School of Media & Design

Our Program

This two-year Ontario College Diploma program delivers practical training in newspaper, magazine, online and broadcast journalism. The award-winning College newspaper, the Algonquin Times, is the primary learning tool, and the focus for work in the second and third levels. A biannual magazine, Glue and an Ottawa online news site, also provides students with hands-on training.

Students generate story ideas, write and edit copy, find and photograph images worthy of publication, shoot web video stories, electronically produce pages, and run the Algonquin Times as a community newspaper. In addition, students learn to use the Internet as a reporting and publishing tool.

In the fourth level, students complete internships at media outlets throughout the province.

This is a mobile learning program which will engage students in a collaborative, mlearning environment which will help them become skilled, confident users of the technology they can expect to use in the workplace. Students are required to use a laptop computer that meets minimum hardware and software specifications as outlined at http://mlearning.algonquincollege.com . Computers and supplies can be purchased directly from Algonquin's New Technology Store at educational discounted rates. Graduates who achieve a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average can continue their studies in the Journalism degree program at the University of Ottawa.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have superior writing skills.
• Possess a keen curiosity about news happening in their community, country and throughout the world.
• Have a willingness to interact with people.
• Enjoy reading and studying written news.
• Engage in multimedia.

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Your Career

Graduates may find employment with news organizations, such as community and daily newspapers, online-based news media and news agencies. Employers with government and private sector communication departments, magazines and trade publications and public relations departments may also hire graduates. Opportunities may also exist for graduates wishing to freelance. Other positions in desktop publishing, web design and photography may also be available.

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Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with online learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Level: 01		Hours
ENL1813M	Communications I Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.	45.0
JOU1500	Journalism I In this course, students become familiar with the overall concept of journalism, including what constitutes news, where it comes from and responsible reporting, writing and research techiques. Students learn to conduct interviews, cover meetings and court, story structure, with spelling, grammar, style and writing skills stressed.	150.0
JOU1504	Desktop Publishing This course teaches the basics of desktop publishing, including software which enables students to engage in, and explore, varieties of typography and graphics in a hands-on classroom. Concepts of design and readability are covered and students are introduced to news design. Students must have access to Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium.	30.0
JOU1516	Introduction to Photojournalism This introductory course provides students with basic knowledge of photography. Students learn how a digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) works and how to manipulate exposure, and use lenses and flash for desired effects. Composition and posing rounds out the course and prepares students for work in the second term.	30.0
JOU1534	Contemporary Events Journalists should know a little about a lot and be curious about events taking place in the world around them. This course is intended to encourage an interest in the news events that shape our lives in our community, province, country and world. Students develop a passion for reading from a wide variety of online and traditional news sources, write online summaries on a range of breaking stories and brief their classmates on a subject they adopt for the semester.	30.0
SSC0058	Local Government This course provides a thorough understanding of how Ontario municipal government works and impacts the lives of citizens. It examines the structure of city, town and rural municipal councils, jurisdiction, land use and services, interaction with senior levels of government, as well as the critical role they play in the political and economic landscape of Ontario society.	45.0

Level: 02		Hours
ENL2008	Interpersonal Skills for Personal and Career Success This course explores a number of different factors that affect our relationships with other people. Learners have an opportunity to assess, analyze, and develop their own interpersonal skills through readings, lectures and experiential activities. Activities include self-evaluation work, journaling, dyad and small group work and responsibility for an individual project. Communication skills, both written and oral, are stressed. Prerequisites: ENL1813A or ENL1813M	45.0
JOU1506	Photojournalism I This course covers the effective use of a digital camera in journalistic scenarios. Students learn about candid shooting, taking portraits, general news and spot news shooting, as well as how to cover sports and entertainment events. Practical assignments and lab work are also required. Some study of the software program Photoshop is also a part of this course. Prerequisites: JOU1516	30.0
JOU1517	News Design I The aim of this hands-on course is to teach students to design and paginate newspapers. Students are further trained to use the Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium software package in newspaper design. Students must have access to Adobe Creative Suite 5 Premium. Prerequisites: JOU1504	45.0
JOU1524	Narrative Writing This advanced course focuses on developing the skills required for writing magazine and newspaper features. Using lectures, seminars, and workshops, students are also taught the fundamental skills required for working on the program's student-produced magazine, Glue. Prerequisites: ENL1813M and JOU1500	45.0
JOU1527	Journalism II Students begin work on the College newspaper, the Algonquin Times, by reporting and writing stories of interest to the College community. They conduct interviews, write stories, take photos and electronically design pages, write headlines and captions and carry out other duties associated with news publication. Students are introduced to specialty reporting and writing, including sports, crime, commentary, arts, business, and science and technology. Website publishing, social media as a reporting tool and other modern journalistic methods are also discussed. Prerequisites: JOU1500	135.0
JOU1528	Editing I This course covers the basics of copy editing through proactively identifying common writing problems and re-working stories for publication in the Algonquin Times. Through lectures, coaching, writing drills and workshops, students hone their writing and learn to identify problems in copy written by others. Prerequisites: JOU1500	45.0

Choose one from equivalencies:		Hours
GED0402	General Education Elective Students choose one course, from a group of general education electives, which meets one of the following four theme requirements: Arts in Society, Social and Cultural Understanding, Personal Understanding, and Science and Technology. Equivalencies: ARC9001 or DSN2001 or FAM1218 or FIN2300 or GED5200 or GED5300 or GEN1957 or GEN2000 or GEN2003 or GEN2009 or HIS0001 or HOS2228 or LIB1982 or MGT7330 or MVM8800 or RAD2001 or SOC2003 or GEN1001 or GED5004 or GED5005 or GED5006 or GED6022 or ENL7643 or GED5009 or GED1896 or PSI0003	45.0

Level: 03		Hours
JOU1507	Photojournalism II This course emphasizes shooting with different types of light, improving photos using Photoshop, as well as using experimental shooting techniques, accessories and studio shooting. In addition, freelancing is discussed and students perfect their skills taking pictures for newspapers, magazines and online media, as well as other assignments. Students also produce sound slides for multimedia publication. Prerequisites: JOU1506	30.0
JOU1518	News Design II Students are introduced to online news design, and learn basic software applications that enable them to begin designing sites. Students also build on print design skills and receive workshop instruction from recognized experts in the field. Prerequisites: JOU1517	30.0
JOU1526	Computer Assisted Reporting Gathering information from electronic sources and organizing it in a way that allows a journalist to "interview the data" is critical for the contemporary reporter. In addition to using computer applications to do this, students learn about web sources and advanced search methods. Prerequisites: JOU1527	30.0
JOU1535	Video and Broadcast Journalism I This course introduces techniques and tools for producing video stories for news media websites. Using program-supplied HD cameras, students shoot and edit short stories suitable to the medium. Students begin learning broadcast news gathering and writing styles. Prerequisites: JOU1506 and JOU1527	30.0
JOU1536	Journalism III While continuing to publish the College community newspaper the Algonquin Times, students are provided advanced and investigative reporting techniques that they are able to employ for projects and stories for the program's Ottawa news site, webcitybeat.com. Guest speakers, a field trip to a major news media centre and advanced research techniques are also introduced. Prerequisites: JOU1527	90.0
JOU1537	Editing II Students expand their editing skills by working on copy intended mainly for publication in Glue magazine, Ottawa's student magazine published by journalism and advertising students. Through lectures, writing and editing drills and workshops, students learn advanced editing techniques commonly used by today's publications. Prerequisites: JOU1528	45.0

Choose one from equivalencies:		Hours
GED0402	General Education Elective Students choose one course, from a group of general education electives, which meets one of the following four theme requirements: Arts in Society, Social and Cultural Understanding, Personal Understanding, and Science and Technology. Equivalencies: ARC9001 or DSN2001 or FAM1218 or FIN2300 or GED5200 or GED5300 or GEN1957 or GEN2000 or GEN2003 or GEN2009 or HIS0001 or HOS2228 or LIB1982 or MGT7330 or MVM8800 or RAD2001 or SOC2003 or GEN1001 or GED5004 or GED5005 or GED5006 or GED6022 or ENL7643 or GED5009 or GED1896 or PSI0003	45.0

Level: 04		Hours
JOU1520	Video and Broadcast Journalism II This course examines advanced techniques of producing online video reports. Interviewing and presentation for broadcast media are covered. Prerequisites: JOU1527 and JOU1535	36.0
JOU1525	Media Law Building on previous knowledge of media law basics, students delve further into contempt of court, negligence, publication bans, privacy, off-the-record, charter rights, online considerations and new defenses for journalists. Prerequisites: JOU1536	18.0
JOU1532	Business Journalism Journalists need to understand how to interpret financial reports, budgets, balance sheets and a number of other documents which are important sources of information. The course teaches students the essentials of business reporting including story structure, untangling jargon, and helping them understand technical concepts and numbers. Co-requisites: JOU1539	27.0
JOU1538	Field Work Students apply skills learned in the classroom to a real-work environment. Students are placed with various media organizations for a internship, working as junior staffers for newspapers, magazines, online publications, agencies and companies. Prerequisites: JOU1507 and JOU1518 and JOU1526 and JOU1535 and JOU1536 and JOU1537	114.0
JOU1539	Journalism IV While continuing to file stories to webcitybeat.ca and Glue magazine online, students learn to operate as freelance journalists. Markets, query letters, small business issues, methods for job searching and networking are discussed. Articles are pitched to real-world publications, including GoJournalism.ca. Prerequisites: JOU1536	36.0
JOU1540	Multimedia Students learn to produce and maintain their own or clients' websites. In addition, students become familiar with online content management systems, multimedia tools to expand storytelling techniques and build multimedia portfolios. Prerequisites: JOU1518	54.0
JOU1541	Fieldwork Preparation This self-directed course helps students develop the tools and skills necessary in order to confidently apply to field work positions. Students meet individually with faculty to discuss their work aspirations and to be coached on performance and presentation.	9.0

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Fees & Expenses

Approximate 1st Year Costs

Tuition/Fees: $ 4,808
Books/Supplies: $ 850
Incidental Fees: $ 100
Total: $ 5,758



Tuition Fees listed are in effect for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Tuition Fees: $1,904.25 per term in Levels 01 and 02 and $1,833.72 per term in Levels 03 and 04.

Information Technology Fee: $62 per term. *

Incidental Fees: $60 in Level 01 and $40 in Levels 02 and 03.

Mobile Computing Fee: $150 per term. **

Student Activity/Sports Fee: $190.50 per term.

Student Centre Building Fee: $17.50 per term.

Health Service Fee: $10 per term.

Health Plan Fee: $114.50 paid once annually. ***

A $35 graduation fee is payable in the final term.

A $25 transcript fee is payable in the first term a student attends Algonquin College.

International Students pay all relevant Canadian fees plus an International Premium of $4,400 per term.

* Students paying the Information Technology fee are provided with a network account, an email address, and Internet access. For more information please visit our website at www.algonquincollege.com/its/services/it_fee.htm

** The Mobile Computing Fee covers the costs associated with providing various services to students registered in a mandatory laptop programs.
*** Students who have coverage with another plan can request a refund by supplying the Students' Association with documentation supporting the
request. This request will have to be made annually.

Books and supplies cost approximately $850 in the first year and $245 in the second year. A digital SLR camera is required in the first level, but students SHOULD NOT purchase one until speaking with the photojournalism professor. Students must purchase their own PC dual-core processor laptop computer and software. Computers and supplies can be purchased directly from Algonquin's New Technology Store at educational discounted rates. Ownership of a cell/smartphone is encouraged.

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Admission Requirements  2012/20132011/2012

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Application Information

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should contact their Guidance Office to apply. For all other applicants, applications are available online at ontariocolleges.ca. A $95 fee applies.

Applications for Fall Term, Winter Term and Spring Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the
International Student Application Form at
https://xweb.algonquincollege.com/FormIE/index.aspx or by contacting the Registrar's Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar's Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave, Room C150
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Email: askalgonquin@algonquincollege.com

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Additional Information

For more information, please contact Julie McCann, Program Coordinator, at 613-727-4723 ext. 5183 or Julie.McCann@algonquincollege.com.

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