Bachelors

From the very first day of class, you'll learn how to gather and report stories that matter. You'll learn how to conduct yourself ethically and do excellent research, which are the foundations of journalism. In class, you'll discuss what's going on in the world, and how journalism can make a difference. Our instructors will work with you to master the technical side of journalism as well, including publication design, posting stories online, taking great photos, operating broadcast cameras and more. You'll graduate fully equipped to walk into any newsroom and thrive.

Before students apply to the School of Journalism, they accumulate a set of prescribed general Arts courses. We refer to this period as 'pre-journalism.' When students have completed pre-journalism -- usually after two years of university studies -- they apply to enter the School. If accepted, they spend the next two years in intensive journalism studies, graduating with a four-year bachelor's degree.

Students admitted to the School of Journalism will take three semesters of course work and a semester-long paid internship in the newsroom of a newspaper, radio or television broadcaster, or in a communications department. Students must meet the required standard in this internship to pass it and obtain their degree. The first semester begins with ethical studies and basic research, interviewing and reporting skills in print, online, television, radio and photojournalism. In the second semester, we move it up a notch, introducing investigative journalism, and current affairs broadcasting.

Students also run the campus-community online news site Ink Online, and have their radio work aired on CJTR community radio.

In the summer and fall, students fan out across the country for their paid internships, returning for the final winter semester to take journalism electives such as documentary, magazine writing and advanced print. It's an intense program that ensures students gain the widest possible range of knowledge and skills to launch their journalism careers.

Students must also achieve a minimum average of 65% per semester in journalism, with no failures, in order to continue in the program.

To be eligible to apply for admission to the BA in Journalism (BAJ) program, a student must have completed the pre-journalism program with a program grade point average of at least 70%. Students who hold an undergraduate degree in another discipline are eligible to apply to the Bachelor of Journalism after-degree program.

The pre-journalism program provides applicants with a liberal arts foundation, and is designed to be completed in 2 years of full-time study, after which students apply to the School of Journalism to complete 2 years of intensive journalism studies. 

Students wishing to begin the pre-journalism part of the program at the University of Regina should contact the Admissions Department at the University of Regina (306-585-4591), regarding admission to the Faculty of Arts through the University of Regina, Campion College, Luther College or the First Nations University of Canada (as a pre-journalism student).

Students completing pre-journalism studies at another institution are encouraged to contact the School and the Arts Student Services Office early in their program, to discuss their transfer credit plans.

For further information on the BAJ and Bachelor of Journalism programs, please visit the School of Journalism section of the Undergraduate Calendar.

The annual application deadline for undergraduate studies is normally Feb. 15. However, the program is currently under review - more information.

FIRST SEMESTER

JRN 300 Introduction to Print Journalism

Study and practice of newsgathering fundamentals and principles in reporting for newspapers and their websites. A focus on information gathering, clear, complete, accurate and fair story writing to deadlines, the essentials of headline writing, page layout and editing according to Canadian Press style guidelines followed in newspapers across the country.

JRN 301 Introduction to Broadcast Journalism

Study and practice of newsgathering, writing and reporting for radio and television. A focus on the development of broadcast specific skills to understand and relay the daily events and issues of public importance as presented in a broadcast news format.

JRN 302 Rights and Responsibilities of the Journalist

A critical look at the social role and ethical responsibilities of the media. An introduction to journalistic responsibilities and legal parameters, including court reporting, image use, libel and slander, protecting sources, etc. A focus on understanding journalist rights, including freedom of expression, access to information, and the justice system.

JRN 303 Research Techniques for Journalists

An introduction to well-researched reporting, including fundamental approaches to finding sources, using libraries and archives, fact checking, and analyzing and translating complex information for a mass audience.

JRN 304 Foundations of Interviewing for Journalists

Foundations of Interviewing for Journalists An introduction to the fundamentals of conducting successful interviews. A focus on interview techniques and style, accurate note-taking, the process of re-telling people¿s stories, placing interviews within narrative structure, handling ethical dilemmas, active listening, understanding memory and human psychology, and the analysis of live and taped interviews will be examined.

SECOND SEMESTER

Students take JRN 305 and/or JRN 306, JRN 308, and two or three electives. Most students will take five more JRN courses this semester:

JRN 305 Intermediate Print Journalism: The Multimedia News Room

Continuing study and practice of newsgathering and writing for daily news, with in-depth reporting on current issues. A focus on beat coverage, editing and production, feature preparation, backgrounders, analysis pieces, and style guidelines. A critical study of Canadian newspapers through analysis, examination and debate of examples of excellent journalism.

JRN 306 Intermediate Broadcast Journalism in a Multimedia Environment

Continuing study and practice of newsgathering, writing and reporting for radio and television. A focus on longer form reporting for broadcast, with specific attention on the skills to fit in-depth analysis and commentary of public issues into a variety of broadcast formats ranging from talk tapes to mini documentaries.

JRN 307 Investigative Journalism

The history and social role of investigative journalism. Students will explore investigative tools and techniques, including accessing public information, approaching and interviewing hostile sources, computer assisted reporting, online resources, ethical pitfalls, journalistic numeracy, avoiding legal problems, ensuring accuracy, fact-checking and security.

JRN 308 Contemporary Issues in Journalism

This course examines selected topics of importance to journalists, and aims to promote critical responses to journalistic issues, interpreting and disseminating information about an increasingly complex world, technological advances in reporting, and developing journalistic fluency in a mediated culture.

JRN 312 Photojournalism

A detailed examination of the photojournalist’s role in the news gathering process. A focus on communicating through digital imagery and the power of visual storytelling, with an emphasis on practical techniques and ethical image editing.

THIRD OR FOURTH SEMESTER

JRN 400 Internship

Internship is a term served in the field in a work/study capacity. Students select prospective internships and are interviewed for placements in news and/or communications; however, final decisions on placements are at the discretion of the School. Students must accept placements as assigned.

FIFTH AND FINAL SEMESTER

JRN 401 Advanced Print Journalism

This fourth-semester course focuses on specialized reporting of news and current affairs, and writing of opinion pieces and editorials. Students are expected to bring an analytical approach to the course following the internship experience, monitor major print media coverage of particular issues, and research and investigate publishable stories independently.

AND/OR

JRN 402 Advanced Broadcast Journalism

Advanced study and practice of current affairs, news gathering, writing, and reporting for the broadcast media. Students are expected to bring an analytical approach to the course following the internship experience, monitor major broadcast media coverage of particular issues, and research and investigate stories independently.

Electives

Students in their final semester must take at least 9 credit hours of 400 level journalism courses. Their remaining 6 credit hours may be 300 level journalism electives, 400 level journalism electives or courses from outside the School.

A number of these elective courses will be offered each semester. The courses offered will depend on the availability of instructors, funding and demand.