Journalism (JRN)

Students explore the fundamentals of focused storytelling. They examine the elements of a news story, and how to research, focus, write and produce a report. Students practice telling stories in an accurate, fair and balanced way. They work to deadlines, develop interview techniques, and apply professional and ethical conduct in the industry. Reflective practice is introduced as a tool to develop an on-camera presence that includes voice and body language in a live situation.

This course will expand students understanding of visual storytelling. Building on foundational camera techniques and non-linear editing skills, students will learn advanced techniques, and continue to hone their focus on news gathering and story development.

Students explore the role of a journalist in society. They enhance their knowledge of Canadian history and politics, world events and economics to better understand and report on current issues that include Indigenous peoples, gender bias, environmental, diversity and health concerns. Students analyze the importance of context in journalism. Current events are discussed and explored with a view to understanding how they should be covered with a critically minded and fully informed approach.

Students develop reporting skills with a focus on the courts, Indigenous issues and equality. They examine key legal and ethical issues facing Canadian journalists. The focus is practical and explains what a journalist needs to know to avoid legal problems (e.g. defamation). Students are taught what strategies should be adopted in dealing with ethical dilemmas associated with traditional and social media. They will also further refine their research and interviewing skills.

Students advance their skills in radio news and podcasting. They examine how to effectively use their voices to engage their audience. Students conduct interviews and gather natural sound on-location to create original content. They practice advanced writing and audio editing techniques and explore how background sound, sound-ups and interview clips can make stories more compelling. Students use these skills in their live newscasts on S@Y Radio and apply peer critiquing techniques to develop themselves and others. Students will learn to identify what makes for good audio story subjects and sources, and how to pitch their ideas to an outlet.

Students build on the writing skills they developed in semester one of The Writing Workshop - Mechanics. Students learn to develop stories and write for multiple formats including TV, radio, digital (online, mobile / social media). Students write with focus, length, story construction and tone in mind while writing for news, sports, entertainment or commentary for TV, radio and digital content.

In this course students work together in an integrated news environment, preparing stories for multiple platforms. They line up, research and produce TV and radio newscasts and provide digital content (online and social media).  By rotating through the different roles and responsibilities, students develop the teamwork and leadership skills needed in an integrated newsroom. They produce and present original content and further develop their on-camera and editorial skills. Various critiquing techniques are used to improve self and others.

Students further refine their skills in storytelling for all platforms, including television, radio and digital. They use advanced focus storytelling techniques, building on the skills they have acquired in previous semesters. Students learn how to dig deeper and tell more developed stories on tight deadlines.

Students develop their storytelling skills with the production of documentary, feature and long-form content. They are taught how to work in a documentary unit. Focusing on one special topic, they collaborate on television and podcasts/radio documentaries that are posted on a fully developed multimedia website. Students use research, data visualization and digital research packs from JRN370 to fully investigate and present the issue.

Students develop enhanced multi-platform skills as they work in a news/current affairs format, producing timely content for online platforms as well as hourly TV and radio newscasts. They rotate through various roles two days per week in the integrated newsroom where self and peer analysis is incorporated for personal growth. Emphasis is on demo performances to ensure students are industry ready. Students also develop material for their online portfolios which include innovative storytelling techniques that align with current best practices.

Students explore the use of new technology, such as virtual reality and drones, to discover how they can be used in telling original stories. They work in a team to report on issues and events on different platforms. Students combine traditional and new technology in their reporting, learning how and when to use each of them effectively.