Journalism
Faculty List
M.
Mahtani, B.A. (Dalhousie), Ph.D. (London), Associate Professor
K.
McCrindle, M.A., Ph.D. (Toronto), Senior Lecturer
SPECIALIST (JOINT) PROGRAM IN JOURNALISM (ARTS)
Program Supervisor: J. Dvorkin (416-208-2919) Email:
jeffrey.dvorkin@utoronto.ca
This program may be taken in fulfillment of the requirements of a
four-year (20-credit) Honours B.A. Degree and requires four to five
years to complete. In addition to completing the requirements for
the degree, students who intend to qualify a diploma from Centennial
College must undertake one additional semester in a field placement
and complete a non-credit course on journalism career management at
Centennial.
Courses are taught at both U of T Scarborough and at Centennial College
(East York campus). Centennial courses are taken in the third and
fourth years of the program. Students must be registered on a full-time
basis while at Centennial College. This may include evenings and weekends.
Students must maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
of 2.0 or higher to remain in the program.
Guidelines for 1st year course selection
Students intending to complete the program should include the following
in their first year course selection:
MDSA02H3 and JOUA01H3 & JOUA02H3
and HUMA01H3 & other courses
of interest. The Journalism Study Guide is available at: www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~humdiv/prg_jo.html
Note: Many of the new media courses codes have changed from
MDS to JOU. See course descriptions.
Program Admission
Limited enrolment. Applicants must fill out a joint program application
form, which is available online at www.utsc.utoronto.ca/jtprogs
Program Requirements
- MDSA02H3 From Print
to Digital: History of Media and Technology
JOUA01H3 & JOUA02H3
Introduction to Journalism I & II
HUMA01H3 Exploring Key Questions in Humanities
- JOUB24H3 Journalism in
the Age of New Media
JOUB01H3 Covering Immigration
and Transnational Issues
JOUB02H3 Critical Journalism
JOUB39H3 Fundamentals of
Journalistic Writing
HUMA02H3 Inquiry and Reasoning
in the Humanities
- Two full credits at the C or D-level, of which at least 1.0 credit
is at the D-level.
- Courses that satisfy the requirements of one Minor Program.
Note: Courses used to meet this requirement may also be applied
to Requirements a) through c).
- Journalism Group I - students will be eligible to enrol in these
courses after successfully completing at least 10 full credits at
the University of Toronto Scarborough (or permission of the Program
Supervisor), including MDSA02H3,
JOUA01H3, JOUA02H3,
JOUB24H3, JOUB01H3,
JOUB02H3, JOUB39H3,
HUMA01H3, HUMA02H3.
*JOUA06H3 Journalism Law
and Ethics
*JOUB11H3 News Reporting
*JOUB14H3 Journalism Design
*JOUB18H3 Imaging: Photography
for Journalists
- Journalism Group II - students will be eligible to enrol in these
courses after successfully completing Group I above.
*JOUB03H3 Magazine/Freelance
Journalism
*JOUB05H3 Advanced Interviewing
Techniques
*JOUB10H3 News Laboratory
I
*JOUB17H3 Radio News
*JOUB20H3 Multiplatform Journalism
- Journalism Group III - students will be eligible to enrol in
these courses after successfully completing Group II above.
*JOUC13H3 Beat Reporting
*JOUC16Y3 News Laboratory
II
*JOUC17H3 Television News
* A minimum grade of C- is required in these particular courses to pass
and maintain standing in the program.
Completion of a 15-week field placement and Career Management course
are also required to qualify for the diploma from Centennial College.
The field placement enables prospective graduates to practice and develop
the skills required to work professionally and effectively in journalistic
environments. Through individual work and as members of teams, students
contribute to the publication of journalistic content within various
formats and media platforms.
JOUA01H3
Introduction to Journalism I
An introduction to the social, historical, philosophical, and practical
contexts of the media. The course will examine various types of media
and the role of the journalist. Students will be introduced to story
forms and journalistic skills. Media coverage of current issues will
be discussed. This course is open only to students in the Journalism
Joint Program.
Exclusion: (MDSA21H3)
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUA02H3
Introduction to Journalism II
A continuation of JOUA01H3.
The course is open only to students in the Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite: (MDSA21H3)
or JOUA01H3
Exclusion: (MDSA22H3)
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUA06H3
Journalism Law and Ethics
An examination of the key legal and ethical issues facing Canadian
journalists, with an emphasis on the practical: what a journalist
needs to know to avoid legal problems and develop strategies for handling
ethical challenges. This course is taught at Centennial College and
is open only to students in the Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 10 credits including [(MDSA21H3)
or JOUA01H3], [(MDSA22H3)
or JOUA02H3], [(MDSB26H3)
or JOUB01H3], [(MDSB27H3)
or JOUB02H3], (HUMB11H3).
Corequisite: JOUB11H3 & JOUB14H3
& JOUB18H3
Exclusion: (MDSB04H3)
Breadth Requirement: History, Philosophy & Cultural Studies
JOUB01H3
Covering Immigration and Transnational Issues
An examination of Canadian coverage of immigration and transnational
issues. With the shift in Canada's demographies, media outlets are
struggling to adapt to new realities. We will explore how media frame
the public policy debate on immigration, multiculturalism, diaspora
communities, and transnational issues which link Canada to the developing
world.
This course is open only to students in the Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite: HUMA01H3 & (MDSA21H)
or JOUA01H3 & (MDSA22H3)
or JOUA02H3
Exclusion: (MDSB26H3)
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUB02H3
Critical Journalism
The course examines the representation of race, gender, class and
power in the media, traditional journalistic practices and newsroom
culture. It will prepare students who wish to work in a media-related
industry with a critical perspective towards understanding the marginalization
of particular groups in the media. The course is open only to students
in the Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 4.0 credits including HUMA01H3
& [(MDSA21H3) or JOUA01H3]
& [(MDSA22H3) or JOUA02H3].
Exclusion: (MDSB27H3)
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUB03H3
Magazine/Freelance Journalism
An introduction to developing and selling quality magazine stories
for multiplatform publication. Students learn techniques for both
successful freelancing and magazine staff work. Students learn the
importance of finding market niches, winning assignments, and carrying
them out professionally. Assignments include producing source materials,
a query letter and a feature-length story. This course is taught at
Centennial College and is open only to students in the Journalism
Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 12 credits, including JOUA06H3
& JOUB11H3 & JOUB14H3
& JOUB18H3
Corequisite: JOUB05H3 & JOUB10H3
& JOUB17H3 & JOUB20H3
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUB05H3
Advanced Interviewing Techniques
An advanced course that helps students to polish their interviewing
techniques and correct weaknesses in their interviewing style. Students
analyze recorded interviews, role-play, critique student interviews
and conduct research. This is as much a "people" skills course as
it is a course in learning how to ask the right questions. This course
is taught at Centennial College and is open only to students in the
Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 12 credits, including JOUA06H3
& JOUB11H3 & JOUB14H3
& JOUB18H3
Corequisite: JOUB03H3 & JOUB10H3
& JOUB17H3 & JOUB20H3
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUB10H3
News Laboratory I
Practical experience on "The Observer", an online and printed community
newspaper serving Malvern, Highland Creek and West Hill and produced
by journalism students. The work includes research, field reporting,
writing, photography, page design and audio/video website production.
This intensive course requires a large time commitment that may include
evenings and weekends. This course is taught at Centennial College
and is open only to students in the Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 12 credits, including JOUA06H3
& JOUB11H3 & JOUB14H3
& JOUB18H3
Corequisite: JOUB03H3 & JOUB05H3
& JOUB17H3 & JOUB20H3
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUB11H3
News Reporting
Practice in journalistic reporting and writing, starting with a simple
news story and proceeding to feature and profile writing and coverage
of municipal affairs. Class discussions focus on critical analysis
of professional publications. Guest professional journalists discuss
their experience and current issues in journalism. This course is
taught at Centennial College and is open only to students in the Journalism
Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 10 credits including [(MDSA21H3)
or JOUA01H3], [(MDSA22H3)
or JOUA02H3], [(MDSB26H3)
or JOUB01H3], [(MDSB27H3)
or JOUB02H3], HUMB11H3).
Corequisite: JOUA06H3 & JOUB14H3
& JOUB18H3
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUB14H3
Journalism Design
This course introduces the principles of design and electronic publishing.
Students develop skills to produce multiplatform layouts, including
broadsheet, tabloid and website formats, in preparation for experience
on the print and online "Observer". Students will use InDesign to
produce attractively designed journalistic layouts that reflect sound
news judgment. This course is at Centennial College and is open only
to students in the Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite:10 credits including [(MDSA21H3)
or JOUA01H3], [(MDSA22H3)
or JOUA02H3],[(MDSB26H3)
or JOUB01H3], [(MDSB27H3)
or JOUB02H3], (HUMB11H3).
Corequisite: JOUA06H3 & JOUB11H3
& JOUB18H3
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUB17H3
Radio News
The basics of radio journalism, including news, sports and entertainment
reporting, interviewing, broadcast writing, performance and studio
techniques. Students use digital audio recorders and handheld microphones
to produce live-to-air (via Internet) newscasts and podcasts that
are posted on the college's podcast web page. Stories are edited on
digital audio software. This course is taught at Centennial College
and is open only to students in the Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 12 credits, including JOUA06H3
& JOUB11H3 & JOUB14H3
& JOUB18H3
Corequisite: JOUB03H3 & JOUB05H3
& JOUB10H3 & JOUB20H3
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUB18H3
Imaging: Photography for Journalists
An introduction to the basic concepts of photography and a deeper
examination of the principles of photojournalism. Students create
photo stories using a range of equipment (portable, battery-operated
flash equipment, digital cameras, etc.) and learn how to edit images
for publication, either in print or in Web form. This course is taught
at Centennial College and is open only to students in the Journalism
Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 10 credits including [(MDSA21H3)
or JOUA01H3], [(MDSA22H3)
or JOUA02H3], [(MDSB26H3)
or JOUB01H3],[(MDSB27H3)
or JOUB02H3], (HUMB11H3).
Corequisite: JOUA06H3 & JOUB11H3
& JOUB14H3
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUB20H3
Multiplatform Journalism
This course focuses on design and writing for multiplatform presentations
of editorial content. Instruction includes gathering, editing and
uploading text, audio and video for display on websites and mobile
handheld devices. Students learn the mechanics of news website construction
and maintenance and protocols for storytelling in a digital milieu.
This course is taught at Centennial College and is open only to students
in the Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 12 credits, including JOUA06H3,
JOUB11H3, JOUB14H3
& JOUB18H3
Corequisite: JOUB03H3, JOUB05H3,
JOUB10H3 & JOUB17H3
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUB24H3
Journalism in the Age of New Media
Journalism is undergoing a revolutionary change. Old trusted formats
are falling away and young people are consuming, producing, exchanging,
and absorbing news in a different way. The course will help students
critically analyze new media models and give them the road map they
will need to negotiate and work in New Media. This course is open
only to students in the Journalism Joint Program.
Exclusion: (MDSB24H3)
JOUB39H3
Fundamentals of Journalistic Writing
An overview of the standard rules and techniques of journalistic writing.
The course examines the basics of good writing style including words
and structures most likely to cause problems for writers. Students
will develop their writing skills through assignments designed to
help them conceive, develop, and produce works of journalism. This
course is open only to students in the Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite: [(MDSA21H3)
or JOUA01H3] & [(MDSA22H3)
or JOUA02H3] & HUMA01H3.
Exclusion: (MDSB39H3)
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUC13H3
Beat Reporting
Student teams select a "beat", conduct research, and prepare a proposal.
Each student researches and writes five stories. Each team publishes
a niche magazine and designs an accompanying website, using multi-media
skills of writing, photography, audio and video. The time commitment
for this advanced course may include evenings and weekends. This course
is taught at Centennial College and is open only to students in the
Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 14.5 credits, including JOUB03H3,
JOUB05H3, JOUB10H3,
JOUB17H3 & [(JOUB09H3)
or JOUB20H3]
Corequisite: JOUC16Y3 & JOUC17H3
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUC16Y3
News Laboratory II
Students play more senior roles to produce content for the online
and print editions of "The Observer". Participants attend staff meetings
during class time, and research and write stories outside class. This
intensive course requires a large time commitment that may include
evenings and weekends. This course is taught at Centennial College
and is open only to students in the Journalism Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 14.5 credits, including JOUB03H3
& JOUB05H3 & JOUB10H3
& JOUB17H3 & [(JOUB09H3)
or JOUB20H3]
Corequisite: JOUC13H3 & JOUC17H3
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
JOUC17H3
Television News
This course focuses on video journalism skills for a multi-platform
environment. Whether covering stories for traditional television news
or a website, students learn how to shoot, edit and produce editorial
content. Students also staff a live-to-air news program where they
anchor as well as work behind the scenes. This course is taught at
Centennial College and is open only to students in the Journalism
Joint Program.
Prerequisite: 14.5 credits, including JOUB03H3
& JOUB05H3 & JOUB10H3
& JOUB17H3 & [(JOUB09H3)
or JOUB20H3]
Corequisite: JOUC13H3 & JOUC16Y3
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language
Media Studies
MDSA02H3
From Print to Digital: History of Media and Technology
See the Media Studies
section of this Calendar for full course descriptions.