Master of Global Media Communication

Course MC-GMCOM (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Year and Campus: 2010 - Parkville
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate

Coordinator

Dr Ramaswami Harindranath
School of Culture and Communication
Email: rhari@unimelb.edu.au

Contact

Arts and Music Student Centre
Email: arts-gradstudies@unimelb.edu.au
Course Overview: The masters by coursework provides specialist training at an advanced level for professional qualification purposes. It is primarily aimed at graduates seeking media-related leadership roles in strategic areas of industry, government and civil society organizations. The course may also be taken for general interest, and high achieving students who complete the thesis option may qualify for entry to masters or PhD research programs.
Objectives:

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

  • demonstrate the knowledge and capacities required to work at high levels in industry, government and advocacy;
  • provide leadership in the areas of public communication and policy at a national and global level;
  • understand the fundamental principles for making critical and ethical judgments regarding professional practice;
  • evaluate the dynamic processes of change operating in contemporary media and communication industries;
  • develop strategy and policy, and communicate effectively through written and oral presentations to academic, policy and cross-cultural forums;
  • combine an understanding of the different perspectives of industry, public sector and civil society professionals with the research skills and methodologies of professional media and communications; and
  • demonstrate advanced skills in research, analysis and interpretation with particular emphasis on questions of globalisation/localisation, identity, citizenship, power and democracy.

Course Structure & Available Subjects:

200 point program

Duration: 2 years full-time / up to 4 years part-time

First 100 points:

100 points comprising a minimum of six core Media & Communication subjects (75 points) and a maximum of 25 points of elective subjects from the list provided.

Second 100 points:

100 pointsof fifth-year level subjects comprising a minimum of five core Media & Communication subjects (62.5 points) and a maximum of 37.5 points of elective subjects from the list provided.

Total 200 points. Subjects are 12.5 points unless otherwise specified.

100 point program

As for the second 100 points detailed above.

Total 100 points. Subjects are 12.5 points unless otherwise specified.
Subject Options:

200 point program

First 100 points:

Core Media & Communications subjects

Minimum of 75 points
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50

Elective subjects

Maximum 25 points
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Second 100 points: (or the 100 point program).

Core Media & Communications subjects

Minimum 62.5 points
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Elective subjects

Maximum 37.5 points
Note: the thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment.

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75
Semester 1, Semester 2
25
Entry Requirements:

200 points

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criterion:-

  • an undergraduate degree with a minimum grade average of at least 2B (70%)

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

100 points

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criterion:-

  • an honours degree in a cognate discipline with a minimum grade average of at least H2B (70%), or
  • the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Media and Communications) with a minimum grade average of at least 2B (70%), or equivalent; or
  • an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a minimum grade average of at least H2B (70%) and at least two years documented relevant professional and/or work experience.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Applicants who are required to meet English Language entry requirements, in addition to the above, must obtain a score of 7 in written IELTS, or equivalent.

Applicants seeking recognition of prior professional experience must provide the following documentation in support of their application:

  • brief curriculum vitae, detailing work experience;
  • contact details of two referees;
  • a covering letter outlining the applicants professional background and how this prepares them to successfully undertake the program.

In some cases, an interview and/or two reference letters from employers/managers detailing the period of employment and areas of responsibility, and/or evidence of written work or reports undertaken during the period of employment may be requested.

Admission process

Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Further Study: Students who complete the minor thesis may be eligible to enter the PhD.
Graduate Attributes: Graduates will be equipped with the skills necessary for advanced critical analysis, strategic management, problem-solving and policy making in media-related organisations, including the skills to:
  • analyse key areas of contemporary media strategies, governance and advocacy;
  • engage with the social, political, economic and ethical dimensions of media practice;
  • understand communication as a process that is central to the exercise of contemporary power, and apply research skills to a range of contexts;
  • draw on a range of disciplines and develop a future-oriented, comparative and global focus.
Generic Skills: Students who complete this course should develop a number of generic skills that should help them with future study and employment. Students will enhance their skills in:
  • research: through competent use of advanced information sources and retrieval of appropriate information;
  • critical and theoretical thinking: through presentation of research papers, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis;
  • time management and planning: through managing and organising workloads;
  • team work: through group activities;
  • advanced skills in writing, reporting and communicating facts and ideas.
Links to further information: http://www.culture-communication.unimelb.edu.au/media-communications/

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