Monash University: University Handbooks: Off-Campus Learning Guide 2004: Units indexed by faculty
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Off-Campus Learning Guide 2004
Arts

Bachelor of Arts (Communication)

Course code: 1708 + Gippsland campus + HECS fees applicable + Attendance optional

Aims

The Bachelor of Arts (Communication) degree covers an interdisciplinary area which responds to a need for graduates who are knowledgeable about mass communications and who can apply that knowledge in a range of vocational and academic areas. The degree is aimed at satisfying the community and professional needs for graduates who not only have undertaken a major in communications theory in combination with studies in humanities, but who will have detailed knowledge of an area of specialisation which will direct their future career paths.

Entry requirements

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

Special requirements

Workload

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 no compulsory attendance requirements in the degree structure, and it is possible to complete the entire course without attending the campus, unless journalism or psychology sequences are included. Classes will be held in most units at each weekend school. Normally, this will include lectures and seminars or tutorials. 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 (Communication) degree, students must complete:
(a) a communication major (48 points)
(b) an arts minor (24 points)
(c) another first-year arts sequence (12 points)
(d) a further 12 points of arts at first, second or third-year level
(e) a specialisation sequence (36 points)
(f) a minimum of eight and a maximum of 10 first-level units, including COM1010 and COM1020.
(g) a minimum of 36 points at third-year level, including those completed in the communications major and specialisation sequence

(h) a total of 144 points (24 units), including a minimum of 96 points within the Faculty of Arts.

Definitions

A first-level sequence is a pair of first-level units that usually form the first part of a major, minor or specialisation sequence.
A minor is units in a single discipline, totalling 24 points, including no more than 12 points at first-year level.
A specialisation sequence is units in a single discipline, totalling 36 points. It comprises six units spanning either first, second and third year or second and third year. It is not equivalent to a major.

Course plan

An example of a course plan for the Bachelor of Arts (Communication) is shown below:


First semester Second semester

Year 1

Arts sequence
(first level)
COM1010 Media studies

Arts sequence
(first level)
COM1020 Introduction to communication studies

Year 2

Arts elective
(first level)
Specialisation sequence
(first level)

Arts elective
(first level)
Specialisation sequence
(first level)

Year 3

Communication elective
Specialisation sequence

COM2411/COM3411 Media, culture, power: theories of mass communication
Specialisation sequence

Year 4

COM2423/COM3423 Citizens, media, audiences
Arts minor

Arts minor
Arts elective

Year 5

COM2407/COM3407 Authorship and writing
Specialisation sequence

COM2409/COM3409 Media text: practices and audiences
Specialisation sequence

Year 6

COM2413/COM3413 Communications industries and policies
Elective

Elective
Elective


Communication major

Communication major

Arts minor studies

Details of the various arts sequences and the first-level units offered within them are included under the entry for the Bachelor of Arts.

Specialisation sequences

Students must choose one of the following sequences and are required to specify on their application form (under major study area) which specialisation sequence they wish to undertake.

Business computing

Students must complete the following six units (note that prerequisites must be met):

Management

Students must complete six of the following units:

Recommended units:

Plus one of the following units:

Marketing

Students must complete six of the following units (note that prerequisites must be met):

Journalism

Students must complete six of the following units (including at least two at third-year level):

Writing

Students must complete all of the following units including at least two units at second-year level:

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 student services 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 26 September 2003 to be considered for a first-round offer.

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