HSS – Undergraduate courses

Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism)


UTS course code: C10096 UAC code: 608030 Testamur title: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Abbreviation: BA Course fee: HECS (local); $8,250 per semester (international) Total credit points: 144 Overview Course aims Advanced standing Course duration Course structure Typical program Overview Journalism education at UTS is based on the principle that professional journalism is founded on the public's right to know. The aim is to produce graduates who understand the role that journalists can play in creating a democratic public sphere that will give voice to diverse communities, provide a forum for community discussion and ask questions of the powerful. This aim is achieved by developing professional skills of the highest calibre across all media, and a critical engagement with the intellectual, ethical and political foundations of journalism. Course aims Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism): are able to use their professional skills and knowledge across all media: print, television, radio, the Internet, online and multimedia have a knowledge and critical understanding of the media are equipped with the necessary skills to enter professional practice in the media have a knowledge of the historical, philosophical, ethical and cultural foundations underpinning journalism and strive, throughout their careers, to promote the important role of professional and ethical journalism in the service of the public seek opportunities to make significant intellectual and creative contributions to the social, political and cultural life of the communities in which they live have an understanding of the role of the media in local, regional, national and global contexts have an understanding of the relationship of media theory and practice have a critical understanding of the relationships between technology, professionalism and social change and are able to adapt their professional skills to future change and to new production challenges have strong research skills to effectively retrieve and analyse information from a range of sources have a critical understanding of issues of gender, race, ethnicity, disability and class and the way these are linked to issues of media representation, production and reception understand the role the media has played in the dispossession of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the importance of the role the media can play in the reconciliation process and bringing justice to all communities have developed the ability to be self-reliant and pro-active, flexible and innovative, and have an understanding and commitment to ethical journalism practice. Advanced standing Students who have completed tertiary studies at another institution can apply for exemption from specific subjects or from electives. In addition, the Faculty has established an Advanced Standing Package with Insearch UTS. Students who have completed the Diploma in Communication may be offered a standard pattern of exemptions as a result of their previous study. Course duration This course is offered on a three-year, full-time basis. Course structure The course consists of compulsory subjects, subjects selected from a particular Disciplinary or Professional Strand, one subject from any Disciplinary Strand, and Elective Studies subjects. The Disciplinary Strand is Communication and Information Studies and the Professional Strand is Journalism. A total of 144 credit points is allocated to the course: 68 credit points for Disciplinary Strand subjects, 44 credit points for Professional Strand subjects and 32 credit points for Elective Studies subjects. Disciplinary Strand subjects (68 credit points) Two subjects from each of the three Disciplinary Strands at 100 level (36 credit points): 50105 Communication and Information Environments 6cp 50106 Media, Information and Society 6cp 50107 Contemporary Cultures 1 6cp 50108 Contemporary Cultures 2 6cp 50109 Power and Change in Australia 6cp 50111 Colonialism and Modernity 6cp Two subjects at 200 level (16 credit points): 50128 Media, Information and the Law 8cp 50129 News and Current Affairs 8cp One subject at 300 level (8 credit points): 50174 Professional Practice and Culture 8cp One subject at 200 or 300 level from any of the three Disciplinary Strands (8 credit points) Professional Strand subjects (44 credit points) Two subjects at 100 level (12 credit points): 50114 Journalism 1 6cp 50115 Journalism 2 6cp Two subjects at 200 level (16 credit points) Two subjects at 300 level (16 credit points) Elective Studies subjects (32 credit points) Electives may be selected from within the Faculty, from other faculties, or from other universities. Typical program Year 1 Autumn semester D 50105 Communication and Information Environments 6cp D 50107 Contemporary Cultures 1 6cp D 50109 Power and Change in Australia 6cp P 50114 Journalism 1 6cp Spring semester D 50106 Media, Information and Society 6cp D 50108 Contemporary Cultures 2 6cp D 50111 Colonialism and Modernity 6cp P 50115 Journalism 2 6cp Year 2 Autumn semester D 50128 Media, Information and the Law 8cp P 5xxxx One subject at 200 level from the Journalism Professional Strand 8cp E xxxxx Elective subject 8cp Spring semester D 50129 News and Current Affairs 8cp P 5xxxx One subject at 200 level from the Journalism Professional Strand 8cp E xxxxx Elective subject 8cp Year 3 Autumn semester D 50174 Professional Practice and Culture 8cp P 5xxxx One subject at 300 level from the Journalism Professional Strand 8cp E xxxxx Elective subject 8cp Spring semester D 5xxxx One subject at the 200 or 300 level from any Disciplinary Strand 8cp P 5xxxx One subject at 300 level from the Journalism Professional Strand 8cp E xxxxx Elective subject 8cp D = Disciplinary Studies subject P = Professional Studies subject E = Elective Studies subject