ObjectivesThe first year of the Journalism-Broadcast program allows students to develop skills that stretch across all news media. The main emphasis is on the fundamentals of reporting: research and interviewing, journalism law and ethics and the basics of news writing are the primary focus. Students also take an excellent course in photo journalism, teaching the basics of photography.
Practical experienceIn second year, students of the Journalism-Broadcast program bring together all their first-year skills in broadcast performance, technical operations and news writing to produce a variety of radio and TV news reports. Students serve as reporters for the college's fully-functioning radio station, CJIQ 88.3 FM (the largest college radio station in Canada) and their pre-recorded stories are broadcast daily. The station also provides the perfect platform for live reporting, news anchoring and show hosting.
Academic titleJournalism - Broadcast Ontario College Diploma
Course descriptionLevel One
COMM1030 Interpersonal And Group Dynamics
Description: In this introductory level course, students learn to apply knowledge from interpersonal relations and group dynamics to working in a team. Emphasis will be placed on utilizing effective communication skills with individuals and groups. Group cohesiveness and group decision-making will be discussed.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
COMP1040 Desktop Publishing
Description: In this course students are introduced to a desktop publishing program as it applies to the design and pagination of publications. Students expand their knowledge of the terminology, practices and techniques of newspaper and magazine layout.
Hours: 30
Credits: 2
JRN1120 Broadcast Technology
Description: Students are introduced to the tools and technologies used by radio and TV reporters including audio recording devices, video cameras, and digital editing suites for audio and video. Students are asked to demonstrate their technical skills through the production of basic radio and television news reports.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
JRN1130 Research and Interviewing
Description: The first half of this course introduces students to the concepts of generating sources for stories, developing research strategies and conducting research using live, primary and secondary document sources, electronic databases and the Internet.
In the second half of the course students apply their research skills to the planning and execution of successful interviews. Proper interviewing techniques for print, radio and television news stories are examined.
Hours: 60
Credits: 4
JRN1200 Newswriting I
Description: This is an introductory course in news writing. It covers the practical application of the fundamentals of news writing and introduces the student to a range of simple news stories.
Hours: 120
Credits: 8
JRN1240 Journalism Law and Ethics
Description: This is an introductory course about law and ethics as they pertain to journalism. It covers the principles and practices of journalism, as well as the legal restrictions that apply to the profession.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
Level Two
JRN1070 Newswriting II
Description: Students are introduced to multi-source and more complex hard news stories.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: JRN1020 or JRN1200
JRN1080 Broadcast Newswriting
Description: In one half of the course students develop practical skills in the basics of radio newswriting. Students are introduced to Broadcast News (BN) writing style and conventions. Students learn to write all types of radio news stories including wraps, actualities, and straight reads.
In the other half of the course students continue to hone their use of Broadcast News (BN) writing style and conventions as they learn to write all types of TV news stories including voice-overs, voice-over to clips, and packages. Students learn to write to visuals.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: JRN1020 or JRN1200
JRN1090 Digital Prepress
Description: A continuation of Desktop Publishing, this is a practical course in computerized design and pagination of publications. It incorporates desktop skills and techniques that will be applied in other courses in the program design.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: COMP1040
JRN1100 Court and Council Reporting
Description: This course teaches students about the structure and workings of municipal government bodies and the legal system in Canada. Students are required to attend sessions of court and municipal meetings and write news reports on the proceedings.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
JRN1110 Broadcast Performance
Description: Students begin the course learning techniques to improve their on-air speaking style. Following instruction on vocal delivery, students receive training in on-camera delivery. Specifically, students are required to perform pre-recorded "stand-ups," live reports, and live interviews.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
PHOT1100 News Photography
Description: This course is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to operate a digital camera and flash. Students will be provided with basic photojournalism skills, as well as photographic imaging.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
Level Three
JRN2100 Careers In Journalism
Description: This series of workshops prepares the student for a career in journalism by introducing the professional attitudes and behaviour that are appropriate in a newsroom setting. Students will learn interpersonal, communication, conflict resolution and problem solving skills as well as stress management techniques. They will create a professional portfolio to complement their cover letters and resumes. They will prepare to present themselves effectively during job interviews. They will also shadow professional journalists on the job.
Hours: 30
Credits: 2
JRN2110 Television News Reporting and Production
Description: Students are responsible for the creation of advanced television news reports. Specifically, students will generate story ideas, research topics, schedule and conduct interviews, write news scripts and do all necessary video camera shooting and digital video editing. Students are expected to go off campus to pursue stories that will be of interest to those outside the college community.
Hours: 105
Credits: 7
Pre-Requisites: JRN1070
JRN2120 Radio News Reporting and Production
Description: Students are responsible for the creation of advanced radio news reports. Specifically, students will generate story ideas, research topics, schedule and conduct interviews, write news scripts and do all necessary audio recording and digital editing. Covering stories on and off campus, students will create a variety of story types including wraps, actualities, straight reads and live hits. Students' reports will air on the college's FM radio station; students will serve as the station's news anchors.
Hours: 105
Credits: 7
Pre-Requisites: JRN1070
LIBS1180 Issues In World Affairs
Description: This course is a study of the structures and framework around emerging forces in international relations. It is designed to increase the student's understanding of the political, economic, and social issues which constitute the 'new world order'.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
Level Four
JRN2130 Business and Economics in the News
Description: This course exposes students to key business and economic terms and concepts. Students are shown how to apply these terms and concepts to the writing of business and economic news stories.
Hours: 30
Credits: 2
JRN2140 Television Newsroom
Description: A continuation of Television Reporting and Production, in this course special attention is given to developing students' skills as Videographers. Students are also given the opportunity to produce a news program that is broadcast internally or on the internet. While producing the news program, students try their hand at various news management positions including that of anchor, line-up editor, and assignment editor.
Hours: 75
Credits: 5
Pre-Requisites: JRN2110
JRN2150 Radio Newsroom
Description: A continuation of Radio Reporting and Production, in this course, students acquire additional experience as reporters and news anchors for the college FM-radio station. Working under the direction of faculty, students will write and deliver radio news, write and produce live and pre-recorded interviews, apply production skills and operate broadcast equipment to produce radio news and current affairs programs.
Hours: 75
Credits: 5
Pre-Requisites: JRN2120
JRN2210 Work Placement
Description: This course provides an opportunity for students to apply their journalism knowledge and skills in an off-campus work situation.
With the help and direction of faculty, students must arrange their own work situation experience. The work-term venue must be approved by the faculty member in charge of work terms prior to the student beginning the placement. The student is also responsible for obtaining from the faculty member evaluation forms which must be completed by the student's work placement supervisor.
The norm for the placement is at least 80 hours to be completed in the student's final year. Students can arrange placements to take place after school, on weekends, during the Christmas break and during the February reading week. A one-week placement will normally result in 40 hours being completed; therefore, a second week or a second placement will need to be arranged. All work placement hours must be completed by the end of the final semester of the program.
Hours: 80
Credits: 3
PRLN2040 Public Relations
Description: This course introduces the role of public relations practitioners and information officers. The student will develop an elementary proficiency in the mechanics of public relations practice as distinguished from direct news gathering and reporting.
Hours: 30
Credits: 2
Electives: General Education
Description: Student must complete a minimum of 36 Hours