HSS – Undergraduate courses

Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Writing and Contemporary Cultures)


UTS course code: C10099 UAC code: 608060 Testamur title: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Abbreviation: BA Course fee: HECS (local); $7,450 per semester (international) Total credit points: 144 Overview Course aims Advanced standing Course duration Course structure Typical program Overview In the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Writing and Contemporary Cultures), writing is studied as a professional practice which takes place in engagement with contemporary cultures. Writing is studied in both theory and practice, and students apply their skills to a range of genres and different media. Writing well (and reading well) is fundamental to all forms of study and future learning, and the approach taken to developing skills across a range of genres, and for a range of media, takes this into account. At UTS, great emphasis is placed on the position of the writer within society. This position is one of critical engagement, and it is for this reason that writing is studied in conjunction with a broad array of reading and analysis of contemporary cultures. Course aims Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Writing and Contemporary Cultures): have a broad range of skills and knowledge, making for creative and critically informed communication professionals have both general and specific skills in creative writing across a range of genres have a critical knowledge of Australian cultural traditions, industries and institutions have a critical understanding of new media and contemporary cultural forms that support their writing in relation to these media and the formal innovations within them have a critical knowledge of cultural and aesthetic debates, and their implications for cultural policy developments are able to think critically and creatively about future developments in cultural industries have a strong awareness of the needs of specific communities and the ability to evaluate a range of strategies for dealing with cultural and social problems, and are able to function within groups and be sensitive to the multiple dimensions of social and cultural difference. 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 Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore. Students who have completed previous study in the Diploma in Mass Communication or Diploma in Film, Sound and Video 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, two subjects from any Disciplinary Strand, and Elective Studies subjects. The Disciplinary Strand is Cultural Studies and the Professional Strand is Writing. 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 One subject from the Cultural Studies Disciplinary Strand at 200 level (8 credit points) One subject from the Cultural Studies Disciplinary Strand at 300 level (8 credit points) Two subjects at the 200 or 300 level from any of the three Disciplinary Strands (16 credit points) Professional Strand subjects (44 credit points) Two subjects from the Writing Professional Strand at 100 level (12 credit points): 50122 Writing: Style and Structure 6cp 50123 Narrative Writing 6cp Two subjects from the Writing Professional Strand at 200 level (16 credit points) Two subjects from the Writing Professional Strand 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 50122 Writing: Style and Structure 6cp Spring semester D 50106 Media, Information and Society 6cp D 50108 Contemporary Cultures 2 6cp D 50111 Colonialism and Modernity 6cp P 50123 Narrative Writing 6cp Year 2 Autumn semester D 5xxxx One subject at 200 level in the Cultural Studies Disciplinary Strand 8cp P 5xxxx One subject at 200 level in the Writing 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 200 level in the Writing Professional Strand 8cp E xxxxx Elective subject 8cp Year 3 Autumn semester D 5xxxx One subject at 300 level in the Cultural Studies Disciplinary Strand 8cp P 5xxxx One subject at 300 level in the Writing 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 in the Writing Professional Strand 8cp E xxxxx Elective subject 8cp D = Disciplinary Studies subject P = Professional Studies subject E = Elective Studies subject