Bachelor of Creative Arts - Bachelor of Journalism | 2020

Overview 

A double degree in Creative Arts and Journalism teaches you how to create engaging content, to work with a diversity of materials and processes, and to evaluate key issues in contemporary society. By refining your critical thinking skills, you will be able to investigate and present material to a range of audiences or clients in a persuasive, timely and engaging way. 

In Australia, over 600,000 people create a living from working in film, television and radio as well as pod and webcasting; writing and editing; recording and performing; advertising and marketing; visual arts, design and architecture; as well as in museums (art and science), galleries, theatres and arts organisations. The opportunities to develop creative and practical skills in the Bachelor of Creative Arts is complemented by the acquisition of professional skills 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. 

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

A number of the course learning outcomes in each of these degrees complement and consolidate outcomes in the partner degree. Applied across two discipline areas, the outcomes are achieved at a broader and more comprehensive level.

The outcomes, which are common and consolidated in this joint degree, ensure that on successful completion of the course students will be able to:

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 award of the degree, Bachelor of Creative Arts - Bachelor of Journalism, a candidate must successfully complete at least 216 credit points comprised of the following:

1. The core subjects for the Bachelor of Creative Arts (24 credit points);
2. One of the majors listed for the Bachelor of Creative Arts (minimum of 72 and maximum of 96 credit points);
3. The core subjects for the Bachelor of Journalism (84 credit points);
4. If required elective subjects to bring the total number of credit points completed to 216;
5. No more than 90 credit points completed at 100-level;
6. Students must achieve a clear pass in the core 300-level subjects to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Creative Arts.

Majors

Students completing this degree will complete at least one major from the Bachelor of Creative Arts.

Minors

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 12 credit points must be completed 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.

Information regarding minors is available on the 2020 General Schedule of Minors page.

Work Integrated Learning

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

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

Students in the Bachelor of Journalism will complete 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.

The Bachelor of Creative Arts uses as its foundation the principles of ‘embedded’ work-integrated learning: throughout their studies, students participate in a series of simulated workplaces in their chosen major, such as creative and technical studios, rehearsals and editorial workshops. In the BCA Core, students complete the subject CACS200 “Creative Communities”, which focuses on professional practice skills essential to the creative industries, including development of professional identities, and collaboration across creative disciplines. In their third year, students will undertake a major project in their chosen major continuing to build student experience, expertise and maturity, working with a range of methodologies and processes in a context that simulates professional working conditions. In their third year, students will undertake a major project in their chosen discipline continuing to build student experience, expertise and maturity, working with a range of methodologies and processes in a context that simulates professional working conditions. Through these experiences, students apply their skills to a real-world context, and gain an understanding of the professional practice and industry standards.

Bachelor of Creative Arts students may apply to enrol into the Creative Arts Internship subject, CACS302. The Faculty offers a limited number of industry placements each year. These offer students hands-on experience in cultural organisations that have agreed to partner with the Faculty on this initiative. Students are selected for this opportunity on the basis of both strong academic achievement and through application and interview.

Students are also encouraged to consider CRLP200 (6cp) as an elective. CRLP200 includes a quality assured workplace internship or industry project to give students a competitive edge by developing professional skills through authentic learning in a real world context. Students focus on career goals and receive career direction guidance, strengthen their 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 

Students who complete the double degree with the required academic standard are encouraged to proceed to the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours). Please refer to the Honours handbook page for further information. 

Other Information

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

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