2013 UOW Media Communications & Journalism Discipline Book

connect: MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS & JOURNALISM

WELCOME I am pleased to invite you to learn more about our exciting programs in Media, Communications & Journalism at the University of Wollongong (UOW). We offer a supportive environment in which you can explore your interests and prepare for the global workplace.

Our undergraduate programs combine the study of traditional disciplines with a focus on professional skills and graduate qualities. All our programs provide opportunities to choose from a variety of subjects and our popular double degrees allow students to experience the best of both worlds.

With the ability to flexibly tailor your degree to suit your individual needs, you can structure your degree to suit your interests and ambitions. The degrees we offer equip you in adapting to the fast changing pace within today’s media and communications industry. You will benefit from our hands-on approach where you will learn by doing and being taught by leading scholars that have a wealth of industry experience.

Our graduates get jobs as a UOW degree equips you to land a great job and also helps you understand the broader implications of your work. No matter what degree you choose or your career choices, UOW degrees provide diverse career options.

We have it all here for you, offering more than just a degree. You will leave UOW with an enviable mix of flexibility and intellectual curiosity.

Please take some time to familiarise yourself with Media, Communications and Journalism to consider joining us as we work together to ensure that you receive the very best education you can.

Inside this guide, you will find information on our degree programs, hear directly from students and staff members and learn about where your degree can take you.

Professor Amanda Lawson Executive Dean Faculty of Law, Humanities & the Arts

5 REASONS TO STUDY MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS & JOURNALISM The choice is yours. Choose from the Bachelor of Communications and Media Studies (BCMS) or the Bachelor of Journalism (BJOUR).

The strength of the Bachelor of Communications and Media Studies is in its diversity and flexibility. You can study media theory and strategy, journalism, marketing, digital media and international communication. The strength of the Bachelor of Journalism is in the detailed skills development it provides in the full range of multimedia storytelling techniques and its industry focus.

Both degrees equip you, in different ways to adapt to the fast pace of change in today’s media and communications landscape.

1. YOU CREATE YOUR OWN DEGREE You can tailor your degree to suit your interests and ambitions.

In the BCMS you can develop skills in your chosen major area of study while enhancing your ideas and knowledge with a group of subjects in another area. Want to be a digital media strategist?

A language might open up international opportunities, or you could enhance the way you promote your work by also studying marketing. Want to be professional journalist? Choose the specialist BJOUR and learn the full spectrum of video, audio and online publishing techniques. You can even choose from a range of double degrees. Whatever your interest, UOW allows you to make it work by turning you into a multi-skilled media professional.

2. YOU WILL LEARN BY DOING Here at UOW, we’re not here to teach you what you need to know and send you on your way. Our aim is to help build your voice, help cultivate your media identity and it starts from the first day of your UOW degree. How do we do this? By putting you in a position to take action by building practical elements into your degree. In your very first subjects you will be using blogs, social media and other digital technologies to learn, to publish and to communicate with one another.

3. OUR STAFF HAVE INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE At UOW our staff are leading academics with the professional experience—many including media industry experience—to help you prepare for your future careers. Who better to learn from than those who know what it takes to cut it in the industry? They will give you valuable insight into the rapidly changing media environment, teach you practical skills and offer advice and support about how to navigate your future.

4. WE PRODUCE LEADERS, CHANGEMAKERS & INNOVATORS Success in media and communications involves a high level of awareness about what is going on around us. More importantly though, being able to comment, intervene and make sense of current affairs is what will set you apart and what we focus on at UOW. We want you to have a voice and have the knowledge to back it up. We have an evolving focus to stay relevant to new developments and keep you abreast of what will make you successful as a graduate. You will not only be equipped to land a job, but also have an interest in the implications of your work and possess professional values.

5. DIVERSE CAREER OPTIONS Our graduates get jobs. Our graduates even create jobs that don’t exist yet. We put this down to the fact that our UOW degrees teach you to critically think, analyse, listen and innovate. Above all, we will encourage you to be adaptable in the application of what you learn.

Is your aim to work on the media strategy for a humanitarian organisation or develop a digital storytelling project with remote communities? Maybe you want to be a news reporter or a magazine journalist? Whatever your ambition, a UOW Media or Journalism degree will help you get there.

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Asha Phillips Senior Editor, STORYFUL Bachelor of Communication AND Media Studies

For someone so young, Asha Phillips has achieved a lot in her career so far. Since finishing at UOW, she has worked at Sky News, Nine Network and ABCNews24 as an Associate Producer.

Asha’s career has seen her work in Vietnam on a number of projects. From 2008 to 2010 she lived and worked in Vietnam as a freelancer for local newspapers, international publications, whilst picking up some correspondence work for CNN. She has recently returned to Vietnam, to take up the post of Senior Editor for Storyful.

“My job involves monitoring global news events through twitter, YouTube, Facebook and all other social media engines. Storyful sifts through the millions of tweets and videos uploaded every day to find the news from people closest to the story. Effectively we find news for the news networks to report. We verify videos or tweets and upload them to our content hub for news networks (our clients) to use,” she explained.

Storyful is the only news wire service that focuses on social media. News agencies, networks and newspapers worldwide recognise that journalism through social media—whether it be ‘citizen journalism’ or reporters using twitter—are great for getting the news back to their networks fast.

Asha enjoyed the flexibility of her degree at UOW. “I was able to study a language with my degree and take film and art studies, which are both passions of mine. I liked the flexibility of the course and the diversity of career options once you graduated.”

The cultural diversity of her career so far has been a highlight.

“My greatest personal experience has to be moving to Viet Nam —twice. The first time I made the move over here, I was young and relatively inexperienced as a journalist. I took a big risk coming over without a job and left behind a good job at Channel Nine in Sydney. But, I had a real hunger for adventure.”

“I have no regrets on making that decision because I’ve had and still have an amazingly diverse and culturally rich career!”

For Asha, things have only just begun.

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DEGREE OPTIONS

Bachelor of Communication And Media Studies ATAR 75 Duration

3 years

Starts Autumn (February), Spring (July) Location

Wollongong

UAC

753110

CRICOS

045471G

The Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (BCMS) will introduce you to the critical issues surrounding the contemporary communication and media industries in a way that is relevant in both personal and professional contexts.

Rapid changes in the way we use media and communications technologies have made the analytical skills and specialist knowledge of the BCMS relevant to an increasing number of professions—not just the traditional media industries. These changes are creating exciting possibilities for flexible, innovative and well-informed graduates who can operate across a range of platforms to gather information, analyse and keep track of trends, present research, and build communities. The BCMS fosters these qualities by keeping you up to date with the latest technologies and the opportunities they present.

You will explore a wide range of issues emerging in the fields of communication and media, from the impact of new applications and technologies on everyday communicative practices, to the way the global trade in entertainment media is regulated, and how Australia and other countries are handling issues such as media piracy, mobile gaming, 3D cinema, television franchising, or internet filtering.

What you can study The BCMS has two main components. Core subjects drawn from different disciplines and fields. Possible subjects include: • • • • • • •

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies Research Practices in Media and Communication Emerging Issues in Media and Communication Transnational Media and Communication Convergent Media Practices Business Communication Politics and the Media

Four major areas of study: • • • •

Digital Media and Communication (see page 4) International Media and Communication (see page 4) Journalism and Professional Writing (see page 5) Marketing Communication and Advertising (see page 5)

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MAJORS

Digital Media and Communication The major will provide you with an understanding of the role of digital media and communication practices and technologies across a range of professional and creative contexts, within a framework of basic digital literacies that allow students to operate as professional communicators in the contemporary media environment. Students gain hands-on familiarity with digital content skills that are crucial to careers in journalism, screen media, advertising, education, and corporate communication.

Possible subjects include: • • • • • • • •

Global Networks Introduction to Media Arts Convergent Digital Journalism Time, Space and Data Media Arts Workshop Computational Media Digital Game Cultures Digital Dissent

International Media and Communication Contemporary graduates will confront the opportunities and challenges of globalisation in both their work and personal lives. The global reach of the media and communication industries and the cultural diversity generated by new virtual workplaces both create a demand for graduates with a grounding in international media and communication studies. This major focuses on strengthening skills in negotiating cultural difference and diversity, introducing students to international media networks and infrastructure, and on building capacity among students to produce and interpret media content within a range of local, national and international contexts. The major draws from a range of disciplines. At its core, the IMAC major is designed to produce graduates who have a cosmopolitan outlook and a strong sense of their opportunities and responsibilities as global media citizens.

Possible subjects include: • • • • • •

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Communication Across Cultures Global Media Citizenship Global Networks Global Television Revolution Hollywood and Beyond: Genres across cultures Digital Asia

MAJORS

Journalism and Professional Writing Writing and research are the skills that underpin modern communication. Today this means not just writing well but working with images and text in interactive online environments. In this major students learn basic journalism skills: how to source and produce stories for a range of publications including newspapers, magazines and websites. You also learn how to produce corporate documents, such as briefing papers, speeches, company reports and policy documents. This introduction to journalistic skills is particularly useful for students who want to combine marketing and journalism in a corporate or community context. For students who want to pursue a career in professional media organisations a fuller suite of journalism skills is taught in the Bachelor of Journalism.

Possible subjects include: • • • • • • •

Introduction to Journalism and Professional Writing Feature Writing Convergent Digital Journalism Newsroom Practice Investigative Reporting Lifestyle and Arts Journalism Professional Writing : Professional Editing for Industry

Marketing Communication and Advertising You will develop an understanding of the rapidly evolving communication and advertising industry and the important roles that business and marketing communication play in engaging, building and maintaining key relationships with a diverse set of stakeholder groups. You will also access real world organisations and communication projects, providing critical experience in preparation for future employment. Subjects consider new media industries, innovative digital research methods, global digital communication, games, online and mobile advertising. This major also offers internships in innovative sectors, and the opportunity to pursue specialised study.

Possible subjects include: • • • • • • • •

Business Communication Marketing Principles Public Relations Concepts Corporate Identity and Branding Social Marketing Tourism Marketing Advertising Practice and Creative Strategies International Marketing

COMBINATIONS A key feature of the BCMS is that students can combine one of the four majors with either a second major, or a minor, and these can be in a study area from the Bachelor of Arts (see page 18) or another faculty.

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JOURNALISM CAREERS The media industry is changing rapidly and so are journalism job opportunities. Daily newspapers may be shrinking but magazines remain strong and organisations like the AFL and NRL are now employing their own journalists. Our graduates work for mainstream media organisations like the ABC, Fairfax and News Ltd but they also work for sporting organisations, community groups, magazines, community newspapers, online start-ups and regional TV stations. Some have successfully started their own websites. Jobs include: • • • • •

Journalist Editor Features writer Freelance writer and multimedia producer Web content manager

• • • • •

Social media producer Video journalist Radio and TV producer Publications officer Marketing and communications officer

Storytelling, multimedia and research, skills that are at the heart of journalism, are needed in any industry you can name. That’s why even as the media industry changes journalists are always in demand.

Andrew Moon Bachelor of Journalism – Bachelor of Arts Producer, ABC News 24 UOW graduate Andrew Moon works as a producer at ABC News 24’s Sydney Newsroom covering global stories round the clock every day.

“Each day the content is so different, and that’s what I love about this job.

Navigating this kind of news environment requires someone who can think quickly and deliver results—the kind of skills you don’t get in a classroom.

“I really feel that the practical experience I got while I was doing my Bachelor of Journalism at UOW set me up to adapt here quickly. In a newsroom there is no idle time, so it was critical to hit the ground running.

“For me the other standout was the connections I made while I was at UOW and also doing internships. Networks are invaluable in this job.”

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DEGREE OPTIONS

Bachelor of JOURNALISM ATAR 75 Duration

3 years

Starts Autumn (February), Spring (July) ENTRY: Admission to the Bachelor of Journalism is based on the HSC ATAR (or equivalent), although outstanding results in relevant subjects/areas may also be taken into account.

Location

Wollongong

UAC

754700

CRICOS

058983K

The Bachelor of Journalism (BJour) provides in depth training in journalism and multimedia storytelling. It has a strong vocational focus, with an emphasis on practical learning, community engagement and work placement opportunities.

Journalists play a critical role in society: they not only inform citizens, they entertain and inspire. The journalist’s union, the MEAA, puts it this way in their code of ethics: “Journalists describe society to itself. They convey information, ideas and opinions, a privileged role. They search, disclose, record, question, entertain, suggest and remember. They inform citizens and animate democracy. They give a practical form to freedom of expression.”

Journalism also provides a forum for community discussion and participation. It’s not just about creating the news, it’s about facilitating public response and feedback and ensuring that powerful groups are held accountable for what they do.

WHAT YOU STUDY The Bachelor of Journalism trains you to become a journalist and a multimedia communication specialist. You will learn to research and present news and feature stories through video, audio, print and web based technologies.

In studio subjects you will work in the UOW student newsroom and radio studio. You will contribute to UOWTV, which broadcasts weekly updates on the university’s digital signage system and on its own YouTube channel. You will get to publish your work in the weekly web magazine ‘The Current’. The BJour also provides opportunities to gain experience at respected media organisations, including an internship during the final year of the degree. Practical exercises, both within journalism subjects and in wider industry placements, enable you to develop a diverse portfolio of work that signals that you are industry ready when you graduate.

All our staff have extensive experience as professional journalists, and their guidance will help you develop your technical skills and your understanding of the industry as a whole.

Subject areas you can study include: • • • • • • • • •

Newswriting, feature writing and editing Convergent multimedia journalism and web design Investigative journalism Arts and magazine journalism Photojournalism Audio and video journalism Advocacy journalism Professional and corporate writing Literary journalism and creative non-fiction

Individually tailored project subjects enable you to explore areas of interest such as sports journalism, music journalism and fashion journalism.

Unlike the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies where you choose to study across a range of areas the main focus of the Bachelor of Journalism is on developing practical multimedia journalism skills. Approximately two thirds of your subjects will be journalism subjects. However journalists also need critical thinking skills and a wide knowledge of society and culture so you also get to do one third of your subjects in other areas. You can combine journalism with a major or minor in graphic design, creative writing, a language, politics, commerce and marketing or any of the hundreds of subjects on offer at UOW.

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Kate McIlwain bcms/bca (journalism/graphic design & new media) masters in journalism JOURNALIST, ILLAWARRA MERCURY

“I’ve always wanted to be a journalist, as cheesy as it may sound.”

UOW graduate Kate McIlwain confides. “I remember reading the Good Weekend or the Sydney Morning Herald as a child lying on the floor at my parent’s house and realising that being able to tell a story and change people’s views or educate them on an issue is a pretty powerful thing.”

Kate has come a long way since sitting on her parent’s floor.

She studied the Bachelor of Creative Arts and Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies at UOW and is now a journalist at the Illawarra Mercury Newspaper.

For Kate, the practical aspects of the degrees helped her work out what she was interested in. “The graphic design and journalism combination of my undergraduate degrees taught me to research, write well, communicate clearly through words and pictures and gave me a broad grounding in politics, history and sociology.”

Since graduating Kate has worked on a lot of interesting stories.

“The really satisfying stories that I’ve written have been ones where I’ve been able to help people,” she says.

A set of stories Kate worked on grew out of the government aged care reform. “A report came out about how people who have dementia are cared for in Australia—it showed that the system failed them, it wasn’t working. So, I spoke to some people living with early onset dementia and their carers. Being able to share their stories and contribute to that issue was really rewarding.”

When Kate started at the Mercury in 2011 she wrote for the paper’s features section where she covered entertainment, lifestyle, fashion, arts and human interest issues.

However, she knew her passion was in news and soon made the transition. “I wanted to be able to make some sort of contribution through journalism and I thought that being a news journalist was the way to do that.”

“You need to be able to listen and you need to be interested in what is going on in the world around you—the big things and the really little things—sometimes that is where the best stories come from. You need to have an understanding of what people want to read about.”

“In journalism, part of its appeal is that there’s never a typical day. The news is based on what is happening in the world and that changes every day. Journalism is a changing industry at the moment.”

“It’s completely unpredictable: print journalism is fighting for its life. But I love writing and I love telling stories. I don’t know where I’ll be in the future but that’s what’s exciting about it.”

“As long as I’m writing, meeting people every day, talking to them and telling their stories, I’ll be happy.”

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LEARN MORE MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS & JOURNALISM ENQUIRIES +61 2 4221 5328 fac_arts@uow.edu.au lha.uow.edu.au GENERAL ENQUIRIES www.uow.edu.au/future Within Australia: 1300 367 869 International: +61 2 4221 3218 uniadvice@uow.edu.au facebook.com/uowfuture

The University of Wollongong attempts to ensure the information contained in this publication is correct at the time of production (May 2013); however, sections may be amended without notice by the University in response to changing circumstances or for any other reason. Check with the University at the time of application/enrolment for any updated information. UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG CRICOS: 00102E