Course

Bachelor of Communication

Approved Abbreviation: BComm

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Western Sydney University Course Code: 1613.4

CRICOS Code: 052914E

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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 2010 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 2008 and 2009 - 1613.3 Bachelor of Communication

Commencement Year 2007 - 1613.2 Bachelor of Communication

Commencement Year 2005 and 2006 - 1613.1 Bachelor of Communication

The Bachelor of Communication encompasses a wide range of units in the fields of communication and design including specialised studies in advertising, journalism, writing, public relations, media production and animation. Through their engagement with the multicultural nature of our community through class work, students develop an understanding of the local and international relevance of their chosen studies. Through self-directed, team-based and problem based learning strategies requiring active participation in the community, graduates also learn to value ethical conduct and intellectual integrity as well as respect for diversity and social justice principles.

By synergizing the intellectual perspectives of communication and design, graduates will understand how knowledge is connected to other disciplines and be able to apply critical, reflective, and creative skills to make informed decisions in professional contexts.

The program is constructed around a Key Program of units that builds students’ conceptual understanding of communication and design. This structure is completed with suites of professional units, which integrate theory and practice through problem-based learning and engagement with the wider Greater Western Sydney community. The fourth year of study is built around an Honours project, professional engagement or professional research. The Bachelor of Communication Studies is a three-year exit point, allowing for a broader, less specialised study of the fields of communication and media.

Students may exit with 1614 Bachelor of Communication Studies after successful completion of the first three years of the course sequence.

The Honours Program will offer students an advanced-level involvement within their discipline. Students will get the opportunity to significantly focus and develop their practical and theoretical knowledge beyond the scope of their initial three years of undergraduate study. In-depth research on a specific topic proposed at the outset will be actively pursued within the Program to culminate in the production of a major project.

Study Mode
Four years full-time or eight years part-time.

Accreditation
This course is accredited with the International Advertising Association (IAA) and the Media Federation of Australia (MFA)

Admission

Proficiency in reading, understanding and writing English. HSC English Standard recommended.

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/

The applicants for the Honours Program must have completed the Bachelor of Communication 3 year course, or an equivalent Program of undergraduate study. Applicants submit a project statement and proposal, with a select bibliography. Applications are scrutinised and assessed by the School Research Committee and College Executive. Applicants are generally expected to possess an undergraduate GPA of 5.0 (Credit) or higher. Applicants will be strongly encouraged to discuss their application with one or two potential supervisors within the School before submitting the application.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Students have six open electives.

Students may select their electives from any course offered by the university subject to meeting any pre-requisite requirements.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

101040

Approaches to Communication

101057

Writing as Communication

101055

Screen Media

100706

Advertising: An Introduction

Spring session

100947

Design Thinking

101041

Communication Research

100212

Public Relations Theory and Practice

100556

Introduction to Journalism

Year 2

Autumn session

101243

Communication Law and Ethics

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Spring session

101720

New Media Contexts

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Year 3

Autumn session

101719

Media Analysis

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Spring session

101053

Researching Media Audiences

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Professional Strand

Year 4

Autumn session

100938

Communication and Creative Industries

And one elective

Spring session

101172

Communication and Design Reflective Exegesis

And one elective

1H session

101024

Communication Design Professional Brief

100602

Communication Design Major Project

2H session

101024

Communication Design Professional Brief

100602

Communication Design Major Project

Embedded Honours Program

H1009

Honours Units - Bachelor of Communication Honours Pathway

Majors

Students studying the four-year Bachelor of Communication must select from one of the following majors.

M1613ADV

Advertising

M1613JRN

Journalism

M1613MAP

Media Arts Production

M1038

Public Relations

Students exiting from this award with the three-year Bachelor of Communication Studies may select one of the following majors.

M1000

Advertising

M1001

Journalism

M1002

Media Arts Production

M1039

Public Relations

Sub-majors

The following sub-majors are available to students

SM1613ANIM

Animation

SM1613PERF

Performance

SM1052

Writing

Sub-major elective spaces

Elective units may be used toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major (40 credit points).

Search for sub-majors

Western Sydney 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

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

MyStudentRecords (MySR)