Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMNS 426 D100

Video Design for Social Communication (4)

Class Number: 4926

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

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

  • Prerequisites:

    CMNS 226 and 26 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 60 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This capstone-style workshop examines the growing role that video is playing in a variety of public relations, industrial, advocacy and educational contexts. Students will work to develop a documentary video project for a real issue of social change using advanced video design and production techniques. The emphasis of this course is on issues of communication design in relation to the goals and values in specific communication forums.

COURSE DETAILS:

Creating communication media for a specific audience is a challenging and subtle task that requires an understanding of media assessment, perception, and design. Designing communication media that can influence an audience’s knowledge, attitudes, perception or behaviour in relation to specific contemporary issues, requires an understanding of the context, culture, and determinants of both the audience and the messaging. This course provides an opportunity to work on media production design methods and techniques through the participation in collaborative projects over the term.

This course is intended as a capstone course that provides an opportunity to present ideas you have accumulated over your time studying communication and develop them into media projects. The course has labs to develop skills and techniques for producing communication media, and seminars to develop an understanding of the theories and practices involved in media communication.  

Students will be required to engage in the current issues and debates in communication media production by giving presentations, participating in discussions, and in writing assignments. This is a collaborative course requiring the application of theoretical understanding by producing audio and video media that communicate specific messages to an audience.

Grading

  • Theory and Literature Review of Subject 20%
  • Media Analysis Presentation 15%
  • Lab Assignments 25%
  • Learning and Reading Log 10%
  • Final Media Communication Design and Evaluation 30%

NOTES:

Enrollment is limited.  Experience with media production is recommended.

The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 as regards Student Discipline.

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

 

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All 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.