Spring 2025 - CMNS 316 D200
Topics in Popular Cultures and Public Communication (4)
Class Number: 7239
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Sarah Christina Ganzon
sganzon@sfu.ca
1 778 782-3861
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Prerequisites:
17 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 45 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Topics on public and popular cultures with a focus on social, political, and cultural dynamics. Explores audiences, publics, and institutions at a global, national, and/or local level. Topics vary and may address themes like: news, music, public media, advertising, sports, childhood, youth cultures, art, and everyday life. This course can be repeated once for credit (up to a maximum of two times).
COURSE DETAILS:
In just a few decades, digital games have expanded from a poorly understood entertainment niche to a ubiquitous multi-billion dollar industry. “Games, Media, and Culture” is a course that examines the role of games as media and cultural objects. We will explore how to make sense of games, both as players and as scholars. The course offers ample opportunities for students to play, discuss, and experiment with games themselves, as well as with media about games.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
This course will familiarize students with key texts, ideas, and debates in game studies. Students will become conversant in the following topics:
- how digital games emerged historically
- the advantages and disadvantages of understanding digital games in the context of other media forms and pre-existing theories of media
- the role of digital games in shaping cultural practices, identities, and communities
- the social and educational implications of games as participatory media
Grading
- Attendance and Participation 10%
- Game Criticism 30%
- Group Presentations 20%
- Final Project 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
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
While there will be games featured in this course, students are not required to download or purchase these games.
REQUIRED READING:
Readings are available through 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
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.