Course description
Program Requirements
First Year
Candidates admitted to the first year of the Master of Journalism program must complete the following courses before proceeding to the second year of study:
* JOUR 5000
* JOUR 5200
* JOUR 5202
* JOUR 5208
* JOUR 5401
* JOUR 5706
* 1.0 credit of approved electives
First year M.J. candidates may be considered for advanced standing in certain of the above-required courses, but in such cases will be required to replace waived courses with approved options.
Second Year
Credits will be determined according to the stream pursued:
Specialized Print Reporting
* JOUR 5208
* JOUR 5508
* JOUR 5700
* JOUR 5704
* JOUR 5705
* JOUR 5908
* 1.0 credit of approved electives in the student's area of specialization
Note: under special circumstances, and with the School's approval, a student could replace JOUR 5706, 5908 and 0.5 credit of approved electives above with a 2.0 credit M.J. Thesis, JOUR 5909.
Broadcast Journalism
* JOUR 5208
* JOUR 5508
* JOUR 5702
* JOUR 5707
* JOUR 5708
* JOUR 5908
* 1.0 credit of approved electives in the student's area of specialization.
Note: Under special circumstances, and with the School's approval, a student could replace JOUR 5706, 5908 and 0.5 credit approved electives above with a 2.0-credit thesis, JOUR 5909.
Journalism Studies
* JOUR 5000 (if admitted directly to second year). Students admitted to the two-year program will complete JOUR 5000 in the first year of studies and an approved replacement option in the second year.
* JOUR 5500
* JOUR 5909
* 2.0 credits related to the study of the media, chosen in consultation with the Supervisor of Graduate Studies.
JOUR 5000 [0.5 credit]
Journalism and Society I
An introduction to analysis of the news media in Western society, considering classical arguments and contemporary trends in the scholarly assessment of journalism practice.
JOUR 5200 [1.0 credit]
Print Journalism Laboratory
A laboratory course in basic reporting and editing techniques, followed by application in the print media.
JOUR 5202 [1.0 credit]
Broadcast Journalism Laboratory
A laboratory course in reporting and editing in the broadcast media.
JOUR 5206 [0.5 credit]
Reporting Methods
Topics covered will range from interviewing and observation skills to conducting a title search, lodging an access to information request and interpreting data.
JOUR 5208 [0.5 credit]
Public Affairs Reporting
A course devoted to understanding selected political, economic and social issues, and to analytical reporting on timely issues under professional conditions.
JOUR 5305 [0.5 credit]
Perspectives on Modern Society
A seminar course examining texts from the social sciences, philosophy, literature, and journalism for the contribution they make to an understanding of issues facing modern industrial society.
JOUR 5401 [0.5 credit]
Journalism Law
This course prepares journalists to function comfortably within the legal and ethical guidelines governing their occupation. Topics include: contempt of court; free press, fair trial; revealing of sources; civil defamation; obscenity; privacy; government secrecy.
JOUR 5706 [0.5 credit]
Professional Practices
Students examine current journalism practices in a critical and analytical way, and explore ways of producing thorough and investigative journalism. Guest speakers share their expertise and skills.
JOUR 5208 [0.5 credit]
Public Affairs Reporting
A course devoted to understanding selected political, economic and social issues, and to analytical reporting on timely issues under professional conditions.
JOUR 5500 [0.5 credit]
Journalism and Society II
A critical examination of the conduct of the news media, exploring the social, political and economic contexts in which the media work and assessing the consequences of journalism practice for contemporary society.
Prerequisite: JOUR 5000 or permission of the School.
JOUR 5508 [0.5 credit]
Professional Practices: Specialized Media
A workshop course designed to give students instruction in specialized areas such as radio documentary, video documentary, film documentary, editing, magazine writing, photojournalism. Not all specialties will be offered each year. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 4208 for which additional credit is precluded.
JOUR 5700 [1.0 credit]
Print Journalism
Students will explore and apply advanced journalistic principles and practices through a combination of readings, discussion and reporting in specific areas.
JOUR 5702 [1.0 credit]
Broadcast Journalism
A seminar combining critical analysis of television journalism and practical skill development in television reporting, writing and production.
JOUR 5704 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Reporting (Print)
Designed to enhance reporting and editing skills through the production of a community newspaper, Centretown News.
Preluces additional credit for JOUR 5701 [1.0] (no longer offered).
JOUR 5705 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Reporting (Online Publishing)
Designed to enhance reporting and editing skills through the production of online publications such as Capital News Online.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 5701 [1.0] (no longer offered).
JOUR 5707 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Reporting (Radio)
Enhances radio reporting and production skills to include news features and mini-documentaries, preparation and presentation of public affairs programs, and multimedia delivery.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 5703[1.0] (no longer offered).
JOUR 5708 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Reporting (Television)
Enhances television reporting and production skills to include news features and mini-documentaries, preparation and presentation of public affairs programs, and multimedia delivery.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 5703[1.0] (no longer offered).
JOUR 5800 [0.5 credit]
Survey Methods for Journalists
An examination of basic research design and data collection with emphasis on problems of interpretation.
JOUR 5808 [0.5 credit]
Directed Readings
Students, working under faculty direction, will undertake an intensive reading schedule in order to pursue a subject area of particular interest.
JOUR 5809 [0.5 credit]
Directed Research
Students, working under faculty direction, will develop and undertake a research project in order to pursue a subject area of particular interest.
JOUR 5900 [1.0 credit]
Directed Studies
Reading and research tutorials.
JOUR 5901 [0.5 credit]
Directed Studies
Reading and research tutorials.
JOUR 5908 [1.0 credit]
M.J. Research Project
The student will complete a substantial piece of public affairs journalism; or a research project on the media; or a document that makes a major contribution to journalism education. The format of the MRP will be determined by the stream of study.
JOUR 5909 [2.0 credits]
M.J. Thesis
To fulfil the requirements of this 2.0-credit thesis course, students must produce a major piece of journalistic research or complete an academic thesis in the area of journalism studies.
