AUT - Digital Media Major: Bachelor of Communication Studies
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Digital Media Major: Bachelor of Communication Studies
Graduates of this major understand the bigger picture, learn the distinctions between the different fields and then reject them. Our graduates don’t talk about convergence because they’re too busy living it.
As a digital media student, you will operate at the interface of media communication technology, learning how to make work look great, sound great and tell a great story. You will manage teams and design new workflows, and know how to deliver your work via mobile devices, broadcast media or broadband communication (or most likely all of the above), from the smallest screens to the largest screens, on time and on budget.
WHAT THIS MAJOR COVERS
Students choose from papers covering a range of specialist digital media topics. Current subject areas on offer include:
- 2D and 3D animation
- 3D visualisation
- Digital video production
- Digital audio production
- Digital media project management
- Game design
- Interactive media design and production
- Mobile content development
- Motion graphics and compositing
- Video postproduction
- Visual communication/digital design
- Web media design and production
- Web development
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- 2D/3D animators/compositors
- Digital media project managers
- Digital publishing producers/consultants
- Digital video specialists
- Freelance/self-employed web designers
- Instructional digital media designers
- Interactive media producers/consultants
- Motion graphics designers
- Post production special effects designers
- Production assistants
- Web administrators/designers
PAPERS
Most papers last one semester and are worth 15 points. Students must complete 120 points each year (360 points for the entire degree). In each year students study core (compulsory) papers, and select other papers from a range of options.
Year One - 120 Points total
Introduces essential theory and practice as a basis for later specialisation. This focuses on media and interpersonal communication and the relationships between communication, technology and New Zealand society.
CORE PAPERS
145701 Interpersonal Communication (15)
145708 Media Communication I (15)
145717 Image and Sound (15)
145718 Media Production Workshop (30)
285008 Applied Media Ethics (15)
SELECT TWO
145705 Principles of Writing (15)
145709 Introduction to New Zealand Literature (15)
145719 Introduction to Popular Culture (15)
145720 Performance Communication (15)
285706 New Zealand Political Studies (15)
915101 Te Kākano I (15)
Year Two - 120 Points total
Students undertake more practical work in all the communication disciplines while continuing to develop critical theory. This allows students to focus their studies more specifically but still keep options open for their final choice of a major. Majors and minors begin in Year Two. Students are required to complete 90 points for a major and 60 points for a minor (if desired). We recommend that options are kept open by choosing the two prerequisite papers for each of three majors.
CORE PAPERS
146719 Intercultural Communication (15)
146723 Media Communication IIA (15)
DIGITAL MEDIA PREREQUISITE PAPERS
Select two
146735 Visual Communication (compulsory) (15)
146747 Moving Image Production I (15)
146750 Interactive Media Production I (15)
OPTIONAL PAPERS:
Choose from other papers as listed in the Bachelor of Communication Studies Table of Papers in the AUT University Academic Calendar.
Year Three - 120 Points total
In Year Three, students major in one of a number of fields including advertising creativity, communication and public relations, creative industries, journalism, digital media, professional communication, radio and television. Following the broader focus of Year Two, the majors now go deeper into the applied theory and practice of these various communication fields. Students who have begun a minor in Year Two will also complete this in Year Three alongside their major. An internship or industry project may be offered as part of the Year Three programme.
All Year Three students must study Media Communication III plus the equivalent of 60 points in their major to reach the 90 points required to complete a major. The remaining 45 points may be used to complete a minor or to study additional elective papers of the student’s choice.
Entry to a Year Three major may be restricted if applications exceed places available. Preference will be given to students who achieve good academic results and show aptitude in the relevant prerequisite papers in Year Two.
CORE PAPERS:
147717 Media Communication III (15)
DIGITAL MEDIA MAJOR PAPERS:
SELECT 105 points - a minimum of 60 points from your MAJOR and 30 points from your minor (if desired).
147800 Digital Media Project (compulsory) (15)
147724 Interactive Media Production II (15)
147750 Advanced Digital Video (15)
147767 3D Modelling and Animation I (15)
147768 3D Modelling and Animation II (15)
147775 Moving image Production II (15)
147812 Digital Audio Production (15)
147821 Web Media Production I (15)
147822 Web Media Production II (15)
147823 Digital Media Praxis (15)
Level 5:
915404 Sound Production (15)
915405 Technology and Composition (15)
Level 6:
116232 Photography (15)
386626 Advertising Media Planning (15)
466650 Project Management (15)
916100 Technology and Creative Expression (15)
Level 7:
147723 Persuasive Communication (15)
147732 Editing and Design (15)
147734 Magazine Journalism (15)
147753 New Media Journalism (15)
147777 The Music Industries (15)
147782 Issues in Cross-Cultural Communication (15)
147787 News Production (15)
147788 Performance for Camera (15)
147789 Radio Journalism (15)
147790 Photo Journalism (15)
147791 Television Journalism (15)
147792 Advanced Copywriting (15)
147813 Radio and Society (15)
147814 Knowledge Management (15)
147816 Promotional Culture (15)
147825 Reporting the Pacific Region (15)
147826 Maori and Pasifika Media Industry (15)
147827 Sponsorship and Promotion (15)
147832 Advanced Advertising Art Direction (15)
387932 Strategic Advertising Management (15)
487964 Integrated Marketing Communications (15)
Enrolment in papers is subject to meeting requisite requirements and availability of papers.