Journalism Major: Bachelor of Communication Studies

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Study areas

Communication

Home > Study at AUT > Study areas > Communication > Study > Undergraduate Study > Bachelor of Communication Studies - Journalism

Journalism Major: Bachelor of Communication Studies

Today’s rapidly changing news media environment requires journalists with a professional focus who know how to find, write and produce news using today's multimedia technologies, and have a solid grounding in broad communication theory.

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.

More information about the Bachelor of Communication Studies

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 1 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)

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)

Years 2 and 3
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 2 papers - 120 points in total

CORE PAPERS
146719 Intercultural Communication (15)
146723 Media Communication IIA (15)

JOURNALISM PREREQUISITE PAPERS
146751 Principles of News Journalism (15)
146752 Principles of Broadcast Journalism (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 3 papers - 120 points in total

CORE PAPERS:

147717 Media Communication III (15)

JOURNALISM MAJOR PAPERS:
SELECT 105 points - a minimum of 60 points from your MAJOR and 30 points from your minor (if desired).

147796 Specialist Writing (15)
147799 News Reporting (15)
147830 Journalism Law and Ethics (15)
147831 Public Affairs Reporting (15)

OPTIONAL PAPERS:

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)