Spring 2018 - CMNS 840 G100
Political Economy of Communications (5)
Class Number: 2725
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Thu, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Vancouver
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Instructor:
Dal Yong JIN
djin@sfu.ca
778-782-5116
Office: HC-3555
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-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Overview:
This course explores the relationship between capitalism, as a historically constituted social formation, and the realm of communications, focusing on the ways in which capitalistic power relations set limits and exert pressure on evolving communication institutions, processes, and practices on the one hand; and the role of communication in sustaining and challenging existing power relations on the other. The course is both historical and global in its orientation, and it addresses both disciplinary and substantive concerns. The first half of the course explores the social historical and intellectual foundations for the development of the political economy perspective in communication studies. In the second half, we will employ the political economy perspective to analyze the organization of communication systems, and make sense of current transformations in a range of media and telecommunication industries, within national, regional, and global contexts. Special emphasis is placed on current debates on globalization, the role of the nation-state, and new dynamics of control and resistance in a rapidly transforming global communications environment.
Grading
- Seminar Participation and Presentation 30%
- Mid-Term Book Review 20%
- Final Research Paper 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:
Winseck, Dwayne and Dal Yong Jin (eds.), Political Economies of the Media: The Transformation of the Global Media Industries. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2011 [Paperback].
ISBN: 9781849668934
Other 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