Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2022 - CMNS 437 D100

Media Democratization: From Critique to Transformation (4)

Class Number: 1812

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 10 – Jun 20, 2022: Mon, Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    75 units, including CMNS 235, 240 or 331, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced seminar on the normative debates, social bases, and strategic potential for media democratization in the context of economically developed liberal democracies like Canada and the United States. This course complements other courses which critically examine state communication policies and the political economy and allegedly ideological character of corporate media. Here, we focus on campaigns and movements in civil society to define and build alternative communicative forms based on equality, democratic participation and/or human rights. Students with credit for CMNS 428 or 487 under the same title may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Media democratization is both a field of study and a social process. In this course we will critically evaluate real world strategies to address contemporary issues in media democratization such as hate speech, citizen data, disinformation, digital inclusion or echo chambers. Each week we will use Theory of Change to address a different aspect of media democratization: 1) Identifying problems, 2) Understanding root causes, 3) Establishing desired outcomes, 4) Developing a strategy given available resources, and 5) Evaluating outcomes. By the end of the course, we will have learned about and assessed a variety of contemporary media democratization initiatives, and will have developed proposals for how to make the media better serve the needs of citizens and communities.

Seminar Format:

On Mondays there will be a lecture based on the readings for the week. On Wednesdays we will hold a workshop to explore and contextualize key themes from Monday’s lecture. Student presentations will also take place on Wednesdays. The course will emphasize group work.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, students should:

  • Understand key debates and theories in media democratization.
  • Develop broad awareness of media democratization initiatives and their objectives.
  • Be able to critically evaluate media democratization initiatives.
  • Know how to formally propose a media democratization initiative.

Grading

  • 4 x Individual Reading Logs (4 of May 11, 16, 30; June 6, 13, 20) 20%
  • Group Presentation 1 (May 25) 15%
  • Group Presentation 2 (June 22) 15%
  • Group Essay (June 24) 30%
  • Individual Reflection 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All course materials will be provided via Canvas. 


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 SUMMER 2022

Teaching at SFU in summer 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction.  Some courses may be offered through alternative methods (remote, online, blended), and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes. 

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, online, or blended courses 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 summer 2022 term.