Macquarie University
| Overview and Aims of the Program | The major in Radio, Digital Audio and Broadcast Production introduces students to the radio broadcasting industry, practice and ethics. The major is built around a substantial practical component in radio broadcast and production that embraces the contemporary position of radio and its relationships with other media, especially online platforms. The radio broadcast and production units are complemented by offerings that allow students to explore synergies with web design, music production or vocal studies. Students are able to complete an internship as part of the major, which gives them the opportunity to situate their studies within an industry placement. |
| Graduate Capabilities | The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows: Interpersonal or social capabilities |
| Program Learning Outcomes | By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to: 1. Demonstrate critical, conceptual and research skills in radio/audio/news/visual and broadcast production. 2. Demonstrate a range of operational, technical and media industry/journalistic skills in audio-visual/radio/news and broadcast production and program making. 3. Develop writing, voicing, interviewing, presentation, communication, expression, researching, and editing skills for radio broadcast and audio-visual media productions. 4. Recognise and evaluate the value and power of the radio and visual medium in communicating with diverse target audiences and in applications to new media contexts such as the web. 5. Synthesize media theories to understand and evaluate the relationship between news and current affairs, politics and society. 6. Evaluate and reflect on the relationship of current trends in audio and audio-visual documentary works to the contemporary digital environment. 7. Develop an understanding of the dynamics and methods necessary for successful communication with audiences and listeners and the critical skills to articulate and carry out effective storytelling and journalistic practices. |
| Learning and Teaching Methods | The major in Radio, Digital Audio and Broadcast Production uses a range of learning and teaching methods to enable students to achieve the program level outcomes. • Lectures: While some lectures are delivered in traditional face-to-face format, others utilise 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 utilise workshops in which students develop production skills such as audio recording, editing and mixing. Guided workshops enable students to generate knowledge and apply it to an individual or group production such as a podcast or radio broadcast. Student learning is supported by teaching and technical staff with industry-grade knowledge and skills. • Teaching materials: A range of teaching materials are used 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-led radio broadcast • Program structure: Students develop strong skills in broadcast and production across 200 and 300 level, each unit progressively building on the previous one. These are complemented by progressive offerings in music production and vocal studies. For their capstone, students have the option of MAS316 Media Futures or MAS350 Media Internship (students pursuing a double major will complete both). MAS316 encourage students to be reflective and prepared for employment through offering a range of invited industry speakers, many of whom are leaders in their field. MAS350 (also a PACE unit) allows students to complete an internship relevant to their studies and fosters reflection on the alignment between their studies and the workplace. |
| Assessment | The major in Radio, Digital Audio and Broadcast Production provides a blend of critical theory and media production resulting in a diverse assessment schema: • Essays: Essays range from 500 to 2500 words and 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. • Projects: Students create numerous projects throughout the program depending on their chosen production path. Projects include: a. podcasts b. radio broadcasts c. digital music production d. interactive media e. vocal performances • 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: 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. • 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. • Other: Other assessments include blogs, reflective journals, production diaries and minutes of group meetings. Learning and teaching innovation is a strong feature of the Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies and alternative assessment methods are frequently trialed. |
| 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. Information can be found at: https://mq.edu.au/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. |
| 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 | Graduates with a major in Radio, Digital Audio and Broadcast Production will find employment in radio production and broadcast in roles such as writer, editor and producer. 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. One of the capstone offerings – 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 found in the second capstone offering – MAS350 – further allow community engagement which helps shape students' future directions by providing industry experience and networking opportunities. |
| 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. |
Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or program necessary for a student to successfully achieve the core learning outcomes of a course or program. Students must meet the inherent requirements to complete their Macquarie University course or program.
Inherent requirements for Macquarie University programs fall under the following categories:
Physical: The physical inherent requirement is to have the physical capabilities to safely and effectively perform the activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
Cognition: The inherent requirement for cognition is possessing the intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative capabilities to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
Communication: The inherent requirement for communication is the capacity to communicate information, thoughts and ideas through a variety of mediums and with a range of audiences.
Behavioural: The behavioural inherent requirement is the capacity to sustain appropriate behaviour over the duration of units of study to engage in activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
For more information see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/inherent-requirements
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