Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - CMNS 840 G100

Political Economy of Communications (5)

Class Number: 1318

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 10, 2023: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A study of the political, economic and social process that produces the structure and policies of mass media, and of telecommunication agencies in their historical setting.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course explores critical political economy as a key approach to examining media and communication systems, industries, and practices in varied national and transnational contexts. The seminar introduces students to the intellectual history and contemporary application of critical political economy in communication in an era of changing media landscapes, political and economic crises, and newly developed resistant movements. Topics include varieties of political economy; Keynesianism and neoliberalism; digital capitalism; audience commodity and digital labor; gender, race, and media industries; gig economy and platform capitalism; transcultural political economy; communicative resistance and the common.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The seminar is designed to enable students working at an MA and Ph.D. level to explore power contestations among the state, market, and civil society forces through the lens of the political economy of media and culture.

Grading

  • Attendance and Participation 20%
  • Critical Reading Summaries 25%
  • Term Paper Proposal 10%
  • Term Paper (MA: 15-20 pages; PhD: 20-25 pages) 45%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be accessible via the SFU Library and made available 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.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

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.