DIVISION OF EDUCATION, ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION, INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND LANGUAGES
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Brief notes and actions from the meeting
24 September 2009 from 4:00pm in H2-40, Amy Wheaton Building, Magill campus
1. Present
Ms Megan Lloyd (Chair)
Ms Elizabeth Donaldson
Dr Tony Mercurio
Ms Sandra Winter-Dewhirst
Ms Susan Caracoussis
Mr Bill Dwyer
Ms Lia Tedesco
Prof Kerry Green
In attendance
Mr Julian Eitzen (Executive Officer)
2. Apologies
Ms Grace Portolesi
Ms Barbara Wiesner (resigned)
Mr Che Metcalf
Mr Matt Deighton
Mr Rob Kalka
Prof Pal Ahluwalia
Megan welcomed Elizabeth as a new member to the Committee.
3. Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting on 21 April 2009 were approved.
4. Business arising
4.1 Rules for double degrees
The Committee’s initial query was whether a graduate with a bachelor degree could enrol
in a subsequent degree and complete the second degree in accordance with the rules for
double degrees, and graduate with a double degree. The rules require that double
degrees be completed concurrently. Credit can be granted, however, the student must
complete at least 36 units unique to each contributing degree.
ACTION:
Kerry to follow up the query with the Senior Advisor: Academic Policy and
Programs, Ms Adrienne Nieuwenhuis.
4.2 ABC/School cooperation on training
Kerry acknowledged that further cooperation between the School and ABC was awaiting
the completion of the rebuilt and expanded School TV studio facilities. The new facilities
would include a radio studio while the School would maintain its relationship with Radio
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Adelaide. Sandra indicated that the BTN program had created a scholarship scheme for
ATSI students that included paid work during the vacation periods.
ACTION:
Kerry and Sandra to schedule a meeting to develop a strategy for identifying ATSI
students for the BTN scholarship, and to explore further areas for cooperation.
Sandra emphasised the value that new graduates placed on experiential learning. She
noted that the ABC was providing intern places with School students and that there were
extensive opportunities for experiential learning at the regional centres. There was
potential for expansion of placements with the BTN program and that a volunteer tour
guide program also offered opportunities for experiential learning.
Megan acknowledged that the Sunday Mail hosted a one week student placement for one
student per week throughout the year.
Kerry noted that the School’s new studio facilities would include internet radio that would
be supported with an intensive one week course “all you need to know about radio in one
week”. He suggested that this would open opportunities for language students to become
involved in ethnic/community radio stations in service learning. Megan agreed, observing
that people with language skills could play an important role for example in issuing health
warnings in community languages. Susan suggested a similar role for the promotion of
ethnic festivals and indicated the Multicultural SA provided an extensive calendar of
events.
5
Members’ items
Sandra advised that the introduction of desktop editing for journalists had progressed well
at the ABC. The new channel ABC3 was due to commence broadcast in December and
would create new work opportunities including the extension of BTN to five half hour news
services per week, and the introduction of Poh’s kitchen. There was also the desire to
create a 24 hour news and public affairs channel. Sandra reported that the office
automation process had been completed and that a studio previously of seven staff now
functioned with just one operator and one producer. She indicated that there were
interesting developments with broadband hubs to help regional communities and that
there would be more ‘future of journalism’ workshops to come.
ACTION:
Sandra to email Kerry details regarding Kym Brook-Taylor.
Kerry noted that the School was looking to develop industry forums with resident Industry
Fellows – possibly including their enrolment in the Professional Doctorate program.
Susan advised that students had not been in attendance at the Press Club Luncheons,
missing some excellent speakers – with a strong program still to come including the Press
Club Awards on 26 November. The talks were now available on the web. There was also
consideration of conducting an election debate prior to the next state election. Megan
noted that the Sunday Mail provided a huge coverage of the state election and indicated
that students would be welcome to fill roles in that coverage.
ACTION:
Kerry to follow-up about the Press Club with relevant School staff.
Susan suggested that students might be able to participate in Emergency Services
broadcast activities.
ACTION:
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Susan to forward Emergency Service broadcast details to Kerry.
Lia advised of an alarming decline in the numbers of high school students continuing with
languages other than English in the senior years as a consequence of the crowded
curriculum in the new SACE. Tony clarified that the problem was in the reduction of
choice from five to four subjects in the new SACE. Lia was concerned that there would be
a flow-on with reduced numbers taking languages at university; however, there could also
be opportunity to increase the number of students commencing languages at university.
Elizabeth emphasised the broad value obtained through learning a second language. She
noted that second language skills were increasingly important in participation in global
citizenship. Elizabeth explained that her role in DP&C international initiatives was to
identify strategic options and maximize the benefits of existing relationships.
6. New business
6.1 School Plan
Kerry advised that the School Plan was currently in draft and that he would summarise its
key features and undertook to distribute it to members once finalised. He noted that the
School was in a sound financial position, but was in the process of withdrawing from its
transnational operations (a University strategic decision) which were profitable – and
would reduce the School’s income. The key element of the plan was to replace the
transnational income by building the School’s research income. This would not be an
easy task as the humanities and creative industries attract small levels of funding
compared with the sciences and engineering for example. It is anticipated that it will take
some time before the School will return to a strong financial position. Never-the-less, the
School has a concerted plan to build and support research development. The strongest
area of research productivity is the Research Centre for Languages and Cultures,
however, most of its funding has been won through consultancies rather than the
academic recognised ARC grants. The School will provide better support for RCLC to
engage in attracting ARC grants. The School has also identified the following areas for
growth and additional support for research development:
 Cultural Studies
 Journalism and Ethics
 Politics
 Other Humanities
6.2 STEP2010 projects
The University is providing funding for schools to build experiential learning in to their
programs. The School has had 10 projects approved for funding to the value of around
$1.2 million. Two projects will focus on International Studies to combine experiential
learning with research skill development from the first year. A Language multimedia facility
will be built to provide for example, video skype capabilities for language students. One
project is aimed at eliminating the distinction between print, radio and TV journalism.
Another project is intended to fast-track the development of student capacity in the
Communication programs. A consultant from Renslow University will conduct an
investigation of the School’s core courses and the approach to maximize the experiential
learning component. The School will also build on its service learning activities such as the
Northern Light project.
The meeting closed at 5:45pm
7. Next meeting
The next meeting will be in 2010 – to be advised.
JKE/