Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)

2019 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2019 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2019 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2019. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2019. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2019. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser.
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Cloud Campus	Yes
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	083978K Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Deakin course code	A331
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

In today’s fast-paced digital age, we’ve never been hungrier for news – sharing it with the masses in real time, as it happens. The Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) will give you the skills to unearth a great news story, engage with your audience and deliver the news across a range of media platforms.

Do you want hands-on real-life newsroom experience while you study?

From day one, you'll have the opportunity to identify, research and plan news and feature stories, so you can write, edit and publish them straight from our newsroom and creative media labs on campus. Through industry experience, and guided by media practitioners with extensive experience across print, television, radio and digital media, you’ll learn about:

community journalism
feature writing
interview techniques
media law and ethics
multi-platform and broadcast journalism
news reporting
researching stories.

While developing your knowledge in communication and media, you'll also get sought-after broadcasting experience during your studies through an internship with a major newspaper, radio station or television network.

This course will prepare you for employment in the communications industries, across all media platforms, whether working for large news organisations, allied media businesses or freelancing.

Career opportunities

Our graduates work in-house or freelance for print, radio, television and multimedia newsrooms. They also work in business, government and the not-for-profit sector, taking up roles as:

advertising copywriters
book, magazine or newspaper editors
copywriters
digital content managers
digital marketing specialists
food writers
foreign correspondents
journalists
magazine writers
media and communications advisers
news presenters
reporters
social media coordinators
speechwriters
travel writers.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Pathways

Further studies are available at Honours and Postgraduate level. Many students choose to enter into the Bachelor of Communication (Honours) or the Master of Communication

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of journalism through analysing, applying and communicating the key disciplinary principles and concepts.
Communication	Demonstrate communication skills in accordance with journalistic standards to be able to conduct interviews, write, produce and present stories for print, broadcast and online media in a style appropriate for the specific publication and audience.
Digital literacy	Conduct research for news and current affairs and analyse, synthesise and disseminate information using a range of technologies, including social media, for a variety of local and global audiences.
Critical thinking	Select, critically analyse and evaluate information relating to the construction of news stories and demonstrate a critical awareness of different publication styles and media audiences in Australia and internationally.
Problem solving	In the context of newsgathering and production, respond to journalistic challenges including unpredictable and sometimes complex problems and situations and generate pragmatic and creative solutions.
Self-management	Demonstrate the ability to reflect on knowledge acquisition and skills development and how these relate to career aspirations and the development of a professional identity which is responsive to change in work environments journalistic practice.
Teamwork	Work collaboratively and constructively to achieve team goals and foster effective relationships with the team.
Global citizenship	Employ relevant legal, ethical and cultural knowledge when engaging in journalistic practice in a range of diverse cultural, social and political environments domestically and internationally.
Approved by Faculty Board January 2017

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) a student must complete 24 credit points including:

18 credit points of core units
6 credit points of electives
no more than 10 credit points at level 1
AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Course structure

Level 1

ACC100

Communication in Everyday Life

ALJ111

News Reporting 1

ALJ112

News Reporting 2

Course structure

Level 2

Level 2

ALJ216

Feature Writing

ALJ218

Audio Journalism

ALJ221

Video Journalism

Course structure

Level 3

Level 3

ALJ330

News Production 1

ALJ331

News Production 2

ACC320

Communication Internship A: Placement

ACC321

Communication Internship B: Career Development

ALJ304

Local Journalism

Course structure

Electives

Complete three 1 credit point units chosen from the following course electives:

ACG103

Design Skills

ALR103

Introduction to Public Relations

ALR104

Strategic Communication and Writing

ALA101

Advertising Principles and Practices

ALA102

Creative Brand Communication

ALM101

Making Social Media

ALM102

Making Video

IND101

Introduction to Aboriginal Studies

Complete four 1 credit point units chosen from the following course electives:

ALJ220

Journalism in Society

ALC215

Global Media

ALR276

Ethical Communication and Citizenship

ALM202

Quantified Media

ACF202

Documentary Production

ALA302

Transmedia Storytelling

ACC303

Communication Research Practices

ALJ313

Journalism Law and Ethics

MIS203

Making Sense of Information

IND201

Aboriginal Knowledges and Experiences: Historical Journeys-Contemporary Perspectives

Complete six electives, of which at least two must be 2nd or 3rd level

We suggest students complete at least 4 units in a subject area different to their degree, preferably a linked sequence of study in the same area. This choice can include units from any degree in the University but is best chosen from the subject areas in the Bachelor of Arts (https://www.deakin.edu.au/course/bachelor-arts). We also recommend students complete at least two more course electives listed above.

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Other learning experiences

Students will have the opportunity to contribute to D*Scribe, SCCA's online news portal run by third-year students enrolled in the degree's two capstone units: News Production A and News Production B.

There are opportunities to engage in global mobility programs such as communication study tours (domestic and international and subject to offer); overseas internships, and study abroad.