¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

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Communication Major

Bachelor of Arts

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

¶¡ÏãÔ°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 Communication (CMNS) GPA, upon completion of at least 2 CMNS lower division courses at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, each with minimum C- grade, and a minimum 2.00 CGPA. 

A minimum 2.25 CMNS GPA and 2.00 CGPA is required to remain in good standing in the program.

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

A minimum 2.25 CMNS GPA and 2.00 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

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

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

A minimum total of 44 upper division units are required, to include the following:

  • Seven upper division CMNS courses, at least four must be taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV.
  • Minimum total of 28 upper division units in CMNS.
  • Including a minimum of two 400 level CMNS courses, at least one must be taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV.
  • Including one of the following upper division CMNS "W" courses:

CMNS 304W - Communication in Everyday Life (4)

An examination of a range of theories of everyday language focused on specific forms of discursive practice, including gossip, humour, religion, and sarcasm. Prerequisite: 45 units, including one of CMNS 220, 221, 223, 223W, 235. Students with credit for CMNS 304 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

or CMNS 323W - Cultural Dimensions in Advertising (4)

A cultural-historical examination of contemporary advertising practices as well as a critical exploration of their impact upon different aspects of the consumer society, such as children's culture, pharmaceutical marketing, globalization, political communication and new media. Prerequisite: 45 units including one of CMNS 223W or 253W. Writing.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Jody Baker
May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Tue, Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Tue, Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.

D102 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Tue, Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.

D103 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Tue, Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.

D104 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Tue, Thu, 3:30–4:20 p.m.

D105 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Tue, Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D106 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Tue, Thu, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D107 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Tue, Thu, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Tue, Thu, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Byron Hauck
May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Thu, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
Vancouver
or CMNS 455W - Women and New Information Technologies (4)

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: 60 units, including CMNS 253W. Students with credit for CMNS 455 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

Directed study and field placement courses may not be used to meet this requirement.

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 ¶¡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 for School of Communication

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. The School of Communication requires that a minimum of 16 upper division CMNS units (four CMNS upper division courses, including at least one 400 division CMNS course) must be taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV. Directed study and field placement courses may not be used to meet this requirement.