Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMNS 120W D100

Creativity and Communication Across Media (3)

Class Number: 4852

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students to the creative practice of multimodal writing and content creation for communication and media studies. Topics may include: creativity and idea generation; media literacy in digital environments; writing conventions for various platforms and genres; analytical writing and scholarly argumentation; audio-visual production for popular audiences. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is an introduction to the critical and applied dimensions of communication with a focus on experiential learning through practice. Students will have the opportunity to research, analyze, create, and produce content across a range of platforms, contexts, and genres. The course is intended to balance the critical/theoretical with the practical/applied approaches to communication, and to offer students experience, skills, and critical understandings of dynamic and contemporary media environments.

Grading

  • Subject to confirmation in class
  • Assignment 1: Digital Story 25%
  • Assignment 2: Creative Initiative 25%
  • Assignment 3: Essay 25%
  • Tutorial Participation 10%
  • Learning Reflections 5%
  • Lecture Participation 10%

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 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 with regard to Student Discipline. For further information visit: www.sfu.ca/policies/Students/index.html

NOTE -- Tutorials do not start in Week 1 (5-9 January 2026) -- unless specified by the Instructor.  If your tutorial is scheduled to occur prior to your first lecture -- please check with the course Canvas page, or with your Instructor (via email), to find out if you will have a tutorial in the first week of Spring Semester 2026.   If your tutorial occurs after the first lecture, then just ask in the first lecture whether or not there will be tutorials during Week 1.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Course readings, media, and other materials will be available on Canvas.

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

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.