This is an archived copy of the 2013-14 calendar. To access the most recent version of the calendar, please visit http://www.carleton.ca.

Journalism

School of Journalism and Communication
4306 River Building
613-520-2600 Ext. 7403
http://carleton.ca/sjc

  • M.Journalism

M. Journalism

About the Program

The emphasis in the 10.0-credit M.J. program is on advanced professional education and related coursework for those who are or intend to become practicing journalists in the news media. In practical terms, this entails both the polishing of professional journalistic skills to a high level of proficiency and advanced education in a related field of study. In their second year of study, students will choose one of three fields of concentration:

  • Specialized Print Reporting
  • Broadcast Journalism
  • Online Journalism

There is also a five-credit M.J. program for those with a B.J. (Honours) or equivalent or at least five years of professional experience in journalism. There are no fields of concentration in this program.

Academic Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

Admission Requirements

Most applicants will be admitted to the First year of a two-year course of study, but some may qualify for admission directly to the five-credit program (see below). An admissions committee, including the supervisor of graduate studies, will determine the admissions qualifications of each applicant.

A student who holds a bachelor's or master's degree from a recognized university in a field other than journalism may be admitted to the first year of study if he or she achieved at least high honours standing.

International students whose first language is not English need TOEFL scores of at least 250 CBT or 600, IELTS scores of at least 7 in all components, or CAEL Assessment scores of at least 70, or acceptable certification that the language of instruction in their most recently completed undergraduate or graduate degree was English. Such students who complete the core first year, outlined below, and meet the requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, Section 11 of the General Regulations section of this Calendar, may proceed to second year.

A limited number of spaces will be made available for direct admission to a five-credit M.J. program. Students must normally possess one of the following qualifications to be considered for this advanced admission:

  • a B.J. (Honours) or the equivalent with high second-class standing, or a degree in another discipline from a recognized university plus at least five years of professional experience in journalism, or long and distinguished professional experience in journalism.
  • Students with suitable professional qualifications but no degree may occasionally be admitted to a program in which they take a required number of undergraduate courses in addition to the M.J. program.

Admission will be selective. Admission will not be guaranteed to all who meet the published minimum requirements, as there are many more qualified applicants each year than there are available spaces.

Applicants who have a three-year journalism degree with high honours standing may be admitted to a first year made up largely of approved courses from the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences and Public Affairs. Such students may proceed to the second year of study if they have achieved high honours standing.

Program Requirements

M.Journalism - Specialized Print Reporting stream (10.0 credits)
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:
1.  4.0 credits in:4.0
JOUR 5000 [0.5]
Journalism and Society I
JOUR 5200 [1.0]
Print Journalism Laboratory
JOUR 5202 [1.0]
Broadcast Journalism Laboratory
JOUR 5206 [0.5]
Reporting Methods
JOUR 5401 [0.5]
Journalism Law
JOUR 5706 [0.5]
Professional Practices
2.  1.0 credit in approved electives1.0
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
3.  2.5 credits in:2.5
JOUR 5208 [0.5]
Public Affairs Reporting
JOUR 5700 [1.0]
Print Journalism
JOUR 5908 [1.0]
M.J. Research Project (See Note, below)
4.  1.0 credit from:1.0
JOUR 5704 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Print)
JOUR 5705 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Online Publishing)
JOUR 5707 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Radio)
JOUR 5708 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Television)
5. 1.5 credits of approved electives in the student's area of specialization1.5
Note: under special circumstances, and with the School's approval, a student could replace JOUR 5908 and 1.0 credit of approved courses above with a 2.0 credit M.J. Thesis, JOUR 5909.
Total Credits10.0

M.Journalism - Broadcast Journalism stream (10.0 credits)
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:
1.  4.0 credits in:4.0
JOUR 5000 [0.5]
Journalism and Society I
JOUR 5200 [1.0]
Print Journalism Laboratory
JOUR 5202 [1.0]
Broadcast Journalism Laboratory
JOUR 5206 [0.5]
Reporting Methods
JOUR 5401 [0.5]
Journalism Law
JOUR 5706 [0.5]
Professional Practices
2.  1.0 credit in approved electives1.0
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
3.  2.5 credits in:2.5
JOUR 5208 [0.5]
Public Affairs Reporting
JOUR 5702 [1.0]
Broadcast Journalism
JOUR 5908 [1.0]
M.J. Research Project (See Note, below)
4.  1.0 credit from:1.0
JOUR 5704 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Print)
JOUR 5705 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Online Publishing)
JOUR 5707 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Radio)
JOUR 5708 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Television)
5.  1.5 credits in approved electives in the student's area of specialization1.5
Note: Under special circumstances, and with the School's approval, a student could replace JOUR 5908 and 1.0 credit of approved courses above with a 2.0-credit thesis, JOUR 5909.
Total Credits10.0

M.Journalism - Online Journalism stream (10.0 credits)
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:
1.  4.0 credits in:4.0
JOUR 5000 [0.5]
Journalism and Society I
JOUR 5200 [1.0]
Print Journalism Laboratory
JOUR 5202 [1.0]
Broadcast Journalism Laboratory
JOUR 5206 [0.5]
Reporting Methods
JOUR 5401 [0.5]
Journalism Law
JOUR 5706 [0.5]
Professional Practices
2.  1.0 credit in approved electives1.0
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
3.  2.5 credits in:2.5
JOUR 5208 [0.5]
Public Affairs Reporting
JOUR 5700 [1.0]
Print Journalism
JOUR 5908 [1.0]
M.J. Research Project (See Note, below)
4.  1.0 credit from:1.0
JOUR 5704 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Print)
JOUR 5705 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Online Publishing)
JOUR 5707 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Radio)
JOUR 5708 [0.5]
Advanced Reporting (Television)
5.  1.5 credits in approved electives in the student's area of specialization1.5
Note: under special circumstances, and with the School's approval, a student could replace JOUR 5908 and 1.0 credit of approved courses with a 2.0-credit thesis, JOUR 5909.
Total Credits10.0

M.Journalism - 5.0-credit program
1.  1.0 credit in:1.0
JOUR 5000 [0.5]
Journalism and Society I (if admitted directly to second year). Students admitted to the two-year program and completing a thesis as outlined in the Note above will complete this course in the first year of studies and an approved replacement option for an additional Journalism first year half credit)
JOUR 5500 [0.5]
Journalism and Society II
2.  2.0 credits in:2.0
JOUR 5909 [2.0]
M.J. Thesis
3.  2.0 credits in electives related to the study of the media, chosen in consultation with the Supervisor of Graduate Studies2.0
Total Credits5.0

 

Note: As a condition for graduation, all students are required to have a minimum of four months of practical experience in the media, and a working knowledge of a second language, preferably French.

Journalism (JOUR) Courses

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 and introduction to multimedia reporting, followed by application in print and multimedia.

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 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(s): 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, 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.
Precludes 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 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 in print, broadcast and multimedia. Guest speakers share their expertise and skills.

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.

Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca

Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca

October 7, 2014 09:51 AM