Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CMNS 457 D100

Migration and Media (4)

Class Number: 7333

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 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:

Students will explore how migration, the mass movement of human populations, is deeply intertwined with capitalist uneven development and globalization, with a special focus on the relationship between migration and media, including mainstream media, social media, and digital technologies. Students with credit for CMNS 487 under the title "Migration and Media" may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will introduce how migration, the mass movement of the human population, is deeply interwoven with capitalist uneven development and globalization. The first part of the course will present how unequal power structures, such as capitalism, imperialism, colonialism, racism, and patriarchy, have shaped the process and consequences of human migration in historical and contemporary contexts. Specifically, we will explore a wide range of migrant populations whose circumstances display huge disparity and inequality, including transatlantic enslaved people, European colonial settlers, rural-to-urban migrants, elite immigrants, transnational migrant workers, and asylum seekers and refugees. The second part of the course will be focused on the relation between migration and media. Questions to be addressed include, how have mainstream media represented migrant populations in various geopolitical contexts? What is the role of media, culture, and digital technologies in designating migrants’ lives? To what extend have digital media facilitated activism and resistance among immigrants, refugees, and migrant workers at local, national, and transnational levels?

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By taking the course, students are expected to develop a critical understanding of the intersection of migration and media in the context of capitalist globalization. This knowledge is critical for students pursuing careers in media, communications, social justice, international relations, or any field where migration is a central issue.

Grading

  • Attendance and participation 15%
  • Group project 15%
  • Campaign 10%
  • Final research paper 60%

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:

Course 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.