JRNL 235
3 credits
Introduction to Journalism in Canada
Prerequisite(s): None.
Journalists inform us about events and issues from around the world. But what factors determine their choice of stories to cover and the perspectives that they bring to these stories? This course takes a critical look at the role of the journalist in Canadian society.
Note: This course is offered as JRNL 235 and MACS 235. Students may take only one of these for credit.
JRNL 300
3 credits
Introduction to the Practice of Journalism
Prerequisite(s): One of the following: CMNS 125, CMNS 155, CMNS 175, or ENGL 105.
This course covers the fundamentals of news writing and reporting as demanded by newsrooms across all forms of media. The course is writing intensive and requires outside journalistic investigation including interviewing and basic fact gathering. A wide variety of forms will be explored, from image selection, headline, lead, and caption writing to articles based on the coverage of news events. Students will also practice writing feature stories as well as assessing local reactions to national events and issues.
Note: This course is offered as CMNS 300 and JRNL 300. Students may take only one of these for credit.
JRNL 301
3 credits
Multimedia Journalism
Prerequisite(s): CMNS 300/JRNL 300 or 45 university-level credits including one of CMNS 125, CMNS 155, CMNS 175, or ENGL 105.
Note: As of September 2021, prerequisites will change to the following: CMNS 300/JRNL 300 and one of CMNS 126, VA 119, VA 160, VA 180, FILM 260, or GD 281.
Note: Students who have taken MACS 235 or ENGL 215, or have experience in journalistic writing, can request instructor approval.
Students will apply foundational skills of researching, interviewing, and writing to the three most common digital reporting formats – photography, videography and sound. The course emphasizes adapting the tools and capabilities of digital technologies to produce examples of professionally crafted journalistic storytelling.
This course is offered as CMNS 301 and JRNL 301. Students may take only one of these for credit.
JRNL 365
3 credits
Documentary Video Storytelling
Prerequisite(s): 15 credits of university-level arts courses. It is also recommended that students have FILM 110 or FILM 120 and one of the following: VA 160, VA 165/ENGL 165, VA 170, or VA 272. Alternatively, students should have some other experience of working with film or video production.
This course offers students knowledge of key concepts and practical skills in documentary storytelling for digital video. Students will develop a short documentary video (of approximately ten minutes in length) from the proposal/treatment stage through pre-production, production, and post-production. Students will be introduced to the work of Canadian filmmakers, who have long been considered leaders in the documentary genre.
Note: This course is offered as VA 365, FILM 365, and JRNL 365. Students may take only one of these for credit.
JRNL 369
4 credits
Media Law and Ethics
Prerequisite(s): 45 university-level credits, including three credits of CMNS, JRNL, or MACS.
Knowledge of moral and legal issues can assist media professionals in their everyday activities. Indeed, ethical values like fairness, respect, and truthfulness can guide them in their decision-making. Moreover, familiarity with the law as it applies to copyright, defamation, and other areas can help them assess the limits of what they can do.
Note: This course is offered as JRNL 369 and MACS 369. Students may take only one of these for credit.
JRNL 373
4 credits
Creative Writing: Advanced Creative Non-Fiction
Prerequisite(s): Two 200-level English courses (ENGL 215 recommended), or any two of the following: 200-level English course (ENGL 215 recommended), CMNS 251, or CMNS 300/JRNL 300.
In this advanced writing-intensive course, students study and write creative non-fiction. This interdisciplinary, often first-person, style of reportage can be usefully applied in books, journal articles, scripts, and online media.
Note: This course is offered as ENGL 373 and JRNL 373. Students may take only one of these for credit.
