Courses

Review the courses being offered this semester and plan your degree. Take a look at WQB and FAN/FAL requirements to stay on track.

Spring 2025

Course Title Instructor Day/Time
CMNS 110 D100 Introduction to Communication Studies Sarah Christina Ganzon
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
CMNS 110 OL01 Introduction to Communication Studies Layla Cameron
CMNS 120W D100 Creativity and Communication Across Media Jennesia Pedri
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
CMNS 130 OL01 Communication and Social Change Svitlana Matviyenko
CMNS 201W D100 Empirical Communication Research Methods Chris Jeschelnik
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
CMNS 202 D100 Design and Method in Qualitative Communication Research Erique Zhang
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
CMNS 215 D100 Media and Identity Victoria Thomas
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
CMNS 221 D100 Media and Popular Cultures Jennesia Pedri
Jennesia Pedri
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
CMNS 226 D100 Digital Media Communication Techniques Chris Jeschelnik
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
CMNS 230 B100 The Cultural Industries in Canada: Global Context Sarah Ganter
TBA
CMNS 240 OL01 The Political Economy of Communication Siyuan Yin
CMNS 253W OL01 Introduction to Information Technology: The New Media Layla Cameron
CMNS 304W D100 Communication in Everyday Life Byron Hauck
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 8:30–11:20 a.m.
CMNS 311 B100 Topics in Communication and Social Justice (Environment, Media & CMNS) Shane Gunster
TBA
CMNS 312 D100 Topics in Communication Policy and Governance (Digital Policies in a Global Context) Sarah Ganter
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
CMNS 313 D100 Topics in Data and Society (Visual Culture & Data Visualization) Frederik Lesage
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
CMNS 313 D200 Topics in Data and Society (Critical/Applied Data Study) Anthony Burton
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
CMNS 314 D100 Topics in Media Production and Aesthetics (CMNS/Visual Study/The Arts) Jan Marontate
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
CMNS 314 D200 Topics in Media Production and Aesthetics (Audio Media Design) David Murphy
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
CMNS 314 OL01 Topics in Media Production and Aesthetics (The Indigenous Internet) Jas Morgan
CMNS 315 D100 Topics in Media, Difference, and Intersectional Identities (Technologies of Gender & Sexuality) Erique Zhang
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
CMNS 315 D200 Topics in Media, Difference, and Intersectional Identities (Globalization & Media) Dal Yong Jin
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 8:30–11:20 a.m.
CMNS 316 D100 Topics in Popular Cultures and Public Communication (Advertising & Promo.Culture) Darren Fleet
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
CMNS 316 D200 Topics in Popular Cultures and Public Communication (Games, Media & Culture) Sarah Christina Ganzon
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
CMNS 353 D100 Topics in Science, Technology and Society (The Information Age) Stephanie Dick
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
CMNS 353 OL01 Topics in Science, Technology and Society (Disruptive Tech. & Culture) Peter Chow-White
CMNS 362 D200 Evaluation Methods for Applied Communication Research Janet Marontate
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
CMNS 395 D100 Communication Practicum I Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 395 D200 Communication Practicum I Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 395 I100 Communication Practicum I Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 396 D100 Communication Practicum II Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 396 D200 Communication Practicum II Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 396 I100 Communication Practicum II Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 425 D100 Applied Communication for Social Issues Martin Laba
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
CMNS 426 D100 Video Design for Social Communication David Murphy
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
CMNS 452 D100 Race and the Media Kirsten McAllister
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
CMNS 453 OL01 Issues in the Information Society (Mobile Information Society) Richard Smith
CMNS 453 OL02 Issues in the Information Society (Blockchain & Digital Culture) Peter Chow-White
CMNS 455W D100 Feminist Approaches to Science and Technology Caitlin McKinney
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
CMNS 461 D100 Field Placement in Dialogue TBA
CMNS 461 D200 Field Placement in Dialogue TBA
CMNS 479 D001 Directed Study Chris Jeschelnik
TBA
CMNS 479 D002 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 479 D003 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 479 D004 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 479 D005 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 479 D006 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 479 D007 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 479 D008 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 479 D009 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 480 D001 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 480 D002 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 480 D003 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 480 D004 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 480 D005 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 480 D006 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 480 D007 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 480 D008 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 480 D009 Directed Study TBA
CMNS 487 D100 Special Topics in Communication (Migration and Media) Siyuan Yin
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
CMNS 488 D100 Selected Topics in Communication (Photography & Storytelling) Kirsten McAllister
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
CMNS 489 D100 Field Placement in Communication TBA
CMNS 489 D200 Field Placement in Communication TBA
CMNS 494 D100 Communication Practicum III Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 494 D200 Communication Practicum III Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 494 I100 Communication Practicum III Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 495 D100 Communication Practicum IV Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 495 D200 Communication Practicum IV Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 495 I100 Communication Practicum IV Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 496 D100 Communication Practicum V Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 496 D200 Communication Practicum V Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 496 I100 Communication Practicum V Liesl Jurock
TBA
CMNS 497 D100 Honours Research Proposal Sarah Christina Ganzon
TBA
CMNS 497 D200 Honours Research Proposal TBA
CMNS 497 D300 Honours Research Proposal TBA
CMNS 498 D100 Honours Research Project Chris Jeschelnik
TBA
CMNS 498 D200 Honours Research Project TBA
CMNS 498 D300 Honours Research Project TBA

My Schedule

Visualize your class schedule, search for courses, add to course cart and more.

mySchedule arranges selected courses into conflict-free timetable options and displays them in an easy-to-read weekly schedule.

You can check whether you meet prerequisites for courses ahead of enrollment by adding classes to your course cart, and then selecting "Validate Course Cart." Please view the video above for more information on how to use mySchedule to search for classes, add them to your course cart, and enroll.

Writing, Quantitative and Breadth Requirements

All students admitted to an undergraduate degree at SFU as of Fall 2006 must complete a minimum of 36 units of courses designated as Writing, Quantitative, or Breadth, with a grade of C- or better to receive the WQB credits.

Students transferring from a BC college with 60 units should consider completing some transferable W, Q and B courses prior to admission to SFU.

WQB Checklist for 2nd Degree

WQB Checklist for rest

Writing Requirements - Courses with "W" designated.

Students will take a minimum of:

  • one lower-division W course (at least 3 units)
  • one upper-division W course (at least 3 units), in the student's major subject. The upper-division W course must be taken at SFU.

Q and B-sci courses for Arts

Quantitative Requirements - Courses with "Q" designated.

Students will take a minimum of:

  • two Q courses, lower or upper division (at least 6 units).

Breadth Requirements - Courses with "B" designated.

Students may complete breadth courses throughout their degree programs, taking courses at the lower or upper division. Only courses outside of the student's major subject may count as a B.

Students will take a minimum of:

  • two courses labelled as Breadth-Humanities (B-Hum, 6 units)
  • two courses labelled as Breadth-Science (B-Sci, 6 units)
  • two courses labelled as Breadth-Social Sciences (B-Soc, 6 units)
  • two additional courses outside the student's major subject (6 units). These additional courses may or may not be designated as breadth, and in most cases will fulfill the particular Faculty or Program breadth requirements.

 

Multiple W,Q,B Requirements

Some courses may fulfill more than one requirement

  • A course may count as Q and B, or W and B, or W and Q, or W, Q and B. Students will receive all designation credits, unless the B is from their own major. Such students may satisfy their WQB requirements with fewer than 36 units because they can "double count".
  • Some courses may have multiple B designations:
  • A course may be designated as B-Soc and B-Hum, or B-Hum and B-Sci, or B-Soc and B-Sci, or all three B designations (B-Soc, B-Hum and B-Sci), but only one B type will be counted towards requirements. Students must consider which B type they wish such a course to meet in order to fulfill their B requirements.
  • Special Circumstances
  • Joint or Double Majors, Extended Minors, Double Minors
  • Students taking joint or double majors and honors, extended minors, or double minors are not required to take double W, Q and B requirements. W, Q and B designated courses in either one or both disciplines of the majors or honors or minor programs may be used to satisfy the writing, quantitative and breadth requirements. For example, a student taking a double major in English and Physics may count:
  • B-Hum designated ENGL courses for B-Hum credit (unlike English-only majors, who cannot count ENGL B-Hum courses towards their B requirements)
  • B-Sci designated PHYS courses for B-Sci credit (unlike Physics-only majors, who cannot count PHYS B-Sci courses towards their B requirements)
  • W designated ENGL for the lower- and upper-division W requirements
  • Q designated PHYS courses toward the Q requirements
  • Students in double minor programs should select an upper division W from one of the two discipline areas in which they are taking their double minors.

Second Degrees

Students admitted to a second degree program are exempted from all of the breadth requirements (designated and additional), three units of the Q requirements, and the lower division W requirement. The remaining W and Q courses must be three units each. Second degree students must meet the FAL and FAN prerequisites in order to enrol in W and Q courses. The W course must be upper division in the student's major. Second degree students who have met WQB requirements in a first degree at Simon Fraser University are required to meet this W and Q requirement for the second degree.

Prerequisite Waiver Form

If you can, please prefill the forms prior to your advising appointment unless otherwise stated

Enrollment FAQ

Getting into your class

I see a space in the lecture, but I can't enroll

There may be several reasons:

A.    The course has tutorials, and the tutorial you selected is already full.

Solution: Look for another tutorial that works for your schedule and still has space. If it still has space, you will be able to enroll through that tutorial. Otherwise, please add yourself to the wait list. If the wait list is full, please monitor the number closely and try again when a space becomes available.

Important note:

When a course has both a lecture and tutorials, you need to have a spot in both the lecture and in one of the tutorials to be enrolled in the course. If you are on the wait list for a tutorial, you are NOT enrolled in the course, even if there is still space in the lecture.

B.    There is a reserve on that course, and you don’t meet the reserve requirement.

For example, All J100 courses are NOW courses, and are served 100% for NOW students until Open Enrollment. The NOW program is open for student working 30 or more hours per week to apply. If you are not part of the NOW program, please add yourself to the wait list and wait. When the NOW reserve gets lifted (at Open Enrollment), and space permitting, a CMNS advisor will enroll in the wait listed CMNS students first, before opening up the course to all other students.

A few other CMNS courses have a small amount of seats reserved for students from another program. It may, for example, has 5 seats reserved for faculty of ENV students, and 20 seats for CMNS students. If 20 CMNS have already enrolled in the that course, no more CMNS student can still enroll, even if there is still space in that course.   

 

The class starts tomorrow but I am on the waitlist. What should I do?

The last day to drop a course with 100% tuition refund is on the 7th day of the semester. Because of this, most course drops happen during the first week of classes. If your wait list position is within the top 10% of the class capacity, we encourage you to go the first lecture and talk to your prof.

If any drops occur, priority will be given to students who haven’t missed any lecture content.

Another student who was initially wait listed behind me got enrolled, but I’m still waiting. What would be the reason?

The wait list engine runs several times a day. When a drop occurs and a space becomes available in a course, under normal conditions, the #1 student waiting will get automatically rolled into the course from the wait list.

However, if any of the following conditions applies, the wait list engine will skip the student and roll in the next student on the list. Unfortunately, the system does NOT notify the skipped student.

  • The student’s chosen tutorial is still full – if there are tutorials. It is therefore better to wait in for a tutorial with less students
  • There is a schedule conflict

Students enrolled in Distance Education courses, please pay special attention to the exam times

  • Credit Load Override – FCAT students are allowed a maximum of 18 credits per semester.

Therefore, students waiting for a 3-credit course can only be enrolled in 15 credits or less. And students waiting for a 4-credit course can only be enrolled in 14 credits or less.

  • The student has fees owing