Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and Media Studies
BA in Communication and Media Studies with Co-operative Education
BA Honours in Communication and Media Studies
BA Honours in Communication and Media Studies with Co-operative Education
Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (BCMS)
Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies with Co-operative Education
Film Studies
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Film Studies
BA in Film studies with Co-operative Education
BA Honours in Film Studies
BA Honours in Film Studies with Co-operative Education
Bachelor of Film Studies (BFS)
Bachelor of Film Studies (BFS) with Co-operative Education
Science, Technology and Society
Note: Admission to Science, Technology and Society programs have been suspended as of Fall 2015. Students in these programs should consult with the department’s Director of Undergraduate Programs to ensure completion of program requirements in a timely manner.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Science, Technology and Society
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Science, Technology and Society
BA in Science, Technology and Society with Co-operative Education
BSc in Science, Technology and Society with Co-operative Education
BA Honours in Science, Technology and Society
BSc Honours in Science, Technology and Society
BA Honours in Science, Technology and Society with Co-operative Education
BSc Honours in Science, Technology and Society with Co-operative Education
Note: Minors are offered in Communication and Media Studies and Film Studies.
Introduction
The Department of Communication, Media and Film hosts programs in Communication and Media Studies and Film Studies.
Communication and Media Studies explores the ways in which communication constructs and reflects society and culture. The program emphasizes the theory, criticism, and history of communication through traditional media, new media and popular culture. It also focuses on the theory, critique and production of informative, persuasive and professional discourse in a range of public, media and organizational contexts (e.g., discourses related to identity, health, technology, food and food marketing, the environment, and political communication).
The program aims to educate flexible and articulate analysts, researchers and practitioners for a wide range of academic, public and professional contexts. It provides graduates with the knowledge, skill and discernment to communicate ideas effectively and to investigate communication in and across a variety of media including speech, writing, television, film, radio, digital media and interactive entertainment, the Internet, and wireless networks. Our co-operative education and experiential learning opportunities enable students to develop and apply their skills in non-academic contexts.
The Department offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and Media Studies and a Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies (BCMS). Opportunities for further concentration are available via the BA (Honours) in Communication and Media Studies. The BCMS is offered in partnership with SAIT Polytechnic and is intended for students who want the broad interdisciplinary base of knowledge provided by a university degree combined with practical skills in public relations, journalism, new media production, or radio, television, and broadcast news provided by a professional diploma program at SAIT or other approved program. A minor program is also offered. Degree requirements are outlined in 4.14.1 to 4.14.3.
Film Studies situates motion pictures within a wider culture of images and sounds, comprising both contemporary media and diverse historical practices. The program offers students the analytical skills and historical and theoretical frameworks to critically assess contemporary visual culture, and in this way helps to prepare them for careers in film and media criticism; film programming and production; work in cultural institutions; and university research and teaching.
The Department offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Film Studies and a Bachelor of Film Studies (BFS). Students taking a BA in Film Studies will develop a broad understanding of the medium, considering film as an art form, as a cultural industry, and as an innovative and developing technology with social, cultural, and political significance. Opportunities for further concentration are available via the BA (Honours) in Film Studies program. The BFS is offered in partnership with SAIT Polytechnic and is intended for students who want the broad interdisciplinary base of knowledge provided by a university degree combined with practical skills in film, video and new media production. A minor program is also offered. Degree requirements are outlined in 4.14.5 to 4.14.7.
Admission to the Science, Technology and Society programs has been suspended as of Fall 2015. Students in these programs should consult with the department’s director of undergraduate programs to ensure completion of program requirements in a timely manner.
Students should consult a program advisor in the Arts Students’ Centre for information and advice on their overall program requirements. Advising contact information can be found online:
For more specific advice regarding course selection and requirements in the major field, students should consult the Director of Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Communication, Media and Film.
When demand exceeds capacity, enrolment in the BA Communication and Media Studies will be restricted on a competitive basis.
Admission to Honours
The Faculty of Arts procedures for Admission to Honours established in section, 3.4.2 Honours Degrees with a Major Field are applicable and provide the overall framework.
The deadline for submitting the Honours Program application form to the Department of Communication, Media and Film is February 1. Students taking Majors offered by the Department are eligible to apply for the Honours Program by the deadline only if they have completed at least 63 units (10.5 full-course equivalents).
Honours program applications to the department must include a preliminary Honours thesis proposal and the signature of a faculty member who has agreed to serve as the student's Honours thesis supervisor. Students are strongly advised to secure a supervisor by January 20. The Honours program application form is available at
Successful applicants to the Honours program will automatically be registered in Communication and Media Studies 590 or Film 590 (Honours Thesis) and will have their degree program changed. Further information is available on the department website. Students should also consult with the Honours Program Co-ordinator in the Department of Communication, Media and Film.
Overlapping Programs
The Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies and the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies cannot be taken in conjunction with each other. The Bachelor of Film Studies and the Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies also may not be taken in conjunction with each other.
Degree Program Field Requirements
The Field of Communication and Media Studies consists of the following courses:
All courses labelled Communication and Media Studies (COMS)
All courses labelled Film Studies (FILM)
All courses labelled Communication and Culture (CMCL)
All courses labelled Science, Technology and Society (STAS)