School of Journalism and Communication
(Faculty of Public Affairs)
Journalism (JOUR) Courses
Foundations: Journalism in Context
This course charts a history of the fourth estate in the West from the invention of the printing press to the ascendance of networked digital communication, focusing on the political, economic and technological contexts that have shaped the news media as institutions and industries.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 1000.
Prerequisite(s): for Journalism Honours students only.
Lectures and discussion three hours a week.
Foundations: Practicing Journalism in a Diverse Society
The course introduces students to the concepts, issues and challenges in the contemporary Canadian media environment that will shape their professional role as practicing journalists. It will also provide students with an initial opportunity to practice some basic journalistic skills.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 1000.
Prerequisite(s): for Journalism Honours students only.
Lectures and discussion three hours a week.
Discovering Journalism: Traditional Tales to Tweets
Journalism’s evolution as community creator and guardian of democracy; its greatest scoops and worst misdeeds. From ancient news-sharing to 21st-century expression in blogs, tweets and investigative masterpieces, this course surveys ethical, political and economic contexts of journalism. Not open to Journalism majors.
Special Topic
Examination of a topic in journalism not covered in depth in other courses.
Delivering Journalism: Innovators v. Imposters
Activists, imposters and innovators increasingly crowd in on traditional journalism’s role of presenting reliable news and fair discussion. How is public awareness now shaped – and misshaped – and how must journalism reshape, update and defend its borders to serve communities better?.
Lecture 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 1101 or FILM 1120, or second-year standing, or permission of the Discipline.
Lecture and screening three hours a week, lecture one hour a week.
Fundamentals of Reporting
Intro to techniques journalists use gathering information quickly, accurately and ethically, to present reports and features in clear, engaging ways. Newsroom exercises provide experience in reporting, writing, editing, using digital tools, including audio editing software, spreadsheets, digital cameras, social media and emerging web-based digital tools.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 1001 and JOUR 1002 and second year standing in the Bachelor of Journalism program.
Lectures, discussion and practicum six hours a week.
Civics for Journalists
This course offers an overview of key public institutions and civil society organizations in Canada to prepare aspiring journalists to effectively and critically engage with these actors in generating important and illuminating coverage of public affairs.
Lectures and discussion three hours a week.
Media Law
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 COMM 2501 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 1001, JOUR 1002, COMS 1001, COMS 1002, or JOUR 1003 and enrollment in the Minor in News Media and Information, or enrollment in the Communication and Policy Studies specialization of the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management, or permission of the School of Journalism and Communication.
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.
Audio Journalism
In this workshop students will build on the principles and practices of audio journalism to produce stories and audio in various formats suitable for radio and digital publication. Note: JOUR 3207 and JOUR 3208 may not be taken in the same term.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 2201, JOUR 2202, and JOUR 2501 with a grade of C or higher in each.
Lectures and labs six hours a week.
Video Journalism
In this workshop students will build on the principles and practices of video journalism to produce stories and video in various formats suitable for television and digital publication. Note: JOUR 3207 and JOUR 3208 may not be taken in the same term.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 2201, JOUR 2202, and JOUR 2501 with a grade of C or higher in each.
Lectures and labs six hours a week.
Reporting in Depth
Long-form journalistic writing skills development; techniques for thorough investigation of timely public issues. Study of outstanding feature and investigative writing examples. Students will pursue their own reporting projects.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 3205 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 2201, JOUR 2202, and JOUR 2501 with a grade of C or higher in each.
Lectures and practicum three hours a week.
Digital Journalism
Further development of digital journalism skills. Students will produce journalism for online audiences using formats including written and spoken language, still and moving images.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 3205 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 2201, JOUR 2202, and JOUR 2501 with a grade of C or higher in each.
Lectures and labs three hours a week.
Media Ethics in a Digital World
Ethical issues related to production and dissemination of news and other forms of content as they relate to digital environments. Different approaches to ethical decision-making and their application in contemporary settings.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 3215 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 2201, JOUR 2202 and JOUR 2501 with a grade of C or higher in each, or JOUR 1003, JOUR 2003 and JOUR 2501 with a grade of C or higher in each and enrollment in the Minor in News Media and Information.
Lectures three hours a week.
Selected Topic in Journalism
Examination of a topic in journalism not covered in depth in other courses.
Seminar three hours a week.
Selected Topic in Journalism
Examination of a topic in journalism not covered in depth in other courses.
Seminar three hours a week.
Selected Topic in Journalism
Examination of a topic in journalism not covered in depth in other courses.
Seminar 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 COMM 3407 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): third-year standing in B.J. Hons. or permission of the School of Journalism and Communication.
Lectures three hours a week.
Journalism Now - and Next
Changes occurring in the media, in the public’s relationship with the media and how journalists and news organizations respond. Practical issues and challenges in the professional life of a journalist.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 4000 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year standing in the Bachelor of Journalism or in the Bachelor of Media Production and Design, or fourth-year standing and enrollment in the Minor in News Media and Information, or fourth-year standing in the Strategic Public Opinion stream of the Communication and Policy Studies specialization of the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management.
Lectures and discussion three hours a week.
The Digital Hub: Advanced Multimedia
A workshop designed to give students instruction in digital reporting and publishing as they produce stories from across the city and beyond.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3235 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Hons.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5003, for which additional credit is precluded.
Workshops averaging eight hours a week.
The Digital Hub: Advanced Audio
A workshop designed to give students instruction in audio journalism as they produce stories from across the city and beyond.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 4206 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3207 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Hons.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5004, for which additional credit is precluded.
Workshops averaging eight hours per week.
The Digital Hub: Advanced Video
A workshop designed to give students instruction in video journalism as they produce stories from across the city and beyond.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 4207 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3208 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Hons.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5005, for which additional credit is precluded.
Workshops averaging eight 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 Journalism: Special Topic
Examination of a topic not covered in depth in other specialized journalism courses. Topics may vary from year to year. Emphasis on explanatory/analytical reporting, culminating in an extended work of journalism.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Hons. or permission of the School.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5300, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
Specialized Journalism: Business and the Markets
Core skills development for business journalism: reading financial documents, covering activities of corporations, functioning of stock and other markets, trade policy and the broader economy, focus on contemporary business news and local publicly-traded companies. Emphasis on explanatory/analytical reporting, production of an extended work of journalism.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Hons. or permission of the School.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5301, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
Specialized Journalism: Business and Canadian Society
The intersection between business and public policy, from climate change to taxation, pensions, labour and corporate social responsibility. What business does and how the media covers it. Emphasis on explanatory/analytical reporting, production of a related data project as an extended work of journalism.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Hons. or permission of the School.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5302, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
Specialized Journalism: Health and Science
The culture of health science research and major trends; key challenges confronting researchers and health science journalists around the world. Emphasis on explanatory/analytical reporting, production of an extended work of journalism.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Hons. or permission of the School.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5303, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
Specialized Journalism: Environment and Science
Major trends and research culture in climate and environmental sciences, focusing on key global concerns. Issues facing researchers and journalists. Focus on explanatory/analytical reporting; production of an extended work of journalism.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Hons. or permission of the School.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5304, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
Specialized Journalism: Canada and the U.S.
Exploration of the unique issues in Canada-U.S. relations, from diplomacy to trade. Emphasis on explanatory/analytical reporting; production of an extended work of journalism.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Hons. or permission of the School.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5315, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
Specialized Journalism: Canada and the World
Diplomacy, war, terrorism, migration, the international economy, development and other issues of interest to journalists who want to write about Canada and international affairs. Emphasis on explanatory/analytical reporting; production of an extended work of journalism.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Hons. or permission of the School.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5306, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
Specialized Journalism: Sports and Sport Culture
Workshop equipping students with the skills to move beyond the clichés of sports writing and live event coverage. Emphasis on explanatory/analytical reporting; production of an extended work of journalism.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Honours or permission of the School.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5308, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
Specialized Journalism: Arts and Culture
Students are introduced to arts and culture journalism, exploring issues and trends that are key to understanding and covering the arts and related cultural policy in Canada. Emphasis on explanatory/analytical reporting, culminating in an extended work of journalism.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Honours or permission of the School.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5309, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
Specialized Journalism: Justice and the Law
Areas of law that journalists may encounter along with a practical explanation of how law works. Students gain the language and tools needed to successfully analyze and write about legal issues. Emphasis on explanatory/analytical reporting; production of an extended work of journalism.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Honours or permission of the School.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5310, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
Specialized Journalism: Justice and The Supreme Court
Examination of the Supreme Court of Canada, and the role of journalists in covering it. Students attend hearings and gain insight into the court’s role in the making and shaping of Canada. Emphasis on explanatory/analytical reporting; production of an extended work of journalism.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing in B.J. Honours or permission of the School.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5311, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lectures, discussion and seminars three hours a week.
Professional Skills: Special Topic
Examination of a topic in journalism not covered in depth in other courses.
Prerequisite(s): third- or fourth-year standing in B.J. Honours or permission of the School.
Seminar three hours a week.
Professional Skills: Data Storytelling
Instruction in telling stories from data. Focus on searching for, analyzing and mapping data, turning numbers into powerful narratives.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 4208 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing.
Lecture and practicum three hours a week.
Professional Skills: Longform Writing
Instruction in longform story production. Focus on researching and writing, including the art and craft of writing for magazines.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 4208 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing.
Lecture and practicum three hours a week.
Professional Skills: Strategic Communication
Workshop pairing student teams with non-profit groups that are in need of strategic communication advice. Instruction in planning and implementation.
Also listed as MPAD 4403.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 4208 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing.
Also offered at the graduate level, with different requirements, as JOUR 5508, for which additional credit is precluded.
Lecture and practicum three hours a week.
Professional Skills: Freelancing for Media Professionals
Workshop preparing students to compete in a market that values the skills and mindset of entrepreneurial media workers.
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year standing.
Lecture and practicum three hours a week.
Investigating Journalism: Special Topic
Examination of a topic in journalism not covered in depth in other courses.
Prerequisite(s): third- or fourth-year standing in B.J. Honours or permission of the School.
Seminar three hours a week.
Investigating Journalism: Gender, Identity and Inequality
How social concepts of gender, identity and inequality influence journalism. Theoretical and textual analysis. Historical and contemporary case studies from mainstream and alternative media exploring journalistic expression, professional practices, status and expectations, and cultural representations.
Also listed as MPAD 4501.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 4307 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): third- or fourth-year standing in B.J. Hons. or permission of the School.
Seminar three hours a week.
Investigating Journalism: Journalism and Conflict
For as long as there has been conflict between peoples, there have been those who bear witness and recount their observations. This course examines journalism and conflict with an emphasis on journalistic perspectives but also through discussion of interdisciplinary literature and academic research.
Also listed as MPAD 4502.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year B.J. Honours standing, or permission of the School.
Seminar three hours a week.
Investigating Journalism: Journalism, Indigenous Peoples and Canada
Students will explore how journalism in Canada has been associated with colonialism, be challenged to confront misrepresentation in the news media, and learn to consider new strategies and ethical frameworks for covering Indigenous peoples in the era of reconciliation.
Also listed as MPAD 4503.
Prerequisite(s): third-or fourth-year B.J. Honours standing, or permission of the School.
Seminar three hours a week.
Investigating Journalism: The Media and International Development
A critical examination of the use of journalism as an instrument of international development, historically and currently. To what extent have these efforts been successful? On what grounds are they justified? In what regard have they been instruments of propaganda?.
Also listed as MPAD 4504.
Prerequisite(s): third-year standing in the Bachelor of Journalism, or third-year standing and enrollment in the Minor in News Media and Information, or permission of the School of Journalism and Communication.
Seminar three hours a week.
Investigating Journalism: The Power and Politics of Government
In-depth exploration of Canada's government, public policy and politics; parliamentary debate and committee hearings. Explanatory/analytical reporting; production of an extended work of journalism.
Precludes additional credit for JOUR 4201 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): JOUR 3225 with a grade of C or higher and fourth-year B.J. Honours standing, or permission of the School.
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.
Science Communication Certificate Professional Development Workshop
A one-day workshop providing practical skills development for becoming an effective science communicator. Topics for discussion will include defining the audience and framing of information, reviews of effective science communication, career opportunities for science communicators, and one-to-one analysis of participants writing skills. Graded SAT/UNS.
Also listed as ISAP 4999.
Prerequisite(s): This course is restricted to students enrolled in the Certificate of Science Communication, and who have completed at least 2.0 credits towards the certificate, including one of COMS 2500 or ISAP 3003.
A one-day workshop
Note: 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.
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