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Program

Screen & Sound Production - 3438

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: sam@unsw.edu.au

Campus: Sydney

Career: Undergraduate

Typical Duration: 3 Years  

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 144

UAC Code: 422720

Domestic Entry Requirements: See Domestic Entry Requirements

International Entry Requirements: See International Entry Requirements

Award(s):

Bachelor of Media (Major)

View program information for previous years

Program Description

THIS PROGRAM IS FOR STUDENTS COMMENCING IN 2015 ONWARDS.

The Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound Production) [UNSW BMedia (S&SP)] is designed to provide students with foundational and applied skills, knowledge and capabilities relevant to career pathways in a broad range of audio-visual, digital and screen production industries. The emphasis is on the acquisition of relevant creative and professional skills relevant to current media industry contexts, along with a sophisticated conceptual understanding of the increasingly convergent role of media and film in contemporary societies.

Through a suite of electives, students gain practical experience in digital film and sound production, animation, interaction and game design in a degree that is both ideas driven and vocationally relevant in its orientation. All students are given foundational practical experience in the thoughtful and creative application of established and emerging media technologies, while also being immersed in the history, culture and philosophy of media and film studies through a diverse suite of core and elective courses. The balance between practice and theory, film and media enables students to be at the forefront of an increasingly convergent media landscape.

At level 1 students study introductory courses in film and media studies and also take a range of foundational courses in video production, sonic arts as well as a course that introduces students to foundational principles of graphic design, animation and interaction design.

At Levels 2 and 3 students select from a wide range of production and project-based courses to expand and deepen their knowledge and understanding in the technical, analytical and conceptual application of various media forms including audio-visual production, screenwriting, animation and game design. Concurrently, students continue to expand their knowledge of the histories, theories and cultures in the disciplinary courses in film and media studies. It is here that students develop discipline specific and generic skills in critical and creative thought, writing, research and presentation.

The UNSW BMedia (S&SP) can be completed full-time in Single mode (normally 3 years), or in Dual Mode (the equivalent of two years full-time study) or part-time. The basic requirements of the program are simple. The BMedia (S&SP) has a depth component and a breadth component. Students enrolled in Single mode do both the depth and breadth component while students enrolled in Dual mode only complete the depth component.

The Depth component requires:

  1. The completion of Media Studies core and prescribed electives (24 UOC - 4 courses)
  2. The completion of Film Studies core and prescribed electives (24 UOC - 4 courses)
  3. The completion of Screen and Sound Production core and prescribed electives (48 UOC - 8 courses)

The Breadth component (for students completing the program in Single mode) is:

  1. Arts & Social Sciences Prescribed Electives (12 UOC - 2 courses) which must be taken within UNSW Arts & Social Sciences
  2. Free Electives (24 UOC - 4 courses) which can be taken either within or outside UNSW Arts & Social Sciences
  3. General Education (12 UOC - 2 courses) which must be taken outside of UNSW Arts & Social Sciences

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
The UNSW BMedia (S&SP) aims to prepare graduates for a leadership role in the thoughtful application of screen and sound production technologies informed by a solid understanding of film and media histories, theories and cultures. Graduates will also gain a deep understanding of the convergence of film and media industries in the contemporary world. Students are not simply skilled up in the use of video and sound recorders, computers and media applications, but are encouraged to become thoughtful and resourceful professionals who are able to tackle complex issues by drawing on their integrated practical and theoretical expertise. Students become immersed in the current culture of contemporary screen and sound production and theory. They are encouraged to test out emerging ideas and developments and look for novel ways to approach the planning and production of contemporary audio-visual and digital media projects. Graduates will gain foundational expertise in a range of screen and sound production tools, but more importantly, they will be able to interpret and reflect on emerging audio-visual practices and increasingly diverse screen environments, enabling them to take leading, imaginative and inventive roles in the rapidly changing media industries.

The Graduate Attributes for this Program are as follows:

  1. The skills to produce effective and engaging screen and sound texts
  2. A knowledge of the historical development of screen and sound as both specific media and as part of a constantly evolving film and media landscape
  3. An understanding of the aesthetic, technical, and cultural dimensions of screen and sound
  4. The ability to recognise and apply the different interpretive frameworks and value systems that inform understandings of screen and sound in various social and cultural discourses
  5. The skills to analyse and interpret written and audio-visual texts
  6. The ability to link creative production with theoretical and critical knowledge
  7. The conceptual and organisational skills required to undertake self-directed learning
  8. The organisational and communication skills required for effective and creative collaborative work
  9. Skills in scholarly research as applied to and appropriate for the fields of screen and sound
  10. The capacity to bring enterprise, initiative and creativity to problem-solving in a media and screen production context
  11. An appreciation of the cultural diversity of film and media audiences, forms and delivery contexts
  12. The skills of communicating effectively, ethically and responsibly through media and screen production and the ability to tailor this to the community

Career Opportunities

This program provides foundational skills and concepts relevant to career pathways in a broad range of audio-visual production industries. Examples include film and video director, editor, sound designer, producer and other roles within video and audio production, digital media, screen production, game design, and other areas of the expanding media industry. With its training in research, self directed learning, critical thinking and collaborative working skills, this program also allows graduates to achieve the skills necessary for and adaptable to employment in areas as diverse as film criticism, media administration, festival programming, communication research and media marketing.

Program Structure
The basic requirements for the degree are:

Single mode (144 UOC) made up of:

  1. Media Studies core and prescribed electives (24 UOC)
  2. Film Studies core and prescribed electives (24 UOC)
  3. Screen and Sound Production core and prescribed electives (48 UOC)
  4. Arts & Social Sciences Prescribed Electives (12 UOC)
  5. Free Electives (24 UOC)
  6. General Education (12 UOC)
Dual mode (96 UOC) made up of:
  1. Media Studies core and prescribed electives (24 UOC)
  2. Film Studies core and prescribed electives (24 UOC)
  3. Screen and Sound Production core and prescribed electives (48 UOC)

Media Studies Core and Prescribed Electives (24 UOC – 4 courses)

Students must complete the core course:
Students must complete three prescribed electives, including at least one at level 2 and one at level 3.

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3

Film Studies Core and Prescribed Electives (24 UOC – 4 courses)

Students must complete the core course:

Students must complete three prescribed electives, including at least one at level 2 and one at level 3.

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
NOTE: Students enrolled in Media/Law Dual mode must complete at least one of the following courses at level 1 in addition to the Film and Media Studies core courses in Semester 2:
OR

Screen and Sound Production Core and Prescribed Electives (48 UOC – 8 courses)

Students must complete the core courses:

Level 1
Students must complete at least two prescribed electives at level 2 selected from the following list:

Level 2
Students must complete at least two prescribed electives at level 3 selected from the following list:

Level 3
NOTE: Students enrolled in Media/International Studies dual degree mode must choose ARTS2092 Global Media as their Prescribed Media Elective. This course meets the core requirement for the Bachelor of International Studies in place of ARTS2240 Environment, Sustainability and Development. Dual degree students do not complete ARTS2240. Instead they choose a course from outside Arts and Social Sciences that meets their General Education requirement. To complete their GE requirement, these students also complete 24 not 30 UOC of Screen & Sound Production prescribed electives. With the remaining 6 UOC they choose their second GE course.

Arts & Social Sciences Prescribed Electives

Arts & Social Sciences Prescribed Electives are any courses chosen by the student from the offerings of UNSW Arts & Social Sciences. Students can add depth to their major or minor stream (above the minimum requirements) or undertake other courses from other areas of study within the Faculty. Indigenous Studies courses (ATSIxxxx) cannot be studied as Arts & Social Sciences Prescribed Electives.

Free Electives

Students completing the program in Single mode have a 24 UOC free elective breadth requirement. Students may complete any courses for which they are eligible to enrol either within or outside UNSW Arts & Social Sciences. The free electives component of the program affords students the opportunity to complement their media studies with a range of interests. The program suggests that areas of study in UNSW Arts & Social Sciences are especially relevant.

General Education

Students completing the program in Single mode complete 12 UOC of General Education. Students must complete any two courses for which they are eligible to enrol outside UNSW Arts & Social Sciences. Indigenous Studies courses (ATSIxxxx) can be studied as General Education if students are not following a major or minor in Indigenous Studies in the BA program.

Suggested Arts & Social Sciences Electives and Free Electives

Students are encouraged to select from among the following courses offered by UNSW Arts & Social Sciences to fulfill part of their Arts & Social Sciences Elective or Free Elective requirement. Note that pre-requisites may apply for some courses.

Suggested Free Electives and General Education

Students are encouraged to select from among the following courses offered by Faculties other than UNSW Arts & Social Sciences to fulfill part of their Free Elective or General Education requirement. Note that pre-requisites may apply for some courses.

ARTS2050 Academic Writing for the Humanities

This course is available as an Arts & Social Sciences Prescribed Elective or Free Elective for students wishing to develop their academic writing skills. Click here for further details about the course.

Award with Distinction

High achieving students who secure a WAM of 75 across their program and who have completed at least 48 UOC of their program at UNSW are eligible for the award of their Pass Degree "with Distinction".

Honours

High achieving Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound Production) students (in Single or Dual mode) who have successfully completed all program requirements may apply for admission to honours in the Bachelor of Media (Honours) program 4510. Entry to Honours requires a WAM of 70 or higher in the media courses and the stream seeking to be further studied. The WAM for the Screen & Sound Production stream will also include the film studies courses.

Bachelor of Media (Honours) program 4510

Sample Program

Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound Production) - Sample Program - Single Mode (Example Only)
 
Below is a guide to help you enrol in your program. To be full-time students must enrol in 24 UOC each semester.
 
LEVEL 1
 UOC
S1 ARTS1060 Intro to Film Studies (6 UOC) ARTS1090 Media, Culture & Everyday Life (6 UOC) Arts & Social Sciences Prescribed Elective
(6 UOC)		  24
S2
Free Elective (6 UOC)
 MDIA1006 Mediated Storytelling (6 UOC) MDIA1005 Creative Sound Technologies (6 UOC) General Education
(6 UOC)		  24
LEVEL 2 UOC
S1 Prescribed Media Studies Elective (6 UOC)
Prescribed Screen & Sound Production Elective (6 UOC)
 Prescribed Screen & Sound Production Elective (6 UOC) General Education
(6 UOC)		  24
S2 Prescribed Film Studies Elective (6 UOC)
Prescribed Screen & Sound Production Elective (6 UOC)
 Free Elective
(6 UOC)		 Arts & Social Sciences Prescribed Elective (6 UOC)  24
LEVEL 3 UOC
S1 Prescribed Film Studies Elective (6 UOC)
Prescribed Media Studies Elective (6 UOC)
 
OR
 
Prescribed Film Studies Elective (6 UOC)
Prescribed Screen & Sound Production Elective (6 UOC)
 Free Elective
(6 UOC)		  24
S2
Prescribed Media Studies Elective (6 UOC)
Prescribed Screen & Sound Production Elective (6 UOC)
Prescribed Media Studies Elective (6 UOC)
 
OR
 
Prescribed Film Studies Elective (6 UOC)
 Free Elective
(6 UOC)		  24


Academic Rules

Single Mode

To qualify for the award of the degree at Pass level, a student must:
  1. enrol in the Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound Production) and complete 144 UOC;
  2. complete the requirements for the cores
  3. complete the requirements for prescribed electives
  4. complete 12 UOC of Arts & Social Sciences Prescribed Electives
  5. complete 24 UOC of Free Electives
  6. complete 12 UOC of General Education
  7. complete at least 30 UOC of Level 1 courses before enrolling in Level 2 courses
  8. complete at least 96 UOC overall before enrolling in Level 3 courses

Dual Mode

To qualify for the award of the degree at Pass level, a student must:
  1. enrol in the Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound Production) and complete 96 UOC;
  2. complete the requirements for the cores
  3. complete the requirements for prescribed electives
  4. complete at least 30 UOC of Level 1 courses before enrolling in Level 2 courses
  5. complete at least 48 UOC overall before enrolling in Level 3 courses

Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

Important Information
The Academic Rules for the UNSW BMedia (S&SP) and the online enrolment facility provide students with a wide range of course choices. The online enrolment facility checks that students meet the enrolment requirements for individual courses but not that a course complies with Program Rules. Students are responsible for ensuring they are enrolling in accordance with the Academic Rules outlined above. Students should not assume that because they have enrolled in a course online that the course is automatically credited to their degree program.

Further Information
Contact the UNSW Arts & Social Sciences Student Centre for advice.
Tel: + 61 2 9385 2289
Email: arts@unsw.edu.au
Location: Room G1 Ground Floor, Morven Brown building (C20)
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Frequently asked questions

Glossary of Terms
UNSW Arts & Social Sciences Glossary of Terms - Click here

Area(s) of Specialisation
Multimedia work bench

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