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  Undergraduate Calendar 2015-2016
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2015-2016 Undergraduate Calendar
HOME Courses Journalism (JRN, NNS)

Journalism (JRN, NNS)
JRN 103 Introduction to Journalism
Students are introduced to foundational journalism knowledge, issues and skills. Lecture topics include news judgment, professional identity, interviewing and research techniques, sourcing and story composition. Labs focus on the core skills of text-based reporting, including: lead writing; providing verified and relevant information; integrating quotes and writing to style guides. Students identify, describe, distinguish and critique examples of journalism on various platforms.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 4 hrs.
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 104 News Reporting Techniques
Taught concurrently with Introduction to Journalism, this is an introduction to the elements that complement and sometimes lead textual news. Lectures emphasize why and how photos, audio and video work together. In tutorials, practical craft exercises in English grammar, Canadian Press style, basic photojournalism composition, and the first steps of recording and editing leading to the assembly of multimedia journalism portfolios.
Tut: 2 hrs./Lect: 1 hr.
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 105 Multimedia News Reporting
This reporting- and writing-intensive course, taught in tandem with Visualizing Facts, emphasizes the journalist?s critical role in holding governments and power to account in a democracy. Students will screen ?best in class? examples of journalism across multiple platforms and hear from practitioners. Students will learn the fundamentals of media law and ethics and practise fundamental reporting and research skills. Assignments include writing for the ear and to video, verification and sharing, and short feature writing.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 4 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 103
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 106 Visualizing Facts
Offered concurrently with Multimedia News Reporting, students will receive instruction and hands-on practice with basic numeracy and visual journalism tools for enhanced reporting and storytelling. Assignments in tutorials include spreadsheet fundamentals, mapping techniques and sourcing, analyzing and visualizing public data. Students will continue to receive guidance and feedback on their professional portfolio.
Tut: 2 hrs./Lect: 1 hr.
Prerequisites: JRN 104
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 112 Introduction to Digital Journalism
Students will learn why digital journalism has come to dominate the industry and what that means for them as journalists. The course will examine the development of social media and citizen journalism, multimedia and alternative means of storytelling in the digital news media. From a practical sense, students will place themselves in the middle of a transformation; they'll produce digital features that are prevalent and developing today, report on deadline and distribute content online and via social networks.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 4 hrs.
Prerequisites: (JRN 19B or JRN 121) and JRN 199
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 3
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JRN 123 Ethics and Law in the Practice of Journalism
This course prepares students for many of the ethical problems they will encounter as professionals and introduces them to the legal framework in which journalism is practised. Legal themes include defamation, contempt of court, search and seizure, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Ethical themes include fairness, conflict of interest, plagiarism and fabrication, protection of sources. Other considerations will include respect for privacy and freedom of expression. Best practices and guidelines for conduct are introduced, but students are also introduced to philosophical concepts and tools that can aid everyday decision-making. Practising journalists and media lawyers will help students gain command of these various and intersecting issues.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 120 or NNS 101, Antirequisites: BDC 915 and BDC 918 and PHL 800
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 124 Elements of Feature Writing
This course introduces the basic elements of the feature writing form. It focuses on teaching research and interviewing skills that produce vivid, original stories anchored in dialogue, description, and telling details that reveal character and point of view - articles that go deeper than news reporting to explore the essence and context of events. The course also introduces the magazine medium, while providing core values that apply to feature writing for newspapers and documentary broadcast journalism. Classroom exercises and assignments will focus on bibliographic research, substantial interviewing, analysis of 'why' and 'how' questions, and a writing style that rests on clarity, brevity, and variety.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 4 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 121 and JRN 199
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 3
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JRN 125 Introduction to Video and TV Journalism
This studio course introduces the values and techniques of video and television journalism. Students learn about the strengths and weaknesses of the medium, and the always changing news values that underscore the ethical and content choices made in newsrooms. In addition to offering a strong empirical grounding, the course emphasizes specific skills, including writing and newsgathering: knowing what is to be said, why it is important and how to write it for video and broadcast. Students will be responsible for mastering the basic technical and editorial skills of broadcast journalism. They will put these skills to use in a newsroom setting. (Replaces JRN 200.)
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 121 and JRN 199
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 201 Introductory Photojournalism
Building on the Information and Visual Resources course, students will report news stories using still photography. Students will investigate the ethical and social aspects of photojournalism while developing basic technical skills of composition and editing.
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 100 and JRN 121
GPA Weight: 2.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 202 Editing Essentials
Editors make decisions about what journalists say and how they say it. Students will explore the selection and presentation of ideas through text and image, with an emphasis on the fundamentals of editing text, including such issues as consistency of style, grammar, syntax, proofreading disciplines and production practices. The art of headline and other display writing is also introduced and practised. Appropriate for a range of media. (Replaces first half of JRN 51A/B.)
Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 121 and JRN 199
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 203 Page Design for Print Media
This course will introduce students to the physical presentation of text and images in newspapers, magazines and other print media. It will cover basic principles of design; visual approaches to storytelling; typography and the use of display text; selection, cropping and use of photographs; designing information graphics; and making up pages with industry-standard software. The emphasis will be on designing and laying out stories and pages in accordance with the principles discussed. (Replaces second half of JRN 51A/B.)
Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 202
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 204 Data Journalism
Students benefit from visual news research in order to tell stories using static and animated graphics for print, broadcast and online media. As well as learning the technical and compositional skills necessary, students will be introduced to ways in which people synthesize visual information.
Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 100
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 270 Producing the News
Students continue to refine news judgment and reporting techniques but the medium shifts to video. Lectures explore in greater detail the nature and strengths of video as a multi-platform storytelling tool and the broadcast news program format as a locus for video journalism. In labs, students practise more advanced video reporting skills, including news lineup, sequencing, on-camera presentation and video news field reporting, explored through video news reporting assignments and a news broadcast.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 4 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 105
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 271 Designing Journalism
Taught concurrently with Producing the News, the course introduces students to the principles of design across all media platforms. Tutorials include online learning modules and assignments to practise a range of design and presentation skills, including basics of website layout, including SEO, print and video news lineup software (e.g. iNews). They are introduced to freedom-of-information principles and construct a simple freedom-of-information request. Students continue to receive guidance and feedback on their professional portfolio.
Tut: 2 hrs./Lect: 1 hr.
Prerequisites: JRN 106 and JRN 105
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 272 Feature Writing and Current Affairs
Lectures introduce students to features for text and other media, including the basics of current-affairs and documentary narrative techniques. Rationales for story form choice will be explored, as will planning, writing and selling features. Lectures and assignments will stretch students? ability to cover complex stories involving politics and money. While labs will focus primarily on text-based stories, students will also have the opportunity to practise techniques for long-form storytelling across a full range of platforms.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 4 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 105
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 273 Boosting Media Techniques
Taught concurrently with Feature Writing and Current Affairs, lectures will present more sophisticated multimedia storytelling platforms, tools and techniques, and introduce students to their use. Tutorials, which will include online learning modules and assignments, will give students an opportunity to practice these tools and receive coaching as required, both in relation to assignments and the ongoing development of their professional portfolios.
Tut: 2 hrs./Lect: 1 hr.
Prerequisites: JRN 271
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 302 Magazine Editing
This intensive course focuses on achieving the full range of professional skills required of magazine editors. You will be introduced to the theory, context and best practices of print and online magazine editing. You'll become adept at developing ideas, assigning and editing articles, shaping editorial mix, working with art directors, writing display copy, attracting and retaining good writers, and more. In order to better understand how and why editorial and business decisions are made, you will also work with peers and guest experts to develop a detailed prospectus for a new magazine and associated offshoots (such as its web site).
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 202 and JRN 317
GPA Weight: 2.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 303 Feature Reporting Workshop
Students develop their understanding of the nonfiction writer's craft by developing story ideas and appreciating and applying story-telling techniques to longer forms of feature writing. They deepen their experience with descriptive and explanatory writing, and are required to conduct research and analysis to standards rigorous enough to prepare them for the professional-level reporting required in graduating year. They master the basics of narrative structure and are encouraged to experiment with story approach, writer's voice, pacing, and phrasing. (Replaces JRN 56A/B.)
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 124
GPA Weight: 2.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 304 News Reporting Workshop
Newspaper reporters 'work the ER' of journalism. Before others, they see trends emerge, isolate stories that must be told and capture the pulse of what's happening. A reporter who can identify, report and write a front-page story can set the local or even national news agenda. By the end of the semester, students will be able to generate better story ideas and will have honed their newsgathering and writing by doing hands-on assignments. (Replaces JRN 53A/B.)
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 121 and JRN 199
GPA Weight: 2.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 305 Digital Reporting Workshop
Students will report, edit and produce multimedia content for digital platforms. As part of their practice, they will be immersed in theories, skills and techniques central to reporting breaking and longer-form news. Special attention will be given to developing digital skills using a mix of broadcast, visual, interactive and textual elements. (Replaces JRN 906.)
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 112
GPA Weight: 2.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 306 Reporting for Radio Workshop
In this course, students produce a weekly radio news and current affairs program. They will learn the basics of radio writing, recording, audio editing, reporting, news-gathering, performance and production, as well as more advanced skills in live interviewing, feature production and short documentaries.
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 121 and JRN 199
GPA Weight: 2.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 310 TV Production Techniques
This course introduces students to the techniques and technology used in professional television production. Included is the examination of video and audio recording equipment, lighting, television studio operations including directing and on-camera performance, and the use of digital editing and graphic creation systems. Students will become competent in shooting interviews and visual storytelling by enhancing technical, artistic and practical skills. These competencies can be applied to the production of video news reports, documentaries and features for television and the Internet.
Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 125
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 314 Reporting for TV Workshop
This is a studio course, building on the theories and skills learned in Introduction to Video and Television Journalism. Students will be required to write copy, line up newscasts, report on air, and edit and script tape reports, while producing newscasts. Students will also begin to incorporate long-form interviews and current affairs features into their broadcasts as they continue to explore the world of television journalism. (Replaces JRN 50A/B.)
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 125
GPA Weight: 2.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 315 Investigative Reporting
Senior students explore the world of specialized investigative reporting, using tools such as complex public record-searching, spreadsheet analysis and advanced Internet search techniques. They complete a complex reporting project using a variety of methods. (Replaces JRN 802.)
Lect: 3 hrs./Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314, Antirequisite: JRN 802
GPA Weight: 2.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 316 The Freelance Career
Students learn how to conceive, market and execute story ideas effectively and efficiently, supplying quality journalism content for a variety of media organizations while managing a small business. The course provides an understanding of how editors work and cultivates a practice of analysing target media. Assignments include query letters and other forms of pitches as well as achievable reporting assignments. Assessment recognizes marketing ability, and the ability to work with editorial feedback, as well as speed and rigour of reporting and writing. (Replaces JRN 803.)
Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 317 Exactly So: The Challenge of Precision
Students build on their understanding of the discipline of verification that lies at the heart of all responsible journalism. They do so by learning formal methods of fact-checking as well as being introduced to social science methods. Students in this course will fact-check randomly selected reporting assignments submitted for courses throughout the journalism program.
Lect: 1 hr./Lab: 2 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 121 and JRN 199
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 318 Basics of Radio Reporting
This course introduces the fundamental skills of radio production and reporting for newscasts. Students will learn how to record and edit audio, to write for broadcast and to produce and perform short news stories.
Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 121 and JRN 199; Antirequisite: JRN 306
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 319 Special Topics in Journalism Practice
An upper-level elective offered by permanent faculty and visiting lecturers to allow students the chance to explore an element of journalistic practice. This might include new developments in interactive media, trends in print and visual storytelling or new broadcast technology.
Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 121 and JRN 199
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 320 Innovation Workshop
In this course, students will systematically explore and practise new and experimental approaches to journalism. New approaches to the business of journalism (such as web-based startups or new revenue models for established organizations) will also be studied. The goal is to prepare students to thrive in the rapidly changing journalistic environment they will enter after graduation.
Lect: 3 hrs./Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 112
GPA Weight: 2.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 344 Journalism and Society
Core journalistic concepts introduced in Semester 1 are revisited, but at a deeper, more nuanced level; media law and ethics concepts are also expanded on and reinforced. Journalism?s obligation to, and role in, representing the diverse society it serves will be explored. Lectures will include guest appearances by leading journalism practitioners and other relevant professionals. Tutorials will focus on case studies and on understanding, describing and critiquing journalism.
Tut: 2 hrs./Lect: 1 hr.
Prerequisites: JRN 105 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 400 Critical Issues in Journalism
This course takes a close look at some of the larger issues that journalists face in their day-to-day work. The list of issues includes, but is not limited to: diversity of race, gender, sexuality and religion in newsroom makeup and story coverage; the changing landscape of news media in the digital age and the revolving notion of who is a journalist in the world of bloggers and citizen journalists; the relationship between journalism and public relations; and the role of news media as a watchdog of democracy. (Replaces JRN 301.)
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.
Prerequisites: JRN 120 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 401 History of Journalism
This course studies the evolution of journalism from 1600 to the present. It examines the various forms that news took at different periods and in different places; how news influenced culture and was influenced by it, as well as by changing technology, business organization, and markets; how different audiences used and responded to news; and how the producers of news understood their work in relation to their society, their audiences, their employers and their peers. 
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.
Prerequisites: JRN 120 or NNS 101; Antirequisite: JLS 600
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 402 Theory in Journalism and Mass Communications
This survey course introduces students to theoretical perspectives in mass communications and journalism, and enables students to situate their work as journalists within a broader perspective of research and theory. Through readings, lectures and discussion, students are introduced to the works of communications theorists with special consideration of the application of their ideas to the purpose, impact and challenges of Canadian journalism.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 120 or NNS 101; Antirequisite: BDC 903
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 403 Journalism and Ideas
Journalism is not exclusively about news, sources, interviewing, researching and fact checking; it also explodes new ideas into the world. This course examines how journalists and media have packaged new concepts for wide audience dissemination. Using examples, students investigate the possibility that journalism itself is a strikingly efficient cultural tool that spreads ideas quickly - ideas that often mutate as they are being mediated.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 120 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 404 Journalism's Best
Students examine the work of outstanding journalists in broadcast, newspapers, magazines and online through readings, lectures, videos, tapes and discussions. Students examine why certain pieces stand out in the context of their time and place.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.
Prerequisites: JRN 120 or NNS 101, Antirequisite: ENG 700
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 405 Special Topics in Journalism Theory
An upper-level, 'timely' elective that permanent faculty and visiting lecturers will develop and offer in response to media issues arising from year to year. Details of current offerings are available from the School of Journalism.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 120 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 406 Age of Spin: Journalism and PR
This theoretical course will help students gain a better understanding of where public relations came from, how it operates in its modern context, and its effect on what journalists do. Special attention will be paid to the historical development of PR, its theoretical underpinnings, its long and tumultuous relationship with journalism and the future of PR in the age of digital media. It will address the imbalance between PR practitioners who know too much about how journalists work and, for the most part, journalists who are often willfully ignorant about the PR industry despite daily interactions.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 121 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 412 Documentary Survey
Students screen long-form documentaries ranging from classics from the last 50 years to contemporary productions. Students come to understand how the conventions of documentary storytelling have changed over the decades. They explore issues of voice, stylistic and narrative conventions, shooting and editing styles, and other aspects of documentary.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 120 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 500 Journalism and the Arts
An opportunity for students to explore reporting on culture of all kinds, including policies, personalities and performances, and to gain insight into the relationship between journalism and cultural production. The course introduces students to reviewing different works of art. Students will be enrolled in sections with a view to the amount of journalism experience they bring to the course, and assignments will be tailored to these differing levels of experience.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 501 Sampling the Beats
Students will explore beat reporting at an intermediate level. The list of beats to be examined may include, but is not limited to, courts, business, politics, sports, education, health/science and the arts. Some opinion writing will be included in this course. Students who don't know what type of news they will cover in the future will benefit from this beat experience and exposure to different specialties.
Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 502 Journalism and the World of Business
Students learn how businesses behave and how journalists assess their performance, through investigative reporting, interpreting key financial documents, probing a business's performance, practices and challenges, and narrating a company's fundamental drama. The role of the business reporter and his or her relationship with sources will be analyzed.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314, Antirequisite: NNS 502
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 503 Critical and Opinion Writing
For students who aspire to write opinion pieces, this course will offer instruction in a variety of forms and types of critical journalism, including editorial and column writing, drawing on examples across forms of media. As in all 'beat' or specialty courses, classes may include readings, guest speakers and field practice with the potential for cross-media assignments.
Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 504 Fashion Journalism
Students learn how journalists cover the world of fashion - a creative and provocative specialty which combines aspects of business and cultural reporting. The course covers both understanding how these journalists do their work and analyzing the relationship between the fashion business and the practice of journalism. Students will be enrolled in sections with a view to the amount of journalism experience they bring to the course, and assignments will be tailored to these differing levels of experience.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 505 Health and Science Journalism
Using current debates in the health and science fields, students learn how to bridge the gap between scientific jargon and readers or audiences. They address the importance of evaluating claims and explore techniques for communicating complex ideas. Students will be enrolled in sections with a view to the amount of journalism experience they bring to the course, and assignments will be tailored to these differing levels of experience.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 506 International Journalism
This course examines the history and practice of the journalism of global affairs. Topics covered include foreign and war correspondence; reporting on international organizations, development issues and natural disasters; and techniques for reporting in remote or unfamiliar surroundings. The practice of journalism is situated in the context of broader international political, economic and military trends. Students examine the challenges faced by journalists who report on global events, including attempts to control the flow of information and the rapid evolution of newsgathering technology.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 507 Justice and the Courts
This course covers the context, professional values and disciplines of court and legal reporting at all levels. Classes may include readings, guest speakers and field practice with the potential for cross-media assignments.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314, Antirequisite: NNS 507
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 508 Literary Journalism
For the purpose of this course, literary journalism will be defined in the following way: journalism as literature, not journalism about literature. By this we mean the liberal application of the techniques of fiction to deeply reported journalistic stories. Emphasis will be placed on concepts such as scenes, reconstructions, details, point of view, dialogue, immersion reporting, voice, structure and the ethical stance of the literary journalist.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 120 or NNS 101, Antirequisite: ENG 530
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 509 Journalism and the Political Arena
This course covers how governments work at the local, provincial and national levels, and how journalists can cover them effectively. The watchdog role of the media, the mechanics of government and the relationship between journalists and politicians are explored. While sharing a common lecture, students will be enrolled in labs with a view to the amount of journalism experience they bring, and assignments will be tailored to these differing levels of experience.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 510 Reporting Religion
This course will introduce students to the practical and social aspects of religious representation. Among the practical topics to be discussed: how to spot a religion story, how to cover familiar and new religions, dealing with the 'hot button' issues and how to find religious experts. Issues to be explored include media use by religious groups, the role of the media in globalized religion and the importance of representation to the negotiation of religious and civil spheres. Assignments include reporting projects, which may be submitted in a variety of media.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314, Antirequisite: NNS 510
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 511 News They Can Use
This course will provide instruction and experience in journalism that is directed to helping people meet practical needs. Recognizing that today's media exhibit an ever-growing focus on and demand for service journalism, instruction and assignments will cover the specific techniques of detailed reporting and crisp, clear explanatory writing. Subject matter may range from dog-training to decorating, from beauty tips to ballroom dancing, from health hazards to hardware how-to.
Lab: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 512 Reporting Sports
An introduction to working the beat in sports journalism, including developing sources and story ideas and maintaining a reporter's independence from the pressures of commercial sport and home-team cheerleading. The impact of deadlines on sports journalism and sports writing, and an examination of what constitutes excellence in sports reporting will be discussed. Students will be enrolled in sections with a view to the amount of journalism experience they bring to the course, and assignments will be tailored to these differing levels of experience.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 525 The Business of Journalism
Students will examine the new forms of journalism that exploit the new technologies, including blogging and citizen journalism, and the strategies being used and developed to monetize them.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314 or NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 800 TV Documentary
This is a laboratory course in documentary production. The emphasis is on effective storytelling through the medium of the television documentary. Particular emphasis will be placed on the relationship between the audiovisual and written elements of a documentary. Students will form production teams that will plan, write, shoot, and edit documentaries.
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 314
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 801 Radio Documentary
This is an advanced laboratory course in the craft of planning and preparing radio documentaries. Attention is given in the classroom to the technical, editorial, ethical, and artistic issues that are involved in documentary production. Students then go into the field and assemble a variety of radio documentaries that will vary in length, form and technique.
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 306 or [JRN 318 and (JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 314)]
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 805 Senior Reporting
Building on the skills and techniques acquired in earlier reporting courses, students will explore the challenges of beat reporting in a competitive environment, producing breaking news, features and special investigations to be published in the School of Journalism's newspaper, the Ryersonian, and elsewhere.
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 806 Advanced Feature Writing
Students come to grips with the nonfiction writer's craft at a professional level, including in-depth investigation of an original subject, and conceiving, reporting and writing at least the first draft of a feature story for the Ryerson Review of Journalism or another publication. To merit publication in the Review, students are expected to continue reporting and rewriting during the following term in collaboration with editors and a fact-checker. (Replaces JRN 54A/B.)
Lab: 6 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 303
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 840 Journalism Capstone Project
Integrating skills and concepts acquired earlier in the program, students execute a project that seeks to broaden journalism?s scope and deepen understanding of its importance in society. In this self-directed project, students produce a work, in any medium, of journalism and/or critical reflection. Students will meet with one another and their instructor in a weekly lab. Student propose their project focus and research strategies and share progress.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Departmental consent required
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 841 Advanced Multimedia Journalism
This advanced class builds on demonstrated reporting and storytelling skills and knowledge, with an emphasis on how news-based stories are conceived of, gathered and delivered in contemporary newsrooms. Research and delivery will rely on multimedia approaches and expertise gained in prior news or ?beat? courses, with an eye to publication in any platform of The Ryersonian. This course aims to sharpen story sense as it builds skills and provides opportunities for students to enhance portfolios. (Replaces JRN 805 and JRN 807.)
Lab: 3 hrs.
Departmental consent required
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 842 Building the Brand
Students learn how to take charge as entrepreneurs in journalism and media. Students conceive, market, plan and manage independent projects, and learn to analyze target audiences and platforms. Included are the financial and legal aspects of running a small business and how to create a personal ?brand? that may enhance or outlast corporate employment. Assignments cover idea-development, pitches, and business-planning, using the latest tools for building identity, and exercises in managing business and social reputations. (Replaces JRN 803 and JRN 316.)
Lab: 3 hrs.
Departmental consent required
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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JRN 843 Journalism Laboratory
Journalism students will team up with upper-year students from computer-science and a range of other disciplines to solve complex problems presented by news industry companies and professionals, typically involving the integration of technology with an advanced understanding of journalistic practice. New approaches to media technology and disruptive business models will be studied and adapted in teams? work. The goal is to prepare students to play leadership roles in a rapidly transforming journalistic and technological environment.
Lab: 6 hrs.
Departmental consent required
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 2
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JRN 850 Internship
Students play a specialized role as part of a working editorial team within a newspaper, magazine, broadcast or online organization, where they will research, report and /or write for publication or broadcast. This role may take the form either of a supervised and evaluated internship at an external news organization, or specified, supervised and evaluated work within a Ryerson-based journalistic project. This experiential learning opportunity is strongly recommended for students pursuing careers in the industry.
Lab: 12 hrs.
Co-requisite: JRN 910
Departmental consent required
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 2.5
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JRN 910 Journalism Masthead
Final-year students work on the School of Journalism's editorial products. Students are responsible for all aspects of editorial operation, including story assignment, reporting of stories, editing and production. Students will be expected to serve in one or more editorial positions, contributing a variety of items for print, online, audio, video and/or TV productions. Enrolment in this course may require an interview.
Lab: 12 hrs.
Prerequisites: JRN 302 or JRN 303 or JRN 304 or JRN 305 or JRN 306 or JRN 314; Co-requisite: JRN 850
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 2.5
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NNS 101 Introduction to News Studies
Students are introduced to core values of journalism, the community of practice in which journalists operate, the essence of a basic news story, and the fundamental tools that reporters, editors and producers use. The course also examines the context of journalism practice: the role of journalism in society, changing technologies that affect journalism and changing public perceptions of the news media. In addition to learning about these things in theory, students will complete a small number of basic news writing assignments.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.
Antirequisite: JRN 120
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 102 Understanding Multimedia Journalism
Students receive grounding in basic disciplines involved in using sound and pictures to tell nonfiction stories. Trends in modern multimedia journalism will be described, including the use of various digital platforms and social media. Students will emerge with a theoretical understanding of the interplay of various media in the news business today, and each student will also complete at least one basic reporting assignment using audio, video, and/or still photography, as well as text.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.
Prerequisite: JRN 120 or NNS 101, Antirequisites: JRN 112, JRN 125
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 103 Basics of Photojournalism
This course teaches core ideas for understanding the gathering and dissemination of information through photography. Special attention will be given to increasing students' visual literacy. In addition to developing a nuanced understanding of the purpose, values, ethics and context of photojournalism, students will learn basic technical skills of composition and editing. Students taking this course must provide their own digital camera.
Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 1 hr.
Prerequisite: JRN 120 or NNS 101, Anitrequisites: JRN 100, JRN 201
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 123 Ethics and Law in the Practice of Journal
This course prepares students for many of the ethical problems they will encounter as professionals and introduces them to the legal framework in which journalism is practiced. Legal themes include defamation, contempt of court, search and seizure, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Ethical themes include fairness, conflict of interest, plagiarism and fabrication, protection of sources. Other considerations will include respect for privacy and freedom of expression. Best practices and guidelines for conduct are introduced, but students are also introduced to philosophical concepts and tools that can aid everyday decision-making. Practising journalists and media lawyers will help students gain command of these various and intersecting issues.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisites: NNS 101 or JRN 120
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 400 Critical Issues in Journalism
This course takes a close look at some of the larger issues that journalists face in their day-to-day work. The list of issues includes, but is not limited to: diversity of race, gender, sexuality and religion in newsroom makeup and story coverage; the changing landscape of news media in the digital age and the revolving notion of who is a journalist in the world of bloggers and citizen journalists; the relationship between journalism and public relations; and the role of news media as a watchdog of democracy.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 500 Journalism and the Arts
An opportunity for students to explore reporting on culture of all kinds, including policies, personalities and performances, and to gain insight into the relationship between journalism and cultural production. The course introduces students to reviewing different works of art. Students will be enrolled in sections with a view to the amount of journalism experience they bring to the course, and assignments will be tailored to these differing levels of experience.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 502 Journalism and the World of Business
Students learn how businesses behave and how journalists assess their performance, through investigative reporting, interpreting key financial documents, probing a business's performance, practices and challenges, and narrating a company's fundamental drama. The role of the business reporter and his or her relationship with sources will be analyzed.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 120 or NNS 101, Antirequisite: JRN 502
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 505 Health and Science Journalism
Using current debates in the health and science fields, students learn how to bridge the gap between scientific jargon and readers or audiences. They address the importance of evaluating claims and explore techniques for communicating complex ideas. Students will be enrolled in sections with a view to the amount of journalism experience they bring to the course, and assignments will be tailored to these differing levels of experience.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Departmental consent required
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 507 Justice and the Courts
This course covers the context, professional values and basic disciplines of court and legal reporting at all levels. Assignments may include assessment of works in this field of journalism and their context.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 120 or NNS 101, Antirequisite: JRN 507
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 508 Literary Journalism
For the purpose of this course, literary journalism will be defined in the following way: journalism as literature, not journalism about literature. By this we mean the liberal application of the techniques of fiction to deeply reported journalistic stories. Emphasis will be placed on concepts such as scenes, reconstructions, details, point of view, dialogue, immersion reporting, voice, structure and the ethical stance of the literary journalist.
Lect: 3 hrs.
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 510 Reporting Religion
This course will introduce students to the context, professional values and basic disciplines of religious representation by news media. Among the practical topics to be discussed: how to spot a religion story, how to cover familiar and new religions, dealing with the 'hot button' issues and how reporters find religious experts. Issues to be explored include media use by religious groups, the role of the media in globalized religion and the importance of representation to the negotiation of religious and civil spheres. Assignments may include assessment of works in this field of journalism and their context.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: JRN 120 or NNS 101, Antirequisite: JRN 510
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 512 Reporting Sports
An introduction to working the beat in sports journalism, including developing sources and story ideas and maintaining a reporter's independence from the pressures of commercial sport and home-team cheerleading. The impact of deadlines on sports journalism and sports writing, and an examination of what constitutes excellence in sports reporting will be discussed. Students will be enrolled in sections with a view to the amount of journalism experience they bring to the course, and assignments will be tailored to these differing levels of experience.
Lect: 3 hrs.
Prerequisite: NNS 101
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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NNS 525 The Business of Journalism
The traditional business models examined in NNS 101 are threatened by technological and demographic changes that are forcing a transformation of journalistic practice. Students will examine the new forms of journalism that exploit the new technologies, including blogging and citizen journalism, and the strategies being used and developed to monetize them.
Lect: 3 hrs.
GPA Weight: 1.00
Billing Units: 1
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