Information for Prospective Students
From 2008, the Department of Media will offer a single Bachelor of Media. The new degree takes a flexible and convergent approach, in a dynamic media environment defined by rapid cultural and technological change.
The study pattern will comprise the following core units. In addition, students can choose electives from a wide range of options to make up their credit point requirements.
100-level Core Units
(3cp) MAS 104 Australian Media (semester 1)
(3cp) MAS 105 Media Cultures (semester 2)
(3cp) MAS 110 Introduction to Digital Media Production (both semesters)
Total core units: 9cp
Recommended elective:
(3cp) MCS 100 Academic Cultures (both semesters)
200-level Core Units
2 units from:
(4cp) MAS 221 News & Current Affairs (semester 1)
(4cp) MAS 222 Introduction to Cinema (semester 1)
(4cp) MAS 229 Media Forms: From Alphabet To Internet (semester 2)
(4cp) MAS 230 Theories of Writing for the Media (semester 2)
and 2 units from:
(4cp) MAS 208 Multimedia Theory and Production1 (semester 1)
(4cp) MAS 209 Multimedia Theory and Production 2 (semester 2)
(4cp) MAS 220 Writing: Screen Media 1 (semester 1)
(4cp) MAS 225 Writing: Print Media 1 (semester 1)
(4cp) MAS 226 Writing: Print Media 2 (semester 2)
(4cp) MAS 227 Screen Production1 (semester 1)
(4cp) MAS 228 Screen Production 2 (semester 2)
Total core units: 16cp
MAS 223 Radio Broadcasting (4 cp, S1) and MAS 224 Advanced Radio Broadcasting (4 cp, S2) may be taken as electives.
300-level Core Units
2 units from:
(4cp) MAS 306 Modernism & Postmodernism (semester 1)
(4cp) MAS 320 Media Identities (semester 2)
(4cp) MAS 321 Screens, Images, Ideas (semester 1)
(4cp) MAS 322 Culture & Technology (semester 2)
(4cp) MAS 328 Contemporary World Cinemas (semester 2)
(4cp) MAS 395 Public Relations 1 (semester 1)
And 2 units from:
(4cp) MAS 308 Advanced Multimedia Theory and Production1 (semester 1)
(4cp) MAS 309 Advanced Multimedia Theory and Production 2 (semester 2)
(4cp) MAS 323 Writing: Print Media 3 (semester 1)
(4cp) MAS 324 Writing: Print Media 4 (semester 2)
(4cp) MAS 325 Advanced Screen Production 1(semester 1)
(4cp) MAS 326 Advanced Screen Production 2 (semester 2)
(4cp) MAS 327 Writing: Screen Media 2 (semester 2)
(4cp) MAS 396 Public Relations 2 (semester 2)
Total core units: 16cp
MAS 300 Media Internship (3cp, S1 and S2) and MAS 316 Seminar Unit in Media (3cp, S2) may be taken as electives.
Total core credit points: 44
Balance of electives required: 24
This information is only a guide. For detailed information, check the 2008 Handbook of Undergraduate Studies or http://www.handbook.mq.edu.au/ (available in 2008)
The new degree presents an opportunity for students to take subjects from across Screen Production, Writing: Print Media and Multimedia. Students are also able to take subjects in Radio Broadcasting, Public Relations and a range of Media Theory subjects, as part of their degree.
Production Areas :
- Screen Production
This focuses on single camera digital video production in fiction, non-fiction and non-narrative film/video genres, alongside relevant theoretical studies. It pays particular attention to the creative process, exploring ways in which concepts and ideas may be translated into images and sound. Using both High Definition and standard digital technologies, students are encouraged to explore the relationship between the theoretical, the conceptual and the technical as they develop both their craft and critical skills in the production of short screen work.
- Writing: Print Media
This concentrates on the power of the written word to inform, educate, entertain and engage a print audience. By studying units that balance theoretical and practical writing skills, students gain a thorough understanding of the nature and function of print media in a wider media context. The emphasis of Media’s writing subjects is on creative non-fiction. Students are encouraged to develop their own writing skills through practical exercises, workshop and major writing projects, and to pursue avenues to have their work published.
- Multimedia
Multimedia represents a fundamental shift in the use of media. Not only are new digital technologies present in all forms of media production, but multimedia is most obvious as a range of new media configurations such as web-sites, computer games and other interactive digital media. The Multimedia program enables students to study and practice multimedia production within a framework of contemporary theory, thought and discussion. Emphasising ways of “Thinking Multimedia”, our multimedia units teach students to develop their technical proficiency and analytical skills and produce sophisticated multimedia solutions in a broader media context.
Other Study Options:
Radio Broadcasting
Macquarie’s Media Department teaches the fundamentals of radio journalism, creative radio feature production and live radio. These units combine theoretical and production streams. Using our state-of-the-art digital facilities, students produce items for broadcast on 2SER, SBS or ABC stations and Internet radio sites. Students can enrol in the radio units as optional units or as a production stream within Media, Music, Cultural Studies or other degree programs.
Public Relations
Public Relations is another popular choice offered to third year students by the Media Department. It consists of a comprehensive overview of theories of persuasion and critical approaches to PR practice. Interested students have an opportunity to develop a real PR campaign which they present to their client, a commercial or a non-profit organisation (e.g. Virgin Mobile, Fairfax, Starlight Foundation, Humour Foundation), and which they can use as part of their work search portfolio.
Internships & Independent Projects
There is scope for BMedia students to undertake an internship in their third year of study. This provides both work experience and academic credit within a professional context. Students also have the opportunity to specialise further in third year by undertaking a seminar unit that includes working with a supervisor on an independent project. This is excellent preparation for Honours.
BMedia (Honours) in Media
In our one year full-time Honours program, students complete three equally weighted course work units, attend a Thesis Honours Workshop and produce a 12-15,000 word Thesis. The Media Honours Thesis may be either a critical - theoretical written thesis or a thesis involving a media production combined with a critical - theoretical commentary in one of the following areas: Writing, Screen Production, Multimedia and Radio production. Eligible students considering Media Honours should contact the Department of Media Honours Convenor and have a look at the information for prospective Honours students: