Fall 2020 - CMNS 815 G100

Social Construction of Communication Technologies (5)

Class Number: 7433

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A study of the social theory of information technologies, examining issues affecting computer-mediated communication.

COURSE DETAILS:

The course is designed as an in-depth examination of contemporary reality’s increasing mediatization and to what extent theories and methodologies that align with social constructivism can provide insights into this condition. We will read a wide range of texts, both historical and contemporary, in order to understand how sociological, cultural, communication, and information perspectives theorize, research, and debate the social construction of communication technologies. The topics will cover a range of different technologies, from the mundane to the advanced, and especially consider the role of power, social inequality, agency, and difference. This course will also consider epistemological problematics that originate from sociological theory, such as the relationship of the individual to society and various levels of analysis (micro, meso, and macro) that will guide, whether explicitly or implicitly, your own inquiries.

Technologies are indeed social and cultural and it is important to understand the political contexts and historical moments in which everyday people, social groups, organizations, and institutions shape technologies for self-expression and instrumental goals. Of particular interest will be how to research technological mediation without understanding it as somehow outside social reality. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  1. To familiarize participants with social construction as an ontological and epistemological orientation for the study of information and communication technologies.
  2. To give participants the opportunity to consider how other research traditions have critically questioned and/or adapted elements of social construction traditions for research on media and communication.
  3. To review how phenomenological and anthropological methodologies are incorporated in this research paradigm.

Grading

  • Presentation 30%
  • Prospectus 15%
  • Term Paper 35%
  • Participation 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

A set of readings will be made available, in class.


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).