Communication Major
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.
Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV Requirements
Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV is based on cumulative grade point average (CGPA), and available places. Every CMNS program applicant whose CGPA is greater than, or equal to, the annually announced requirement will be admitted. These requirements also apply to transfer or second degree students.
Internal University transfer requires a 2.50 or better CGPA, upon completion of at least 4 CMNS lower division courses (e.g., CMNS 110 and 130 and 2 CMNS 200-level courses), each with minimum C- grade. A minimum 2.25 CGPA is required to remain in good standing in the program.
CMNS course enrolment requires a C- grade or better in each prerequisite course.
A minimum 2.25 CGPA and approval as a communication honours, major, joint major, extended minor, minor, or dialogue minor is required for entry into most communication upper division courses.
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete both of
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Distance Education | |||
Gary McCarron |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 8:30β9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 5:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 6:30β7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D109 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 8:30β9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D110 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D111 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D112 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D113 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D114 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D115 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D116 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D117 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D118 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 5:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D119 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 6:30β7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D120 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 7:30β8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D121 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 8:30β9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D122 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D123 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D124 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
Gary McCarron |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 5:30β8:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Distance Education | |||
Enda Brophy |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 8:30β9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D109 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 8:30β9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D110 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D111 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D112 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D117 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D118 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D119 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 8:30β9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D120 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D121 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 5:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D122 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 6:30β7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and at least six 200 division CMNS courses (18 units), including at least two of
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: CMNS 110 or 130. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Frederik Lesage |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 9:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 11:30 a.m.β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 9:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 11:30 a.m.β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Media and communication studies often utilize historical, governmental and corporate records. The course introduces the techniques necessary to analyze the primary source documents. Topics include: ethics, documentary discourse analysis, Canadian and international documentary searches on NGOs, governments, corporations; writing of policy briefs. Prerequisite: CMNS 110 or 130.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Distance Education | |||
Julia Aoki |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Wed, 5:30β8:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
Examination of a wide range of approaches to research in media and cultural studies, including a discussion of ethical issues. Topics may include: historical methods, field work methods, textual analysis, case studies. Prerequisite: CMNS 110 or 130. Students who have credit for CMNS 286 in Spring 2004 may not take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Katherine Reilly |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Fri, 9:30β10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Fri, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Fri, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Fri, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D111 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D112 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D114 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D115 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D116 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Thu, 6:30β7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
The remaining four 200 division CMNS courses must include at least one course from each of the following three areas of concentration.
* completion of this quantitative (Q) course satisfies half of the University's Q requirement for students admitted in fall 2006 or later (see Writing, Quantitative and Breadth Requirements below).
Media and Culture Concentration
Explores the history and contexts of media institutions, practices, texts and discourses with particular concern for the way they affect the meaning and experience of culture.
Focus on communication for social change; historical and contemporary perspectives in consumer culture; technology, media and popular culture; media and identity; and communication as public education. Prerequisite: CMNS 110 and 130.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Martin Laba |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 4:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
E101 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
E102 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
E103 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
E104 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
E105 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
E106 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
E107 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 6:30β7:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
E108 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 6:30β7:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
E109 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 7:30β8:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
E110 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 7:30β8:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
An interdisciplinary examination of the significance of advertising as a social message system in our consumer society. The course proposes an analytical method for appreciating the changing styles and functions of advertising in the 20th century. Prerequisite: CMNS 110 and 130. Stduents with credit for CMNS 223 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Jody Baker |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 5:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 6:30β7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D104 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 7:30β8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D105 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D106 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 5:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D107 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 6:30β7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D108 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 7:30β8:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Introduces students to the study of the relationship between public communication, information media practices and structures, and democracy. Examines the role of media and communication in existing and emerging democratic contexts, including print and electronic journalism, alternative media, public spheres, and the challenges of constructing and maintaining a democratic media and communication environment in Canadian and global contexts. Prerequisite: CMNS 130.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
David Newman |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 12:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D101 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D102 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 5:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
D103 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 6:30β7:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Political Economy and Policy Concentration
Explores the contested economic, political, and regulatory processes shaping media institutions and communication processes.
What do we mean when we talk about the 'cultural industries' today? This course explores the business structure and economics of the cultural sectors, the regulatory and policy frameworks, and their social and cultural contexts. Students are encouraged to develop, compare and contrast at least two sectors from the audio, print or visual industries. While the primary focus is on the Canadian case, students will be encouraged to look at other countries. Overriding themes explore the following: relationships between public and private sectors; independent and commercial creators; rights of creators versus distributors; specialty and general media; indigenous and global contents. Prerequisite: CMNS 130.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
David Newman |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Fri, 5:30β8:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
Examination of the political and economic processes that have generated the policies and structures of mass media, telecommunications and related industries; the relationship between the dichotomies of state and market, citizen and consumer, capitalism and democracy, global and local, and sovereignty and globalization in media industries and policies; overview of influences on State and international policies towards the media. Prerequisite: CMNS 110 and 130.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Enda Brophy |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 2:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D101 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 10:30β11:20 a.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D102 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 11:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D103 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D104 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D105 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D106 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 5:30β6:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D107 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 6:30β7:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D108 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Tue, 7:30β8:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
Technology and Society Concentration
Analyzes topics within the broader field of communication through a focus on information and communication technologies and the knowledge society from the standpoint of scholarship in science and technology studies.
An introduction to new communication/information technologies, seen as new media of communication: the technologies, their uses, and the social issues arising from them. Prerequisite: CMNS 110 or 130. Students with credit for CMNS 253 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Distance Education | |||
Frederik Lesage |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 10:30 a.m.β12:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D101 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D102 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D103 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D104 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 12:30β1:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D105 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 1:30β2:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D106 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 3:30β4:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D107 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D108 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D109 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 2:30β3:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
|
D110 |
Sep 8 β Dec 7, 2015: Mon, 4:30β5:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
Upper Division Requirements
Students may enrol in upper division courses only when prerequisites have been completed.
A minimum total of 45 upper division units is required. This includes the required upper division CMNS courses, any additional upper division CMNS courses completed, and any upper division courses completed to fulfil the required 40 units outside the school (see External Requirements below).
Students complete seven upper division CMNS courses (at least 28 units), at least two of which are 400 division CMNS courses. Directed study and field placement courses may not be used to meet this requirement.
Also, CMNS 304W or 323W are strongly recommended because the completion of one of these courses will entirely satisfy the University’s upper division writing requirement. (See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements below.)
External Requirements
In addition to the specified CMNS courses, students complete at least 40 units from disciplines other than communication including the following.
- Two 3-unit breadth-humanities (B-HUM) courses, and two 3-unit breadth-social sciences (B-SOC) courses, with a minimum C- grade in each. All 4 courses must be from outside Communication. (CMNS 110 does not count in this area.)
- Two 3-unit breadth-science (B-SCI) courses with a minimum C- grade in each.
- Two upper division courses (minimum three units each) chosen from any department outside the school, with a minimum C- grade in each.
Note that no course may be used to satisfy more than two of the above requirements; for example, an upper division breadth-science course may be used as one of the two B-SCI courses required, and one of the two upper division non-CMNS courses required.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See 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 Ά‘ΟγΤ°AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units 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
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.