Monash University: University handbooks: Postgraduate handbook: Units indexed by faculty
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Communications

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. The program supports students in examining topics relevant to those employed (or seeking employment) in communications and media industries (for instance, audience and internet user studies, electronic journalism, policy formation, public relations and tourism marketing).

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.

Research strengths and supervision

Supervision of PhD and research masters candidates is available, with particular staff strengths in internet use, globalisation, new communications technologies, convergence, national identity and communications policy.

Research degrees

Communications and media studies is concerned with new and traditional communication technologies, such as print, film, television and electronic media as well as convergence and the globalisation of communications. The graduate program seeks to further understanding of media processes and policy debates both within Australia, its region of Southeast Asia, and elsewhere. Supervision of PhD and research masters candidates is available, with particular staff strengths in internet use, globalisation, new communications technologies, convergence, national identity and communications policy. Recent and current PhD theses include Australian nationalism and advertising, public sector broadcasting, developments in internet regulation and a study of The Age newspaper.

See also the entry for ‘Humanities, communications and social sciences’ (Gippsland campus) and www.arts.monash.edu.au/prospective/course/postgraduate/study_areas/.

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