Subjects overview
This program can be completed in 2 years (6 semesters)
Core Curriculum
Students must complete three (3) subjects plus the Beyond Bond Program.
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CORE11-011: Critical Thinking and Communication (10CP)
In this subject, students will be introduced to critical thinking and clear expression. They will evaluate arguments, identify assumptions, judge patterns of inference, and recognise and apply various methods of reasoning. Students will learn how to clarify and visually represent their thinking to make better decisions, evaluate and use evidence, and communicate more effectively in their writing and speaking. Using these skills, students will structure and write an academic essay and deliver an oral presentation.
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CORE11-012: Responsibility, Integrity and Civic Discourse (10CP)
Integrity, and the courage and capability to act on one’s sense of responsibility, are key components of a thriving life. Responsibility, Integrity and Civic Discourse fosters students’ lifelong commitment to responsible discourse and action in all spheres of human interaction, recognising the global aspect to contemporary citizenship. Students explore the complex relationship between character, responsible action, and creative critical thinking, learning how to reflect on and articulate their unique sense of global citizenship and responsibility. By accentuating the importance of justification and articulation of the reasons for our actions, students exercise their critical, communicative, and cooperative capabilities so that they can thrive with integrity in the multiple contexts of action they will face as private, civic, professional, and global citizens.
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CORE11-013: Collaboration for Global Change (10CP)
In today's work and study environments, individuals often encounter complex, open-ended problems that necessitate collaboration in both physical and virtual realms and across sectors and specialisations. In Collaboration for Global Change, students engage collaboratively to craft genuine solutions for global issues. In this context, students link their endeavours to specific sustainable development goals, thus positioning their actions as contributions to global citizenship. As they learn to defend their ideas and perspectives, students apply critical thinking, design thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills within a problem-based learning environment. This comprehensive approach equips them with the necessary skills and mindset to excel in future work, academic pursuits, and global initiatives.
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Beyond Bond Program
To keep up with the ever-changing work landscape, we aim to help our students future-proof their careers by developing broader employability skills that are actively sought out by employers. Unique to our University, Beyond Bond is a compulsory professional development program with a practical, activity-based approach that is integrated into all undergraduate degrees.
Required subjects
Students must complete the following ninety credit points (90CP) of subjects.
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COMN11-100: Foundations of Content Creation (10CP)
In this subject, you will learn essential and foundational creative and technical skills necessary for successful careers in the creative and communications industries. You will learn the theoretical and practical fundamentals of visual, textual, and audio design and narrative across multiple digital and online platforms. Across the semester, you will build a portfolio of creative communication pieces. This multi-platform approach aligns with industry needs and expectations to equip you with foundational skills to carry you forward through your program and into the workplace.
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COMN11-101: Introduction to Communication (10CP)
This foundational subject introduces the Communication discipline and establishes the importance of communication to our personal and professional lives. The subject focuses on the knowledge and understanding of communication needed to succeed in industry - and indeed - life. We apply key models, theories, and concepts to a wide range of communication issues and contexts, including close relationships, gender and diversity, social media, persuasion, and organisational culture.
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COMN11-102: Strategic Speaking and Writing (10CP)
Whether the goal is to convince one person through conversation, sway a small group of work colleagues, or win over the public, the act of persuasion lies at the heart of the human experience. This subject investigates how you can convince others to change their attitudes and behaviour to (ethically) accomplish your goals through public speaking and writing. Taking an audience-centred approach to communication, you will examine the broader societal issues that shape our understanding of audiences and their behaviours. The persuasive power of narratives and stories will also be examined, based on the idea that individuals can integrate information from stories into their real-world belief structures. This subject aims to equip you with the skills to be influential and discerning creators and consumers of persuasive messages within various contexts.
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COMN11-103: Communication in the Workplace (10CP)
In this subject, you will learn about significant issues, topics, theories, and practices in contemporary workplace communication from both an employee and a managerial perspective. The subject aims to help you understand how workplace communication functions to guide you in making your own strategic communication choices and make sense of others’ communication. You will learn about employee socialisation, managerial and leadership communication, workplaces as cultures, communication channels and structures, communication and decision-making, communication between employees, conflict communication, power and resistance, reactions to change, and communication during transitions. Throughout the subject, you will analyse various organisational communication issues and make recommendations for change. The subject considers many different workplace communication scenarios, and students will have ample opportunities to lead discussions.
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COMN12-203: Mass and Popular Media (10CP)
This subject provides you with theories and approaches to critically assess the relationship between mass and popular media and society. You will study and research how media represents our world, shapes our experiences, and exercises power in society. The subject gives special attention to how news is selected, produced, and disseminated. To develop your personal and professional understanding of mass and popular media, the subject considers many different examples and offers many opportunities to lead discussions with classmates. You will also produce a video essay based upon an interview and research.
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COMN12-205: Interpersonal Communication (10CP)
Interpersonal Communication is the fundamental relational force that constructs our social world, enabling us to create, maintain, and (not occasionally) destroy our personal, social, and professional relationships. This subject introduces the specialist Communication sub-discipline of Interpersonal Communication. It focuses on understanding the Self in relation to Others as a means of enabling more competent and mindful communication. The subject explores a range of interpersonal topics, including perception, verbal and nonverbal communication, emotion, disclosure, and conflict communication through both theory and practice.
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COMN12-302: Digital Media and Society (10CP)
This subject examines changes to the global media environment to help you prepare to become a knowledge worker who will work in the rapidly changing professional employment market. Some of the most profound changes have occurred in global communication networks, digitalisation of media, mobile content creation and delivery, human-machine interaction, virtualisation, artificial intelligence, big data, and video, sound and text democratisation. These global media trends are examined in their social context drawing on interdisciplinary studies that include humanities, arts, social sciences, and business. You will learn about these and you will create professional public media content to demonstrate your digital knowledge and skills.
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COMN13-300: Capstone Project (10CP)
Ideas are the most valuable currency a communications or creative arts professional has. This subject is all about developing a sustained piece of creative practice or research, from idea to execution. It is an opportunity for you to attempt the kind of work you admire in industry, in the process creating a substantial communication portfolio piece that reflects the cumulative learning from your degree and mastery of your chosen discipline. You may work individually or in collaboration with a small team within the fields of advertising, communication, creative writing, journalism, media studies, social media, public relations, and film and television, or develop a hybrid project that falls within the spaces among these disciplines. You will first establish the scope, limitations and context of your work, situating it within its industry contexts/comparisons and identifying the market and audience for it. Classes will take the form of workshops, where you will have access to substantial peer and instructor feedback. The subject will also explore models of productivity and sustained creative practise, pitching, freelance and client work models, project management and the transformative power of communication, creative practice, and research.
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HUMR11-100: Research Methods and Data Visualisation (10CP)
The ability to find, read, interpret and learn from data has become critical in determining the future of all human endeavours. This subject introduces you to principles and applications of research methodology. You will explore research purposes, methods and tools for data selection, interpretation and analysis. You will also learn how to present your findings and visualise data in ways that address the needs of diverse educational and industry contexts. This subject will equip you with lifelong skills to design, execute and present research of integrity in their current studies and future professions.
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Communication Specialist Option
Students must choose one (1) of the following options.
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Communication Specialist Major Option
Students admitted to the Bachelor of Communication must choose one of two options both comprising of 6 subjects. Option 1 (this option) is the choice of one specialist major. Option 2 is the choice of one specialist minor plus 2 general electives.
Communication Specialist Major
Students must complete one (1) of the following six-subject (60CP) majors.
- Advertising
- Corporate Storytelling
- Creative Writing
- Communication & Society
- Digital Media
- Film and Television
- Journalism
- Media Studies (Communication)
- Public Relations
- Social Media (Communication)
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Communication Specialist Minor Option
Students admitted to the Bachelor of Communication must choose one of two options both comprising of 6 subjects. Option 1 is a choice of one specialist major. Option 2 (this option) is a choice of one specialist minor plus 2 general electives.
Communication Specialist Minor
Students must complete one (1) of the following four-subject (40CP) minors.
- Advertising
- Corporate Storytelling
- Creative Writing
- Communication & Society
- Digital Media
- Film & Television
- Journalism
- Media Studies
- Public Relations
- Social Media
General Electives
Students must choose twenty credit points (20CP) of postgraduate subjects from across the University.
- University Undergraduate Electives
General electives
Students must choose sixty credit points (60CP) of undergraduate subjects from across the University.
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University Undergraduate Electives
Students may choose from all Undergraduate subjects across the University that are available as general electives.
Optional Major
Students are encouraged to undertake an optional Major. This will replace sixty credit points (60CP) of elective subjects. The optional Major must be different to the already one chosen as the required Communication Specialist option.
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Advertising
Advertising is not only one of the most dynamic and fastest growing areas of the creative industries – it is also one of the most diverse and innovative. Once upon a time advertising was mainly about TV, print and radio. Nowadays it is also about social media, viral and experiential marketing, service design and product innovation, wearables and artificial intelligence … and whatever new media channels and technologies will become available in coming years. This major introduces you to the sophisticated and cross-disciplinary world of advertising by focusing on these creative dynamics and opportunities. It also puts a strong emphasis on the potential for advertising to work as a driver and catalyst of social innovation, enabling you to approach a broad range of communication, business and societal challenges with creative confidence and a solution mindset.
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Corporate Storytelling
Corporate Storytelling explores how to create and share organisational stories to connect with audiences in a meaningful way. This major investigates how cohesive narratives can become an effective means of bringing an organisation’s brand identity and values to life, stimulating a connection and engagement with their wider public. Students will apply persuasive and strategic communication theories to find and develop compelling and ethical narratives across multiple platforms. Students will develop flexibility in applying strong written, oral, and visual storytelling skills to diverse situations, technologies, and audiences. This creativity is critical in diverse professional roles including public relations, journalism, advertising and social media.
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Creative Writing
A good story engages our emotions, empathy and curiosity; stories can also be powerful catalysts for change, persuasive motivators and the key entrepreneurial success. Within this major, you will learn how to tell original and compelling stories across a range of formats, genres and platforms. You will study how to develop theme, character, dialogue, plot/structure, voice, style, imagery and how to use a range of literary devices. You will also learn how to critique, pitch and market your stories and how to navigate publishing and self-publishing landscapes. Not only will these skills serve you well as a writer, you’ll also be encouraged to apply your narrative skills and techniques to other fields: from entrepreneurial storytelling to health narratives, professional narratives, social media narratives and much in between.
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Communication & Society
The Major in Communication & Society provides you with deeper knowledge and skills in the theory and practice of Persuasion, which underpins all fields of Communication, and in Gender and Intercultural Communication. The Major also provides you with thorough introductions to two professional areas of Communication, Advertising and Public Relations, and in-depth study of how to use Social Media to influence others. This selection of subjects is designed to help you deepen your understanding of Communication theory and practice in both public and private life. Understanding Gender Communication is especially important as it pervades all aspects of our lives and can help each of us work towards improving our relationships with differing others. So, too, deeper understanding of Intercultural Communication will help us build better relationships with those who are linguistically and ethnically diverse and provides important learning for those who desire careers in international and multicultural environments.
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Digital Media
The Digital Media major equips learners with a holistic approach to critically reflect and analyse new innovations and solutions as they relate to emerging digital media design methods and the changing job market due to disruptive technological change. Students will accumulate a diverse and coherent body of knowledge focused on the understanding and application of digital design methods, standards and industry best practices to develop a collaborative problem-solving strategy. Using an integrated approach (combining theory with workplace practice), students will be enabled to skilfully communicate design solutions outcomes to complex problems; through effective oral, written and visual communication techniques.
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Film and Television
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Journalism
From listicles through to lon-form investigative reporting and web documentaries, true stories have the potential to hold power to account, right unfair structures, document social, historical and environmental issues, entertain audiences and reflect and define culture. Journalism has expanded beyond legacy media (print and broadcast) to embrace digital transformation and journalistic skills are now being sought and applied across industries. This discipline is grounded in core journalistic traditions and values of truth, fairness and accuracy but with a digital-first ethos. In this major, you will harness and exploit established and emerging technologies to create career opportunities and new pathways. You will develop a portfolio of original content across a wide range of platforms and are encouraged to explore established and emerging digital storytelling technologies and techniques.
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Media Studies (Communication)
This major is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication, Bachelor of Communication (Business), combined Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws and combined Bachelor of Communication (Business)/Bachelor of Laws.
The Media Studies (Communication) major for students enrolled in any of the Bachelor of Communication programs listed. It allows students to immerse themselves in the field of media studies through selective study in digital advertising, media and crime, screen style and storytelling, the video game industry, international relations, the future of media in journalism, or media strategies in public relations.
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Public Relations
The public relations major comprehensively prepares you for a career in strategic communications and public relations. You are introduced to public relations from a management perspective as a critical function in all industries across corporate, government and not-for-profit organisations. The major delivers a wide-ranging conceptual, theoretical, and practical framework demonstrating how public relations managers develop communication processes and manage relationships with organisational publics and stakeholders. You will evaluate the profession’s current structure and future directions, learn concepts of public relations management, discuss ethical practices, and learn public relations strategies and techniques. You will develop flexibility in applying strategic written, oral, visual, social media, issues management, and crisis communication skills in diverse situations, technologies, and audiences. You will apply this knowledge to engage with real clients, primarily from the not-for-profit sector, to creating and pitching authentic public relations campaigns.
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Social Media (Communication)
Digital and social media literacy is critical for students seeking a career in marketing and communications industries. In this major, you will gain a sophisticated understanding of the role of digital and social media in everyday and corporate life in a local and global context. You will learn via a hands-on, practical approach underpinned with applied theoretical knowledge. The major provides you with the skills and experience in the development of innovative analytical solutions to real world communication challenges, in digital content analysis and creation and in creative entrepreneurship, all informed by industry best practice. You will use persuasive and strategic communication strategies, and advanced design skills, to develop compelling and ethical narratives and campaigns across multiple platforms. Crucially, you will learn how to stay up to date, and innovate, in this ever-changing field. These skills are critical in diverse professional roles including public relations, journalism, advertising, web design, social media, and marketing.
Optional Minor
Students are encouraged to undertake an optional Minor. This will replace forty credit points (40CP) of elective subjects. The optional Minor must be different to the already one chosen as the required Communication Specialist option.
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Advertising
Advertising is not only one of the most dynamic and fastest growing areas of the creative industries – it is also one of the most diverse and innovative. Once upon a time advertising was mainly about TV, print and radio. Nowadays it is also about social media, viral and experiential marketing, service design and product innovation, wearables and artificial intelligence … and whatever new media channels and technologies will become available in coming years. This minor introduces you to the sophisticated and cross-disciplinary world of advertising by focusing on these creative dynamics and opportunities. It also puts a strong emphasis on the potential for advertising to work as a driver and catalyst of social innovation, enabling you to approach a broad range of communication, business and societal challenges with creative confidence and a solution mindset.
-
Corporate Storytelling
Corporate Storytelling explores how to create and share organisational stories to connect with audiences in a meaningful way. This minor investigates how cohesive narratives can become an effective means of bringing an organisation’s brand identity and values to life, stimulating a connection and engagement with their wider public. Students will apply persuasive and strategic communication theories to find and develop compelling and ethical narratives across multiple platforms. Students will develop flexibility in applying strong written, oral, and visual storytelling skills to diverse situations, technologies, and audiences. This creativity is critical in diverse professional roles including public relations, journalism, advertising and social media.
-
Creative Writing
A good story engages our emotions, empathy and curiosity; stories can also be powerful catalysts for change, persuasive motivators and the key entrepreneurial success. Within this minor, you will explore how to tell original and compelling stories across a range of formats, genres and platforms. You will study how to develop theme, character, dialogue, plot/structure, voice, style, imagery and how to use a range of literary devices. You will also learn how to critique, pitch and market your stories and how to navigate publishing and self-publishing landscapes. Not only will these skills serve you well as a writer, you’ll also be encouraged to apply your narrative skills and techniques to other fields: from entrepreneurial storytelling to health narratives, professional narratives, social media narratives and much in between.
-
Communication & Society
The minor in Communication & Society provides you with deeper knowledge and skills in the theory and practice of Persuasion, which underpins all fields of Communication, and in Gender and Intercultural Communication. The minor also provides you with a thorough introduction to one professional area of Communication – choice of either Advertising, Public Relations, or an in-depth study of how to use Social Media to influence others. This selection of subjects is designed to help you deepen your understanding of Communication theory and practice in both public and private life. Understanding Gender Communication is especially important as it pervades all aspects of our lives and can help each of us work towards improving our relationships with differing others. So, too, a deeper understanding of Intercultural Communication will help us build better relationships with those who are linguistically and ethnically diverse and provides important learning for those who desire careers in international and multicultural environments.
-
Digital Media
The Digital Media minor equips learners with a holistic approach to critically reflect and analyse new innovations and solutions as they relate to emerging digital media design methods and the changing job market due to disruptive technological change. Students will accumulate a diverse and coherent body of knowledge focused on the understanding and application of digital design methods, standards and industry best practices to develop a collaborative problem-solving strategy. Using an integrated approach (combining theory with workplace practice), students will be enabled to skilfully communicate design solutions outcomes to complex problems; through effective oral, written and visual communication techniques.
-
Film & Television
-
Journalism
From listicles through to longform investigative reporting and web documentaries, true stories have the potential to hold power to account, right unfair structures, document social, historical and environmental issues, entertain audiences and reflect and define culture. Journalism has expanded beyond legacy media (print and broadcast) to embrace digital transformation and journalistic skills are now being sought and applied across industries. This discipline is grounded in core journalistic traditions and values of truth, fairness and accuracy but with a digital-first ethos. In this minor, you will explore how to harness and exploit established and emerging technologies to create career opportunities and new pathways. You will develop a portfolio of original content across a range of platforms and are encouraged to explore established and emerging digital storytelling technologies and techniques.
-
Media Studies
The Media Studies minor provides you with a foundation for studying the media by engaging you in theoretical and practical aspects of media representations, media channels, audiences, news production, digitalisation of media, the media industry, and global media trends. It also allows you to immerse yourself in the field through selective study in digital advertising, media and crime, screen style and storytelling, the video game industry, international relations, the future of media in journalism, or media strategies in public relations.
-
Public Relations
The public relations minor comprehensively prepares you for a career in strategic communications and public relations. You are introduced to public relations from a management perspective as a critical function in all industries across corporate, government and not-for-profit organisations. The minor delivers a wide-ranging conceptual, theoretical, and practical framework demonstrating how public relations managers develop communication processes and manage relationships with organisational publics and stakeholders. You will evaluate the profession’s current structure and future directions, learn concepts of public relations management, discuss ethical practices, and learn public relations strategies and techniques. You will develop flexibility in applying strategic written, oral, visual, social media, issues management, and crisis communication skills in diverse situations, technologies, and audiences. You will apply this knowledge to engage with real clients, primarily from the not-for-profit sector, to creating and pitching authentic public relations campaigns.
-
Social Media
Digital and social media literacy is critical if you are seeking a career in marketing and communications industries. In this minor, you will gain a sophisticated understanding of the role of digital and social media in everyday and corporate life in a local and global context. You will learn via a hands-on, practical approach underpinned with applied theoretical knowledge. The minor provides you with the skills and experience in the development of innovative analytical solutions to real world communication challenges, in digital content analysis and creation and in creative entrepreneurship, all informed by industry best practice. You will use persuasive and strategic communication strategies, and advanced design skills, to develop compelling and ethical narratives and campaigns across multiple platforms. Crucially, you will learn how to stay up to date, and innovate, in this ever-changing field. These skills are critical in diverse professional roles including public relations, journalism, advertising, web design, social media, and marketing.
Major / Minors / Specialisations Finder
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Study plan
Take the guess work out of planning your study schedule. Your program's study plan has been carefully curated to provide a clear guide on the sequential subjects to be studied in each semester of your program. Your study plan is designed around connected subject themes to equip you with the fundamental knowledge required as you progress through your course.
Connect
Speak to a current Bond student
Connect
Speak to a current Bond student