Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - IAT 206W D100

Media Across Cultures (3)

Class Number: 7152

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    IAT 103W with a minimum grade of C- 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 It builds from theoretical and historical references in science and technology studies, media studies, and broader societal implications of technologies.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.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Highlighters

Paper

Pens and pencils

Laptop

RECOMMENDED READING:

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

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

“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 NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.