Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies

The Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies course has been designed for those who want to develop a strategic and critical understanding of the role of mediated communication in society. Communication processes are integral to human society and culture. Since the 19th century rapid expansion and advances in media technologies have had profound impacts on developments in social, political, cultural and economic fields. In the 21st century, the impact of media technologies is expanding to all spheres of life, from interpersonal communication to professional practice, and enabling global networks of shared interests.

This course explores the workings of the media and will develop your skills in describing and analysing the organisation, processes, uses and effects of traditional and new communications technologies such as print, television, film, electronic and digital media, and the complex relationships between audiences, producers and policy-makers. You will learn to critically analyse the media, the structure of communications industries, and the relations between media, culture and power in global and local contexts.

You will develop your knowledge of the unprecedented change occurring in communication and media content, forms, technology and policy with wide-ranging implications for business, politics, public administration and everyday life globally. Building on this expertise, you will take complementary units in either global studies or journalism, leading to one of two specialisations:

• Global studies in communication and media
• Communication, media and screen studies.

All students will participate in a range of activities that develop key capabilities: creativity, teamwork, cross-cultural understanding, critical thinking, self-directed learning, researching and analytical writing skills.

Double degrees

The Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies can be taken in combination with the following course:

• B2026 Bachelor of Business and Commerce

This will lead to the award of two degrees. The requirements for the award of each degree are the same whether the award is earned through a single or double degree course. Students should refer to the course entry for the partner course and the course mapcourse map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/) for the double degree for the requirements of the other degree.

Specialisations

Global studies in communication and media

This specialisation will provide you with a strategic and analytical understanding of the situated roles and limitations of communication and the media and related fields in local and global contexts. To this you will add a detailed understanding of how political, economic, social and cultural developments in different countries affect the world around us, whether states and communities can cooperate to address national, regional and global problems and the possibilities for a more peaceful and just global order.

Communication, media and screen studies

This specialisation will provide you with a strategic and analytical understanding of the situated roles and limitations of communication and the media and related fields in local and global contexts. You will extend this expertise in communication and media to include skills in utilising historical, textual and critical approaches to film and television, and related new screen technologies.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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

1. articulate an advanced understanding of key concepts, theoretical perspectives and scholarly debates in the field of communication
2. demonstrate the skills of written and oral presentation, argument and analysis appropriate to the discipline
3. apply discipline-specific knowledge as well as a combination of personal and cultural understandings that demonstrate cross-cultural sensitivity, ethical awareness and aesthetic appreciation
4. recognise and understand the principles of ethical conduct and professionalism and be able to apply these to future careers
5. apply research techniques and research skills appropriate to the field of communication to study problems and evaluate research findings
6. apply discipline knowledge and critical thinking to evaluate arguments, synthesise ideas and solve problems in the field of communication
7. 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:
1. develop information management, study and research skills and attitudes to support lifelong learning
2. demonstrate the capacity to evaluate their own performance, work effectively in teams and individually, as well as the skills to plan and carry out set tasks and projects.

The course develops through two themes, core communication and media and complementary specialist studies that come together in three capstone units that emphasise the intertwining of communication with all aspects of human society.

Part A. Core communication and media

You will be introduced to the fundamentals of communication, considering a range of media forms and the production, distribution and consumption of global and local media. You will consider how new technologies require new literacies, and the impact of mediated communication on all areas of life. The internship will provide you with the opportunity to integrate this theory with practice, and to gain first-hand experience in a relevant workplace.

Part B. Complementary specialist studies

These studies will enable you to add either a global studies focus or a screen studies focus to your expertise in communication and media, according to your interests.

Part C. Capstone units

These units address policy issues, the social impact of social media, and offer a cross-disciplinary approach to crisis management.

Part D. Free elective study

Electives will enable you to further develop your knowledge in the arts and social sciences, or to select units from across the faculty or the University in which you are eligible to enrol.

The course comprises 144 points, of which 96 points are specified for communication and media studies and 48 points are free electives.

Elective units may be at any level, however, no more than ten units (60 points) can be credited to the communication and media studies course at level 1 and a minimum of 36 points must be completed at level 3, of which four must be specified in communication and media studies.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-a2007.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are six points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Core communication and media studies (48 points)

Students complete:

• AMU1277 Media studies
• AMU1278 Communication technologies and practices
• AMU2439 Youth and mobile media
• AMU2450 Contemporary media theory
• AMU2453 Research methods in communication and media studies
• AMU2787 Online news and current affairs
• AMU3744 Workplace learning internship
• AMU3806 Business reporting

Part B. Complementary specialist study (30 points)

Students complete the specified complementary units appropriate for their specialisation.

Global studies

• AMU1325 Introduction to world politics and history
• AMU1326 Transformation from above: Globalisation and the state
• AMU2625 Borders, people and identity: Migration in the 21st century
• AMU2814 Transforming community: Project design and public relations for social campaigns
• AMU3570 International relations

Screen studies

• AMU1304 Television studies: Forms and approaches
• AMU1305 Film studies: Forms and approaches
• AMU2448 Film genres
• AMU3127 Stardom: Celebrity, society and power
• AMU3857 Writing techniques

Part C. Capstone units (18 points)

Students complete:

• AMU3449 Reading social media: sociotechnological literacies
• AMU3451 Freedom and control in media
• AMU3650 A world in crisis: multilevel responses to global emergencies

Part D. Free elective study (48 points)

Elective units may be chosen from the school or across the University as long as you have the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on admission to the units. The units may be at any level, however, no more than ten units (60 points) at level 1 can be credited to the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies.

For students in a double degree course, some units required for the other degree are credited as electives towards the communication and media studies degree.

Honours

Students successfully completing the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies may proceed to a one year honours program leading to A3701 Bachelor of Arts (Honours). To be eligible to apply for entry students must obtain a distinction grade average (70 per cent) or above in 24 points of studies in relevant units at level three, which will normally include at least 24 points of units in communication and media studies.