Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - CMNS 804 G100

Seminar in Advanced Communication Theory (5)

Class Number: 9649

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

MEDIA AND THE SENSES

This course will take the senses as its main object and instrument of inquiry into cultural issues surrounding media and technology cultures. As the very foundation of our experience of reality, the senses mediate our relationships with the environment, society, objects, and all else. In the last few decades, the sensorial turn in anthropology (which has since impacted other disciplines) has shown that the senses, far from being simply cognitive processes or neurological mechanisms, are constructed historically, culturally and politically. This course aims to bridge the broad field of the cultural studies of media and technology with sensory explorations and methodologies, including historiography of the senses and perception, and sensory ethnographies, into various aspects of media cultures. Possible areas covered in the course in relation to media cultures and technology include:  sound studies, smell studies, visual ethnographies, theories of embodiment, haptics and touch. Students will broaden their understanding of the role of senses in media studies, and gain experience designing and implementing research projects in one of these areas. In this course students will undertake a self-directed term project that will employ, in some form, sensory methodologies, and engage with theories and concepts discussed in class.

Grading

  • 6 Writing Reports (at 5% each) 30%
  • Term Project 40%
  • Seminar Presentation 10%
  • Seminar 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.]

This course has a zero-tolerance policy for academic dishonesty or plagiarism. Please familiarize yourselves ahead of time with SFU’s policies and how to avoid it, and check with us if you’re unsure how to use or cite materials, visit:
http://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/writing/plagiarism.

Note on due dates: All assignments are due as indicated on Canvas and/or discussed with the Instructor.  Late assignments are subject to a standard 5% penalty. If you need to submit an assignment late for a legitimate reason, please talk to the Instructor well in advance.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The course readings will be listed in the syllabus, and will be made available electronically through SFU 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