Communication and Media Studies major
Communication and Media Studies is one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving areas of study. What we know about the world, and how we act in it, is critically related to the use of communication technologies, from language to screen, and from text to image. This major provides students with essential knowledge about a range of media processes, including journalism, film making, game design and strategic communication, as well as practical communication and digital skills relevant to media, communication and other key professional areas. Communication and Media Studies provides students with the skills to succeed in a rapidly changing international media and communications environment.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) analyse the history, context and practices of media and communication; (2) apply creative, critical and reflective thinking; (3) effectively read, speak and write about complex ideas; (4) create a variety of media content; (5) work with others, organise complex tasks and manage workloads; (6) evaluate the social, cultural and legal implications of their actions; and (7) apply reflective practice and engage in continuous learning.
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Communication and Media Studies can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP001 Bachelor of Arts
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Communication and Media Studies is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- two Level 1 units
- two Level 2 units
- four Level 3 units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2021; NS = non-standard teaching period |
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.
Level 1
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | COMM1001 | Power, Participation and Meaning |
|
| S2 | COMM1002 | Cultures, New Media and Communications |
|
Level 2
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2, NS | COMM2001 | Media Influence |
|
| S1, NS | COMM2002 | Digital Media |
|
Level 3
Take the following unit:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2, NS | COMM3001 | Media Enterprise in Transition |
Take units to the value of at least 18pts from this group.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2, NS | COMM3002 | Media Production Project |
|
| S1, NS | COMM3003 | Designing Play | |
| S1, NS | COMM3004 | Journalism and Strategic Communication | |
| N/A | COMM3901 | Television and Video Production |
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Communication and Media Studies degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Arts course.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Communication and Media Studies degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Arts course.
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .