Bachelor of Media and Communication / Bachelor of Applied Innovation | Course handbook

General Information

Overview

Innovation meets media and communication in this next-gen double degree. Dive into diversity. Investigate the influence of social networking data, ownership and privacy, automated media, the digital economy, and more in our Bachelor of Media and Communication / Bachelor of Applied Innovation. Pair it with hackathons, industry projects and innovation sprints. Emerge ready to drive positive change.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Media and Communication / Bachelor of Applied Innovation requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Core units

200 credit points

Bachelor of Media and Communication

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Introduction to Media Studies Core unit , 12.5 credit points	MDA10001
Global Media Industries Core unit , 12.5 credit points	MDA10008
Communicating with Data Core unit , 12.5 credit points	MDA10012
Content Creator Lab Core unit , 12.5 credit points	MDA10018
Professional Communication Practice Core unit , 12.5 credit points	COM10007
Media Content Creation Core unit , 12.5 credit points	JOU10007

Bachelor of Applied Innovation

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Exploring Creativity and Innovation Core unit , 12.5 credit points	INV10001
Fundamentals of Innovation Practice Core unit , 12.5 credit points	INV10002
Innovation Sandpit Core unit , 12.5 credit points	INV10003
Responsible Innovation Futures Core unit , 12.5 credit points	INV10004

Media and Communication majors and units

100 credit points

Advertising

Units of study	Unit code
Principles of Advertising Major unit, 12.5 credit points	ADV10001
Digital Advertising Major unit, 12.5 credit points	ADV10002
Advertising Issues and Impact Major unit, 12.5 credit points	ADV20004
Search, Social Media and Video Marketing Major unit, 12.5 credit points	ADV20003
Creativity and Ideation Major unit, 12.5 credit points	ADV20005
Digital Advertising Media Strategy Major unit	ADV30004
Advertising Campaigns Project Major unit	ADV30005
Emerging Advertising Technologies Major unit, 12.5 credit points	ADV30003

Cinema and Screen Studies

Units of study	Unit code
Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA10003
Genre and the Moving Image Major unit, 12.5 credit points	FTV10006
The Australian Screen Major unit, 12.5 credit points	FTV20005
Screen Franchising and Innovation Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA20007
Popular Culture of the Asia Pacific Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA20018
Screen Technology and Culture Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA30016
Screen Sounds and Music Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA30019
Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA30011

Creative Writing and Publishing

Units of study	Unit code
Writing Fiction Major unit, 12.5 credit points	LIT10002
Editing for Writers Major unit, 12.5 credit points	PWR10002
Diversity in Australian Writing Major unit, 12.5 credit points	LIT20002
Writing and Publishing Studio Major unit, 12.5 credit points	PWR20002
Pitch, Edit, Publish Major unit, 12.5 credit points	PWR30001
Prose Poetics Major unit, 12.5 credit points	LIT20003
Sudden Writing Major unit, 12.5 credit points	LIT30007
Literary Industry Practice Major unit, 12.5 credit points	LIT30004

Journalism

Units of study	Unit code
Transforming Journalism in the Digital Era Major unit, 12.5 credit points	JOU10004
The Journalist's Toolkit Major unit, 12.5 credit points	JOU10008
Media, Law and Ethics Major unit, 12.5 credit points	JOU20006
Interactive Storytelling Major unit, 12.5 credit points	JOU20007
Media Analytics and Visualisation Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA20026
Radio, Audio and Podcasting Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA30009
Video Documentary Project Major unit, 12.5 credit points	JOU30009
Live Journalism Lab Major unit, 12.5 credit points	JOU30012

Public Relations

Units of study	Unit code
Introduction to Public Relations Theory and Practice Major unit, 12.5 credit points	PUB10001
Professional Communication Practice Major unit, 12.5 credit points	COM10007
Public Relations Writing Major unit, 12.5 credit points	PUB20003
Global Public Relations Practice Major unit, 12.5 credit points	PUB20001
Issues, Crisis and Risk Communication Major unit, 12.5 credit points	PUB20004
Events Management Major unit, 12.5 credit points	PUB30001
PR Campaign Planning and Management Major unit	PUB30004
Media and Communications Industry Project Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA30020

Immersive Media

Units of study	Unit code
Experiencing Immersive Media: AR, VR and Mixed Reality Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA10017
Mobile Media Futures Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA10016
Immersive Screen Narratives Major unit, 12.5 credit points	DIG20001
Immersive Media Design and Production Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA20029
Writing for Interactive Narratives Major unit, 12.5 credit points	GAM20004
Screen Technology and Culture Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA30016
Media and Communications Industry Project Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA30020
Production for Digital Platforms Major unit, 12.5 credit points	FTV30006

Social Media

Units of study	Unit code
Digital Self/Digital Community Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA10013
Social Media Strategy Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA10015
Business of Media and Entrepreneurship Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA20028
Interactive Storytelling Major unit, 12.5 credit points	JOU20007
Media Analytics and Visualisation Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA20026
Social Media, Social Impact Major unit	MDA30022
Researching Social Media Publics Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA30012
Social Media Industry Project Major unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA30021

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

Co-majors

100 credit points

A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however will be shown on your transcript of results.

Accounting
Animation
Biotechnology
Business Analysis
Business Analytics and Analysis
Cinema and Screen Studies
Climate and Social Justice
Computer Science
Criminology
Data Analytics
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Environmental Science
Environmental Sustainability
Ethics and Technology
Finance
Financial Planning
Games and Interactivity
Global Studies
History
Human Resource Management
Indigenous Studies
Information Systems
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Management
Marketing
Media Industries
Neuroscience
Perspectives on Globalisation
Philosophy
Politics and International Relations
Politics, Power and Technology
Professional and Creative Writing
Psychology
Screen Production
Screen Studies and Popular Culture
Space Technology
Sports Management

View co-major units

Minors

50 credit points

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

Accounting
Advertising
Applied Mathematics
Applied Psychology
Aviation
Biomedical Science
Biotechnology
Branded Environments
Chemistry
Cinema and Screen Studies
Climate and Social Justice
Communication Design
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Criminology
Data Analytics
Data Science
Design Principles and Processes
Digital Advertising Technology
Digital Marketing
Diversity and Multiculturalism
Editing
Engineering
Entrepreneurship
Film and Television Theory
Finance
Games and Interactivity
Health Statistics
Healthy Societies
Higher Mathematics
History
Human Resource Management
Indigenous Studies
Industrial Design
Information and Communication Technology
Innovation
Interior Architecture
Interior Documentation and Construction
International Relations and Security
Journalism
Literature
Management
Management for Health
Managing Information Systems
Marketing
Media Industries
Motion Design
Neuroscience
Nutrition
Perspectives on Globalisation
Philosophy
Photomedia
Physics
Politics and International Relations
Professional and Creative Writing
Public Relations
Screen Studies and Popular Culture
Social Impact
Social Media
Sociology
Space Technology
Web Development

View minor units

Work placement

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for either 6 or 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

Optional professional work placement

100 credit points

Units of study	Unit code
Option 1
Work Experience in Industry A Academic unit, 25.0 credit points	WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication Practical unit, 25.0 credit points	MDA20016
Work Experience in Industry B Academic unit, 25.0 credit points	WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Media and Communication Practical unit, 25.0 credit points	MDA20017

Recommended elective units

These recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.

Advertising major

DIG10004 Digital Video and Audio
DIG20001 Digital Narratives
DIG20005 User Experience Design
DIG20011 Digital Mobility
DIG30003 Advertising Technology
GAM20004 Writing for Interactive Narratives
HEA10001 Introduction to Health Sciences
HEP20002 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
MDA10008 Global Media Industries
MDA20003 Networked Selves
MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
MDA30006 Media and Communications Project A
MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B
MDA30009 Radio, Audio and Podcasting
MDA30019 Sound and the Screen
MKT20021 Integrated Marketing Communication
PHI10008 Introduction to Ethics
PUB10001 Introduction to Public Relations Theory and Practice
PUB30001 Events Management

Cinema & Screen Studies major

ADV10001 Principles of Advertising
COM10007 Professional Communication Practice
DIG10004 Digital Video and Audio
FTV20005 The Australian Screen
FTV30001 Breaking the Screen
FTV30005 Hollywood Cinema
JOU10004 News Writing
JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
LIT20002 Australian Writing: Mapping Diversity
LIT30002 Graphic Narratives: Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga
MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
MDA10006 Innovation Cultures: Perspectives On Science and Technology
MDA10008 Global Media Industries
MDA20001 Business of Media
MDA20003 Networked Selves
MDA20009 Digital Communities
MDA20011 Sports/Advertising/Media
MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
MDA20025 National Media in A Globalised World
MDA30006 Media and Communications Project A
MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B

Creative Writing and Publishing major

ADV10001 Principles of Advertising
DIG20001 Digital Narratives
FTV10006 Genre and the Moving Image
GAM20004 Writing for Interactive Narratives
HIS10003 Global History
HIS30012 History, Politics and Human Rights
JOU10004 News Writing
LIT20002 Australian Writing: Mapping Diversity
LIT30004 Literary Industry Practice
MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
MDA10003 Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
MDA20007 Screen Franchising and Innovation
MDA20025 National Media in A Globalised World
MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B
MDA30012 Researching Social Media Publics
MDA30019 Sound and the Screen
PHI10007 What is Power?
POL10001 Australian Politics
PWR10002 Editing for Writers
PWR20003 Writing Creative Non-Fiction
SOC10004 Sociological Foundations
SOC20020 Deviance, Difference & Conformity
SOC30013 Global Gender and Sex

Immersive Media major

ADV10001 Principles of Advertising
COM10007 Professional Communication Practice
DIG10004 Digital Video and Audio
JOU10004 News Writing
JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
LIT20002 Australian Writing: Mapping Diversity
LIT30002 Graphic Narratives: Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga
LIT30004 Literary Industry Practice
MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
MDA10003 Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
MDA10008 Global Media Industries
MDA20003 Networked Selves
MDA20007 Screen Franchising and Innovation
MDA20009 Digital Communities
MDA20011 Sports/Advertising/Media
MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B
MDA30011 Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood
MDA30012 Researching Social Media Publics
POL10002 International Politics
PUB10001 Introduction to Public Relations Theory and Practice
PUB20003 Public Relations Writing
SOC10004 Sociological Foundations

Journalism major

COS10005 Web Development
FTV20005 The Australian Screen
FTV30001 Breaking the Screen
FTV30005 Hollywood Cinema
INS10001 Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences
JOU10007 Media Content Creation
JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
MDA20001 Business of Media
MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
MDA20025 National Media in A Globalised World
MDA30006 Media and Communications Project A
MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B
MDA30009 Radio, Audio and Podcasting
MDA30019 Sound and the Screen
PHI10008 Introduction to Ethics
POL10001 Australian Politics
POL10002 International Politics
POL20008 Australian Foreign Policy
PUB20003 Public Relations Writing
SOC30019 Social Science Research Methods
STA10003 Foundations of Statistics

Public Relations major

DIG10004 Digital Video and Audio
DIG20001 Digital Narratives
DIG20005 User Experience Design
DIG20011 Digital Mobility
DIG30003 Advertising Technology
GAM20004 Writing for Interactive Narratives
HEA10001 Introduction to Health Sciences
HEP20002 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
MDA10008 Global Media Industries
MDA20003 Networked Selves
MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
MDA30006 Media and Communications Project A
MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B
MDA30009 Radio, Audio and Podcasting
MDA30019 Sound and the Screen
MKT20021 Integrated Marketing Communication

Social Media major

ADV10001 Principles of Advertising
COM10007 Professional Communication Practice
DIG10004 Digital Video and Audio
DIG20001 Digital Narratives
DIG20011 Digital Mobility
DIG30003 Advertising Technology
GAM20004 Writing for Interactive Narratives
HEA10001 Introduction to Health Sciences
HEP20002 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
JOU10004 News Writing
JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
MDA10003 Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
MDA10008 Global Media Industries
MDA20001 Business of Media
MDA20007 Screen Franchising and Innovation
MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
MDA30009 Radio, Audio and Podcasting
MDA30011 Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood
PHI10003 Critical Thinking

Find more detail about elective units

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

identify and contextualise the impacts of digital transformation on media and communication industries, audiences and professional and creative practices
analyse diverse socio-cultural influences on media and communication practices and their impact on audiences in Indigenous, local and global contexts
demonstrate critical thinking, including theoretical, practice-led and decolonised approaches, within a specialised media and communication discipline
initiate professional approaches to planning, problem-solving and decision-making in a range of media and communication activities and processes, both individually and in collaboration with others
design creative and professional media and communication artefacts that focus on examining the relationship between people and technology for social impact
explore innovative use of new media and communication technologies to engage, influence and build communities for next generation media futures
engage ethical approaches to research methodologies for socially responsible, just and fair content creation strategies
apply learning from Indigenous, global and cross-cultural communication contexts to support accountability, self-assessment and independence in lifelong learning
apply a series of thinking systems, creativity toolkits and innovation frameworks to design contextually-relevant solutions addressing local and global challenges in and outside their discipline
identify and articulate opportunities to innovate and create impact informed by user-centred research and/or data
adapt their discipline skillsets in new situations in response to complex and changing contexts, including interdisciplinary environments
facilitate and contribute to innovation teams that seek solutions to complex challenges, using inclusive collaboration practices to leverage different skills and perspectives
navigate commercial, human and technical requirements aided by prototyping and testing to deliver solutions that create value
communicate the value of experimentation, ideas and innovation with confidence in developing solutions to investors, potential partners, employers or other stakeholders
develop futures-focused innovations that integrate responsible social, technological and environmental factors

Career opportunities

The Bachelor of Media Communication / Bachelor of Applied Innovation equips students with knowledge and skills essential for a career that encompasses the challenging and dynamic area of media and communication and innovation. The Applied Innovation units complement the Media and Communication disciplinary studies by developing students’ future workforce capabilities.

Students apply innovation toolkits, prototype solutions and participate in challenges, such as innovation sprints and interdisciplinary projects, including activities inspired by their passions and interests, developing, in the process, future workforce capabilities such as interdisciplinary collaboration, creativity and complex problem-solving, persistence, curiosity and initiative in real-world contexts.

The course helps students create a portfolio for future employability, with industry experience and additional practical skills. As an innovator, students are prepared to conceive, develop and deliver transformative projects as well as adapt to uncertain and changing contexts to secure or create fulfilling employment opportunities.

Course rules

To qualify for the Bachelor of Media and Communication / Bachelor of Applied Innovation, students must complete 400 credit points:

eight [8] core units (100 credit points)
eight [8] units from a Media and Communication major (100 credit points)
six [6] units from Applied Innovation major (100 credit points)
eight [8] units of other studies comprising of a major, co-major, minor/s and/or electives (100 credit points)

Students must not complete more than 200 credit points (normally 16 units) at introductory level.

A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

Professional placements

Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement through a competitive process. Please note that due to government regulation, international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake Professional Placements in this course.

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 475 credit points comprising:

eight [8] core units (100 credit points)
eight [8] units from a Media and Communication major (100 credit points)
six [6] units from Applied Innovation major (100 credit points)
six [6] units comprising of a minor and/or electives (75 credit points)
four [4] units from the Professional Placement co-major (100 credit points)

Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 437.5 credit points comprising:

eight [8] core units (100 credit points)
eight [8] units from a Media and Communication major (100 credit points)
six [6] units from Applied Innovation major (100 credit points)
seven [7] units comprising of a minor and/or electives (87.5 credit points)
two [2] units from the Professional Placement minor (50 credit points)

Professional recognition

The Advertising major in the Bachelor of Media and Communication is professionally accredited by the Media Federation of Australia (MFA).

On completion of the Public Relations major students may be eligible to become a member of the Communication and Public Relations Australia(CPRA) and should confirm eligibility with the Institute. The Advertising major in the Bachelor of Media and Communication is professionally accredited by the Media Federation of Australia (MFA).

Maximum academic credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Media amd Communication / Bachelor of Applied Innovation is 200 credit points (normally 16 units), 100 credit points maximum from each discipline.

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Bachelor of Media and Communication / Bachelor of Applied Innovation?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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