SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION
CMNS 436-4

CANADIAN TELECOMMUNICATION POLICY AND REGULATION WITHIN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT

Prerequisites:

CMNS 230, 240 and 333.

Computer Accounts: SFU email accounts will be required in order to access some of the course readings via the Internet. These accounts are available from Academic Computing Services.

Overview

Developments in communication and information technologies are transforming the way Canadians interact and conduct business in almost every field of endeavour. Widespread domestic and international application of these technologies is also drawing Canadians into an increasingly competitive global economy, often in conflict with traditional notions of using telecommunications to ensure political, economic and cultural self-determination. Consequently, Canadian telecommunications development strategies and business and government policies are now being adopted in view of globalization of technologies which are altering the production, financing and distribution of existing and new telecommunications services.

Students will be introduced to the technology, economics and socio-political issues in telecommunications policy. Students will learn research, applied business and public policy analytic skills by working with government and legal documents, on-line services and through in-class presentations and assignments. The course will also include discussions of current events, decisions and issues in telecommunications policy as they occur during the semester.

Required Text:

Dwayne Winseck, Reconvergence: A Political Economy of Telecommunications in Canada

A package of supplementary readings will be provided for purchase in class by students. Other material will be placed on reserve and/or made available via the Internet.

Grading:

(subject to revision with notice)
Seminar Presentation 10%
Mid-term exam (take home) 25%
Two research assignments 65%

Topics

- Introduction to the field – Domestic and Global Contexts
- Telecommunications Technologies and Services
- Historical Overview: The Development of Canadian Telecommunications Policy
- Telecommunications Industry Structure: Market characteristics & Ownership Patterns
- Telecommunications Law and Regulation
- Administrative Processes: Licensing; Hearings; Appeals
- International Comparative Framework for Telecom Regulation
- Domestic and International Economic and Policy Issues
- Convergence: The age of Integrated Communication
- Emerging Technological Developments and Policy Implications
- Social and Public Interest Issues

The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy T10.02 with respect to "Intellectual Honesty," and "Academic Discipline" (see the current Calendar, General Regulations Section).