University of Technology Sydney

C09140v1 Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) Bachelor of International Studies (Honours)

Award(s): Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) (BComm)
Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) (BIntSt(Hon))

CRICOS code: 106938B
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 240
Course EFTSL: 5
Location: City campus

Notes

This is an exit-only course. There is no direct admission to it. Current UTS students may be able to submit an Internal Course Transfer (Graduating) application to exit with this course. See the Course transfer page for further details.


Overview
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Inherent (essential) requirements
Assumed knowledge
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Levels of award
Other information

Overview

Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) is an exit-point for students who have completed the International Honours pathway within the Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) Bachelor of International Studies (C10368).

In the fourth year of the combined degree, International Honours students spend an academic year studying in the local language at a university in the country of their major and also complete an honours level research project under the supervision of a relevant UTS academic.

Entry to the International Honours pathway is dependent on students maintaining a credit average (or higher) in both their International Studies and professional degree in their first three years of study, and on the availability of placements in particular majors.

The Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) will provide students with a theoretical framework rooted in historical and philosophical perspectives on how societies function, bolstering this with applied learning in qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students learn how to tackle key social issues and make a real difference through research and communication, contributing to new and ongoing debates. They graduate with a multifaceted skillset to bring to diverse organisations striving for social change.

Career options

Career options include research in think tanks and academia, policy research, analysis and program management in government and private organisations, management of social services and welfare organisations, and advocacy in a variety of fields, such as environmental, Indigenous affairs, human rights, overseas development, and trade unions.

Course intended learning outcomes

This course engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

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
INT.1.1 Understand and employ effective strategies to operate within professional and everyday settings across diverse cultures in Australia and internationally.
INT.2.1 Conduct a major independent applied research project using advanced theoretical and specialised knowledge into international aspects of contemporary societies and cultures.
INT.2.2 Evaluate critically research findings and creatively use applied research methods to understand complex problems.
INT.3.1 Understand and engage with cultural diversities in Australia and internationally.
INT.4.1 Acquire knowledge and skills of Indigenous Australian communication, engagement, research ethics and practices to work effectively with and for Indigenous Australians across a professional context.
INT.5.1 Engage critically with current issues to act in socially responsible ways in Australian and international settings.
INT.6.1 Communicate clearly and effectively in written and spoken language using diverse digital technologies.

Inherent (essential) requirements

Inherent (essential) requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course.

Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course. This Statement should be read in conjunction with the UTS Student Rules.

Prospective or current student concerned about their ability to meet these requirements should discuss their concerns with the Academic Liaison Officer in their faculty or school and/or UTS Accessibility Service on 9514 1177 or at accessibility@uts.edu.au.

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 Communication Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

For course specific information see the Bachelor of International Studies Diploma in Languages Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

Assumed knowledge

There are no prior language requirements for the international studies program. During their first year of study students complete a language survey to ensure they commence their language and culture study at the appropriate level.

Course duration and attendance

This course is offered on a five-year, full time basis. Students spend two sessions of study at a university or other higher education institution in the country of their major.

Course structure

Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) (144 credit points)

  • Core subjects (24 credit points)
  • Major subjects (48 credit points)
  • Second Major or Electives (48 credit points)
  • Electives (24 credit points)

International Studies (96 credit points)

  • Intercultural Communication (8 credit points)
  • International Research Methods (8 credit points)
  • Contemporary Society subject (8 credit points)
  • Language and Culture subjects (32 credit points)
  • International Honours (40 credit points)

Overseas study

International Honours students spend a full year at a relevant partner university where they complete an honours level research project.

Industrial training/professional practice

All subjects provide students with practical research skills that are applied in real-world settings. The final three subjects are project-based, allowing students to work on topical issues and be placed with a community, corporate or government organisation, or within NSW Parliament.

Students can also elect to undertake a professional internship in industry.

Course completion requirements

STM91104 Communication core 24cp
MAJ09476 Social and Political Sciences 48cp
CBK92062 Elective Choice 24cp
CBK92061 Second Major/ Electives 48cp
CBK92058 Country and Language choice (Honours) 96cp
Total 240cp

Course program

The example program below is for a student commencing in Autumn session and is undertaking the course with the German Language and Culture major, and the International Honours pathway.

Autumn commencing, full time
Year 1
Autumn session
54000 Citizenship and Communication   8cp
52670 Self and Society   6cp
52671 Histories of the Present   6cp
Select 6 credit points from the following:   6cp
CBK92065 Stream choice 18cp  
Spring session
54001 Digital Literacies   8cp
52672 Comparing Indigenous Histories and Politics   6cp
Select 12 credit points from the following:   12cp
CBK92065 Stream choice 18cp  
Summer session
99218 Intercultural Communication   8cp
Year 2
Autumn session
52673 Political Ideas and Change   6cp
97601 German Language and Culture 1   8cp
976421 Contemporary Germany   8cp
Spring session
52674 Global Economies   6cp
52675 Investigating Urban Change   6cp
97602 German Language and Culture 2   8cp
Select 6 credit points from the following:   6cp
CBK92063 Second Major Choice 48cp  
CBK92066 Electives 30cp  
Year 3
Autumn session
54002 Communicating Difference   8cp
97603 German Language and Culture 3   8cp
Select 6 credit points from the following:   6cp
CBK92063 Second Major Choice 48cp  
CBK92066 Electives 30cp  
Spring session
97604 German Language and Culture 4   8cp
Select 6 credit points from the following:   6cp
CBK92063 Second Major Choice 48cp  
CBK92066 Electives 30cp  
Select 8 credit points from the following:   8cp
CBK92062 Elective Choice 24cp  
Year 4
Autumn session
999781 International Research Methods   8cp
971103 In-country Study and Fieldwork Project 1: Germany   16cp
Spring session
978420 In-country Study and Fieldwork Project 2: Germany   24cp
Year 5
Autumn session
52676 Policy and Advocacy   6cp
Select 6 credit points from the following:   6cp
CBK92063 Second Major Choice 48cp  
CBK92066 Electives 30cp  
Select 8 credit points from the following:   8cp
CBK92062 Elective Choice 24cp  
Spring session
52677 Professional Placement   6cp
Select 6 credit points from the following:   6cp
CBK92063 Second Major Choice 48cp  
CBK92066 Electives 30cp  
Select 8 credit points from the following:   8cp
CBK92062 Elective Choice 24cp  

Levels of award

The Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) may be awarded with first class honours, second class honours division 1, second class honours division 2, and Pass level.

The calculation of the Honours level is based upon the 48 credit points of study completed in the UTS subjects 999781 International Research Methods, In-country Study and Fieldwork Project 1 and In-country Study and Fieldwork Project 2, all completed while students are overseas on In-country Study.

Other information

Further information is available from the UTS Student Centre on:

telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS