Mass Culture
FRASER INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
CMNS 110: Introduction to Communication Studies – Spring 2013
COURSE OVERVIEW
The aim of this course is to provide a general introduction to a range of theories that seek to explain why we communicate as we do.
The first part of the course establishes a general overview of communication theory from both theoretical and historical points of view. We will examine the relation between communication and social consciousness, the development of alphabetic writing, and theories of orality and literacy. We will also review the concept of self in the context of communication studies.
The second part of the course will focus on specific fields within the area of communication, including the study of popular culture, media analysis, film studies, advertising, and the political economy of communication. We will also examine the rise of technology studies in communication and consider the way in which electronic media (in particular computers and the Internet) have refashioned both human consciousness and culture. In this context, we will discuss issues of privacy and democracy in the emerging digital culture.
Our main goal is to critically assess the images and messages of contemporary media. How do they create meaning? Do they enlarge our understanding of the world, or influence us to think about it in increasingly narrow ways?
Required Texts:
Courseware, available at the SFU Bookstore – CMNS 110 (compiled by Gary McCarron)
**Note: NO other texts are required. Please check with instructor before purchasing any additional texts. You must purchase the Courseware package, and you MUST bring it to class each week.
Course Requirements:
Midterm Exam 25% Essay Proposal 5% In-class Quizzes 10% Final Essay 25% Final Exam 25% Attendance & Class Participation 10%
** Note: reading schedule will be updated on the FIC Portal after the first week of class. Please check the Portal
CMNS 110: Introduction to Communication Studies – Spring 2013
COURSE OVERVIEW
The aim of this course is to provide a general introduction to a range of theories that seek to explain why we communicate as we do.
The first part of the course establishes a general overview of communication theory from both theoretical and historical points of view. We will examine the relation between communication and social consciousness, the development of alphabetic writing, and theories of orality and literacy. We will also review the concept of self in the context of communication studies.
The second part of the course will focus on specific fields within the area of communication, including the study of popular culture, media analysis, film studies, advertising, and the political economy of communication. We will also examine the rise of technology studies in communication and consider the way in which electronic media (in particular computers and the Internet) have refashioned both human consciousness and culture. In this context, we will discuss issues of privacy and democracy in the emerging digital culture.
Our main goal is to critically assess the images and messages of contemporary media. How do they create meaning? Do they enlarge our understanding of the world, or influence us to think about it in increasingly narrow ways?
Required Texts:
Courseware, available at the SFU Bookstore – CMNS 110 (compiled by Gary McCarron)
**Note: NO other texts are required. Please check with instructor before purchasing any additional texts. You must purchase the Courseware package, and you MUST bring it to class each week.
Course Requirements:
Midterm Exam 25% Essay Proposal 5% In-class Quizzes 10% Final Essay 25% Final Exam 25% Attendance & Class Participation 10%
** Note: reading schedule will be updated on the FIC Portal after the first week of class. Please check the Portal