Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - CMNS 130 OL01

Communication and Social Change (3)

Class Number: 7359

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 13, 2024
    Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the forms, theories and institutions of communication as they relate to broader social change, with a focus on the political, economic and regulatory shifts characterizing Canadian and transnational media systems. This course is required for a major, honours or minor in communication.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course offers an introduction to the forms, technologies, techniques, theories and institutions of communication as they relate to broader social change.  Central topics of this course include:  the Anthropocene and ecology of media; cyberwar and digital mobilization; work in the context of information industries; the relationship between media and globalization; algorithmic cultures and political economy of information.

We will focus on the era of mass communication and some of the more influential approaches to its study to examine the following questions:  What is mass communication? What is the role of mass media in a democracy?  How has mass media been regulated in the past?  What are the differences between critical, liberal-democratic, and neoliberal understandings of mass communciation?  Then we will explore networked forms of media and perspectives that seek to explain what is often called the "network society".  Are we in the midst of a transition from an era of mass communication to an era of networked communication?  What are the implications of this shift for social inequality?  What role can we play in this transformation?  What regulatory approaches are being applied to digital media?  How does concentration of ownership affect media content?  How has media production, distribution and consumption changed with the arrival of the World Wide Web and social media?

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

-   To introduce some of the key concepts, theoretical approaches and political perspectives used in the study of communication.
-   To provide a foundation for a number of second-year CMNS courses in the School of Communication.
-   To consider the role played by communication within broader social change.
-   To develop the capacity to critically assess, and intervene with, the media environment.

Grading

  • Reading Reflections (6 @ 4%) 24%
  • Quizzes (3 @ 2%) 6%
  • Mid-Term Exams (2 @ 15%) 30%
  • Final Exam 40%

NOTES:

The university expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices.  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 1 May 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.)  For further information see:   www.sfu.ca/policies/Students/index.html

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Required readings will be availabe as PDF's on Canvas.  Any material that is not on Library Reserve can be found online in an academic journal through the Library's website.

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 term 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.