Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - CMNS 452 D200

Race and the Media (4)

Class Number: 7676

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    26 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 60 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the contemporary construction and maintenance of race and ethnicity, through movies, music, and the Internet. Provides grounding in scholarship on media, race, ethnicity, and identity. Explores the historical role of entertainment in racialization. Investigates contemporary issues and forms of media and race. Students who have taken CMNS 486 with subtitle "Race and the Media" cannot take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course revolves around the mediated construction of race. We trace the racial politics and the legacy of colonialism in sites of cultural production and aim to decentre, and de-augment Eurocentrism and the colonialist discursive rationale through focusing on polycentric multiculturalism, and diversity. We finally round off with the poetics of resistance, and solidarity.

Grading

  • Attendance and Participation 15%
  • Group Presentation 20%
  • 5 Reading Reflections 30%
  • Proposal 5%
  • Final Paper 30%

NOTES:

Attendance and participation are essential components of this course. A major part of participation is accumulated through your engagement in class discussions particularly during the presentations by your peers.

Group Presentation:  Students are required to present one reading from the recommended reading list in groups of two. You will have 20-30 minutes to present. Please note that you are not supposed to go through all the details of the assigned reading. There is not enough time to do so. Instead, you will highlight some parts that stood out to you. Using audio-visual elements is highly recommended. Think of examples and case studies that are relevant to the main argument of the reading that you are presenting. You need to prepare 2-3 discussion questions and facilitate group discussions. Please submit a one-page outline of your presentation plan before the day of your presentation where you indicate how you worked in your group and specify each member’s responsibilities.

Reading Reflections: Students are required to choose 5 readings, from five different weeks and reflect on them. You will have to follow the template on canvas to write your reflections. If you choose a week, you need to submit your reflection before the seminar day when that topic is discussed in class. If you submit the reflection once the class has started, you need to redo and choose another week and your TA will not count that as a submission. You CAN write a reflection on the reading that you are presenting.

Final paper: Your final paper should be 2500-3000 words in length (double spaced, Times New Roman, excluding references) and clearly in keeping with the tone of the course. You are advised to consult at least 4 readings from the course material and have the minimum of 8 academic sources. Originality is the major component of your paper, and your argument should indicate ties with CMNS 452. We will work on proposals in class and your TA, and Instructor will provide you with a proposal template.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be 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.

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.