Course

Bachelor of Communication

Approved Abbreviation: BComm

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1696.2

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 074452D

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year for this course is 2013 or later.

Commencement Year 2012 - 1696.1 Bachelor of Communication

Commencement Year 2010 and 2011 - 1613.4 Bachelor of Communication

The Bachelor of Communication encompasses a range of studies in the fields of communication, media and design including specialised studies in the major fields of Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations and Media Arts Production. Teaching includes both theory and practice with reference to real world contexts highlighting future career opportunities in a convergent digital world. Through classwork, independent study and engagement with the multicultural nature of our communities, students develop an understanding of the local and international relevance of their chosen studies, with opportunities to develop and produce a range of media outcomes as applied research and professional projects throughout their studies. Through self-directed, team-based and problem-based learning strategies requiring active participation in the community and professional contexts, graduates learn to reflect and value ethical and intellectual conduct as well as respect for diversity and social justice principles.

Director of Academic Program - Jacki Montgomery

Study Mode
Three years full-time or six years part-time.

Accreditation
The Bachelor of Communication is accredited by professional organisations including the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and the Media Federation of Australia (MFA).

Admission

Students are admitted on the basis of their ATAR score.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

http://pubsites.uws.edu.au/international/

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Communication is a three year degree with an additional year for Honours. The course has four major sequences in Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations and Media Arts Production from which students select one at the end of their first year and each of the major sequences is also available as a sub-major.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

101920

Writing Ecologies

101927

Foundations of Media Arts and Production

100706

Advertising: An Introduction

101926

Media Cultures and Industries

Spring session

101925

Mediated Mobilities

100212

Public Relations Theory and Practice

100556

Introduction to Journalism

101921

Visual Storytelling

Year 2

Autumn session

101928

Media Law and Ethics

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Spring session

101929

Professional Writing and Editing

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Year 3

Autumn session

101930

Communication Research Project

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Spring session

101931

Media Memory

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Majors

Students must select from one of the following majors

Note: The following Majors and Sub-majors have inherent requirements, M160 - Chinese, M1062 - Japanese, SM1078 - Chinese, & SM1080 - Japanese, Please see the link below:

Inherent Requirements

M1064

Advertising

M1067

Journalism

M1066

Media Arts Production

M1065

Public Relations

Sub-majors

Students may also elect to take a sub-major in one of the four major sequences

SM1085

Advertising

SM1088

Journalism

SM1087

Media Arts Production

SM1086

Public Relations

Please note the Media Arts Production major/sub-major is only available at the Penrith campus. Students based at Parramatta campus are required to submit rule waivers to complete the units from this major/sub-major at the Penrith campus.

Sub-major elective spaces

Elective units may be used toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major (40 credit points). The University offers sub-majors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.

Indigenous Australian Studies Sub-major

Indigenous Australian Creative Expressions Sub-major

Indigenous Economics Sub-major

Business Sustainability Sub-major

Sub-Major elective studies may include the following major areas

Note: The Sub-majors in a Language have inherent requirements - Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian. Please see the link below:

Inherent Requirements

SM1077

Arabic

SM1078

Chinese

SM1070

Cultural and Social Analysis

SM1071

English

SM1072

History and Political Thought

SM1049

Indigenous Australian Studies

SM1112

Indonesian

SM1073

International Relations and Asian Studies

Islamic Studies

Japanese

Linguistics

Philosophy

Psychological Studies

Note: not all Sub-majors are available on all campuses, and enrolment may be subject to pre-requisite unit study. Students are advised to seek advice from their Academic Course Adviser for Sub-major elective options.

Search for a sub-major

Students can apply for an elective major or sub-major via MySR.

MyStudentRecords (MySR)