A6004 - Master of Cultural and Creative Industries - 2017

The Master of Cultural and Creative Industries is an interdisciplinary course providing students with a critical overview of this rapidly growing sector and its employment opportunities. Students gain a detailed understanding of this dynamic sector in close contact with a range of industry professionals and concrete projects from Australia and overseas.

This course is tailored to the full range of career ambitions within this sector - in industry, the arts, policy, research and the independent sector. Students will gain insight into the working of the cultural and creative industries - how creative cities work; what is sustainable development; how the global cultural economy is structured - all with a special emphasis on Australia in the Asian century. Based on our location in Australia's cultural capital of Melbourne, students will have opportunities to meet local practitioners and experts as well as undertake in-depth analysis of individual cultural industries, cultural projects and international case studies.

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:

1. construct a broad overview of contemporary issues for the cultural and creative industries
2. display an appreciation of the distinct practical challenges and opportunities for cultural and creative industries in a range of areas, from individual practices to large scale cultural projects
3. apply independent research skills to a range of problems in the field, using case studies and fieldwork to identify and investigate concrete challenges and issues in cultural and creative industries and related policy development and implementation
4. display a high level of written and oral communication skills to a variety of (academic, policy, industry, community) audiences
5. situate research and practice in a wider international context
6. demonstrate a thorough understanding of research methodology and ethics, and ability to undertake an independent research project.

The course is structured in three parts. Part A. Foundations for advanced cultural and creative industries 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 cultural and creative industries studies (24 points)

These studies will introduce you to cultural and creative industries 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 field of cultural and creative industries studies practice and research to further your understanding of the complex ecosystem in which cultural and economic goals and dynamics combine in ways that transgress traditional disciplinary and policy boundaries.

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.

The first option is 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.

The second option is 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.

The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced cultural and creative industries 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 eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

Unless otherwise stated, units with codes beginning with ATS are 6 points, and units with codes beginning with APG/MGF are 12 points.

Part A. Foundations for advanced cultural and creative industries studies (24 points)

Students complete:

a. Unit(s) (12 points) from the following, taken during the first full time equivalent year of study:

• ATS2436 New media: From The Telegraph to Twitter
• ATS2439 Youth media: Understanding media research
• ATS2440 The public sphere
• ATS2490 Advanced professional writing
• ATS2633 Global cities: Past, present and future
• ATS2784 News and power
• ATS3539 Asian cinema and television
• ATS3732 Communications and media studies: Contemporary debates
• ATS3781 English as an international language: Writing across cultures
• APG5050 Communication research methods
• MGF5991 Professional development - Career dynamics

b. One unit (12 points) from the electives listed in Part C

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

Students complete:

a. The following units (24 points):

• APG5662 Cultural and creative industries
• APG5900 Cultural economy

b. The following capstone unit (12 points):

• APG5856 Research project*

* Students electing to take the research thesis option should consult with the course coordinator.

c. One 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 APG5849 Research thesis A (12 points) and APG5850 Research thesis B (12 points)**

** Students admitted to the course at Entry level 3 who wish to complete this 24 point research thesis should consult with the course coordinator.

b. Two elective units (24 points) from the following:

• APG5018 Celebrity, fashion, publicity
• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5066 Shanghai city lab
• APG5067 Cultural economy and sustainable development
• APG5068 Creative cities
• APG5184 Video-making as research
• APG5397 Media, technologies and social change
• APG5398 New communications media
• APG5401 Media empires and entrepreneurs
• APG5720 Cultural tourism and events management
• APG5782 Film festival study tour

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.

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