Monash University: University Handbooks: Off-Campus Learning Guide 2003: Units indexed by faculty
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Bachelor of Arts (Journalism)


General Information

Course code: 2396 + Gippsland campus + HECS fees applicable + Attendance compulsory for some units

Aims

The Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) degree aims to provide students with real-world practical skills and a strong understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues in the study of journalism.

Professional recognition

The skills and knowledge gained from the course will enable students to join the journalism profession immediately upon graduation or take up employment in a wide range of other media-related work.

Entry requirements

All applicants should satisfy the universityís minimum entry requirements as outlined in the section on entry requirements in this guide.

Special requirements

PC requirement

To complete this course satisfactorily, it is strongly recommended that students have access to a PC, a modem and the world wide web.

Work load

All applicants should be willing to undertake a normal initial workload of at least 24 points a year by off-campus learning. Off-campus learning students should note that this may have implications regarding eligibility for Austudy or similar schemes.

Attendance

There are some compulsory attendance requirements in the degree structure.

Applied journalism research project

The applied journalism research project is a compulsory unit in the last year of study which offers the student the option of undertaking a media placement in Australia or overseas, or an individual research project selected through negotiation with the unit adviser. To undertake the placement option students must be available for six to eight weeks during or either side of the semester.

Weekend schools

Optional weekend schools will be available for some units. Weekend school classes may include lectures, seminars or tutorials and hands-on skills workshops. Attendance at weekend school classes is recommended, but not compulsory for the completion of most units offered by the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences.

Course structure

The course of study is normally six years part-time by off-campus learning. In order to meet the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) degree, a student must complete:
(a) a journalism major (48 points)
(b) an arts minor (24 points)
(c) a minimum of eight and a maximum of 10 first-level units, including the journalism and mass communications first-level sequences
(d) a minimum of 36 points at third-year level, including those completed in the journalism major
(e) a total of 144 points (24 units), including a minimum of 96 points within the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences.

Definitions

A first-level sequence is a pair of first-level units which usually form the first part of a major or minor.
A major is three years of study in a single discipline, comprising 48 points or more. It comprises 12 points at first-year level and either 12 points at second-year level and 24 points at third-year level or 18 points at second-year level and 18 points at third-year level.
A minor is units in a single discipline, totalling 24 points, including no more than 12 points at first-year level.

Course plan

A course plan for the Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) may look like the one depicted below:

First semester

Second semester

Year 1

GSC1902 Newsroom practice and theory
Arts sequence (first level)

GSC1903 News feature writing
Arts sequence (first level)

Year 2

GSC1901 Introduction to communication studies
Elective (first level)

GSC1402 Media studies
Elective (first level)

Year 3

Elective
Arts minor

GSC2907 Radio/TV journalism
Arts minor

Year 4

Elective
Arts elective

GSC2903/GSC3913 Online journalism
Elective

Year 5

GSC3901 International journalism
GSC2909/GSC3909 Media law

GSC3902 Applied journalism research project
Elective

Year 6

GSC3413 Communication industries and policies or GSC3421 Writing 1
Elective

Arts elective unit
Elective

Major and minor studies

The following minors are available for inclusion in the Bachelor of Arts (Journalism):

Details of the various arts sequences and the first-level units offered within them are included under the entry for the Bachelor of Arts. A number of options also exist for studies from other faculties/schools on the Gippsland campus. Such programs should be discussed with a course adviser prior to enrolment.

Advanced standing for previous study

Students with previously completed or partially completed tertiary studies should complete an application for advanced standing to apply for credits and exemptions. The onus is on the student to provide course records and details of course content and duration (including extracts from relevant handbooks). Students in this category are advised to complete a course plan prior to the commencement of study to ensure they will complete the major/s or minor they intend. Students may be granted up to a maximum of 96 points of credits/exemptions. As a general rule, credits will not be granted for studies completed more than 10 years prior to the date of enrolment in the current course.

Further information

For more detailed information, contact the administrative officer, School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences, telephone (03) 9902 6339 or (03) 5122 6339, or email humcass.info@arts.monash.edu.au.

Completed applications

Completed applications are to be forwarded to the Admissions Officer, School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences, Monash University Gippsland Campus, Churchill, Victoria 3842, by 27 September 2002 to be considered for a first-round offer.

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