Journalism Courses

Description: This course provides a survey of the foundational ideas about journalism and its role in society, from the time of an emergent press to the present. It addresses received ideas about journalism’s place in democratic society as well as current critical thought.

Component(s): Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Enrolment in the Major in Journalism or the Minor in Science Journalism is required.

Description: This workshop course lays the foundation for all subsequent reporting and writing courses. Students learn how to do library and online research, structure and conduct interviews, and write news and feature stories for print and digital outlets. Students learn Canadian Press style.

Component(s): Conference; Workshop

• Students who have received credit for JOUR 201 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Enrolment in the Major in Journalism or the Minor in Science Journalism is required.

Description: This workshop course introduces students to the use of technology across all digital news platforms, including audio and visual equipment and software. It focuses on the development of the necessary professional, technical and aesthetic skills to produce editorially sound audio and visual stories. Students are expected to master the use of cameras, recording equipment, and editing software as well as basic digital tools for journalists.

Component(s): Conference; Workshop

• Students who have received credit for JOUR 200, JOUR 203 or JOUR 221 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 206 and JOUR 207.

Description: This workshop course builds on reporting, writing and research fundamentals with increased emphasis on reporting stories in the community. Practical out‑of‑class assignments focus on the city of Montreal. Students are expected to report on public events, conduct interviews, and write news and feature stories for print and digital outlets.

Component(s): Conference; Workshop

• Students who have received credit for JOUR 201 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 206 and JOUR 207.

Description: This workshop course expands on technical and editorial fundamentals with increased emphasis on the use of digital news technology in journalistic storytelling. Students also learn the basics of web layout and design, CMS, and writing formats for these news platforms. Students strengthen their skills by producing multimedia stories using the city of Montreal as their focus.

Component(s): Conference; Workshop

• Students who have received credit for JOUR 221 may not take this course for credit.

Description: This course considers the current reality of the Quebec news media as they have been informed by the history of journalism in Quebec. The course situates the media in Quebec within broader philosophical and sociological currents informing the understanding of journalism as an institution. Some of the reading material for this course is in French.

Component(s): Lecture

• Students who have received credit for JOUR 305 may not take this course for credit.

Description: This course introduces students to the increasingly complex structures of modern media, and considers them in the context of journalism ideals. It examines the organizations, practices and problems of news media, focusing on key functions in day‑to‑day activities. In any given year, it may explore in detail a particular development or problem in the news media.

Component(s): Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following course must be completed: JOUR 206 and JOUR 207.

Description: This course looks at issues and practices in journalism within the contexts of law and ethics. It aims to provide students with an understanding of professional standards and legal norms, together with a strong foundation in ethical reasoning.

Component(s): Lecture

• Students who have received credit for JOUR 316, JOUR 317 or COMS 453 may not take this course for credit.

Description: Specific topics for this course, and relevant prerequisites, are stated in the Undergraduate Class Schedule.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 206, JOUR 207, JOUR 208 and JOUR 209.

Description: This course introduces students to research methods with a particular focus on primary sources, such as official documents, legal and financial records, access‑to‑information requests, electronic databases, as well as in‑depth interviews. These methods are treated as both sources of story ideas and as essential elements of good reporting.

Component(s): Workshop

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 206, JOUR 207, JOUR 208 and JOUR 209.

Description: This workshop course is designed to help students develop and enhance their writing abilities, preparing for the broadest range of long‑form journalism, from brief colour stories and profiles to in‑depth and long‑form articles. It consolidates interview techniques and introduces a variety of writing approaches, including long‑form journalism.

Component(s): Workshop

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 206, JOUR 207, JOUR 208 and JOUR 209.

Description: This workshop course develops students’ copy‑editing skills and introduces them to the fundamentals of page layout. While the editing component of the course is designed primarily for students in journalism, the techniques employed are applicable to all media forms.

Component(s): Workshop

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Students must complete 30 credits in their degree program prior to enrolling. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description: This course focuses on gender and diversity issues in journalism, ranging from the historical context to more contemporary material. It addresses the ways in which gender and diversity affect journalism as both a practice and an institution.

Component(s): Lecture

• Students who have received credit for JOUR 320, 420 or for this topic under a JOUR 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 206, JOUR 207, JOUR 208 and JOUR 209.

Description: This workshop course advances video and photography skills already introduced, including those involved in all forms of digital newsgathering. Students refine reporting, writing, recording and editing skills in a visual production context to produce editorially sound and aesthetically acceptable stories.

Component(s): Workshop

• Students who have received credit for JOUR 336 or 339 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 206, JOUR 207, JOUR 208 and JOUR 209.

Description: This workshop course emphasizes the professional and ethical use of social media and mobile technology to report on current affairs topics. Students are expected to use all forms of social media to report on the community.

Component(s): Workshop

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 207 and JOUR 209.

Description: This workshop course replicates the working conditions and journalistic expectations of a radio newsroom. Students assume various journalistic positions, including assignment editor, reporter, and newsreader, working to deadline to produce a live radio newscast.

Component(s): Workshop

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Students must complete 30 credits prior to enrolling. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description: This course considers the alternative news organizations in a variety of media forms. It examines both historical and contemporary examples in the context of an expanding and diversifying media landscape.

Component(s): Lecture; Workshop

• Students who have received credit for JOUR 435 or for this topic under a JOUR 298 number may not take this course for credit.

Description: This is an experiential course that blends journalism theory and practice to examine issues and practices related to the communication of science with society. Students learn to both produce and critique science journalism in a variety of multimedia formats.

Description: Specific topics for this course, and relevant prerequisites, are stated in the Undergraduate Class Schedule.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 302. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description: This workshop course focuses on a specified topic area and introduces students to the particular “beat” reporting and analytical demands of the topic and the institutions that form the basis of this reporting specialty.

Component(s): Workshop

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 303. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description: This workshop is designed for those students who want to further develop a set of research and writing skills geared specifically to the magazine market. Students produce magazine articles of publishable quality and shape the stories to fit the needs of a particular magazine by studying the overall market in depth.

Component(s): Workshop

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 321.

Description: This workshop course is for students who wish to explore long‑form journalism in sound and pictures, in particular, the television or radio current affairs documentary. Through assignments, class discussions, and exposure to notable examples of the form, students learn the fundamentals of long‑form documentary news production.

Component(s): Workshop

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 321.

Description: This workshop course is for students who wish to explore long‑form journalism in sound and pictures, in particular, the television or radio current affairs documentary. Through assignments, class discussions, and exposure to notable examples of the form, students learn the fundamentals of long‑form documentary news production.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Students must complete 60 credits in their degree program prior to enrolling. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description: This course considers the challenges to mainstream journalism and addresses the particularities of citizen journalism, including its sourcing and presentation strategies, and organizational structures. Students learn how to apply basic technologies involved in citizen journalism.

Component(s): Lecture; Workshop

• Students who have received credit for this topic under a JOUR 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Students must complete 60 credits in their degree program prior to enrolling. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description: By concentrating on seminal moments reflected in a range of news media forms, this course examines technological, socio‑cultural, political, and historical trends that have contributed to journalism’s development as a set of complex practices. Special attention is given to innovative journalists who have advanced the field.

Component(s): Lecture

• Students who have received credit for JOUR 332 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Students must complete 60 credits in their degree program prior to enrolling. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description: This course examines cross‑cultural journalism practices as they pertain to both international news coverage and local reporting in a multicultural setting. The course asks students to apply basic theoretical concepts to case studies of the news.

Component(s): Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 404, JOUR 421, JOUR 432, or JOUR 445.

Description: This capstone course requires students to produce the Department’s Digital Magazine. The course replicates the working conditions and journalistic expectations of a digital newsroom. Students are expected to work in editorial teams to create current and updated multimedia content throughout the term.

Component(s): Workshop

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Students must complete 60 credits in their degree program prior to enrolling. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description: This course introduces students to a scholarly critique of journalism, both as a practice and as an institution. By interrogating specific readings, students are encouraged to consider the journalist as a cultural producer operating within overlapping social, political, and economic contexts.

Component(s): Lecture

Prerequisite/Corequisite: The following courses must be completed previously: JOUR 321.

Description: This workshop course expands on the photojournalism fundamentals, where students apply their knowledge of theory and aesthetics of long‑ and short‑form news photography. Students use digital cameras and other technologies to complete coursework and to master the professional techniques of news photography.

Component(s): Workshop

• Students who have received credit for JOUR 366 or 466 may not take this course for credit.

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

Students must complete 60 credits prior to enrolling. Enrolment in the Major in Journalism or the Minor in Science Journalism is required.

Description: Students who have demonstrated ability, near the end of their program, undertake a practicum at a recognized media outlet, under the supervision of a senior journalist and with permission of the Department’s undergraduate program director.

Component(s): Workshop; Practicum/Internship/Work Term

Prerequisite/Corequisite:

Students must complete 60 credits prior to enrolling. Enrolment in the Major in Journalism or the Minor in Science Journalism is required.

Description: Students who have demonstrated ability may, near the end of their program, undertake an independent study on a topic not otherwise covered by the program, under the direction of one or more faculty members.

Component(s): Tutorial; Workshop

Prerequisite/Corequisite: Students must complete 60 credits in their degree program prior to enrolling. If prerequisites are not satisfied, permission of the Department is required.

Description: This course explores the literary value of selected, seminal journalistic writings by examining the work of journalists, both past and present, as well as other non‑fiction writers, including those in Canada, U.S., U.K., and elsewhere. Students will appreciate how literary styles and conventions can enhance journalistic practices.

Component(s): Lecture

Description: Specific topics for this course, and relevant prerequisites, are stated in the Undergraduate Class Schedule.

Component(s): Lecture; Workshop