Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMNS 230 OL01

The Cultural Industries in Canada: Global Context (3)

Class Number: 7031

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Prerequisites:

    CMNS 130 with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

What do we mean when we talk about the 'cultural industries' today? This course explores the business structure and economics of the cultural sectors, the regulatory and policy frameworks, and their social and cultural contexts. Students are encouraged to develop, compare and contrast at least two sectors from the audio, print or visual industries. While the primary focus is on the Canadian case, students will be encouraged to look at other countries. Overriding themes explore the following: relationships between public and private sectors; independent and commercial creators; rights of creators versus distributors; specialty and general media; Indigenous and global contents.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will focus on how recent developments such as the rise of digital platforms, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted, challenged, and changed cultural industries, with their organizations, cultural workers, audiences and governmental frameworks. We will study the industry from an introductory perspective focusing on understanding the core principles of society and the role of organizations, individuals and governmental actions in shaping cultural content, creative processes, distribution of content and content consumption. Students will be able to learn about various realms within the sector, including film, publishing, gaming, music, journalism and the arts.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

· Understand and apply key concepts and theoretical approaches to the study of media and cultural industries.

· Provide a conceptual framework that can be applied to selected cultural industries, the international context, and extrapolated to other sectors.

· Provide an overview of the organizational ecology for the cultural industries in Canada.

· Enable students to begin career-focused research into the cultural industries, while identifying the relevant problematics in political economy and cultural studies for future learning.

· Establish connections between local and global contexts

Grading

  • Video Presentation 20%
  • Proposal Case Study 30%
  • Document Research for Case Study 20%
  • Case Study 30%

Materials

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.