Journalism | Courses | Ontario College Diploma

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Courses - September 2025

Level 1

Course details

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Description: This course introduces students to the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for academic and workplace success. Students will analyse a variety of texts and apply the steps of planning, writing, and revising to produce writing that meets the expectations of selected audiences and purposes. The course prepares students for college-level writing tasks, research, and documentation by asking them to produce clear, informed, and purposeful documents relevant to both academic and professional contexts.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.

Hours: 1
Credits: 0
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Research and Interviewing
JRN1135

Description: This course introduces students to the concepts of generating sources for stories, developing research strategies and conducting research using live, primary and secondary sources, electronic databases and the Internet. Students apply their research skills to the planning and execution of successful interviews. Proper interviewing techniques for online, print, radio and television news stories are examined.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Social Media
JRN1165

Description: Students are introduced to a variety of social media tools with the goal of utilizing them for journalistic and professional purposes. Students will explore the use of social media for the sourcing, reporting and distribution of journalistic content, as well as brand development. Students also explore the use of analytics in maximizing audience engagement.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

News Writing
JRN1205

Description:

This is an introductory course in news writing. It covers the practical application of the fundamentals of news writing and introduces the student to a range of simple news stories.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Visual Technology I
JRN1210

Description:

The use of a photo, natural sound, or video can be very impactful when reporting a story. In Visual Technology I students are introduced to the equipment and software needed to report over multiple platforms. In this course students will learn the basics of operating a professional camera, shot composition and video production as well as editing and visual design

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Journalism Law and Ethics
JRN1240

Description:

This is an introductory course about law and ethics as they pertain to journalism. It covers the principles and practices of journalism, as well as the legal restrictions that apply to the profession.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Multimedia News Writing
JRN1185

Description: In this course, students will develop practical skills in the basics of radio, television and online news writing. Students will also learn to write and produce various types of audio news stories, including wraps, actualities, and straight reads. Finally, students will develop various types of video news stories, including voice-overs, voice-over to clips, and packages.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Reporting
JRN1190

Description: Students are introduced to multi-sourcing and more complex hard news stories, with an emphasis on story ideation and development. Students learn the mechanics of a variety of news “beats,” such as city hall, business and economics, justice, labour, arts and entertainment, sports and lifestyles.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Audio and Video Presentation
JRN1220

Description:

Vocal training and on-camera delivery are the focus of the Audio and Video Presentation course. Students begin the course learning techniques to improve their on-air speaking style and move on to learning to work with the camera when producing a visual story. Confidence, movement and interview techniques are reviewed as well as tailoring your approach for various formats and platforms.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Photojournalism and Design
JRN1230

Description:

This course will introduce students to the requirements for taking photos for news reporting. Students will practice techniques to prepare photos and write accompanying text for digital and traditional media outlets. They will use InDesign to layout news pages and present other visual content such as infographics and social media cards.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Visual Technology II
JRN1250

Description:

In Visual Technology II students build on the skills learned in Visual Technology I, producing on more complex stories and layering elements.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Safety in the Workplace
OHS1320

Description: This course focuses on developing awareness and skills for the student to safely manage and conduct him or herself within a variety of employment settings. Through the units of the course, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding and knowledge of general Health and Safety guidelines, including WHMIS, Fire Safety and Workplace Violence. The unit on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act will instruct the student on the requirements for Accessible Customer Service and Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulations. General information on Safe Driving, Privacy of Information and Hand Washing will be addressed as well. The course also provides participants with critical information regarding their insurance coverage (WSIB or other) while employed. As well as guidelines to follow in the event of an injury. Participants will receive a printable Record of Completion upon successful conclusion of this course, in order to demonstrate awareness of safe working practices to their employers.

Hours: 14
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 3

Course details

Freelancing and Career Development
ENTR2075

Description: In this course students target a path for their career, as they work towards their dream job. Conducting a job search and promoting your skills while navigating both contract, full-time and freelance work options can be daunting. In this course students are given the tools needed to navigate today's work environment. Students review pitching ideas, pricing and valuing their own work. They also establish a personal brand that extends through, social media, professional platforms and their own website.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Advanced Digital Design
JRN1140

Description: Students in this course learn advanced techniques for the building of newspaper, website and magazine pages, as well as management of multimedia assets in the digital environment. The course prepares students to work efficiently on a digital news site and to publish journalistic work online and in print.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

News Development
JRN2095

Description: This course builds students’ skills in developing news stories, from ideation to follow-up and the pursuit of new angles within existing news stories. Students learn to develop news stories across a spectrum of digital delivery platforms.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

News Lab
JRN2115

Description:

In this course, students move news stories from idea through development to audience-ready presentation using a broad range of digital storytelling tools, distribution methods and a dynamic website with a defined target audience. Emphasis is placed on the creation of high-quality digital output that meets the expectations of news-industry employers, as well as audience. Cross-platform storytelling experience helps students become agile digital storytellers who develop their stories against firm deadlines. Social media comes into play as tools for sourcing, collecting ad publishing news stories.

Hours: 98
Credits: 7
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Feature Reporting
JRN2205

Description: In this course, students are introduced to the art of feature creation for reporting in linear and non-linear formats. Students will learn to develop story ideas and create feature-length stories using a variety of styles and techniques.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: JRN1180 OR JRN1185
CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 4

Course details

Field Placement (Journalism)
FPLT2210

Description: This course facilitates a placement experience with a company/agency which has been approved by the program. Students will take an active role in securing a placement by practising employability skills learned through preparatory courses. Engaging in the work environment of a professionally relevant company/agency will allow students to apply their education and skills contributing to their mutual benefit. Appropriate workplace behaviour and etiquette is expected as students use this opportunity to expand their network of industry contacts and effectively market their personal brand. Through this experience, students can cultivate confidence, escalate awareness of industry practices, add to their resume & portfolio, and contribute to their own career success.

Hours: 80
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: JRN1135 AND JRN1160 OR JRN1165 AND JRN1205 AND JRN1240 AND OHS1320
CoRequisites:

Long-form Reporting
JRN2235

Description: Students in this course are introduced to long-form story reporting and production. They are required to produce in-depth, multimedia reports that take the form of magazine articles, radio and television documentaries or online packages.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: JRN2200 OR JRN2205
CoRequisites:

Advanced News Lab
JRN2240

Description: As an extension of News Lab, this course focuses on the production of news and feature stories using a broad range of digital storytelling tools, distribution methods and a dynamic website with a defined target audience. Students produce multimedia news stories, features, columns and opinion pieces for the Spoke website, prepare live and pre-recorded reports for CJIQ-FM, produce video stories suitable for a TV news magazine, and respond to audience feedback to their journalism. Again, social media come into play as tools for sourcing, developing and publishing stories.

Hours: 126
Credits: 9
Pre-Requisites: JRN2110 OR JRN2115
CoRequisites:

Story Development
JRN2255

Description: This course further builds students’ skills in developing news and feature stories with multiple components. Students develop informative, provocative or compelling news and feature reports that have links to topical news stories, suitable for delivery across a spectrum of digital platforms.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: JRN2090 OR JRN2095
CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Program outcomes

Report on stories in an accurate, detailed, balanced, professional, and timely manner.
Apply computer and technical skills to designated production and research functions in journalism.
Function both independently and as a member of editorial and/or production teams.
Analyze knowledge from communities, current events and public affairs, and history to interpret and express the context for designated journalism publications and/or productions.
Develop strategies for personal and professional development.
Comply with relevant Canadian legislation, standards, and the principles and practices of journalism.
Write and edit content for the designated media platforms.
Publish and/or broadcast content for the designated media platforms.
Apply production skills and use production equipment in the preparation and distribution of content for the designated media platforms.