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2018-2019 Undergraduate Calendar

2018-2019 Undergraduate Calendar

Journalism
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Journalism (BJourn)
Program Website: rsj.journalism.ryerson.ca
Administered by: School of Journalism
Program Format: Full-time, four-year program.
Full-time, degree completion program with Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.

Ryerson's Journalism program prepares students for a digital-first news culture while keeping the essentials of reporting and the social role of journalism front and centre in their learning experience. Featuring broad course choices in both professional and academic areas, the program also allows students freedom to set their educational priorities and tailor their program to preferred career paths.

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Admission Information
Full-Time, Four-Year Program

Admission Guidelines: O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English (ENG4U)/Anglais (EAE4U). 

Notes:

  1. A grade of 70 percent or higher will be required in ENG4U/EAE4U.
  2. Applicants are required to provide information on their journalism and life experience and submit a 300-word essay on a topic to be provided. A portfolio of published (or unpublished) journalistic work is highly encouraged. As part of the admission selection process, applicants must visit the Program page for details about the non-academic requirements.
  3. A non-academic assessment fee of $50 CDN (subject to change) is required and will be requested by Ryerson as applicable.
  4. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.
Degree Completion Program with Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Ryerson will consider graduates of the following Sheridan College two-year diploma programs for advanced-level admission to Ryerson’s Journalism Program:

  • Sheridan College Journalism – Broadcast Diploma
  • Sheridan College Journalism – Print Diploma
  • Sheridan College Journalism – 2-year diploma launched September 2015 

Projected completion of the Journalism degree requirements is five semesters and is dependent on a number of variables, including diploma program studies completed, space availability and the individual student’s progress in the program curriculum.

 
Admission Guidelines:

  1. O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English (ENG4U)/Anglais (EAE4U). 
  2. A grade of 70 percent or higher is required in ENG4U/EAE4U.
  3. Completion of an acceptable Sheridan College two-year diploma program with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B)  is required.
  4. Applicants are required to provide information on their journalism and life experience and submit a 300-word essay on a topic to be provided. A portfolio of published (or unpublished) journalistic work is highly encouraged. As part of the admission selection process, applicants must visit the Program page for details about the non-academic requirements.
  5. A non-academic assessment fee of $50 CDN (subject to change) is required and will be requested by Ryerson as applicable.
  6. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.
Program Overview/Curriculum Information

Students are introduced to journalism as practised across all forms of media within the first two years, after which they may choose courses to concentrate in specific media (online, newspaper, magazine and broadcast) or gain expertise in a cross-media skill such as editing, or in a specific beat in journalism (including sports, business or international reporting).

After taking courses building skills and evaluating theories associated with journalism, students may finish their program with an internship at a professional news organization and/or with the chance to work on the School of Journalism's print, broadcast and online products (see the School's website for details).

Students are coached and assisted by instructors drawn from major newspapers, magazines, online news, and television and radio networks. Students also take a variety of liberal studies and professionally-related subjects.

Liberal Studies

Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website.

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Fall 2014 and prior admits: English courses are not available for credit.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website for complete details.

Full-Time, Four-Year Program
1st & 2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

JRN 103 Introduction to Journalism
JRN 104 News Reporting Techniques
JRN 105 Multimedia News Reporting
JRN 106 Visualizing Facts

CORE ELECTIVES: Two courses from the following:

ECN 104 Introductory Microeconomics
ECN 204 Introductory Macroeconomics
ENG 110 Literatures Across Borders
ENG 208 Introduction to Non-Fiction
HIS 490 International Relations from 1945
HST 407 Canada from 1885: The Struggle for Identity
POG 100 People, Power and Politics
POG 110 Power and Influence in Canadian Politics

OPEN ELECTIVES: One course from Open Elective Table.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

3rd & 4th Semester

REQUIRED:

JRN 270 Producing the News
JRN 271 Designing Journalism
JRN 272 Feature Writing and Current Affairs
JRN 273 Boosting Media Techniques

PROFESSIONAL: Two courses from Table II.

OPEN ELECTIVES: One course from Open Elective Table.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

5th & 6th Semester

REQUIRED:

JRN 344 Making a Difference: How Journ. Matters

PROFESSIONAL:
Four one-count (or equivalent) courses from Table I.

PROFESSIONAL: One course from Table II.

OPEN ELECTIVES: One course from Open Elective Table.

PROFESSIONAL or OPEN ELECTIVES:
One course from Table I, Table II or Open Elective Table.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

7th & 8th Semester

Revised 7th & 8th Semester curriculum begins 2018-2019 for students admitted Fall 2015 and after.

REQUIRED and PROFESSIONAL: Select one option* from the following:

Option 1:

JRN 851 Newsroom Masthead
JRN 850 Internship

Option 2:

JRN 851 Newsroom Masthead
Plus two one-count (or equivalent) courses from Table IV.

Option 3:

JRN 850 Internship
Plus two one-count (or equivalent) courses from Table IV.

Option 4:

JRN 825 Magazine Masthead I
JRN 826 Magazine Masthead II

Option 5:

JRN 840 Journalism Capstone Project
Plus three one-count (or equivalent) courses from Table IV.

OPEN ELECTIVES: One course from Open Elective Table.


PROFESSIONAL and/or OPEN ELECTIVES:
Four one-count (or equivalent) courses from Table I, Table II, Table IV or Open Elective Table.

* Enrolment in these courses may require an interview.

Program Advisory Council

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Andrea Baillie
Managing Editor
The Canadian Press

Theresa Ebden
Director, Media & Analyst Relations (Canada)
Accenture

John Honderich
Chair
Torstar Corporation

Joanne Macdonald
Vice-President, CTV News and General Manager, CP24
Bell Media

Marissa Nelson
Senior Managing Director
Ontario CBC

Mike Omelus
VP National News and Newsgathering
Corus Entertainment / Global News

David Scanlan
Canada Bureau Chief
Bloomberg News

David Skok
ONA Board of Directors

Scott White (Chair)
Former Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Press
Editor, the conversation.ca

Ing Wong-Ward
Associate Director
Centre for Independant Living, Toronto

Kenny Yum
Chief of Staff
CBC News

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