Journalism Major - Bachelor of Communication Studies

Year 1

This year you take eight core courses that give you an overview of the media world and communication theories.

Semester 1 courses

• COMM505 Text, Image and Sound (15 points)
• COMM513 Media Technology and Society (15 points)
• COMM516 Media Production Foundations (15 points)
• DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices (15 points)

Semester 2 courses

• COMM512 Communication Ethics (15 points)
• COMM514 Intercultural Communication (15 points)
• COMM515 Media, Politics and Citizenship (15 points)
• COMM517 Media Production Studio (15 points)

Year 2

This year you take three courses related to journalism, helping you develop the knowledge for a career in journalism or a number of other pathways that use these transferable skills. You gain experience in news reporting, longform journalism, cross-platform storytelling, bicultural and cross-cultural journalism, as well as media law and ethics.

Semester 1 courses

• JOUR602 News Production (15 points)
• JOUR603 The Laws and Ethics of Newswork (15 points)
• Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses

Semester 2 courses

• JOUR604 Newslab Live (30 points)
• Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses

Year 3

You’ll be regularly taking part in live reporting assignments and pitching stories to editors in the industry as well as to our own student-edited news site Te Waha Nui

Semester 1 courses

• JOUR717 Newsdays (30 points)
• Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses

Semester 2 courses

• JOUR718 Creative Non-fiction Narratives (30 points)
• Plus two courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses

Year 1

This year you take the first of your core courses to give you an overview of the media world and communication theories, and start to take the first journalism courses.

Semester 1 courses (starting in July)

• COMM512 Communication Ethics (15 points)
• COMM515 Media, Politics and Citizenship (15 points)
• COMM516 Media Production Foundations (15 points)
• DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices (15 points)

Semester 2 courses (starting in February)

• COMM505 Text, Image and Sound (15 points)
• JOUR602 News Production (15 points)
• JOUR603 The Laws and Ethics of Newswork (15 points)
• Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*

Year 2

You continue to take courses related to communications and the media, and further develop the knowledge for a career in journalism or a number of other pathways that use these transferable skills.

Semester 1 courses (starting in July)

• COMM517 Media Production Studio (15 points)
• JOUR604 Newslab Live (30 points)
• Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*

Semester 2 courses (starting in February)

• COMM513 Media Technology and Society (15 points)
• JOUR717 Newsdays (30 points)
• Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*

Year 3

You’ll be regularly taking part in live reporting assignments and pitching stories to editors in the industry as well as to our own student-edited news site Te Waha Nui

Semester 1 courses (starting in July)

• COMM514 Intercultural Communication (15 points)
• JOUR718 Creative Non-fiction Narratives (30 points)
• Plus a course from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*

Semester 2 courses (starting in February)

• Four courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses*

_{*Because of timetabling and the prerequisites required for higher-level courses, you may not be able to take a second major if you start in July and want to complete your degree in three years. If you do a second major, you may need to do an additional semester.}