courses

4057

Monash University

Postgraduate - Course

Students who commenced study in 2014 should refer to this course entry for direction on the requirements; to check which units are currently available for enrolment, refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course.

print version

This course entry applies to students commencing this course in 2014 and should be read in conjunction with information provided in the 'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Faculty of Arts

Managing facultyArts
Abbreviated titleMJourn/MSust
CRICOS code069116G
Total credit points required96
Standard duration of study (years)2 years FT, 4 years PT
Study mode and locationOn-campus (Caulfield, Clayton)
Admission, fee and application details http://www.monash.edu/study/coursefinder/course/4057
Contact details

Tel: 1800 MONASH (1800 666 274) Web address: http://artsonline.monash.edu.au

Course coordinator

Associate Professor Philip Chubb

Notes

  • Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

Description

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to social and environmental sustainability and sustainable development. It is intended as an entry-level qualification for a professional journalism career, and a mid-career course for working journalists seeking to extend their expertise and refresh the intellectual basis of their practice. It is has an international orientation designed to optimise the contribution graduates will make to their profession using a full range of media technologies. The Master of Sustainability component of this double master degree offers three distinct streams.

Outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html).

Graduates of the program will:

  • have a strong basic understanding of the theory and practice of sustainable development
  • have a basic understanding of the socio-political causes and effects of environmental degradation and change
  • have strong professional research and reporting skills in a range of media technologies and formats
  • be equipped with the necessary skills and attributes either to enter professional practice in the news media or, for qualified journalists, to extend their existing skills and intellectual understanding of journalistic practices
  • understand and be able to contribute to the important role of professional and ethical journalism in the service of the public right to know and democratic processes
  • have an effective understanding of the role of journalism and the media in local, national, regional and global contexts.

Fieldwork

The course involves extensive research and reporting in the field.

Structure

Students must complete core and elective units (60 points) and one of the options outlined at level five (36 points). Students who achieve a distinction average in their level four units have the option of undertaking a 24-point research dissertation at level five. All units are 6 points unless otherwise indicated.

Requirements

Core units

Students must complete the following four journalism units (24 points):

plus two of the following journalism units (12 points):

plus four sustainability units (24 points):

  • APG4425 Perspectives on environment and sustainability
  • 18 points from one of the streams listed below

Streams

Corporate environmental and sustainability management

  • APG5433 Corporate sustainability management
  • APG5434 Sustainability measurement
  • BTX9100 Sustainability regulation

Environment and governance

  • APG4427 Frontiers in sustainability and environment
  • APG5426 Environmental analysis
  • APG5428 Environmental governance and citizenship

International development and natural resource management

  • APG4627 Research in political ecology
  • APG5804 Environmental revolutions
  • APG5805 The art and business of international development

Final project and electives

Students must complete one of the following options (36 points).

Note: Units cannot be undertaken that have been completed at level four.

Option one

Students must complete the following units (12 points):

  • APG5813 Journalism studies project
  • APG5814 Journalism professional project

plus 24 points chosen from the following units:

  • APG5640 Journalism and society
  • APG5641 Reporting the environment
  • APG5642 Investigative reporting
  • APG5763 Sustainability internship (12 points)
  • APG5781 Implementing environment and sustainability research project (12 points)
  • APG5809 Specialist reporting
  • elective units chosen from a list of eligible sustainability electives available from the School of Geography and Environmental Science

Option one

Students must complete the following units (36 points):

  • APG5821 Journalism and sustainability research project (24pts), or APG5822 Journalism and sustainability research project part 1 (12 points) and APG5823 Journalism and sustainability research project part 2 (12 points)
  • 12 points of elective units chosen from a list of eligible sustainability electives available from the School of Geography and Environmental Science

Progression to further studies

Students who undertake the 24 point research project option and achieve at least a distinction (70 per cent) are eligible to apply for a higher degree by research.

Alternative exit(s)

Students who have completed studies in either journalism or sustainability to the value of:

  • 48 points may apply to exit with a related graduate diploma.

Award(s)

Master of Environment and Sustainability
Master of Journalism