Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - CMNS 313 D100

Topics in Data and Society (4)

CMNS to Mitigate Disasters

Class Number: 4468

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.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 in the social, political, and cultural aspects of data and datafication. Explores social and philosophical implications of gathering, interpreting, and managing data. Topics include: data protection, visualization or sonification, data activism, big data, algorithmic bias and decision making, AI harms, big data, and the political economy of data. This course can be repeated once for credit (up to a maximum of two times).

COURSE DETAILS:

Topic for Fall 2024:  Communication to Mitigate Disasters

This course is an introduction to the essential role communication and information systems play in efforts to mitigate effects of major emergencies and natural or climate change-influenced disasters such as wildfires, droughts and floods.  Topics include:  Canadian and international disaster management programs, practices and issues; the climate crisis and its resultant impacts on the management of disasters; mediation of the climate crisis in popular culture; personal preparedness and risk perception; principles of emergency communication planning and operation, and the application and influence of new information and communication technologies (including social media platforms) in hazard information gathering, interpretation, exchange and management.

Grading

  • Mid-Term Exam 20%
  • Assignment #1 (Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis) 25%
  • Assignment #2 (15% group work, 30% paper) 45%
  • Course Participation 10%

NOTES:

Trigger Warning - this course will include discussions of major disasters, both locally and globally, which have caused the loss of life.  If you need support during the course, please speak to your course instructor or TA for resources.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available online.

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 term 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.