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This is an archived copy of the 2017-2018 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://calendar.carleton.ca.

School of Journalism and Communication
4312 River Building
613-520-2600 Ext. 7403
http://carleton.ca/sjc

This section presents the requirements for programs in:

Program Requirements

M. Journalism (10.0 credits)

Requirements:
First Year
Candidates admitted to Year One 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]
Introduction to Reporting
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
Year One M.Journalism candidates may be considered for advanced standing in certain of the required courses listed above, but in such cases will be required to replace waived courses with approved options.
Second Year 5.0
Students entering second year choose to complete their degree with an emphasis on either professional practice or journalism studies.
Second Year - Professional Practice Completion Option
Those choosing the professional practice completion option will each select a primary media area of interest; those selecting print or online publishing will take JOUR 5700, and those selecting radio or television will take JOUR 5702.
Students will complete a Master's Research Project (MRP JOUR 5908) in a format consistent with their primary media area of interest and will enrol in a corresponding Advanced Reporting course. In addition, they will take one other Advanced Reporting course, plus JOUR 5208 - Public Affairs Reporting and 1.5 credits of approved electives. The course of studies is as follows:
3.  1.5 credits in:
JOUR 5208 [0.5]
Public Affairs Reporting
JOUR 5908 [1.0]
M.Journalism Research Project (See Note, below)
4.  1.0 credit from:
JOUR 5700 [1.0]
Print Journalism
JOUR 5702 [1.0]
Broadcast Journalism
5.  1.0 credit from:
JOUR 5704 [0.5]
Advanced Journalism (Local News)
JOUR 5705 [0.5]
Advanced Journalism (Multimedia)
JOUR 5707 [0.5]
Advanced Journalism (Audio)
JOUR 5708 [0.5]
Advanced Journalism (Video)
6.  1.5 credits in approved electives in the student's area of specialization
Note: under special circumstances, and with the School's approval, a student pursuing the professional practice completion option could replace JOUR 5908 and 1.0 credit of approved courses above with a 2.0 credit M.J. Thesis, JOUR 5909.
Second Year - Journalism Studies Completion Option
Students choosing the journalism studies completion option must complete the following:
3.  0.5 credit in:
JOUR 5500 [0.5]
Journalism and Society II
4.  2.5 credits in electives related to the study of the media, chosen in consultation with the Supervisor of Graduate Studies. JOUR 5000 required if admitted directly to Year Two. Students who completed this course in first year will substitute an approved Journalism replacement option.
5.  2.0 credits in:
JOUR 5909 [2.0]
M.Journalism Thesis
Total Credits10.0

Note: As a condition for graduation, all students in both completion options 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. For qualified applicants, the School may deem the requirement(s) to have been met.

M. Journalism
with Specialization in African Studies (10.0 credits)

Requirements:
First Year
Candidates admitted to Year One of the Master of Journalism program must complete the following courses before proceeding to the second year of study:
1. 0.5 credit in:0.5
AFRI 5000 [0.5]
African Studies as a Discipline: Historical and Current Perspectives
2. 0.0 credit in:0.0
AFRI 5800 [0.0]
Scholarly Preparation in African Studies
3. 4.0 credits in:4.0
JOUR 5000 [0.5]
Journalism and Society I (see note below)
JOUR 5200 [1.0]
Introduction to Reporting
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 (see note below)
4.  0.5 credit in approved African Studies elective0.5
Year One M.J. candidates may be considered for advanced standing in certain of the required courses listed above, but in such cases will be required to replace waived courses with approved options.
Note: course deliverables for JOUR 5000 and JOUR 5706 must be on an approved African Studies theme.
Second Year5.0
Students entering second year choose to complete their degree with an emphasis on either professional practice or journalism studies.
Second Year - Professional Practice Completion Option
Those choosing the professional practice completion option will each select a primary media area of interest. Those selecting print or online publishing will take JOUR 5700, and those selecting radio or television will take JOUR 5702.
Students will complete a Master's Research Project (JOUR 5908) in a format consistent with their primary media area of interest and will enrol in a corresponding Advanced Reporting course. In addition, they will take one other Advanced Reporting course, plus JOUR 5208 Public Affairs Reporting, and 1.5 credits of approved electives. The course of studies is as follows:
3. 1.5 credits in:
JOUR 5208 [0.5]
Public Affairs Reporting
JOUR 5908 [1.0]
M.Journalism Research Project
4. 1.0 credit from:
JOUR 5700 [1.0]
Print Journalism
JOUR 5702 [1.0]
Broadcast Journalism
5. 1.0 credit from:
JOUR 5704 [0.5]
Advanced Journalism (Local News)
JOUR 5705 [0.5]
Advanced Journalism (Multimedia)
JOUR 5707 [0.5]
Advanced Journalism (Audio)
JOUR 5708 [0.5]
Advanced Journalism (Video)
6. 1.5 credit in approved electives
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.
Second Year - Journalism Studies Completion Option
Students choosing the journalism studies completion with specialization in African Studies must complete the following:
3.  0.5 credit in:
JOUR 5500 [0.5]
Journalism and Society II
4.  2.0 credits in electives related to the study of the media, chosen in consultation with the Supervisor of Graduate Studies. JOUR 5000 Journalism and Society I required if admitted directly to Year Two. Students who completed this course in first year will substitute an approved Journalism replacement option.
5.  2.0 credits in:
JOUR 5909 [2.0]
M.Journalism Thesis
Total Credits10.0

Note: As a condition for graduation, all students in both completion options 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. For qualified applicants, the School may deem the requirement(s) to have been met.

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]
Introduction to Reporting

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 broadcast journalism and practical skill development in broadcast reporting, writing and production.

JOUR 5704 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Journalism (Local News)

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 Journalism (Multimedia)

Designed to enhance storytelling, reporting and editing skills through the production of multimedia 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 Journalism (Audio)

Enhances audio storytelling, radio reporting and production skills to include news features and mini-documentaries, preparation and presentation of public affairs programs, and digital delivery.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 5703[1.0] (no longer offered).

JOUR 5708 [0.5 credit]
Advanced Journalism (Video)

Enhances video storytelling and production skills to include features and mini-documentaries, preparation and presentation of public affairs programs, and digital 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.Journalism 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.Journalism 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

Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

Admission

M. Journalism

The School of Journalism and Communication provides two points of entry into the Master of Journalism program  – Year One or Year Two.

Most applicants will be admitted to Year One of the two-year M.Journalism program; however, some may qualify for admission to Year Two. A committee chaired by the Supervisor of Graduate Studies will determine the admissibility of each applicant.

For admission to Year One of the M.Journalism program, applicants must hold an honour's bachelor's degree or the equivalent, with, normally, B+ or better in the honours subject and B- or higher overall.

A limited number of spaces will be made available for direct admission to Year Two of the  M. Journalism program. Students must normally possess one of the following qualifications to be considered for this admission option:

  • a B.Journalism (Honours) or the equivalent;
  • a degree in another discipline from a recognized university plus at least five years of professional experience in journalism;
  • substantial  professional journalism experience of a high standard.

Note: Students with prior journalistic experience or credentials who are admitted directly into Year Two will normally pursue the Journalism Studies completion option, or a path of coursework selected in consultation with the Supervisor of Graduate Studies, which will include a thesis or master's research project, as appropriate.

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.

Proficiency in English is necessary to pursue graduate studies at Carleton University. Journalism demands higher levels of competence in English than specified in the general regulations of the graduate calendar.

All applicants whose first language is not English must satisfy this requirement by meeting one of the following criteria:

  1. An official overall score of 70 on the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment; or
  2. An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 600 on the paper-based test (PBT), or an overall score of 100 on the Internet-based test (IBT) with a minimum score in each component of:  writing 25; speaking 25; reading 25; and listening 25; or
  3. An official overall international English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each band score; or
  4. Official certification (transcripts) to indicate that they have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree within the past three years in a university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English, and where the language of instruction in the relevant education institution was exclusively English.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs reserves the right to require further documentation or additional testing if it deems it is necessary to demonstrate the required level of English language proficiency.

M. Journalism with Specialization in African Studies

Information about admission to the M. Journalism with Specialization in African Studies can be found at carleton.ca/africanstudies/graduate-studies/admissions