AUT - Journalism Major: Bachelor of Communication Studies
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Journalism Major: Bachelor of Communication Studies
The Journalism major in the Bachelor of Communication Studies degree (BCS) equips you with the skills to write stories for real publications and deliver breaking news. You will gain experience in news reporting, different writing and production specialisations, bicultural reporting, crosscultural reporting, news photography, media law and ethics.
- Opportunity to work on AUT's award winning Te Waha Nui newspaper in print and online
- Practical experience: run a real newsroom in your final year and undertake one of a range of internships in news media outlets to prepare you for working in the news industry
- Core papers cover news gathering, court and local government systems and how to take notes in shorthand
- A wide range of elective options, including broadcast journalism, magazine journalism, photojournalism, new media journalism, editing and design, and news production
- Access to the journalism newsroom
- From 2013, you will have the opportunity to work together with students from other majors in the new media centre, a collaborative media studio in AUT's new WG learning precinct
- Entry to the Journalism major is competitive and is based on the academic results achieved in the Year 2 Journalism pre-requisite papers.
Structure
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 papers - 120 points in 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. Students must successfully complete Principles of Journalism in Year 1 in order to progress to the Journalism pre-requisite papers in Year 2.
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)
JOURNALISM PREREQUISITE PAPER
145727 Principles of Journalism (15)
OPTIONAL PAPER:Choose 15 points from optional papers listed below or any other paper in the Bachelor of Communication Studies.
During their studies in journalism, students have many opportunities to contribute to the real world of news. This includes filing stories for Auckland’s newspapers, a week-long field trip working at a provincial newsroom and finally a 2-week internship in a newsroom anywhere around the country. Editors know our students produce publishable work and continue to strongly support our programme.
Year two papers - 120 points in total
CORE PAPERS
146719 Intercultural Communication (15)
146723 Media Communication IIA (15)
JOURNALISM PREREQUISITE PAPERS
146752 Principles of Broadcast Journalism (15)
146762 News Reporting (15)
OPTIONAL PAPERS:
Choose 60 points from optional papers listed below or any other paper in the Bachelor of Communication Studies. Students are recommended to take pre-requisite papers from another major. If you wish to take a minor 30 points of these papers at level 6 may be in your minor subject area.
Year three papers - 120 points in total
All students study the core paper, Media Communication III. You then choose the remaining papers from a range of journalism papers, and optional papers.CORE PAPER
147717 Media Communication III (15)
MAJOR PAPERS:
SELECT 60 points:
147830 Journalism Law and Ethics (15)
147831 Public Affairs Reporting (15)
147843 Advanced News Reporting (15)
147844 News Desk Assignment (15)
OPTIONAL PAPERS:
Choose 60 points from optional papers listed below or any other paper in the Bachelor of Communication Studies. If you wish to take a minor 30 points of these papers at level 7 may be in your minor subject area.
OPTIONAL PAPERS:
145705 Principles of Writing (15)
145719 Introduction to Popular Culture (15)
145720 Performance Communication (15)
145724 Audio Production Techniques (15)
145726 Screen Narrative Production (15)
915404 Sound Production (15)
915405 Technology and Composition (15)
Level 6
116232 Photography (15)
146755 Screen Production Practice (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)
147761 Screen Writing: Drama (15)
147762 Screen Writing: Non-Fiction (15)
147777 The Music Industries (15)
147786 Advanced Studio Production (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)
147803 Writing for the Studio (15)
147804 Screen Production Management (15)
147805 Selected Topics in Advertising Creativity (15)
147813 Radio and Society (15)
147816 Promotional Culture (15)
147817 Broadcast Interviews and Production (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)
147833 Communication in the Business Environment (15)
147836 Creative Marketplace (15)
147837 Creative Industries and Film (15)
487964 Integrated Marketing Communications (15)
AND/OR any specified BCS minor or other level 5-7 papers.
Click here to view programme structure and paper outlines.
Additional course information can also be found here.
Career opportunities
- News reporter for newspapers, magazines, television, radio or online media
- Freelance journalist
- Specialist writer
- Production journalist
- Web editor