Photojournalism (PHJN/PHJF)

Courses

September 2019

• First Year - Semester One
• PHJN1016 Civics for Photojournalists 1
• An entry-level course in civics with a focus on basic civic and political structures, with an emphasis on how the visual journalist must understand and navigate the layers of Canadian life and government.
• PHJN1002 History of Photojournalism
• This course introduces the history of photojournalism and its impact and influences on current practices and industry trends. The course will include research projects, lectures, discussions and experiential assignments intended to develop an appreciation for visual communication. Through assignments and discussions, students gain exposure to multiple perspectives and processes involved in effective visual communication.
• PHJN1001 Introduction to Photojournalism
• This course is an introduction course for all first-year students. This course covers cameras and their handling, composition, use of light, basic flash usage, and special techniques used by photojournalists. Part of the course is dedicated to the appreciation and critiquing of photographs, and to basic editing techniques.
• PHJN1003 Photo Seminar
• A seminar and project course that features respected industry professionals as guest speakers to introduce students to the realities, expectations and standards of the photojournalism industry and its professional activities.
• PHJN1005 Photojournalism Software 1
• This is an introductory course to provide students with the skills necessary to work in newsrooms, utilizing the latest computer picture handling tools. The course consists of practical assignments to familiarize students with the industry-standard software. The basic skills taught include procedures used to colour correct images including the use of camera RAW format, understanding file size/compression, setting correct resolution/colour profiles for printing, transmitting of large files and the organization/archiving of images.
• WRIT1004 Writing for Photojournalists 1
• This course addresses the basic techniques of interviewing, reporting and writing news and feature stories and captions, applying the standards and guidelines of Canadian Press Style.
• GNED General Education Elective
• General Education Courses

• First Year - Semester Two
• PHJN1017 Civics for Photojournalists 2
• Building on Civics for Photojournalists 1, this course expands the working context of the visual journalist into the provincial, federal and global spheres.
• PHJN1007 Lighting for Photojournalists
• This course is an introduction to the techniques of field lighting using portable flash units. The techniques of using bounce light, multiple flash with slave units and fill flash combined with ambient sources are covered.
  Prerequisite: PHJN 1001
• PHJN1015 Multi Media for Photojournalists 1
• Students learn the distinct techniques associated with video as opposed to still images and the tools of basic video editing.
  Prerequisite: PHJN 1001
• PHJN1010 Multiple Pictures
• The course introduces the concept of using pictures in various multiple formats, including shooting and editing the basic sequence, photo story and essay production, and the concepts of designing and laying out photo pages for newspapers and magazines.
  Prerequisite: PHJN 1001
• PHJN1006 News Photography
• This is a basic course in newspaper photography for Photojournalism students who have completed the prerequisites in semester one. Content includes news, feature and sports photography using a variety of lenses. The development of a portfolio is also covered.
  Prerequisite: PHJN 1001, WRIT 1004
• PHJN1011 Photojournalism Software 2
• An advanced course designed to provide students with the advanced skills necessary to prepare images for use in creating digital portfolios and multimedia presentations. After preparing the images, students create a number of digital portfolios and multimedia presentations, some of which will include both photographic stills and multiple audio tracks. The use of a number of computer programs in the creation of these multimedia presentations will help students bridge the transition to video editing and make them more marketable in this competitive industry.
  Prerequisite: PHJN 1001
• PHJN1008 Portfolio Development
• This is an introductory course in the development of a working portfolio. Students build a photojournalism print portfolio worthy of presenting to prospective employers that will showcase their best work. Emphasis will be placed upon content impact and presentation.
  Prerequisite: PHJN 1001
• WRIT1005 Writing for Photojournalists 2
• Students learn how to cover various basic beats found on most newspapers. Students further develop hard news writing skills, editing and critical thinking.
  Prerequisite: WRIT 1004
• GNED General Education Elective
• General Education Courses

• Second Year - Semester Three
• PHJN2007 Documentary Photography
• Documentary is an advanced course in the planning and execution of picture stories and photo essays for Photojournalism students. Emphasis is placed on developing a story or theme that may be explored by students over a long period of time, perhaps years. Students are encouraged to explore the “truths” in a story and challenge themselves in their visual approaches to that story. Improving student portfolios is emphasized.
• ENTR2004 Freelance & Business Practices 1
• The course prepares students for part- and full-time freelancing. It addresses aspects of small business operation, marketing and presentation techniques for the freelancer with ambitions in newspaper, magazine and editorial photojournalism.
• PHJN2010 Multi Media for Photojournalists 2
• This is an advanced course in video storytelling for still photojournalists. Building on PHJN1015, this hands-on course will further explore the tools and software used in multimedia photojournalistic storytelling. Students are challenged to use these tools to tell more complex narratives.
• PHJN2009 News Photography 2
• This course in editorial photography includes news, feature and sports photography content, using a variety of lenses and techniques.
• PHJN2001 Photo Editing
• This is an advanced course in the decision-making process of photojournalistic editing. Students are exposed to a wide variety of editing situations from self-editing to editing the work of others, with an emphasis on the thought processes involved in both.
• PHJN2003 Web Pages and Digital Portfolio
• Students learn advanced online skills to utilize new media as an important research and promotional tool. Students create a web page and a digital published version of their portfolios.
• WRIT2002 Writing for Photojournalists 3
• A course tailored to the writing needs of photojournalists. The marriage of words and pictures for maximum impact as a communicative tool is covered.
• GNED General Education Elective
• General Education Courses

• Second Year - Semester Four
• PHJN2011 Documentary Publishing Project
• Documentary is an advanced course in the planning and execution of picture stories and photo essays for photojournalism students. Emphasis is placed on developing a story/theme that is/may be explored by the student over a long period of time, perhaps years. Students are encouraged to explore the 'truths' in a story and challenge themselves in their visual approaches to the story. Improving student portfolios is emphasized.
• PROF2016 Field Placement Seminar
• Students spend three weeks at a newspaper, magazine, agency or elsewhere in the print and electronic journalism industry. Students research and secure their own placements, which are approved by faculty. The supervising editor grades the student’s performance, ability and attitude in conjunction with the faculty.
• ENTR2005 Freelance and Business Practices 2
• Expanding on the introductory and survey nature of Freelance and Business Practices 1, this course focuses on developing a story proposal for funding. Using the crowdfunding model, students develop the proposal, with supporting documentation, a budget and a video pitch.
• ETHI2001 Photojournalism - Ethics
• Students learn how to recognize ethical challenges faced by journalists and engage in a sound decision-making process. Ethical codes and guidelines will be explored through case studies in order to help the student journalist navigate through the grey areas of ethical decision making.
• WKPL2026 Photojournalism Field Placement
• Students spend three weeks at a newspaper, magazine, agency or elsewhere in the print and electronic journalism industry. Students research and secure their own placements, which are approved by faculty. The supervising editor grades the student’s performance, ability and attitude in conjunction with the faculty.
• PHJN2005 Publication Lab - The Pioneer
• Students work in the journalism news lab to produce The Pioneer, a weekly newspaper distributed throughout the community. Students learn how to apply their photographic and writing skills in an environment of teamwork. They are rotated through a series of positions so they can acquire experience in the newsroom as reporters and photographers.
  In this culminating learning experience, students produce the award-winning online publication The Pioneer, putting into practice all aspects of the “triple threat skill set” of photography, writing and multimedia production.
• PHJN2006 Staff Photography
• This is an intensive, deadline-oriented course, providing students with reality-based experiences similar to freelance photojournalism assignments or those given by a daily newspaper, website or magazine. Improving student portfolios is emphasized.
• WRIT2003 Writing for Photojournalists 4
• Students continue to explore the relationship between images and words as they create integrated news and documentary pieces for publication.

*Courses subject to change.