First Year Curriculum
Gain a deeper understanding with a well-rounded mix of humanities and journalism courses
In your first year as a journalism student, you take Foundations of Journalism I and II. These courses offer an examination of the news media’s important role in democratic society, building on a strong grounding in the humanities you get in the Foundation Year Program. This pairing is both theoretical and practical—you learn how to read, listen to and watch the news critically. It gives you the historical and contemporary context you need to focus on specific topics in upper years and later in your career.
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Required Courses
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Foundation Year Program (4-Credit)
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KING1000.24
Fall
Winter
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Lecture: MWRF 935-1125
Tutorial: MWRF 1135-1225 or
Tutorial: MWRF 1235-1325 or
Tutorial: MWRF 1335-1425
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Foundations of Journalism I
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JOUR1002.03
Fall
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Alumni Hall
Lecture: T 0935-1125 & 1335-1425 OR
Lecture: T 0935-1125 & R 0935-1025 (KTS); AND
T 1435-1525 (Seminar 7) OR
T 1435-1525 (Seminar Room) OR
T 1435-1525 (Classroom AA1) OR
T 1435-1525 (Shatford Room) OR
R 1035-1125 (Scotiabank Room) OR
R 1035-1125 (Seminar 7) OR
R 1035-1125 (Shatford Room)
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Foundations of Journalism II
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JOUR1003.03
Winter
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Alumni Hall
Lecture: T 0935-1125 & 1335-1425 OR
T 0935-1125 & R 0935-1025; AND
Tutorial: T 1435-1525 (Seminar 7) OR
Tutorial: T 1435-1525 (Seminar Room) OR
Tutorial: T 1435-1525 (Classroom AA1) OR
Tutorial: T 1435-1525 (Shatford Room) OR
Tutorial: R 1035-1125 (Scotiabank Room) OR
Tutorial: R 1035-1125 (Seminar 7) OR
Tutorial: R 1035-1125 (Shatford Room)
Second and Third Year
Work on the craft of reporting for the public
In upper years, you begin reporting for the public.
You improve your listening, interviewing, reporting and multimedia skills as you take an increasing number of journalism courses from King’s award-winning journalism professors.
You pair your core journalism classes with electives or another degree concentration.
In addition to the courses listed below, you will take 18 credit hours in arts or science electives (as approved) in second year, and 18 credit hours in arts or science electives (as approved) in third year.
The faculty offers a wide range of journalism electives from Documentary Journalism and Opinion Writing, to Feature Writing and Sports Journalism, and more. Not all electives are offered every year. Those listed below are available through 2022-23.
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Second Year - Required Courses
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Introduction to Reporting
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JOUR2700.03
Fall
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Computer Lab 1
M 1435-1725 OR
W 1435-1725
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Intermediate Reporting
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JOUR2701.03
Winter
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Computer Lab 1
W 1135-1425
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Introduction to Visual Storytelling
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JOUR2702.03
Fall
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Computer Lab 1
R 1435-1725
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Indigenous Peoples and Media
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JOUR2704.03
Winter
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KTS Lecture Hall
F 0935-1125
Third Year - Required Courses
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Advanced Reporting 1
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JOUR3004.03
Fall
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T 1505-1725
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Advanced Reporting 2
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JOUR3005.03
Winter
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Classroom 3
F 1425-1725
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Ethics & Law for Journalists
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JOUR3339.03
Winter
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KTS Lecture Hall
T 1835-2025
Third Year - Pick two of the following electives
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Science and the Media
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HSTC2400.03 / JOUR2400.03
Winter
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KTS Lecture Hall
M 1735-2025
Fourth Year
Become industry ready through projects, workshops and internships
In your final year, you complete an honours project and two workshops, typically chosen from News (required)/Audio/Video/Creative Nonfiction, and one workshop chosen from Investigative/Magazine/Audio Documentary/Video Documentary. Before graduating, you complete an internship at a media organization where you get hands-on, real-world experience.
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Required Courses
at least one of the following two courses
and two workshops from below:
The Signal
Produce award-winning work
The Signal is the School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing’s media outlet—the hub for your news stories, videos and current affairs podcasts.
In recent years, students have covered a murder trial from start to finish and reported on important moments in the city’s history. Student work published on The Signal regularly wins regional and national awards including Atlantic Journalism Awards, Emerge Media Awards and Canadian Online Publishing Awards.
Gold Award
Best Publication (Academic)
Canadian Online Publishing Awards 2018
The Signal
1st Place
Audio Storytelling
Emerge Media Awards 2018
What if the Halifax Explosion never happened?
JOURNALISM INTERNSHIPS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Get a foot in the door
In fourth year, you’ll do a month-long internship at an approved journalism outlet before graduation. Students have worked for newsrooms such as the Canadian Press, CBC, the Globe and Mail, National Post, Elle Magazine and Sportsnet, and also at smaller outlets such as alt-weeklies and video production houses.
Most students complete internships in Canada, but students have also completed internships in New York, Chile and Beirut.
Additional Requirements
Students are required to complete at least three credit hours in Canadian history or Canadian political institutions. This requirement may be satisfied by a 3 credit hour course from History, Political Science, Indigenous Studies or Canadian Studies courses. This is to be taken as one of the Arts & Science electives in either second or third year. Students who can demonstrate that they have an adequate knowledge of Canadian history or political institutions may be excused from this requirement with permission of the Director of Journalism, provided they propose a coherent alternative academic program of study.
