AUT - Bachelor of Communication Studies
Bachelor of Communication Studies
Radio
Radio is a fast paced and dynamic medium, which has the power of immediacy. Radio is often the first medium to break the news and for hundreds of thousands of listeners it is a constant companion – their primary source of entertainment and information.
Radio workstations and a radio production room are available for students to use during their study. Students run their own FM station.
WHAT THIS PROGRAMME COVERS
The Radio major places equal emphasis on creativity and theory, teaching performance skills, radio station operations and management, as well as the critical thinking and understanding required to place those skills within the broader context of the medium.
Throughout the Radio major, students work with state-of-the-art technical facilities and interact with top industry representatives from organisations such as Mediaworks, The Radio Network and NZ on Air.
During the final year students run their own FM radio station. Students are engaged in a range of professional tasks; announcing, writing and selling commercials, writing features, recording and producing items for broadcast, researching and presenting documentaries, compiling and presenting on-air news and organising station and client promotions.
Our graduates are multi-skilled, adaptable and able to think on their feet – and crucially they are ready to enter the industry as creative broadcasters.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- Announcer
- Copywriter
- Media planner
- Music director
- Music programmer
- Producer
- Production engineer
- Programme director
- Promotions manager
- Radio journalist
- Record company representative
- Sales and marketing
- Studio engineer
- Television presenter
PAPERS
Most papers last one semester and are worth 15 points. Students must complete 120 points each year (360 points for the entire degree). In each year students study core (compulsory) papers, and select other papers from a range of options.
Year One - 120 Points total
Introduces essential theory and practice as a basis for later specialisation. This focuses on media and interpersonal communication and the relationships between communication, technology and New Zealand society.
CORE PAPERS
145701 Interpersonal Communication (15)
145708 Media Communication I (15)
145717 Image and Sound (15)
145718 Media Production Workshop (30)
285008 Applied Media Ethics (15)
SELECT TWO
145705 Principles of Writing (15)
145709 Introduction to New Zealand Literature (15)
145719 Introduction to Popular Culture (15)
145720 Performance Communication (15)
285706 New Zealand Political Studies (15)
915101 Te Kākano I
Year Two - 120 Points total
Students undertake more practical work in all the communication disciplines while continuing to develop critical theory. This allows students to focus their studies more specifically but still keep options open for their final choice of a major. Majors and minors begin in Year Two. Students are required to complete 90 points for a major and 60 points for a minor (if desired). We recommend that options are kept open by choosing the two prerequisite papers for each of three majors.
CORE PAPERS
146719 Intercultural Communication (15)
146723 Media Communication IIA (15)
PREREQUISITE PAPERS
146712 Radio Production I (15)
146754 Radio Production II (15)
OPTIONAL PAPERS:
Choose from other papers as listed in the Bachelor of Communication Studies Table of Papers in the AUT University Academic Calendar.
Year Three - 120 Points total
In Year Three, students major in one of a number of fields including advertising creativity, communication and public relations, creative industries, journalism, digital media, professional communication, radio and television. Following the broader focus of Year Two, the majors now go deeper into the applied theory and practice of these various communication fields. Students who have begun a minor in Year Two will also complete this in Year Three alongside their major. An internship may be offered as part of the Year Three programme.
All Year Three students must study Media Communication III plus the equivalent of 60 points in their major to reach the 90 points required to complete a major. The remaining 45 points may be used to complete a minor or to study additional elective papers of the student’s choice.
Entry to a Year Three major may be restricted if applications exceed places available. Preference will be given to students who achieve good academic results and show aptitude in the relevant prerequisite papers in Year Two.
CORE PAPERS:
147717 Media Communication III (15)
MAJOR PAPERS:
SELECT 105 points - a minimum of 60 points from your MAJOR and 30 points from your minor (if desired).
147757 Research Project Radio (15)
147758 Radio Performance (30)
147760 Applied Radio Techniques (15)
OPTIONAL PAPERS:
116232 Photography (15)
146724 Media Communication IIB (15)
146733 Advertising Art Direction (15)
147723 Persuasive Communication (15)
147732 Editing and Design (15)
147734 Magazine Journalism (15)
147753 New Media Journalism (15)
147770 Introduction to News Reporting (15)
147777 Music Industry and Technology (15)
147782 Issues in Cross-Cultural Communication (15)
147787 News Production (15)
147788 Performance to Camera (15)
147789 Radio Journalism (15)
147790 Photo Journalism (15)
147791 Television Journalism (15)
147792 Advanced Copywriting (15)
147813 Radio and Society (15)
147814 Knowledge Management (15)
147816 Promotional Culture (15)
147825 Reporting the Pacific Region (15)
147826 Maori and Pasifika Media Industry (15)
147827 Sponsorship and Promotion (15)
386626 Advertising Media Planning (15)
387932 Strategic Advertising Management (15)
466650 Project Management (15)
487719 Marketing Communications (15)
915404 Sound Production (15)
915405 Technology and Composition (15)
916100 Technology and Creative Expression (15)
AND/OR any specified BCS minor or other level 5-7 papers.