Journalism - Bachelor of Communication Studies
Overview
The major in Journalism provides students with a strong set of writing, research, reporting and digital media production skills. Option courses let students specialize based on their interests: online digital storytelling, television production, arts and culture reporting, feature writing, current affairs reporting or investigative reporting.
Bachelor of Communication Studies
Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications
MacEwan.ca/CommunicationDegree
In our fast-paced world of evolving and conventional media, communication is key to interpersonal, organizational and career success. The Bachelor of Communication Studies program provides students with a solid foundation in the fundamental skills of critical thinking, writing, editing, and research. Common coursework for professional communication and journalism majors builds a foundation in language, composition, visual communication, communication theory, communication law and research methods supported by a liberal arts framework. The courses in the majors offer depth, specialization, and choice. The minor provides additional scope and depth to your studies. The program offers many opportunities to integrate what you have learned in the classroom with real-life projects that engage the community and provide students with an enhanced learning experience. The field is forward-looking, and so is this program of studies.
Years one and two include common coursework for both professional communication and journalism majors that builds a foundation in language, composition, visual communication, communication theory, communication law, and research methods. Years three and four provide specialization in editing, strategic communication, technical communication or film studies (in the professional communication major), or in news gathering, digital media production, or film studies (in the journalism major).
Year three includes an ethical practice and portfolio course, followed by a professional field placement that includes BCSC 398 either/or BCSC 395. Students conclude year four with skills, experience and practical proof of their communication competency.
The Bachelor of Communication Studies program prepares students for strategic roles in business, traditional and new media, not-for-profit and public sector organizations: wherever clear, correct, and effective messages are valued. Confident in research methodology and contemporary communication theory, students are also ready for graduate studies in communication or a related field.
Career Potential
Graduates of MacEwan University’s Bachelor of Communication Studies will have competency in critical problem solving, global awareness and cultural sensitivity, creativity, information and research literacy, and ethical and professional practice. These competencies will bring career success in a variety of positions – writer, editor, researcher, journalist, reporter, marketer, client or community relations practitioner, communications advisor, communications coordinator, public information officer, producer, social media contact, reviewer, analyst, commentator – and in many roles that have yet to be created. In 2011, Statistics Canada reported a healthy demand for employment in the information and communication fields, and in 2010, the Government of Alberta reported that hiring is robust for journalists and good for writers and editors.
Technology Integration for Creative Learning (TICL)
On entering the second year of the Bachelor of Communication Studies program, students in the Journalism major will need to purchase a Mac laptop and necessary software identified by the program. For specifications, refer to the program website or contact an advisor.
Contact Information
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| BCSC 100 | Grammar and Composition Foundations | 3 |
| BCSC 101 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| BCSC 102 | Introduction to Visual Communication | 3 |
| BCSC 200 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| BCSC 202 | Online Communication | 3 |
| BCSC 203 | Introduction to Research Methods | 3 |
| BCSC 302 | Online Content Production | 3 |
| BCSC 306 | Ethical Practice and Portfolio | 3 |
| BCSC 307 | Communication Law I | 3 |
| BCSC 411 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Analysis and Argument | 3 |
| Choose an ENGL course from the following: | 3 | |
| Approaches to Literature: Trends and Traditions | ||
| Approaches to Literature: Narrative Across Media | ||
| Approaches to Literature: Contemporary Literature and Culture | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Journalism Major Requirements | 27 | |
| Foundations of Journalism | ||
| Introduction to News Reporting | ||
| Intermediate News Reporting | ||
| News, Media and Democracy: Understanding Information in the 21st-Century. | ||
| Online News Reporting: Journalism in the Digital Age | ||
| Professional Field Placement | ||
| Advanced News Reporting | ||
| Online Journalism Workshop: News Production for Digital Platforms | ||
| Journalism Major Options | 21 | |
| Choose seven courses from the list below: | ||
| Introduction to Film Studies and Narrative | ||
| Documentary Film Principles and Practices | ||
| News Production Process | ||
| Introduction to Screenwriting | ||
| Popular Culture and Film Studies: Film Noir | ||
| Popular Culture and Film Studies: Science Fiction | ||
| Communication Law II | ||
| Interviewing Techniques | ||
| Photojournalism | ||
| Arts and Culture Reporting | ||
| Radio News and Documentaries | ||
| Documentary Screenwriting | ||
| Literary Journalism | ||
| Writing for Periodicals | ||
| Public Affairs Data Journalism | ||
| Independent Study in Communications | ||
| Specialized Reporting | ||
| Global Media Systems | ||
| Advanced Reporting and Writing: The Feature | ||
| Broadcast News Current Affairs | ||
| Reporting on Canadian Politics | ||
| Investigative Journalism | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Journalism | ||
| Advanced Independent Study in Communications | ||
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship: New Ventures in Digital Media | ||
| Professional Communication Minor Requirements | ||
| The following courses, also listed under Core Requirements, are used for the Core Requirements and the Professional Communication Minor Requirements. | ||
| Grammar and Composition Foundations | ||
| Communication Theory | ||
| Professional Communication Minor Options | 9 | |
| Choose three courses from the list below: 1 | ||
| Proofreading and Copyediting | ||
| Professional Communication | ||
| Introduction to Technical Communication | ||
| Classical and Modern Rhetoric | ||
| Substantive and Structural Editing | ||
| Strategic Communication Planning | ||
| Rhetoric of Popular Culture | ||
| Technical Communication for Digital Applications | ||
| The Media and the Message | ||
| Magazine Editing | ||
| Book Editing | ||
| Print Culture Studies | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication Theory | ||
| Technical Communication: Safety Standards and Policies | ||
| Technical Communication for Policy Writing | ||
| Production Editing and Publication Management | ||
| Breadth Requirements | 27 | |
| 9 credits must be at the senior level | ||
| Humanities - CLAS, CHIN, CRWR, ENGL (other than ENGL 102, ENGL 103, ENGL 104, ENGL 105), FREN, GERM, HUMN, HIST, PHIL, JAPN, SPAN | 6 | |
| Social Sciences - ANTH, ECON, GEND, INDG, POLS, PSYC, SOCI | 9 | |
| Sciences - ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, CMPT, EASC, MATH, PHYS, PSYC, STAT, ZOOL, HLST 210 | 6 | |
| Fine Art/Performing Arts - AGAD, ARTE, DESN, DRMA, MUSC, THAR, THPR, CLAS 252, CLAS 353 or CLAS 356, CRWR 295 | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 84 | |
1 In addition to the 9 credits of Professional Communication minor options to be taken, the core required course, BCSC 307, will also be included for a total of 12 credits of minor options.
Program Regulations
Students are strongly encouraged to seek advice from a faculty or university advisor about fulfilling these degree requirements.
Declaration of a Major and a Minor
Students declare their major and minor at the time of application. Students may redeclare their major and minor if required. Students are advised to redeclare by the time they have completed 45 credits or earlier. Students are advised to seek advice from the Academic Advisor before redeclaring their major and minor.
Breadth Requirement
Students in the Professional Communication major and Journalism minor complete 24 credits of baccalaureate-level courses as outlined in the programs of study. A minimum of nine credits must be senior-level courses. Students in the Journalism major and Professional Communication minor complete 27 credits of baccalaureate level courses as outlined in the programs of study. A minimum of nine credits must be senior level courses.
Core Field Placement Requirements
All program students must successfully complete a field placement component to their Program of Study.
Journalism major students will complete BCSC 398, which is a three-credit, full-time or part-time 180-hour field placement, after successfully completing at least 84 out of 120 credits required for the degree, as well as BCSC 327: Online News Reporting. It is highly recommended, but not required, for journalism students to also complete BCSC 412: Advanced News Reporting.
Professional Communication major students will complete BCSC 395: Professional Field Placement and Practice, which is a three-credit, full-time or part-time 250-hour field placement with an academic course component, after successfully completing at least 84 out of 120 credits required for the degree.
The program will assist students in finding field placement opportunities; however, students are ultimately responsible for securing their own work placements, and all placements must be approved by the program. Students must comply with Policy C2060 Workplace Integrated Learning regarding their field placement.
Junior- and Senior-Level Courses
Courses numbered from 100 to 199 are considered junior level and courses numbered from 200 to 499 are considered senior level.
Senior-Level Coursework Requirements
A minimum of 72 credits of the total 120 program credits must be at the senior level. Additional courses at the 100-level will be declared extra to the 120 credits required to complete the degree and will not be counted toward fulfilment of graduation requirements.
Option Requirements
Students are required to complete 21 credits of major options. Journalism and Professional Communication minors must complete 18 credits of minor course work. Journalism minors must complete 6 credits of option courses. Professional Communication minors must complete 12 credits of option courses. Students must select from a list of BCSC option courses designed for each major and minor. Not all option courses are offered each term or year. These courses must be at the baccalaureate level.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements are governed by the date on which students declare their major and minor. Students who declare their major and minor up to and including February 15 are bound by the requirements of the current academic year. Those students who declare after February 15 are bound by the programs of study and degree requirements of the upcoming calendar year published in the academic calendar.
Progression of Studies
Students are responsible for ensuring they fulfill the prerequisite and/or co-requisite requirements of courses taken to complete the Bachelor of Communication Studies.
Minimum Transfer Grade for Credit
A minimum grade of D is required for any transfer credit granted for the program. Courses in the Program of Study require a minimum grade of C- when the course is used as a prerequisite. Transfer credit decisions are final and cannot be appealed (See Policies C2030 and E3103).
Admission Requirements
Applicants may be admitted to one of the following:
Regular Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicants must have a minimum overall average of 65 percent, with no course grade lower than 50 percent, in the following high school courses:
- ELA 30-1
- Four subjects from Group A, B, C, or D
Notes:
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to present a broad range of subjects in order to benefit from the breadth of learning and to increase flexibility of future program and course choices.
- A maximum of two Group B subjects may be presented; they must be from different disciplines.
- A maximum of one Group D subject may be presented. Group D subjects used for admission must be 5-credit or any credit combination of at least 5 credits (e.g., two 3-credit subjects).
Applicants with nine or more university-level credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Mature Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicants must be 20 years of age or older and have been out of full-time high school at least one year by the beginning of the intake term. Applicants must have the following:
- ELA 30-1 with a minimum grade of 65 per cent (or equivalent)
OR
- Six credits of university-level English with a minimum grade of C-
Applicants with nine or more university-level credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Previous Post-Secondary Work
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Admission in this category does not imply or guarantee the transfer of any coursework and/or credential unless a block transfer agreement (internal or external) is in effect and published in the calendar by the Office of the University Registrar. In addition, transfer of coursework does not imply or guarantee that an applicant will be admitted.
Applicants must have successfully completed the following from a recognized institution:
- A minimum of 24 credits of university-level credits with a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and must have completed the required core courses listed under the Regular Admission category.
Additional Admission Criteria
All applicants must meet the following:
1. English Language Proficiency
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicable to All Admission Categories
All applicants must meet an acceptable level of English language proficiency. We will require official documents such as high school or post-secondary transcripts or proof of successful completion of standardized language evaluation. Full details are available in MacEwan University’s academic calendar or online at MacEwan.ca/ELP.