Humanities and Social Sciences

Media Studies Program

Honours Program

General Information

The Honours degree requires a fourth year of full-time study (Media Studies 4) after completing a three year pass degree. You could think of it as either an upgrading of your first degree, which may enhance your employment prospects, or as a means of entry to a higher degree program (Masters by Coursework, Masters by Research or even PhD). Depending on your previous studies it is possible to complete a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Bachelor of Media Studies (Honours) or a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours). An Honours "creative thesis" may also contribute to a professional portfolio.

If you are moving directly from an undergraduate degree, selection into Honours is usually at the end of your third year. You should apply to the Media Studies Honours Coordinator by the first Monday in November in the year prior to starting Honours, so that you can be notified of any decisions made in time for re-enrolment in December and preparation over the summer. Applications are welcome from those who have attended other Australian and international universities as well.

Normally, the minimum requirement for selection into Honours is a 'B' average in a Media Studies, Radio/Audio, Television/Video or Journalism major, with a 'B' average in third year units. If you are completing a Media Studies major in the BA it is an advantage to have taken more than the minimum of 130 credit points in Media Studies.

Bachelor of Media Studies students considering Honours are strongly encouraged to complete Media Studies MST2/3RTM: Researching the media and MST2/3RMA: Researching media audiences or, for other students, an equivalent research methodology unit. Bachelor of Journalism students considering enrolling in Honours in 2010 are strongly encouraged to complete Dilemmas in Journalism (MST2DIJ) in 2009.

Final selection, however, is at the discretion of the Media Studies Program, and depends not only upon your overall recorded results (including the Media Studies or Journalism major), but also upon recommendations from your lecturers (particularly of third year units), the availability of units, and of staff for supervision in your chosen thesis area.

Part-time enrolment is available. While most students commence in the first semester, mid-year entry in second semester is available too. Part-time students must meet the same due dates for submission of work for assessment as do full-time students. Part-time candidates normally do their thesis in the second year. The milestone dates for students commencing in second semester are adjusted accordingly.

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How to apply for Honours

If you are interested in Honours you should discuss this with the Honours Coordinator as early in your third-year as possible and, in consultation with the Honours Coordinator, identify possible supervisors. You are also encouraged to discuss your proposed thesis topic with potential supervisors. After this apply in writing to the Media Studies Honours Coordinator by the first Monday in November in the year prior to commencing the Honours year.

Your letter should include the following:

• a statement of your results (not only in media subjects) to date, and a list of subjects in which you are currently awaiting a result;
  
  
• a priority list of units you intend to take during your Honours year;
  
  
• an initial draft proposal for your written or creative thesis (suggested title and a 200-500 word description), endorsed by a staff member willing to supervise;
  
  
• whether you wish to complete the course full or part-time. (If you nominate part-time, you will be asked to discuss this with the Honours Coordinator, who will want to know what your workload outside the course will be, and how you propose to meet the work requirements of the course).

Research Outline
After being accepted into the honours year you will be expected to put in the equivalent of 3-4 weeks work on your thesis over the long vacation before the start of your Honours year. This will involve locating sources and clarifying appropriate concepts and procedures so that you can prepare your research outline. The outline should be submitted to your supervisor before classes begin. Your enrolment in Honours will be confirmed when that outline has been submitted and approved.

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The structure of the Honours year

To satisfy the requirements for Honours, you must complete 60 credit points (two semester length units) of taught units and either a thesis; of 12,000 words, or a media production with supporting analysis. Approved Cinema Studies units may also be taken for credit towards Media Studies Honours. If you are interested in taking Cinema Studies units, please consult with the Media Studies Honours Coordinator to discuss their suitability to your course.

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Unit Details

The Media Studies program will select units to offer each year from the list according to staff availability and other factors as needed. You may not do all of your Honours units with a single member of staff.

There is no absolute rule about the semester/s in which the taught units will be taken, but it is advisable to consider that you will be completing your thesis in the second semester of your enrolment and to therefore take your taught units in your first semester.

Due dates for Honours units are set by the staff of each taught unit, except that no work may be submitted after 1 November, and penalties may apply for late submission.

Honours units include:

MST4/5MRI Media research issues
MST4/5WIM Gender on Screen
MST4/5RCA Reading course
MST4/5TWJ The Working Journalist
MST4/5TMC Transnational Media in Context
MST4/5MCT Media and Cultural Theory
MST4/5RCB Reading course

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Written Thesis

The word 'thesis' is broadly interpreted: it is usually a single written dissertation (of length varying with the degree), but it may be a 'creative thesis' consisting of an original media production, closely related to a dissertation. The thesis topic must be selected before formal application for acceptance into the Honours course. This is normally done in consultation with a staff member who would be willing to supervise the work. As soon as you begin to consider Honours, you should also be considering the area of your thesis, and starting to talk with potential supervisors.

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Creative Thesis

A creative thesis involves the preparation of a media production and a linked written thesis (exegesis) of no less than 6,000 words. The media production could be in video/film, radio/audio, journalism or multimedia. The creative thesis you produce should be able to demonstrate the analysis and arguments contained in the written thesis.

Additional information

Enquiries about Honours year should be made to the Honours Coordinator, Dr. John Tebbutt. Tel: 9479 5098 or via email to john.tebbutt@latrobe.edu.au

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