JRNL 515C Integrated Journalism
Course overview
Integrated Journalism is a core journalism course which will provide you with hands-on experience to learn how to think and operate like a professional journalist in a multimedia environment. The course is based on a core journalistic skill set of research methods, editing, interviewing, reporting and writing. We use the most current technical tools to enable students to conceptualize, plan and tell stories through a variety of media. You will be given training in key content areas, such as the city, diversity and public policy, and how to integrate research and complex context into news stories and media content.
A key component of Integrated Journalism is contributing to TheThunderbird.ca, the School’s award-winning online news service. This publication is produced by individual students and is led by a team of editors who will rotate four times throughout the year. Students will have an opportunity to learn and experience a number of editorial or supervisory roles. Students are encouraged to use a range of storytelling methods in order to present strong multimedia journalism. Each edition will have a subject focus and will allow students to publish their work, while addressing major civic and global issues.
Course type
This is a 1st year core course.
JRNL 555 International Reporting/Global Reporting
Special Note
This is a 2nd year elective course. It is a competitive entry course that spans two terms (full academic semester).
Course overview
This course addresses the need for student journalists to gain experience in the field of international reporting while honing their research, organizational and technical skills. Students will develop video and multimedia projects, and enhance their critical analyses of current global issues as well as their aptitude in digital technologies. The class will be structured around a specific issue. Past projects have focused on development pressures in Brazil, global illegal logging and the role of young environmentalists in
China, exploration of the supply chains in the global fishmeal industry, and journeys of migrants throughout Turkey’s two-tiered immigration process.
These topics are selected in preparation for a field reporting trip to a collaboratively chosen global destination. A major objective of the course is to prepare students for reporting through both skill development and studies of best practices. Students are selected through an application process in their second year of studies. For more information about the International Reporting Program/Global Reporting, their past fellows and to learn more about their award-winning investigative projects, please visit the GRP website. A call out for applications will be circulated in late June.
JRNL 520I Advanced Audio
Special Note
This is a 2nd year elective course.
Course overview
This course is designed to allow you to immerse yourself in all things audio. We will focus on core skills like focus, story development, Interviewing and sound gathering. We will discuss the technical aspects of audio storytelling and the factors that turn good stories in to great ones. We will work on ways to develop your own voice in audio storytelling. This is a craft course. You will be challenged to create audio stories that allow you to practice both technical skills and learn techniques to use your own voice.
In this course you will be encouraged to think about stories and sound and silence. We will discuss interviewing techniques; audio design and power dynamics.
This course will offer students the opportunity to listen and critique audio stories and to participate in the performance, interviewing and the production process.
JRNL 520H Data Journalism
Special Note
This is a 2nd year elective course.
Course overview
This is a second-year graduate level course for students interested in understanding the role of numerical data in journalism research and reporting.
This course is an introduction to data journalism. You do not need any prior skills or experience in statistics, graphic design, computer programming or specific software. It presumes no prior background in statistical methods or graphic design. To be a good data journalist you need to have a curious mind, attention to detail and critical thinking. Together, we will learn how to use various free data tools you can use in newsrooms around the world.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- produce a story driven by data.
- Find, pitch and tell data-driven stories.
- Understand the ethical implications of data journalism.
- Recognize what makes a good data visualization.
- Find data through open data portals, public data sets and FOIs.
- Interrogate, clean and fact-check data sets.
- Create simple graphs, maps and charts to help drive storytelling.
- Understand data visualizations and be able to recognize errors and deception.
JRNL 520P Visual Journalism II
Special Note
This is a 2nd year elective course. It is open to students who have completed Visual Journalism or by application for students with prior experience in photography and/or videography.
Course overview
This advanced course builds on the fundamentals of photojournalism and videography acquired in JRNL 520V, and explores both video and still imagery as a form of storytelling for digital audiences. The course will hone student competences in three key areas: editorial storytelling, creative techniques and technical skills. This is a project-oriented course which prepares students to tell compelling, impactful and poignant stories visually. Students will not be restricted to one visual medium, but will be encouraged to combine both mediums in an appropriate manner for their final project.
JRNL 520V Visual Journalism
Special Note
This is a 2nd year elective course.
Course overview
Visual storytelling and production have always been crucial aspects of journalism, and the evolving newspaper, television and digital landscapes make these tools even more essential for journalists. Whether it is photography or video, visual journalism facilitates the understanding of a narrative through its visual representation, and can serve as a powerful means to conveying stories.
This course is designed to build on the skills and knowledge introduced in first year courses by building on students’ abilities to think about, develop and deliver impactful visual stories. Students will learn a range of visual storytelling techniques — from photography to video. Students will enhance their use of cameras as tools for creating journalistic narratives. The course will provide students with the skills and confidence to engage and inform audiences through accurate insightful and compelling visual journalism.
JRNL 550 Feature Writing
Special Note
This is a 2nd year elective course.
Course overview
This course builds on students’ interviewing, reporting and storycrafting skills. Students will deepen critical and ethical thinking about selection of sources and interviewing techniques. They will hone abilities to glean and convey more complicated information. They will explore narrative and other techniques well-suited to presenting complex issues to the public. Over the term, the student will pitch, report, structure and complete a single major piece suitable for publishing. This process can help students select and make substantive progress on their final research project; however, intent to do an Final Research Project is not required. The course incorporates lectures, guest speakers, collaborative group work, assigned writing, interactive exercises and individualized problem solving with the instructors. Many students have published their resulting work in quality publications.
JRNL 520F Investigative Journalism in Documentary Filmmaking
Special Note
This is a 2nd year elective course.
Course overview
Investigative Journalism in Documentary Filmmaking offers an in-depth exploration of the investigative process with the context of documentary storytelling. Students will master essential investigative skills, from conducting in-depth research and rigorous fact-checking to cultivating sources and uncovering hidden truths. This course combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct rigorous investigative journalism and produce impactful documentaries that shed light on pressing local and global issues, hold power to account and inspire audience to take action for positive change.
- Investigative Techniques: Develop proficiency in conducting thorough research, cultivating sources, and uncovering hidden truths through investigative journalism methodologies.
- Ethical Considerations: Navigate the ethical complexities of investigative journalism, including issues of privacy, confidentiality, and transparency, while upholding journalistic integrity and responsibility.
- Narrative Development: Students learn to craft compelling narratives that engage and captivate audiences, utilizing advanced storytelling techniques to convey complex investigative findings effectively.
- Impactful Storytelling: Explore innovative multimedia approaches to documentary filmmaking, including interactive elements and immersive experiences, to maximize the impact of investigative reporting.
- Cross-Border Collaboration: Collaborating with journalists and media organizations across borders to investigate transnational issues and hold power to account.