Program Details
This program embraces the broad changes occurring in the media landscape and offers a progressive curriculum that will allow you to focus on development of journalism, social media skills and content creation on all platforms – online, print and broadcast, including podcasts.
For a quick overview of the program, please watch this 90-second video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyoieRxlVBE
Students in the Journalism – Mass Media program will develop the essential skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to work in this progressive, critical profession. In their first year, students are introduced to the core journalism skills and learn how society functions both locally and globally (see link to Global Class below). In their second year, students focus on creating content for all media platforms and undergoing experiential learning through our ‘working newsroom’ (see links to The Chronicle and Riot Radio below).
Due to the constant evolution of technology and the increasing development of new platforms of communication, traditional media professions such as journalism are facing new opportunities, as well as new challenges. Changes in the delivery methods of traditional news have forced journalists and others within the journalism industry to change how they do their jobs. For instance, journalists can now collect information with their phones and deliver stories directly to multiple platforms.
Graduates will have developed skills in: broadcasting, podcasting, reporting, interviewing, editing, writing, content creation and media production, teamwork and critical thinking. You will have knowledge of applicable legislation, standards and professional ethics, and recognize the importance of continuous learning. More specifically, you will gain a clear understanding of the impact of digital technology on journalism and will be able to respond and adapt effectively and efficiently to technological changes.
Upon successful completion of this program you will have opportunities at an entry-level in a wide variety of news organizations and as content creators for a variety of private companies and public organizations, such as school boards, hospitals and governments. Graduates will have the skills to perform a range of tasks, including:
- Writing local, national and international news through interviews and research
- Writing news stories for publication and/or broadcast
- Editing, analyzing and verifying information for accuracy
- Researching and conducting interviews for broadcast, online and print
- Applying production skills and using equipment to create content for a range of platforms
- Using social media platforms to engage audiences
- Planning and designing editorial content to meet a mass communications strategy for a client
Durham’s Journalism – Mass Media program has successfully covered the campus and community since 1974. It has an ongoing history of excellence, winning Ontario Community Newspaper Association honours on a regular basis.
Our graduates have a track record of producing quality work across Canada – for news organizations such as CBC, CTV and TSN and in communities from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. Grads have also earned careers as content creators and social media coordinators for companies, agencies and institutions.
Important links:
- NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific hardware and software requirements for this program click here.
In The News
Program Learning 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.
- Assess mass media communications and technologies as they relate to the impact on social and ethical issues.
- Select and assess appropriate mass media technologies to meet the needs of the intended audience.
- Plan and design editorial content to fulfil a mass media communications strategy for the client’s requirements.
- Analyze shifts and trends in mass media technologies to anticipate the communication needs of the intended audience.
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