Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - CMNS 304W D100

Communication in Everyday Life (4)

Class Number: 6068

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units, including one of CMNS 220, 221, 223, 223W, 235, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of a range of theories of everyday language focused on specific forms of discursive practice, including gossip, humour, religion, and sarcasm. Students with credit for CMNS 304 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines the level of everyday life to identify the various forms of communication, discursive practices, and circuits of power that we encounter throughout our everyday experiences. The course is structured to simulate a typical day in one's life, so each week we will unpack topics such as dreams, identity, intercultural communication, gender relations, dialogue, medical discourse, school and workplace interactions, humour, fashion, nightlife, and several other things that we encounter every day but may not reflect on their significance.

Using an approach of discourse analysis supported by a range of theories of everyday life, we will analyze these everyday experiences as socially constructed "texts" to be deconstructed for the signs and meanings that are at play within each of them, to better understand the social relations – and power relations – they produce. As this is a third-year Writing (W) course, students are expected to do a significant amount of weekly reading and writing, and course assignments include weekly topic reflections, and a major research paper with proposal.

Grading

  • Tutorial Attendance 10%
  • Tutorial Participation 15%
  • Weekly Lecture Comments (12 comments worth 1% each) 12%
  • Weekly Reflections (7 entries worth 4% each) 28%
  • Research Paper Proposal 5%
  • Research Paper 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Course readings will be made available via Canvas (the online course management system which you will be able to access starting in the first week of the semester): https://canvas.sfu.ca/ 


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

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

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.