Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - IAT 206W D100

Media Across Cultures (3)

Class Number: 6685

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

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

  • Prerequisites:

    IAT 103W and completion of 21 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces a discursive framework for media, design and cultural interfaces enabling students to interpret, negotiate, and engage with new media with an awareness of the significance of cultural and contextual difference. Assessment is based on written and project work. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces undergraduate SIAT students to foundational literature reflecting on interdisciplinary approaches to science, technology, and culture. It builds from theoretical and historical references in science and technology studies, media studies, and broader societal implications of technologies. The course will enable students to interpret and engage contemporary media, art, and design with an awareness of the significance of the cultural, political and social difference. The course will be a reading-writing intensive combination of lectures and workshops that will provide students with the opportunity to develop critical thinking, reading, and writing skills as a foundation for future research in media and design practices.  

Note: This is a writing-intensive course, which means that academic reading and writing will be foregrounded as part of the learning process.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course aims to help students to:

- Develop critical reading skills across media (text, films, design, art)
- Analyze and synthesize key theoretical and historical debates on interdisciplinary approaches to art, science, technology, and design.
- Apply these approaches to your writing practice.


Grading

  • Group Activities 10%
  • Individual Term Paper 45%
  • Individual Mid Term 25%
  • Individual Quizzes 20%

NOTES:

This is a draft version of the grading and assignment breakdown.  A final version will be provided at the beginning of the course.

REQUIREMENTS:

*Remote Learning: each week we will meet online and synchronously during assigned lecture and lab times.  Attendance and participation in these weekly meetings count towards your grades and are important to your successful performance in this class.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Highlighters, pens and pencils.

BOOKS:
1. “Science, technology, and society: a sociological approach” by  Wenda K. Bauchspies, Jennifer Croissant, and Sal Restivo. (Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub. 2006 )

2. "They say, I say"  by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein (New York: Norton, 2017)

3. “Keywords for media studies,” edited by Laurie Ouellette and Jonathan Gray (New York: New York University Press 2017) Online Book Available through SFU Library

REQUIRED READING:

Bauchspies, Croissant, Restivo, Croissant, Jennifer, & Restivo, Sal P. (2006). Science, technology, and society : A sociological approach / Wenda K. Bauchspies, Jennifer Croissant, and Sal Restivo.
ISBN: 0631232095 978063123

“Keywords for media studies,” edited by Laurie Ouellette and Jonathan Gray.  (New York: New York University Press 2017) Online Book Available through SFU Library

RECOMMENDED READING:

- "They say, I say"  by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein (New York: Norton, 2017)

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).