Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - CMNS 445 D100

Media and Popular Culture in China (4)

Class Number: 3670

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 1:30–5:20 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:

An exploration of the media and popular culture scene in reform-era China. A wide range of media and popular culture forms and practices are analyzed in their concrete institutional settings and dynamic relationships with official ideologies, market imperatives, and the everyday struggles and cultural sensitivities of various social groups during a period of epochal transformation in China.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will contribute to students positioning their selves as critical producers and consumers of knowledge on China. Beginning with challenges to the privileging of technology in analyses of ‘media’ and critiques of the market definition of “popular culture” the course will engage both how popular China is commonly received, as well as engaging the power dynamics involved in the recognition and remaking of popular culture within China. A wide range of media and popular culture forms and practices will be analyzed in their concrete institutional settings and dynamic relationships with official ideologies, market imperatives, and the everyday struggles and cultural sensibilities of various Chinese social groups, during a period of epochal transformation in the country. Emphasis will be placed on the continuities and changes, both in the political economic structure and ideological orientations of Chinese media, and in popular culture processes and practices. Domestic debates over identity formation such as with gender, sexuality and what it means to be Chinese in the global order will be investigated as well as used to challenge the appropriateness of travelling theory from western to eastern contexts.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Objectives:

  1. Awareness of self as a producer of knowledge on popular culture and media from China.
  2. Familiarity with the institutions and dynamics of China’s media systems as they have contributed to China’s nation-building.
  3. Ability to discuss the role of commercialized media and cultural industries in the process of legitimation in post-Maoist market reforms.
Ability to debate cultural politics, social conflicts, and resistance in concrete historical, political, cultural, and socio-economic contexts in reform-era China.

Grading

  • Seminar Participation 10%
  • Pop Quizzes 10%
  • Class Presentation 10%
  • Class activities 20%
  • Popular Media Contribution and Theoretical 20%
  • Final Research Paper (10-12 pages) 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:

Weekly readings will be made available 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.