Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMNS 316 D100

Topics in Popular Cultures and Public Communication (4)

Games, Media & Culture

Class Number: 4898

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • 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 twice for credit if the topics are different (up to a maximum of three times).

COURSE DETAILS:

Topic for Spring 2026:  Games, Media & Culture

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.
Readings, discussions, videos, and class activities will equip students with the analytical tools to independently develop research-based responses to/discussions of key questions in the field of game studies.

Grading

  • Attendance & 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.

NOTE -- Tutorials do not start in Week 1 (5-9 January 2026) -- unless specified by the Instructor.  If your tutorial is scheduled to occur prior to your first lecture -- please check with the course Canvas page, or with your Instructor (via email), to find out if you will have a tutorial in the first week of Spring Semester 2026.   If your tutorial occurs after the first lecture, then just ask in the first lecture whether or not there will be tutorials during Week 1.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be made 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

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.