Quick InfoBachelor of Applied Media Arts (Journalism) BAMA(J
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Programme Outline
Designed to prepare students for careers in the expanding broadcasting, newspaper, magazine and inter/intra organisational public relations and communication markets. The Bachelor of Applied Media Arts (Journalism) offers a mix of practical training, using industry relevant facilities and equipment, and theoretical studies, providing students with a critical understanding of the environment in which media communicators operate.
Students in this programme may undertake study in speciality areas; print journalism, broadcast journalism, or corporate communication. Media communications is an influential and expanding area of learning and research with new technologies in broadcasting, telecommunications, print and other industries revolutionising the way people exchange information, do business, talk to, entertain and understand each other. It offers a unique insight into the relationship between different media and associated technologies, for example the Internet. Programme Content
Year One All papers are compulsory BMA100 Communications I Students are introduced to the theories, principles and practical skills associated with effective intrapersonal, interpersonal, oral and written modes of communication and to appreciate cultural identities within New Zealand society.
BMA110 Media Culture I Students will learn of the culture in which we live, where our culture has come from, and how it might develop. Students will gain from this paper a greater ability to contextualise the images that bombard us daily, and to create new forms borrowing from, rather than repeating, the past.
BMA120 Research Fundamentals Students will learn the skills necessary to research a topic from secondary sources and develop ideas into a format suitable for presentation. Students will identify and analyse information on a selected topic of work, and present their interpretations.
BMA160 New Zealand Society Students will learn about the key historical events in New Zealand and what it means to society now. The students will understand the structure and functions of government in New Zealand, as well as the legal system and will also understand the links between business and politics and the economy. They will have knowledge of key legal and economic issues relevant to their areas of study.
BMA161 Introduction to News Principles This paper introduces students to core journalism skills. It will give students an understanding of news practices in today's world, and the history of the news media. It will provide instruction on what news is, the processes surrounding news and how news affects society. The paper will also introduce students to the critical reading of daily newspapers and the identification of news values.
BMA162 Language and Computer Literacy Students will learn grammar, spelling, comprehension and writing skills that will enable them to create accurate, intelligent pieces of writing, from academic essays and reports to news stories and press releases. Students will be given practice in editing their own and others' writing. Students will also learn text processing and computer skills.
BMA170 Introduction to the Principles of News Broadcasting Students will be introduced to the theory and practice of broadcasting within radio and television. The paper will also cover field and studio production techniques.
BMA180 Introduction to Corporate Communication Students will be introduced to organisational and corporate communication and be able to explain the relationship between the two. Students will understand the theories and techniques employed in corporate communication, such as corporate image and identity, organisational culture and promotion and publicity. They will plan, implement and evaluate corporate communication material and explain the need for two way communication.
Year Two Compulsory papers BMA200 Communications II Students will learn to apply the theories, principles and practical skills associated with effective intrapersonal, interpersonal, oral and written modes of communication. They will recognise cultural differences and develop strategies for effective intercultural communication, and learn to work effectively in a group as a team leader and member, using conflict resolution techniques if necessary.
BMA210 Media Culture II The aim of this paper is to build on material presented in BMA110 to further broaden the students' knowledge of the culture in which we live, where our culture has come from, and how it might develop. A number of genre and forms are introduced and students critically evaluate and contextualise the works presented, and assess their relevance to contemporary New Zealand culture and their own work.
BMA220 Research and Statistics This paper aims to prepare the student for professional practice by presenting research as a uniting strategy for practice, theory and scholarship. Both scientific and interpretative knowledge will be drawn upon in preparing the student to become a competent consumer of research. Students will also be assisted to develop skills as a beginning researcher. The student will study different types of scientific and interpretative inquiry and personal experience will be used to identify areas in requiring research, and for the utilisation of research findings.
BMA260 Media Law and Ethics Students will investigate the aspects of New Zealand law which relate to journalism in all its forms. In particular, it will highlight defamation and trespass. Students will also learn about media ethics and be able to critically analyse ethical decisions such as the use of deception.
BMA262 News Writing This paper will analyse the New Zealand print media and identify topical current events for evaluation. Students will learn the methodology of writing news stories by investigating various news story structures and developing research, writing and organisational skills to the level required for writing stories to newspaper standard. Students will learn the skills needed to write news for broadcast and will develop their knowledge of scripting and packaging the story for the audio and visual media.
BMA263 Interviewing Students will learn the skills to plan, obtain and conduct interviews for news stories. Students will learn about observation skills, listening and note taking skills and interviewing techniques. They will analyse types of interviews and discuss what works and the reasons why.
Compulsory papers for print and broadcast strands BMA261 Shorthand This paper will give students the skills to take shorthand notes at 80 words a minute and be able to transcribe it back with a high degree of accuracy.
Compulsory paper for print strand BMA264 Photojournalism Students will develop an understanding of the power of photojournalism, as well as explore the use of photographs in the reporting of news and their alliance with the written word. Students will evaluate news photographs. The difference between photojournalism and other types of photography will be analysed and students will practise their news photography skills and write accompanying captions.
Compulsory paper for broadcast strand BMA270 Radio and Television News Students will investigate the functions of radio, identify types of radio and how to identify an audience for a particular genre. Students will be able to describe specific techniques for on-air broadcast and for managing a radio news show and will put together a news bulletin for broadcast. Students will learn the key editorial issues and professional skills involved in producing broadcast news on television. The students will be able to describe the television market and its history in New Zealand and will put together news bulletins for broadcast.
Compulsory papers for corporate communications strand BMA280 Media Relations Students will analyse the role of the media in the overall picture of public relations theory and practice. They will develop an understanding of the critical relationship between the public relations practitioner and the media, while providing insights into the different needs of the various media used. They will develop the skills and knowledge to handle the media in various situations.
BMA281 Public Relations Students will understand that public relations is a way of communicating specific messages to specific target audiences. They will evaluate a range of public relations activities and be able to identify and use public relations tools and tactics. They will learn how to adapt their writing style to each particular public relations programme.
Year Three Compulsory papers for all strands BMA310 Media Culture III This paper builds further on the material presented in BMA210 (Media Culture II). In this paper the student analyses work in greater depth and is expected to gain a greater understanding of theoretical and philosophical issues concerning art forms. The student will also articulate a personal artistic statement, relating their own work to that of other contemporary and historical artists. The emphasis in this third year paper is for the students to construct their own personal artistic vision and reference points. The student must be able to place their own body of work within a framework of New Zealand and international artistic movements, and be able to articulate themselves with a high degree of clarity and academic rigour.
BMA320 Applied Research The aim of this paper is to enable the student to participate in research, analysis, draw conclusions and report findings in an appropriate format. The project is in two parts. Firstly, students apply skills acquired in BDM220 to develop a research proposal in an area relevant to applied media. Secondly, this proposal forms the basis of the major project, in which the student will undertake the approved project and report the findings from the investigation in an approved format.
BMA360 Internship Students will have the chance to gain valuable first hand experience in the media industry. The students will develop competencies in and an understanding of the workplace as well as identify their strengths and weaknesses.
Compulsory print and corporate communication strand paper BMA364 Advanced Internet Utilisation Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the development of the world wide web and examine both journalism and the corporates' roles in multimedia. Students will critically analyse news and corporate sites on the world wide web, evaluate website credibility and investigate newsgroups and intranets. Students will demonstrate understanding of internet processes and tools, including how to create a basic site, and explore writing for the internet in theoretical and practical contexts.
Compulsory print strand papers BMA362 Advanced News Writing Students will develop their news writing skills and be able to write complex and investigative stories, meet deadlines and observe media writing conventions. They will critique their own work and be able to write stories on various specialist areas, as well as examine the forms of different features. They will explore editorial writing and develop critical analysis of news events in order to comment on those events.
BMA363 Editing and Design Students will build on their news writing skills and develop skills to reframe or rewrite copy for specific styles and contexts. A broader understanding of how news is written requires students to reflect on different styles and genres of news and feature copy. Students will test and hone their skills through exercises to deadline. Students will design news pages which attract the readers' attention through their knowledge of design principles, layout theory and layout software.
Compulsory broadcast strand papers BMA370 Advanced Radio Station Students will develop broadcast performance and news production skills. Students will critically analyse their own and each other's work as they plan, produce, voice and edit an hour long radio show, which will be broadcast on a local radio.
BMA372 Advanced Television Documentary Students will analyse various news documentaries to develop their knowledge of production and presentation techniques. They will then produce their own documentary, from scripting and storyboarding through to editing and then finally reflect on their work and critique others in the class.
Broadcast strand students can also choose an elective of any level 5 or above paper taught at SIT. Compulsory corporate communication strand papers BMA380 Crisis Communication Students will be able to identify potential crises for businesses, and transfer the threat into an opportunity with pro active crisis planning. They will put into practice public relations skills to manage crises for various businesses and develop the necessary knowledge to evaluate the results, assessing ethical issues and social responsibilities.
BMA382 Corporate Event Management Students will analyse publicity events and develop an event from idea through to fruition, including the marketing and management of it. They will critically evaluate the success or otherwise of their event and reflect on various elements of event management. Application Criteria
Application By Academic Qualification Applicants in this category will have evidence of the achievement of a minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of 14 credits at a level 3 or higher in each of two subjects, with a further 14 credits at level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework, with a minimum of 14 credits at level 1 or higher in mathematics and a minimum of eight credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori - four credits must be in reading and four credits must be in writing, or University Entrance, or University Bursary, or Sixth Form Certificate in four subjects, with total marks of 16 or fewer (or equivalent NZQA or NCEA credits - 18 credits or more at level 2 in each of four topics (literacy, numeracy, music, history preferred), or completion of an external or overseas qualification, which is considered to be the equivalent of any of the above qualifications, as approved by the Head of Faculty.
Admission by Mature Entry Applicants in this category need to be 20 years or older by the 1st of March in the first year of enrolment, and have provided evidence of relevant prior learning and experience.
Special Admission In exceptional circumstances, an applicant below the age of 20 who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme may be considered for admission, provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme, which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry.
Provisional Part Time Admission An applicant who does not meet academic criteria, may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more year one papers. Upon successful completion of the paper(s), the student may apply for special admission or admission by mature entry. Additional Criteria
In addition, the following requirements also apply to applicants in all admission categories. Applicants whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having passed such tests of English language competence as the Head of Faculty/Board of Studies approve for admission to the degree. Applicants for the Bachelor of Applied Media Arts (Journalism) are required to have a high competence in spoken and written English with a minimum grade four in 6th Form Certificate, or an equivalent or more advanced English qualification or NCEA equivalent, 18 credits or more at level 2 in literacy. The Head of Faculty will determine the maximum number of students permitted to enrol in the degree programme. All enrolments in the Bachelor of Applied Media Arts (Journalism) are approved at the discretion of the Programme Manager in consultation with the Head of Faculty and teaching staff, as required. Selection Criteria
In addition, the following requirements also apply to applicants in all admission categories. Applicants whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having passed such tests of English language competence as the Head of Faculty/Board of Studies approve for admission to the degree. Applicants for the Bachelor of Applied Media Arts (Journalism) are required to have a high competence in spoken and written English with a minimum grade four in 6th Form Certificate, or an equivalent or more advanced English qualification or NCEA equivalent, 18 credits or more at level 2 in literacy. The Head of Faculty will determine the maximum number of students permitted to enrol in the degree programme. All enrolments in the Bachelor of Applied Media Arts (Journalism) are approved at the discretion of the Programme Manager in consultation with the Head of Faculty and teaching staff, as required. Satisfactory Completion
To be awarded the Bachelor of Applied Media Arts (Journalism), students will have been credited with all required papers and electives as specified in the schedule of papers to a total of 360 credits. Enrol Now - Standard Application Form Enrol Now - International Application Form |
