Journalism
Arrow indicates course will meet liberal education elective requirements for Bachelor Degrees
JRNL 1100 cr-3
Explorations in Mass Communications
This course provides a broad introduction to mass communications in Canada. It describes the key players who affect the mass media in this country, including the people who work in the mass media and the people who watch and listen to them. It also examines the role of government and business in this environment. In addition, the course discusses a variety of issues relevant to Canadian communications, such as concentration of media ownership and the dominance of American popular culture in our country.
Newspaper Writing & Editing
Students will learn to adapt their individual writing styles to meet the needs of newspaper. They will write and edit news stories in Canadian Press style and organize information in traditional newspaper story forms.
Photography for Print Media
Students will develop photographic skills and the ability to apply those skills to photjournalism. They will learn how to use and care for a 35mm single lens reflex (SLR) camera and accessories. Students will gain practical experience in the design and production of photographic images, in black and white and colour, suitable for use in journalism, displays, editorial illustration, and advertising.
Visual Design with Computers
Students will develop the skills and knowledge to produce computer-generated material for print media, using appropriate software. They will learn basic design theory, the history and application of typography and how to critically evaluate visual design elements.
Introduction to Journalism
Students will learn the fundamentals of journalism, including writing, research, reporting, newsroom operations, and the laws of libel. They will examine the differences between news writing and that of feature, column, and editorial writing. Students will critique news coverage of local, national and international events and develop the ability to recognize a newsworthy story.
Basic Photojournalism
Students will further develop their understanding of photography as it pertains to journalism. They will sharpen skills in using a 35mm camera, and producing black and white and colour images. Students will gain practical experience in photographing subjects using different lenses under a variety of lighting conditions. They will learn to apply the principles of photojournalism in conceiving and creating various types of newspaper and magazine photographs, with special attention on news, features, sports and photo stories. Students will also continue to learn negative scanning and use of Adobe Photoshop®.
Discontinued: September 2003
Computer Skills
Advanced Journalism
Students will learn different approaches to news writing and develop the ability to cover sports, business, entertainment, and lifestyles beats. They will apply critical thinking skills to the writing of columns, editorials, and reviews.
Political Reporting
Students will learn how political stories are generated from budgets, school boards, city councils, community organizations, and federal and provincial governments. They will learn how to access documents and people who are sources of information, and how to evaluate and select information for use in news stories.
Feature Writing
In this course, students learn how to write feature articles for newspapers and magazines. The student will study the process of producing ideas, selling a story, research techniques, writing and rewriting, and surviving as a free-lancer. In-class writing exercises are designed to help the student develop a feature writing style.
Newspaper Production and Editing
Students will learn how to produce a newspaper, using relevant design and photo-imaging software. They will develop and practise skills in copy editing, rewriting, proofreading, headline and cutline writing, and page design. Students will develop teamwork skills and the ability to critique their own work and the work of others.
JRNL 2301 cr-3
Media and Audiences
This course is an introduction to the study of popular culture and communication, with a focus on the nature and role of audiences. Popular culture is examined in relation to consumerism, pleasure-seeking, language and advertising, politics and the news.
Advanced Photojournalism
Students will expand their skill in the use of 35mm cameras and flash photography, and explore the basics of digital photography, with special emphasis placed on covering news and sports, feature pictures and photo stories. Students will learn to control on-location lighting, develop computer-imaging skills, and understand ethical and legal issues. They will address special topics including how to build and present a portfolio and the nature of the freelance market.
Discontinued: September 2003
Computer Skills for Journalism in a Mac Environment
Research Techniques
Students will learn how to research records at government offices, registered charities, and publicly traded companies. They will develop the skills necessary to interpret financial reports and statistical information and to do research using the Internet.
Newspaper Publication I
Students will practise the skills necessary to publish a newspaper, including writing, photography, editing, page layout, pre-press production, and distribution. They will learn the basics of Web design and writing for the Web.
JRNL 2401 cr-3
Ethics and the Media
Students will learn about moral theories and will apply them to topics such as conflicts of interest, offensive content, and stereotypes. They will critically examine current issues in the news and will explore the relationship between journalism and public relations.
The Community Newspaper
This course concentrates on the business of running a community newspaper. Students will analyze the internal and external operations of the production, management, advertising and circulation departments. The student will learn community newspaper structure and organization. Working in a team environment, they will also learn a reporters’ share of responsibility for the copy, photographic and production flow. The history of community newspapers will be discussed and analyzed and comparisons will be made with that of the daily newspaper industry.
Investigative Journalism
This is a practical course which will teach students the skills necessary to practice investigative journalism. It will focus on obtaining information from a wide variety of sources, including government and non-government organizations, individuals and others. Emphasis will be placed on interview techniques and other aspects essential to journalistic investigation.
Work Experience (Journalism)
A work experience is arranged during the fourth semester with newspapers in and out of the college area. The student will be given an opportunity to experience the daily routine used in the preparation of a newspaper. The student will spend four weeks under regular working conditions, in a work situation, performing the duties of full-time staffers. This will include the practical application of expertise acquired by students in the first-and second-year journalism courses.
Newspaper Publication II
Students will practise the skills necessary to publish a newspaper, including writing, photography, editing, page layout, pre-press production, and distribution. They will conduct news meetings and develop teamwork skills through working on a group project.
On-Line Publishing I
Students will develop and practice the skills necessary to produce the on-line version of the student newspaper “The Chronicle.” They will learn how to use a variety of production techniques, including file and Web site linking, and how to produce frequent updates on developing and/or changing stories. Students will also develop and produce “on-line only” articles.
Social Issues Journalism
Students will explore the history and practice of “social justice” journalism, a long-established branch of reporting that combines feature writing, investigative reporting, and an invitation to change that goes beyond standard journalism. They will learn about the ethics and traditions of social-issues journalism.
Prerequisites:
JRNL 1265 or permission of program co-ordinator
Writing for Magazines
Students will learn how to develop the “writer’s voice,” to integrate narrative and descriptive writing into stories, and to organize material for magazine-length, non-fiction stories. They will develop the skills necessary to rewrite magazine stories and to work with an editor.
Advanced Web Design and Writing
Students will learn both the technical demands of on-line writing and new possibilities for reporting and storytelling: balancing narrative (the writer) and exploration (the reader). They will explore the potential for linking databases to Web technology for information delivery in a project-driven course. Students will develop an on-line portfolio.
JRNL 3200 cr-3
Media and Diversity
Students will examine the media from the perspective of the diverse audience, with a specific focus on issues such as race, religion, gender and culture. They will develop the skills to report on diversity with fairness and balance.
Magazine Production
Students will develop the skills to edit, design and publish a magazine. They will learn about the relationships between the editor and writer, the editor and art director, and the editorial and departments.
On-Line Publishing II
Students will utilize their writing, research, computer, and visual design skills to develop individual on-line publishing projects.
Directed Study
Students will carry out a detailed investigation of a topic of interest relevant to journalism. The investigation will be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member with expertise in the area and will consist of readings and research. Students will be required to identify relevant sources of information and to develop a comprehensive understanding of their topic, in addition to submitting a final in-depth article or academic paper.
Daily Newspaper Publication
Students will produce and publish a daily newspaper. They will develop the skills necessary to work with a tight deadline, in a team environment, and on several stories at once. Students will practice the skills of newswriting, photography, editing, page layout, pre-press production, and distribution.
Business & Management
Students will study two aspects of management in journalism. In the first component, they will learn about management in a newsroom or other media outlet. Leadership in both the newsroom and the larger community will also be emphasized. The second component of the course will focus on how to manage a home-based business in desktop publishing, freelance writing, photography or editing, and how to develop the skill of entrepreneurship.
Advanced Research for Journalism
Students will learn techniques for computer-assisted research and use information gathered through those techniques to produce original news stories and graphics. They will study advanced Internet research methods, information analysis using spreadsheets and databases, and methodologies for designing surveys, research questionnaires, and polls.
Advanced Editing
Students will learn advanced skills related to the editor's role in a newsroom. They will practice coaching reporters on generating and shaping story ideas, improving writing techniques, and developing sidebars, visual aids and other elements to complement a story, as well as editing complex stories for accuracy, effectiveness, organization, and writing style.
Work Experience II
A work experience is arranged during the seventh semester with newspapers, magazines or online publications in and out of the college area. Students will experience the daily routine used in the preparation of a publication during a four-week industry placement where they will perform the duties of full-time staffers. Following that work experience, they will report back with an assessment.
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.
JRNL 4200 cr-3
History of Canadian Journalism
Students will learn about the history of journalism in Canada, from the first 18th century newspaper to the present-day multi-media world. They will examine both broad historic trends in Canadian journalism, such as the commercialization of the press in the 19th century and the concentration of ownership in the 20th, as well as more localized aspects, like regional differences among Ontario, Maritime, francophone and western Canadian journalism.
Prerequisites: Completion of 60 Kwantlen credits which must include (ENGL 1100 or 1110) and (any second-year level HIST course or JRNL 2301)
Journalism - Special Topics
Students will examine a current topic, conduct in-depth research, and write a major academic paper on a current topic in consultation with their instructor. They will do a peer presentation based on their research.
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.
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.
