Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2024 - CMNS 432 B100

Political Communication, Public Opinion and Political Marketing (4)

Class Number: 2764

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 7, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    May 14, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    May 21, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    May 28, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jun 4, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jun 11, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jun 13, 2024: Thu, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    26 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 60 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the core paradox of the political discourse in a democratic society today. Despite rising levels of education and citizen access to 24-hour news, public affairs and contemporary forms of satire, voting turnout in most advanced democracies is declining. We look at how politics is defined and meaning is mediated within the communicative public sphere during and between elections. Students with credit for CMNS 486 under this topic may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

NOTE:  This course is taught in Intersession -- 6 May - 24 June 2024.  In addition to the in-person course days/times listed above, there will be online seminars on other dates (Thursdays, 9, 16, 23, 30 May & 6 June).

This blended (in-person and online) seminar course examines the core paradox of political discourse in a democratic society today. Despite rising levels of education and citizen interest in 24-hour news and contemporary forms of satire, voter turnout in most advanced democracies is declining, and the majority (two in three) of young voters under the age of 25 choose not to vote. We look at how politics is defined and meaning is mediated within the communicative public sphere during and between elections. Is politics good entertainment? To what extent are formal political systems increasingly by-passed by social media or by other modes of public assembly?

We look at the insider and outsider worlds of the spin-doctors, political journalists, strategists and speechwriters; and raise questions of moral ethics. What are “good” politics and “bad” politics? Conversely, what makes “good” political communication that empowers citizens, allows collective decisions, enables sustainable democracies, and mediates extremism? And how does one pass judgements about “bad” political communications, that demobilize citizens, deceive political actors, or drive wedges amongst peoples to help the powerful preserve power?

This seminar places a strong emphasis on engaging with political discourse by participating in discussion, analyzing rhetoric and writing opinion pieces. It is open to students taking the Dialogue Minor.

Grading

  • Seminar Participation & Attendance 25%
  • Op-Ed Piece 25%
  • Political Speech (In-Class, 5 Minutes; Individual) 25%
  • Political Engagement Project (Group) 25%

NOTES:

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). For further information see: www.sfu.ca/policies/Students/index.html.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be available on Canvas.

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