Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - CMNS 311 D100

Topics in Communication and Social Justice (4)

News & Politics

Class Number: 3632

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 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:

Much of what we know, or think we know, about the political world is derived from the news media. In this course, we will examine the news media as a set of institutions that have important political and ideological implications. We will focus on news discourse as a form of political communication and consider what factors influence news content, and what methods can be used to analyze the ways news media create meaning. A particular focus is the contrast between different mainstream or corporate media outlets, and/or alternative media sources, in the international and local contexts.

This course has a strong emphasis on theory and its application. We will review, among other concepts, critical and cultural theories of news, the role of news media in democratic societies, and, to some extent, theories of framing and ideology. It is imperative that students keep up with the readings in this course.

Grading

  • Lecture Participation 10%
  • Lecture Attendance 10%
  • Group Presentation 15%
  • News Journal 20%
  • Term Paper Proposal 15%
  • Media Analysis Paper 30%

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

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is one required text whose fulltext can be accessed via SFU’s library. Additional readings may be assigned during the course.  If so, they will be made available through Canvas. In addition, students will be expected to monitor the news media regularly and use current examples in class.

Boczkowski, P. J., & Anderson, C. W. (Eds.). (2017) Remaking the News: Essays on the Future of Journalism Scholarship in the Digital Age. MIT Press. (Students do not need to purchase this book as SFU Library offers online access)

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.