Spring 2018 - CMNS 362 D100

Evaluation Methods for Applied Communication Research (6)

Class Number: 2541

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units including CMNS 253 (or 253W), and two of CMNS 260, 261 or 262.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Research design and techniques for the study of the introduction, uses and consequences of new media and technologies, new communication policies and practices in their socio-economic and cultural context, and communication in innovation and change.

COURSE DETAILS:

Overview:

This is a course in applied communication that spans theory and methods of communication research.  Although methods introduced in this course can be appropriately used to pursue research questions in a number of areas, the main focus will be to investigate mass mediated communication and communication infrastructures, and will be the focus of student research.

Lectures will introduce a variety of theoretical issues, as well as pragmatic concerns, that arise in utilizing the methods introduced in the course.  Students will be introduced to a variety of research methods, which may include: interview techniques, textual analysis, survey research, and focus groups.

Students will design, develop, and implement an original pilot study using two methods introduced in class.  In previous iterations of this class, students have examined the gamification and quantified care of the self; precarious labour in creative and cultural industries; the representation of race, gender, class and/or sexuality in the media; but these need not confine or demarcate areas of research.  Based on these, or any other relevant themes, students will choose and define a research problem, review relevant literature, propose researchable questions (subject to approval from course instructor/TA), and carry out original research using two methods.

Grading

  • To be finalized in the first class.
  • Tutorial Participation (Individual) 10%
  • Study Proposal (Team) 15%
  • Mid-Term In-Class Quiz (Individual) 15%
  • Final Report (Team) 35%
  • Presentation (Team 10%
  • Final In-Class Quiz (Individual) 15%

NOTES:

A minimum 2.25 CMNS GPA and 2.00 overall CGPA, and approval as a communication student is required for entry into most communication upper division courses.  

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:

Readings will be made 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