production: Documentary (25cp) CO327 Advanced Screen Production: Drama (25cp) CO330 Documentary Studies (25cp) CO362 World Cinema (25cp) CO363 Australian Cinema (25cp) CO3008 Communications Internship (25cp) PL3017 Screening History and the Politics of Moving Pictures (25cp) Unit substitution is permitted with the approval of the Dean Please note that a Bachelor of Communications and Media requires additional Communications units: CO106Media & Society CO305 Media Ethics & Law and 2 additional Communications electives: Recommended: CO3008 Communications Internship CO204 Digital Cultures Please note, these are the units on offer in the Sydney Campus. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

18 COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA COMPULSORY UNITS CO106 Media and Society (25cp) (No pre requisite) This unit explores how media texts engage the media consumer and influence the consumer s notion of reality. It will enable students to consider their own way of thinking about the media and society. Media theory will enable students to use analytical principles to deconstruct and analyse the media. Students will be encouraged to read print media, listen to radio, browse the Internet and watch television through critical eyes, appreciating the art, skill and power of media representations. CO305 Media Ethics & Law (25cp) (Completion of first year) The media is shaped by laws, regulations and ethical codes, which reflect underlying political, social, cultural and economic debates. This unit explores these debates and how they have shaped issues such as freedom of speech, censorship, defamation, vilification, copyright and privacy. Students will investigate and compare different regulatory approaches, examine current legal and ethical debates, and discuss what our assumptions about media law and ethics tell us about ourselves and our society. CO204 Digital Cultures (25cp) (Pre-requisite: Successful completion of first year of Arts or Communications.) This unit investigates new media as a social practice in contemporary society. Utilising media and cultural studies frameworks, the unit introduces advanced concepts in new media theory, including analysis of new media languages, narrative theory, audience studies, and participatory media culture. Students will gain an understanding of the theoretical concepts underpinning new media research, gaining insight into the construction of user producers and participatory audiences, as well as the ways in which online, portable and social media interact with the traditional forms of film, television and radio. This unit is designed to enhance a student s specialisation in the study of screen production, journalism and media. Students from related disciplines with an interest in understanding new media as a reflection of social practice will also find this unit relevant to their area of study. CO3008 Communications Internship (25cp) (Available to 3 rd year students) Communications internships allow students to gain valuable practical and professional skills within industry as part of their degree programs. Internships may take a student to such areas as Government, Non-Government Organisations and private industry, in which the critical analysis, writing and research skills they have honed at University will be tested in the workforce. Internship students will, ideally, be exposed to a wide range of workplace issues, including professional practice and the ethical delivery of self. Students may be required to complete a research project or similar work as part of their placement, and will be required to complete a report for the host organisation and the University at the completion of their internship. This unit is normally available to students in their final year of enrolment. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

19 UNIT DESCRIPTIONS CO121 Introduction to Screen Production (25cp) (No pre-requisites.) This course introduces students to the basic skills and theories required in the production of film and television. Students will research, write, shoot and edit short videos using the latest digital technology. CO202 Screenwriting (25cp) (Pre-requisites: Completion of 1st year of study in Arts or Communications) This unit introduces the student to the fundamental building blocks of screenwriting with a focus on the art of story creation. From the conception of the seed idea, the structuring of a storyline, to the development of a treatment, this unit considers the principle that skilful storytelling is the indispensable foundation of a successful script. Students are expected to participate in workshop exercises, analysis of films and stories, and produce a volume of creative writing culminating in the submission of a detailed short screenplay. CO203 Language of Film (25cp) (No pre-requisites.) This unit will introduce students to the lexicon of film and the diverse techniques through which films generate meaning. The course will encompass major movements in film history and theory: Silent to Sound, Auteur and Genre Theory, Transnational Cinemas, and the Digital Revolution in Cinema. It will challenge students to think analytically about the ways in which films construct meaning, including the uses of cinematography, editing, art direction, screenplay and sound. The unit will denaturalise and deconstruct the proverbial magic of the silver screen, firmly locating film within its cultural and ideological discourses. This unit is specifically designed to equip students with the analytical tools required for film majors and is, therefore, a prerequisite for a number of upper level Communications and Media units. CO215 Screen Production: Skills and Practice (25cp) (Pre-requisites: CO121) This unit provides students with the opportunity to further develop skills in screen production. Using industry standard techniques, students will collaborate in workshops which focus on camera use, lighting, sound, editing and production management. This unit provides essential skills for those students who wish to pursue further screen production units in the specialisation. CO230 Digital Media Production (25cp) (No Pre-requisite) This unit introduces students to the field of digital media production. It aims to develop core competencies in the design and production of digital media that will enable students to participate effectively in a range of digital environments. Skills will be taught in a media lab. Students will work individually and within groups on creative media works, including video, audio and web design. The unit is informed by recent transformations in media technologies, media convergence and participatory culture. CO309 Adaptation Studies (25cp (Pre-requisites: Completion of 1st year of study in Arts or Communications) This unit examines the phenomenon of literature on screen, with particular emphasis on novel to screen adaptation, including television drama. It will challenge students to think critically about the construction of cultural meaning in both classic and non-traditional adaptations of fictional texts, including the problems associated with period and genre shifts, and narrative play. The focus will be on critical theory drawn from literary studies, film studies and the interdisciplinary field of adaptation studies. The unit is specifically designed to meet the requirements of film and literature majors, and secondary education students wishing to teach English. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

20 CO326 Advanced Screen Production: Documentary (25cp) (Pre-requisite: CO121, CO215, highly recommended CO330) This unit in advanced screen production skills will see students collaborate on the research, development and production of a short documentary film. Workshops will focus on the varying practical and stylistic approaches to executing works of non-fiction using industry standard techniques and the latest broadcast quality equipment. CO327 Advanced Screen Production: Drama (25cp) (Pre-requisite: CO121, CO215, highly recommended CO202) This unit in advanced screen production skills will see students collaborate on the development and production of a short fiction film. Workshops will focus on the varying practical and stylistic approaches to executing a short fiction film using industry standard techniques and the latest broadcast quality equipment. CO330 Documentary Studies (25cp) (Pre-requisite: Completion of 1st Year and highly recommended CO106 and CO203) This unit will examine the development of the documentary from its origins to the present day. Students will explore theoretical and practical issues related to screen documentary through readings, screenings and class discussions. Case studies will range from cinema vérité and expository documentary through to mock documentary and emerging modes. Major documentary theorists and practitioners will be considered, as will underlying issues ranging from ethical considerations involved in representing reality and other cultures, to the place of documentary in a future of global and technological convergence. A recommended prerequisite for this unit is CO203 Language of Film. CO362 World Cinema (25cp) (Pre-requisites: CO203) This unit will examine a wide range of cinema to consider different approaches to the manufacture and analysis of film. Students will explore how film developed over the twentieth century as a form of popular culture, examine the range of styles, theories and technologies which have since influenced its development, assess the conflict which it has often provoked and examine the rapidly changing landscape of twenty first century cinematic production. The emphasis of this unit is on cinema as an art, as a critical element in popular culture and as a product of a creative industry. CO363 Australian Cinema (25cp) (Pre-requisites: CO203) This unit will examine both historical and contemporary Australian films. Students will consider the means by which cinema is an expression of Australian history and culture, as well as how film provides a medium through which our society and national identity might be interpreted. Films considered will deal with such themes as legend and myth, suburban Australia, Aboriginality, Anzac, and the bush, the city and the beach. Finally, this unit will examine how Australian film has been both influenced by and an influence on international cinema. PL3017 Screening History and the Politics of Moving Pictures (25cp) (Pre-requisites: Completion of 1st year of study in Arts or Communications) This unit examines the significance of the medium of film as a political and historical device. Issues examined in this unit include the impact of film upon popular perceptions of the past, the interaction between art and propaganda in the construction of modern cinema, and the role of filmmakers as teachers and interpreters of history. The social history of the film industry as a site for political struggle is also analysed. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

21 Journalism MAJOR REQUIREMENTS This Major (8 units per Major) is available within the following degree/s and is comprised of these SPECIFIC UNITS: Comprised of specific units as follows: BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA Students must complete the following TWO (2) units: Foundation level: CO142 Introduction to Journalism (25cp) Intermediate level: CO234 Journalism: Theory and Practice (25cp) Plus at least ONE (1) of the following capstone units: CO306 Online Newsroom (25cp) CO3008 Communications Internship (25cp) Plus at least ONE (1) of the following units: CO233 Journalism for Television and Video (25cp) CO304 Feature Writing (25cp) CO370 Radio (25cp) Plus any FOUR (4) of the following units as needed to complete 8 units: CO121 Introduction to Screen Production (25cp) CO230 Digital Media Production (25cp) CO233 Journalism for Television and Video (25cp) CO300 News and Current Affairs CO304 Feature Writing (25cp) CO306 Online Newsroom (25cp) CO330 Documentary Studies (25cp) CO370 Radio (25cp) CO3008 Communications Internship (25cp) PL3003 Setting the Agenda: Politics and the Media (25cp) Unit substitution is permitted with the approval of the Dean. Please note that a Bachelor of Communications and Media requires additional Communications units: CO106 Media & Society CO305 Media Ethics & Law and 2 additional Communications electives: Recommended: CO3008 Communications Internship CO204 Digital Cultures Please note, these are the units on offer in the Sydney Campus. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

22 Journalism MINOR REQUIREMENTS This Minor (6 units per Major) is available within the following degree/s and is comprised of these SPECIFIC UNITS: Comprised of specific units as follows: BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA Students must complete the following TWO (2) units: Foundation level: CO142 Introduction to Journalism (25cp) Intermediate level: CO234 Journalism: Theory and Practice (25cp) Plus at least ONE (1) of the following capstone units: CO306 Online Newsroom (25cp) CO3008 Communications Internship (25cp) Plus at least ONE (1) of the following units: CO233 Journalism for Television and Video (25cp) CO304 Feature Writing (25cp) CO370 Radio (25cp) Plus any TWO (2) of the following units: CO121 Introduction to Screen Production (25cp) CO230 Digital Media Production (25cp) CO233 Journalism for Television and Video (25cp) CO300 News and Current Affairs (25cp) CO304 Feature Writing (25cp) CO306 Online Newsroom (25cp) CO330 Documentary Studies (25cp) CO370 Radio (25cp) CO3008 Communications Internship (25cp) PL3003 Setting the Agenda: Politics and the Media (25cp) Unit substitution is permitted with the approval of the Dean Please note that a Bachelor of Communications and Media requires additional Communications units: CO106 Media & Society CO305 Media Ethics & Law and 2 additional Communications electives: Recommended: CO3008 Communications Internship CO204 Digital Cultures Please note, these are the units on offer in the Sydney Campus. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

23 COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA COMPULSORY UNITS CO106 Media and Society (25cp) (No pre requisite) This unit explores how media texts engage the media consumer and influence the consumer s notion of reality. It will enable students to consider their own way of thinking about the media and society. Media theory will enable students to use analytical principles to deconstruct and analyse the media. Students will be encouraged to read print media, listen to radio, browse the Internet and watch television through critical eyes, appreciating the art, skill and power of media representations. CO305 Media Ethics & Law (25cp) (Completion of first year) The media is shaped by laws, regulations and ethical codes, which reflect underlying political, social, cultural and economic debates. This unit explores these debates and how they have shaped issues such as freedom of speech, censorship, defamation, vilification, copyright and privacy. Students will investigate and compare different regulatory approaches, examine current legal and ethical debates, and discuss what our assumptions about media law and ethics tell us about ourselves and our society. CO204 Digital Cultures (25cp) (Pre-requisite: Successful completion of first year of Arts or Communications.) This unit investigates new media as a social practice in contemporary society. Utilising media and cultural studies frameworks, the unit introduces advanced concepts in new media theory, including analysis of new media languages, narrative theory, audience studies, and participatory media culture. Students will gain an understanding of the theoretical concepts underpinning new media research, gaining insight into the construction of user producers and participatory audiences, as well as the ways in which online, portable and social media interact with the traditional forms of film, television and radio. This unit is designed to enhance a student s specialisation in the study of screen production, journalism and media. Students from related disciplines with an interest in understanding new media as a reflection of social practice will also find this unit relevant to their area of study. CO3008 Communications Internship (25cp) (Available to 3 rd year students) Communications internships allow students to gain valuable practical and professional skills within industry as part of their degree programs. Internships may take a student to such areas as Government, Non-Government Organisations and private industry, in which the critical analysis, writing and research skills they have honed at University will be tested in the workforce. Internship students will, ideally, be exposed to a wide range of workplace issues, including professional practice and the ethical delivery of self. Students may be required to complete a research project or similar work as part of their placement, and will be required to complete a report for the host organisation and the University at the completion of their internship. This unit is normally available to students in their final year of enrolment. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook

24 UNIT DESCRIPTIONS CO121 Introduction to Screen Production (25cp) (No pre-requisites must complete in first year) This course introduces students to the basic skills and theories required in the production of film and television. Students will research, write, shoot and edit short videos using the latest digital technology. CO142 Introduction to Journalism (25cp) (No pre-requisites - must complete in first year) This course is an introduction to print journalism. It covers how to gather information and craft simple, clear and effective writing for newspapers, online and press releases. Students will learn basic interviewing skills, practice the traditional news writing formats and develop an understanding of core news values. This unit will also introduce students to newsroom procedures to help them develop an understanding of how to produce accurate, ethical and newsworthy reports that fulfil the demands of news culture. CO230 Digital Media Production (25cp) (No Pre-requisite completion in first year only) This unit introduces students to the field of digital media production. It aims to develop core competencies in the design and production of digital media that will enable students to participate effectively in a range of digital environments. Skills will be taught in a media lab. Students will work individually and within groups on creative media works, including video, audio and web design. The unit is informed by recent transformations in media technologies, media convergence and participatory culture. CO233 Journalism for Television and Video (25cp) (Pre-requisite: CO142; co-requisite CO234) Journalism for Television and Video is an intermediate course in the theory and practice of television journalism. It offers 'would be' reporters for television and new media the opportunity to learn and practice all the essential skills involved in broadcast reporting for local, national and international networks including news writing, news gathering, news reading, interviewing. This unit is an excellent complement to screen and print media units, and equips students well for advanced studies in journalism and media. CO234 Journalism: Theory and Practice (25cp) (Pre-requisites: CO142) This unit builds on the theories and practices of journalism introduced to students in CO142 Introduction to Journalism. Students of this unit will further develop such practical skills as research and interviewing, as well as continue their learning in writing for print, broadcast and online journalism. This unit also includes higher level considerations of journalism theory, including the application of media ethics and law, and the role of the media as the Fourth Estate. Students will be encouraged to contribute to online and print publications as an outcome of their participation in this unit. CO300 News and Current Affairs (25cp) (3 rd year Journalism students only) This unit investigates news and current affairs from a media studies perspective. Using the tools of critical and cultural analysis, students will investigate news narratives and codes of dramatic representation across a range of media platforms. Topics include the evolution of media theories, media and cultural identity, critical race studies, active news audiences and news communities, as well as the role of technology in shaping global news narratives and the future of the news. Bachelor of Communications and Media Handbook