Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2021 - CMNS 425 D100

Applied Communication for Social Issues (4)

Class Number: 6290

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    75 units, including CMNS 221 with a minimum grade of C-; and one of CMNS 201W (201 or 260), CMNS 202 (or 262) or CMNS 261, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced seminar in applied communication that focuses on the research and strategic design of media messages, campaigns and programs for public awareness, education, and social change. This course involves the application of theories and approaches in critical media analysis to the tasks of media design and media use for public understanding, engagement and participation around social issues.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines the theories, methods and practices of social issues communication. The work of social issues communication involves the application of public communication and media analysis to the design, strategy, and implementation of communication planning, programs, and campaigns around social issues. Social issues communication is about sustained public engagement and is driven by the principles and objectives of social change and focuses on the strategic design and use of media. Above all, social issues communication research and design proceeds from a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the nature of the media environment—the forms, the content, the audiences, and the strategies of media communication. This course will explore new ways to develop social issues messages in the complex and compelling commercial media environment.

The course offers an interdisciplinary, practice-focussed exploration of a broad range of public engagement fields and strategies. Public engagement practices considered include activist and other forms of public relations, advocacy, social marketing, social advertising, strategic communication, and more. Themes and issues addressed in this course include, communication as action and intervention; public participation and the media; communication and social change; advocacy and social marketing; advertising and social change; corporate social responsibility; social media and social change; activism and digital culture; and others. A wide range of case studies will be examined.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Experiential and community-based learning
  • Connect theoretical/critical and applied/practical dimensions of communication
  • Acquisition of skills to research, design and implement media planning, strategies, and messages around social issues
  • Understand communication as sustained social action
  • Provide a learning experience as preparation for the professional practice of communication for social change

Grading

  • Class Contributions 15%
  • Foundation Research Presentation and Design Proposal 35%
  • Final Project/Compendium 50%

NOTES:

Student researchers in this class will inform their subjects of the purpose of their study, ensure that all participation is voluntary, and that all information and identities are confidential. You will fully identify the School of Communication, and the course instructor, to all subjects. Recording technology cannot be used without the consent of the subject.

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 with regard to 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 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.

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.