Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours

Year

Course Overview
Further Information
Course Rules & Plans
Course Outcomes

Why study the Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours at UNE?

This course provides up-to-date knowledge of the rapidly changing field of media and communications. It explores such areas as film and television, screen adaptations, media convergence, changing print genres, digital communications and writing practices, with topics varying to reflect new developments and interests. The coursework and dissertation components allow scope for students to pursue individual interests and enhance their research and communication skills, which are vital for further studies and today's changing workplaces.

The Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours is designed to allow well-qualified graduates to improve their career prospects or to proceed to higher degree studies. Completion to the standard of Honours Class II Division 1 or better is a mode of entry to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Career Opportunities

Examples include journalism, radio and television, marketing communications, advertising, public relations, corporate writing, public sector research and administration, communications strategy.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

1 Year Full-time
2 Years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2018 STUDY OPTIONS

Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus

Official Abbreviation

BMediaComm(Hons)

Course Type

Bachelor Honours

CRICOS Code

061317G

Commencing

Responsible Campus	Admission Period	Mode of Study
Armidale	Trimester 1	Online
Armidale	Trimester 1	On Campus

Course Duration

1 Year Full-time
2 Years Part-time

Fees

CSP / International

Total Credit Points

Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

1. Except as provided in Rule 2., a candidate for admission to the final honours course shall have:

(a) satisfied all requirements for admission to the degree of Bachelor of Media and Communications at The University of New England or equivalent AQF Level 7 qualification; and

(b) attained at least Distinction standard in 18 credit points at 300 level in Media and Communications.

2. With the approval of the school on the recommendation of the course coordinator a person who has fulfilled the requirements for a degree or other qualification of equivalent standing of a university or other institution recognised by the school for this purpose, and who meets requirements considered by the school to be equivalent to those specified in Bachelor of Arts with Honours Rule 2.(b), (c) and (d), may be admitted to the final honours course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing towards the Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours course work unit may be granted on the basis of successful completion of Master of Arts course work units that are deemed by the course coordinator to be equivalent to the integrated components of the relevant Honours course work unit.

Advanced standing shall not be granted for COMM402H.

Academic Colours

White (BCC 1)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

1. Except as provided in Rule 2., a candidate for admission to the final honours course shall have:
(a) satisfied all requirements for admission to the degree of Bachelor of Media and Communications at The University of New England or equivalent AQF Level 7 qualification; and
(b) attained at least Distinction standard in 18 credit points at 300 level in Media and Communications.

Advanced Standing

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) one year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to two years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

1. To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 48 credit points comprising:
(i) an advanced course work unit comprised of several integrated components to the value of 24 credit points; and
(ii) a dissertation component to the value of 24 credit points.

2. Each Bachelor of Media and Communications (Honours) candidate is required to spend periods in 'face-to-face' consultation with his or her supervisor(s). The nature and extent of such consultation will be determined by the supervisor(s) and course coordinator after consultation with the candidate prior to commencement of each year of candidature.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

Course Structure	Credit Points
Core Units	48 cps
Total	48 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Classes of Honours

There shall be three classes of honours, namely Class I, Class II, and Class III. Class II shall have two divisions. The final class of honours will be determined on the basis of marks awarded for both dissertation and coursework.
An exceptionally distinguished candidate who has been awarded First Class Honours may be awarded a University Medal.

Submission of Dissertation

1. Electronic submission of the dissertation is required. Two soft bound and one unbound copy of the dissertation together with a certificate from the supervisor certifying that the dissertation is in a form suitable for examination can be submitted to the School following liaison with the course coordinator.
2. At least one month prior to the date of submission candidates shall inform the School of their intention to submit a dissertation.
3. Submission of the dissertation will be 39 weeks from the commencement of the trimester for which a candidate is enrolled and will not be tied to trimester dates.

Examination of Dissertation

1. The Teaching and Learning Committee of the School of Arts shall, on the recommendation of the School of Arts Honours Coordinator, appoint two examiners. Normally, at least one examiner shall be external to the University.
2. Each examiner shall be informed of the name of the other examiner. The examiners may consult. They shall inform the School of Arts Honours Coordinator if, before submitting their reports, they have consulted.
3. The examiners may consult with the supervisor prior to preparing their reports, but a dissertation will not be examined by a candidate’s supervisor.

Re-enrolment

1. A full time candidate may be granted special leave by the Head of School to re-enrol in a subsequent year if he or she withdraws from candidature by the census date of the teaching period in which they commenced.

2. A part time candidate may withdraw from candidature up to the census date of the teaching period in which they commenced in the first year of enrolment without prejudice to the right to re-enrol in a succeeding year.

3. A part time candidate who withdraws later than the census date in the second year of enrolment but prior to two months before the submission of the dissertation as required by the Head of School may re-enrol in the same subject for the degree, provided that:
(a) two years will have elapsed before such re-enrolment;
(b) the topic of study undertaken within the dissertation is different from that of the original enrolment.

4. A candidate who withdraws later than two months prior to the date on which the dissertation is required shall be deemed to have failed.

5. Unless a candidate shows good cause why such action should not be taken, the school may, on the recommendation of the course coordinator, withdraw a candidate on the ground of his or her having failed to meet the requirements of the course and deem him or her to have failed in it.

6. A candidate who is deemed to have failed may, after a lapse of three years, be permitted to apply for re-admission to the course, provided the proposed work is in a different topic of study from that of the original enrolment.

Course Aims	This course provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in the disciplinary field of media and communications. The coursework unit assists students to gain skills in communication research and analysis, in areas such as film and television studies, screen adaptations, and writing practices. The dissertation module provides guided development of individual research interests and skills, through supervised work on an individual topic.
Learning Outcomes	Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate coherent and advanced knowledge of the disciplinary field of media and communications across local and global contexts, including the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques studied in the field; demonstrate advanced knowledge and applied understanding of the disciplinary methods of media and communications, including its rationales, themes, concepts, theories, methods and interdisciplinary dimensions; identify and apply appropriate research methods for gathering, interpreting, critically analysing, evaluating and transforming ideas and information from a variety of sources, and for developing and synthesising knowledge; select and use appropriate communication technologies, forms, styles and techniques, at an advanced level, to investigate complex problems and present ideas and arguments coherently for specific purposes and types of intended audience; adapt and apply advanced knowledge and skills with initiative and autonomy to plan and develop projects, solve problems and make decisions in scholarship and/or professional practice; and work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating adaptability and understanding of social, cultural and ethical contexts in further learning and professional practice related to media and communications.
Graduate Attributes	Knowledge of a Discipline The course develops advanced knowledge of forms, practices, technologies, techniques and contexts of media and communications, and advanced knowledge of disciplinary concepts, approaches and methods used in studying the field, through theoretical and/or practical styles of learning and assessment. A global perspective is taught, practised and assessed in the study of diverse media forms and cultural contexts of communication, including debates about globalisation. Communication Skills Written communication skills are taught, practised and assessed, through the study of media and communications. Further skills of representation may be enhanced according to the options of genre and medium for theoretical and practical work in the coursework and/or dissertation. Problem Solving Techniques and methods for defining and investigating problems are taught, practised and assessed, with guidance towards increasingly independent study of issues and debates in media and communications. Information Literacy Information Literacy is taught, practised and assessed through the development of skills for researching media and communications and evaluating diverse sources and types of information. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Ethical conduct and responsibility are developed by consideration - in teaching, supervision, learning and assessment - of the social relations, and cultural and ethical frameworks of media and communications. Lifelong Learning Lifelong learning is embedded in the development of skills of research, analysis, argument and communication. Independence and Collaboration Principles of team work are taught through analysis and/or practice of media and communications, but are not assessed. Independence is developed through research practices in developing the dissertation.