Major Overview

Description

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.

Courses

Communication and Media Studies can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Example Study Plan

See study plans for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2022; NS = non-standard teaching period

Note:Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2023 or 2024.

Level 1

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (12 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 COMM1001 Power, Participation and Meaning
Prerequisites:
Nil.
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
COMM1101 Human Technology: Debating Communication
S2 COMM1002 Cultures, New Media and Communications
Prerequisites:
Nil.
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
COMM2202 Culture, New Media and Communications

Level 2

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (12 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 COMM2001 Media Influence
Prerequisites:
COMM1101 Human Technology: Debating Communication
or
COMM1001 Human Technology: Debating Communication
or
COMM1001 Power, Participation and Meaning
or
COMM1002 Cultures, New Media and Communications
or
ENGL1112 Screen Cultures/Print Cultures
or
LING1101 Language and Communication
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
COMM2201 Communication and Mass Media
S1 COMM2002 Digital Media
Prerequisites:
24 credit points at Level 1
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
COMM2203 Digital Media

Level 3

Degree-specific major units
Take the following unit:
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 COMM3001 Media Enterprise in Transition
Prerequisites:
( COMM1001 Power, Participation and Meaning
or
COMM1002 Cultures, New Media and Communications ) and ( COMM2002 Digital Media
or
COMM2001 Media Influence )
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.
Degree-specific major units
Take units to the value of at least 18pts from this group.
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 COMM3002 Media Production Project
Prerequisites:
( COMM1001 Power, Participation and Meaning
or
COMM1002 Cultures, New Media and Communications ) and COMM2002 Digital Media
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
COMM3302 Communications Project
S1, NS COMM3003 Designing Play
Prerequisites:
( COMM1001 Power, Participation and Meaning (ID 813)
or
COMM1002 Cultures, New Media and Communications (ID 814) ) and ( COMM2001 Media Influence
or
COMM2002 Digital Media )
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
COMM3304 Designing Virtual Play
S1 COMM3004 Journalism and Strategic Communication
Prerequisites:
( COMM1001 Power, Participation and Meaning
or
COMM1002 Cultures, New Media and Communications ) and ( COMM2001 Media Influence
or
COMM2002 Digital Media )
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.
N/A COMM3901 Television and Video Production
Prerequisites:
Completion of 48 points in the Bachelor of Arts
or
Bachelor of Commerce and unit coordinator approval.
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
COMM2204 Television and Video Production