Communication and Media Studies COMS

COMS 201 203 313 363 367 369 371 381 383 393 401 413 435 463 469 473 475 477 479 481 485 491 501 502 503 507 581 591 595 597 601 603 613 615 617 619 623 631 641 643 645 647 711 713 717

For more information about these courses see the Department of Communication, Media and Film website: .

Note: Communication and Media Studies (COMS) courses were formerly named Communications Studies (COMS). For prerequisite purposes, all Communication and Media Studies (COMS) courses are equivalent to the former Communications Studies (COMS) courses with the same number.

Junior Courses

Communication and Media Studies 201

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies

A general mapping of the field, with an emphasis on its breadth in the areas of media studies, communication of science and technology and rhetorical communication. General examination of how Communications Studies emerged during the twentieth century and how the field relates to issues of social and cultural change.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-1)

Communication and Media Studies 203

New Media

An introduction to the social, political and cultural aspects of new media. Examines the social factors that influence the use of new media, as well as the effects of new media on different spheres of social life. Topics may include the historical development of new media; participatory cultures; copyright and Internet law; creative industries; and surveillance and governance in new media.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-1)

Senior Courses

Communication and Media Studies 313

Communication Research Methods

A critical introduction to communication research methods. Students will explore, practice and critique selected quantitative and qualitative research methods and perspectives on the processes of knowledge production.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0) or (2-1) or (1.5-1.5)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 201.

Communication and Media Studies 363

Professional and Technical Communication

An introduction to professional and technical communication in diverse media. Examines the rhetorical dimensions of workplace settings as well as the process of planning, composing and delivering professional and technical communication for various audiences.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): 24 units.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 363 and Engineering 213 will not be allowed.

Communication and Media Studies 367

Visual Communication and Culture

Critical study of images in society. Topics may include formal image analysis; theories of the image; the politics and ethics of visual representation; portraiture and identity; advertising images; spectacle and modern media; war and propaganda imagery; circulation and the networked image; iconoclasm and censorship.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 201.

Communication and Media Studies 369

Rhetorical Communication

An introduction to the basic principles of rhetorical theory, criticism and practice. Examines rhetorical perspectives on elements of communication such as argumentation, persuasion, audience, situation, genre and ethics. Students will apply rhetorical theory to the criticism of samples of public communication and will practice their rhetorical skills through in-class activities and assigned writing and oral presentations.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite or Corequisite: Communication and Media Studies 201.

Communication and Media Studies 371

Critical Media Studies

Emphasizes major critical approaches and theoretical foundations of media studies research. Explores the contexts in which these theories arose, identifies their major strengths and weaknesses and analyzes how critical theory engages the social world. Areas covered include the Frankfurt School, structuralism and semiotics, cultural studies, post-structuralism and feminist media studies.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-1)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 201.

Communication and Media Studies 381

Communications History

A general survey of how various communication systems and practices developed through history and of the social contexts within which they emerged, transformed and adapted through time. Examines major technological developments in the history of human communication and uses theory to understand their origins and impacts on social organization and everyday life.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2-1)
Corequisite(s): Prerequisite or Corequisite: Communication and Media Studies 201.

Communication and Media Studies 383

Introduction to Public Relations

Public relations theory and practice, with a particular emphasis on Canadian examples. Focus on links between public relations and new media, ethical standards of practice, and critical perspectives on public relations as well as on the development of practical skills.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)

Communication and Media Studies 393

Health, Science, and Media: Critical Perspectives

Examines the construction and communication of health and science as socio-cultural phenomena and interrogates the ways in which health and science issues are communicated, defined, represented and framed, particularly within contemporary media.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 201.

Communication and Media Studies 401

Special Topics in Communication and Media Studies

Critical study of contemporary topics or issues related to communications media, technology, culture, or discourse. Past topics have included Gaming; Video Activism; Intellectual Property; Surveillance; Photography: A Social History; and Children and Media.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0) or (2-3)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT

Communication and Media Studies 413

Advanced Research Methods

An in-depth study of selected methods for social and cultural research. Students will design and carry out empirical research applying these methods.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 313.

Communication and Media Studies 435

Communication and Canadian Society

Explores aspects of Canadian communication, including historical development, theoretical approaches, challenges posed by advances in technology, and policy questions such as media ownership, Canadian content requirements and the relationship between media and democracy.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0) or (2-1T)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 201.

Communication and Media Studies 453

Race, Representation, and Media

Introduces critical race and intersectional feminist frameworks for examining representations of race and racialized identities in media culture(s) and texts. Emphasis on the production and circulation of racial discourse(s) in mass media, popular culture, and activist media.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 371.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 453 and 401.54 will not be allowed.

Communication and Media Studies 463

Digital Rhetoric

Rhetorical theory, criticism, production and editing of professional communication in a range of digital media, including websites, social media and other collaborative and multimedia platforms. Experiential learning through team projects that critique and develop an organization鈥檚 online content.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): 3 units from Communication and Media Studies 363, 383, 369.

Communication and Media Studies 469

Rhetorical History and Criticism

A study of rhetorical thought and action from selected periods, cultures and authors from the classical period to the modern age, with an emphasis on the interaction between rhetoric and philosophical, social and political change. Theories will be applied to the criticism of historical and contemporary public communication.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 369.

Communication and Media Studies 473

Popular Culture

Introduces critical tools for deconstructing and evaluating the social significance of popular cultural texts,聽including music,聽television, film, advertising, memes and viral content. Particular focus on audience reception as a key method for understanding fan practices and subcultures
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 371.

Communication and Media Studies 475

Media and Cultural Industries

Considers the role and nature of media and cultural industries, offering students understanding of their role in the production and circulation of popular culture and information. Industries typically examined are television, radio, newspapers and other print media, film, sound recording, book publishing and advertising.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 371.

Communication and Media Studies 477

Food Culture and Communication

A theoretical and experiential introduction to food cultures as processes and products of communication. Examines how food is constructed and represented through text, film, television, art and tourism. Political and economic constructions of food culture, security and sustainability will also be explored.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Notes: This course may involve off-campus field trips during class time. A supplementary fee will be assessed to cover additional costs associated with this course. Alternatively, the course may be packaged along with others as part of a Study Abroad opportunity requiring an application and pre-term study and preparation. Contact the instructors or the 六九色堂 Study Abroad program for more information.

Communication and Media Studies 479

Feminist Media Studies

Introduces critical perspectives and practices of feminist media studies and interrogates how gendered, racialized and sexualized subjectivities are produced, circulated and consumed through media cultures and texts. A key focus will be relationships between power, media and identity.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 371.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 479 and 401.36 will not be allowed.

Communication and Media Studies 481

Advanced Studies in New Media and Society

Examines the nature, origins and social implications of new media with a focus on the Internet. Evolving forms of interpersonal, group and public communication based on the Internet will be assessed in terms of the role they play in identity formation, cultural integration, learning, political participation, commerce and work.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 203 and 371.

Communication and Media Studies 485

Environmental Media and Communication

Examines the mutual entanglements of media, communication and the environment, with a particular focus on media representations of the environment and environmental risks. May also examine environmental issues related to communications technologies and global communications infrastructures.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 485 and 401.46 will not be allowed.

Communication and Media Studies 491

Introduction to Acoustic Communications and Acoustic Ecology

Concepts, techniques and applications of the fields of Acoustic Communications (the ways in which speech and music convey meaning) and Acoustic Ecology (the effects of sound in natural and human environments). These interdisciplinary areas weave together communication theory, cognitive psychology, sociology, musicology, physical sciences, health sciences and aesthetics.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 491 and 401.12 will not be allowed.

Communication and Media Studies 501

Independent Research in Communication and Media Studies

Supervised individual study of a special topic.
Course Hours: 3 units; (12-36 hours)
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT

Communication and Media Studies 502

Political Economy of Communication

Examines power relations between public, government and commercial forces in communication. Looks at how media dynamics have shifted historically and how current policies, structures and institutions impact our daily media interactions.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 371 or 435.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 502 and 503.04 will not be allowed.

Communication and Media Studies 503

Advanced Special Topics in Communication and Media Studies

Advanced study of contemporary topics or issues related to communications media, technology, culture or discourse.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s): 78 units, including Communication and Media Studies 371 and 381 and admission to a major or minor program in Communication and Media Studies.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT

Communication and Media Studies 507

Experiential Learning in Communications and Media

Supervised individual study through guided experiential learning. Opportunity provided to combine interests in communications research and theory with experiential learning opportunities in an organization or university unit. Involves a communication-related placement or project that engages students in critical reflection on community experience in the context of their formal education.
Course Hours: 3 units; (6-12 hours)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 201 and 3 units of a course labelled Communication and Media Studies and admission to a majors or minor program in the Department of Communication, Media and Film and consent of the Department.

Communication and Media Studies 581

Senior Project in BCMS/BFS

An advanced research and experiential project incorporating academic research and media production. The project will be produced in a medium appropriate to the student's specialization: print, radio, television, video, film or digital media.
Course Hours: 3 units; (1-2)
Prerequisite(s): 3 units from Communication and Media Studies 369, 371, 381; or 3 units from Film 321, 323, 331, 333; and first year of an applicable diploma program from SAIT or an approved equivalent, and admission to the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies program or Bachelor of Film Studies program.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 581 and 580 will not be allowed.
Notes: Students must present their diploma transcript to the Department of Communication, Media and Film for consent to register in this course. An unofficial transcript will suffice.

Communication and Media Studies 591

Capstone Seminar in Communication and Media Studies

Explores the variety of ways in which communication builds social and cultural values with reference to a special topic. Completion of a major project that will integrate understanding of communication theory, history and methodology.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s): 78 units, including Communication and Media Studies 313, 369, 371, 381 and admission to the BA in Communication and Media Studies.

Communication and Media Studies 595

Honours Seminar

Individual research and seminar activities (e.g., critiques, presentations, and peer reviews of drafts) to produce a proposal and a paper to be used as the basis for the Honours Thesis.
Course Hours: 3 units; (2S-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 313 and admission to the Honours Program.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 595 and 590 will not be allowed.

Communication and Media Studies 597

Honours Thesis and Seminar

Supervised individual research and preparation of an honours thesis. Incorporating material from the Communication and Media Studies 595 paper to complete the honours thesis. Seminar activities include progress reports, peer reviews, and support for poster presentations and oral exams.
Course Hours: 3 units; (1S-0)
Prerequisite(s): Communication and Media Studies 595 and admission to the Honours Program.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 597 and 590 will not be allowed.

Graduate Courses

For more information, see the Department of Communication, Media and Film: .

Notes:

Communication and Media Studies (COMS) courses were formerly named Communications Studies (COMS). All are COMS courses and considered equivalent for prerequisite purposes.
Not all courses will be offered each year. Registration is open to graduate students admitted into the program. All other students require consent of the Department鈥檚 Graduate Program Director.

Communication and Media Studies 601

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Communication and Media Studies

An overview of theories, problematics and approaches in communication and media.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 601 and either Communications Studies 601 or Culture and Society 601 will not be allowed.
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 601)

Communication and Media Studies 603

Critical Media Studies

Theories and perspectives in the study of media production, industries, genres, and reception.聽聽
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 603 and Communications Studies 603 will not be allowed.
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 603)

Communication and Media Studies 613

Communication and Cultural Theory

An examination of the major perspectives in communication and cultural theory through a historical analysis of classic works and an overview of contemporary approaches and applications.

Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 613 and either Communications Studies 613 or Culture and Society 613 will not be allowed.
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 613)

Communication and Media Studies 615

Research Methods

A survey of research methods appropriate to the study of communication and media.

Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 615 and Communications Studies 615 will not be allowed.
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 615)

Communication and Media Studies 617

Representation and Identity

An investigation of various issues related to representation and identity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 617 and Culture and Society 603 will not be allowed
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 617)

Communication and Media Studies 619

Communications and Cultural Industries

An analysis of the governmental and social contexts which inform the current development of telecommunications, communications, cultural industries and new media in Canada.

Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 619 and Communications Studies 619 will not be allowed.
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 619)

Communication and Media Studies 623

Social Contexts of Science and Technology

Theoretical perspectives for understanding central debates in the study of science and technology in their social, political, cultural, and communication contexts.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 623)

Communication and Media Studies 631

Social and Media Activism

A critical overview of how digital media are being taken up by social justice movements and the implications of these new media practices in relation to politics and activism.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 631 and Culture and Society 607 will not be allowed.
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 621)

Communication and Media Studies 641

International Communication

An examination of cultural/communication issues and practices in international contexts. Examines the role of media systems in processes of culture, development, and identity formation.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 641 and Communications Studies 641 will not be allowed.
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 641)

Communication and Media Studies 643

Methods in Film Studies

An examination of key approaches to studying film, including its aesthetic, historical, and theoretical dimensions.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-3)

Communication and Media Studies 645

Media and Democracy

An examination of the role played by media in democratic systems past and present. Draws from classic and contemporary democratic theory to explore the changing positions of traditional and new media, focusing on the interrelationships of media, political institutions and citizenship.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)

Communication and Media Studies 647

Communication and Health

Critically exploring the concept of health through the lens of communication, examines cultural and media representations of health, along with questions of health and identity, health promotion and advocacy, health risk and regulation, and social movements.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)

Communication and Media Studies 711

Directed Studies

A research project under the direction of a faculty member.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 711 and Communications Studies 711 will not be allowed.
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 711)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT

Communication and Media Studies 713

PhD Theory Seminar

A seminar that enables PhD students to focus their research interests and to explore theories relevant to their areas of specialization.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Communication and Media Studies PhD program.
Antirequisite(s): Credit for Communication and Media Studies 713 and Communications Studies 713 will not be allowed.
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 713)

Communication and Media Studies 717

Selected Topics in Communication, Media and Film

A variety of communication, media and film topics based on faculty expertise.
Course Hours: 3 units; (3S-0)
Also known as: (formerly Communication and Culture 717)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT

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