Spring 2020 - CMNS 433 D100

Issues in Communication and Cultural Policy (4)

Class Number: 5098

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Tue, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    75 units, including CMNS 333 or 334.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Advanced seminar on current issues in communication policy. Topics will be selected from among current policy issues in local, national and international aspects of broadcasting, the cultural industries, the arts and heritage.

COURSE DETAILS:

Canada’s parks systems are a microcosm of our society. From crowded tourist destinations to carefully protected ecosystems, National Parks and Protected Areas in Canada, as well as Tribal Parks, Provincial Parks, World Heritage Sites, and urban parks, demonstrate shifting ideas about the value and meaning of nature in our vast territory. They also reflect our views about the appropriate coexistence of human cultures with natural settings; the social relations and expertise involved in the management of these special spaces; and even the future well-being of Canadian society in the search for environmental balance and recognition of First Nations’ rights and knowledge.

Just as urbanization and multiculturalism have come to prominence on the agenda of cultural policy, the cultural values and social relations incorporated in the creation and management of spaces designated as “natural” deserve our attention as well.

This course will provide an introduction to issues in park systems in Canada, with some attention to international examples and partnerships, including the U.S. National Parks Service and UNESCO sites. Particular emphasis will be placed on the following:

  • Humans in parks: evictions, resettlements, cultural activities and heritage sites, land use, expertise and management.
  • Industry and natural resource use/extraction in parks.
  • Reconsidering the pristine: changing concepts and ideals of natural preservation.
  • Tourism, from grand hotels to eco- and cultural tourism, guiding, and camping for “new” Canadians.
  • Representing parks: How have parks featured in the promotion of tourism and settlement? How are parks represented today in advertising, documentary, and other media genres?
  • Lessons and models: How can changing environmental practice, use and recognition of traditional knowledge, and co-management with First Nations provide models for problem-solving across park systems and elsewhere in our cultural life?

Grading

  • Seminar Participation Including One Class Presentation 30%
  • Take-Home Open Book Exam 25%
  • Research Paper or Project 45%

NOTES:

The course will take place in seminar format, with several field trips and visits from guest speakers.

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.]

REQUIREMENTS:

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

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Weekly readings will be available on Canvas, supplemented by library reserves.

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