CLICK HERE FOR COURSES OFFERED IN 06-07

N.B. Not all of these courses are offered in each year.
Please consult the Program Chair for details.

Jour 201-3
Studies in Journalism (3,0,0)
Journalism 201 is a variable content course offering an introduction to topics in contemporary journalism studies: social and political issues in Canadian journalism, journalism and film, journalism and media studies, journalism and the new media
Prerequisite: Second year standing.

Jour 305-3
Introduction to the Media and Journalism in Canada (2,1,0)
This course is a critical introduction to the history and operation of the media in Canada, with emphasis on the development of journalism as part of many of these organizations' stock in trade. It is designed to familiarize students with basic media theory and the structure, history and general operations of the media institutions in Canada.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 311-3
Layout and pagination (1,3,0)
Newspapers have evolved into stimulating graphic packages that grab readers quickly in a world where different kinds of media are competing for attention. This course covers the basics in how newspapers do that through page design, and prepares students with the technical knowledge of computers and computer programs to work on publications.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 320-3
Skills and Techniques of Journalism (2,0,2)
This course focusses on developing the writing and editing skills involved in newspaper writing. It also familiarizes students with the problems of working for a newspaper - such as dealing with technical or controversial information under deadline pressure, the dangers of libel and other aspects of media law, and issues of ethics and personal responsibility.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

JOUR 331-3
Introduction to Writing and Editing (2, 2, 0)
This course takes the student from a thorough review of grammar to the introduction of basic techniques of writing, revising and copy-editing. Students receive extensive technical instruction in the context of their own writing (rather than in the more traditional context of grammar tests). Students in JOUR 331 also do a lot of free-writing and timed-writing exercises. Finally, the course offers a solid introduction to and practice in professional copy-editing and Canadian Press style; students will work with traditional editing symbols on hard copy before tackling the kind of on-screen editing they would be expected to do on the job.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 340-3
National and International Media (2,1,0)
This course is concerned with the global geopolitics of news production, distribution and consumption. It focusses on international patterns of news flow and the "cultural" context of news production and consumption. It examines the relationships and dependencies that Canadian media have at the local, regional, national and international levels, and considers the escalating role that trade agreements are playing in the structure and character of media markets.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 350-3
The News and Media Business (2,1,0)
This course helps prepare students for employment by providing a detailed overview of the structure and operation of newspaper and other relevant media organizations. It covers a wide range of topics concerning media operations, such as the allocation of resources; different types of revenue; the imperatives of revenue generation; competition from other media; and advertising pricing, layout and copy.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 399-3
Directed Study: Internship (0,3,0)
Journalism Internship Studies provides guided support for those Journalism students engaged in 12-week internships. Working with an instructor, students will complete assignments designed to support the internship experience.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 410-3
Online Journalism (2,2,0)
This course focuses on the production of an online newspaper. Students will refine their writing, reporting, and editing skills by developing news and features for publication on the World Wide Web. They will acquire basic HTML coding skills and become familiar with web editing and design programs by producing the online newspaper and a personal web page. Emerging issues in online journalism will be examined and discussed. Students will work on advanced applications in editing, layout and web publishing software.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 411-3
Issues in Journalism: A Case Studies Approach (2,1,0)
In this course, students learn about journalism decision-making by studying real life incidents involving journalists on the job. The case-study method allows students to consider the complexity of the challenges facing journalists as they deal on a daily basis with questions involving ethics, reporting and interviewing techniques, sourcing, bias and objectivity, news cycles, societal and personal assumptions, and changing technology – all while operating under deadline in a competitive and often stressful environment.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 412-3
Newspaper Production (2,0,2)
Through having students publish a newspaper, this course builds on the skills and techniques developed in Journalism 320 and 311. Students will gain experience with story assignment and line-up, story and photo placement, ad placement, the roles of different editors and reporters, editing and layout. Generally, students will work in a newsroom environment and they will be involved in all facets of producing these papers.
Prerequisite: Jour 311or permission of instructor

Jour 415-3
Writing About Science and Nature (2,1,0)
This course reviews some of the basic concepts and principles involved in reporting on scientific and environmental media issues. Through a series of case studies located at the local, regional, and national levels, it considers some of the problems faced by journalists in defining the dimensions of scientific and environmental issues and developing and assessing scientific evidence.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 420-3
Beat Reporting (2,2,0)
Working in the context of the program's newspapers, students will explore and experiment with a number of different specialized types of writing, editing and reporting, covering beats such as politics, arts and culture, business and economics, justice and sports. The exact nature of the material covered will vary with student interest and the availability of instruction. Students may take up to four different 420 Beat Reporting courses.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 421-3
Freelance Writing (2,2,0)
This course will proceed as an intensive workshop in freelance writing, focused on the researching, writing and selling of freelance articles. Limited class size will allow students to zero in on special interests and special problems. Students will be required to submit (and where necessary, revise and re-submit) their work for publication. They will be encouraged to keep a writing log and to treat the course as a kind of self-directed study with a collaborative edge. The point of the course is twofold: to refine and strengthen the individual’s sense of writing self (especially in order to facilitate the charting of a freelance career) and to provide a solid introduction to the business of professional freelance writing.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 430-3
Advanced Editing (2,2,0)
This course provides a brief review of grammar, basic copy-editing and Canadian Press style (as per its prerequisite, JOUR 331), and then proceeds to its major focus on substantive editing. Students in JOUR 430 will continue to practise their copy-editing skills while they acquire the more complex abilities of the substantive editor, including especially the ability to anticipate problems of accuracy, taste and community standards, and troubleshoot for legal and ethical problems. The course also offers tips on how to rid copy of clutter, recognize and rescue a buried lead, and lure readers into a story with a novel angle or an irresistible lead.
Prerequisite: Jour 331 or permission of the instructor

Jour 431-3
Literary Journalism in Canada: Studies in Creative Non-Fiction (2,1,0)
This course provides a topical introduction to literary journalism in Canada through a survey of some of the recent best in the genre, from selections including those anthologized in four volumes published by the Banff Centre for the Arts program in literary journalism. Through close reading and analysis of selected works from these texts, the course aims to enlarge the student’s appreciation for the craft of journalism and for the range of literature beyond daily reportage that the craft accommodates.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 451-3
Photojournalism (2,2,0)
Newspapers, magazines and web publications depend on the special talents of photojournalists to provide unusual and striking images in difficult conditions under deadline pressure. This course develops the practical working skills of planning and taking the different types of photos needed for these publications and explores theoretical issues of ethics and privacy in press photography. The course looks at the day-to-day routines and life of a staff photojournalist and at opportunities for freelancing photos.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 452-3
Research Methods (2,1,0)
This course reviews a variety of research methods and techniques commonly used by journalists and other media and communication professionals.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 453-3 (2,2,0)
Organizational Communications
This course examines the theory and practice of organizational communications. It includes an overview of different models of organizational communication and management, a review of common problems and dilemmas in this field, and consideration of different types of internal publications.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 454-3 (2,2,0)
Magazine Writing & Production
Working as a team, students will produce an online community magazine.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 455-3
Media and Public Relations (2,1,0)
This course develops some of the key skills and techniques used in the field of media and public relations such as: how to prepare and distribute press releases and media kits; how to arrange press conferences and media events; and "media coaching" organizational spokespersons.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 458-3
Alternative Media (2,1,0)
This course examines the history and development of alternative media and alternative forms of media ownership. Some of the different kinds of media considered will be state or publicly owned media, not-for-private profit community media, advocacy media outlets, and electronic media forms such as 'zines.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 459-3
The Outlaw Journalists (2,1,0)
This course will examine the life and writing of modern journalists like Hunter S. Thompson, Edward Abbey, Michael Moore, P.J. O’Rourke, Emily Murphy (Janey Canuck), Nellie Bly, Abbie Hoffman, Eldridge Cleaver, and Paul Rimstead. It will also examine style and technique in breaking conventions. Students will develop a critical understanding of this area of writing and produce work of their own in this vein. The course will also examine the role of the image of the outlaw in popular culture through films like Cool Hand Luke and the TV series The Sopranos.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 470-3
Media Law and Media Ethics (2,1,0)
This course provides an overview of the legal and ethical situations and circumstances that commonly confront journalists and other media professionals. Some of the topics covered will be libel, contempt of court, freedom of information and privacy legislation, copyright, confidentiality, protection of sources and the use of "off the record" remarks.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Jour 490-3
Special Topics in Journalism

Jour 495-3
Directed Study (3,0,0)
With the permission of the Program Chair, and under the supervision of a faculty member, students may be allowed to undertake directed study in an area of special interest. Generally, there will be 1 to 3 students enrolled: the instructor will provide a syllabus and a set of assignments on the agreed upon material. Course topics must be approved by the Program Chair and the Dean.
Prerequisite: Entry into journalism program or permission of instructor

Journalism Programs