Postgraduate - CourseMaster of Communications and Media Studies

This course focuses on challenges posed by the emergence of digital media, globalisation and increasing levels of cross-cultural exchange. The last decade has been one of unprecedented change in communications and media content, forms, technology and policy with wide-ranging implications for business, politics, public administration and everyday life. Students examine these developments from a historical, political and theoretical perspective.

The Master of Communications and Media Studies seeks to further students' understanding of communications and media systems both locally and globally. The course is particularly designed to focus on themes relevant to those employed (or seeking employment) in communications and media industries (for instance, electronic journalism, policy formulation, public relations, and tourism marketing), and to those wishing to develop expertise in communications and media studies for purposes of teaching or further study.

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://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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

• demonstrate a sound knowledge of diverse aspects of communications and media including policy, content and technology change, over time
• articulate and apply an understanding of the world view of communications and media as it applies to politics, public administration, business and the everyday
• demonstrate a critical appreciation of the secondary literature in the field of study and apply a critical familiarity with the key texts and cultural products pertaining to communication and media
• apply advanced reading, communication and analytical skills, both written and verbal
• demonstrate a thorough understanding of research methodology and ethics, and an ability to undertake a small, independent research project.

Students may be eligible for credit to a maximum of 50 per cent of the course requirements for previous graduate-level studies.

Credit or exemptions up to a maximum of 24 points is available for a bachelor degree level qualification in a related discipline, and a further 24 points is available for honours degree level qualification in a related discipline.

Therefore, students who have completed an:

• undergraduate degree and a graduate certificate (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline* must complete 72 points as outlined in Structure 2 under 'Requirements'.
• honours degree with a major in a relevant discipline* must complete 48 points as outlined in Structure 3 under 'Requirements'.

* Relevant disciplines include humanities or social sciences.

48 credit points

This course consists of core and elective units, including capstone units which allow the student to demonstrate their understanding of the course and the skills they have acquired.

Students complete one of the following structures as determined by any credit granted for prior studies:

• Structure 1: 96 points over two years full-time, or part-time equivalent
• Structure 2: 72 points over one and a half years full-time, or part-time equivalent
• Structure 3: 48 points over one year full-time, or part-time equivalent.

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options if they choose.

All students must complete a minimum of 48 credit points at level 5, and so should take care when choosing between units offered at level 4 and 5 (where this option is offered).

Units are 12 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Structure 1 - 96 credit points

Students must complete:

(a.) in their first year of study, two of the following 6-point advanced preparatory units (12 points):

• ATS2439/ATS3439 Youth media: Understanding media research
• ATS2440 The public sphere
• ATS2446 Australian media histories
• ATS2490 Advanced professional writing
• ATS2784 News and power
• ATS3437 Communication and creativity
• ATS3539 Asian cinema and television
• ATS3732 Communications and media studies: Contemporary debates
• ATS3917 War and the media: Communication technology and the representation of war

(b.) the following core units (24 points):

• APG5050 Communication research methods
• APG5894 Communication theories and practices

(c.) one of the following capstone/research options (24 points):

(i.) the following capstone unit:

• APG5742 Communications research project

plus:

• 12 points of electives from the list below

(ii.) the following research unit/s:

• APG5848 Research thesis (24 points) or APG5849 Research thesis A (12 points) and APG5850 Research thesis B (12 points)

(d.) Electives (36 points)

Students must include at least one level-5 elective unit.

Electives

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5397 Media, technologies and social change
• APG5398 New communications media
• APG4400 Issues in international communications
• APG5401 Media empires and entrepreneurs
• APG5018 Celebrity, fashion, publicity
• APG5752 Field trip in media and communications
• any capstone unit/s not completed at (c.) above

Structure 2: 72 points

Students must complete from the requirements listed in structure 1

• units in (b.), (c.)(i.) or (ii.) and two elective units

Structure 3: 48 points

Students must complete from the requirements listed in structure 1

• units in (b.), one capstone unit and one elective

Master of Communications and Media Studies