Diploma of Media & Communication

As workplaces become more interactive and interconnected, interviewing skills are becoming more important across a range of vocations. In this subject, students study the processes and skills required for interviewing, focusing on key case studies in literature, print journalism, cinema, and broadcasting and online. A key component of the subject will be interviews undertaken by students in all or some of the key interview formats, including live discussion, email, pre-recorded audio, and written profile pieces. Students undertaking this subject will gain a broader appreciation of the art of inquiry and personal interaction and develop greater confidence in everything from one-on-one communications to public speaking to critical analysis. Students will also gain a clear understanding of the use of quotation technique including quote punctuation, in written work and develop an appreciation of key editing issues, both practical and ethical.

Class requirements

Timetabled hours per week (4 hours) – 48 hours in total

• One 2-hour lecture per week
• One 2-hour tutorial per week

Assessments

The Emerging Journalist introduces students to the shifting roles and responsibilities of journalists and journalism within liberal democratic societies. At the successful completion of The Emerging Journalist, you will appreciate the contemporary media landscape and the role of journalists and media organisations in relation to social, economic, political, and cultural power structures. Topics and issues covered include: the changing nature of audiences and the new ways that journalists are engaging and interacting with audiences; the journalistic applications of social media; best practices in reporting and writing; and the impacts of cultural and technological impacts on journalism as both a profession and as a practice.

Class requirements

Timetabled hours per week (4 hours) – 48 hours in total

• One 2-hour lecture per week 
• One 2-hour tutorial per week

Assessments

Learning to write well brings benefits within and beyond university. This interdisciplinary unit offers you the opportunity to strengthen your professional, creative and academic writing skills. We develop a conceptual framework for analysing the writing of others and editing your own work effectively, as well as improving your skills in the generation of ideas, elements of style and identification with the audience. These areas of writing will be explored through modules with theoretical and practical components: -- Academic writing, including essay writing, essay structure, avoiding plagiarism, editing, and proofreading. -- Non-fiction writing across a number of genres, particularly writing for popular media, reviews of the arts and writing for the web. -- Creative writing, which can include fiction, poetry, and scriptwriting. 

Class requirements

Timetabled hours per week (4 hours) – 48 hours in total

• One 2-hour lecture per week 
• One 2-hour tutorial per week

Assessments

In this introductory subject, students will learn some basic television and news-gathering techniques and create their own news program. Students will learn a lot in a short time about working in a studio, as a member of a team while applying what is learned in journalism to activities and assessments in this class.

Although the culmination of this subject is the successful screening of a television news bulletin, almost all of the technique’s students will learn are transferable to other areas of the media. Making Media will give students the opportunity to acquire foundation skills in video and sound editing, as well as writing and scripting a television news bulletin.

Class requirements

Timetabled hours per week (4 hours) – 48 hours in total

• One 2-hour lecture per week 
• One 2-hour tutorial per week

Assessments

Recommended electives

Students must complete an additional three electives. Suggested modules include one of the following:

BBUS1SBY Sustainability 

This subject introduces you to the concept of sustainability, and a systems approach to understanding the complex interactions between the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability. The subject attracts students from a range of fields, bringing a multidisciplinary team perspective to the researching, analysis, and problem-solving aspects of creating positive change for sustainability. In teams, you are required to critique, design, and present an action plan aimed at resolving a sustainability issue that impacts current and future generations. This subject provides you with the opportunity to enhance, demonstrate and document work-ready skills appropriate to your chosen career path.

Class requirements

Timetabled hours per week (4 hours)

• One 2-hour lecture per week
• One 2-hour tutorial per week