Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CMNS 425 D100

Applied Communication for Social Issues (4)

Class Number: 2462

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

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

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced seminar in applied communication that focuses on the research and strategic design of media messages, campaigns and programs for public awareness, education, and social change. This course involves the application of theories and approaches in critical media analysis to the tasks of media design and media use for public understanding, engagement and participation around social issues.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines the theories, methods, and practices of social issues communication. The work of social issues communication involves the research, design, and implementation of communication planning, programs, messages, and campaigns around urgent and critical social issues. Social issues communication is about sustained public engagement and is driven by the goal of social change. The course focuses on the strategic design and use of media. Above all, social issues communication research and design proceeds from a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the complexities, the dynamism, the qualities, and the velocity of change in current and emergent media and communication technology environments. The course explores new ways to develop social issues messages in the broader and complex commercial media environment.

CMNS 425 offers an interdisciplinary, practiced-focused (hands-on) exploration of a wide range of public engagement fields and strategies. Public engagement practices, theories and methods considered include public relations, advocacy, social marketing, strategic communication, and more. Themes and issues addressed in this course, include: communication for social change; communication as intervention; public engagement and participation; advocacy and social marketing; corporate social responsibility; social media and social change; activism and digital culture; new and emergent platforms and media design; and more. A wide range of case studies will be examined.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

1. Experiential and community-based learning.
2. Connect theoretical/critical and applied/practical dimensions of communication.
3. Acquisition of skills to research, design, and implement media planning, strategies, and messages around social issues.
4. Understand communication as sustained social action.
5. Provide a learning experience that prepares students for the professional practice of communication design for social change.

Grading

  • “Real World” Applied Communication: problem-solving research and design toward communication solutions for selected current and controversial issues 20%
  • Class Contributions 10%
  • Foundation Research Presentation 30%
  • Final Project/Compendium 40%

NOTES:

The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relationship to established university-wide practices. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 with regard to Student Discipline. For further information visit: www.sfu.ca/policies/Students/index.html.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be made available via 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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.