University of Technology SydneyHandbook 2006

C10060v5 Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

Award(s): Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication (BDesign)
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (BA)

UAC code: 609290 (CSP), 619290 (DFEE)
CRICOS code: 026194D
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 288
Course EFTSL: 6
Location: City campus
Faculty/institute responsible: Design, Architecture and Building
Collaborating faculty/institute: Institute for International Studies

Overview
Course aims
Career options
Additional admission requirements
Additional assumed knowledge
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Industrial training/professional practice
Course completion requirements
Course program
Other information

Overview

Visual Communication studies focus on an understanding of the way the design process is mediated by the contemporary sociopolitical framework within which it occurs. The combined degree program provides students with additional practical skills by providing the opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of a language and culture other than English.

Subjects actively encourage conceptual skills and design processing in the context of communication, rather than the performance of technical operational skills. Students are encouraged to develop their own creative abilities and to be aware of the broader cultural, social and political impact of their design work.

Course aims

The aim of the combined degree in Visual Communication and International Studies is to produce graduates who have developed perspectives and understandings that enable them to meet the professional demands of an internationalised marketplace.

The course aims to prepare students for work in a field that is extremely diverse and expects graduates to aspire to the highest level of professional practice and take an imaginative and constructively critical approach to their work.

Career options

Career options include designer in graphics, advertising, animation, new media, publications, photography, illustration, broadcasting or exhibition. Career options will be enhanced by international experience, making students more marketable to prospective employers.

Additional admission requirements

International students (excluding those studying in an Australian high school) must submit an application to the UTS International Office (in person, by mail or online) or through an accredited UTS representative. The application must include a portfolio of the student's work (preferrably provided on CD or DVD).

There is a range of entry levels to the various Language and Culture programs. Students are admitted to the International Studies program with no guarantee of entry to a specific major, although every effort is made to meet students' preferences.

In addition to the standard application requirements, all non-current school leaver applicants to this course are required to submit online a compulsory Personal Statement directly to UTS by the end of September. For further information, see UTS Personal Statements.

Additional assumed knowledge

There are no prior language requirements, except for programs within the Heritage major.

Course duration and attendance

The Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication, Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is a six-year, full-time degree. Students spend their fourth year of study at a university overseas.

Course structure

Students must complete 288 credit points of study, comprising 192 credit points relating to the Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication (C10059) and 96 credit points relating to the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies.

The Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication is structured to allow students to select areas of interest, particularly in the second half of the course.

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies requires undergraduates to study a major – a region or country – over a minimum of three years. Students study language and culture in the second and third year and spend their fourth year of study at a university overseas.

The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is not offered as a separate degree, but is completed only in combination with the professional degree program.

Industrial training/professional practice

Students can undertake part-time work experience in their third year of study.

Course completion requirements

CBK90132 Design Discipline subjects 18cp
CBK90152 Visual Communications Technology subjects 12cp
CBK90005 Country major choice 96cp
STM90372 Core subjects 132cp
CBK90242 Sub-major / Electives DAB 24cp
CBK90275 Advanced Visual Communications Technology subjects 6cp
Total 288cp

Course program

The example program below is for a student commencing in Autumn semester and undertaking the course full time with the Germany major as the International Studies major. Other countries may be chosen from the list of majors in CBK90005; the program would have the same structure but with subjects specific to the chosen country major.

 
Year 1
Autumn semester
85502 Researching Design History 6cp
87100 VC Project: Reflective Practice 6cp
87117 VC Technology: Visible Language 6cp
87118 VC Studies: Image Experimentation 6cp
Spring semester
85503 Researching Design Processes 6cp
87221 VC Studies: Histories of Visual Communication 6cp
87222 VC Project: Symbols and Systems 6cp
87333 VC Technology: Introduction to Typography 6cp
Year 2
Autumn or Spring semester
Select three subjects from the following: 18cp
87335 VC Project: Sequence and Narrative6cp 
87443 VC Technology: Type for Print and Screen6cp 
87441 VC Studies: Contexts of Visual Communication6cp 
87445 VC Project: Schema and Nonlinear Narrative6cp 
87447 VC Technology: Motion Graphics6cp 
Select 6 credit points of electives 6cp
Autumn semester
50140 Comparative Social Change 8cp
97601 German Language and Culture 1 8cp
Spring semester
97602 German Language and Culture 2 8cp
Year 3
Autumn or Spring semester
Select one subject from the following: 6cp
85500 Design Futures: Creative Technologies6cp 
85504 Design Futures: Sustainable Lifestyles6cp 
85505 Design Arguments: Making Theories6cp 
85506 Design Differences: Intercultural Asia6cp 
85507 Theories of Change6cp 
85508 Design Arguments: Critical Judgements6cp 
85509 Design Differences: Other Identities6cp 
85700 Interdisciplinary Project6cp 
Select two subjects from the following: 12cp
87335 VC Project: Sequence and Narrative6cp 
87443 VC Technology: Type for Print and Screen6cp 
87441 VC Studies: Contexts of Visual Communication6cp 
87445 VC Project: Schema and Nonlinear Narrative6cp 
87447 VC Technology: Motion Graphics6cp 
Select 6 credit points of electives 6cp
Autumn semester
97603 German Language and Culture 3 8cp
Spring semester
97604 German Language and Culture 4 8cp
976421 Contemporary Germany 8cp
Year 4
Autumn semester
977420 In-country Study 1: Germany 24cp
Spring semester
978420 In-country Study 2: Germany 24cp
Year 5
Autumn semester
87551 VC Studies: Concepts of Professionalism 6cp
87555 VC Project: Design Practice 6cp
Select one subject from the following: 6cp
87529 VC Technology: Pre-press and Print Production6cp 
87539 VC Technology: Introduction to Web Media6cp 
87549 VC Technology: Introduction to Interactive Media6cp 
87559 VC Technology: Introduction to Video Media6cp 
87569 VC Technology: Historical Photo Media6cp 
Select 6 credit points of electives 6cp
Spring semester
87665 VC Project: The Community 6cp
Select one subject from the following: 6cp
85500 Design Futures: Creative Technologies6cp 
85504 Design Futures: Sustainable Lifestyles6cp 
85505 Design Arguments: Making Theories6cp 
85506 Design Differences: Intercultural Asia6cp 
85507 Theories of Change6cp 
85508 Design Arguments: Critical Judgements6cp 
85509 Design Differences: Other Identities6cp 
Select one subject from the following: 6cp
87529 VC Technology: Pre-press and Print Production6cp 
87539 VC Technology: Introduction to Web Media6cp 
87549 VC Technology: Introduction to Interactive Media6cp 
87559 VC Technology: Introduction to Video Media6cp 
87569 VC Technology: Historical Photo Media6cp 
Select 6 credit points of electives 6cp
Year 6
Autumn semester
87772 VC Project: Self-direction 6cp
87780 VC Studies: Research Dissertation 6cp
CBK90275 Advanced Visual Communications Technology subjects 6cp
Select one subject from the following: 6cp
85500 Design Futures: Creative Technologies6cp 
85504 Design Futures: Sustainable Lifestyles6cp 
85505 Design Arguments: Making Theories6cp 
85506 Design Differences: Intercultural Asia6cp 
85507 Theories of Change6cp 
85508 Design Arguments: Critical Judgements6cp 
85509 Design Differences: Other Identities6cp 
85700 Interdisciplinary Project6cp 
Spring semester
87880 Major Project VC 24cp

Other information

For further information on the Visual Communication component, contact the Faculty Student Office on:

For further information on the International Studies program, contact the Institute on:

telephone +61 2 9514 1574
fax + 61 2 9514 1578
email iisinfo@uts.edu.au