Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2022 - CMNS 230 B100

The Cultural Industries in Canada: Global Context (3)

Class Number: 2950

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 2:00–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-.

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 DETAILS:

NOTE: This is a B-section course. B = Blended. Course has a combination of in-person and online components, and a portion of face-to-face class time is replaced by asynchronous online components.

'Cultural industries' are undergoing significant shifts as new ways of production, distribution and consumption challenge the cultural sectors (i.e., news, film, music and gaming).  This course approaches these shifts from structural, organizational, regulatory and audience perspectives.

Students will be introduced to a range of concepts and theories that are used to explain shifts in cultural industries, regulatory frameworks and industry-audience relationships. This background will help students to examine struggles around change and continuity within different industrial realms, organizational types and professional fields across countries and to understand how globalization processes affect them. Throughout the course, we use those theories and concepts to explore the dynamics that cultural industries, policy-makers, cultural workers, and audiences are grappling with.

Grading

  • Short Self-Reflection Paper 20%
  • Study Questions 30%
  • Presentation 10%
  • Empirical Case Study 40%

NOTES:

Note: Grading to be confirmed in the first class.

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:

Havens, Timothy and Amanda D. Lotz (2017). Understanding Media Industries (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
ISBN: 9780190215323.

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 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware 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.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.