¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

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To view the current Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar.html.

| ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar | Spring 2022

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

Applicants will have a minimum 2.50 communication grade point average (CMNS GPA) upon completion of at least three CMNS lower division courses at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV, each with minimum C- grade, and a minimum 2.00 CGPA.

Continuance Requirements

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.

Program Requirements

Students complete 120 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
Gary McCarron
Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 6:30–7:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 6:30–7:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D109 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D110 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D111 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D112 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 6:30–7:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Distance Education
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.

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
Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D109 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D110 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D111 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 3:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D112 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Distance Education

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
Ahmed Al-Rawi
Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 1:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D105 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 1:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D109 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 2:30–4:20 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
Taeyoung Kim
Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 6:30–8:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D105 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D107 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D108 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 6:30–8:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D109 Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby

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

Upper Division Requirements

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

  • Seven upper division CMNS courses, at least five 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, with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMNS 304 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

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, with a minimum grade of C-. Writing.

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 with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMNS 455 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
Caitlin McKinney
Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Fri, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby

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.

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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.