Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communication) & Bachelor of Commerce

Course 965-MC (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus: 2008
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Undergraduate

Contact

Undergraduate Student Centre Ground Floor Babel Building The University of Melbourne (enter from Gate 12, Royal Parade) Tel: +61 3 8344 5317 Toll Free: 1800 666 300 Fax: +61 3 9347 3986 Email: commerce-courseadvice@unimelb.edu.au Faculty Mailing Address The Faculty of Economics and Commerce The University of Melbourne Victoria 3010 Australia
Course Overview:

The Media and Communications Program is an exciting Bachelor of Arts stream designed to provide students with optimal access to the globally expanding world of media and new communication technologies and to future postgraduate study and research.

The program is deliberately interdisciplinary in nature and offers a distinctive blend of academic study and media-relevant practice delivered by internationally recognized scholars and experienced industry professionals. By this means students can determine pathways to a wide range of media-related careers and opportunities and/or prepare a foundation for later postgraduate study and advanced research. Possible careers in Media and Communications today include print, broadcasting and on-line journalism, advertising and public relations, publishing and editing, corporate and government communications, as well as diverse opportunities in the entertainment and information industries more generally.

Our courses represent the latest thinking and research in the international field of scholarship and students select core and optional subjects from a wide range of subjects according to their own interests and career trajectories. Subjects offered include, amongst many others, Net Communications; Media Futures and New Technologies; Politics, Communication, Media; Marketing Communications; Professional Writing; Advanced Writing; Writing Journalism; Asia-Pacific Media Systems; Global Media Cultures, Understanding Australian Media; and Media Law.

Hands-on media industry experience and project-based research is also available through our popular internships and the final research project. We study Media and Communications as interrelated global-local processes comprising media institutions and communication technologies, media representations and texts, and media audiences and processes of reception, and we situate these in relation to social, political and cultural contexts and historical dynamics of change. Students are encouraged to develop their critical understanding of the changing nature and role(s) of Media and Communications in today's 'mediatised' societies as well as develop practical skills and research aptitudes of use to them in their future careers within today's rapidly changing global media environment.

The Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) aims to develop powers of critical thinking and analysis that can be applied to many fields and a wide range of professions. It offers studies in disciplines relating to economics and commerce, and prepares students for careers in many professions, including accounting, economic research, management, marketing, consulting, finance, the public service, the teaching professions and management positions in commerce and industry.

Within the BCom, a core of basic subjects are covered, including two subjects in economics, two subjects in quantitative methods and one in organisational behaviour. As there are only five compulsory subjects (totalling 62.5 points), you have the opportunity to study a wide range of optional subjects which can be chosen according to your interests and career objectives.

Objectives:

The Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) has as its objectives that graduates:

  • are enabled to develop a comprehensive overview of the media's place in today's society, economy and culture, with an emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region;

  • are provided with the fundamental written communication skills required by successful journalists and other media professionals;

  • are helped to achieve an understanding of new communication technologies and their impact on the fast-changing global media environment;

  • are trained to think across media, a skill we see as increasingly important for the next generation of media professionals and media researchers;

  • are helped to appreciate the value of an international and interdisciplinary approach to the study of Media and Communications;

  • are offered the opportunity to gain industry experience in the form of internships;

  • are offered opportunities to develop research skills and engage in applied analysis of media within different subjects and through the presentation of a final research project.

The Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and the Bachelor of Commerce (Management) aims at developing powers of critical analysis that can be applied in many fields, and provides professional training for a wide variety of careers.

Course Structure & Available Subjects:

Students must complete a minimum of 225 Arts (Media and Communications) points which must include:

For the enriched major stream:

  • 50 points of first-year Media and Communications (two compulsory and two optional subjects); and

  • 75 points of second-year Media and Communications (three core and three optional subjects); and

  • 100 points of third-year Media and Communications (four core and four optional subjects or two core and two optional subjects as well as 100-310 Media and Communications Internship and 100-311 Media & Communications Research Project).

For the double major stream:

  • 50 points of first-year Media and Communications (two compulsory and two optional subjects); and

  • 25 points of first-year arts subjects in the combining discipline, which must be taken from the free points available within the combined degree; and

  • 50 points of second-year Media and Communications (two core and two optional subjects); and

  • 37.5 points of second-year arts subjects in the combining discipline, 12.5 points of which must be taken from the free points available within the combined degree; and

  • 50 points of third-year Media and Communications (two core and two optional subjects); and

  • 50 points of third-year arts subjects in the combining discipline.

Students must complete a minimum 200 commerce points, which must include:

  • between 50 and 125 level 100 commerce points

  • at least 50 level 300 commerce points completed at the University of Melbourne

Compulsory subjects in the Bachelor of Commerce:

  • 316-101 Introductory Macroeconomics

  • 316-102 Introductory Microeconomics

  • 316-130 Quantitative Methods 1

  • 325-201 Organisational Behaviour*

    and at least one of:

  • 316-206 Quantitative Methods 2 or

  • 316-205 Introductory Econometrics or

  • 325-210 Managerial Decision Analysis or

  • 325-212 Principles of Market Research.

The remaining 37.5 points may be taken from subjects available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce combined degree.

* Students who commenced the Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) / Bachelor of Commerce degree prior to 2005 are not required to complete this subject.

Subject Options:

First-year Compulsory Subjects

First-year Media and Communications students must undertake the following compulsory subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

First Year optional subjects

First-year Media and Communications students must select two of the following optional first-year subjects:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2008
12.500

Second-year Compulsory Subjects

Second-year Media and Communications students in the enriched major stream must select three of the following compulsory second-year subjects:

Second-year Media and Communications students in the double major stream must select two of the following compulsory second-year subjects:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1
12.50

Third-year Compulsory Subjects

Third-year media and communications students in the enriched major stream must select four of the following compulsory third-year subjects:

Third-year media and communications students in the double major stream must select two of the following compulsory third-year subjects:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

Second/third-year Optional Subjects

Note: some optional subjects have specific prerequisites that must be met.

Australian Studies

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

Cinema Studies

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Computer Applications in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2008
12.500
Not offered in 2008
12.500
Not offered in 2008
12.500

Creative Writing

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2008
12.500

English and Cultural Studies

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2008
12.500
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50

History

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2008
12.500
Not offered in 2008
12.50

Indonesian Studies

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Linguistics and applied linguistics

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50

Political Science

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2008
12.500
Semester 2
12.50

Sociology
Entry Requirements:

The BA (Media and Communications) commences at first year. The degree is subject to quotas and selection will be based on academic achievement. Work experience is not taken into consideration in the selection process.

Media and Communications undergraduate compulsory and core subjects are not available to Bachelor of Arts, CAP, complementary studies, or Bachelor of Letters students.
Core Participation Requirements: ArtsThe Bachelor of Arts requires a standard level of ability across all disciplines. It will be assumed students are able to access and attend classes on a regular basis, are capable of learning in a University environment and will be able to take responsibility for their own learning. Any ability beyond this threshold will be robustly supported through the curriculum. There are no pre-requisites for first year subjects, and any intensive use of IT or technologies will be adequately supported. Certain subjects have more specific requirements and demands, such as fieldwork or travelling, which are clearly outlined in the Handbook's subject description. However, the University is dedicated t provide support to those with special requirements. The Faculty Disability Contact Officer works with students, the University Disability Liaison Unit and teaching staff to assist students with their special requirements, with a particular focus on accommodations for in-class and examination assessment tasks. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability .Economics and CommerceStudents with a temporary or permanent disability or medical condition requiring additional assistance should contact the Faculty's Disability Contact Officer (FDCO). The FDCO can ensure that students with special needs have access to a number of University services provided by the Disability Liaison Unit (DLU), including alternative examination arrangements (such as additional writing time or a venue which is wheelchair accessible), notetakers or sign language interpreters, specialised equipment (such as computer screen reading software) and overall support in liaising with academic and other general staff. Students who think that they may require alternative exam arrangements should discuss this matter with the Faculty's Disability Contact Officer early in the academic year (or, in the case of acute conditions, as soon as possible). Some form of documentation will normally be required. It is possible for students with permanent disabilities with non-changing effects to have appropriate examination arrangements on an on-going basis if they register with the DLU. Note that English as a second language is not grounds for alternative exam arrangements.For more information on the wide range of services that the DLU provide, go to their website http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability or visit them on campus to make a time to discuss your needs.
Further Study:

The Media and Communications Program offers a range of postgraduate coursework and research programs: Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Media and Communications), Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Media and Communications), one and two-year Master of Arts (Global Journalism) and Master of Arts (Global Media Communication), Master of Arts in Media Communication (advanced seminar and shorter thesis), Master of Arts in Media Communication (thesis only) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Details of these programs are available in the University's on-line postgraduate course guide and from the Media and Communications program.

An honours option is available for graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce through the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) course.
Graduate Attributes: On successful completion of the commerce course, graduates should be able to:explain the basic concepts and theories and institutional arrangements underlying the operations and performance of modern mixed economies using Australia as an example; critically evaluate the economy, commerce and business in the broader social and political context; explain and apply concepts from several economics and commerce disciplines in solving business and policy problems including specialised knowledge developed in one specific discipline; contribute positively to the development of organisations and society particularly related to business, government and the commercial professions.
Generic Skills:

By participating in all scheduled classes and activities and achieving the timely completion of assignments and other forms of assessment, commerce graduates should aquire skills in:

  • effective communication on matters related to economics and commerce through assignment preparation and writing and class discussions and presentations;
  • skills in the use of computer systems and software used in business through practical assignments, exercises and demonstrations;
  • critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, report writing, assignments and discussion;
  • information discovery and retrieval through the competent use of structured and unstructured sources including the internet;
  • applying theory to practice through undertaking recommended reading, writing reports, completing assignments, analysing cases and discussing issues;
  • interpretation and analysis of data with basic quantitative methods through assignments and discussion;
  • attention to detail through assignment preparation, problem-solving exercises and examination revision;
  • teamwork through joint projects and group discussion;
  • understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the analysis of case studies, the contextualisation of judgement, and being open to new ideas and possibilities;
  • time management through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, assignment completion and examination revision.

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