¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

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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.

¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements

Enrollment Limitations and ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

¶¡ÏãÔ°AV is based on cumulative grade point average (CGPA), upper division (UD) CGPA, Communication (CMNS) GPA and UD CMNS GPA 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 a transfer or second degree students.

Program entry is via college or university transfer, or via internal transfer if admitted to another ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV department or program. Entry requires a minimum 3.00 CGPA, UD CGPA, CMNS GPA and UD CMNS GPA. A minimum 3.0 CGPA, UD CGPA, CMNS GPA and UD CMNS GPA 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 both 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
Distance Education
Distance Education
Anis Rahman
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Mon, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
Vancouver
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
Distance Education
Distance Education
Benjamin Anderson
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Sat, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Vancouver

and at least six 200 division CMNS courses, including both of

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: 24 units, and CMNS 110 and 130. Students with credit for CMNS 201W or CMNS 260 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Graham Mackenzie
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 1:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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: 24 units, and CMNS 110 and 130. Students with credit for CMNS 262 may not take CMNS 202 for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Taeyoung Kim
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Thu, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Fri, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Fri, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Fri, 1:30–3:20 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 part of the University's Q requirement.

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.

CMNS 220 - Understanding Television (3)

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

CMNS 221 - Media and Popular Cultures (3)

Focuses 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.

CMNS 223W - Advertising as Social Communication (3)

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. Students with credit for CMNS 223 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Jody Baker
May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Mon, Wed, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Mon, Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Mon, Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Mon, Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Mon, Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Mon, Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.

D106 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Mon, Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.

D107 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Mon, Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Mon, Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMNS 235 - News Media, the Public, and Democracy (3)

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.

Political Economy and Policy Concentration

Explores the contested economic, political, and regulatory processes shaping media institutions and communication processes.

CMNS 230 - The Cultural Industries in Canada: Global Context (3)

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.

CMNS 240 - The Political Economy of Communication (3)

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
Anis Rahman
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Tue, 6:30–7:20 p.m.
Burnaby

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.

CMNS 253W - Introduction to Information Technology: The New Media (3)

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 Day/Time Location
Distance Education
Distance Education

Upper Division Requirements for Honours

Students may enroll in upper division courses only when prerequisites have been completed.

Directed study and field placement courses may not be used to meet any of these 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 four must be taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, including:
    • CMNS 304W - Communication in Everyday Life (4) or CMNS 323W - Cultural Dimensions in Advertising (4) or CMNS 455W - Women and New Information Technologies (4)
    • CMNS 362 - Evaluation Methods for Applied Communication Research (6)
    • CMNS 497 - Honours Research Proposal (5)*
    • CMNS 498 - Honours Research Project (10)**
    • 2 other CMNS 400 level courses, at least one must be taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV.

*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 ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, including:
    • CMNS 304W - Communication in Everyday Life (4) or CMNS 323W - Cultural Dimensions in Advertising (4) or CMNS 455W - Women and New Information Technologies (4)
    • CMNS 362 - Evaluation Methods for Applied Communication Research (6)
    • Minimum of 6 CMNS 400 level courses, at least five must be taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV.

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.

Graduation Requirements

To receive honours in communication, students must

  • meet the graduation requirements of the communication honours program, as stated above
  • meet the honours graduation requirements of the University and the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology, including at least 60 upper division units
  • successfully complete an honours project (CMNS 497 and 498) (if pursuing Option A)
  • successfully complete 11 upper division CMNS courses, at least six of which are 400 division CMNS courses (if pursuing Option B)
  • obtain certification by an undergraduate communication advisor of satisfactory program completion.

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV 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 ¶¡ÏãÔ°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

  • At least half of the program's total units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.
  • At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.