This is an ARCHIVED version of the Kwantlen University College Calendar for 2001-2002 and is provided for historical reference only. See the current version of the Calendar for updated information.

Kwantlen University College

Effective date of this calendar, unless otherwise indicated, is Sept. 1, 2001 to Aug. 31, 2002.

Journalism

Offered at Richmond

Start date: September

Description

The Journalism program prepares graduates for positions as reporters, photographers, editors, researchers, and freelancers for print publications, as well as for work in a variety of capacities with Web-based media. Both a four-year Bachelor of Applied Journalism degree and a two-year Diploma in Journalism are offered that combine broad academic knowledge with strong, practical training through seminars, labs, and off-campus work experiences. In order to stay current with industry standards, up-to-date computer and photographic equipment, including digital cameras and Web-specific software, are used. Faculty includes full-time instructors with career experience, as well as part-time specialists who are currently working in journalism. In addition, faculty meets regularly with an Advisory Committee, comprised of people who are working in several areas of the media.

Diploma

Description

This two-year diploma program prepares students for entry-level jobs in print and on-line journalism. Successful completion of a journalism diploma is required for acceptance into the Bachelor of Applied Journalism degree.

Content

The journalism diploma program is organized into four semesters and carries 60 college credits. Students concentrate on general knowledge and on developing the skills, work habits and attitudes they will need to succeed both as students and as professionals. During their two years of study, students will:

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program will be able to:

Student Profile

This program is based on the position that the preparation of journalists requires a combination of general knowledge and technical competency.

Students in this program may come directly from high school or from other fields of endeavour. Many enter the program with post-secondary experience and some have university degrees. Depending on their specific background, advance standing can be granted for work done or skills learned elsewhere. Part-time students, although in the minority, can be accommodated.

Admission Requirements

Because English is a required course for the program, applicants must meet requirements for admission to first-year English courses at Kwantlen. Refer to these requirements under "English" in the calendar.

Applicants must provide:

Parts 2 and 3 are required to ensure that the aspirations of applicants are realistic in light of the demands of the workplace and of the program itself.

Applicants must also attend an information session at Kwantlen's Richmond campus at a designated time in May. The purpose of the session is to offer potential students the opportunity to meet faculty, ask questions about the program and to determine, more specifically, what the program entails. (Arrangements will be made to accommodate out-of-town applicants).

During the information session, each applicant will complete a current events quiz (a passing grade is 50 per cent). They will also demonstrate the ability to perform basic computer skills: open a Windows-based document, save it to a disk, print the document, and exit the program. A lack of these skills will hold the student back, so applicants who are not able to demonstrate this ability will be advised to upgrade this area before starting the program.

Content

In addition to the following courses, students must take three Liberal Education courses, for a total of nine credits. Two of those courses must be first-year English and first-year Political Science; the third course is an elective from Humanities, Social Science, or Science.

Semester 1

JRNL 1100 Explorations in Mass Communications (transferable to SFU)

JRNL 1123 Writing Skills for Journalism

JRNL 1130 Photography for Print Media

JRNL 1141 Visual Design with Computers

JRNL 1160 Introduction to Journalism

First-year English or Political Science

Semester 2

JRNL 1231 Basic Photojournalism

JRNL 1261 Advanced Journalism

JRNL 1262 Political Reporting

JRNL 1265 Feature Writing

JRNL 1273 Newspaper Production

First-year English or Political Science

Semester 3

JRNL 2301 Media and Audiences (transferable to SFU)

JRNL 2332 Advanced Photojournalism

JRNL 2353 Research Techniques

JRNL 2373 Newspaper Publication I

First-year course in Humanities, Social Science, or Science

Semester 4

JRNL 2401 Ethics and the Media

JRNL 2461 The Community Newspaper

JRNL 2463 Investigative Journalism

JRNL 2471 Work Experience *

JRNL 2477 Newspaper Publication II

* Work Experience: Students are placed at a publication, full-time, for four weeks. This allows the students to experience, first-hand, the working environment of journalists and to get direct feedback from editors.

Graduation

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be awarded a Diploma in Journalism.

Bachelor of Applied Journalism

Description

This four-year degree builds on the knowledge and skills learned in a Journalism diploma through advanced journalism courses that emphasize reporting on social issues, in-depth research, long-form writing, leadership, on-line publishing, and magazine production. Liberal Education courses provide knowledge of media and mass communication, as well as Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences.

Degree students have the opportunity to achieve a Minor in Broadcast Journalism, through BCIT, or a Minor in Public Relations at Kwantlen. An Honours degree is also available, by completing Directed Study courses, during which they will work independently on a specific area, with a faculty advisor, on an intensive research and writing project.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have successfully completed a Journalism diploma at a recognized post-secondary institution.

Content

The Bachelor of Applied Journalism degree is organized into eight semesters and carries 120 college credits, which include:

To ensure that graduates gain the breadth of knowledge that journalists need, students will be required to take subjects in a minimum of five academic departments outside of Journalism. In order to develop depth of study, at least six courses must be taken in one of those five departments.

A maximum of 50 per cent of Journalism and/or Liberal Education credits earned at another post-secondary institution may be transferred to Kwantlen; however, the "breadth" and "depth" requirements must still be met.

Courses offered in Years 3 and 4 are under development, but are expected to include:

* Work Experience II: This second off-campus placement allows students to work in a different environment than what was experienced in the diploma program, in order to explore a range of job possibilities.

NOTE: Not all courses will be offered in each semester. For further information on course content and offerings, please contact Richmond admissions.

Graduation

Upon successful completion of this program, students are awarded a Bachelor of Applied Journalism.

Advisory Committee

Kwantlen University College
http://www.kwantlen.bc.ca
604-599-2100
Contact the Admissions Department