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

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.

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.

This course examines television, both as a medium of communication and an element of culture. Prerequisite: CMNS 110 and 130.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This course introduces students to a variety of digital media communication technologies and techniques, including image and sound capturing and manipulation, Internet-based publishing and research, digitizing, editing and archiving. Design and management tasks involved in communicating using digital media are also introduced, including audio and video editing and processing, data integrity management, file structuring and packaging, and work presentation. Prerequisite: CMNS 110 and 130. CMNS 220 recommended.

An introduction to the audio medium as a communication tool and to electroacoustic aspects of communication in general. Specific techniques of field recording, interviewing, editing, sound processing, multi-tracking, and basic digital studio techniques will be presented using the school's studio facilities.

A course designed to develop the student's perception and understanding of sound and its behavior in the interpersonal, social, environmental, media and creative fields. The acoustic and psychoacoustic bases of sound will be introduced with special reference to acoustic design, the electroacoustic media, and sonic environments.

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.

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.

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.

An informal introduction to programming using examples drawn from animation and graphics. Fundamental programming language features are covered, including variables, expressions, statements, loops, functions, and objects. Class design, event-driven programming or other advanced programming techniques may be introduced as needed. No prior programming experience is assumed. Prerequisite: Recommended: BC Math 12 or equivalent. Students with credit for CMPT 102, 125, 126, 128, or 130 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative/Breadth-Science.

This is a project-based course that introduces the theory and hands-on practice of art and design in digital media. As the introductory course in IAT, this course teaches the core fundamental principles in 2D visual design, sequential and animation design. Students learn the fundamentals of digital photography and vector image creation. The theory is contextualized in contemporary new media design practice and is broadly applicable across disciplines. Breadth-Humanities.

Introduction to fundamental design principles for visual communication. Organized as a continual interplay of theory and practice, students will examine historical, philosophical, perceptual and semiotic approaches to understanding graphic design, and will explore principles of form, such as structure and composition, hierarchy, form, color, space, scale, typography, and legibility and readability through hands-on projects. Traditional time-based and interactive media forms will be compared and contrasted.

Introduces topics in human perception, cognition and embodied action as a foundation of design for human use. It explores the practical application of techniques for analyzing diverse interactive situations and designing effective user interfaces. Students will engage in the analysis and design of a simple user interface, gaining detailed knowledge and experience with the standard basic techniques for interface specification, prototyping and evaluation. Prerequisite: Completion of 24 units, including at least one lower division "W" course.

Using cases from topics such as animation, cinema, music and design, this course introduces a variety of programming tools and techniques. Practical use of multimedia scripting languages and authoring environments is covered in the context of a series of composition and design projects. Code libraries and programming techniques for specific media will be introduced. Assessment will be based on both programming and the expressive use of programs in their case context. Prerequisite: IAT 167 and one of MATH 130, MACM 101, MATH 150, MATH 151, MATH 154, or MATH 157. Students who have completed IAT 267 before Dec. 31 2012 may use IAT 267 as a prerequisite for IAT 265 instead of IAT 167. Quantitative.

An introductory course in the application of geometry and linear algebra principles to computer graphical representation. Vector and matrix algebra, two and three dimensional transformations, homogeneous coordinates, perspective geometry. Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus 12 or Foundations of Mathematics 12 (or equivalent) with a grade of at least B, or MATH 100 with a grade of at least C. Quantitative.

Introduces key concepts within contemporary digital art practices. Issues surrounding digital art will be explored through readings, the study of artworks, and the creation of their own artistic projects. Prerequisite: completion of 24 units. Breadth-Humanities.

Introduces theory and practice of designing visual representations of information. Students will learn to visually translate textual, numerical and evidentiary information so that it can be communicated to diverse user communities and contexts. An emphasis will be on understanding how the meaning of images can change over time and across contexts and cultures. Beginning with photographic images, interactive charts, graphs, and maps, projects progress to more complex information in media forms ranging from advanced aspects of the web to interactive 3D visualizations. The relationship between visual display is explored in relation to its technology of creation, including code and information architecture. Prerequisite: IAT 102.

Explores the computational nature of technology as applied to contemporary art and design. It is a studio-based, media production course that explores new forms of art and design that are mediated by or modeled after computing processes as opposed to transforming or digitizing existing forms. Prerequisite: IAT 100 and a minimum of 15 units. Breadth-Humanities.

Designing and understanding spaces used by people. The iterative process of making and criticizing, experiencing and analyzing spatial form. Compositional ideas for form-making. Critical thinking applied to design. Computers are the principal medium used in this course for form-making and visualization. Prerequisite: IAT 106, and IAT 102 or an approved course in design.

Introduction to the core technologies and systems used in media-rich interactive environments, including computer hardware, operating systems, input and output technologies, networking and media. The concepts will be examined by working in a high-level media programming environment. Prerequisite: IAT 167 and one of MATH 130, MACM 101, MATH 150, MATH 151, MATH 154, or MATH 157. Students who have completed IAT 265 before Dec. 31, 2012, may use IAT 265 as a prerequisite for IAT 267. Recommended: IAT 265 or other second year programming course.

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: 60 units including CMNS 253 (or 253W), and two of CMNS 260, 261 or 262.

A survey and application of research approaches to media and audience analysis including content analysis, textual analysis, agenda setting, effects research, focus group and survey research, message evaluation and audience studies. Prerequisite: At least 60 units, including one of CMNS 220, 221 or 223 (or 223W), and CMNS 260. Quantitative.

This laboratory course provides an opportunity for students to produce the School of Communication's web based news magazine and documentary program 'On The Hill' (www.sfu.ca/oth). Students will draw on their understanding of public communication in democracies and media analysis skills to create new and innovative visual and aural journalism. In addition, students will learn to build teamwork skills as they produce segments for the shows in groups. The course seminars will emphasize communication design, and the social and ethical issues which arise when working with documentary and news material for public dissemination. Prerequisite: Both of CMNS 226 and 235; or permission of the instructor.

An intermediate level studio workshop to develop the student's skills in sound production with an understanding of the communicational implications of sound design. Audio theory and its applications in both the digital and analog formats will be presented, along with practical studio techniques for stereo and multi-channel sound production. Prerequisite: CMNS 258 (or equivalent) with a grade of B or higher, and approval of instructor.

This workshop examines the growing role that video is playing in a variety of public relations, industrial, advocacy and educational contexts. The emphasis of this course is on issues of communication design in relation to the goals and values in specific communication forums. Prerequisite: 75 units, including CMNS 226 and two of CMNS 220, 326, 358.

An advanced workshop in media analysis focused on applied research. Prerequisite: Two upper division CMNS courses and permission of the instructor.

An advanced seminar on the normative debates, social bases, and strategic potential for media democratization in the context of economically developed liberal democracies like Canada and the United States. This course complements other courses which critically examine state communication policies and the political economy and allegedly ideological character of corporate media. Here, we focus on campaigns and movements in civil society to define and build alternative communicative forms based on equality, democratic participation and/or human rights. Prerequisite: 75 units, including CMNS 235, 240 or 331. Students with credit for CMNS 428 or 487 under the same title may not take this course for further credit.

Examination of the emergence and shaping of information and communication technologies in the digital age. Explores new media and social change between everyday life, social institutions, and various enterprises. Emphasis is placed on social context and relations of power. May repeat for credit if topic studied is different. Prerequisite: CMNS 253 (or 253W), and CMNS 261 or 362.

This course will explore social issues and values in designing technology, through a focus on both the objects and processes of design. Emphasis will be placed on communication between participants in the design process, and identification of social issues and values that influence design. Students will work in cross-disciplinary groups during labs. Lab exercises will emphasize making decisions that occur during the design process explicit, and making values that enter into design processes explicit. Prerequisite: 60 units, including two of CMNS 253 (or 253W), 362, 363; FPA 310, 387; IAT 206, 235, 333.

An intermediate level studio workshop to develop the student's skills in sound production with an understanding of the communicational implications of sound design. Audio theory and its applications in both the digital and analog formats will be presented, along with practical studio techniques for stereo and multi-channel sound production. Prerequisite: CMNS 258 (or equivalent) with a grade of B or higher, and approval of instructor.

A special topics course and small class work group at an intermediate level in acoustic communication dealing intensively with specific problems in psychoacoustics, acoustic design, soundscape studies, noise in the community, acoustic aspects of social organization, the acoustic aspects, language and interpersonal communication, electronic sound production, media analysis, theories of sound cognition, and information processing. Prerequisite: CMNS 259.

Explores the relationship between power, politics, and science; investigates stakeholders such as scientists, entrepreneurs, technologists, activists, policy-makers and their world-wide institutional contexts; compares global flows of science and technology through governmental, non-government, and transnational organizations; examines representations of science and technology in media systems and international development programs. Prerequisite: 75 units, including CMNS 346; and one of CMNS 260, 261 or 262. Recommended: CMNS 253 (or 253W) and 362.

Advanced seminar to discuss issues in the interplay between contemporary society and new computer/communication technologies, at the level of comprehensive theories of society, on one hand, and major public policy, on the other. May repeat for credit if topic studied is different. Prerequisite: 75 units, including CMNS 362, and CMNS 353 or 354.

Topics will include the content, quality and character of jobs that involve computer supported cooperative work systems, the influence of managerial goals and workplace relations on the design and choice of computer supported cooperative work systems, issues arising in developing and implementing computer supported cooperative work systems, and using data which results from their use. Prerequisite: 75 units, including CMNS 362, and CMNS 253 (or 253W).

Topics include the processes through which gendering of technologies takes place; information and communication technologies (ICTs), gender and public and private spheres; issues related to computerization of women's paid and unpaid work; and gender roles and the use of ICTs in relation to health; as well as the contributions which the study of gender and ICTs have made to theoretical debates within science, technology and society studies. Prerequisite: 75 units, including CMNS 253 (or 253W). Students with credit for CMNS 486 (in Spring 1998 or Spring 2000) may not complete this course for further credit.

Television, in various formats, in Canada, is traditionally seen as important to political and cultural self-determination. The production, financing, and distribution of information and entertainment TV services are restructuring, with profound consequence for broadcast law and regulation in global markets. The rudiments of strategic analysis of stakeholders, companies, industrial sectors (strengths, weaknesses, threats, opportunities) and technical policy writing and interventions will be covered. A simulation will be staged around a convergence theme drawn from the contemporary regulatory agenda in Canada. Prerequisite: CMNS 230 or 240; and 261.

Advanced seminar on current issues in communication policy. Topics will be selected from among current policy issues in local, national and international aspects of broadcasting, the cultural industries, the arts and heritage. Prerequisite: 75 units, including CMNS 333 or 334.

An examination of the domestic and international implications of the development of mass media and telecommunications and the differential impact of the free flow of technology and information. Prerequisite: 75 units, including CMNS 240 or 247, and CMNS 346 or 348.

Explores the relationship between power, politics, and science; investigates stakeholders such as scientists, entrepreneurs, technologists, activists, policy-makers and their world-wide institutional contexts; compares global flows of science and technology through governmental, non-government, and transnational organizations; examines representations of science and technology in media systems and international development programs. Prerequisite: 75 units, including CMNS 346; and one of CMNS 260, 261 or 262. Recommended: CMNS 253 (or 253W) and 362.

Topics include the processes through which gendering of technologies takes place; information and communication technologies (ICTs), gender and public and private spheres; issues related to computerization of women's paid and unpaid work; and gender roles and the use of ICTs in relation to health; as well as the contributions which the study of gender and ICTs have made to theoretical debates within science, technology and society studies. Prerequisite: 75 units, including CMNS 253 (or 253W). Students with credit for CMNS 486 (in Spring 1998 or Spring 2000) may not complete this course for further credit.

Development and evaluation of a media, design or informatics project. Projects vary from year to year and relate to current social and technological issues in society as well as students' interests and affinities. Design methods used will vary with project type. Covers the spectrum of the production process from problem definition to prototype. Students continue working on the project in the follow-up course IAT 405. Students may not concurrently enrol in IAT 402 and 403. Prerequisite: completion of 72 units, including IAT 201, 235, 265 and 12 upper division IAT units including IAT 309W. Recommended: IAT 405 in the following term. Students with credit for IAT 400 or 402 cannot complete this course for further credit.

Development and evaluation of a media, design or informatics project. The project is a continuation of the project started in IAT 403. The actual projects vary from year to year and relate to current social and technological issues in society as well as students' interests and affinities. Design methods used will vary with project type. Covers the spectrum of the production process from problem definition to prototype. Students may not concurrently enrol in IAT 404 and 405. Prerequisite: IAT 403.

Examines concepts of design practice and related design methods for interaction designers. Design methods include ethnography, personas, design games, role-playing, scenarios, participatory workshops, and prototyping. Prerequisite: Completion of 48 credits, including IAT 265. Recommended: IAT 102 or 233.

Provides an introduction to the art and design of human-computer interfaces, design methods, prototyping and evaluation of user interfaces. Examines issues of interactivity and its relation to human contexts and technological systems. The role of aesthetic, symbolic, affective and cultural factors will be assessed in concert with scientific and technological issues. The class is primarily focused on visual interfaces on computer monitors and hand-held devices, but culminates with considerations of increasingly physical interactions in ubiquitous environments. Prerequisite: Completion of 48 units, including IAT 235.

Introduces material properties and performance in the context of interactive artifacts. Covers criteria for material selection, including durability, environmental effects, tactile properties, manufacturing processes, compatibility and effects of particular forms of use. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: IAT 233.

Introduces computer-based tools for representing and fabricating designs. Covers the representation of work within a design process, the use of visualization techniques to communicate with clients, and the use of digital fabrication technology to build prototypes. Projects are chosen to highlight key representational issues in contemporary design practice. Prerequisite: 48 units and IAT 336.

Develops programming and scripting skills for developing combined software, and hardware prototype versions of interactive objects and environments. Covers the art and design of interactive objects and environments. Methodologies emphasizing embodiment, kinesthetics and haptics are introduced by combining theory and practice. Students develop programming skills for developing working prototypes comprised of software, sensors, and hardware. Prerequisite: Completion of 48 units, including IAT 233, 235 and 267, or IAT 230, 231, 232 and 204.

Provides students with the opportunity to experiment with designing in various non-normative frameworks provided by cultural studies, critical theory and phenomenology. Students will examine design's potential for cultural, social and ethical critique of emerging technologies and society. Rather than merely illustrating theoretical positions, this examination involves enacting and embodying differing theoretical positions, thereby rendering criticism productive. Individual design expertise and voice is emphasized. Prerequisite: Completion of 63 units.

Students will learn about and gain experience with a wide variety of interaction technologies, environments and architectures supporting user interaction with systems in work, learning and play. Applied topics may include, but are not limited to, collaboration and computers; ubiquitous and responsive environments; security, trust and privacy; networking; and distributed and heterogeneous interfaces. Emphasis is on practical experience, involving a group design/analysis project in advanced topics in human computer interaction. Prerequisite: Completion of 48 units, including IAT 265 or other approved second year programming course, and IAT 201 or equivalent introductory HCI course. Strongly recommended: IAT 267.

XML technologies, databases and data mining are reviewed as means of storing and extracting knowledge. Server-client and service oriented architectures are examined from the perspective of building interactive systems. Web 2.0 technologies are reviewed, including peer-to-peer systems, social networking portals, and personalization technologies. Students apply conceptual knowledge by programming a web application using AJAX, servlets and a database. Prerequisite: Completion of 48 units, including IAT 235, and either IAT 265 or other approved second year programming course.

Focuses on the design and implementation of interactive computer visualization techniques for the analysis, comprehension, and explanation of large collections of abstract information. The application of principles from perception, information visualization, interaction and visual analytics will be covered. Introduces tools for programming geometric information and displaying the results. Emphasizes development of practical skills in using graphics libraries and tools: students will develop programming experience with relevant examples and techniques. Prerequisite: IAT 201 and IAT 267 and either IAT 265 or CMPT 225 or other approved second year programming course. Recommended: IAT 235.

Students will design and develop a variety of electronic games, culminating in an advanced game project. They will continue to analyze the experience of play within the game, and the connections between the game experience and broader cultural phenomena. Prerequisite: Completion of 63 units, including IAT 265 or equivalent programming course. Strongly recommended: IAT 312.

Introduces approaches to customizing and developing software applications as design-support tools to be employed in dynamic design environments comprising people, other tools, and their interactions in relation to the tasks to be performed. Discusses effective strategies for software development to find the best matching solutions for a given situation and applies the select methods in software design, prototyping, and evaluation. Makes use of software development processes, languages, and notations in representing design of the tools being developed. Experiments with contemporary systems such as drafting tools (CAD), authoring applications (for games, Websites, animations), parametric design-modeling systems, etc.; and searches their potentials to enhance design environments. Prerequisite: Completion of 48 units, including IAT 351.

The representation of media is introduced: specifically one dimensional (sound), two dimensional (images) and three dimensional (moving images). This course focuses on techniques and methods for creating digital video special effects, allowing students to explore their creativity while extending their graphics and programming skills in digital media. Computational techniques based on signal processing are developed that support the creation, manipulation, combination, transformation, compression, storage and display/performance of different media forms. An important aspect is representation in the temporal/spatial vs. the frequency domain and different transformation techniques. Students will be required to generate special effects, critique and analyze effects from movies, develop skills and abilities to manipulate digital video and audio, and implement their own algorithms to express their technical and artistic skills. Prerequisite: IAT 265 and MACM 101. Recommended: MATH 151 or equivalent.

Explores the role of narrative in various media and New Media environments, from traditional linear environments and multi-linear and networked media environments. Examines the relationship of narrative elements in the light of the practice and the aesthetics of New Media. It will include an overview of New Media theorists. Prerequisite: Completion of 48 units.

Explores ideas of embodiment, knowledge, and space within the human relationship to technology. Throughout this course, students will construct and analyze contemporary and historical models of bodily interaction with machines, understand physical practices of embodiment, and apply these concepts to representation, design, and the production of artistic interface. Prerequisite: Completion of 48 units, including IAT 267 and 222.

An introduction to techniques for 3D computer animation such as keyframing, performance animation, procedural methods, motion capture, and simulation. The course also includes an overview of story-boarding, scene composition, lighting and sound track generation. The course will explore current research topics in computer animation such as facial animation, behavioral animation, artificial life and interactive systems. Prerequisite: Minimum of 24 units, including MATH 130 or MACM 101 or MATH 151 or equivalent. Students with credit for IAT 241 may not take this course for further credit.

Reviews and consolidates the fundamentals of digital video production, including camera and composition skills, the role of sound, lighting, and continuity and montage editing. Students will review and analyze works from traditional cinema and from contemporary digital video. The course will reinforce fundamental skills and extend the student's abilities to use a range of digital production, post-production, and presentation techniques. Prerequisite: Minimum of 48 units and IAT 202 or other approved digital video course. Students with credit for IAT 242 may not take this course for further credit.

An intermediate level investigation of interactivity explored through media, in the context of current display technologies relevant to Interactive Arts and Design. Examines recombinant, computational and compositional structures related to image, sound and video. Students explore video within technologies ranging from cell phones and mobile locative media, and hand held and wearable devices, to 3D immersive virtual and/or networked environments, video art installations, multiple scales of display technology, and responsive spaces. Students will design, produce and critically appraise work. Prerequisite: IAT 344.

Introduces advanced 3D computer animation and virtual world building techniques. Integrates hands-on fundamentals with design praxis and theoretical and research concerns. Fundamentals are complemented with examples from current research and design praxis. The studio aspect of the course will include assignments focusing on specific animation and behaviour modeling techniques and a team-based design project. Prerequisite: IAT 343.