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Bachelor of Communication (with specialisations)

includes:

Bachelor of Communication (with specialisations)

  • Award Names
  • Availability
  • Duration
  • Admission
  • Credit
  • Graduation
  • Course Structure
  • Enrolment Pattern
  • Workplace Learning
  • Residential School
  • Accreditation

The course includes the following awards:

Bachelor of Communication BComm

Bachelor of Communication (Advertising and Public Relations) BComm(Advert&PubRel)

Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) BComm(Advert)

Bachelor of Communication (Journalism and International Studies) BComm(Journ&InternatStud)

Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) BComm(Journ)

Bachelor of Communication (Media Practice) BComm(MediaPrac)

Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) BComm(PubRel)

Bachelor of Communication (Radio) BComm(Radio)

Bachelor of Communication (Theatre Media) BComm(TheatreMedia)

Course Study Modes and Locations

Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) (1417AD)

On Campus - Bathurst
On Campus - Port Macquarie

Bachelor of Communication (Advertising and Public Relations) (1417AP)

On Campus - Bathurst

Bachelor of Communication (1417CC)

Distance Education - Bathurst
On Campus - Bathurst

Bachelor of Communication (Media Practice) (1417CM)

Distance Education - Bathurst
On Campus - Bathurst

Bachelor of Communication (Radio) (1417CR)

On Campus - Bathurst

Bachelor of Communication (Journalism and International Studies) (1417JI)

On Campus - Bathurst

Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) (1417JR)

On Campus - Bathurst

Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) (1417OC)

On Campus - Bathurst
On Campus - Port Macquarie

Bachelor of Communication (Theatre Media) (1417TM)

On Campus - Bathurst

Availability is subject to change, please verify prior to enrolment.

Normal course duration

Bachelor of Communication (with specialisations)

Full-time 3 years (6.0 sessions)


Part-time 6.0 years (12.0 sessions)

Bachelor of Communication and Bachelor of Communication(Media Practice) can be taken in Part Time mode, duration 6 years.

Normal course duration is the effective period of time taken to complete a course when studied Full-time (Full-time Equivalent: FTE). Students are advised to consult the Enrolment Pattern for the actual length of study. Not all courses are offered in Full-time mode.

Admission criteria

CSU Admission Policy

Admission to the Bachelor of Communication (with specialisations) is based on:

1. Previous studies
Eligible previous studies include:

  • the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
  • the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
  • a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
  • a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
  • an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
  • completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. Candidates may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to course preferences.

2. English proficiency
Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they have:

  • undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 6.5, and with scores of 6 or higher in each of the individual skill areas within the last 12 months; or 
  • undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 (with a written score of 24) within the last 12 months; or 
  • undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Examinations Committee; or 
  • completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English.

3. Attainment and experience
These may include:

  • voluntary or paid work experience; 
  • performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies; 
  • participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers; 
  • completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

4. Schools Recommendation Scheme

5. Special admission requirements
Some Specialisations will have special admission requirements, as follows:

Bachelor of Communication (Theatre Media)

Applicants attend an audition/interview to assist in the assessment of their application.

Bachelor of Communication and Bachelor of Communication (Media Practice)

Non-school leavers and those completing courses in relevant areas at other universities and tertiary institutes are eligible for admission to the course.

The principle criteria used to assess applications are:

  •     capacity to pursue tertiary studies
  •     motivation to pursue tertiary studies in professional communication
  •     demonstrated potential for writing, media production, and research; and,
  •     relevant professional and industry experience.

Credit

CSU Credit Policy

n/a

Graduation requirements

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points.

Course Structure

To successfully graduate from the Bachelor of Communication (with specialisations) students will be required to complete 192 points. These comprise 80 points of Communication Foundation Studies, a minimum of 64 points of Discipline Specialisation Studies and a maximum of 48 points of Academic Enrichment Studies offered from within SCCI and/or externally as approved by the Course Director.

The course structure is as follows:

Communication Foundation Subjects (80 points)

COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
COM124 Communication in Context
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
CCI300 Communication and Creative Industries Professional Practice (24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork


Advertising Specialisation Subjects (64 points)

ADV104 Understanding Advertising
ADV105 The Advertising Business
ADV205 Advertising Creative
ADV206 Channel Planning
ADV207 Channel Planning in Action
COM224 Communication Research Strategies
ADV317 Advertising Strategy and Planning (16)

Advertising and Public Relations Extended Specialisation Subjects (112 points)

Students complete 112 points from the following subjects:
ADV104 Understanding Advertising
ADV105 The Advertising Business
COM116 What is Public Relations?
COM232 Public Relations Strategy
COM222 Public Relations Tactics
ADV205 Advertising Creative
ADV206 Channel Planning
COM223 Communication Management
COM224 Communication Research Strategies
ADV317 Advertising Strategy and Planning (16)
COM313 SOS: Issues and Crisis Communication
COM322 Going Global: Regional and Global Public Relations
Plus one of either:
ADV207 Channel Planning in Action or COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management

Journalism Specialisation Subjects (64 points)

JRN112 Journalism in Society
JRN101 Newsgathering and Writing
JRN200 Convergent Storytelling
JRN205 Research and Data Journalism
JRN225 The Specialist Reporter
JRN207 Multiplatform Publishing and The Law
JRN322 Beyond News: Longform Journalism
JRN318 Deadline: Multiplatform Delivery

Media Practice Specialisation Subjects (64 points)

COM112 Digital Media
COM126 Production Planning
VIS101 Visual Communication
VPA106 Intro to Sound Production
COM229 Documentary Production
COM212 Scriptwriting
COM219 Media Communication and Globalisation
COM343 Communication Project Management

Radio Specialisation Subjects (64 points)

COM113 Commercial Radio Industry
COM112 Digital Media
COM125 Radio Production and Content Management
COM233 Media Sales Principles
COM234 Media Account Management
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management
COM343 Communication Project Management
ADV206 Channel Planning

Public Relations Specialisation Subjects (64 points)

COM116 What is Public Relations?
COM232 Public Relations Strategy
COM222 Public Relations Tactics
COM223 Communication Management
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management
COM224 Communication Research Strategies
COM313 SOS: Issues and Crisis Communication
COM322 Going Global: Regional and Global Public Relations

Theatre Media Specialisation Subjects (64 points)
THM108 Principles of Theatre Media (16)
THM207 Drama and Theatre For Young People
THM208 Devised Performance (16)
THM308 Applied Production Research (16)
THM300 Theatre and Cultural Action

Journalism and International Studies Extended Specialisation Subjects (112 points)

Students complete 112 points from the following subjects:
JRN112 Journalism in Society
JRN101 Newsgathering and Writing
JRN200 Convergent Storytelling
JRN205 Research and Data Journalism
JRN225 The Specialist Reporter
JRN207 Multiplatform Publishing and The Law
JRN322 Beyond News: Longform Journalism
JRN318 Deadline: Multiplatform Delivery

Plus 6 subjects from the following:
POL111 International Relations
COM219 Media Communication and Globalisation
HST210 Media and Society in 20th Century
POL305 Politics and the Media
HST301 International History from 1945
HST308 Australia and Asia
COM322 Regional and Global PR
HSS305 International Exchange (or other approved International Project subject)

Bachelor of Communication
Students must undertake a minimum of 64 points from subjects offered across the specialisations of Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Practice and Radio. The remainder of course points (maximum 48 points) can be taken from subjects outside of the Communication specialisation set (as approved by Course Director). These represent the Academic Enrichment component of the program.

Academic Enrichment (elective) Subjects* (48 points)
Students undertake up to 6 electives to be taken as a combination of unrestricted electives and/or professional clusters (4-6 subjects per cluster) from within the School of Communication and Creative Industries, or from outside the School as approved by Course Director.

*students in the Media Practice specialisation draw their academic enrichment cluster from the disciplines of Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism, Graphic Design and Marketing.(or others as approved by Course Director)

*students undertaking extended specialisations will not complete these electives.

Enrolment Pattern

Advertising Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
ADV104 Understanding Advertising
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
ADV105 The Advertising Business
ADV205 Advertising Creative
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
ADV206 Channel Planning
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2

Session 4 (60)
ADV207 Channel Planning in Action
COM224 Communication Research Strategies
Elective 3
Elective 4

Session 5 (30)
ADV317 Advertising Strategy & Planning (16)
Elective 5
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries (24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Advertising and Public Relations Extended Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
COM116 What Is Public Relations?
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
COM232 Public Relations Strategy
COM222 Public Relations Tactics
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
ADV104 Understanding Advertising
ADV206 Channel Planning
COM223 Communication Management
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship

Session 4 (60)
ADV105 The Advertising Business
ADV205 Advertising Creative
COM224 Communication Research Strategies
ADV207 Channel Planning in Action or COM236 Event Management

Session 5 (30)
ADV317 Advertising Strategy & Planning (16)
COM313 SOS: Issues & Crisis Communication
COM322 Going Global: Regional and Global Public Relations

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries (24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Journalism Specialisation

Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
JRN112 Journalism in Society
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
JRN101 Newsgathering & Writing
JRN200 Convergent Storytelling
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
JRN205 Data Mining & Research
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2

Session 4 (60)
JRN225 The Specialist Reporter
JRN207 Multiplatform Publishing & The Law
Elective 3
Elective 4

Session 5 (30)
JRN322 Beyond News: Longform Journalism
JRN318 Deadline: Multiplatform Delivery
Elective 5
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries (24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Journalism and International Studies Extended Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
JRN112 Journalism in Society
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
JRN101 Newsgathering & Writing
JRN200 Convergent Storytelling
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
JRN205 Research and Data Journalism
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
POL111 International Relations
HST210 Media & Society in 20th Century

Session 4 (60)
JRN225 The Specialist Reporter
JRN207 Multiplatform Publishing & The Law
POL305 Politics and the Media
COM219 Media Communication & Globalisation

Session 5 (30)
JRN322 Beyond News: Longform Journalism
JRN318 Deadline: Multiplatform Delivery
HST308 Australia & Asia
COM322 Regional & Global PR or HST301 International History from 1945

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork
*International Exchange can be set up from the 2nd year of the program

Media Practice Specialisation (DE & Int)
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
COM126 Production Planning
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
COM112 Digital Media
VPA106 Intro To Sound Production
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
VIS101 Visual Communication
COM212 Scriptwriting
Elective 1
Elective 2

Session 4 (60)
COM229 Documentary Production
COM219 Media Communication & Globalisation
Elective 3
Elective 4

Session 5 (30)
COM343 Communication Project Management
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 5
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Public Relations Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
COM116 What is Public Relations?
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
COM232 Public Relations Strategy
COM222 Public Relations Tactics
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
COM223 Communication Management
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2

Session 4 (60)
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management
COM224 Communication Research Strategies
Elective 3
Elective 4

Session 5 (30)
COM313 SOS: Issues & Crisis Communication
COM322 Going Global: Regional and Global Public Relations
Elective 5
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Radio Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
COM113 Commercial Radio Industry
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
COM125 Radio Production & Content Management
COM112 Digital Media
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
COM233 Media Sales Principles
ADV206 Channel Planning
Elective 1
Elective 2

Session 4 (60)
COM234 Media Account Management
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management
Elective 3
Elective 4

Session 5 (30)
COM343 Communication Project Management
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 5
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Theatre Media Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
THM108 Principles of Theatre Media (commenced)
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
THM108 Principles of Theatre Media (continued)
THM207 Drama & Theatre For Young People
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 3 (30)
THM208 Devised Performance (commenced)
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2

Session 4 (60)
THM208 Devised Performance (continued)
Elective 3
Elective 4
Elective 5

Session 5 (30)
THM308 Applied Production Research (16)
THM300 Theatre & Cultural Action
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Media Practice Specialisation
Part time suggested study sequence
(DE)

Session 1 (30)
COM111 Professional Writing
CCI100 Intro to Media Production

Session 2 (60)
COM112 Digital Media
COM124 Communication in Context

Session 3 (30)
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
COM126 Production Planning

Session 4 (60)
VPA106 Intro To Sound Production
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities

Session 5 (30)
VIS101 Visual Communication
Elective 1

Session 6 (60)
COM219 Media Communication & Globalisation
Elective 2

Session 7 (30)
COM212 Scriptwriting
Elective 3

Session 8 (60)
COM229 Documentary Production
Elective 4

Session 9 (30)
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 5

Session 10 (60)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork
Elective 6

Session 11(30)
COM343 Communication Project Management

Session 12 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries (24)

Bachelor of Communication (DE & Int)
Full time suggested study sequence

Session 1 (30)
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production
Specialisation 1

Session 2 (60)
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
Specialisation 2
Specialisation 3

Session 3 (30)
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Specialisation 4
Elective 1
Elective 2


Session 4 (60)
Specialisation 5
Specialisation 6
Elective 3
Elective 4

Session 5 (30)
Specialisation 7
Specialisation 8
Elective 5
Elective 6

Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Workplace learning

Please note that the following subjects may contain a Workplace Learning component.

COM223 Communication Management
COM233 Media Sales Principles
COM321 Communication Fieldwork

Residential School

Please note that the following subjects may have a residential school component.

HSS305 International Exchange

Enrolled students can find further information about CSU residential schools via the About Residential School page.

Accreditation

The BCommunication (Public Relations) is accredited by the Public Relations Institute Australia (PRIA). The B Communication (Advertising) is accredited by the International Advertising Association (IAA) and professionally recognised by the Media Federation of Australia (MFA). The BCommunication (Radio) is professionally recognised by Commercial Radio Australia (CRA).

Contact

Current Students

For any enquiries about subject selection or course structure you will need to contact your Course Director. You can find the name and contact details for your Course Director in your offer letter or contact your School office.

Prospective Students

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 334 733 (free call within Australia) or enquire online.

The information contained in the 2017 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2017. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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