Undergraduate - CourseHonours degree of Bachelor of Communication

This honours program offers arts students who have completed the normal requirements of the Bachelor of Communication pass degree an opportunity for more specialised, advanced work in communication studies. Honours is a prestigious program comprising a fourth year of coursework and research within which students choose a topic and undertake research working with a carefully selected supervisor who provides individual guidance and academic counselling.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate advanced knowledge of the field of communication, the ability to critically review the scholarly literature in this field, and to understand its position within the broader scope of the Arts and Social Sciences
• demonstrate the skills of written and oral presentation, argument and analysis, including other practical skills necessary to produce research papers, reports and theses
• demonstrate understanding of the role and benefits of Arts and Social Science disciplines, particularly the field of Communication, in society
• identify the ethical and professional responsibilities of the researcher, whether in an academic, government, industry or civil society work environment
• demonstrate understanding of the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project in the chosen field of study
• analyse a research problem or topic from a variety of perspectives to reveal new ways of understanding or explaining the issue or devising solutions to the problem
• demonstrate the skills of verbal and written communication, as well as the ability to work independently and in teams, in order to effectively present knowledge and research findings to expert and general audiences
• demonstrate the study and research skills and attitudes to support lifelong learning, including the pursuit of advanced studies and learning
• demonstrate skills in problem identification, analysis and evaluation as well as skills in project management that includes time management, budgeting (if applicable) and the management of ethical considerations.

Students must have:

• completed a degree, with a major (48 points or the equivalent) in communication
• obtained at least a distinction average (70 per cent) in the intended honours discipline(s) to the value of 24 points at second and third-year level, of which at least 18 points must be at third-year level.

Students qualified to enter an honours program must normally do so within five years of the date on which they completed their undergraduate studies.

Students, in consultation with and under the direct supervision of a member/s of the academic staff:

(a.) carry out a program of research on an agreed topic approved by the faculty in the student's chosen discipline, including attending and/or presenting at seminars, undertaking any required coursework studies and other related activities as indicated by the faculty

(b.) submit for assessment a thesis of a specified length on the program of research which meets the requirements of the examiners.

Refer to 'Areas of study' for discipline-specific requirements.

• Communications

The honours degree of Bachelor of Communication