Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - CMNS 240 OL01

The Political Economy of Communication (3)

Class Number: 7377

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Prerequisites:

    Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examination of the political and economic processes that have generated the policies and structures of mass media, telecommunications and related industries; the relationship between the dichotomies of state and market, citizen and consumer, capitalism and democracy, global and local, and sovereignty and globalization in media industries and policies; overview of influences on State and international policies towards the media.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will introduce the scholarship of political economy and how the framework can be applied to the study of media, communication industries, and cultural production. Some of the fundamental questions we will address are: How to understand the relationship between media and information technologies and capitalism and neoliberal globalization? What have been the political-economic and socio-cultural implications and consequences of the current digitalization and platformization? Students will be introduced to key concepts, including political economy, digital capitalism, audience commodity, feminist political economy, sharing economy, gig economy, outsourcing, and precarious labor, among others. The course is focused on broad social-historical processes and macro-structural issues. It also relates political economic analysis to our daily experiences and our roles as consumers and citizens in a media and commodity-saturated capitalist society.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Our main goal is to interrogate media systems, institutions, and practices from critical political economic perspectives. Throughout the course, students will engage with various theoretical frameworks and case studies that highlight the intersections of media, power, and economics. We aspire to foster a generation of critical consumers of media and proactive agents of change. This entails not only critiquing existing media practices but also envisioning alternative media futures that prioritize inclusivity, diversity, and social justice.

Grading

  • Class Attendance 10%
  • Mid-Term Exam 30%
  • Final Essay 30%
  • Final Exam 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:

Course readings will be available on Canvas (under the section of “files”).

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.