Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)
2023 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2023 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online For students who commenced prior to 2023 only |
| 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. |
The final intake to this course was in Trimester 3 2022. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the Handbook archive. | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
Course overview
Tell stories that matter and build a portfolio of work to launch your future in the fast-evolving news media industries. Taking a hands-on approach, you will have opportunities to unearth stories, source interviews, and write and produce news packages that engage, entertain and inspire audiences on print, online, video and audio platforms. Make your voice heard in Deakin’s journalism publication, DScribe, and kickstart your career with a sought-after internship with one of our industry partners.
With access to our specialist newsroom and industry-standard equipment on campus or specialising as a mobile journalist from anywhere in the world, you will produce news, current affairs and feature packages with impact. You will grow your entrepreneurial mindset, from pitching story ideas to promoting the finished product on social media. You will be ready for a broad range of careers, from newsrooms, to organisations connecting with customers through story, to freelance content creation opportunities.
Do you want real-life hands-on industry experience while you study?
This degree offers opportunities to gain industry experience, and is guided by professional journalists with extensive skills and knowledge across print, television, radio and digital media. You will learn about:
- news reporting
- feature writing
- interview techniques
- pitching and editing
- audio, video and online, multi-platform storytelling
- media law and ethics
- community journalism
- podcasting
- researching stories.
While developing your knowledge in communication and media, you'll also get sought-after experience during your studies through an internship with one of our partners in the news media industries.
This course will prepare you for employment in the communications industries across all media platforms. You might find work in large news organisations, allied media businesses, trade publications, corporate communications roles 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.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
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, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our 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:
- 12 credit points of core units
- 3 course electives from level 1 (List A)
- 3 course electives from level 2/3 (List B)
- 6 credit points of electives (at least two must be 2nd or 3rd level)
- no more than 10 credit points at level 1
- no fewer than 6 credit points at level 3
- AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Course structure
Level 1
| ACC100 | Gutenberg to Zuckerberg: Communication in Everyday Life |
| ALJ111 | Introduction to Journalism |
| ALJ112 | News Reporting |
Level 2
| ACC213 | Dilemmas, Defamation, Deception and Disinformation |
| ALJ216 | Feature Writing |
| ALJ218 | Podcasting and Audio Journalism |
| ALJ221 | Video Journalism |
Level 3
| ACC321 | Communication Internship B: Career Development |
| ALJ304 | Local Journalism |
| ALJ330 | News Production Workshop 1 |
| ALJ331 | News Production Workshop 2 |
| AWL300 | Internship [replaces ACC320] |
ACC320 Communication Internship A: Placement [No longer available for enrolment, replacement unit AWL300]
Course Electives
Complete three 1 credit point units chosen from the following course electives (List A):
| ADT103 | UX Fundamentals [replaces ACG103] |
| ALA101 | Advertising Principles and Practices |
| ALA102 | Creative Brand Communication |
| ALM101 | Making Social Media |
| ALM102 | Making Video |
| ALR103 | Introduction to Public Relations |
| ALR104 | Strategic Communication and Writing |
Either
| IND101 | Introduction to Aboriginal Studies |
Or
| IND102 | Aboriginal Australian Stories and Songlines |
Complete three 1 credit point units chosen from the following course electives (List B):
| ACF202 | Documentary Production |
| ALJ222 | From the Fourth Estate to Fake News [replaces ALJ324] |
| ALM202 | Quantified Media |
| ALM215 | Global Media |
| MIS203 | Managing Information in the Digital Age |
| ACC303 | Communication Research Practices |
| ALA302 | Transmedia Storytelling for Brands |
| ALR376 | Ethics, Persuasion and Society |
Either
| IND203 | Caring for Country |
Or
| IND301 | Politics of Resistance in Indigenous Australia |
Electives
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. We also recommend students complete at least two more course electives listed.
Work experience
Work Integrated Learning experiences are embedded within the course’s core units.
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.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
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 (domestic and international) programs including overseas internships and study abroad (subject to offer).