Media and Communications
Media and Communications offers students professional training in the main areas of media production and an advanced education in the history and theory of the field. Core units of study focus on media production, the structure of the media and communications industries, the media's role in culture and politics, and contemporary legal and ethical issues prevalent in the field. You will explore these areas through a diverse range of disciplinary perspectives and relevant critical theories and develop in-depth professional skills in the fields of written news and feature journalism, audio, video, social media and public relations. In the fourth or Advanced Studies year, you will study entrepreneurial leadership in media organisations, undertake an industry internship and complete either a major media project or research essay.
The four-year Advanced Studies in Media and Communications program is specifically designed to equip students with key skills for entry into multi-platform journalism, media regulation, public policy, public relations and corporate communications. This also qualifies our students to apply to a variety of competitive international graduate programs that require the completion of a four-year undergraduate degree for entry.
Requirements for completion
The Media and Communications program requires 96 credit points including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level major core units
(ii) 12 credit points of 1000-level program core units
(iii) 12 credit points of 2000-level major core units
(iv) 6 credit points of 2000-level selective unit
(v) 6 credit points of 2000-level program core unit
(vi) 12 credit points of 3000-level major core units
(vii) 6 credit points of 3000-level program core unit
(viii) 6 credit points of 3000-level interdisciplinary project unit
(ix) 24 credit points of 4000-level core Advanced coursework units OR students with a WAM of 70 or above can choose to complete the Honours track in the fourth year by completing 48 credit points of 4000-level Honours units.
NOTE: Media studies is not offered as a stand-alone major. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts /Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) degree and the combined Bachelor of Arts /Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Laws degree who choose to exit the Media and Communications program after 3 years of study (144 credit points) will be awarded the BA (Media Studies), which is the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Media Studies.
Requirements for completion of a major in Media Studies requires 48 credit points from this table including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level major core units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level major core units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level selective unit
(iv) 12 credit points of 3000-level major core units
(v) 6 credit points of 3000-level interdisciplinary project unit
First year
In their first year, students will engage in critical theoretical debates in the field of media and communications. First year units provide a foundation in media and communications theory and an overview of contemporary issues including the evolving digital communication landscape. Students will develop an understanding of the origins and development of the field of study and its broader relationship to society and culture. Students will learn fundamental skills in introductory units in media production and professional news writing. These core theoretical and practical underpinnings provide a MECO student with the necessary skills for the following three years of undergraduate study.
Second year
The second year provides students with the opportunity to develop their understanding of internet cultures and public relations, and focus on skill development in audio and video production units. They will create media products including video packages and podcasts and develop skills in corporate communication. Students will engage in contemporary theoretical debates and learn about current industry practice across all units and, having been exposed to a wide range of production experiences, will begin to consider their future specialisation within the field. This will be complemented by second year level study in their chosen major.
Third year
In the third year of Media and Communications, students will explore the regulatory, ethical and legal aspects of the media and communications industries. Focusing on local and global policy landscapes, students will gain insights into the impact of media and communications on government, society, economics and culture. Simultaneously, students will study the interplay among the global, regional and local in communication systems as well as the role that new technologies play in contemporary formations of global media. Building on their audio and video skills, students will create social media projects and develop their teamwork skills. Students are also provided the opportunity to further develop their professional writing skills through an advanced media writing unit. Students are also encouraged to study abroad for one semester, typically within their third year of study. A student could exit the program with a Major in Media Studies at this point.
Fourth year
Students that continue to the Bachelor of Advanced Studies (BAdvStudies) in Media and Communication are provided the opportunity to specialise in their chosen area of the field. They will complete a semester focusing on research skills with the aim of either enhancing their skills as a media practitioner or embarking on postgraduate study and then proceed to complete either a substantial research thesis (6000 words) or a practical capstone media project that showcases the production skills they have developed in the preceding three years. They will also develop further expertise and networking opportunities by undertaking an internship with one of our industry partners. Students who qualify are also able to undertake a specialised honours track in the fourth year.
Honours
From 2018-2020, acceptance into the Honours program requires an average of 70 percent or above in Media and Communications.
From 2021, entry into Honours requires the completion of a second major and an average of 70 percent or better in Media and Communications, including the following:
(i) 24 credit points of 1000-level major and program core units
(ii) 18 credit points of 2000-level major and program core units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level selective unit
(iv) 18 credit points of 3000-level major and program core units
(v) 6 credit points of 3000-level Interdisciplinary Project unit
Contact/further information
Department of Media and Communications website: sydney.edu.au/arts/media_communications/
Undergraduate Coordinator: Dr Jonathon Hutchinson
Phone: +61 2 9351 2821
Email:
Honours Coordinator: Dr Fiona Giles
Phone: + 612 9036 6272
Email:
Example pathways
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Illustrative pathway for Advanced Coursework in Media and Communications and illustrative pathway for Media Studies Major |
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Year 1 |
Sem 1 |
MECO1001 Introduction to Media Studies |
MECO1004 Introduction to Media Production |
1000 level unit |
1000 level unit in another major/minor from Table A or S |
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Sem 2 |
MECO1002 Media and Communication Landscapes |
MECO1003 Principles of Media Writing |
1000 level unit |
1000 level unit in another major/minor from Table A or S |
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Year 2 |
Sem 1 |
MECO2601 Media Production: Audio Design & Podcasting |
ARIN2610 Internet Transformations OR ARIN2620 Cyberworlds |
2000 level unit/OLE |
2000 level unit in another major/minor from Table A or S |
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Sem 2 |
MECO2602 Media Production: Video |
MECO2603 Public Relations |
2000 level unit/OLE |
2000 level unit in another major/minor from Table A or S |
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Year 3 |
Sem 1 |
MECO3603 Media, Law and Ethics |
MECO3606 Media Production: Advanced Media Writing |
2000 or 3000 level unit/OLE |
2000/3000 level unit in another major/minor from Table A or S |
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Sem 2 |
FASS3999 Interdisciplinary project unit |
MECO3605 Contemporary Issues in Global & Digital Media |
2000 or 3000 level unit/OLE |
3000 level unit in another major from Table A or S |
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Year 4 |
Sem 1 |
MECO4115 |
MECO4XXX Research Practices |
2000 or 3000 or 4000 level unit/OLE |
3000 level unit in another major from Table A or S |
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Sem 2 |
MECO4XXX Entrepreneurial Leadership in Media Organisations |
MECO4XXX Critical Practice in Media |
2000 or 3000 or 4000 level unit/OLE |
3000 level unit in another major from Table A or S |
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Learning outcomes
- Display an in-depth knowledge of the field of media and communications as it relates across local and global contexts, revealing advanced knowledge of relevant practices, forms, technologies and technique.
- Investigate, analyse and reflect upon the social, cultural, ethical and legal principles and protocols that underpin work in media and communications and be responsible and accountable in their own practices.
- Interpret, exchange and communicate ideas and information across complex personal, professional and disciplinary settings selecting, utilising and, where necessary, adapting styles and technology to suit audiences and contexts through an internship placement.
- Work independently, professionally and collaboratively, and demonstrate professional interdisciplinary expertise, personal autonomy, creative problem solving in resourceful and reflective learning and practice through a capstone project.
- Apply skills in professional organisational communication and entrepreneurial leadership practices, through self-management, relationship building and self-development skills.
- Effectively apply approaches and knowledge from Media Studies to issues encountered in an interdisciplinary context.
- Produce a significant, independent and specialised project or thesis that demonstrates advanced disciplinary and research skills and expertise through an independent, specialized research project.