Journalism - Mass Media

Program Overview

This four-semester Journalism - Mass Media program equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in the media industry. Through a comprehensive curriculum covering reporting, production, and storytelling, students develop expertise in various media platforms, including print, broadcast, online, and social media. The program emphasizes ethical and inclusive storytelling, preparing graduates for successful careers in journalism, public relations, and other media-related fields.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Program Content: Journalism - Mass Media
• Program Structure: Four semesters
• Course Schedule:
• Year 1:
• Semester 1: Communication Foundations, General Education Elective, Reporting 1, Interviewing and Research, Mass Media Fundamentals, Broadcast Production 1, Photo and Video 1
• Semester 2: General Education Elective, Media Law and Ethics, Reporting 2, Critical and Opinion Writing, Broadcast Production 2, Online and Print Production, Photo and Video 2
• Year 2:
• Semester 3: Field Placement Orientation, FNMI Elective, Reporting 3, Inclusive Impactful Storytelling, Photo and Video 3, Podcasting, Multi-Platform Storytelling
• Semester 4: Entrepreneurship, Field Placement Workshop, Field Placement for Journalism, Impactful Storytelling With Indigenous Communities, Reporting 4, Newsroom, Photo and Video 4
• Modules:
• Semester 1:
• Communications Foundations (COMM 1100): Introduction to the fundamental principles and practices of human communication, including verbal, nonverbal, and written communication.
Develops students' ability to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts.
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000): Students choose from a variety of courses to fulfill this requirement.
• Reporting 1 (JOUR 1100): Introduction to the principles and practices of journalism reporting, with a focus on news gathering, interviewing, writing, and editing.
• Interviewing and Research (JOUR 1101): Develops students' skills in conducting effective interviews and researching stories from a variety of sources.
• Mass Media Fundamentals (MDIA 1102): Provides an overview of the mass media landscape, including print, broadcast, and online media.
• Broadcast Production 1 (MDIA 1103): Introduction to the principles of broadcast production, including camera work, lighting, and sound recording.
• Photo and Video 1 (MDIA 1104): Develops students' skills in photography and videography, with a focus on storytelling and visual communication.
• Semester 2:
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000): Students choose from a variety of courses to fulfill this requirement.
• Media Law and Ethics (ETHC 1204): Examines the legal and ethical issues that journalists face, including libel, privacy, and freedom of the press.
• Reporting 2 (JOUR 1200): Builds on the skills learned in Reporting 1, with a focus on advanced reporting techniques and in-depth storytelling.
• Critical and Opinion Writing (JOUR 1201): Develops students' ability to write critical and opinion pieces, including reviews, editorials, and columns.
• Broadcast Production 2 (MDIA 1203): Builds on the skills learned in Broadcast Production 1, with a focus on advanced production techniques and storytelling.
• Online and Print Production (MDIA 1204): Develops students' skills in online and print media production, including website design, social media marketing, and print layout.
• Photo and Video 2 (MDIA 1205): Builds on the skills learned in Photo and Video 1, with a focus on advanced photography and videography techniques.
• Semester 3:
• Field Placement Orientation (FDPL 2104): Prepares students for their field placement by providing an overview of the process and expectations.
• FNMI Elective (FNMI 0000): Students choose from a variety of FNMI-related courses to fulfill this requirement.
• Reporting 3 (JOUR 2100): Builds on the skills learned in Reporting 2, with a focus on investigative reporting and long-form storytelling.
• Inclusive Impactful Storytelling (JOUR 2101): Develops students' skills in storytelling that is inclusive and representative of diverse communities and perspectives.
• Photo and Video 3 (MDIA 2102): Builds on the skills learned in Photo and Video 2, with a focus on advanced storytelling and visual communication.
• Podcasting (MDIA 2103): Develops students' skills in podcasting, including audio production, storytelling, and audience engagement.
• Multi-Platform Storytelling (MDIA 2104): Develops students' skills in storytelling across multiple platforms, including print, broadcast, online, and social media.
• Semester 4:
• Entrepreneurship (ENTR 2210): Provides an overview of the principles and practices of entrepreneurship, including business planning and marketing.
• Field Placement Workshop (FDPL 2205): Prepares students for their field placement by providing an overview of the process and expectations.
• Field Placement for Journalism (JOMM 2200): Students complete a six-week field placement at a professional media organization.
• Impactful Storytelling With Indigenous Communities (JOUR 2200): Develops students' skills in storytelling with and about Indigenous communities, with a focus on respectful and culturally appropriate approaches.
• Reporting 4 (JOUR 2201): Builds on the skills learned in Reporting 3, with a focus on advanced reporting techniques and in-depth storytelling.
• Newsroom (MDIA 2200): Provides students with an opportunity to work in a simulated newsroom environment, applying the skills they have learned throughout the program.
• Photo and Video 4 (MDIA 2201): Builds on the skills learned in Photo and Video 3, with a focus on advanced storytelling and visual communication.

Assessment:

The program uses a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning. These include:

• Assignments and projects
• Quizzes and tests
• Presentations
• Participation
• Field placement performance

Teaching:

The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their field. Faculty use a variety of teaching methods to engage students and promote learning, such as:

• Lectures: Faculty deliver lectures to provide students with the foundational knowledge they need to succeed in the program.
• Tutorials: Students attend tutorials in small group settings.
• Workshops: Workshops provide opportunities for hands-on learning.
• Field trips: Students visit media organizations to gain real-world experience and connect with industry professionals.

Careers:

Graduates of the program can pursue a wide range of careers in the media industry. They may work as:

• Broadcast journalists
• Print journalists
• Online journalists
• Social media managers
• Public relations specialists
• Marketing communications specialists