Monash University: University Handbooks: Postgraduate Handbook 2001: Subjects indexed by faculty
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Communications


The discipline

The last decade has seen unprecedented changes in communications technologies and policy. The communications program is based around the need for a course which meets the academic and research needs of a discrete industry sector undergoing rapid change. The communications program also emphasises the need to maintain a critical literacy in information research, which increasingly requires the development of new skills in technological use and evaluation and an understanding of issues in information access.
In this context, ´communications' is broader than any one of its traditional constituent elements, including journalism, public relations, media studies, publishing and editing and creative writing. A broader approach, which places these elements in a cultural and policy framework, allows a range of students to enter the program and to specialise as appropriate within it. At the same time, the program includes targeted industry liaison, which enables students to match their studies with immediate practical applications.
Students come from a range of disciplinary and industry backgrounds. Past intakes have included students with undergraduate degrees in politics, journalism, science and fine arts, as well as those with extensive industry experience in areas such as print and radio journalism, public affairs, media liaison, public relations, and media or policy advisers to politicians and industry. Mid-year entry is available for all of the courses and programs listed below.

Research degrees

Supervision of PhD and research masters candidates is available.
See also the entry for ´Humanities, communications and social sciences' (Gippsland campus) and http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/prospective/postgraduate/ disciplines/

Master of Arts in Communications by coursework and research

General information

Course code: 2846 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * pa * Coordinator: Tony Wilson
The course seeks to strengthen skills in communications research and analysis and to further students' understanding of both the history and current structure of the communications industry in Australia and of the contemporary policy debates. The course is particularly designed to provide students with the necessary analytical research and writing skills to respond to the rapidly changing policy environment in communications.
Most of the classes in this course are taught in the Melbourne CBD. The normal duration of the course is one-and-a-half years full-time or three years part-time.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements are (i) a recognised four-year honours degree at minimum H2A level, or (ii) an appropriate masters qualifying with a research component with an overall grade of H2A or above, as well as a distinction or above in the research component, or (iii) a degree which is deemed to be equivalent.

Course structure

Students entering the MA in Communications by coursework and research combined must complete two compulsory subjects:

plus a 66 per cent thesis of 25,000 to 35,000 words.
Note that the minimum pass grade for subjects in the Master of Arts in Communications is 60 C, that is, a grade of credit or above is required in every subject and for the thesis.

Master of Arts in Communications by coursework

General information

Course code: 0017 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * Coordinator: Tony Wilson
The course seeks to develop skills in communications research and analysis and to further students' understanding of both the history and current structure of the communications industry in Australia, new communications media and of the contemporary policy debates. The coursework program is particularly designed to assist the professional development of those employed in, or seeking employment in, the broadcast and print media and communications policy research.
Most of the classes in this course are taught in the Melbourne CBD. The duration of the course is normally one year full-time or two years part-time.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements are (i) an appropriate graduate diploma with grades of at least credit average, or (ii) a recognised four-year honours degree at a minimum H2B level, or (iii) a degree with at least a credit average in the final year plus three years minimum professional experience in the communications field at a senior level.
Candidates seeking admission according to the final requirement will be considered in the light of the following:

Candidates must also provide:

Course structure

(a) Students entering the program with a Graduate Diploma of Arts (Communications) must complete the following two compulsory subjects:

plus the following functional subject:

plus one elective subject offered by the centre or within the faculty, to make up four subjects, to a total of 48 points.
(b) Students entering the program with an honours degree or equivalent must complete the following four compulsory subjects:

Note that the minimum pass grade for subjects in the Master of Arts in Communications by coursework is 60 C, that is, a grade of credit or above is required in every subject.

Graduate Diploma of Arts (Communications)

General information

Course code: 1398 * Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A13,000 * Coordinator: Tony Wilson
The course is designed for candidates who wish to obtain a one-year postgraduate qualification as preparation for employment in the print or electronic media, public affairs or policy fields. The course also offers suitably experienced people the opportunity to further develop and upgrade their skills and expertise in the field of communications and to familiarise themselves with contemporary debates and developments in this field. In particular, the course will introduce students to the communications industry in Australia today, to some of the key policy issues in the field, to the changing regulatory framework within which the communications industry operates and provide students with the opportunity to consider the future of communications in Australia. Holders of the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Communications) with a minimum of credit level results may apply to enter the MA by coursework.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements are a pass degree in any discipline; or a faculty certificate at a minimum credit average. Students entering the program with a Faculty Certificate in Communications with a credit average or above may be granted up to 50 per cent credit towards a Graduate Diploma of Arts (Communications).

Course structure

Full-time students must complete six eight-point subjects to the value of 48 points, made up of four core subjects:

plus at least one of the following functional subjects:

Students may select as their final subject any other fourth-year unit offered by the centre or within the faculty, with the approval of the director of the centre.

Faculty Certificate in Communications

General information

Program code: 2053 * Program fees: Local students (FT) - $A3300; not available to international students * Coordinator: Tony Wilson
The program offers suitably experienced people the opportunity to further develop and upgrade their skills and expertise in the field of communications and to familiarise themselves with contemporary debates and developments in this field. The program also provides a means for those with extensive industry experience who may not have a tertiary qualification to enter the graduate program in communications at an appropriate level. In particular, the course will introduce students to the communications industry in Australia today, to some of the key public policy issues in the field and to the changing regulatory framework within which the communications industry operates. The normal duration of the program is one year part-time or one semester full-time (first semester only).

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement is a bachelors degree. Candidates without tertiary qualifications who have at least five years relevant experience in the communications field at a senior level will be considered in light of the following.

Program structure

The program requires the completion of three eight-point subjects, being a total of 24 points. Students must complete two compulsory subjects:

or

and either

or one other fourth-year subject to be determined by the course coordinator depending on the applicant's background and skills.
Candidates who obtain grades of at least credit average may apply for entry to the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Communications) and, if accepted, will be granted a maximum of 24 points credit.

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