School of Journalism and Communication
(Faculty of Public Affairs)
4309 River Building
613-520-2600 ext.7404
http://carleton.ca/sjc
This section presents the requirements for programs in:
- Journalism - B.J. Honours
- Journalism with Concentration in Psychology - B.J. Honours
- Journalism - B.J. Combined Honours
Graduation Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed below, students must satisfy the University regulations including the process of Academic Performance Evaluation (see Academic Regulations section of this Calendar).
Students should consult with the School when planning their program and selecting courses.
Note: students who already hold an undergraduate degree in another field are not eligible to apply for the B.J. (Honours) program. These students should consult the information on the Master of Journalism or the Master of Arts in Communication in the Graduate Calendar .
In addition to the graduation requirements of the Faculty, a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Journalism with Honours must have:
- a Major CGPA of at least 6.50,
- a grade of C or better in the reporting courses,
- a grade of C- or better in each other Journalism course,
- an Overall CGPA of at least 5.00, and
- the recommendation of the School of Journalism and Communication for graduation.
Academic Performance Evaluation in Journalism
Students in the Journalism degree are subject to the standard process of Academic Performance Evaluation for Honours programs with the following exceptions and additions.
- Continuation to Second Year Continuation in Good Standing after the first Academic Performance Evaluation will be guaranteed only to First-year Journalism students who achieve a B+ or better in JOUR 1000 [1.0] Foundations of Journalism and an Overall CGPA of at least 8.00 in first year on 5.0 full credits. The School also maintains a number of places in second year for students who wish to transfer from Carleton or elsewhere. Normally, offers are made to students with an overall CGPA equivalent to 10.00 (A-) or better.
- Continuation in Good Standing at subsequent Academic Performance Evaluations requires a minimum major CGPA of 6.50 and an Overall CGPA of at least 5.00.
General Prerequisite
Students may not continue into 3000-level or higher courses unless the following three minimum requirements are met:
- at least C standing in JOUR 2201 [1.0] Fundamentals of Reporting
- a CGPA of at least 6.50 over the courses JOUR 1000 [1.0] Foundations of Journalism, JOUR 2201 [1.0] Fundamentals of Reporting, JOUR 2205 Journalism and Public Institutions and JOUR 2501 Communications Law I;
- an Overall CGPA of at least 5.00.
Prohibited Courses
Courses below the 1000-level may not be used for credit in Journalism programs.
Language Requirement
The School requires students to demonstrate proficiency in at least one language other than English. Students are required to demonstrate such proficiency normally through the completion of at least 1.0 credit at the 1000-level or higher in a language offered at Carleton.
For students who consider that they already have a proficiency in French, the School conducts oral French-language examinations on an ad hoc basis. Students who have completed French Immersion in high school or who have obtained a Bilingual Diploma or Certificate will be regarded as having met the language requirement. For other languages, the onus is on the student to provide suitable evidence of proficiency to the School. In both cases, the student will be required to take an additional free elective credit to replace the language credit.
Program Requirements
Journalism
B.J. Honours (20.0 credits)
| A. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (8.0 credits) | ||
| 1. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
JOUR 1000 [1.0] | Foundations of Journalism | |
| 2. 2.0 credits in: | 2.0 | |
JOUR 2201 [1.0] | Fundamentals of Reporting | |
JOUR 2205 [0.5] | Journalism and Public Institutions | |
JOUR 2501 [0.5] | Communications Law I | |
| 3. 2.5 credits in: | 2.5 | |
JOUR 3207 [0.5] | Introduction to Radio Journalism | |
JOUR 3208 [0.5] | Introduction to Television Journalism | |
JOUR 3215 [0.5] | Professional Practice and Ethics | |
JOUR 3225 [0.5] | Reporting in Depth | |
JOUR 3235 [0.5] | New Media Reporting | |
| 4. 1.5 credits in: | 1.5 | |
JOUR 4001 [0.5] | Journalism Now - and Next | |
JOUR 4201 [1.0] | Specialized Reporting | |
| 5. 1.0 credit from: | 1.0 | |
JOUR 4204 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced New Media Workshop | |
JOUR 4205 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced Newspaper Workshop | |
JOUR 4206 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced Radio Workshop | |
JOUR 4207 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced Television Workshop | |
JOUR 4208 [0.5] | Professional Practices: Specialized Media | |
| B. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (12.0 credits) | ||
| 6. 4.0 credits must be taken in a field other than journalism, with at least 1.0 of these credits at the 3000-level or higher | 4.0 | |
| 7. 1.0 credit to meet language requirement | 1.0 | |
| 8. 1.0 credit from: | 1.0 | |
HIST 1300 [1.0] | The Making of Canada | |
HIST 2303 [1.0] | Canadian Political History | |
HIST 2304 [1.0] | Canadian Social History | |
| Canadian Economic History to 1914 and Canadian Economic History since 1914 | ||
| 9. 6.0 credits in free electives. | 6.0 | |
| Total Credits | 20.0 | |
Note: No more than two of JOUR 4204, JOUR 4205, JOUR 4206,JOUR 4207 and JOUR 4208 may be used to fulfil requirements for the degree. No course from this list may be taken more than once and two courses from this list may not be taken simultaneously.
Journalism with Concentration in Psychology
B.J. Honours (20.0 credits)
| A. Credits Included in the Major CGPA (8.0 credits) | ||
| 1. 7.0 credits in: | 7.0 | |
JOUR 1000 [1.0] | Foundations of Journalism | |
JOUR 2201 [1.0] | Fundamentals of Reporting | |
JOUR 2205 [0.5] | Journalism and Public Institutions | |
JOUR 2501 [0.5] | Communications Law I | |
JOUR 3207 [0.5] | Introduction to Radio Journalism | |
JOUR 3208 [0.5] | Introduction to Television Journalism | |
JOUR 3215 [0.5] | Professional Practice and Ethics | |
JOUR 3225 [0.5] | Reporting in Depth | |
JOUR 3235 [0.5] | New Media Reporting | |
JOUR 4001 [0.5] | Journalism Now - and Next | |
JOUR 4201 [1.0] | Specialized Reporting | |
| 2. 1.0 credit from: | 1.0 | |
JOUR 4204 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced New Media Workshop | |
JOUR 4205 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced Newspaper Workshop | |
JOUR 4206 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced Radio Workshop | |
JOUR 4207 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced Television Workshop | |
JOUR 4208 [0.5] | Professional Practices: Specialized Media | |
| B. Credits Not Included in the Major CGPA (12.0 credits) | ||
| 3. 2.0 credits in: | 2.0 | |
PSYC 1001 [0.5] | Introduction to Psychology I | |
PSYC 1002 [0.5] | Introduction to Psychology II | |
PSYC 2001 [0.5] | Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology | |
PSYC 2002 [0.5] | Introduction to Statistics in Psychology | |
| 4. 1.0 credit from: | 1.0 | |
PSYC 2100 [0.5] | Introduction to Social Psychology | |
PSYC 2200 [0.5] | Biological Foundations of Behaviour | |
PSYC 2500 [0.5] | Foundations of Developmental Psychology | |
PSYC 2600 [0.5] | Introduction to the Study of Personality | |
PSYC 2700 [0.5] | Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | |
| 5. 2.0 credits in psychology chosen in consultation with members of the Department from psychology courses in the areas of behavioral neuroscience, community and social psychology, perception and cognition, developmental psychology, forensic, HCI, or personality and assessment | 2.0 | |
| 6. 1.0 credit in PSYC | 1.0 | |
| 7. 1.0 language credit | 1.0 | |
| 8. 1.0 credit from: | 1.0 | |
HIST 1300 [1.0] | The Making of Canada | |
HIST 2303 [1.0] | Canadian Political History | |
HIST 2304 [1.0] | Canadian Social History | |
| Canadian Economic History to 1914 and Canadian Economic History since 1914 | ||
| 9. 4.0 credits in free electives. | 4.0 | |
| Total Credits | 20.0 | |
Bachelor of Journalism
Combined Honours
Bachelor of Journalism students may take Combined Honours programs in which Journalism is combined with another discipline. Students may choose from Combined Honours programs offered in the following Bachelor of Arts disciplines: African Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Biology, Canadian Studies, Communication Studies, Economics, Applied Economics, English, European and Russian Studies, Film Studies, French, Geography, Global Politics, Greek and Roman Studies, History, Human Rights, Law, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies. The Journalism requirements for the Combined Honours program are normally the same as those for the Bachelor of Journalism with Honours listed above. The requirements of the other discipline are the same as those listed for the B.A. Combined Honours program in that discipline. Students are advised to consult the Combined Honours entry of their second discipline in this calendar for details. Combined Honours programs in Journalism and other disciplines are available only to students registered in Journalism.
Bachelor of Arts
Combined Honours
Upon application procedures described below, students combining Journalism with another discipline may elect to graduate with the degree Bachelor of Arts (Combined Honours) in lieu of the Bachelor of Journalism (Combined Honours). The Journalism requirements for this degree are the same as those for the Bachelor of Journalism with Honours listed above. The requirements of the other discipline are the same as those listed for the Combined Honours program in the other discipline. Students are advised to consult the Combined Honours entry of their second discipline in this calendar for details. All students who elect to receive the Bachelor of Arts (Combined Honours) must (i) write the Honours Research Essay, if required, in the other discipline and (ii) must transfer to the Bachelor of Arts Honours program as a Combined Honours student. Students who are not required to present an Honours Research Essay by the other discipline, but who prefer to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Combined Honours), must also transfer to the Bachelor of Arts Honours program. Such students must request an Internal Degree Transfer in their final term and at least 60 days before the completion of the final courses required for their degree to assure their graduation at the next convocation.
Combined Honours programs in Journalism and other disciplines are available only to students registered in Journalism.
Journalism
B.J. Combined Honours (20.0 credits)
| A. Credits Included in the Journalism CGPA (8.0 credits) | ||
| 1. 1.0 credit in: | 1.0 | |
JOUR 1000 [1.0] | Foundations of Journalism | |
| 2. 2.0 credits in: | 2.0 | |
JOUR 2201 [1.0] | Fundamentals of Reporting | |
JOUR 2205 [0.5] | Journalism and Public Institutions | |
JOUR 2501 [0.5] | Communications Law I | |
| 3. 2.5 credits in: | 2.5 | |
JOUR 3207 [0.5] | Introduction to Radio Journalism | |
JOUR 3208 [0.5] | Introduction to Television Journalism | |
JOUR 3215 [0.5] | Professional Practice and Ethics | |
JOUR 3225 [0.5] | Reporting in Depth | |
JOUR 3235 [0.5] | New Media Reporting | |
| 4. 1.5 credits in: | 1.5 | |
JOUR 4001 [0.5] | Journalism Now - and Next | |
JOUR 4201 [1.0] | Specialized Reporting | |
| 5. 1.0 credit from: | 1.0 | |
JOUR 4204 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced New Media Workshop | |
JOUR 4205 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced Newspaper Workshop | |
JOUR 4206 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced Radio Workshop | |
JOUR 4207 [0.5] | The Newsroom – Advanced Television Workshop | |
JOUR 4208 [0.5] | Professional Practices: Specialized Media | |
| B. Additional Requirements (12.0 credits) | 12.0 | |
| 6. 1.0 language credit | ||
| 7. 1.0 credit from: | ||
HIST 1300 [1.0] | The Making of Canada | |
HIST 2303 [1.0] | Canadian Political History | |
HIST 2304 [1.0] | Canadian Social History | |
| Canadian Economic History to 1914 and Canadian Economic History since 1914 | ||
| 8. The requirements from the other discipline, including where required an honours research essay | ||
| 9. Sufficient free electives to make 20.0 credits for the whole program | ||
| Total Credits | 20.0 | |
Note: Items 6 and/or 7 above may be satisfied by courses simultaneously fulfilling requirements of the other discipline.
Journalism (JOUR) Courses
Journalism
Faculty of Public Affairs
Foundations of Journalism
This course introduces students to journalism and media in Canada and internationally; the historical role, customs and contributions of news, reporting and journalism; how those are begin reshaped by the digital age and the key concepts and issues faced by journalists in their work.
Lectures and discussion three hours a week.
The Documentary
Examination of the work of individual film makers, of documentary styles and of organizations and institutions in the context of the history of documentary film making, including documentaries made for television. Non-fiction films other than documentaries may be considered.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 2105 (FILM 2105).
Prerequisite(s): FILM 1000 or permission of the School.
Lectures and screening two hours, two days a week.
Fundamentals of Reporting
An introduction to the techniques of news gathering, the standard rules of news and feature writing, elements of news judgment, interviewing skills, a sense of narrative, and ethical reflection.
Prerequisite(s): for second-year Honours Journalism students and students who transfer into the program.
Lectures, discussion and practicum six hours a week.
Journalism and Public Institutions
An introduction to the major political institutions of Canada; the policy process and the avenues for public participation in government at the federal, provincial and municipal levels; the economy; the arts community; and the like.
Lectures and discussion three hours a week.
Communications Law I
A survey of laws that affect the Canadian media. Specific areas include the development of freedom of expression, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and statutory and common law limitations on freedoms of the press, including publication bans, libel and contempt of court.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 3501, MCOM 3501 (last offered 1996-97).
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 1000 or COMM 1101 or FYSM 1207, permission of the School, or registration in the Communication Information Technology Policy specialization area of the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management.
Lectures and discussion three hours a week.
Questions of Documentary Practice
Theoretical implications of documentary film and documentary television practice.
Prerequisite(s): 1.0 credit in Film Studies at the 2000-level, or permission of the School.
Introduction to Radio Journalism
An introduction to the principles and practices of radio reporting. In this practical course students will produce journalistic reports for radio and will begin producing newscasts.
Note: JOUR 3207 and JOUR 3208 may not be taken in the same term.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 2201.
Lectures and practicum six hours a week.
Introduction to Television Journalism
An introduction to the principles and practices of television reporting. In this practical course students will produce journalistic reports for television and will begin producing newscasts.
Note: JOUR 3207 and JOUR 3208 may not be taken in the same term.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 2201.
Lectures and practicum six hours a week.
Professional Practice and Ethics
The course will deepen understanding of professionalism in journalism through reporting experience in a working newsroom, as well as instruction and research in a seminar on journalism ethics.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 2201.
Lectures and practicum three hours a week.
Reporting in Depth
The course will develop skills in long-form journalistic writing and in techniques for thoroughly investigating timely public issues. Students will study examples of outstanding feature and investigative writing and pursue their own reporting projects.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 2201.
Lectures and practicum three hours a week.
New Media Reporting
The course will introduce the tools and techniques used by reporters to produce journalism for online audiences using a variety of formats including written and spoken language, still and moving images.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 2201.
Lectures and practicum three hours a week.
Film and Society
An examination of film in relation to social and intellectual developments of the twentieth century. The ways in which the cinema has both shaped and been shaped by some of these developments are considered.
Prerequisite(s): at least 1.0 credit in Film Studies and third-year standing, or permission of the Discipline or the School.
Screening three hours a week, lecture one hour a week.
Communication in a Global Context
Structures and flow of global communication and information and its impact on our views of the world.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR/MCOM 3005 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): COMM 2101 and third-year standing in Communication Studies, or third- or fourth-year B.J.(Honours) standing, or PAPM 2000 and registration in the Communication Information Technology Policy specialization of the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management, or permission of the School of Journalism and Communication.
Lectures three hours a week.
Comparative Media Studies
The comparative study of one or more media organizations and/or types of media content with reference to their operation, audiences, and impacts.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR/MCOM 3006 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): COMM 2101 and third-year standing in Communication Studies, or third- or fourth-year B.J.(Honours) standing, or PAPM 2000 and registration in the Communication Information Technology Policy specialization of the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management, or permission of the School of Journalism and Communication.
Lectures three hours a week.
Telecommunications Regulation
The law regulating Canadian broadcasting and communications industries. Focus on the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission. Topics may include: administrative formulation of policy, ownership rules, program content and quality, access to the media, cablevision licensing and control, alternative sanctions.
Prerequisite(s): one of LAWS 2003, LAWS 2004 or LAWS 2005, or a 2000-level Journalism credit.
Lectures and discussion three hours a week.
Theoretical and Critical Aspects of Journalism
Theoretical overview of the news media in Canada, and the conditions under which they operate; examination of critiques of the media, including ethics.
Prerequisite(s): for fourth-year Honours Journalism students and students who have fourth-year standing in the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management and who are registered in the Strategic Public Opinion and Policy Analysis specialization area.
Lectures and discussion three hours a week.
Journalism Now - and Next
This course will examine changes taking place in the media, in the public’s relationship with the media and how journalists and news organizations respond as well as exploring the practical issues and challenges in the professional life of a journalist.
Prerequisite(s): for fourth-year Honours Journalism students and students who have fourth-year standing in the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management and who are registered in the Strategic Public Opinion and Policy Analysis specialization area.
Lectures and discussion three hours a week.
Special Topic
Examination of a topic in journalism not covered in depth in other courses. Seminar three hours a week.
Special Topic
An examination of a topic in journalism not covered in depth in other courses. Topics may vary from year to year.
Specialized Reporting
A seminar/workshop in one area of public affairs reporting. Offerings may include politics and government, international issues, the arts, the economy, science and technology, social issues, sports. Emphasis on explanatory/analytical reporting, culminating in an extended work of journalism in any medium, resources permitting.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
The Newsroom – Advanced New Media Workshop
A workshop course designed to give students instruction in online reporting and publishing.
Note: no more than two of JOUR 4204, JOUR 4205, JOUR 4206, JOUR 4207 and JOUR 4208 may be taken and they may not be taken simultaneously. JOUR 4204 may not be repeated.
Workshops averaging eight hours per week.
The Newsroom – Advanced Newspaper Workshop
A workshop course designed to give students instruction in community newspaper and online publishing.
Note: no more than two of JOUR 4204, JOUR 4205, JOUR 4206, JOUR 4207 and JOUR 4208 may be taken and cannot be taken simultaneously. JOUR 4205 may not be repeated.
Workshops averaging eight hours a week.
The Newsroom – Advanced Radio Workshop
A workshop course designed to give students instruction in radio news and current affairs.
Note: no more than two of JOUR 4204, JOUR 4205, JOUR 4206, JOUR 4207, and JOUR 4208 may be taken and cannot be taken simultaneously. JOUR 4206 may not be repeated.
Workshops averaging eight hours a week.
The Newsroom – Advanced Television Workshop
A workshop course designed to give students instruction in television news and current affairs.
Note: no more than two of JOUR 4204, JOUR 4205, JOUR 4206, JOUR 4207 and JOUR 4208 may be taken and cannot be taken simultaneously. JOUR 4207 may not be repeated.
Workshops averaging eight hours a week.
Professional Practices: Specialized Media
A workshop course designed to give students instruction in a specialized area such as radio documentary, video documentary, film documentary, editing, magazine writing, photojournalism. Not all specialties will be offered each year.
Note: no more than two of JOUR 4204, JOUR 4205, JOUR 4206, JOUR 4207 and JOUR 4208 may be taken and cannot be taken simultaneously. JOUR 4208 may not be repeated.
Prerequisite(s): for fourth-year B.J. (Hons.) students only.
Lecture and practicum two hours a week.
Gender, Diversity and the Journalist
Using theoretical and textual analysis, this course examines the roles that social concepts of gender have played in several of the following: journalism history, journalistic expression and professional practice, professional status, cultural representations and expectations of the journalist, and the alternative or specialized media.
Seminar three hours a week.
Honours Tutorial
Students analyze some major achievements in contemporary journalism, through individual or group research. Students also have the opportunity to acquire background and experience in the managerial aspects and production of print and broadcast journalism.
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