2019 Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Bachelor of Journalism - Bachelor of Communication and Media | 2019

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Journalism - Bachelor of Communication and Media

Abbreviation:

BJrnl-BCM

UOW Course Code:

1796

CRICOS Code:

094803J

Total Credit Points:

216

Duration:

4.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts

Intake Session(s):

Autumn

Delivery Mode:

On-campus

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / 751664

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 outlined in the schedule below (138 credit points);
  2. One of the majors (excluding Journalism) for the Bachelor of Communication and Media (48 credit points);
  3. Elective subjects to bring the total number of credit points completed to 216.

Notes:

  • No more than 90 credit points in 100-level subjects.
  • Students must achieve a clear pass in the core 300 level subjects.
  • Students in the Bachelor of Journalism - Bachelor of Communication and Media cannot take the Journalism major.
Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points
BCM 110 Introduction to Communication and Media 6
BCM 111 Global Media and Culture 6
BCM 113 Media Ethics and Law 6
BCM 114 Making Media 6
JRNL101 Media Reporting and Storytelling 1 6
JRNL102 Multimedia Reporting and Production 6
BCM 212 Understanding Research Practice 6
BCM 222 Global Media and Social Justice 6
BCM 241 Media Ethnographies 6
JRNL202 Mobile Journalism 6
JRNL203 Audio Journalism Production 1 6
JRNL204 Video Journalism Production 1 6
JRNL212 Magazine and Lifestyle Journalism 6
JRNL250 Professional Writing 1 6
JRNL301 Data Journalism Research and Investigation 6
JRNL302 Narrative Portfolio 6
JRNL303 Journalism Newsroom 6
JRNL304 Journalism Internship 6
JRNL313 Podcasting and Audio Journalism Production 2 6
JRNL314 Video Journalism Production 2 6
JRNL315 Journalism Project (Journalism Capstone) 6
Plus a minimum of ONE of the following Communication and Media Capstones:
BCM 312 Emerging Issues in Media & Communication 6
BCM 313 The Future of Work 6

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.

Majors and Minors

Students completing this degree will complete a major from the Bachelor of Communication and Media degree (excluding the Journalism Major).

Students may choose to use their elective subjects to study a minor. Information on minors available in the Bachelor of Communication and Media and the Bachelor of Journalism are available on each handbook page.

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 Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts 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.

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

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

Last reviewed: 8 February, 2019