Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - CMNS 311 D100

Topics in Communication and Social Justice (4)

CMNS & Rhetoric

Class Number: 5625

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 16, 2026
    Wed, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    17 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 45 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Topics pertain to issues of inequality, resistance and activism with a focus on entanglements with media and communication. Explores how relations of power are shaped and contested through media and communication. Topics include: racial justice, environmental policies, globalization, social activism, and labour. This course can be repeated twice for credit if the topics are different (up to a maximum of three times).

COURSE DETAILS:

The study of rhetoric has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years with scholars from a range of academic fields acclaiming the importance of rhetorical analysis to their disciplines. History, philosophy, anthropology, communication, and literary studies recognize that the rhetorical enterprise – understanding the procedures for identifying, addressing, and persuading audiences – is a central part of their intellectual heritage. Thus, rhetoric has come to occupy a prominent place in several important academic debates.

This course examines rhetoric and persuasion in the context of communication studies. We will begin by considering several classical accounts of persuasion and rhetoric, in order to develop a fuller understanding of the promotional ethos of the modern age. From there, we will move on to look at how different institutional modes of persuasive discourse have been shaped by a variety of research agendas and underlying theories about human nature. We will examine arguments about the place of persuasive practices in the works of Plato and Aristotle; notions of persuasion as encountered in the psychoanalytic tradition; and theories of a rhetorical attitude as developed by scholars like Stephen Toulmin and Kenneth Burke.

Grading

  • Mid-Term Exam 25%
  • Final Exam 25%
  • Tutorials 15%
  • Term Paper 35%

NOTES:

The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relationship to established university-wide practices. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 (September 2026) with respect to Academic Integrity including use of AI, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 with regard to Student Discipline. For further information visit: https://www.sfu.ca/about/leadership-governance-strategy/policies/gazette/s10-01.html

REQUIREMENTS:

Both the mid-term and final exam will be in class exams.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Students will be required to read weekly lecture notes and background material before the lectures and should be prepared to discuss the readings and lecture material in tutorials. Readings will be available online via Canvas.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.