Do you do B Arts in Communication (Media Arts and Production)? (1 Viewer)

[olegna]

Does anyone here do B Arts in Communication (Media Arts and Production) at UTS?

I want to do film at uni, and I don't know whether to choose this course, over me two other options:

B Digital Media Degrees- University of New South Wales (COFA)
B Media- Macquarie University

 

[kami]

I do BA in Communications (Writing & Cultural Studies) so basically I can tell you everything about this course except the media component.

Communications (Media Arts & Production) - what you do (apart from Media Production)
If you do the Media Arts & Production degree then you will do the following:

• Cultural Studies. Basically where you discuss contemporary cultures, how everything from a milk carton to a hobo is a text, faith, poetics, telling stories and so on. This subject will be part of your major and thus you will continue with it for most of your degree (up until the last semester I think).
• Social Science. Basically discuss social needs, history and politics especially from an Australian perspective. We look at things like British colonialism, the plight of the disabled, power of the state and so on. 2 subjects on this in first year.
• Communications. This is basically analysing how information is distributed and interpreted. We discuss things from Murdoch's control of the media to theories of Marxism and Liberalism etc. 2 subjects on this first year.
• Electives. You will have a decent amount of electives at your disposal(32-36 credits worth) for second and third year which you can take in pretty much any humanities subject at UTS or if you wish you can even take your electives at another uni.

Here are the links to descriptions of the film/media subjects themselves:
1st year
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50116_50247.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50117_50248.pdf
2nd year (at least 2 of these)
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50153.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50154.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50155.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50157.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50158.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50197.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50199.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50212.pdf
3rd year(at least two of these)
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50156.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50177.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50178.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50196.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50198.pdf
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50213.pdf
^ I really really encourage you to give those a read through when you have spare time, since really the information is all there for you should you choose to look. You also probably know better what you want out of the course.

Something that might also interest you is that the communications course itself has no exams...just assessments. We also usually have four day weeks in first year and 11 hours or less. UTS is also less than 5 minutes from the station too if thats a factor.

 

[olegna]

ok, so hold up. those subjects: are those what are studied during the three year course?

 

[kami]

ok, so hold up. those subjects: are those what are studied during the three year course?

Yes, it says when they're studied under each of the headings...

 

[olegna]

so in my 1st year, i wouldnt get a choice.

but in my 2nd and 3rd years, i can choose my subjects?

 

[kami]

so in my 1st year, i wouldnt get a choice.

but in my 2nd and 3rd years, i can choose my subjects?

Yup.

 

[olegna]

sweet!!! thanks!!

what i'm looking for exactly is a course that provides both film theory and study, and also the technical side (eg. actually going out and shooting shorts etc)..i really want to be a director with the technical skills and also the knowledge of the background of cinema....i know i can get these skills outside of uni...but at university i can also connect with like-minded people who love the same things....

it looks like this course offers all this...

 

[donmar]

wouldnt u be a bit more suited to bottom inspector?

 

[kami]

Me too. This course seems to be the most fitting those who want to delve into directing, producing, scirptwriting, editing while also being interested in the theoretical side. Right up my alley. Still unsure whether I want to combine it with Laws, or just go for the single degree.

Just a little advice to think on - if you want to get the most out of your major and actually work in that area then go for the single (or international studies). You'll be able to do quite a few more subjects in that area then - including internships. You'd also be able to do a grad law degree later if you wanted to.

On the other hand if you definitely want to practice Law ... then the double would be better.

 

[Hysterik]

I'm really interested in this course too, plus the UAI is quite a bit lower than for Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) at Usyd. I want to combine it with International Studies...

Is this course similar to BA (Media and Communications) @ Usyd? Sorry about my ignorance but what are the similarities/differences? I've heard this has a more practical focus but in which way?

Edit: Lol, this thread hasn't been used since 2007. Oh, well.

 

[Rainelk]

this is probably a late reply. I do the combined MAP/Law degree at UTS and chose it pretty much because it's the only uni that offers that specific combination of practical film/whichever media you are so inclined and law. The single degree offers a lot of flexibility according to yours interests across the humanities faculties but the combined one can be quite limiting (I only got to do one practical film subject this year - it's my second year btw).

However, as of students starting next year, they are changing all of the communications courses, so anything that people doing the course already can tell you won't apply. Make sure you look up the changes on the UTS website 'cause from what I've read about them, they are very extensive.