Humber Launches Bachelor of Journalism Degree
Curriculum focuses on digital storytelling
Toronto, Ontario – January 5, 2011 – Humber College has received approval from the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to offer a new four-year Bachelor of Journalism degree beginning in September 2011.
With an emphasis on digital media, the journalism degree will provide students with the skills needed to find employment in the evolving field of journalism. The program is designed to produce graduates who can easily tell stories using a variety of mediums including audio, video, the web and social media. The program will also develop students who are sensitive to world news and events, have the skills to relate stories in a meaningful way, are masterful storytellers, and demonstrate ethical and responsible behaviour.
"From capturing video, to conducting interviews and posting stories online, today’s journalist needs to be able to do it all. With a focus on media integration, this program will give Humber students a well-rounded undergraduate degree education and prepare them to be job-ready when they graduate," said Basil Guinane, associate dean, School of Media Studies and Information Technology. "Course content, which includes web streaming to video and audio production to investigative reporting and much more, was developed with input from media professionals to ensure the content is current and relevant.”
The curriculum will focus on the basics of reporting, researching, interviewing, media law and ethics. Students will also learn how to create, edit and combine text, audio and video to create compelling stories, and learn the skills needed to manage web-based content for websites and hand-held devices. An emphasis will be placed on examining the role of the journalist in society and the history of journalism. Students will also enhance their knowledge through general education electives each semester. There is an internship between years three and four.
The program will take place in newly constructed facilities at Humber Lakeshore Campus. Applications are being accepted through the Ontario College Application Service at www.ocas.ca.
"The degree program will meet the intense demands of industry and will significantly add to the quality of our already strong Journalism diploma programs. Humber graduates can be found in all areas of Canadian media,” said Guinane. "The new credential gives students another option in which to pursue their journalism education while training new reporters for today and the future.”
About Humber’s Bachelor’s Degrees
Humber’s 16 four-year Bachelor’s degrees provide more opportunities in more areas of specialization for undergraduate degree education and degree completion than any other Ontario college. More than 2,600 students are taking degree-level programs at the college. All Humber degrees are approved by the Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities. Degree programs also undergo a rigorous peer review process to ensure they meet the academic and industry standards established by the Postsecondary Quality Assessment Board. More information about Humber degrees is available at humber.ca/degrees.
About Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Established in 1967, Humber is one of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions. Committed to student success through excellence in teaching and learning, Humber serves more than 25,000 full-time students and 56,000 continuing education registrants. With an internationally recognized reputation for quality learning, Humber offers a wide-range of career-focused opportunities for students to personalize their educational path. Our 150 full-time programs include four-year bachelor’s degrees, two and three-year diplomas, one and two-year certificates and graduate certificates, and apprenticeship training. As a founding member of Polytechnics Canada, Humber offers students the opportunity to participate in applied research projects that find solutions for issues confronting small and medium-sized enterprises. Humber is one of 12 Vanguard Learning Colleges as identified by the League for Innovation, and the League’s only Canadian board member. Humber finished first in its class in the highly regarded Community College Survey of Student Engagement in 2009 in each of four categories, including Active and Collaborative Learning, Student Effort, Academic Challenge and Student-Faculty Interaction. More than 85 per cent of Humber graduates are employed within six months of completing their studies. Visit humber.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Andrew Leopold / Kevin Gonsalves
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
416.675.6622 ext. 4296/5778
andrew.leopold@humber.ca / kevin.gonsalves@humber.ca
