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School of Communication | Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology Simon Fraser University Calendar | Summer 2024

Communication Honours

Bachelor of Arts

The bachelor of arts degree with an honours in communication program is a special opportunity for advanced students. The program enables students to focus on a subject within communication that interests them by writing an extended research paper over two terms, or by taking four (4) additional upper level seminars. In either case, it is envisioned as a contribution to their personal development and satisfaction, as well as a step toward employment, or graduate studies.

The School of Communication has a long-standing tradition of critical, interdisciplinary approaches to the study of media and technology, with a commitment to social theory and political economy. The school bridges the critical and the applied in its undergraduate programs, and is committed to offering students the opportunities and the means to explore, analyze and critically evaluate the complexities and interplay between the numerous and diverse dimensions of communication.

Admission Requirements

Applicants will have a minimum 3.00 communication grade point average (CMNS GPA, CMNS UD GPA) and 3.00 SFU cumulative grade point average (SFU CGPA and SFU UD CGPA).

Continuance Requirements

A minimum 3.00 CMNS GPA and 3.00 SFU CGPA is required to remain in good standing in the program.

CMNS course enrollment requires a C- grade or better in each prerequisite course.

Program Requirements

Students complete 132 units, as specified below.

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete all of

CMNS 110 - Introduction to Communication Studies (3)

An introduction to selected theories about human communication. This course is required for a major, honours or minor in communication. Breadth-Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Layla Cameron
Online
CMNS 120W - Creativity and Communication Across Media (3)

Introduces students to the creative practice of multimodal writing and content creation for communication and media studies. Topics may include: creativity and idea generation; media literacy in digital environments; writing conventions for various platforms and genres; analytical writing and scholarly argumentation; audio-visual production for popular audiences. Writing.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Jennesia Pedri
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMNS 130 - Communication and Social Change (3)

An introduction to the forms, theories and institutions of communication as they relate to broader social change, with a focus on the political, economic and regulatory shifts characterizing Canadian and transnational media systems. This course is required for a major, honours or minor in communication.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Byron Hauck
Online

and at least five 200 level CMNS courses, including

CMNS 201W - Empirical Communication Research Methods (4) *

An introduction to empirical research methods in diverse traditions of communication enquiry. Some methods recognize communication as everyday interactions; others analyze communication as a process; still others blend traditional scientific empiricism with analytical and critical methods derived from the arts and humanities. Topics include: ethics, paradigms, conceptualizing and operationalizing research, sampling, interviews, surveys, unobtrusive observation, content analysis, and the role of statistics in communication research. Prerequisite: Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMNS 201 or CMNS 260 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Pippa Adams
Alicia Massie
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
or CMNS 201 - Empirical Communication Research Methods (4) *

An introduction to empirical research methods in diverse traditions of communication enquiry. Some methods recognize communication as everyday interactions; others analyze communication as a process; still others blend traditional scientific empiricism with analytical and critical methods derived from the arts and humanities. Topics include: ethics, paradigms, conceptualizing and operationalizing research, sampling, interviews, surveys, unobtrusive observation, content analysis, and the role of statistics in communication research. Prerequisite: Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMNS 201W or CMNS 260 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

CMNS 202 - Design and Method in Qualitative Communication Research (4)

An introduction to interpretive approaches in communication inquiry. Topics include ethics, paradigms, conceptualizing the research process, documentary research, historical methods, discourse or textual analysis, ethnographic research, and performative research. Prerequisite: Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMNS 262 may not take CMNS 202 for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Hoornaz Keshavarzian
Xiaoxing Zhang
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby

* completion of this quantitative (Q) course satisfies part of the university's Q requirement.

Upper Division Requirements

There are two options for students to complete an Honours Program in Communication.

Option A: Honours Project

A minimum total of 60 upper division units is required, to include the following:

  • nine upper division CMNS courses, at least six must be taken at SFU
  • including one upper division CMNS "W" course

and all of

CMNS 362 - Evaluation Methods for Applied Communication Research (6)

Research design and techniques for the study of the introduction, uses and consequences of new media and technologies, new communication policies and practices in their socio-economic and cultural context, and communication in innovation and change. Prerequisite: 17 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 45 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Benjamin Anderson
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMNS 497 - Honours Research Proposal (5) *

Preparation for honours research project, including literature review, ethics approval (if necessary), and presentation of work in progress at end of term. Minimum grade of "B" is required in order to continue in CMNS Honours Program (Option A), and take CMNS 498 in a future term. Prerequisite: Students accepted into honours program only.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 TBD
D200 TBD
D300 TBD
CMNS 498 - Honours Research Project (10) **

Intensive work in a particular topic in the general field of communication. Involves an extensive individual research project under the direct supervision of at least one CMNS faculty member, who will provide guidance and critical feedback as necessary. Presentation of completed project at end of term. Prerequisite: Successful completion of CMNS 497-5, Honours Research Proposal, with grade of "B" or higher.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 TBD
D200 TBD
D300 TBD

and

two other CMNS 400 level courses, at least one must be taken at SFU.

Directed study and field placement courses may not be used to meet any of these requirements.

*Students must complete at least 90 units with at least 20 units in upper division communication before enrolling in CMNS 497. A plan must be approved by the faculty member supervisor(s) and the honours co-ordinator before work is begun.

**Students must obtain a grade of B or higher in CMNS 497 in order to continue on with CMNS 498.

Students who obtain a grade of B- or lower in CMNS 497, but who still have an overall CGPA of 3.00 or higher, can still complete an honours degree through Option B.

Option B: Additional Upper Division Requirements

A minimum total of 60 upper division units is required, to include the following:

  • eleven upper division CMNS courses, at least eight must be taken at SFU
  • including one upper division CMNS "W" course

and

CMNS 362 - Evaluation Methods for Applied Communication Research (6)

Research design and techniques for the study of the introduction, uses and consequences of new media and technologies, new communication policies and practices in their socio-economic and cultural context, and communication in innovation and change. Prerequisite: 17 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 45 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Benjamin Anderson
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby

and

minimum of six CMNS 400 level courses, at least five must be taken at SFU.

Directed study and field placement courses may not be used to meet any of these requirements.

Elective Courses

Unless completing another program outside Communication (e.g., Minor, Major, Joint Major, Honours, Extended Minor), it is strongly recommended that students complete two upper division courses (minimum three units each) outside of Communication, with a minimum C- grade in each.

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.

WQB Graduation Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit

Requirement

Units

Notes
W - Writing

6

Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each)

Q - Quantitative

6

Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more)
B - Breadth

18

Designated Breadth

Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division:

Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc
Two courses (total six units or more) Humanities: B-Hum
Two courses (total six units or more) Sciences: B-Sci

6

Additional Breadth

Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements).

Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

  • At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
  • At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.