Enrolments for 2021 have closed.
Communication and Media
Undergraduate | USA-COMM1072 | 2021
Course information for 2021 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Learn to analyse the world of communication. Reflect on your media consumption habits. Consider the ways that mass media influences yourself and those around you. Discover theories of communication that can be applied to a range of careers.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed,
- No prior study
- Duration
- 10 weeks
FEE-HELP available
Communication and Media
About this subject
By the end of this 10-week course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the role and importance of communication and the media in human society.
- Explore the historical development of communication and media technologies and their social consequences.
- Explore a range of media texts and genres.
- Identify the different forms and roles of communication in society.
- Explore seminal communication and media theories and their application.
- Demonstrate awareness of the multi-disciplinary nature of communication and its application.
- Demonstrate understanding of the social, political, economic and technological aspects of communication and media.
- Introduction to the field of communication and media
- Understanding communication and media practice
- Non-verbal cultures
- Communication and media as a resource for trade
- The rise of literate cultures
- Communication and media as a resource for trade
- The rise of literate cultures
- Communication and media in a globalised world
- Semiotics
- Media power and the masses
- Mass consumption and consumption
- Persuasion in media effects research
Throughout this course, you will be prompted to think about various types of communication and how and why these are used in different situations to produce different outcomes. You’ll be invited to reflect on your own media consumption habits to consider ways in which mass media influence your communication. By exploring how we communicate, you’ll gain greater insight into human behaviour and better understand your own role in society.
UniSA Online’s 10-week short courses give you the flexibility to upskill in a certain area, stay current with developments in your field, diversify your knowledge, or even explore a new direction in your career – without having to commit to the time and cost of a full university degree.
Delivered 100% online, you’ll be able to study where and when it suits you. Access online academic and student support seven days a week, fit study around work and life commitments, view learning resources 24/7, and log in to the interactive online environment anywhere, any time and on any device.
This is a first-year course from UniSA Online’s Communication and Marketing degrees.
- Continuous Assessment (40%)
- Report (60%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The University of South Australia (UniSA) is ranked as one of the best young universities in the world, and is the number one university in Australia for graduate employability. UniSA offers over 200 world-class degrees that are informed by industry and delivered with a highly practical approach to teaching and learning, and is a valuable partner with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about UniSA.
Explore UniSA courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 21
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 21
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
Single subject FAQs
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions .
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.