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Section Title

Recommended Study Sequence

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Admission

Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline

OR

A Masters degree in any discipline

OR

A Graduate Certificate in Convergent Media

OR

Have a minimum of 5 years FTE work experience in one of the following areas: journalism, public relations, advertising, marketing, communication, media, design, visual communication, creative arts or multi-media.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

International applicants must apply directly to the University of Western Sydney via UWS International.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) website.

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and UWS.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Semester 1

Media Contexts: Audience and Trends

The introduction of broadband, internet and mobile media have transformed audiences from passive consumers to creative consumer/producers of media content. They have enriched the media experiences of audiences by facilitating the creative use of collective intelligence and social networking while increasing levels of surveillance and diminishing personal privacy. This unit explores the uneasy fit between creative and mobile audiences, new media arts practice, global commercial significance of media arts and new media audiences today in terms of the theoretical and policy issues, and interrogates questions raised by increased access and mobility. It includes case studies of existing and emerging new media forms such as those found at YouTube, MySpace, Flickr and other mass user sites and examines the social impact and ethical issues raised by these developments. The unit is organized into three modules: Global Media Trends; The Network Society; and Key Policy Debates.

Media Project Proposal

This unit offers each student the opportunity to develop a detailed media project proposal to the proof of concept/pilot stage in response to a chosen set "live" brief. Projects may be for television, online delivery or cross platform delivery. The project proposal will cover background research, precedent and case studies, specification/treatment, pilot and pitch to industry professionals. The objective is to provide a detailed specification for the major media project production unit that follows.

Choose one of:

Convergent Media Internship

This professionally oriented internship consists of two components - work internship placement with Television Sydney (TVS) or a corporate media or community communications division of an organization. The focus on the internship is to research audience/community liaison and the cross media marketing plans of the organisation. During the placement students will develop a practical audience-oriented research project based on a specific agency or community group. The project could form the research stage of a project to be developed in other units of the course. These agencies may include UWS research centres, and educational and community and cultural agencies within Sydney, corporate organisations or off-shore, as agreed. Students research and develop a multiplatform project concept specifically targeted at a selected audience, with an understanding of television media markets.

Mobile Media

The proliferation of the mobile device and the evolution of mobile networks has profoundly changed the social and interpersonal sphere and the global media landscape. This unit combines both theory and practice to engage with Mobile Communications and Society: the cultural, family and interpersonal consequences of mobile communication and its effect on every day life, social cohesion, political and economic activities, social development and change, and Mobile Media: current media production and distribution platforms, practices and trends. This unit includes the production of content for distribution via mobile devices.

Semester 2

Theory and Practice of Convergent Media

This unit provides students with historical, political and theoretical introductions to new media and convergent media research, experimentation and practice with an emphasis on third-sector, alternative and community development contexts. The unit focuses on the emergence of new media and its historical precedents through a diverse range of related materials, ranging from pre-cinematic animation to cross platform strategies. The Unit also provides analysis of a wide range of case studies in relation to contemporary media practices in an international and cross-cultural context.

Media Project Production

This unit offers an individual, or group of, student(s) the opportunity to develop, produce and evaluate a Media Project developed in the Media Project Proposal Unit. The project production will cover implementation and evaluation issues relevant to media products. The final product is intended to be a significant new media project prototype. Individual students can negotiate the project of their choice, but this should be based on the Media Project Proposal (or equivalent) developed in the Spring Semester, or first half of semester if you are a full time student. A 5,000 word report forms part of the assessment.

Choose one of:

Convergent Media Internship

This professionally oriented internship consists of two components - work internship placement with Television Sydney (TVS) or a corporate media or community communications division of an organization. The focus on the internship is to research audience/community liaison and the cross media marketing plans of the organisation. During the placement students will develop a practical audience-oriented research project based on a specific agency or community group. The project could form the research stage of a project to be developed in other units of the course. These agencies may include UWS research centres, and educational and community and cultural agencies within Sydney, corporate organisations or off-shore, as agreed. Students research and develop a multiplatform project concept specifically targeted at a selected audience, with an understanding of television media markets.

Mobile Media

The proliferation of the mobile device and the evolution of mobile networks has profoundly changed the social and interpersonal sphere and the global media landscape. This unit combines both theory and practice to engage with Mobile Communications and Society: the cultural, family and interpersonal consequences of mobile communication and its effect on every day life, social cohesion, political and economic activities, social development and change, and Mobile Media: current media production and distribution platforms, practices and trends. This unit includes the production of content for distribution via mobile devices.

Part-Time Students

Media Project Proposal

This unit offers each student the opportunity to develop a detailed media project proposal to the proof of concept/pilot stage in response to a chosen set "live" brief. Projects may be for television, online delivery or cross platform delivery. The project proposal will cover background research, precedent and case studies, specification/treatment, pilot and pitch to industry professionals. The objective is to provide a detailed specification for the major media project production unit that follows.

Must be completed before

Media Project Production

This unit offers an individual, or group of, student(s) the opportunity to develop, produce and evaluate a Media Project developed in the Media Project Proposal Unit. The project production will cover implementation and evaluation issues relevant to media products. The final product is intended to be a significant new media project prototype. Individual students can negotiate the project of their choice, but this should be based on the Media Project Proposal (or equivalent) developed in the Spring Semester, or first half of semester if you are a full time student. A 5,000 word report forms part of the assessment.

All other units listed above may be taken in any session, depending on unit offerings. Please check the timetable for each unit.

Master of Convergent Media

On the contemporary media landscape is the breakdown of traditional media silos and the transformation of media production and consumption practices.

Media, marketing and creative professionals are now required to understand and connect with their audiences across broadcast, online, mobile and other channels and to integrate new platforms and social media into their mix.

The Master of Convergent Media offers an environment in which you will develop new digital content, build skills and resources and explore the industry’s future, while assessing how you can adapt your experience to this rapidly changing industry.

You will extend your experience portfolio, building advanced skills in creative/conceptual development and media production through the delivery of a multi-platform/convergent media product. You will acquire a thorough knowledge of the convergent landscape, from mobile media to gaming, virtual worlds and social media.

The UWS School of Communication Arts offers superior academic and production resources with a recent refurbishment of its studio, broadcast facilities, streaming server and a new live outside broadcast remote facility.These facilities will enable you to develop a professional pitch and prototype in the production format of your own choice and receive critical feedback from leading industry professionals.

Location

Penrith

Duration

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

Do you need more information?

Request a course and application information pack:
Course Enquiry Form
International Course Enquiry Form

For further assistance contact the UWS Course Information Centre.