Journalism (JRNL)
This is a list of the Journalism (JRNL) courses available at KPU.
Enrolment in some sections of these courses is restricted to students in particular programs. See the Course Planner - kpu.ca/registration/timetables - for current information about individual courses.
For information about transfer of credit amongst institutions in B.C. and to see how individual courses transfer, go to the BC Transfer Guide bctransferguide.ca
JRNL 11603 Credits
Introduction to Journalism
Students will explore how journalism fits in a media landscape that includes both traditional mainstream news sources and alternative information sources such as social networking, YouTube, Twitter and blogs. They will also explore reporting by citizen journalists. Students will explore the ramifications of economic and technological change in the industry. They will also study its impact on journalists and journalism, citizens, human rights, community and democracy.
Prerequisites: A grade of 'B' in English 12 (or equivalent)
JRNL 12203 Credits
Citizen Journalism
Students will explore the role of citizen journalism in the dissemination of information. They will explore the investigative techniques commonly employed by professional journalists, including but not limited to court searches and Freedom of Information requests. They will learn how to use many of these techniques to find information important to themselves and their communities. They will discover how tools such as blogging, social networking and search engine optimization can be used to share this information with the larger community. They will learn how to write clearly and concisely. Students will also explore how media law affects citizen journalism, and vice versa.
JRNL 21203 Credits
Storytelling 1
Students will explore journalistic and other non-fiction storytelling, with an emphasis on the different writing styles and conventions of such genres as narrative, documentary, online, print and broadcast media. Students will analyze a range of non-fiction storytelling and reporting, explore the importance of audience, and create works in a variety of styles.
Prerequisites: JRNL 1160
JRNL 21403 Credits
Introduction to News: How We Inform Ourselves
Students will explore the evolving concept of news and related issues of how a civil society informs itself, through examining the professionalization of the media, the development of objectivity and changes in the late stages of a mass media culture. Students will examine questions such as: What is news? Is objectivity possible? What is the difference in how news is covered and presented by different media operations? What are the effects of citizen journalism, "corporatization" and other ownership models of the media? What is the impact of wide-scale cultural disruption on news coverage?
Prerequisites: JRNL 1160
JRNL 22303 Credits
Multimedia Storytelling
Students will explore the types of multimedia journalism and other non-fiction storytelling made possible by inexpensive hardware and software tools, and the ability to easily publish on the Internet. They will explore the role of audio, video and interactivity in creating rich, immersive stories, through profiles, event coverage, journalistic storytelling and other modes. Students will learn storytelling skills and the technical skills (both hardware and software) needed to create effective stories of their own.
Prerequisites: JRNL 1160
JRNL 22403 Credits
Beyond the News
Students will examine what is happening in media areas beyond news, including, but not limited to, health and science, education, sports, entertainment, fashion and lifestyles, and opinion writing. Students will explore the evolving mediascape, which includes traditional media and new-media competitors, and examine differences in writing styles and presentation. They will examine the potential for accessing and providing in-depth information in specialist and niche areas, analyze non-news publications, and develop and publish traditional or non-traditional information projects in their own areas of interest.
Prerequisites: JRNL 1160
JRNL 22503 Credits
Politics and Journalism
Students will explore the relationship between journalism and politics, investigate the role of journalism as a public watchdog, and learn about the historical and current practice of journalism as it impacts public policy. They will examine a range of political coverage including: journalistic coverage of politics in the form of multimedia news stories, opinion pieces, editorials and blogs, and strategic use of political communication by governments and political parties.
Prerequisites: JRNL 1160
JRNL 31553 Credits
Storytelling 2: Reporting
Students will learn the essential skills of reporting, including conducting interviews; writing different types of stories; establishing connections with reliable sources; finding stories; and writing stories for a variety of media platforms. They will examine the differences between news writing and that of feature, column, blog and editorial writing. Students will critique news coverage of local, national and international events and develop the ability to recognize and write a newsworthy story. Notes: Students are required to have a digital audio recorder and hand-held microphone for this course. Specifications will be provided by the department. This course may include mandatory field trips.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including ENGL 1100, JRNL 1220, JRNL 2120 and JRNL 2230.
JRNL 31603 Credits
Photojournalism
Students will learn still and video photojournalism basics for print and online publication. They will explore the differences between photojournalism and other types of photography. They will gain practical experience while photographing and/or video-recording subjects in a variety of lighting conditions and locations requiring different techniques. Students will learn basic video-editing, principles of photo layout and use of photojournalism software such as Adobe Photoshop and Soundslides. Note: Students are required to have a digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera for this course. Specifications will be provided by the department.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including JRNL 1160.
JRNL 31703 Credits
Storytelling 3: Narrative Nonfiction
Students will explore the world of narrative nonfiction, which marries strong journalism and narrative storytelling. They will learn advanced nonfiction writing techniques and how the nonfiction-publishing industry functions, both online and in print. They will analyze published work, including but not limited to magazine articles, books, memoirs and personal essays. They will learn the art of narrative nonfiction and develop their "voices" as writers.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including ENGL 1100, JRNL 1220, JRNL 2120, and JRNL 2230.
JRNL 31803 Credits
Sports Journalism
Students will explore the full range of sports journalism, analyzing how sports reporters operate across the platforms of print, broadcast, online and social media. They will examine and create a wide range of sports journalism, including but not limited to game coverage and features, sports beat coverage, long-form sports storytelling and in-depth sports packages using text, images, video and interactivity. Students will also analyze the history, contemporary issues and ethics of sports journalism.
Prerequisites: JRNL 1220, JRNL 2120 and JRNL 2230.
JRNL 32603 Credits
Media Economics and Entrepreneurial Journalism
Students will explore the economics of existing and emerging media. They will also explore the implications and opportunities for journalists working in traditional and new media. They will learn skills, techniques and technologies needed for developing a professional reputation and personal brand. Students will learn the organizational, business and personal skills needed for freelance employment, and for leading or working as a team member with media start-up companies.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including ENGL 1100, JRNL 1220, JRNL 2120, and JRNL 2230.
JRNL 32703 Credits
Advanced Photojournalism
Students will expand their photojournalism skills in the use of professional-standard cameras to produce and publish photographs and videos. They will explore the legal and ethical aspects of photojournalism and consider the role of photojournalism in public discourse. They will learn how to control lighting and other variables in various locations. Students will learn and apply advanced techniques in such photojournalism software as Adobe Photoshop and programs for video-editing and combining still photographs and audio for online publication. They will produce a portfolio of their work and learn about freelancing as a photojournalist. Note: Students are required to have a digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera for this course. Specifications will be provided by the department.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including JRNL 2230 and JRNL 3160.
JRNL 41413 Credits
Work Experience
Students will work for 120 hours, or equivalent, as journalists in one or more media businesses or organizations. They will further their personal and professional development, integrating knowledge and skills acquired from the Journalism curriculum in the context of their practical experience. They will investigate potential job markets through the work-experience placements they choose, such as freelance work, job shadowing and fixed-term placements. They will develop their journalistic skills in areas of interest to build contacts and create networks that will help them in their careers. Notes: Placements must be approved by the department. Students must be registered in the Bachelor of Journalism and have a minimum GPA of 3.3. Equivalency to 120 hours is determined by the department based on work produced in a project-based placement or placements.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including JRNL 3155 and JRNL 3160.
JRNL 41653 Credits
(Formerly
JRNL 4160)
Data Visualization
Students will learn how to use data visualization techniques to present information in interesting and compelling ways, including interactive maps and graphics. They will explore the principles of data visualization, learn the strengths and weaknesses of various chart types, and create charts that convey information as clearly as possible. They will learn how to use spreadsheets to find interesting patterns in their data and how to turn that data into engaging online tools. They will also learn how to obtain raw data from open-data portals and other sources.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher.
Attributes: QUAN
JRNL 41903 Credits
Directed Study Honours I - Research
Students working under the supervision of a faculty member will identify a topic for their honours thesis and undertake a research program that includes an extensive reading list developed by the student and faculty supervisor. They will design an outline for their thesis project.
Prerequisites: JRNL 3200
JRNL 42403 Credits
(Formerly
JRNL 3120)
Social Issues Journalism
Students will explore the history and practice of social-issues journalism, a long-established branch of reporting that ranges from the work of early social commentators such as Charles Dickens to today's investigative reporters. They will analyze social-issues journalism, which combines feature narrative writing, investigative reporting, and an invitation to change that goes beyond standard journalism. They will explore the ethics and traditions of social-issues journalism from the perspective of the public interest. They will be expected to be aware of political and social issues in their own communities. Students will compare journalistic and academic-writing styles and write a social-issues journalism feature on a specific social issue, or an academic essay about social-issues journalism for their final project. Note: Students who wish to write a journalistic narrative feature, rather than an academic essay, are advised to take JRNL 3155 prior to attempting this course, as the narrative project requires at least a basic understanding of journalism-specific writing skills and formats. However, all students have the option of writing an academic paper instead.
Prerequisites: 60 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including ENGL 1100 and JRNL 3155.
JRNL 42503 Credits
Politics and Journalism 2
Students will critique and generate political stories at the local, regional, provincial and federal levels, using a variety of information sources. They will learn how to access documents and individuals as sources of information, and how to evaluate and select information for use in news stories. They will consider the watchdog role of political reporting in a democracy, and will examine interactions among journalists, politicians, bureaucrats and non-governmental organizations and lobby groups with diverse interests, from Greenpeace to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Note: This course may include mandatory field trips.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including ENGL 1100, JRNL 3155, and POLI 1120.
JRNL 42603 Credits
Coding for Storytelling: Apps and More for Journalists
Students will be exposed to and work in a number of programming and scripting languages (including, but not limited to HTML, CSS and JavaScript) and programs that are used to create visually rich, interactive apps, websites and webpages. They will apply a range of skills to create and publish interactives, and to design, develop and deploy apps. Note: This is a hands-on course, which requires basic computer literacy; previous knowledge of computer and website programming is not required.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including JRNL 1220, JRNL 2120 and JRNL 2230.
JRNL 42703 Credits
Advanced Storytelling
Students will work as a newsroom team during the semester to report and produce stories for a single-theme on-line publication (a story package). Students will develop the initial concept and identify stories using the full-range of storytelling methods (narrative text, visualized data, video, audio, photography, etc.). They will also learn or deepen skills in storytelling, website design and interactivity. They will produce a final project that will be a rich and interactive website on the assigned topic. Note: Students are required to have a digital SLR camera and digital audio recorder for this course. Specifications will be provided by the department.
Prerequisites: 60 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including ENGL 1100 and JRNL 3155.
JRNL 42903 Credits
Honours Thesis
Students working under the supervision of a faculty member will write an honours thesis based on the research and outline completed in Journalism 4190. Students will engage in an extensive process of draft-writing and revisions to produce the final thesis.
Prerequisites: JRNL 4190
JRNL 42953 Credits
Journalism Honours Seminar
Students will explore contemporary mass communication and journalism issues and research strategies. They will examine advanced methodological approaches to mass communications and journalism research though critical evaluation and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of research methods. This course is mandatory for those students registered in the Bachelor of Applied Journalism Honours Degree.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Bachelor of Applied Journalism