Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - CMNS 840 G100

Political Economy of Communications (5)

Class Number: 8485

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Thu, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A study of the political, economic and social process that produces the structure and policies of mass media, and of telecommunication agencies in their historical setting.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course explores political economy as a key approach to the analysis of communication processes. The seminar introduces the perspective for those planning to adopt it in their research, revisits its assumptions against a changing media landscape, and renews its analysis in an era of communicative abundance, economic crisis, and new movements of resistance. Topics examined include: genealogies of political economy; media, empire and colonialism; Fordism and post-Fordism; Keynesianism, neoliberalism and crisis; media and finance; the audience commodity; labour in the media; cyber-war; platform capitalism; and communication and the commons. The seminar is designed to enable students working at an MA or PhD level to develop an effective political-economic approach to the study of a wide range of topics in the field of communication.

Grading

  • Attendance and Participation 20%
  • Critical Reading Summaries 20%
  • Term Paper Proposal (4-6 pages) (due Week 6) 15%
  • Term Paper (18-20 pages) (due at the end of term) 45%

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 1 May 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:

Readings that are not accessible via the SFU Library’s electronic journals collection will be made available via 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