Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
This course is available for Mid-Year Intake
Course Description:
Offering a uniquely broad-based education in the media and associated industries, the Media and Communications course is primarily taught by people who have had extensive workplace experience (in publishing, the print media and radio) and who share the belief that the student, who is best equipped to face the vagaries of the workplace, is the one who has a general and broad overview as well as a specialised appreciation of how it operates. Media Studies can incorporate a wide range of academic and production subjects. At Swinburne they fall into three overlapping areas: Texts in context: an exploration of the various ways in which we make sense of film, television, radio production, print, the internet, new converged media, advertising and popular culture. The study of the political economy of media and telecommunications: an examination of issues such as ownership, regulation and ethics of the media and the cultural impact of new converged technologies. Hands-on subjects: an emphasis on electronic and print publishing, online and convergent radio production and workplace experience (these are available only after successful completion of the appropriate prerequisites).
Aims & Objectives:
This course will enable students to: Understand how the media works; Be able to recognise the place it occupies within the broader social context; Be skilled at thinking for themselves; and Be informed and flexible in their approaches to problem-solving, which is crucial in the development of a professional career.
Course Structure:
The Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) is a three year full-time or six year part-time course requiring the successful completion of 24 units of study (300 credit points), of which 19 units of study must be Arts or Social Science units of study. All units of study in the degree are normally worth 12.5 credit points. A full-time load consists of eight units of study per year (four per semester) and four units of study per year (two per semester) for a part-time load. Students are required to complete ten media and communications units of study, an additional major or two minors, and electives. Careers in the Curriculum In addition to the above, students must complete a compulsory unit of study HAC0001 Careers in the Curriculum to be awarded the degree. Careers in the Curriculum (CIC) is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects. It is usually undertaken in the second year of your course and is compulsory for all undergraduate students who commence their course from 2007 onwards. Students studying CIC will not incur a HECS or fee debt as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' career skills. Final Year Experience - Major Projects As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, all incoming undergraduates from 2007 will undertake 25 credit points of professionally-focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken. Media and Communications Component The Media and Communications Component is an approved grouping of ten Media units of study. It consists of two Stage 1 units of study and eight post Stage 1 units of study. At least four units of study must be taken at Stage 3. Major A major is an approved grouping of eight units of study in an area of study. It consists of two Stage 1 units of study (eg: HAH100) and six post-Stage 1 units of study. At least three units of study must be taken at Stage 3 (eg: HAH310). The remaining post-Stage 1 units of study may be taken at Stage 2 or 3. Students wishing to undertake a Psychology major are required to complete ten units of study (refer to the relevant area of study section) plus HMA103 Statistics and Research Methods A. Minor A minor is an approved grouping of five units of study in an area of study. It normally consists of one unit of study at Stage 1 and four post-Stage 1 units of study, at least one of which is normally at Stage 3. Students wishing to undertake a Japanese or Psychology minor are required to complete six units of study, plus HMA103 Statistics and Research Methods A for psychology (refer to relevant area of study section). Elective An elective is a unit of study that is not taken as part of a major or minor. Students may include one of the three-unit Elective Plus Sequences (see below) as part of their elective choice. In addition to completing the Media and Communications component, students must choose one of the following options: Option 1 Major 6 Electives Option 2 Minor 1 Minor 2 4 Electives Note: In addition students must complete a minimum of 19 Arts and Social Sciences units of study, regardless of which of the above options they choose. Course requirements and restrictions The following course requirements and restrictions apply: A maximum of ten Stage 1 units of study can be completed in the degree. Students must complete a minimum of six Stage 3 units of study. Compulsory unit HAC0001 must be completed. A unit of study can only be counted once as part of a major, minor or elective. Students are not permitted to enrol in units of study where they have completed other units of study that are deemed to be equivalent, e.g. dual coded units of study such as HAH210/HAH310. Equivalent units of study cannot be used for credit at a level other than that which the student has enrolled, e.g. if a student has enrolled in a unit of study coded as a Stage 2 unit of study (HAH210), it cannot be counted as a Stage 3 unit of study. Students are permitted to include one non-Social Science or non-Arts minor as part of their course structure. If so, no further non-Social Science or non-Arts units of study will be counted towards the degree. Students must complete a minimum of 19 Arts or Social Science units of study. The maximum number of units of study that may be completed for the degree course is 26. Prerequisites/Corequisites Students must ensure they have met prerequisite/corequisite requirements listed for each unit of study before enrolling.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Students must ensure they have met prerequisite/corequisite requirements listed for each unit of study before enrolling.
Major specialisation:
To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) degree, students must complete the Media and Communication component units of study, a major or two minors, and electives. Arts majors/minors Australian Studies Cultural Studies Electronic Society Italian Studies Japanese Literature Philosophy and Cultural Inquiry Social Science majors/minors Politics Psychology Sociology Business minors Accounting Asian Business Business Law Economics eBusiness European Business Finance Human Resource Management / Organisation Behaviour Information Systems International Business Manufacturing Management Marketing Note: Students should choose a Business minor carefully as only five non-Arts and non-Social Science units of study count towards the degree. Electives Plus Sequences Electives plus sequences provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by selecting from units of study outside their degree discipline. Students undertaking this course can choose to study Electives Plus sequences of up to three units from one of the following themes: Effective Communication Establishing and Running a Business Language Practice and Culture Enterprising Marketing Multimedia: Web Development Information Orientation and Knowledge Management Undergraduate Research Skills Design: Process and Strategy The Networked Economy Sustainability Electives Plus sequences are available in all Swinburne degree programs subject to timetabling constraints, with the exception of double degree programs, specialist double major degrees, and where entry has been approved with advanced standing.
Electives Plus sequences are available in all Swinburne degree programs subject to timetabling constraints, with the exception of double degree programs, specialist double major degrees, and where entry has been approved with advanced standing.
Units of Study:
The Media and Communications component consists of the following units of study: Two units of study at Stage 1: Stage 1 HALM104 Media Literature Film: Texts and Contexts* HAM105 The Media in Australia* HAM113 Professional Communication Practice * These units must be completed as part of the Media and Communications Component unless the student is also completing an electronic society or literature major. And eight of the following units of study, with at least four at Stage 3: Stage 2 HALM200 Reading, Writing and Criticism HALM207 Network Cultures HALM202 Journalism: Processes and Practices HAM210 Popular Culture HAM211 New Media: The Telecommunications Revolution HASM201 eSociety: Sociology of the Electronic Age The following unit of study may be taken at Stage 2 or Stage 3, but not both HAPM226/HAPM326 Making News and Making Policy: The Media and Politics Stage 3 HALM312 Cinema Studies HALM315 Network Literacies HALM317 Literature/Media Project** HAM313 Radio Production and Criticism A HAM314 Professional Attachment Program (this subject is available to selected students only) HAM315 Information Society: A Global Perspective HAM316 Radio Production and Criticism B ** HALM317 Literature/Media Project is a compulsory unit of study.
Industry-Based Learning:
Industry-Based Learning is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. Industry-Based Learning gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability of places. For further information visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl/ The optional year of Industry-Based Learning in Australia is currently not available to international students. However international students may be able to participate in IBL in another country, subject to the approval of the relevant Swinburne IBL Manager and appropriate immigration approval.
Industry-Based Learning is an optional program in which students are placed in paid, supervised employment relevant to their studies as part of their degree. Industry-Based Learning gives students practical experience to add to their academic studies, and is a proven advantage in the graduate job market. All Industry-Based Learning placements are subject to availability of places. For further information visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/spl/ibl/
The optional year of Industry-Based Learning in Australia is currently not available to international students. However international students may be able to participate in IBL in another country, subject to the approval of the relevant Swinburne IBL Manager and appropriate immigration approval.
Honours:
Outstanding Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) students have the option of undertaking a specialised additional year of study, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree. Honours provides students with an opportunity to enhance their research ability and permits further studies and specialisation in their major discipline. The Honours year is offered in the areas of Industry and Community Studies, Languages, Media and Cultural Studies, Psychology, and Social Sciences. For further information, contact the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences.
Education Abroad:
Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help internationalise your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Education Abroad website.
Career Opportunities:
Media studies is a vital ingredient if you are interested in a career as a journalist or a radio producer, or work in public relations or communications research. The experience of past students has been that, even if they are not always directly employed in a media industry, the knowledge acquired about the media during the course has had many useful applications, both professionally and personally.
Entry Requirements:
Successful completion of an appropriate Victorian Year 12 or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification. 2009 VCE Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 20 in English (any). Extra requirements: Some applicants must sit the STAT Multiple Choice test if they are one of the applicants outlined under STAT at www.swinburne.edu.au/vtac or on the Swinburne information pages in the VTAC guide. All Non-Year 12 students (NONY12) should refer to the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au for further infomation.
ENTER:
2008 Round 1 Cleary-In ENTER: 76.70 (CSP), n/a (Fee)
Credit Transfer:
Applicants with prior tertiary studies which satisfy part of the academic requirements of the course may be granted 'credit' and/or entry to the course with 'advanced standing'. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences for further information.
Pathways (articulation):
An advanced credit transfer system, known as the Pathways program, is in place at Swinburne. Through Pathways, students with one or more of a wide range of post-secondary qualifications (both local and international) can gain entry into a course with advanced standing. Certain subject requirements must be met and an acceptable standard of results achieved in order to gain admission and for maximum credit to be granted. For further information refer to 'Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//
Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Course Fees:
Swinburne offers domestic undergraduate students either a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or a full-fee paying place. The majority of domestic students will be offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), however students also have the option to accept a full-fee paying place. Domestic students are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent resident visa. All other students are considered international students. HELP The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent resident humanitarian visas. HELP consists of: HECS-HELP (previously HECS) – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students. It provides students with a loan to cover their student contribution amount. Students are eligible for a discount if they choose to pay all, or at least $500, of their student contribution up-front. FEE-HELP (previously PELS) – is available to eligible fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $80,000 indexed annually). OS-HELP – is available to eligible Commonwealth supported students, who wish to study overseas, with a loan to cover expenses such as accommodation and travel. Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount. For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au For information about Swinburne's fees visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount. For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au For information about Swinburne's fees visit: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
Scholarships:
For information about scholarships at Swinburne visit: http://www.swin.edu.au/scholarships
Application Procedure:
Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). VTAC code: 34071(CSP), 34072 (Fee), 34073 (Int. Fee) For further information, visit the VTAC website at: http://www.vtac.edu.au Part-time study is also available for Australian citizens and holders of Australian residency.
Mid-Year Application:
Application forms can be downloaded from the website http://www.swinburne.edu.au/midyear/apply/university/ Applications for mid-year entry close on 11 July 2008.
Information Sessions:
2008 Open Day Sunday 17 August 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Only at Hawthorn, Lilydale and Prahran campuses. For more information, visit www.swinburne.edu.au/openday
2008 Open Day
Sunday 17 August
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Only at Hawthorn, Lilydale and Prahran campuses.
For more information, visit www.swinburne.edu.au/openday
Further information:
Submit an Online Enquiry Tel: 1300 368 777 Email: study@swinburne.edu.au Faculty of Life and Social Sciences website
