Media and Social Change

This course analyses the role of the media in social change and question whether media can, in fact, produce consensus within society, and if those changes are controllable by the artist/writer/producer, the audience, or the state. It does this by exploring theoretical underpinnings of societal shifts through the framework of the media as an important institution in society and in the construction of social reality. The course will invite students to further understand the role of the media in power relations by analysing such notions and processes as ideology, hegemony, representations, and media ethics. This course includes group work and requires active in-class engagement. This is not a distance course. This course has a strongly practical focus that requires active in-class engagement. This course requires students to create and share work with others, in order to learn from and support each other.

30 points

Any 30 points at 200 level from COMS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.

Strategic Campaign Development

This advanced course in strategic communication will start with a broad introduction to the process of strategic campaign planning. A significant portion of the course will be devoted to different situations that a campaign creator may come across. The course will talk about theoretical and professional strategies in advertising and public relations. Students will learn ways to create different types of campaign messages. This is not a distance course. This course teaches some of the core skills that all communication professionals will need. It includes group work and requires active in-class engagement.

30 points

Any 30 points at 200 level from COMS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.

Communication in Context

This course enables students to put their professional knowledge into a broader context of the communication landscape and the wider social landscape. The course will be divided into a series of modules in which different aspects of the context will be studied. Students will develop competence to work in bicultural and global contexts, learn about the responsibilities of a good communication practitioner and be asked to reflect on the kind of role they wish to fill. This course is restricted to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication or Graduate Diplomas in Journalism or Strategic Communication. The course cannot be done at a distance as the learning involves in-person discussion and a noho marae.

30 points

30 points COMS 200-level or 60 points BC Schedule V. HoD mandatory.

Researching and Reporting News

This course provides an introduction to the foundational skills and knowledge required for communicating news and information to various publics. You’ll learn how to develop writing and multimedia skills to produce engaging digital content. You’ll also gain knowledge of your ethical responsibilities and learn to critically reflect on your own and others' media practice. The course combines analytical skills with practical experience, including fieldwork and work placement opportunities, to help consolidate the links between theory and practice and develop independence in professional work. Please note, the course’s strongly practical focus requires active in-class engagement. It is not a distance course. Note: This course is restricted to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) or Graduate Diploma in Journalism.

30 points

Limited Entry. (i) COMS231, COMS232, COMS233. (ii) Permission from the Head of Department.

Media Communication in International Context

The course sets out to provide a critical insight and analysis into the role of media in contemporary international contexts. Its focus is on political communication during conflicts and wars, as well as its contribution to international collaborations and cross-border and cross-culture dialogues. Through a series of in-depth case studies, the course provides a comprehensive review of the key concepts and theories on the media's impact on, and role in international political communication. This course includes group work with students in the course collaborating with students from different countries, and requires active in-class engagement. It has on-campus and distance options. It features internationally-recognised top experts as our guest speakers. Research, team work, international collaboration, creativity, writing, presentation and cross-cultural skills are among the core skills this course aims to advance.

30 points

Any 30 points at 200 level from COMS or POLS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.

POLS332

News Production

This course builds on the foundational skills and knowledge required for communicating news and information to various publics. You will learn how to develop your reporting and multimedia skills to produce engaging digital content. You will also gain knowledge of your ethical responsibilities and learn to critically reflect on your own and others' media practice. The course combines analytical skills with practical experience, including fieldwork and work placement opportunities, to help consolidate the links between theory and practice and develop independence in professional work. Please note, the course’s strongly practical focus requires active in-class engagement. It is not a distance course. Note: This course is restricted to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) or Graduate Diploma in Journalism.

30 points

Limited Entry. (i) COMS331 (ii) Permission from the Head of Department.

Podcasting Project

COMS333 examines podcasts as a media form, and develops techniques of podcast making. You will explore the technologies that lead to podcasting, along with histories of audio storytelling. You will develop a collaborative podcast project. This is not a distance course. It teaches practical skills and requires students to create and share work with others, in order to learn from and support each other. In COMS333 you will advance core skills in audio production, textual analysis, media archaeology, collaborative work, networking, creativity, writing and presentation.

30 points

15 points at 200-level in COMS. Students without this prerequisite but with at least a B average in 60 points of relevant courses, may enter the course with the approval of the Department Co-ordinator or the Undergraduate Co-ordinator for COMS.