Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - CMNS 333 D100

Broadcast Policy, Law and Regulation in a Global Context (4)

Class Number: 9651

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Tue, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of CMNS 230 or 240; and one of CMNS 202 (or 262) or 261.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Television, in various formats, in Canada, is traditionally seen as important to political and cultural self-determination. The production, financing, and distribution of information and entertainment TV services are restructuring, with profound consequences for broadcast law and regulation in global markets. The rudiments of strategic analysis of stakeholders, companies, industrial sectors (strengths, weaknesses, threats, opportunities) and technical policy writing and interventions will be covered. A simulation will be staged around a convergence theme drawn from the contemporary regulatory agenda in Canada.

COURSE DETAILS:


Digital Policies in a Global Context: Current Issues, Concepts and Analysis

Note:  Attendance in the first session is mandatory for all students.

Communication policies around the world are under reconsideration. The production, financing, and distribution of information and entertainment services are changing, with profound consequences for communication policy, law and regulation in global markets. This course looks at current policy issues and case studies from Canada and around the world to examine communication policy as field shaped by change and continuity. Students will get an introduction to communication policy analysis with the aim to speak and write analytically about current challenges such as: network neutrality, copyright, content regulation, and data protection. Students will discuss the tensions that arise between the national, regional and global jurisdictions, and how these are relevant to their everyday life.

Grading

  • Evaluation is based on both individual and group assignments.
  • Participation and Attendance 10%
  • Group Presentation 20%
  • Literature Review 25%
  • Self-Reflective Take-Home Essay 15%
  • Theory-Based Take-Home Essay 30%

NOTES:

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.]

Note: A minimum 2.25 CMNS CGPA and 2.00 overall CGPA, and approval as a communication student is required for entry into most communication upper division courses.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Freedman, Des, The Politics of Media Policy (1st Edition). Cambridge: Polity Press, 2008.
ISBN: 978-07456-2841-7

Armstrong, R. Broadcasting Policy in Canada (2nd Edition). University of Toronto Press, 2016.
ISBN: 978-14426-2823-6

Further readings will be announced in the first class.

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