This is an ARCHIVED version of the Kwantlen University College Calendar for
2004-2005 and is provided for historical reference only. See the current version of the
Calendar for updated information.
The on-line version of the University College Calendar is the Official version.
In the event of conflict between the printed version and the online version, the
on-line version will prevail.
Effective date of this course calendar information, unless otherwise indicated, is Sept. 1, 2004 to Aug. 31, 2005.
Journalism
Offered at Richmond
Start date: September (Journalism Diploma); September and
January (Journalism Degree, Advanced Standing for those with
previous education in Journalism)
Full-time with part-time entry options available for 3rd and 4th year
students will be considered if space is available.
Limited Enrolment
Description
The Journalism program prepares graduates for positions as
reporters, photographers, editors, researchers, and free-lancers 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 contain
broad academic knowledge with strong, practical training through
seminars, labs, and off-campus work experiences. In order to meet
industry standards, the program uses up-to-date computer and
photographic equipment, including digital cameras and Web-
specific software. Faculty includes full-time instructors with career
experience, as well as part-time specialists who are currently
working in journalism.
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 or equivalent is required for acceptance into the
Bachelor of Applied Journalism degree.
Career Opportunities
This program prepares students to have a combination of general
knowledge and technical competency. Graduates of this program
will be able to:
apply for positions in journalism and related fields with the education, skills, work habits and attitudes needed to be effective.
freelance effectively.
Kwantlen's Journalism program celebrates a high rate of
employments of its graduates.
Student Profile
Applicants include mature students who are making a career
change, university students who want to specialize and train for a
career, and recent high school graduates. Some students enter the
program with post-secondary experience, with university degrees
and/or come from other endeavors and are seeking specific
marketable skills.
Part-time students can be accommodated when space permits.
Industry personnel who wish to take specific courses or courses on
a part-time basis to complement their job skills may do so with
permission of the Program Coordinator, application deadlines to
the program and English language entrance requirements apply.
Some course prerequisites may be waived based on work
experience. Contact the Program Coordinator for further
information.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as
admission is based on date of application once the applicant has
met entrance requirements.
Because writing is a fundamental component of Journalism,
applicants must have:
a B in English 12 or,
Kwantlen English Placement Test (EPT) for placement to ENGL 1100 or,
completion of a University Transfer (UT) English with a C or higher or complete a Language Proficiency Index (LPI) with level 5 with an Essay score of 30.
Applicants must also provide the following by the application
deadline:
resumé
proof that they have interviewed at least three people currently working as journalists (i.e. reporters, photographers, editors)
a 500-word essay that details what they learned in their interviews and tells why they are interested in journalism.
The above are required to ensure that the aspirations of applicants
are realistic in light of the demands of the workplace and of the
program.
Applicants must attend an information session at Kwantlen's
Richmond campus at a designated time late in April or early May.
Potential students will have the opportunity to meet faculty, ask
questions about the program and to determine what the program
entails. (Arrangements will be made to accommodate out-of-town
applicants.)
During the information session, applicants will complete a current
events quiz (a passing grade of 60 per cent is required). They will
also demonstrate the ability to perform basic computer operations:
open a Windows-based document, save to disk, print a document
and exit the program. A lack of these skills will hold the student
back, so applicants not able to perform these tasks will be advised
to upgrade their skills before starting the program.
Content
The journalism diploma program is organized into four semesters
and carries 60 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:
develop a broad knowledge base through course work which covers areas such as popular culture, communication theory, law and ethics.
train in specific skill areas such as news and feature writing, interviewing, photography, editing, layout, and computers
develop sound work habits, such as effective time management, teamwork, and setting objectives and standards
develop appropriate attitudes through exposure to the legal, ethical and societal constraints under which they will be expected to function.
Required Courses
First-year
JRNL 1100 Explorations in Mass Communications (transferable to SFU)
JRNL 1123 Newspaper Writing & Editing
JRNL 1130 Photography for Print Media
JRNL 1141 Visual Design With Computers
JRNL 1160 Introduction to Journalism
JRNL 1231 Basic Photojournalism
JRNL 1261 Advanced Journalism
JRNL 1262 Political Reporting
JRNL 1265 Feature Writing
JRNL 1273 Newspaper Production & Editing
First-year English or Political Science in each semester
Second-year
JRNL 2301 Media and Audiences (transferable to SFU)
JRNL 2332 Advanced Photojournalism
JRNL 2353 Research Techniques
JRNL 2373 Newspaper Publication I
JRNL 2401 Ethics and the Media
JRNL 2461 The Community Newspaper
JRNL 2463 Investigative Journalism
JRNL 2471 Work Experience *
JRNL 2477 Newspaper Publication II
First-year course in Humanities, Social Science, or Science**
* Work experience: Students are placed at a publication, full-time,
for four weeks. This allows students to experience first-hand the
working environment of journalists and to get direct feedback from
editors.
** To be taken in the fall semester as spring semester classes are
shortened because of the Work Experience.*
Electives
In addition to the above courses, students must take:
Three liberal education courses, (nine credits) including one first-year English, one first-year Political Science, and either a Humanities, Social Science, or Science course.
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
include magazine and project writing, journalism history,
computer-based research, 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 pursue a Minor in
Broadcast Journalism, through BCIT, provided they are accepted
by that institution. The may also complete a Minor in Public
Relations at Kwantlen. An Honours degree is also available by
completing directed study courses and an honours seminar, during
which they will work independently on a specific area with a faculty
advisor on an intensive research and writing project.
Note: The Honours degree may not be offered each year.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have successfully completed a journalism diploma
or equivalent qualification at a recognized post-secondary
institution. Students from other institutions whose diploma
program differs significantly from Kwantlens' may be required to
take some first- or second-year courses in order to be well prepared
for the degree program. Students who complete a Diploma in
Journalism at Kwantlen are automatically accepted into the degree
program. Part-time students are welcome subject to space.
Content
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Applied Journalism, after having
obtained a diploma, spend four more semesters or approximately
two years obtaining the additional 60 credits needed for their
degree. (Students from other institutions or programs or who have
Kwantlen diplomas granted prior to 2000 may have to do
additional coursework to meet all requirements. Students who have
taken liberal education courses at other post-secondary institutions
may transfer those credits in to be applied towards the degree.) Out
of those 60 credits, at least 30 will be senior-level Journalism
courses, while the remaining credits will be primarily taken in
Liberal Education disciplines outside of Journalism. Students must
complete 42 credits of upper-level (third or fourth year) courses
overall, from both journalism and Liberal Education, in order to
graduate. Full-time students spend one “intensive” fall term that is
dedicated to journalism, where they produce a daily newspaper,
among other activities, and finish off their term with a one-month
work experience.
To meet all journalism requirements, students must successfully
complete:
four journalism courses that have a strong liberal education component, including Media and Diversity, Advanced Research for Journalism, History of Canadian Journalism and Special Topics in Journalism
four journalism courses that have a strong emphasis on practical skills, which currently include Daily Newspaper, Business & Management, Advanced Editing, and a Work Experience
two journalism electives of their choice.
* Students may choose to take a third journalism elective in order
to complete their requirement for 42 upper-level credits. Students
may choose to do 12 credits of work in upper-level courses outside
of Journalism in order to complete their requirement for 42 upper-
level credits.
To meet all liberal education requirements, students must
successfully complete:
15 credits in five liberal education disciplines outside of Journalism. (Students who have completed a Diploma in Journalism at Kwantlen beginning in 2000 will already have nine credits of Liberal Education.)
18 credits in an “area of concentration” in one liberal education discipline
9 credits of work in upper-level courses outside of journalism.
Applicants who have completed courses or hold a bachelor degree
from a recognized post-secondary institution and wish to apply
these courses to the liberal education requirements must submit a
Request for Transfer Credit form (available at admissions).
Students intending to pursue the Bachelor of Applied Journalism
are strongly advised to meet with a journalism faculty member and
obtain a copy of the department's guidelines for degree
requirements in order to get a more detailed explanation of the
program structure and to plan their courses effectively.
Required Courses
Required journalism courses for Years 3 and 4 include*:
* Students spend one intensive term dedicated to journalism,
producing a daily newspaper among other activities, and doing a
one-month work experience.
** Work Experience II: This off-campus placement allows students
to work in a different environmental than what was experienced in
the diploma program, in order to explore a range of job
possibilities.
Approved elective journalism courses for Years 3 and 4 include:
