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Monash University

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Communications - Faculty of Arts

NOTE: This area of study is offered by two separate schools of the faculty - the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences and the School of English, Communications and Performance Studies - there are differences in the sequences and units offered in each school. Please see the separate entries for each of these schools below.

Communications as offered by the School of English, Communications and Performance Studies

Campus availability: Berwick, Caulfield and Clayton

Relevant courses

  • 2432 Diploma in Arts (Communications)
  • 0002 Bachelor of Arts (and associated double degrees)
  • 1638 Bachelor of Arts as a participant in the Deans Scholars Program
  • 3907 Bachelor of Arts (English Language)
  • 3910 Bachelor of Arts (Global)
  • 3793 Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) [at Caulfield]
  • 1366 Bachelor of Arts (Languages)
  • 1275 Bachelor of Communication (and associated double degrees)
  • 0202 Bachelor of Letters

Communications focuses on the organisation, processes and effects of traditional and new communications technologies such as print, television, film, electronic and digital media. Students gain an understanding of the practical operation of the media as well as the social and cultural dimensions of communications, and the complex relationships between audiences, producers and policy makers. Students also examine the nature of communication and the capabilities and applications of communication in a range of societies.

Communications students learn to critically analyse the media and learn about the structure of communications industries and the relations between media, culture and power. Communications theory is an integral part of the discipline, coupled with an investigation of the practices, technologies and processes that make up modern media.

The program prepares students to work across the public and private sectors, and a wide range of communications industries. The program offers an international approach to the study of communications and provides practical experience in the use of new communications technologies.

Berwick

Berwick is the only metropolitan campus to offer a specialist degree Bachelor of Communication and the opportunity of completing an honours year. Communications at Berwick focuses on both the practical operation of the media as well as the social and cultural dimensions of new and traditional communication. Double degrees are also available in conjunction with Business and Commerce, Multimedia, Tourism and Professional Writing and Editing.

Caulfield and Clayton

On the Clayton and Caulfield campuses Communications is an academically oriented program with a focus on new media, and the dynamic changes in media and communication industries.

Sequences

First year sequence

A first year sequence in Communications and media studies at Berwick, Clayton and Caulfield consists of COM1510 and COM1520.

Note: The first year sequence for Communications at Berwick, Clayton and Caulfield changed in 2009. All students that complete COM1010 and COM1020 will also have these units counted towards their Communication minor/major.

Major and minor sequences

Berwick, Caulfield and Clayton
First-year level

Core

Second/Third-year level

Core

Any two from:

Plus four of the following:

Electives

or three of the above plus one of the following:

* Not offered from 2007
** Not offered from 2006
# Not available at Berwick campus.
## Only available at Clayton campus.
### Not available at Clayton campus.
#### Only available at Berwick campus.

Contact details

Telephone +61 3 9905 2140

Email ECPS.enquiries@arts.monash.edu.au or Berwick: berwick.enquiries@arts.monash.edu.au

Communications as offered by the School of Humanities, Communication and Social Sciences

Campus availability: Gippsland, Off-campus learning, South Africa and Sunway

Communications offers a range of units designed to equip students with specialised but flexible skills in describing and analysing the organisation, processes, diverse uses and effects of 'traditional' and 'new' communications technologies including print, broadcasting, cinema and the internet. Communications is interdisciplinary, drawing on literary and screen theory, social and political theory, media and cultural studies. The emphasis is on media as productive of the ways in which the social relations between individuals and social/political institutions are organised. Units in communications provide students with an understanding of the practical operation of communication media as well as the social and cultural dimensions, considering relations between the audiences, producers and policy-makers involved.

Relevant courses

  • 2450 Diploma in Arts (Communications)
  • 2460 Diploma in Arts (Writing)
  • 0002 Bachelor of Arts (and associated double degrees)
  • 1708 Bachelor of Arts (Communication) (and associated double degrees)
  • 2396 Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) (and associated double degrees)
  • 3904 Bachelor of Arts (Journalism)/Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing
  • 2476 Bachelor of Communication (and associated double degrees)
Gippsland campus and off-campus learning

Communications on the Gippsland campus and via off-campus learning emphasise the way old and new media organise social and political relations in democratic societies. Communications is complemented by journalism, creative and professional writing, and creative arts programs.

Sunway campus, Malaysia and South Africa

The Communications program at Sunway offers a professionally-oriented program with minors in writing and international studies. At the South Africa campus, the program looks at the organisation, processes and effects of traditional and new communications technologies in the South African context.

Sequences

First year sequence

A first year sequence in Communications at Gippsland, South Africa and Sunway consists of COM1010 and COM1020.

Major and minor sequences

Gippsland and Off-campus learning
First-year level
Second/Third-year level
Core

Plus two of:

South Africa
First-year level
Second/Third-year level

Six of:

Sunway
First-year level
Second/Third-year level

Six of:

  • COM2407 Authorship and writing
  • COM2409 Media texts
  • COM2411/COM3411 Media, culture, power - Theories of mass communications
  • COM2413/COM3413 Cultural and communications policy
  • COM2418 Digital culture and new reading practices
  • COM2419 The Cyborg subject: Identity and subjectivity in the 21st century
  • COM2423/COM3423 Media audiences
  • JRN2907 Radio and television journalism
  • PRL2003 Public relations theory and processes

Contact details

Enquiries (Gippsland): Room 283, building 2W
Telephone +61 3 9902 6339
Email humcass.info@arts.monash.edu.au
Visit http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/humcass

South Africa: http://www.monash.ac.za/schools/arts

Sunway: http://www.sass.monash.edu.my/index.asp