300-level

COMS305
Communicating Social Change
Description
This course analyses the role of the media in social change and question whether media can, in fact, produce consensus within society, and if those changes are controllable by the artist/writer/producer, the audience, or the state. It does this by exploring theoretical underpinnings of societal shifts through the framework of the media as an important institution in society and in the construction of social reality. The course will invite students to further understand the role of the media in power relations by analysing such notions and processes as ideology, hegemony, representations, and media ethics. This course includes group work and requires active in-class engagement. This is not a distance course. This course has a strongly practical focus that requires active in-class engagement. This course requires students to create and share work with others, in order to learn from and support each other.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level from COMS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
COMS306
Media and Communication in International Context
Description
The course sets out to provide a critical insight and analysis into the role of media in contemporary international contexts. Its focus is on political communication during conflicts and wars, as well as its contribution to international collaborations and cross-border and cross-culture dialogues. Through a series of in-depth case studies, the course provides a comprehensive review of the key concepts and theories on the media's impact on, and role in international political communication. This course includes group work with students in the course collaborating with students from different countries, and requires active in-class engagement. It has on-campus and distance options. It features internationally-recognised top experts as our guest speakers. Research, team work, international collaboration, creativity, writing, presentation and cross-cultural skills are among the core skills this course aims to advance.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Semester Two 2026 (Distance)
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level from COMS or POLS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
POLS332
COMS320
Strategic Campaign Development
Description
This advanced course in strategic communication will start with a broad introduction to the process of strategic campaign planning. A significant portion of the course will be devoted to different situations that a campaign creator may come across. The course will talk about theoretical and professional strategies in advertising and public relations. Students will learn ways to create different types of campaign messages. This is not a distance course. This course teaches some of the core skills that all communication professionals will need. It includes group work and requires active in-class engagement.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level from COMS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.

Not Offered Courses in 2026

300-level

COMS305
Communicating Social Change
Description
This course analyses the role of the media in social change and question whether media can, in fact, produce consensus within society, and if those changes are controllable by the artist/writer/producer, the audience, or the state. It does this by exploring theoretical underpinnings of societal shifts through the framework of the media as an important institution in society and in the construction of social reality. The course will invite students to further understand the role of the media in power relations by analysing such notions and processes as ideology, hegemony, representations, and media ethics. This course includes group work and requires active in-class engagement. This is not a distance course. This course has a strongly practical focus that requires active in-class engagement. This course requires students to create and share work with others, in order to learn from and support each other.
Occurrences
COMS305-26S2 (C)
Semester Two 2026 - Not offered
For further information see COMS305 course details
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level from COMS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA.
COMS307
Broadcasting Aotearoa New Zealand: Online and On Air
Description
Broadcasting Aotearoa New Zealand explores the stories that are told about Aotearoa New Zealand on television and radio, and in web series, podcasts, and other digital spaces. The course explores the role broadcasting has played in shaping society and the ways in which society is reflected and produced in programming online and on air. COMS307 asks what are the bicultural histories and futures of Aotearoa New Zealand, and how might new, inclusive stories be told on a variety of platforms? In COMS307 you will develop a funding application for a television programme, web series, podcast, or interactive platform, and you will be able to relate your programme plan to the social, cultural, political, and economic histories and contexts of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2018 , 2019
For further information see COMS307 course details
Points
30 points
COMS333
Podcasting Project
Description
COMS333 examines podcasts as a media form, and develops techniques of podcast making. You will explore the technologies that lead to podcasting, along with histories of audio storytelling. You will develop a collaborative podcast project. This is not a distance course. It teaches practical skills and requires students to create and share work with others, in order to learn from and support each other. In COMS333 you will advance core skills in audio production, textual analysis, media archaeology, collaborative work, networking, creativity, writing and presentation.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2023 , 2024 , 2025
For further information see COMS333 course details
Points
30 points