| AQF Level |
Level 7 Bachelor Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
072063M |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The BA-Media is an undergraduate degree focused on the analysis, critique and production of media. This degree is can be completed in three years in a full-time study mode. The extent to which media permeates aspects of everyday life is almost overwhelming. The internet has released a tsunami of content reflecting diverse voices and creative urges which has prompted reappraisal of what we previously understood about media. In the bigger picture of course, the internet is a relatively recent phenomenon and the media forms and practices that preceded it still exist.
The BA-Media offers students the opportunity to critically engage with and theorise the media. In addition, students also create media through radio podcasts and broadcasts, creative writing and journalism, interactive and transmedia web design, documentary, feature and drama productions and public relations campaigns. The BA-Media offers a sophisticated blend of media theory and production to ensure graduates are critical, enquiring, innovative, engaged and their learning is underpinned by current theoretical approaches and production skills.
Taught by a staff of active researchers and media producers, students learn develop industry grade skills using the state-of-the-art production facilities. All BA-Media students are eligible to gain industry experience through an internship placement as part of their academic studies.
BA-Media graduates possess a skill base tailored for the contemporary media ecology. Media convergence demands a different set of skills to those required in previous formulations. Student emerge with a range of critical skills and at least two production specialisations reflecting a reality in which the contemporary media producer must be able to operate cross-platform. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
1. identify and demonstrate disciplinary knowledge of the practices, theories, histories, technologies and techniques in media and creative practice (K, L)
2. examine and evaluate concepts and arguments underpinning media and creative practice (T, P, J)
3. engage with communities in socially, ethically and environmentally responsible ways (A)
SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES
4. apply disciplinary knowledge to develop and produce various works and forms of creative expression (I)
5. interpret and communicate various ideas, problems and disciplinary debates to various audiences in a range of media forms (C)
6. prepare work independently and collaboratively in response to project demands (K)
7. analyse the social, cultural, political and ethical issues and debates in the field and reflect on their implications (K, T, E)
APPLICATION
8. recognise and apply local and international perspectives to media and creative practice (K, E, J). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
The BA-Media uses a range of learning and teaching methods to enable students to achieve the program level outcomes. Unit learning outcomes are constructively aligned with the program level outcomes and graduate capabilities. The BA-Media employs a range of learning and teaching methods through which students meet outcomes.
• Lectures: While many lectures are delivered in traditional face-to-face format, the BA-Media also utilises the Echo 360 lecture recording system and pre-recorded video lectures. The array of formats in which lectures are available ensures that students have access to the lecture materials at any point during the semester.
• Tutorials: Tutorials provide an opportunity for students to critically engage with the selected topic(s). Tutorials provide three key markers: First, they provide forums for resolving uncertainties within and questions about the set materials and topics. Second, tutorial participation generates knowledge. Through tutor-led and peer-assisted direction, students generate knowledge of the subject. Third, tutorials enable students to put generated knowledge into practice through activities such as discussion, debate, group tasks and presentations. Additionally, the knowledge generated in tutorials underpins assessment structures and tasks.
• Workshops: Production units within the BA-Media utilise workshops in which students develop production skills such as genre writing, video editing or coding with a JavaScript framework. Guided workshops enable students to generate knowledge and apply it to an individual or group production such as a piece of music journalism or transmedia project spanning radio, screen production and web design offerings. Student learning is supported by teaching and technical staff with industry-grade knowledge and skills.
• Teaching materials: The BA-Media uses a range of teaching materials to support and direct student learning:
a. lectures (face-to-face and recorded)
b. traditional paper-based and electronic readings
c. text books
d. audiovisual material
e. group task handouts/worksheets
f. online workshop manuals
g. industry speakers
h. student conference.
• Program structure: The BA-Media program is weaved through 100, 200 and 300 level offerings. 100 level units facilitate comprehension, understanding and application. At 200 level students develop critical and sophisticated analytical and production skills in addition to acquiring further knowledge. The 300 level units build on students’ development through 100 and 200 level and encourages evaluation: students graduate with an impressive skill set and knowledge that embeds critical reflection. The media ecology is ever changing and to work within it mandates a commitment to life-long learning. At 300 level, students become reflective practitioners poised to critically evaluate their own practices and experiences. This is especially pronounced in the capstone unit. MAS316 prepares students for employment. Through a range of invited industry speakers (many leaders in their field), students benefit from a range of insights into the applicability of the BA-Media. All BA-Media students are required to satisfy the People, Planet and Participation requirement of the program. Students are encouraged to experience other disciplines to benefit from a broader knowledge. Participation units enhance the student experience through community engagement. The program hosts two designated Participation units – MAS350 Media Internship and MAS390 Public Relations Practice. The BA-Media program constitutes 45 out of the 69 credit points required for a single undergraduate degree. This leaves students 24 credit points or eight units of electives that can be undertaken across the university. The BA-Media provides students with the opportunity to develop core academic and media specific skills but offers flexibility with a generous number of electives that can be used to pursue wider learning activities. |
| Assessment |
The BA-Media provides a blend of critical theory and media production resulting in a diverse assessment schema:
• Essays: Essays range from 500 to 2500 words. Essays are used to assess a range of outcomes from demonstrating comprehension of a particular issue to synthesizing multiple sources to evaluate a case study. Essays are frequently used in production units which require students to critically articulate applied theory.
• Participation: Students are assessed on their meaningful contributions to a culture of learning. Participation is assessed through engagement with discussions, debates, tasks through learning teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, workshops and online tasks. Through participation students engage with a commitment to learning and develop reflective practices.
• Projects: BA-Media students create numerous projects throughout the program depending on their chosen production path. Projects include:
a. documentaries, features and dramas
b. scripts, storyboards and screenplays
c. websites
d. interactive media
e. podcasts, audio features, live radio broadcasts
f. public relations campaigns
g. photo essays
h. student conference
i. video games
j. Pecha Kucha Presentations
k. transmedia productions
l. creative non-fiction and journalistic writing
m. digital music production.
• Quizzes: Used to periodically assess understanding and comprehension., quizzes also motivate students to participate in a culture of learning by engaging with teaching materials. Quizzes may be in-class or take-home and paper-based or conducted electronically via the learning management system.
• Presentations: BA-Media students develop the ability to articulate information in a number of forms. In addition to the above, presentations assess students’ abilities to meaningfully articulate information. In addition to their peers, students may deliver presentations to staff (in simulated client scenarios) or industry guests.
• Other: Other assessments include blogs, reflective journals, production diaries and minutes of group meetings. Learning and teaching innovation is a strong feature of the BA-Media and alternative assessment methods are frequently trialled. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.
Domestic students
For undergraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For domestic postgraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl
International students
For RPL information visit www.mq.edu.au/international/rpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Students are prepared for employment and further study through the disciplinary knowledge accumulated during the program as well as transferable skills in research, problem-solving and production. The program’s capstone – MAS316 – engages a number of guest speakers to address imminent graduates; students hear from industry speakers (many of whom are leaders in their field) as well as academics on the topic of further studies and research. The internship and participation opportunities further allow community engagement which helps shape students’ future directions.
BA-Media graduates find employment within the broad media ecology, including:
• SBS (television and radio)
• The Australian
• Nine Entertainment
• ABC
• Val Morgan
• Loves Data
• Nova 96.1
• Universal Publications
• Nestlé
• Optus
While many graduates seek employment at the conclusion of their undergraduate studies, some feel compelled to undertake further studies in the form of either a professional postgraduate award or a high research degree. The department currently offers professional postgraduate awards such as the MA Creative Media, MA Future Journalism, and MA Media, Law and Culture. The BA-Media is designed to feed into these programs for students seeking practice-led further studies. For those considering a research pathway, the department offers the M.Res. and Ph.D. programs. The BA-Media scaffolds learning with an emphasis on critical enquiry and analysis giving students the opportunity to develop core academic and research skills. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification. |
