C10096v2 Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism)

Overview

Journalism education at UTS is based on the principle that professional journalism is founded on the public's right to know. This degree develops professional skills across all media and critically engages with the intellectual, ethical and political foundations of journalism.

This course is designed to meet the essential practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed for a career in journalism. Students gain a crucial understanding of the role that journalists play in creating a democratic public sphere, providing a forum for debate and giving voice to diverse communities. The course equips students with advanced research, writing, reporting and analytical skills for print, television, radio and online media; and knowledge of the intellectual, ethical and political foundations of journalism.

Course aims

The aim of this course is to produce graduates who understand the role that journalists play in creating a democratic public sphere that gives voice to diverse communities, provides a forum for community discussion and asks questions of the powerful.

Graduates of the degree:

• 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 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.

Career options

Career options include reporters, producers, publishers, editors and sub-editors, feature and freelance writers, investigative journalists, media researchers, and strategists in the print, broadcast and online media.

Additional assumed knowledge

HSC English and computer literacy.

External articulation

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has established recognition of prior learning packages with the following institutions for the courses listed:

• Insearch UTS: Diploma of Communication
• School of Communication, Taylor's College, Malaysia: Diploma in Communication (Journalism)
• Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore: Diploma in Media Studies and Management
• Temasek Polytechnic: Diploma in Communication and Media Management
• Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore: Diploma in Mass Communication

Course duration and attendance

This course is offered on a three-year, full-time basis.

Course structure

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.

Industrial training/professional practice

Students take part in relevant and applied journalism tasks throughout the course and can elect to undertake a professional placement with a media organisation.

Course completion requirements

Course program

The example program below is for a student commencing in Autumn semester.

Honours

Other information

Further information is available from the UTS Student Centre on: