Bachelor of Arts
with a major in Journalism – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
This course has been replaced with a newer course - this course is closed for new enrolments, the information on this page is provided for continuing students.
Selected major: Journalism
Combine traditional journalistic skills with online publishing, multimedia production and the skills required for interacting with audiences, social networking and building online communities. Publish and broadcast work in online, television, radio and print outlets.
The Bachelor of Arts offers you a unique range of interdisciplinary skills. You'll develop your capacity for critical analysis, creativity and problem-solving, as well as a thorough understanding of the relationship between theory, research and practice. Choose from a wide range of major study areas, equipping you for diverse careers in areas such as media, management, finance, education and government.
Build up your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs, which are a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees and can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects. In this degree, in the Grand Challenges: Making a Difference (ART30001) unit, you’ll work in teams and develop valuable collaborative skills as you research innovative solutions to contemporary issues facing society.
Arts double degree options
Turn your arts degree into a double with Business, Science, Laws, Health Science, Psychological Sciences to unlock a range of distinctive study options that can lead you to an inspiring, world saving career. If you like Arts, you may also like our Bachelor of Media and Communication.
Swinburne students work with ACMI
Swinburne’s Bachelor of Arts students created new experiences called Constellations for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) visitors as part of its $40 million transformation.
The Constellation is a large-scale, data-driven exhibit that connects visitors to films, TV series, artworks and video games outside ACMI.
As ACMI’s Major Academic Partner, Swinburne supports the Swinburne Studio – an available to hire multi-purpose function space – home for ACMI’s many diverse festivals and events, as well as a programming collaboration space between the two organisations.
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts [2021] requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Challenges: Dystopian Present-Utopian Futures | ART10002 | 12.5 |
| Grand Challenges: Skills and Strategies for Social Change | ART20001 | 12.5 |
| Grand Challenges: Making a Difference * | ART30001 | 25 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Selected major: Journalism
Combine traditional journalistic skills with online publishing, multimedia production and the skills required for interacting with audiences, social networking and building online communities. Publish and broadcast work in online, television, radio and print outlets.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| News Writing | JOU10004 | 12.5 |
| Journalism Features | JOU10008 | 12.5 |
| Reporting Public Forums * | JOU20002 | 12.5 |
| Broadcast News Reporting | JOU20004 | 12.5 |
| Media Law and Ethics | JOU20006 | 12.5 |
| Investigative Journalism * | JOU30001 | 12.5 |
| Video Project * | JOU30009 | 12.5 |
| Specialist Reporting * | JOU30011 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Other studies
12 units (150 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 150 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Behavioural Science | BEH20004 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Humanities
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Humanities | SOC20019 | 25 |
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
Professional Placement in Humanities
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities | SOC20018 | 25 |
A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts, graduates will be able to:
- systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understanding in the humanities and/or social sciences
- formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of disciplinary expertise
- critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences, and understand the importance of interdisciplinarity for generating solutions
- define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
- apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
- interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
- coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts.
Career opportunities
Swinburne Arts graduates are well equipped to find work in areas where employers put a high premium on well-developed conceptual understanding and other critical and creative reasoning skills needed to come to terms with and respond effectively to the complex and changing demands of the contemporary workplace. Recent research emphasises the premium which employers place upon communication skills, collaboration, and flexible problem solving among Arts graduates. Area where graduates may be employed include: policy analysis and development, research, community development, administration, public relations, publishing and media.
Depending on their area of specialisation, Arts graduates may find employment as journalists, librarians, interpreters, sociologists, publishers, internet providers, marketers, writers and in the games industry, particularly in areas focusing on interactive content creation, game design, interface design and rapid prototyping.
Graduates may also be equipped to pursue a career in the broader media, digital media/multimedia and communications sectors.
Professional recognition
Graduates of the Digital Advertising Technology major will be eligible for membership of the Australasian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA).
Graduates of the Journalism major will be eligible to apply for membership of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA).
Fees
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.