Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2020 - CMNS 210 D100

Media History (3)

Class Number: 7117

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 23, 2020
    Thu, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMNS 110.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An assessment of the social implications of developments in information technology from prehistory to the middle of the 20th century. Topics include: the origins of symbolic representation; the oral tradition; the significance of different systems of writing and numeration; the consequences of print; and the initial changes brought about by electronic media.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces students to media history. We will begin by exploring the concepts of “mediation” and “technology” in a historical and philosophical framework. We will spend the rest of the course exploring these concepts through specific technological transformations, including the printing press, telegraphy, the gramophone, radio, and television. Our goal is to develop a framework for thinking about media historically, and for thinking about history through media. The course takes a focus on media in their moments of newness, when their meanings and uses are not yet fixed, and are up for negotiation, debate, and experimentation by the people and cultures who use them. We will situate media in specific communities of use, and explore how media have been constitutive of hierarchies related to race, gender, ability, and other forms of social difference. By taking this perspective, we will be able to situate media technologies within larger social, political, and economic histories, and relations of power.

Grading

  • Paper Proposal 10%
  • Mid-term Paper 30%
  • Group Presentation 20%
  • Final Exam (Take-Home) 20%
  • Attendance and Participation 20%

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.]  

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Course readings will be made available as PDFs through the course CANVAS site.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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