Bachelor of Journalism - Bachelor of Laws | 2018

*This is a minimum figure and may vary depending on the major.

Overview

A Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Laws double degree provides students with an expanded skill set - one that will set them apart from students who opt for a single degree option in either discipline. This double degree provides students with a wider range of career options through the acquisition of skills and knowledge in media law and ethics, as well as strong production skills in print, online and broadcast journalism. The Journalism degree also helps students gain practical experience and build connections with the media industry through journalism internships.

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 double degree, ensure that on successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Apply ethical principles to a range of contexts;
2. Investigate, evaluate and interpret research sources;
3. Communicate effectively to a range of audiences through a range of media.

Please refer to the Undergraduate Course Handbook page of each individual degree for a comprehensive list of degree course learning outcomes.

Course Structure

To qualify for the award of the degree, the Bachelor of Journalism - Bachelor of Laws, a candidate must successfully complete at least 240 credit points comprised of:

1. all compulsory Law subjects as set out in the Course Program below;
2. elective subjects to the value of 30 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws Elective Law Schedule - see Bachelor of Law (Graduate Entry);
3. 96 credit points of core subjects for the Bachelor of Journalism.

Law Electives

Students must successfully complete elective subjects to the value of 66 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws Elective Law Schedule - see Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry).

Timetables

Click on subject codes in the above course structure for information on sessions of offer for each subject.

To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Compulsory Work Placement / Online Component

Undertaking a work integrated learning (WIL) 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.

Law students will complete a Legal Internship subject (LLB3397). This subject is the vehicle for a practical placement designed to expose students to the application of the law in practice; enable students to understand the importance of developing the skills of legal research; communication, drafting, practice management and problem solving; and enable students to observe and reflect upon the values, ethical standards and conduct of the legal profession in practice. This compulsory requirement involves 140 hours of work-based placement over 4 weeks.

Students in this double degree, students must complete a minimum of 70 hours of compulsory work-based placements. Students 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.

In total students complete 210 hours of compulsory work-based placement over 6 weeks. This course may also contain compulsory components to be completed online.

Honours

High achieving students, enrolled in this double degree, who are interested in undertaking Honours in Law, may consult with the relevant Honours Coordinator in Law, Humanities, and the Arts regarding the possibility of transferring into an Honours version of the degree.

A student who successfully transfers into an Honours program but does not meet the minimum performance standards required for the award of Honours will be permitted to transfer back to the double degree in which they were enrolled immediately prior to the transfer into the Honours course, and will be awarded credit for the number of credit points passed in the Honours degree.

Law Professional Recognition/Accreditation

The UOW Bachelor of Laws (single LLB or in combination with another degree) is accredited by the Legal Procession Admission Board (LPAB) as satisfying the academic requirements necessary for admission to the Australian legal profession. On completion of the Bachelor of Laws, a student who wishes to practise as a barrister or solicitor must also undertake some form of professional practical training, the requirements for which vary between each state and territory of Australia.

In New South Wales, a student who intends to qualify for admission to practice is required to undertake a practical legal training (PLT) course accredited by the LPAB, followed by or incorporating a period of practical experience in a law-related setting. Practical experience gained by students in LLB3397 Legal Internship may be counted towards this practical experience requirement. Graduates should check with their PLT provider. A list of LPAB accredited PLT courses can be found on the LPAB website.

Students who intend to practise as solicitors after admission will be subject to a period of restricted practice and the mandatory continuing legal education requirements. Further information is available from the Law Society of New South Wales. Students who intend to practise as barristers after admission will be required to read with a senior barrister for a period of time and to undertake the Bar Readers' Course and Bar Examination before being qualified to take briefs on their own account. Further information is available from the New South Wales Bar Association.

Other Information

Further information is available via email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au