Fall 2018 - CMNS 800 G100
Contemporary Approaches in Communication Studies (5)
Class Number: 2486
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Vancouver
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Instructor:
Zoe Druick
druick@sfu.ca
778-782-5398 (BBY)
Office: HC-3551; K-9664(BBY)
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
This course surveys current interdisciplinary perspectives in communication studies and theory. It is normally offered in the fall term, and expected in the first year of graduate study.
COURSE DETAILS:
In the post-digital world, communication media have become ambient and ubiquitous, integrated into the everyday ways we work, play, and live. In this course, we consider the myriad ways that critical communication studies scholars are putting the current configuration into perspective. From media archaeologies that trouble our delineation of ‘new’ media and cultural analyses of communicative and financial infrastructures, to assessments of the biopolitical operation of media in both warfare and the management of life and the analysis of ‘fake news’ and ‘post truth’, the lessons of communication studies have become central across the social sciences and humanities. Covering topics such as: media archaeology, surveillance studies, computational culture, digital capitalism, media biopolitics, and more; the objective of the seminar is to familiarize students with a range of contemporary approaches to the ubiquitous culture of communication.
Grading
- Seminar Participation (includes final paper presentation) 15%
- Short Paper (2000-2500 words) -- due date TBA 20%
- Seminar Presentation 15%
- Final Paper (3000-4000 words for MAs; 5000-6000 words for PhDs) 50%
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:
Andrejevic, Mark, Infoglut: How Too Much Information is Changing the Way We Think and Know. New York: Routledge, 2013.
ISBN: 9780415659086
Chun, Wendy Hui Kyong, Anna Watkins Fisher, and Thomas Keenan (eds.), New Media, Old Media: A History and Theory Reader (2nd edition). New York: Routledge, 2016.
ISBN: 9781138021105
McNair, Brian, Fake News: Falsehood, Fabrication and Fantasy in Journalism. New York: Routledge, 2018.
ISBN: 9781315142036
Srnicek, Nick, Platform Capitalism. Cambridge: Polity, 2017.
ISBN: 9781509504879
Other readings will be made available on Canvas.
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
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