Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - CMNS 230 D100

The Cultural Industries in Canada: Global Context (3)

Class Number: 2876

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMNS 130.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

What do we mean when we talk about the 'cultural industries' today? This course explores the business structure and economics of the cultural sectors, the regulatory and policy frameworks, and their social and cultural contexts. Students are encouraged to develop, compare and contrast at least two sectors from the audio, print or visual industries. While the primary focus is on the Canadian case, students will be encouraged to look at other countries. Overriding themes explore the following: relationships between public and private sectors; independent and commercial creators; rights of creators versus distributors; specialty and general media; indigenous and global contents.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Understand and apply key concepts and theoretical approaches to the study of media and cultural industries.
  • Provide a conceptual framework that can be applied to selected cultural industries in local and international contexts and be extrapolated to other sectors.
  • Provide an overview of the organizational ecology for the cultural industries in Canada.
  • Enable students to begin career-focused research into the cultural industries, while identifying the relevant problematics in political economy and cultural studies for future learning.
  • Establish connections between local and global contexts.

Grading

  • Midterm exam 30%
  • Case study proposal 10%
  • Final case study 35%
  • Oral presentation 5%
  • Oral presentation notes and slides 10%
  • Tutorial attendance and participation 10%

NOTES:

Lectures will be delivered synchronously via Canvas’s Blackboard Collaborate. You are encouraged to attend live lectures so as to be able to ask questions and participate in virtual polls and discussions. However, if you are unable to attend a live lecture, please note that all lectures will be recorded and posted to Canvas for asynchronous learning.

Tutorials will be delivered synchronously; your TA will provide instructions. It is important that you attend and participate in tutorials. A portion of your overall grade will be determined based on tutorial attendance; participation and attendance will be taken during tutorials. If you are unable to attend a tutorial, please contact your TA as soon as possible. Due to the current situation, students will not be required to provide doctors’ notes for absences related to health issues.

REQUIREMENTS:

There will typically be 50-75 pages of required readings for each class. Readings not in the textbooks will be available on Canvas, along with other useful materials. Please note that readings should be done prior to the lecture on the week they are assigned.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

 


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 SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 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).