Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2017 - CMNS 362 E100

Evaluation Methods for Applied Communication Research (6)

Class Number: 3511

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Tue, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units including CMNS 253 (or 253W), and two of CMNS 260, 261 or 262.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Research design and techniques for the study of the introduction, uses and consequences of new media and technologies, new communication policies and practices in their socio-economic and cultural context, and communication in innovation and change.

COURSE DETAILS:

Overview:

This is a course in applied communication that spans theory and methods of communication research. Methods introduced in this course can be appropriately used to pursue research questions in a number of areas; however, mass mediated communication and communication infrastructures will be the focus of class discussions. Lectures introduce a variety of theoretical issues, as well as pragmatic concerns, that arise in utilizing the methods introduced in the course. Students will be introduced to a variety of research methods that may include: interview techniques, textual discourse and content analysis, survey research, and focus groups. Students will work together in groups to design, develop, and implement an original pilot study, using at least two methods introduced in class, on a self-selected topic (subject to approval from the course instructors). In previous iterations of this class, students have examined topics such as: the politics of social media activism; Indigenous struggle and organization; gamification and the quantified care of the self; precarious labour in creative and cultural industries; the portrayal of minority contention in the media - but these need not confine or demarcate areas of research. Suitable topics tend to synthesis at least two of the three research areas taught within the School of Communication: cultural studies; technology studies; and political economy. They also reflect a historically situated awareness to current events.

Grading

  • Project Research Topic (Team; Due January 24th) 0 (not graded)%
  • Project Literature Review (Team; Due January 31st) 0 (not graded)%
  • Reading and Fields Notes Reflections (Team; various due dates) 10%
  • Project Proposal (Team; Due February 7th) 10%
  • Project Abstract (Team; Due March 28th) 0 (not graded)%
  • Project Report (Team; Due April 11th) 35%
  • Project Presentation (Team; Due April 11th) 15%
  • Participation and Peer Evaluation (Individual) 30%

NOTES:

A minimum CGPA of 2.25, and approval as a communication student is required for entry into most communication upper division courses.

The school expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 as regards Student Discipline. [Note: as of May 1, 2009 the previous T10 series of policies covering Intellectual Honesty (T10.02), and Academic Discipline (T10.03) have been replaced with the new S10 series of policies.]

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be available on Canvas.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS