Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CMNS 446 OL01

Communication, Science and Technology (4)

Class Number: 2983

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Prerequisites:

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

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores the relationship between power, politics, and science; investigates stakeholders such as scientists, entrepreneurs, technologists, activists, policy-makers and their world-wide institutional contexts; compares global flows of science and technology through governmental, non-government, and transnational organizations; examines representations of science and technology in media systems and international development programs.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course provides a critical introduction to the field of Science & Technology Studies, from a Communication perspective. We examine the intersection of technology, knowledge, power, and society, with particular attention to cases and theories relevant to the study of communication and media.

In this course we will ask big questions about the role of communication, science, and technology in society. What problems are we trying to solve with science and technology, and what problems are we inadvertently exacerbating along with these developments? How do social and scientific controversies shape the development and diffusion of science and technology? Who in society benefits from, and who is harmed by, the rapid development of modern science and technology? How does popular culture help or hinder our understanding of rapid changes in science and technology? Throughout this course we will address the relationship between these concepts and others, including the information society, gender, race, perspectives of the global south, and cultural anxieties and hopes about technology as we explore both the promises and challenges of new technologies.

Grading

  • Grading to be confirmed at start of course
  • Autoethnographic Media Responses (3 @ 15%) 45%
  • Collaborative Media Resource Development 10%
  • Project Proposal & Annotated Bibliography 15%
  • Final Project 30%

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:

A readings will be provided 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

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.