C10380v3 Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) Bachelor of Laws
Award(s): Bachelor of Laws (LLB)Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) (BComm)
UAC code: 609001 (Autumn session)
CRICOS code: 087786G
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 240
Course EFTSL: 5
Location: City campus
Overview
Career options
Innovation and Transdisciplinary program
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Inherent requirements
Assumed knowledge
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course diagram
Course program
Honours
Professional recognition
Other information
Overview
Journalism operates within a complex set of ethical and legal boundaries. Understanding the law and how it impacts professional journalistic practice is essential to both journalism and media-specific legal careers.
This degree provides students with the knowledge and the practical skills required to become highly effective practitioners in either professional discipline, and meets the academic requirements for admission to practice law in NSW.
Course content combines the intellectual, ethical and political foundations of journalism with the study of Australian legal theory and practice. Students learn to produce multi-platform journalism stories and build exceptional communication skills that are also applicable in the legal profession, including in research, writing and analysis.
Elective choices include media-specific law subjects, cross-disciplinary communication subjects, or the Legal Futures and Technology major.
Graduates can pursue careers in media and communications legal practice, policy and research work; specialist legal and crime reporting and publishing for print, internet, radio or television; and legal communications or publishing in the private sector.
Career options
Career options include journalist with professional skills in one or more of the print, radio, television or internet media; lawyer in the media and communication industry or legal policy adviser in a government department such as the Australian Broadcasting Authority.
Innovation and Transdisciplinary program
Transdisciplinarity and Innovation at UTSAll UTS students have the opportunity to develop distinctive capabilities around transdisciplinary thinking and innovation through the TD School. Transdisciplinary education at UTS brings together great minds from different disciplines to explore ideas that improve the way we live and work in the world. These offerings are unique to UTS and directly translate to many existing and emerging roles and careers.
Diploma in InnovationThe Diploma in Innovation (C20060) teaches innovation, supports personal transformation and provides the hard skills needed to support the inventors and inventions of the future. Students come out of the Diploma in Innovation, with the hard skills to create and support sectoral and societal transformation. Graduates are able to fluently integrate ideas, across professional disciplines and are inventors of the future.
All UTS undergraduate students (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation) can apply for the Diploma in Innovation upon admission in their chosen undergraduate degree. It is a complete degree program that runs in parallel to any undergraduate degree. The course is offered on a three-year, part-time basis, with subjects running in 3-week long intensive blocks in July, December and February sessions. More information including a link to apply is available at https://dipinn.uts.edu.au.
Transdisciplinary electives programTransdisciplinary electives broaden students' horizons and supercharge their problem-solving skills, helping them to learn outside, beyond and across their degrees. Students enrolled in an undergraduate course that includes electives can choose to take a transdisciplinary subject (with the exception of students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation). More information about the TD Electives program is available here.
Course intended learning outcomes
| COM.1.1 | Act in a professional manner appropriate to communication industries. |
| COM.1.2 | Apply theoretically informed understandings of communication industries to independent and collaborative projects across a range of media. |
| COM.2.1 | Employ appropriate research and inquiry skills to independently gather, organise and analyse information across diverse platforms. |
| COM.2.2 | Act as reflexive critical thinkers and innovative creative practitioners who evaluate their own and others' work. |
| COM.3.1 | Demonstrate a strong awareness, knowledge of, and sensitivity to, diversity, equity and global contexts. |
| COM.4.1 | Apply knowledge of Indigenous issues in professional practices and engage responsibly in communicating with and about Indigenous people and communities. |
| COM.5.1 | Analyse and act ethically in the personal, political and professional contexts of civil society. |
| COM.6.1 | Exemplify effective and appropriate communication in different communication industry contexts. |
| COM.6.2 | Utilise digital literacy and production skills across a range of media. |
| LAW.1.1 | A coherent understanding of fundamental areas of legal knowledge including: a. The Australian colonial and post-colonial legal system, international and comparative contexts, theoretical and technical knowledge; b. The broader contexts within which legal issues arise and the law operates including cultural awareness, social justice and policy; c. The impact of Anglo-Australian laws on Indigenous peoples, including their historical origins in the process of colonisation and ongoing impact; and d. The principles and values of justice and ethical practices in lawyers' roles. |
| LAW.2.1 | A capacity to value and promote honesty, integrity, accountability, public service and ethical standards including: a. An understanding of approaches to ethical decision making and professional responsibility; b. An ability to recognise, reflect upon and respond to ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts in ways that evidence professional judgment, promote justice and serve the community; and c. An ability to reflect on and engage constructively with diversity in practice. |
| LAW.3.1 | A capacity to think critically, strategically and creatively, including the ability to: a. Identify and articulate legal issues in context, including the skill of critical reading and writing; b. Apply reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses; c. Engage in critical analysis and make a reasoned choice amongst alternatives; and d. Think creatively in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses. |
| LAW.4.1 | Well-developed cognitive and practical skills necessary to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues. |
| LAW.5.1 | Effective and appropriate communication skills including: a. Highly effective use of the English language to convey legal ideas and views to different and diverse audiences and environments; b. An ability to communicate to inform, analyse, report and persuade; c. An ability to strategically select an appropriate medium and message; d. An ability to assess how messages are received and alter communication strategies accordingly; and e. An ability to be responsive and adaptive to the perspectives of collaborators, clients, counter parties and others. |
| LAW.6.1 | Effective and appropriate collaboration skills in working together to achieve a common goal in a group learning environment or the workplace including: a. An ability to give and receive feedback; b. Appropriate professional and interpersonal skills in working collaboratively; c. A capacity to develop strategies to successfully negotiate group challenges; and d. An ability to be responsive and adaptive to the perspectives of collaborators, clients, counter parties and others. |
| LAW.7.1 | Bachelor of Law graduates will: Apply knowledge and skills to develop professional capabilities to work effectively with and for Indigenous peoples and communities across the law profession. |
| LAW.8.1 | The ability to implement appropriate self-management and lifelong learning strategies including: a. An ability to undertake and initiate self-directed work and learning; b. Well-developed judgment and responsibility as a legal professional in a broader social context; c. The ability to support personal and professional development by: (i) Reflecting on and assessing their own capabilities, wellbeing and performance; (ii) Making use of feedback as appropriate; (iii) Identifying and accessing appropriate resources and assistance; (iv) Making use of resources and support in developing resilience; and d. A capacity to adapt to and embrace change and a commitment to ongoing learning. |
Key
LAW = Law course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
COM = Communication course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course. For more information about inherent requirements and where prospective and current students can get assistance and advice regarding these, see the UTS Inherent requirements page.
Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course.
UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.
For course specific information see the Faculty of Law Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.
For course specific information see the Bachelor of Music and Sound Design, B Comm (Media Arts and Production), B Comm (Journalism), B Animation Production Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.
Assumed knowledge
Proficiency in English and computer literacy.
Course duration and attendance
The course is offered on a five-year, full-time basis. Students are required to attend approximately 17 hours of seminars and lectures a week. Timetable constraints may require attendance at daytime and evening classes for the law component.
Course structure
The course comprises 240 credit points. The study components for course completion are as follows.
The law component of 144 credit points is made up of:
- 108 credit points of compulsory core law subjects
- 30 credit points of law options, including either:
- 30 credit points of law options, or
- 30 credit points of legal futures and technology options
- a 6-credit-point legal theory option.
The communication component of 96 credit points is made up of:
- 24 credit points of compulsory subjects
- 48 credit points of subjects from the Journalism major, and
- 24 credit points of electives from cross-disciplinary subjects.
For a current listing of subjects in each course refer to the study package directory.
Industrial training/professional practice
To practise as a lawyer in NSW, students need to successfully complete an accredited legal academic qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Laws) and an accredited course of practical legal training (PLT), which UTS offers through its PLT program.
Students enrolled in this course may complete their practical legal training by undertaking a postgraduate course in PLT, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice (C11232).
Course completion requirements
| STM91104 Communication core | 24cp | |
| MAJ09478 Journalism | 48cp | |
| STM90691 Law stream | 144cp | |
| CBK92067 Electives (8cp subjects) | 24cp | |
| Total | 240cp |
Course diagram
Course program
The standard program shown is for a full-time student with law options.
All options shown are law options and are to be drawn from those on offer in CBK90922.
Students wishing to study the major MAJ09443 Legal Futures and Technology need to study 76106 Technology Law, Policy and Ethics (Capstone 1) in the Autumn session of their final year and 76107 Applied Project in Law, Innovation and Technology (Capstone 2) in their final Spring session.
| Autumn commencing | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 54000 Citizenship and Communication | 8cp | |
| 52640 Media Law and Ethics | 6cp | |
| 70102 Foundations of Law | 8cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 54001 Digital Literacies | 8cp | |
| 52641 News Now | 6cp | |
| 70103 Ethics Law and Justice | 6cp | |
| 52642 Multimedia Features | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 54002 Communicating Difference | 8cp | |
| 52643 Sound Journalism | 6cp | |
| 70114 Criminal Law and Procedure | 8cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 70211 Contracts | 8cp | |
| 52644 Visual Journalism | 6cp | |
| 70311 Torts | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK92067 Electives (8cp subjects) | 24cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 70616 Australian Constitutional Law | 8cp | |
| 52645 Digital Journalism Research | 6cp | |
| 70104 Civil Practice | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 70327 Introduction to Property and Commercial Law | 6cp | |
| 52647 Professional Project | 6cp | |
| 70109 Evidence | 6cp | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK90922 Options (Law UG) | 30cp | |
| 70617 Administrative Law | 8cp | |
| 70108 Public International Law | 6cp | |
| 52646 Investigations, Data and Collaboration | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 70317 Real Property | 8cp | |
| 70517 Equity and Trusts | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK92067 Electives (8cp subjects) | 24cp | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 71116 Remedies | 6cp | |
| 70417 Corporate Law | 8cp | |
| Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
| CBK92067 Electives (8cp subjects) | 24cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK90923 Options (Legal Theory UG) | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| Select 24 credit points from the following: | 24cp | |
| CBK90922 Options (Law UG) | 30cp | |
Honours
Students can graduate with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) if they complete subjects 76090 Research Methodology and 76040 Research Thesis within the course. The degree may be awarded with first or second class honours, which does not require an additional honours year. The rules concerning the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) can be found in undergraduate course information.
Students who meet these criteria are eligible for transfer into the appropriate undergraduate honours exit course on completion of all coursework and occurs just prior to graduation.
Students who undertake the Legal Futures and Technology major and who meet the criteria for honours can choose to undertake honours as part of their degree.
The Bachelor of Communication (Honours) (C09047) is offered on a one-year, full-time basis.
Professional recognition
- This course satisfies the requirements for admission to the Supreme Court of NSW as a lawyer, provided students complete a practical legal training program, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice (C11232).
- Graduates are eligible to apply for professional level membership of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA).
- Students are eligible for student membership of the MEAA and access to the MEAA, Women in Media and Walkley Foundation network which provides skill development programs.
- The Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) is recognised by the MEAA and the Australian Press Council.
Other information
Further information is available from:
UTS Student Centre
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS