Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - CMNS 311 D100

Topics in Communication and Social Justice (4)

Media & Modernity

Class Number: 6112

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Oct 6, 2023: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

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

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 13, 2023
    Wed, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    17 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 45 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Topics pertain to issues of inequality, resistance and activism with a focus on entanglements with media and communication. Explores how relations of power are shaped and contested through media and communication. Topics include: racial justice, environmental policies, globalization, social activism, and labour. This course can be repeated once for credit (up to a maximum of two times).

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will introduce social theories to students to understand the power structures of modern and the so-called postmodern society. The course is devoted to examining media and cultural politics in relation to “modernity” and “postmodernity” in national and transnational contexts. Schools of thought include Marxism, Neo Marxism, Cultural Studies, Feminisms, Political Economy of Communication, Postcolonialism, Social Movements, and so forth. Through different theoretical perspectives and various empirical studies, students will learn how to unpack the intertwined power structures and dynamics in our contemporary lives and imagine alternatives.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Our main goal is to interrogate the development of capitalist modern society, which entwines long-standing unequal power structures, such as patriarchy and heterosexuality. By the end of this course, students should be able to develop a holistic understanding of modernity and invigorate imaginaries of an equal and just society.

Grading

  • Class Attendance and participation 20%
  • Mid-Term Exam 25%
  • Essay 30%
  • Final Exam 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Course readings will be provided on Canvas.

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.