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Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of International Studies

Approved Abbreviation: BComm/BIntlSt

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1707.4

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 088185C

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 Spring 2018 or later.

Commencement Year 2017 to Autumn 2018 - 1707.3 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of International Studies

Commencement Year 2016 - 1707.2 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of International Studies

Commencement Year 2013 to 2015 - 1707.1 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of International Studies

  • Director of Academic Program - Jacki Montgomery

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

This double degree permits students to undertake multi-skilling into two diverse career paths, providing enhanced marketability into multiple areas of expertise.

The Bachelor of International Studies examines the relationships of societies, cultures, languages and systems of government within the international system. It develops students' capacity to analyse the historical development of relations among nation states and contemporary political, social and cultural issues, such as globalisation, transnationalism and migration. Students complete a major in International Relations and Asian Studies and a sub-major in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese or Indonesian. Please note: the Indonesian sub-major will no longer be available from 2021.

The Bachelor of Communication encompasses a wide range of units in the field of communication with a core program of media studies, practice and theory, and specialised Major sequences in Advertising, Journalism, Screen Media and Public Relations.

Students in this double degree also have the opportunity to extend their combined studies through a semester studying abroad. In addition, students complete an internship in their Communications Major.

Students in this double degree also have the opportunity to complete a semester of study overseas and receive advanced standing towards their majors and sub-majors subject to Western Sydney University limits on advanced standing. Students are encouraged to do so but must discuss this with their course advisor first.

Study Mode
Five years full-time or ten 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

Assumed knowledge: any 2 units of HSC English.

Recommended studies: HSC English standard or equivalent.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

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/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International applicants must apply directly to the Western Sydney University via the International Office.

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

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This course includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 400 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Students must complete the four Bachelor of Arts (BA) core units (40 credit points):

102738Australian Politics and Active Citizenship
102737Thinking Critically About Texts and Society
102736Diversity, Language and Culture
102735Foundations of Academic English

Equivalent Core Units

The core units listed below count towards completion of this course for students who passed these units in 2019 or earlier.

100846 - Analytical Reading and Writing

100958 - Australia and the World

100960 - Contemporary Society

100968 - Texts and Traditions

Students must complete the eight Bachelor of Communications core units (80 credit points):

101930Communication Research Project
102421Data, Mediation, Power
101926Media Cultures and Industries
101928Media Law and Ethics
101931Media Memory
101929Professional Writing and Editing
101921Visual Storytelling
101920Writing Ecologies

Majors (160 credit points)

Students must complete the International Relations and Asian Studies (IRAS) Major:

M1055International Relations and Asian Studies

And must complete one of the Bachelor of Communication Majors from the list below:

M1121Advertising
M1067Journalism
M1094Media Arts Production

Please note: M1094 Media Arts Production has been replaced by M1135 Screen Media for students who commence this course from the 2021 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in M1094 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

M1135Screen Media
M1122Public Relations

Introductory Units to the Communication Majors (40 credit points)

Students must also complete the four introductory units to the Communication Majors as per the list below:

100706Advertising: An Introduction
102825Introduction to Screen Media
100556Introduction to Journalism
100212Public Relations Theory and Practice

Equivalent Unit

The unit listed below counts towards completion of this course for students who passed this unit in 2020 or earlier.

101927 - Foundations of Media Arts and Production

Sub-major (40 credit points)

Students must also complete a sub-major in Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese or Immersion Language (LOTE). Please note: the Indonesian sub-major will no longer be available from 2021.

Students should seek course advice in relation to the Level 2/3 language sequences.

Note: The following Language sub-majors have inherent requirements. Please see the link below:

Inherent Requirements

SM1077Arabic
SM1078Chinese
SM1112Indonesian

Please note: the Indonesian sub-major will no longer be available from 2021.

SM1139International English
SM1080Japanese

Students may complete the Immersion Language sub-major which covers languages that are not taught at Western Sydney University. The handbook entry for SM1128 Immersion Language contains further details.

SM1128Immersion Language

Electives (40 credit points)

For their electives, students may choose 4 Language units and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian or Japanese. Please note: the Indonesian major will no longer be available from 2021.

M1059Arabic
M1060Chinese
M1093Indonesian

Please note: the Indonesian major will no longer be available from 2021.

M1062Japanese

Students considering this option should seek course advice as they may need to follow an amended sequence.

Recommended Sequence

Language Skill Level: Beginner (any language except Indonesian)

Year 1

Autumn session

101920Writing Ecologies
100556Introduction to Journalism
102735Foundations of Academic English
102736Diversity, Language and Culture

Spring session

101921Visual Storytelling
100706Advertising: An Introduction
102737Thinking Critically About Texts and Society
102738Australian Politics and Active Citizenship

Year 2

Autumn session

101926Media Cultures and Industries
100212Public Relations Theory and Practice
101442Asia in the World

Level 1 Language unit

Spring session

102421Data, Mediation, Power
102825Introduction to Screen Media
101956Introduction to International Relations

Level 1 Language unit

Year 3

Autumn Session

100277Politics of Australia and Asia Relations

Communication Major unit

Two Level 2 Language units

Spring Session

Communication Major unit

Communication Major unit

IRAS Major unit

IRAS Major unit

Year 4

Autumn session

101928Media Law and Ethics

Choose three of

Communication Major units

Or

IRAS Major units

Spring session

101929Professional Writing and Editing
101957The Asian Century

Choose two of

Communication Major units

Or

IRAS Major units

Year 5

Autumn session

Choose

Study Abroad semester with four elective units to be studied overseas (consultation with the Academic Course Advisor is required)

Or

Four elective units in relevant area to be studied at Western Sydney University (consultation with the Academic Course Advisor is highly recommended) (see Note)

Spring session

101931Media Memory
101930Communication Research Project

Choose two of

Communication Major units

Or

IRAS Major units

Note: Students may choose 4 Language units from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese

Language Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced (any language except Indonesian)

Year 1

Autumn session

101920Writing Ecologies
100556Introduction to Journalism
102735Foundations of Academic English
102736Diversity, Language and Culture

Spring Session

101921Visual Storytelling
100706Advertising: An Introduction
102737Thinking Critically About Texts and Society
102738Australian Politics and Active Citizenship

Year 2

Autumn session

101926Media Cultures and Industries
100212Public Relations Theory and Practice
101442Asia in the World
101928Media Law and Ethics

Spring session

102421Data, Mediation, Power
102825Introduction to Screen Media
101956Introduction to International Relations
101929Professional Writing and Editing

Year 3

Autumn Session

100277Politics of Australia and Asia Relations

Communication Major unit

Two Language Level 2/3 units

Spring Session

IRAS Major unit

Communication Major unit

Two Language Level 2/3 units

Year 4

Autumn session

Choose four of

Communication Major units Or

IRAS Major units

Spring session

101957The Asian Century

Choose three of

Communication Major units Or

IRAS Major units

Year 5

Autumn session

Choose

Study Abroad semester with four elective units to be studied overseas (consultation with the Academic Course Advisor is required)

Or

Four elective units in relevant area to be studied at Western Sydney University (consultation with the Academic Course Advisor is highly recommended) (see Note)

Spring session

101931Media Memory
101930Communication Research Project

Choose two of

Communication Major units Or

IRAS Major units

Note: Students may choose 4 Language units from Arabic, Chinese or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese

Language Skill Level:

Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced (Indonesian language only)

Please note: the Indonesian sub-major will no longer be available from 2021.

Year 1

Autumn session

101920Writing Ecologies
100556Introduction to Journalism
102735Foundations of Academic English
102736Diversity, Language and Culture

Spring Session

101921Visual Storytelling
100706Advertising: An Introduction
102737Thinking Critically About Texts and Society
102738Australian Politics and Active Citizenship

Year 2

Autumn session

101926Media Cultures and Industries
100212Public Relations Theory and Practice
101442Asia in the World

Language unit (Indonesian)

Spring session

102421Data, Mediation, Power
102825Introduction to Screen Media
101956Introduction to International Relations

Language unit (Indonesian)

Year 3

Autumn Session

100277Politics of Australia and Asia Relations

Communication Major unit

IRAS Major unit

Language unit (Indonesian)

Spring Session

Communication Major unit

Communication Major unit

IRAS Major unit

Language unit (Indonesian)

Year 4

Autumn session

101928Media Law and Ethics

Choose three of

Communication Major units Or

IRAS Major units

Spring session

101929Professional Writing and Editing
101957The Asian Century

Choose two of

Communication Major units Or

IRAS Major units

Year 5

Autumn session

Choose

Study Abroad semester with four elective units to be studied overseas (consultation with the Academic Course Advisor is required)

Or

Four elective units in relevant area to be studied at Western Sydney University (consultation with the Academic Course Advisor is highly recommended) (see Note 1)

Spring session

101931Media Memory
101930Communication Research Project

Choose two of

Communication Major units OR

IRAS Major units

Equivalent Core Unit

The core unit listed below counts towards completion of this course for students who passed this unit in 2020 or earlier.

101927 - Foundations of Media Arts and Production

Please note: the Indonesian major will no longer be available from 2021.

Note 1: Students may choose 4 Indonesian Language units as part of their electives and graduate with a Major in Indonesian



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