Courses Outlines & Programs

The entire Bachelor of Journalism program and the final two years of the BA in Journalism program, must be completed in full at the University of Regina following admission to the School. The program blends practical assignments with academics, and provides significant work experience over a two-year period.

The School's facilities are state-of-the-art including a fully computerized print newsroom, a television studio and control room, audio and video editing suites, a computer-equipped broadcast newsroom with radio studio and control room. Students produce radio and television newscasts, documentaries, newspapers, magazines, and Internet publications.

Students admitted to the School of Journalism will take three semesters of course work and a semester-long internship in a medium (print, radio or television). Students must meet the required standard in this internship to obtain the degree. Students must also achieve a minimum average of 65% per semester in journalism, with no failures, in order to continue in the program.

All students in the program will take the following Required Courses:

FIRST SEMESTER

JRN 300 Introduction to Print Journalism

Study and practice of newsgathering fundamentals and principles in reporting for daily and weekly newspapers and their websites. A focus on information gathering, clear, complete, accurate and fair story writing to deadlines, the essentials of headline writing, page layout and editing according to Canadian Press style guidelines followed in newspapers across the country.

JRN 301 Introduction to Broadcast Journalism

Study and practice of newsgathering, writing and reporting for radio and television. A focus on the development of broadcast specific skills to understand and relay the daily events and issues of public importance as presented in a broadcast news format.

JRN 302 Rights and Responsibilities of the Journalist

A critical look at the social role and ethical responsibilities of the news media. An introduction to journalistic responsibilities and legal parameters, including court reporting, use of images, libel and slander, protecting sources, etc. A focus on understanding the rights of the journalist, including freedom of expression, access to information, and the justice system.

JRN 303 Research Techniques for Journalists

An introduction to well-researched and well-told reporting, including building a research file, research sources and tools, libraries and archives, fact checking, placing facts within narrative structure, engaging and informing the reader, using research to enhance descriptive power, and analyzing and translating complex information for a mass audience.

JRN 304 Foundations of Interviewing for Journalists

An introduction to the fundamentals of conducting a successful interview. A focus on developing interview techniques and style, accurate note-taking, the process of re-telling people's stories, placing interviews within narrative structure, handling ethical dilemmas, active listening, understanding memory and human psychology, and the analysis of live and taped interviews will be examined.

SECOND OR THIRD SEMESTER

JRN 305 Intermediate Print Journalism: The Multimedia News Room

Continuing study and practice of newsgathering and writing for daily news, in print and on the web with in-depth reporting on current issues. A focus on beat coverage, print and web production, preparation of features, backgrounders and analysis pieces, and ethical and style guidelines for news. A critical study of the policies and ownership patterns of Canadian daily and weekly newspapers, a review of examples of excellent investigative journalism are analyzed, examined and debated.

JRN 306 Intermediate Broadcast Journalism in a MultiMedia Environment

Continuing study and practice of newsgathering, writing and reporting for radio and television. A focus on longer form reporting for radio and television, with specific attention on the skills to fit in-depth analysis and commentary of public issues into a variety of broadcast formats ranging from talk tapes to mini documentaries.

JRN 307 Investigative Journalism

The history and social role of investigative journalism. Students will explore investigative tools and techniques, including accessing public information, approaching and interviewing hostile sources, computer assisted reporting, online resources, ethical pitfalls, journalistic numeracy, avoiding legal problems, ensuring accuracy, fact-checking and security.

JRN 308 Contemporary Issues in Journalism

This course examines selected topics of importance to journalists, and aims to promote critical responses to journalistic issues, interpreting and disseminating information about an increasingly complex world, technological advances in reporting, and developing journalistic fluency in a mediated culture.

Plus one 300 level journalism elective.

SECOND OR THIRD SEMESTER

JRN 400 Internship

The internship is a period of three to four months to be served in the field in a work/study capacity. Students select prospective internships and are interviewed for placements with media outlets, however, final decisions on placements are at the discretion of the School and students must accept placements as assigned. Internships are offered in the Winter, Summer or Fall semesters.

FINAL SEMESTER

JRN 401 Advanced Print Journalism

This fourth-semester course focuses on specialized reporting of news and current affairs, and writing of opinion pieces and editorials. Students are expected to bring an analytical approach to the course following the internship experience, monitor major print media coverage of particular issues, and research and investigate stories independently. Students may also work directly with editors to contribute stories for their communities.

AND/OR

JRN 402 Advanced Broadcast Journalism

Advanced study and practice of current affairs, news gathering, writing, and reporting for the broadcast media. Students are expected to bring an analytical approach to the course following the internship experience, monitor major broadcast media coverage of particular issues, and research and investigate stories independently.

Students in their final semester must take at least 9 credit hours of 400 level journalism courses. Their remaining 6 credit hours may be 300 level journalism electives, 400 level journalism electives or courses from outside the School.

A number of these Elective Courses will be offered each semester. The courses offered will depend on the availability of instructors, funding and demand.

300 Level Electives
JRN 310 History of the Media and Journalism

An introduction to the history of the media and journalism, providing a broad examination of trends and developments, including the major milestones in media development.

JRN 311 Media, Power and Communication Rights

A critical analysis of the politics and structures of media power. Discussion from the perspective of citizens' access to media and communication as a right, including an exploration of models for media reform.

JRN 312 Photo Journalism

A detailed examination of the photo journalist's role in the news gathering process. A focus on communicating through imagery and the power of visual story telling, with emphasis on practical techniques and problem solving.

JRN 313 Weeklies - An examination of the special demands of a weekly newspaper and its role in the community.

JRN 314 Feature Journalism

Intensive seminar/workshop based course focused on story development and story craft for longer print or broadcast pieces, including research, narrative structure, character development, imagery, and the substantive editing process with applications for newspapers, television, radio, and magazines.

JRN 315 Journalism and Numbers

This course is designed to develop the journalist's skills in interpreting and reporting numerical information.

JRN 317 Agricultural Journalism

An intensive study of the specialized field of agricultural news gathering, reporting and writing.

JRN 318 Print Editing

Study and practice of copy-editing skills, emphasizing on-line editing, headline writing and pagination, on deadline.

400 Level Electives

JRN 410 Advanced Interviewing - Advanced study in interview preparation and effective interviewing techniques.

JRN 411 Documentary Theory and Production

This course is designed to introduce the theory and practice involved in the production of television and/or radio documentaries. The genre is examined from historical and contemporary perspectives, with a focus on the practical elements of documentary making, including researching, writing, visual and aural literacy, and technical applications. Working in small groups, students are responsible for the delivery of a substantial documentary at the end of the term.

JRN 413 Magazine Writing and Literary Journalism

An intensive writing seminar/workshop with a focus on developing the creative voice and how to apply literary conventions to journalistic writing. A detailed examination of the roots of New Journalism, creative non-fiction, literary journalism, self-directed journalism and the freelance environment.

JRN 414 Directed Investigative Reporting Project

Original, in-depth research into matters of major public interest and importance, organizing the material, writing and editing the script with a view toward publication and/or broadcast. The student will work directly with a faculty supervisor.

JRN 415 International Media

The study of the role of media in the processes of globalization and development, with a focus on learning journalistic skills and practices accepted in and by the media of different countries, and reportage of world events and issues in media outside North America.

JRN 416 Political Reporting

The study and practice of political (press gallery) reporting for print and/or broadcast with a focus on issues and public debates arising out of the Saskatchewan Legislature.

JRN 417 Specialized Reporting

An advanced course focusing on an examination of one form of Beat Reporting. The focus may include: sports, arts, science, religion, aboriginal affairs, medicine, business, environment, education, labour, and/or lifestyle reporting

JRN 418 Journalism Seminar

Weekly seminars on significant contemporary issues in journalism, led by faculty members and guests, focusing on their particular areas of specialization and research.

JRN 419 Alternative and Community Journalism

An examination of the emergence of the citizen journalist within the context of global media, with a focus on the connection to social movements and social change. Emphasis on alternative and community media in theory and practice, with hands-on learning experiences provided.

NEW COURSES

JRN 100 Introduction to Journalism in Society

A study of the historical and cultural perspectives on the role of the journalist and the media in society. An introduction to press freedom in a global context, including concepts of freedom of speech and media access as fundamental human rights. Critical examination of media power and questions of corporate and political control of the news media are addressed.

JRN 496 AA-ZZ Directed Studies

Directed study on a research topic and/or journalistic project of special interest to the student.