Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - CMNS 230 D100

The Cultural Industries in Canada: Global Context (3)

Class Number: 2527

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMNS 130.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

What do we mean when we talk about the 'cultural industries' today? This course explores the business structure and economics of the cultural sectors, the regulatory and policy frameworks, and their social and cultural contexts. Students are encouraged to develop, compare and contrast at least two sectors from the audio, print or visual industries. While the primary focus is on the Canadian case, students will be encouraged to look at other countries. Overriding themes explore the following: relationships between public and private sectors; independent and commercial creators; rights of creators versus distributors; specialty and general media; indigenous and global contents.

COURSE DETAILS:

Overview:

 'Cultural industries' are undergoing significant shifts as new ways of production, distribution and consumption challenge the cultural sectors (i.e., news, film, music and gaming).  This course approaches these shifts from structural, organizational, regulatory and audience perspectives.  

Students will be introduced to a range of concepts and theories that are used to explain shifts in cultural industries, regulatory frameworks and industry-audience relationships.  This background will help students to examine struggles around change and continuity within different industrial realms, organizational types and professional fields across countries. Throughout the course, we use those theories and concepts to explore the dynamics that cultural industries, policy-makers, cultural workers, and audiences are grappling with.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:



Grading

  • To be confirmed in class.
  • Mid-Term Exam 30%
  • Empirical Case Study 50%
  • Tutorial Participation 20%

NOTES:

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 S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 as regards Student Discipline.  [Note: as of May 1, 2009 the previous T10 series of policies covering Intellectual Honesty (T10.02), and Academic Discipline (T10.03) have been replaced with the new S10 series of policies.]

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Havens, Timothy and Amanda D. Lotz, Understanding Media Industries (2nd edition). New York: Oxford University Press, 2016.  


ISBN: 9780190215323

Other readings will be available on Canvas.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS