Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - CMNS 800 G100

Contemporary Approaches in Communication Studies (5)

Class Number: 6916

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

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:

Whilst crises and change seem to be the dominant conditions of contemporary life, amidst this situation, communication media have become ubiquitous and integrated into the everyday ways we work, play, and live together. In this course, we examine the diverse ways that contemporary critical communication studies scholars are putting the current configuration into perspective. From considerations of the mediatization of everyday life to cultural analyses of communicative and financial infrastructures to assessments of the surveillant and biopolitical operations of media, and the analysis of ‘fake news’, the lessons of communication studies have become central across the sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts. Covering topics such as digital capitalism; the ‘racial’ logics of technologies and algorithms; new forms of play in everyday life; the formation of publics, counter-publics and populations; and on-line social movements, the objective of the seminar is to familiarize students with a range of contemporary approaches to the ubiquitous culture of communication. Students will be encouraged to use the course material for their research projects. It is expected that the course will be useful for to help students to orient their research programs through a process of critical encounter and generative exchange.

Grading

  • Seminar Participation 15%
  • Short Paper (2000 words) 25%
  • Seminar Presentation 10%
  • Final Paper (3500-4000 wds for MA Students; 5000- 6000 wds for PhD Students) DUE December 31, 2020 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:

Wendy Hui Kyong Chun, Anna Watkins Fisher, & Thomas Keenan, eds. (2016) New Media, Old Media: A History and Theory Reader, 2nd edition. New York: Routledge.


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:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).