School of Journalism

General

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) offers an intensive Bachelor of Journalism degree that blends theory and skill development and trains students for jobs as journalists and communication specialists. The practical side of the program focuses on writing, editing, interviewing, photography and working with new technology to produce print and online publications. The theory side of the program emphasizes ethics, media law, decision-making and critical thinking. The Degree prepares students for careers in newspapers, magazines and other news organizations or to work in the communication and media liaison departments of government agencies, corporations and non-profit and advocacy organizations. Students have the opportunity to work with professors who are experienced journalists and state of the art equipment in a program that encourages students to develop the professional and entrepreneurial skills they need to flourish in a changing media environment.

The curriculum is organized into five areas: (1) Core Courses, (2) Beat Reporting, (3) Technology and Production, (4) Critical Issues and Theory and (5) Specialized Courses.

Core Courses (1) build basic journalism skills and cover critical knowledge areas needed by all journalists and communicators; Beat Reporting courses (2) enhance deadline reporting skills and develop expertise in common areas of news coverage; Technology and Production courses (3) teach industry software and build production skills by producing publications; Critical Issues and Theory courses (4) examine problems and challenges faced in the field; and Specialized Courses (5) explore a variety of additional subjects and issues. Students accepted into the program will work out individual program plans in consultation with the Program Chair, with all students taking the core courses and choosing other courses from each of the remaining four areas according to their individual objectives. The area coverage ensures that all students will:

i) develop writing, editing, design, layout, and basic photography and desktop publishing skills;

ii) build a broad, critical understanding of the legal, political, economic and social issues and circumstances faced by media professionals;

iii) develop a critical understanding of different theories of the media and the historical roles and social purposes of different media.

The program emphasizes the relations between theory and practice and students are encouraged to develop and hone their skills through working with widely circulated hard copy and electronic publications. The program is also structured to accommodate students with a wide range of educational and practical experience, as well as provide a broad set of career and educational options for graduates.

Admission Requirements

There are two ways to enter the Bachelor of Journalism Degree Program, The Regular Program and the Post-Diploma Degree Program. Students in the degree programs may also choose the Public Relations Major option. The School of Journalism also offers a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma option for students who already have degrees.

Most students enter the Bachelor of Journalism program under the Regular Program after completing two years (60 credits) of Liberal Arts prerequisites at any college or university in British Columbia or Canada. Students who already have Bachelor degrees in other disciplines can also enter the Regular Program and earn the Bachelor of Journalism degree after completing 60 credits. Students entering the Regular Program may also choose to earn a Major in Public Relations while completing the Journalism degree.

Entry into the Post-Diploma Degree Program is designed for those who hold a journalism or similar diploma that provides a suitable foundation for the Degree.

All programs may include a paid or unpaid summer internship; in the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma Program an internship of at least 12 weeks is required for graduation. All students are encouraged to interview for summer internship positions at newspapers, magazines, government agencies and corporations. During the Fall and Winter semesters, students are encouraged to volunteer for short-term internships with local papers and other publications.
Qualified students may enter any of the programs on a part-time basis and, with the consent of the Journalism Program Chair, students from other disciplines may take journalism courses.

Most TRU Bachelor of Journalism students take a mix of Journalism and Liberal Arts courses. Students in the TRU Bachelor of Journalism (Public Relations Major) take a mix of Journalism and Business courses. These requirements reflect the value that TRU places on a broadly based education in the Humanities, the Social Sciences, Business and the Sciences.

Students applying for admission to the Bachelor of Journalism program should have their credentials reviewed by the Program Chair to ensure that they satisfy prerequisites and GPA requirements. Prospective students are required to demonstrate reasonable keyboarding skills and submit a writing sample and may be asked to complete a pre-enrolment interview. Students are also encouraged to gain volunteer experience in the field before applying to the program. Students may also be given a short writing-skills test to assess their writing ability.

The School of Journalism usually receives more applications than it has spaces available each year. Admission is competitive: Some applicants who satisfy the minimum requirements may not find a place in the program. Preference is given to those whose post-secondary studies show evidence of strong writing skills; a good understanding of Canadian history, politics and economy; strong problem solving and critical thinking abilities; good oral communication and interpersonal skills; an understanding of visual design; and a general familiarity with computers.

Program Options

BACHELOR OF JOURNALISM - THE REGULAR PROGRAM

Length: 4 semesters (60 credits after entry at Year III)

Prerequisites: Entry into the Bachelor of Journalism is available to students who have completed two years, or the equivalent of 60 credits, of pre-journalism course work at any college or university in British Columbia or in other parts of Canada.

We recommend that students planning to enter the Bachelor of Journalism program select a pre-journalism program that includes a wide range of topics, depth in Canadian content and several writing-intensive courses. In particular, we recommend at least 6 credits of English and Composition (including at least one second-year course); 6 credits of history and/or political science and a range of other courses drawn from the humanities and social sciences (Canadian studies, languages, geography, philosophy, sociology, psychology, anthropology), economics, business, math, science and visual and performing arts. For students lacking the requisite breadth of courses, or fewer than 60 credit hours, admission may be approved conditionally, but no student will be admitted with fewer than 54 hours of course work, normally drawn from a range of liberal arts disciplines. Depending upon the student's interests, other course mixes may be allowed.

Bachelor of Journalism Program - Years III and IV

Students normally take 48 credits of journalism courses and 12 liberal arts electives over a two-year period, with required journalism courses distributed as follows:

(1) 12 core course credits plus
(2) a minimum of 6 credits in beat reporting,
(3) a minimum of 6 credits in technology and production,
(4) a minimum of 6 credits in critical issues and theory and
(5) a minimum of 6 credits in specialized courses.

The remaining journalism courses and electives are selected in consultation with the Program Chair.

The following table lists courses by area. Please note: Some courses are not offered every year.

Area 1	Core Courses	Credits
JOUR 320	Journalism Skills and Techniques	3
JOUR 331	Introduction to Writing and Editing	3
JOUR 452	Research Methods	3
JOUR 470	Media Law and Ethics	3
Minimum credits in Core Courses		12

Area 2	Beat Reporting Courses	Credits
JOUR 420	Beat Reporting: Arts and Culture	3
JOUR 420	Beat Reporting: Politics	3
JOUR 420	Beat Reporting: Business and Economics	3
JOUR 420	Beat Reporting: Justice	3
JOUR 420	Beat Reporting: Sports	3
Minimum credits in Beat Reporting		6

 

Courses in Area 3	Technology and Production	Credits
JOUR 311	Layout and Pagination	3
JOUR 410	Online Journalism	3
JOUR 412	Newspaper Production	3
JOUR 451	Photojournalism	3
JOUR 454	Magazine Writing and Production	3
Minimum credits in Technology and Production		6

 

Area 4	Critical Issues and Theory	Credits
JOUR 305	Introduction to the Media and Journalism in Canada	3
JOUR 340	National and International Media	3
JOUR 350	The News Business	3
JOUR 411	Issues in Journalism: Case Studies	3
JOUR 431	Literary Journalism	3
JOUR 453	Organizational Communications	3
JOUR 458	Alternative Media	3
JOUR 459	Outlaw Journalists	3
Minimum credits in Critical Issues and Theory		6

Area 5	Specialized Courses	Credits
JOUR 415	Writing About Science and Nature	3
JOUR 421	Freelance Writing	3
JOUR 430	Advanced Editing	3
JOUR 455	Media and Public Relations	3
JOUR 459	Outlaw Journalists	3
Minimum credits in Specialized Courses		6

 

Bachelor of Journalism Program - Years III & IV - Liberal Arts Electives

In Years III and IV of the Bachelor of Journalism program, students in the Regular Program are generally required to take 12 credits in 300-400 level Liberal Arts courses (6 in Year III, 6 in Year IV). In consultation with the Journalism Program Chair, students should use these electives to either develop a particular specialty, or help fill in gaps in their general knowledge.

For instance, students seeking to enhance their writing skills may develop a concentration in courses offered through the English Department's Rhetoric and Professional Writing Option. Similarly, the Departments of Philosophy, History, Geography, Sociology and Political Science offer a number of 300 and 400 level courses that would enable students to enhance their knowledge of Canadian history, politics and social structure.

Bachelor of Journalism Program - Major in Public Relations

In Years III and IV of the Bachelor of Journalism Program (Major in Public Relations), students are required to meet the regular BJOUR program requirements but are not required to take Arts electives. Instead, students must include as part of their coursework 24 credits from the Journalism and Business programs, as outlined below.

 

Bachelor of Journalism (Public Relations Major)
Required Journalism Courses	Course Name	Credits
JOUR 455	Media and Public Relations	3
JOUR 453	Organizational Communications	3
Plus six credits selected from:
JOUR 305	Introduction to the Media and Journalism in Canada	3
JOUR 350	The News Business	3
JOUR 410	Online Journalism	3
JOUR 420	Beat Reporting: Business and Economics	3
JOUR 454	Magazine Writing and Production	3
Required Business Courses	Course Name	Credits
BBUS 303	Business in Society	3
BBUS 343	Introduction to Marketing	3
BBUS 448	Integrated Marketing Communication	3
Plus three credits selected from:
BBUS 346	International Business	3
BBUS 381	Introduction to Human Resource Management	3
BBUS 384	Industrial Relations	3
BBUS 388	Teamwork in Organizations	3

 

 It is also recommended that students intending to enrol in the Bachelor of Journalism (Public Relations Major) complete the following two courses before Year III:  

BBUS272 - Organizational Behaviour and Management

PSYC111 - Introduction to Psychology

 

BACHELOR OF JOURNALISM– POST-DIPLOMA DEGREE PROGRAM (FOR FOUNDATIONAL DIPLOMA HOLDERS)

Length: 4 semesters, (60 credits after entry at Year III)

Admission Requirements
A journalism or similar foundation diploma credited upon the approval of the Journalism Program Chair plus a writing sample.

YEAR III – POST-DIPLOMA DEGREE PROGRAM

Students in this program will take an individualized program with at least 30 journalism credits. Students in the Post-Diploma Degree Program are required to take a writing/grammar test to determine if they need JOUR 331.

A. JOURNALISM COURSES: Post-Diploma Degree Program students will generally require a minimum of 12 credits of journalism courses in Year III and a minimum of 12 credits of journalism in Year IV.

B. LIBERAL ARTS COURSES
In consultation with the Program Chair, Post-Diploma Degree Program students will ensure they have credit for the TRU courses or their equivalents described in the table below before proceeding to Year IV. Once these requirements have been met, students will also complete a minimum of nine credits of upper level Liberal Arts courses chosen in consultation with the Journalism Program Chair.

POST-DIPLOMA LIBERAL ARTS COURSES

TRU Course	Title	Credits
One of ENGL 111 ENGL 112 ENGL 114 ENGL 121	Introduction to Prose Fiction Introduction to Poetry Introduction to Drama Introduction to Drama and Poetry	3
One of HIST 112 HIST 122 POLI 111 PHIL 111	Introduction to Canadian History History of Canada, 1867 to the Present The Government and Politics of Canada Critical Thinking	3
SCIENCE	Any 1st or 2nd year Science Course	3
	Total Liberal Arts Credits Year III, Post-Diploma Degree Program	9

YEAR IV – POST-DIPLOMA DEGREE PROGRAM

A. JOURNALISM COURSES

Post-Diploma Degree Program students will complete a minimum of 12 credits of journalism courses in Year IV, selected in consultation with the Program Chair.

B. LIBERAL ARTS COURSES

Post-Diploma Degree Program students will be required to complete a minimum of nine credits of upper level Liberal Arts courses, chosen in consultation with the Journalism Program Chair.

Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Journalism

FOR DEGREE HOLDERS: THE POST-BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA IN JOURNALISM

The Post-Baccalaureate Diploma option, though not as extensive as the full Bachelor of Journalism degree program, is designed for those students who already hold a university degree and who wish to complete a concentrated professional program in one year. The School of Journalism reserves a maximum of six seats for the post-baccalaureate diploma option and thus entry is highly competitive.

Length: 2 semesters + a credit internship (33 credits)

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree with evidence of outstanding achievement in the final two years of the degree (e.g., high academic standing, strong letters of reference, etc.)
• work or volunteer experience in journalism or a related field is highly recommended
• a selection interview with program faculty
• a writing sample

Students pursuing the post-baccalaureate diploma must complete 33 credits and an internship. Each student's program will be developed in consultation with the Program Chair.
The following courses are required as core courses in the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma Program:

Course		Credit
JOUR 320	Journalism Skills and Techniques	3
JOUR 452	Research Methods	3
JOUR 470	Media Law and Ethics	3
Total Core Course Credits		9

Students in Post-Baccalaureate Diploma Program must also complete a 12-week internship (paid or unpaid) and a credit internship course, JOUR 399, to graduate. Students are responsible for finding an internship position. TRU assumes no responsibility for placing students in internship positions. Students who are unable to complete the internship component may transfer their journalism credits to the regular two-year degree program.