Major (2020)
Information on this page, including unit offerings, is from the 2020 academic year.
Communication and Media Studies (BA)
- B1316; B1316ABACHELOR OF ARTS
- Course Outline
- Course Structure
- Fees
- Course Plans
| Title | Communication and Media Studies (BA) |
| Course Code | B1316; B1316A |
| Study Level | Bachelor (Undergraduate) |
| Organisational Unit | Creative Media, Arts and Design |
| Academic Contacts | Academic Chair: Associate Professor Terence Lee | Email: T.Lee@murdoch.edu.au | Tel: 9360 6689 |
| Qualification | Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and Media Studies |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Availability | Kaplan Higher Education Institute and Kaplan Higher Education Academy (Singapore) ['KAPLAN-SGP'] (internal) (language of instruction: English) |
| Description | This major provides students with skills and expertise for work in contemporary communication, media and cultural industries characterised by rapid change, digitalisation and technological innovation. Students are equipped with the knowledge base and skills for analysing and producing both traditional and new media texts, as well as understanding communication and cultural processes in the emerging creative industries. As the units in this major cover a wide range of critical communication issues, cultural theory and media concepts, students completing this course are well placed to embark on a research career in the industry or enrol for further studies at Honours and/or graduate level. In the Bachelor of Arts you will develop a broad understanding of your field and proficiency in producing written and oral arguments and creative artefacts in response to social, human and natural phenomena. You will also develop a critical appreciation of the perspectives of others. As an Arts graduate you will be able to think critically and creatively, apply knowledge and information, and communicate effectively. These are professional skills which are critical across a range of industries. You will also be able to pursue further study in the fields of social research, the humanities and/or the creative arts. |
| Admission Requirements: Onshore course offerings | As per normal undergraduate admission requirements. Equivalent of an Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Major Learning Outcomes | KNOWLEDGE Graduates will understand themselves as knowledge-makers and be reflective thinkers in their personal and professional lives who will: * demonstrate a knowledge of, and apply the principles and concepts of CMS; * recognise that CMS is a broad discipline that impacts on, and is influenced by, other disciplines; * recognise that CMS plays an essential role in society and underpins many social, technological and cultural advances. SKILLS Graduates will be able to investigate and solve qualitative and quantitative problems in CMS, individually and collaboratively, by: * formulating proposals and designing and undertaking projects in a safe and responsible manner; * applying recognised methods and appropriate practical techniques, and being able to adapt these when necessary; * collecting, recording and interpreting data and incorporating qualitative and quantitative evidence into defensible arguments; * evaluating and creating from a range of sources, including traditional and emerging information technologies and methods. APPLICATION Graduates will communicate CMS knowledge by: * appropriately identifying and reflecting on the knowledge and skills; * presenting information, articulating arguments and conclusions, in a variety of modes and mediums, to diverse audiences, and for a range of purposes. * Graduates will take personal, professional and social responsibility by: * recognising the relevant and required ethical conduct and behaviour within which CMS is practised; * demonstrating a capacity for self-directed learning; * demonstrating a capacity for working responsibly and safely; * understanding and being able to articulate aspects of the place and importance of CMS in the local and global community. |
| Course Learning Outcomes | KNOWLEDGE CLO1 - Graduates of the Murdoch University Bachelor of Arts demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of a) The theoretical perspectives and methods of enquiry of a discipline b) The diversity of social, human and natural phenomena and the multiple perspectives (including inter-disciplinary perspectives) which can be brought to bear in social and creative enquiry c) Global perspectives including an awareness of and respect for the historical, social, biological, cultural, and economic interdependence of global life SKILLS CLO 2 - Graduates of the Murdoch University Bachelor of Arts are effective communicators who demonstrate a) proficiency in producing written arguments and/or creative artefacts consistent with the norms and standards of a discipline b) capacity for persuasive oral communication appropriate to a range of audiences CLO3 - Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts gather, synthesise and critically evaluate ideas and information from a range of sources demonstrating a) analytical, creative and conceptual thinking b) a variety of methods for research and practice appropriate to the discipline APPLICATION CLO 4 - Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts demonstrate confidence and competence in applying knowledge and skills to practice through a) a capacity for self-directed independent enquiry b) critical self-reflection c) creative problem solving d) a global perspective incorporating an appreciation of cultural and disciplinary differences CLO 5 - Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts have well developed interpersonal and collaborative skills including the demonstrated capacity to a) give and receive critical feedback b) work effectively within team environments c) respect the thoughts and opinions of others CLO 6 - Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts demonstrate ethical thinking and practice through social and creative enquiry which recognises diversity and the rights and perspectives of others |
| Employment Prospects | Graduates can expect to find employment in a wide range of fields, from the creative industries (new media, public relations, advertising, journalism, radio, television, music and print) to management, administration, government, public policy, media research, academia and teaching. |
| Recommended Double Majors | Journalism; Law; Public Relations |
| Recommended Minors | Gender Studies; International Aid and Development; Sustainable Development |
| Excluded Minors | Social Justice in Contemporary Culture |
| Main research areas | Communication Studies, Media Studies, Creative Industries, Communication Policy, Media Audiences, Global Media. |
| Internet Access Requirements | Murdoch units normally include an online component comprising materials, discussions, lecture recordings and assessment activities. All students, regardless of their location or mode of study, need to have access to and be able to use computing devices with browsing capability and a connection to the Internet via Broadband (Cable, ADSL or Mobile) or Wireless. The Internet connection should be readily available and allow large amounts of data to be streamed or downloaded (approximately 100MB per lecture recording). Students also need to be able to enter into online discussions and submit assignments online. |
Course Structure - 72 credit points
Transition Unit - 3 credit points
BAR100 Academic Learning Skills - 3 points
Breadth Unit for Degree - 3 credit points
BAR150 Ideas and Identity - 3 points
CMS100 Introduction to Communication - 3 points
Not available this year
CMS101 Introduction to Media Studies - 3 points
Not available this year
CMS102 Contemporary Culture - 3 points
Not available this year
General Electives - 9 credit points
Select from any 100-level units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites. Students are advised to consider using General Elective points to meet the requirements of a second major or minor. Any recommended double majors and minors will be included in the major's description.
University-Wide Breadth Units - 6 credit points Unit List
Select from the prescribed list of University-Wide Breadth Units. A unit cannot be used to satisfy both this Breadth Unit requirement and the requirements of a major or minor. If taken at 100 level the unit(s) will be attributed to Part I. Note that no more than 30 credit points at Part I may be credited towards course completion requirements.
Research Skills Unit - 3 credit points
The Research Skills unit to be taken will depend on the student's Primary Major enrolment. Select from the following.
For Primary Major in Social and Developmental Psychology
BSC201 Psychology: Measurement, Design and Analysis - 3 points
KAPLAN-SGP: TJA-internal, TMA-internal, TSA-internal
BAR200 Developing Research Skills and Methods - 3 points
KAPLAN-SGP: TJA-internal, TMA-internal, TSA-internal
CMS201 Screen: Small, Medium and Large - 3 points
KAPLAN-SGP: TJA-internal, TSA-internal
CMS202 Old Media, New Media - 3 points
KAPLAN-SGP: TJA-internal, TSA-internal
CMS203 Audiences, Users and Participants - 3 points
KAPLAN-SGP: TMA-internal
General Electives - 9 credit points
Select from any 200- to 400-level units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites. Students are advised to consider using General Elective points to meet the requirements of a second major or minor. Any recommended double majors and minors will be included in the major's description.
Research Skills Unit - 3 credit points
The Research Skills unit to be taken will depend on the student's Primary Major enrolment. Select from the following.
For Primary Major in Social and Developmental Psychology
BSC302 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods - 3 points
KAPLAN-SGP: TJA-internal, TMA-internal, TSA-internal
BAR300 Advanced Research in the Arts - 3 points
KAPLAN-SGP: TJA-internal, TSA-internal
CMS304 Communicating Global Issues - 3 points
KAPLAN-SGP: TMA-internal
CMS305 Media Governance and the Public Sphere - 3 points
KAPLAN-SGP: TMA-internal
CMS306 Critical Topics in Communication and Media Studies - 3 points
KAPLAN-SGP: TJA-internal, TSA-internal
General Electives - 9 credit points
Select from any 200- to 400-level units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites. Students are advised to consider using General Elective points to meet the requirements of a second major or minor. Any recommended double majors and minors will be included in the major's description.
Go to the Tuition Fee Calculator for this course for the following Student Types:
Domestic - Undergraduate - Commonwealth supported - commenced 2010 or later
Domestic - Undergraduate - Full fee paying - commenced any year
International Onshore - Undergraduate - commenced 2014
International Onshore - Undergraduate - commenced 2015 to 2017
International Onshore - Undergraduate - commenced 2018 or later
No course plans are available for this course in 2020.
To check other years, go to the Course Plans site.