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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2015

This handbook contains information on courses and components (majors, minors, streams and units) at Curtin in 2015.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2014.

MC-MEDCOM v.1 Master of Media and Communication

MMediaComm(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 084909D
Registered full-time Duration: 2 Years


Course Overview

Master Degrees (Coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.


This course is designed for those seeking to develop advanced skills and understanding of media and communication practice in the current environment. You will develop critical and analytical understandings, as well as practical and professional skills orientated towards a career in one of the related disciplines, or in a combination of those disciplines. You will also gain generic skills that are valuable in a range of situations, including leadership, problem-solving and working collaboratively in a team, and will be encouraged to apply and test these skills and understandings through critically informed practice in the form of a professionally-orientated project which is extended with the opportunity to engage directly in a professional or creative industry environment. You may engage in the disciplines of Creative Writing, Performance Studies or Screen Production through the Creative Practice major; in Journalism or Corporate Media Production through the Media Practice major; in Literary and Cultural Studies or Social Science and Anthropology through the Social and Cultural Inquiry major; in Professional Writing and Publishing through its respective major; or in Visualisation Technologies through its respective major:


Additional Courses Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students may incur a cost for personal Internet access, and may be required to pay for additional expenses whilst on fieldwork or professional placements.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants for a Master Degree (Coursework) are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.


Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at . Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma. Specifically, applicants who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than those listed below will be required to complete the full two year (full-time equivalent), while those who have an undergraduate degree in one of the listed disciplines may be approved to enter the program after the first semester and therefore complete the program in 1.5 years (full-time equivalent). The disciplines you may study in this program are: Corporate Media Production, Creative Writing, Journalism, Literary and Cultural Studies, Performance Studies, Professional Writing and Publishing, Screen Production, Social Science and Anthropology, and Visualisation Technologies.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to Doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. This program also contains a range of majors for students to choose from. In the first semester of the program, you will undertake two core units designed to introduce you to critical and conceptual theories relating to media and communication, as well as two units specific to your chosen discipline area. This semester is intended to provide you with the necessary foundation on which to build skills and abilities throughout the remaining three semesters. In those semesters, you will again take core units to develop research skills and prepare for your masters project as well as units from one of the five majors which allow you to build on and extend your discipline-specific skills and understandings.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. understand the discipline of a selected field of media and communication practice, its theoretical underpinnings, ways of thinking and professional or creative approaches; understand and apply established knowledge, principles, and professional or creative practices in chosen aspects of media and communication

2. apply logical and rational processes to analyse the components of a subject or project and engage critically with the subject matter to respond creatively within a selected communication paradigm

3. determine what information is needed and where it might be found using appropriate technologies; make valid judgements and synthesise information from a range of sources and apply best practice in developing a professional or creative work in response to a particular situation

4. communicate appropriately with colleagues, professional and creative contacts and the general public and develop communication skills across one or more media forms appropriate to varying situations

5. assess the application of existing technologies as well as the impact of emerging technologies on a selected communication or media discipline to create an effective professional or creative work; develop the technology skills necessary for obtaining, assessing and representing relevant information. Decide on appropriate applications and systems for professional and/or creative needs

6. understand and apply a range of learning strategies; take responsibility for one's own learning and development; sustain intellectual curiosity and develop a commitment to professional research, publication or performance to engage with emerging forms of media and communication theory and practice

7. think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives and apply relevant international standards, tools and practices to one’s professional or creative practice

8. acknowledge the interrelationship between local, national, and global perspectives and the impact of these on media and communication: recognise individual human rights, and appreciate the importance of cultural diversity and the sensitivities which may be created when engaging with and representing issues pertaining to ethnic and community groups

9. demonstrate professional behaviour and standards and work collaboratively to apply them in all aspects of creative practice and production-related activities


Duration and Availability

This course is two years full-time equivalent for those students whose qualification is not in the included discipline areas, and 1.5 years equivalent full-time study for those students whose qualification is listed as one of the relevant disciplines.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2015 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2015 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
MJRP-PROWR v.1   Professional Writing and Publishing Major (MMedCom) 150.0
  OR  
MJRP-SOCUL v.1   Social and Cultural Inquiry Major (MMEDCOM) 150.0
  OR  
MJRP-CREAT v.1   Creative Practice Major (MMedCom) 150.0
  OR  
MJRP-MEPRA v.1   Media Practice Major (MMedCom) 150.0
  OR  
MJRP-VISTE v.1   Visualisation Technologies Major (MMedCom) 150.0
  150.0
Year 1 Semester 1
MEDA5000 v.1   Ethics and the Media Professional 2.0 25.0
CWRI1003 v.1   Narrating Selves 3.0 25.0
  OR  
COMS1005 v.1   Making Meanings 3.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 1 Semester 2
AUVS5002 v.1   Research Methods in Media, Culture and Creative Arts 2.0 25.0
COMS6000 v.1   Professional Communication Project Preparation 1.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 2 Semester 1
MEDA6005 v.1   Advanced Discipline Project 1 50.0
MEDA6006 v.1   Advanced Discipline Project 2 50.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
COMS6002 v.1   Masters Professional or Creative Practice 150.0 50.0
  50.0



Further Information

If you need more course information, you may contact the relevant areas: For Current Students: Student Services Office, please click here for further details: For Domestic Future Students: Future Students Centre, email: futurestudents@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 1000 For International Future Students: Curtin International, email: international@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 7331


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook

The Courses Handbook is the repository of Curtin University ("Curtin") course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavours to keep this handbook up to date, information on this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the: course structure and contents, student assessment, tuition fees and to: withdraw any course or its components which it offers, impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or vary arrangements for any course without notification via the website.

For course and enrolment information please visit our Future Students website.