Bachelor of Communication (Digital Media)
2023 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2023 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Communication (Digital Media) |
| 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 | 089296K Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | A333 |
| 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
Cut through the noise and add value for audiences and clients as a digital and social media professional. You will create a portfolio of podcasts, blogs, videos, infographics and more, while exploring big data and analytics, virtual and augmented realities, artificial intelligence and gamification. You will connect to industry from day one onward, building your professional-personal brand, producing real-world digital and social media content, and undertaking internships.
The combination of practical assessments, industry events and internship opportunities means you graduate with a strong network within online communities and digital media industries. Develop a portfolio of work demonstrating your entrepreneurial mindset, capacity to drive engagement with audiences and skill in developing and managing digital identity and content strategies. You’ll also have the problem-solving, teamwork, online collaboration and project management skills sought after by employers.
Do you want to launch your career in today’s fast-moving communications industries?
Create high-impact, content-influencing campaigns for communications industries locally and globally. Learn practical skills in social and digital content creation, social media management, stakeholder engagement, podcasting, website creation, video-making and more.
With the perfect blend of the latest communications technologies and real-world learning, you will plan and execute digital communications strategies. Explore:
- how to build social media identities and brands
- how to engage audiences with podcasts and videos
- how to develop crowdfunding campaigns
- how to become a digital media entrepreneur
- how to create and implement social and digital media content strategies for organisations.
Get job-ready with industry internships that enable you to network with professionals and gain experience in your chosen field before you even graduate.
Through practical assessments, work-integrated learning and industry experience, this degree enables you to build a dynamic network, digital portfolio and strong professional-personal brand to give you an edge with future employers.
Career opportunities
Digital and social media work spans a diverse range of industries and organisations – from multimedia businesses to public relations agencies to content creation in health organisations, museums, sporting clubs and the broader entertainment industries. Deakin graduates find work in the following roles:- content producer/digital producer
- community engagement officer/coordinator
- marketing analyst/coordinator
- media assistant/officer/adviser
- social media officer/coordinator
- various social media specialist freelance work.
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 | Review, understand and analyse major media theories and concepts relating to digital media culture, technological innovation, research methods, and professional practices in digital industry contexts. |
| Communication | Develop high level communication skills to effectively engage and interact with different audiences by demonstrating the ability to merge creativity and critical thinking across various media modes. |
| Digital literacy | Use a range of generic and industry specific digital media technologies to address diverse communication needs for a range of audiences and to deliver creative projects, media products, and accessible presentations to diverse audiences within and outside the field. |
| Critical thinking | Critically and analytically evaluate media issues, debates, organisations, and industries and practices, while using sound judgement and initiative to examine assumptions underpinning available theoretical perspectives |
| Problem solving | Apply critical thinking and creative practice to identify and resolve practical, real-world problems that apply to professional media industry contexts. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate independent, motivated, and self-directed learning and the ability to complete work consistently and effectively as an independent researcher and practitioner. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate in an active and productive manner as part of teams that may include people of diverse backgrounds working on media-related projects, while simultaneously maintaining personal responsibility for individual learning and contributions. |
| Global citizenship | Operate effectively and responsibly in a variety of social, economic, political and professional contexts, participating across a range of media platforms with an awareness of professional legal and ethical responsibilities. |
| Approved by Faculty Board September 2021 | |
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Communication (Digital Media) 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
- at least 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 |
| ALM101 | Making Social Media |
| ALM102 | Making Video |
Level 2
| ACC213 | Dilemmas, Defamation, Deception and Disinformation |
| ALM201 | Gamified Media |
| ALM202 | Quantified Media |
| ALM215 | Global Media [previously ALC215] |
Level 3
| ACC321 | Communication Internship B: Career Development |
| ALC302 | Digital Media Entrepreneurship [2 credit points^] |
| ALM305 | Media Ecologies [previously ALC305] |
| AWL300 | Internship [replaces ACC320] |
ACC320 Communication Internship A: Placement [No longer available for enrolment, replacement unit AWL300]
^ ALC302 will be offered for the final time in 2023, ALM302 (1 credit point) replaces ALC302 from 2024
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 |
| ALJ111 | Introduction to Journalism |
| ALJ112 | News Reporting |
| 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 |
| ADT202 | Web Interface and Design [replaces ADV201] |
| MIS203 | Managing Information in the Digital Age |
| ACC302 | Advertising: Desire, Consumption and the Attention Economy |
| 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 credit points from the 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
There will be opportunities throughout the course for students to engage with real briefs and industry professionals. These experiences will be integrated into units where students will have external clients or industry representatives provide content to more closely connect the learning experience with industry practices.
There are opportunities to engage in global mobility (domestic and international) programs including overseas internships and study abroad (subject to offer).