Bachelor of Journalism - Bachelor of Communication and Media | 2020

Overview 

Studying a Bachelor of Journalism with a Bachelor of Communication and Media will help you succeed in advertising, public relations and corporate branding. You will learn how to present news and information to a wide range of audiences, while gaining the skills to write, edit and publish a broad variety of written materials. You will be able to research, plan, and execute communication campaigns and acquire skills in issue management, product publicity, crisis communications, and media relations. 

The Bachelor of Communication and Media degree offers students a strong foundation in the global communication and media industries. This degree has a focus on preparing students for global careers in digital and social media, visual communication design, journalism, global screen media, marketing, communication and advertising. Students will encounter key ideas in the study and practice of media and communications, and gain flexible and transferable skills that will prepare them for informed engagement with the changing world of global media culture.

The Bachelor of Journalism provides in-depth hands-on training in journalism, converging media (radio, TV, web, phone, tablet), digital communication and multimedia storytelling. It has a strong professional focus, with an emphasis on practical learning with studio-based studies in multimedia content production. You will learn to research, produce and present entertaining and timely stories through video, audio, print and digital technologies including podcasting and webcasting, working both independently and collaboratively.

Combining studies in Journalism with a degree in Communication and Media will offer you a broad introduction to the ways that new media shapes our everyday lives - both in the workplace and in our communities. You'll learn critical and innovative thinking skills, and effective communication and creative writing skills, all of which are required for a successful career in a range of communication and journalism roles. 

Entry Requirements & Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes 

The course learning outcomes in each of these degrees complement and consolidate outcomes in the partner degree. Please refer to the Course Handbook page of each individual degree for a comprehensive list of degree course learning outcomes. 

Course Structure

To qualify for the award of this degree, students must complete a minimum of 216 credit points comprised of the following:

1. All core subjects as outlined in the schedule below (120 credit points);
2. One majors (excluding Journalism) from the Bachelor of Communication and Media (48 credit points);
3. Elective subjects to bring the total number of credit points completed to 216.  Students may also utilise their 48 credit points of elective subject to complete a major or two minors.
4. No more than 90 credit points in 100-level subjects.

Notes:

• Students must achieve a clear pass in the core 300 level subjects.
• Students in the Bachelor of Journalism - Bachelor of Communication and Media may not take the Journalism major in the Bachelor of Communication and Media

Majors and Minors

Students completing this degree will complete a major from the Bachelor of Communication and Media; except for the Journalism major which cannot be combined with the Journalism degree.

Minors

Information regarding minors, including which subjects to take to complete a minor, are available on the 2020 General Schedule of Minors page. Students can take Minors as part of their double degree program provided they meet the requirements set. Minor studies consist of a minimum of 24 credit points of which at least 12 credit points are at 200 level or higher.

Minors appear on the transcript (academic record), but do not appear on the testamur. To have a minor study recorded, students must submit an Application to Declare or Change Intended Major/Minor.

Compulsory Work Placement / Online Component

This course contains a minimum of 70 hours of compulsory work-based placements. This course may also contain compulsory components to be completed online.

Students in the Bachelor of Journalism will complete this placement in the Journalism Internship subject, JRNL304, in their final year. This subject provides students with the opportunity to apply the skills acquired during their university subjects as an internship with a professional media organisation. Students will be required to work in the newsroom (or other suitable work environment). Students who obtain a position in a newsroom will be required to work under the direction of a chief of staff, news director or other nominated person. They will be expected to research, write and, where necessary, produce audio and video stories to deadline. This may be daily, weekly or monthly, depending on the publication/broadcast deadlines of the publication/program they are working for. Students who obtain work experience in a cognate field will be required to produce content (speeches, information packs, media releases, or other documents). Again, they will work under the direction of a nominated employee.

Work Integrated Learning

Undertaking a work integrated learning experience during your university education is now a significant contributor to being competitive in securing employment in your field of choice when you graduate from UOW.

The internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting.

Students' are also encouraged to consider CRLP200 'Career Ready Learning and Practice' (6cp). CRLP200 includes a quality assured workplace internship or industry project to give you that competitive edge by developing your professional skills through authentic learning in a real world context. You will focus on your career goals and receive career direction guidance, strengthen your resume and gain skills to navigate the rapidly changing world of work, develop your communication skills and begin to build a professional network.

INDS208 Working with Indigenous Communities is an elective subject available to all students. INDS208 fosters work skills, cultural competency and develops student awareness of Indigenous knowledges and community practices.

Honours 

Honours is a fourth year of study that provides training in independent research. Students who complete the degree with the required academic standard are encouraged to proceed to the Bachelor of Communication and Media (Honours). Please refer to the handbook page for further information about the degree and entry requirements. 

Other Information

The Faculty may impose quotas on subjects to ensure optimal class sizes.

Further information is available via email: askuow@uow.edu.au