Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - CMNS 221 D100

Media and Popular Cultures (3)

Class Number: 1003

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Oct 6, 2023: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

    Oct 11 – Dec 5, 2023: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 12, 2023
    Tue, 12:00–12:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Focuses on communication for social change; historical and contemporary perspectives in consumer culture; technology, media and popular culture; media and identity; and communication as public education.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is an introduction to the study of popular culture with a focus on the social and cultural dimensions of media, technology, and media environments. The course examines critical issues, controversies, currents, and debates in media and popular culture, and engages with both theoretical and applied approaches to the understanding and analysis of media and communication. The course considers a wide range of themes in the study of popular cultural production, dissemination, and practices, including: the rise and ongoing elaboration of consumer culture; histories and currencies of media and popular culture; technology, emergent platforms and digital culture; education and communication; identities and popular cultures; public spaces, community, and urban life; communication theory and design for social change; communication and public engagement; applied communication in the areas of advocacy, social marketing, public relations, and social issues communication. In broad terms, the course is centrally concerned with projects of social change through the understanding and analysis of media and popular cultures and through the application of communication solutions to current and pressing issues.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

1. The acquisition of foundational knowledge and understanding of media, media technologies and environments, popular culture, and applied communication.
2. Research skills for the critical analysis of media.
3. Connect the academic study of media and popular cultures to professional fields of communication—media education toward professional practice.
4. Understanding and developing media as intervention for social change.
5. Understanding current and emergent debates in media, technology, and communication.

Grading

  • In class exam: October 31 20%
  • Op-ed commentary: November 7 15%
  • Tutorial contributions 15%
  • Paper: December 5 30%
  • Final take-home exam: December 5 – December 12 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All course materials and the detailed syllabus will be available on the CMNS 221 Canvas course site.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.