Bachelor of Media and Communication

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The Bachelor of Media and Communication is designed to prepare students for a career in the media, communications and multimedia industries. Students learn about how the media is evolving through an examination of issues such as ownership, control of the media and the impact of new media technologies on society. The course links theoretical and practical knowledge and skills needed to operate effectively in diverse settings in industry.

Selected major: Creative Writing and Literature

Gain an understanding of creative text and popular culture in literature. Develop models for your own writing and critiquing skills in literature, while exploring subjects such as self and society.

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Back Advertising Cinema and Screen Studies Creative Writing and Literature Digital Advertising Technology Games and Interactivity Journalism Media Industries Professional Writing and Editing Public Relations Social Media

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You have until 4pm December 14 to preference a Swinburne degree or double degree for the December offer round. Choose Swinburne.

Start dates

Hawthorn campus

Semester 1 - 2 March 2020
Semester 2 - 3 August 2020

View application and start dates

Duration

3 Year/s

Full-time

VTAC codes

3400210851 (CSP)
3400210853 (IFP)

Faculty

Faculty of Health, Arts and Design

CRICOS code

088390J

Fees

A$31160 (annual for 2020)*

The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

I’ve had amazing internships with incredible companies. I’m working in an industry placement as a Social Media Response Specialist at Optus. I’ve been able to use the skills learnt in my major, and have worked with the Digital Content team to create content for the Optus website.

Chloe Soklevski

Bachelor of Media and Communications (Professional), majoring in Social Media

Studying Cinema and Screen Studies allowed me to critically look at popular film and television and explore the ways in which they have succeeded and why. I have really enjoyed the chance to learn from experienced tutors and lecturers who were constantly there for support and feedback. Getting advice has really helped me to grow as a writer and feel more confident in my own work.

Annika Willoughby

Bachelor of Media and Communication, major in Cinema and Screen Studies

Course details

- Course structure, work integrated learning and professional recognition.

Course structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Media and Communication 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

Core studies

4 units (50 credit points)

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Professional Communication Practice	COM10007	12.5
Media Content Creation	JOU10007	12.5
Introduction to Media Studies	MDA10001	12.5
Global Media Industries	MDA10008	12.5

Major

8 units (100 credit points)

Selected major: Creative Writing and Literature

Gain an understanding of creative text and popular culture in literature. Develop models for your own writing and critiquing skills in literature, while exploring subjects such as self and society.

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Writing Fiction	LIT10002	12.5
Reading and Writing Genre Texts	LIT10003	12.5
Reading, Writing and Criticism	LIT20001	12.5
Working with Words *	LIT20003	12.5
Exploring Iconic Texts	LIT20004	12.5
Graphic Narratives: Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga *	LIT30002	12.5
Media and Communication Project A *	MDA30006	12.5
Novel Writing *	PWR30002	12.5

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

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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).

Second major Co-major Minors Elective units Signature Series

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Introduction to Animation	ANI10001	12.5
Introduction to Character and Environment Design	ANI10004	12.5
Professional Communication Practice	COM10007	12.5
Web Development	COS10005	12.5
Introduction to Programming	COS10009	12.5
Creating Web Applications	COS10011	12.5
20th Century Design	DDD10001	12.5
Introductory Design Studio	DDD10006	12.5
Product Visualisation 1: Hand Sketching	DID10001	12.5
Digital Presentation and Computer Ideation	DID10002	12.5
Digital Video and Audio	DIG10004	12.5
Introduction to Digital Imaging	DIG10007	12.5
Screen Literacy and Contemporary Cinema	FTV10003	12.5
Genre and the Moving Image	FTV10006	12.5
Introduction to Health Sciences	HEA10001	12.5
Global History	HIS10003	12.5
Australian History	HIS10004	12.5
Database, Analysis and Design	INF10002	12.5
Introduction to Business Information Systems	INF10003	12.5
Information Methods	INF10014	12.5
Connecting with Culture, Indegenous Australian Experience	INS10001	12.5
News Writing	JOU10004	12.5
Media Content Creation	JOU10007	12.5
Media, Ethics and Law	JOU20006	12.5
Media Production	JOU20007	12.5
Writing Fiction	LIT10002	12.5
Reading and Writing Genre Texts	LIT10003	12.5
Introduction to Media Studies	MDA10001	12.5
Screen Studies, Movies, Television, and Ourselves	MDA10003	12.5
Innovation Cultures: Perspectives On Science & Technology	MDA10006	12.5
Global Media Industries	MDA10008	12.5
Fundamentals of Marketing	MKT10007	12.5
Introduction to Philosophy	PHI10002	12.5
Critical Thinking	PHI10003	12.5
International Politics	POL10002	12.5
Psychology 100	PSY10003	12.5
Psychology 101	PSY10004	12.5
Editing for Writers	PWR10002	12.5
Sociological Foundations	SOC10004	12.5
The Self Vs. The World: Identity, Social Change And The Global Context	SOC10010	12.5
Identity and Social Change	SOC10013	12.5
Foundations of Statistics	STA10003	12.5
Advertising Issues: Regulation, Ethics & Cultural Considerations	ADV20001	12.5
Concept Development and Copywriting	ADV20002	12.5
Digital Narratives	DIG20001	12.5
User Experience Design	DIG20005	12.5
Digital Mobility	DIG20011	12.5
Writing for Interactive Narratives	GAM20004	12.5
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention	HEP20002	12.5
Mobile Business and Social Media	INF20011	12.5
Big Data Management	INF20016	12.5
Australian Writing and Cultural Change	LIT20002	12.5
Business of Media	MDA20001	12.5
Networked Selves	MDA20003	12.5
Screen Franchising and Innovation	MDA20007	12.5
Digital Communities	MDA20009	12.5
The Media in Australia	MDA20010	12.5
Sports/Advertising/Media	MDA20011	12.5
Media and Social Impact	MDA20014	12.5
Integrated Marketing Communication	MKT20021	12.5
Consumer Behaviour	MKT20025	12.5
Australian Foreign Policy	POL20008	12.5
Public Relations Theory and Practice	PUB20002	12.5
Public Relations Writing	PUB20003	12.5
Writing Creative Non-Fiction	PWR20003	12.5
Deviance, Difference & Conformity	SOC20020	12.5
Advertising Media Planning and Purchasing	ADV30001	12.5
Advertising Technology	DIG30003	12.5
Breaking the Screen	FTV30001	12.5
Graphic Narratives: Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga	LIT30002	12.5
Media and Communications Project A	MDA30006	12.5
Media and Communications Project B	MDA30007	12.5
Radio, Audio and Podcasting	MDA30009	12.5
Audio Narratives	MDA30010	12.5
Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood	MDA30011	12.5
Researching Social Media Publics	MDA30012	12.5
Events Management	PUB30001	12.5

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

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Media and Communication, graduates will be able to:

develop knowledge, conceptual understanding, technical skills and expertise in the broad field of media and communication
formulate arguments that draw on and critique the differences between relevant theories and evidence as they pertain to the field of media and communication
exercise initiative and judgment in planning, problem-solving and decision-making in professional practice and/or scholarship, individually and in collaboration with others
critically apply creativity and problem-solving in relation to a range of media and communication activities and processes.
recognise and reflect on social, cultural, legal and ethical issues relating to media and communication industries in local and international contexts
apply a broad understanding of an audience through interpreting and communicating ideas, problems and arguments in a range of media and communication contexts and formats, using the English language
reflect critically on their performance and/or scholarship and use this to improve their own creative and productive outcomes
critically evaluate and apply research methodology relevant to the field of media and communication.

Course structure

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Media and Communication, students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

4 Core units of study (50 credit points)
8 units of study from one of the following Media and Communication majors: Advertising, Cinema and Screen Studies, Creative Writing and Literature, Digital Advertising Technology, Games and Interactivity, Journalism, Media Industries, Public Relations, Professional Writing and Editing, Social Media (100 credit points)
12 units of study (150 credit points) comprising of a second major, and/or co-major, and/or advanced minor/s, and/or minor/s, and/or electives.

Students studying through FPT University, Vietnam select either the Advertising or Social Media major.

Students must not complete more than 125 credit points at Introductory level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative.

Students also have an opportunity to undertake a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Professional Placement. Professional Placements are not available to students studying through FPT partnership in Vietnam.

Professional Placements

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be eligible for a Professional Placement where a relevant Professional degree exists.

International students who successfully gain a placement through the selection process will be required to change courses to the relevant Professional degree, in order to complete a placement and should consider any visa and extended study duration implications prior to applying.

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:

4 Core units of study (50 credit points)
8 units of study from one of the following Media and Communication majors: Advertising, Cinema and Screen Studies, Creative Writing and Literature, Digital Advertising Technology, Games and Interactivity, Journalism, Media Industries, Public Relations, Professional Writing and Editing, Social Media (100 credit points)
4 units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points)
10 units of study (125 credit points) comprising of a second major, and/or co-major, and/or advanced minor/s, and/or minor/s, and/or electives

Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 credit points comprising:

4 Core Units of Study (50 credit points)
8 units of study from one of the following Media and Communication majors: Advertising, Cinema and Screen Studies, Creative Writing and Literature, Digital Advertising Technology, Games and Interactivity, Journalism, Media Industries, Public Relations, Professional Writing and Editing, Social Media (100 credit points)
2 units of study from the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points)
11 units of study (137.5 credit points) comprising of a second major, and/or co-major, and/or advanced minor/s, and/or minor/s, and/or electives.

Work Integrated Learning

Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides opportunities to gain invaluable skills and confidence in knowing that you have what it takes to land a job in your field by graduation. You can also earn credit towards your degree. Choose from six- or 12-month professional placements, professional internships, industry-linked projects, industry study tours and accreditation placements. Find out more.

Choose a professional placement option:

12 months Six months

Professional Placement in Media and Communication

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience in Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication	MDA20016	25
Work Experience in Industry B	WEI20002	25
Integrated Professional Placement B - Media and Communication	MDA20017	25

Professional Placement in Media and Communication

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience in Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication	MDA20016	25

Note: Some Work Integrated Learning opportunities are not available to international students due to visa restrictions.

Professional recognition

On completion of the Public Relations major students may be eligible to become a member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and should confirm eligibility with the Institute.

The Advertising major is professionally accredited by the Media Federation of Australia (MFA).

How to enter this course

- Entry requirements, English language requirements and pathways.

Entry requirements

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65%
minimum IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
TOEFL iBT (internet-based) minimum score of 75 with a reading band no less than 18 and writing band no less than 20
Pearson (PTE) minimum score of 50 (no communicative skills less than 50)
any other equivalent assessment of English language proficiency.

Find out more about English language requirements.

Pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second.

Progress from these courses to Bachelor of Media and Communication	Maximum amount of credit available
Diploma of Sport Development / Diploma of Leadership and Management	8 units
Advanced Diploma of Justice	8 units
Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing	8 units

This information should be used as a guide only. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree.

Learn more about pathways.

How to apply

Find out more about 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.

with a major in Creative Writing and Literature