Communication and Media Studies

comm-media-studies

The field of Communication and Media Studies focuses on how the media operate in our society, the way they shape meanings and values, and the differences they are making to the social, economic and political worlds in which we live. Key topics include media and politics, international and development communication, public opinion, and communication strategy and writing.

As the seat of national government, Canberra provides a unique opportunity to experience and learn first hand the political nature of these processes, through the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies or through higher degree research in Communication.

Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (980AA)

This course provides an advanced study of the history, theory and methods of Communication and Media Studies with a special focus on political communication from a national capital perspective. Students develop an informed and critical understanding of how the media operate, and the way they shape meanings and values in todays society.

Communication and Media Studies students attain skills needed to work in a range of contemporary communications environments. The course teaches high-level oral and written communication, applied research, and an appreciation of the power of visual and online communication forms. Students gain an in-depth understanding of political communication processes, with Internships that offer opportunities for work-place learning.

Students take an elective major, choosing an area of applied communication such as advertising and marketing communication, journalism, media arts and public relations, or they can select from a wide range of other areas including international studies, politics and government, cultural heritage practice, justice studies, and languages.

Career Opportunities

We now work within increasingly complex communication environments. Society itself is also changing rapidly as new technologies emerge. The media have never been more important to society, politics and business.

How can we, as future professionals, understand and feel confident working in these new environments? How will we engage with a rapidly changing global society?

Graduates are in demand who have high level communication and analytic skills, who have mastered these social processes, and can develop strategies for dealing with the risks, problems and opportunities they present.

Career Opportunity examples are:

Communications officer

Media professional

Government relations officer

Public information officer

Researcher

Media planner

Campaign manager

Electorate officer

Lobbyist

Consumer advocate

International aid organisation communications officer

Bachelor of Communication (Honours) (398AA)

The Bachelor of Communication (Honours) is a one-year degree available to outstanding Communication graduates. Students complete a major research project and produce a 15,000-word dissertation. Communication Honours equips students with a critical understanding of communication and media theory and research methodology, a sound knowledge of their chosen field of research, and the ability to complete a substantial research project.

Higher Degrees by Research

Communication and Media Studies also provides opportunities for students to undertake research degrees at Masters and PhD level.

Research programs in Communication and Media Studies are supervised by a team of research-active staff from the Faculty's News Research Group. Research focuses on news and news production in contemporary Australian society and internationally. The groups research, some of which is funded by the ARC and the NHMRC, currently involves:

history of international news networks;
reporting and portrayal of social issues in the media, including: poverty, cultural diversity, Indigenous issues and health and illness;
political communication and public opinion;
risk communication, especially in health related areas;
images of war, terrorism and risk in international news;
journalism and media practice.

Students in Other Undergraduate Degrees

Many University of Canberra degrees give students the opportunity to choose a Major (usually a sequence of six subjects) or a Minor (usually a sequence of four subjects) in addition to their core degree studies. The Communication and Media Studies area offers two such sequences:

commmedia-image3 Political Communication Politics and government operate through a range of communication processes including the interaction between politicians, government departments, lobby and interest groups, and publics. This sequence provides an understanding of the complex layers of political decision-making and the communication involved. Topics include political advertising, election campaigning, speech writing and debate, strategic communication, public diplomacy, political and foreign reporting, democracy and public opinion.

Communication and Media Studies This sequence explores the way in which societies have evolved in conjunction with advances in communication technology and addresses the way communications media such as newspapers, radio, television, and the internet have profoundly transformed the way we live. Through this Major you will develop an informed and critical understanding of how the media operate, the way they shape meanings and values, and the difference they are making to the social, economic and political worlds in which we live.