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Bachelor of Communication (Dean's Scholars)

Approved Abbreviation: BComm(DeansSchol)

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1736.2

AQF Level: 7

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 2017 or later.

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.

Commencement Year 2015-2016 - 1736.1 Bachelor of Communication (Dean's Scholars)

Director of Academic Program - Jacki Montgomery

The Bachelor of Communication (Dean’s Scholars) 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 Screen Media. Teaching includes both theory and practice with reference to real world contexts highlighting future career opportunities in a convergent digital media 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.

This degree is exclusively for high-achieving students, and will continually challenge you to do even better and build on your academic success. Students in the Dean’s Scholars program are automatically enrolled in The Academy at Western Sydney University, which offers interdisciplinary leadership programs, professional development and local and international internship and engagement opportunities for students.

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

Accreditation
The Bachelor of Communication (Dean’s Scholars) is accredited by professional organisations including the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and the Media Foundation of Australia (MFA).

Admission

Students are admitted on the basis of their ATAR score. ATAR score of at least 90 required.

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 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 Western Sydney University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

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

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

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.

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Communication (Dean’s Scholars) is a three year degree. The course has four major sequences in Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations and Screen Media 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

102825

Introduction to Screen Media

100706

Advertising: An Introduction

101926

Media Cultures and Industries

Spring session

102421

Data, Mediation, Power

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

Recommended Sequence: Mid-year Entry (Spring)

Year 1

Spring session

102421

Data, Mediation, Power

100212

Public Relations Theory and Practice

100556

Introduction to Journalism

101921

Visual Storytelling

Autumn session

101920

Writing Ecologies

102825

Introduction to Screen Media

100706

Advertising: An Introduction

101926

Media Cultures and Industries

Year 2

Spring session

101929

Professional Writing and Editing

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Autumn session

101928

Media Law and Ethics

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Year 3

Spring session

101931

Media Memory

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Autumn session

101930

Communication Research Project

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

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

Majors

Students must select from one of the following majors

Please note: the Screen Media major and sub-major are only available at the Parramatta campus.

M1121

Advertising

M1067

Journalism

M1094

Media 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.

M1135

Screen Media

M1122

Public Relations

Sub-majors

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

SM1123

Advertising

SM1088

Journalism

SM1113

Media Arts Production

Please note: SM1113 Media Arts Production has been replaced by SM1143 Screen Media for students who commence this course from the 2021 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1113 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

SM1143

Screen Media

SM1122

Public Relations

Note: Please plan enrolment in sub-major units carefully - units at Level 2 and Level 3 may have pre-requisites. Students should consult their Academic Course Advisors if they require further information.

Sub-major Elective Spaces

Students in Advanced courses may use elective units toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major in Applied Leadership or Critical Thinking.

SM3082.1 Applied Leadership

SM3083.1 Critical Thinking

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 Indigenous Studies.

Indigenous Australian Studies Sub-major

Sub-major elective studies may include

Note: The sub-majors in a Language have inherent requirements - Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian. Please note: the Indonesian major will no longer be available from 2021. Please see the link below:

Inherent Requirements

Arabic

Chinese

Creative Writing

Cultural and Social Analysis

Please note: SM1070 Cultural and Social Analysis has been replaced by SM1138 Culture and Society for students who commence this course from the 2021 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1070 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

Culture and Society

Digital Cultures

English

History and Political Thought

Please note: SM1072 History and Political Thought has been replaced by SM1145 History and Political Thought for students who commence this course from the 2021 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1072 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

SM1145

History and Political Thought

SM1049

Indigenous Australian Studies

SM1112

Indonesian

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

SM1120

International English

Please note: SM1120 International English has been replaced by SM1132 International English for students who commence this course from the 2019 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1120 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

SM1132

International English

Please note: SM1132 International English has been replaced by SM1139 International English for students who commence this course from the 2021 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1132 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

SM1139

International English

SM1073

International Relations and Asian Studies

Islamic Studies

Japanese

Linguistics

Musicology

Music Performance Studies

SM1076

Philosophy

SM1115

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)