Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CMNS 443 D100

Asian Media and Popular Culture (4)

Class Number: 3010

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 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:

Offers a basis for understanding different Asian media systems in concrete historical, political and socio-economic contexts. Introduces students to a range of media and popular culture examples in a vast and extremely diverse region that is undergoing a period of rapid political, economic, social and cultural transformation. Engages students in self-directed work using case studies of media, political economy and popular culture in specific countries in the region.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course offers a basis for understanding different Asian media systems in concrete historical, political, cultural, and socio-economic contexts.  It introduces students to a range of epistemological and theoretical issues in studying media systems in a vast and extremely diverse region that is undergoing a period of rapid political, economic, social, and cultural transformation.  It will provide both an overview of issues relating to different media systems, and case studies of media and politics in specific countries in the region.  Students will learn to respond to real Asian problems, to identify the forces shaping the Asian information and entertainment systems, and to master key conceptual frameworks drawn from the humanities and social sciences.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Discuss the complexity and diversity of media systems in the region and describe the media systems in a number of Asian countries.
  • Acquire a greater appreciation of the range of media/state relationships in Asia, and develop an initial understanding of the relationship between Asian media, society, and culture.
  • Understand the complicated ways in which the media intersect with processes of political democratization and commercialization in different countries.

Grading

  • Attendance/Participation 10%
  • Leading a Seminar Discussion 20%
  • Mid-Term Exam 35%
  • Final Paper 35%

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:

Jin, Dal Yong (2022), Global South Discourse in East Asian Media Studies. London: Routledge.

Materials will be placed on Library Reserve and/or made available via the Internet.

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.