Description
Knowledge and skills in communication are increasingly valued across a wide range of industries, particularly at the management level.
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. You will examine these developments from a historical, political and theoretical perspective and increase your 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.
Outcomes
These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 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 communications and media and their intersections with politics, public administration, business and the everyday
- demonstrate a critical appreciation of the secondary literature in the field of study and 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.
Structure
The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced communications and media studies, Part B. Core master's study and Part C. Advanced expertise. All students complete Part B. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A or Part C or a combination of the two.
Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.
Part A. Foundations for advanced communications and media studies (24 points)
These studies will introduce you to communications and media studies at advanced undergraduate or graduate level. They are intended for students whose previous qualification is not in a cognate field.
Part B. Core master's study (48 points)
These studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of communications and media studies practice and research to further your understanding of communications and media systems both locally and globally. Studies focus on the challenges posed by the emergence of digital media, globalisation and increasing levels of cross-cultural exchange.
Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)
The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You have two options:
- a program of coursework study where you select the units to suit your own interests. This option includes the opportunity to undertake an internship in the field
- a 24 point research thesis. Students wishing to use this master's course as a pathway to a higher degree by research should take this second option.
Students admitted to the course, who have a recognised honours degree in a cognate discipline including humanities or social sciences, will receive credit for Part C, however, should they wish to complete a 24 point research project as part of the course they should consult with the course coordinator.
Requirements
The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced communications and media studies (24 points), Part B. Core master's study (48 points) and Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points).
Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:
- Students admitted at entry level 1 complete 96 points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C.
- Students admitted at entry level 2 complete 72 points, comprising Part B and Part C.
- Students admitted at entry level 3 complete 48 points, comprising Part B.
Note: Students at the Malaysian campus are admitted at entry level 2 or 3.
Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.
All students must complete a minimum of 48 credit points at level 5 and a maximum of 24 points at level 2 or 3 for entry point 1. Unless otherwise stated, units with codes beginning with ATS are 6 points, and units with codes beginning with APG/AMG are 12 points. Unit codes commencing with APG are available in Australia and AMG-coded units are available in Malaysia.
Part A. Foundations for advanced communications and media studies (24 points)
Students complete:
a. Two units (24 points) from the following:
- APG5018 Celebrity, fashion, publicity
- APG5397 Media, technologies and social change
- APG5398 Digital media technologies
- APG5400 Issues in international communications
- APG5401 Media empires and entrepreneurs
Part B. Core master's study (48 points)
Note: APG-coded units are available in Australia and AMG-coded units are available in Malaysia.
Students complete:
a. The following units (24 points):
b. The following capstone unit (12 points):
c. One level 5 unit (12 points) from the electives listed in Part C.
Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)
Students complete either a. or b. below.
a. The following unit/s:
- APG5848 Research thesis (24 points)**, or AMG5743 Communications research thesis (24 points),** or APG5849 Research thesis A (12 points) and APG5850 Research thesis B (12 points)
b. Two elective units (24 points) from the following:
- APG5018 Celebrity, fashion, publicity
- APG5044 Professional internship
- APG5066 Shanghai city lab
- APG5068 Creative cities
- APG5099 Media innovation
- APG5135 Video journalism
- APG5184 Video-making as research
- APG5190 Global journalism: Hong Kong field school
- APG5397 Media, technologies and social change
- APG5398 Digital media technologies
- APG5400 Issues in international communications
- APG5401 Media empires and entrepreneurs
- APG5547 Studio production
- APG5653 Journalism futures: New York school
- APG5662 Cultural and creative industries
- APG5752 Field trip in media and communications
- APG5782 Film festival study tour
- AMG5400 Global digital media: Issues in international and transnational communication
- AMG5382 Contemporary issues in Asia
- AMG5018 Celebrity, fashion, publicity
- AMG5721 Media practices in Southeast Asia
- AMG5751 Communications industry internship
- any unit not already completed in Part A
Alternative exits
Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided they have satisfied the requirements indicated for that award during their enrolment in this master's course:
- Graduate Certificate in Arts after successful completion of 24 credit points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above
- Graduate Diploma in Arts after successful completion 48 credit points of study with a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or above.
Progression to further studies
Students entering at entry levels 1 and 2 can complete a research thesis (24 points) that will provide a pathway to a higher degree by research. Students entering at entry level 3 will normally already have an honours degree, however, students in this group who wish to complete a research thesis in communications and media studies should discuss the options with the course coordinator.
