Off-Campus Learning Guide 2004
Arts

Bachelor of Arts (Journalism)

Course code: 2396 + Gippsland campus + HECS fees applicable + Attendance optional

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 university's 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.

Applied journalism research project

The applied journalism research project is a compulsory unit in the last year of study. Students may take industry placements in Australia or overseas, or they may complete an individual research project selected through negotiation with the unit adviser. To undertake the placement option students must be available to work in the media industry for at least four (not necessarily consecutive) weeks during or either side of the semester.

Weekend schools

Optional weekend schools may 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):

• JRN1902 News practice and theory
• JRN1903 Newsroom feature writing
• JRN2903 / JRN3903 Online journalism
• JRN2907 Radio/TV journalism
• JRN3901 International journalism
• JRN3902 Applied journalism research project
• JRN2909 / JRN3909 Media law
• JRN2910 / JRN3910 Journalism ethics

(b) an arts minor (24 points)
(c) a minimum of eight and a maximum of 10 first-level units, including the journalism and 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 Faculty of Arts.

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

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

Major and minor studies

Major and minor studies

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

• Australian Indigenous studies
• Australian studies
• Behavioural studies
• Communications
• Community studies
• History-politics
• Indonesian
• Psychology
• Public relations (subject to approval)
• Sociology
• Writing

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.

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