Communications, Popular Culture and Film

Chair

James C. M. Leach

Undergraduate Program Adviser

Russell Johnston

Professors

Barry K. Grant, James C. M. Leach

Associate Professors

Nicolas Baxter-Moore, Barry W. K. Joe, Russell Johnston, John Lye, Joan Nicks, Jeannette Sloniowski, Bohdan Szuchewycz

Assistant Professors

Dale A. Bradley, Marian Bredin

Lecturers

M. Sharon Broderick, Scott Henderson, Sarah A. Matheson

Director, Co-operative Programs

Cindy Dunne

General Information

Administrative Assistant,

Bridget Cahill

905-688-5550, extension 4290

Academic North 308

http://www.brocku.ca/cpcf/

The Department of Communications, Popular Culture and Film offers three separate programs of study. A four-year program leading to the BA honours degree and a three-year program leading to the BA pass degree is offered in all three programs. In addition, four-year Co-op programs leading to a BA honours degree in Communications Studies or Popular Culture and a four and one-half year program leading to a BA honours degree in Film Studies are available.

Communications Studies

Communications Studies is an interdisciplinary program, which studies human communicative behaviour, the institutions of communication and the social production of meaning. It has four streams, each of which offers a Co-op option; the streams share a core of COMM courses but focus on distinct areas of interest.

The Business Communications stream combines the study of communications with a study of some aspects of business. The stream aims to equip the student with a sound theoretical basis for analysing and practising communications within the business environment.

The Communications Policy stream focusses on relations between the mass media and cultural industries on the one hand, and political, economic and social forces on the other, including the study of media ownership, cultural regulation and public policies in Canada and elsewhere.

The Information Technology stream integrates the study of communications with the study of theoretical and applied aspects of the new information technology.

The Media and Culture stream is oriented toward an understanding of the role of mass media in the construction of meaning and the creation of national identity in our culture through the study of the cultural, cognitive and textual aspects of film, television, literature and popular culture.

Students are generally advised that choice of stream is based on their interest and aptitude. It is possible to change streams although in some cases this may require additional courses; students should consult the Undergraduate Program Adviser. Communication Studies is a limited enrolment program. Students must apply to proceed to year 2 of the honours and pass programs. A minimum 70 percent average in required courses will normally ensure that the student may proceed. Others will be allowed to proceed on the basis of their grade standing and available places in the streams.

All of the above streams have the option of a related Co-op stream available for interested and qualified students. Each Co-op stream combines academic and work terms over a four-year period.

Please consult the Communications Studies entry for a listing of courses and program requirements.

Film Studies

Film Studies program is a sequence of critical and historical courses which examines a variety of approaches to film. The courses explore the nature of film language and develop an analytical perspective on film as both an art and a medium. Other courses explore issues and theories in popular culture. Students have opportunities to engage in film and video production in upper year courses, in class assignments and as part of the student Spring Festival.

The Film Studies program also offers a Co-op stream available for interested and qualified students. The Co-op stream combines academic and work terms over a four and one-half year period.

Please consult the Film Studies entry for a listing of courses and program requirements.

Popular Culture

Popular Culture is a series of critical and historical courses which examines popular culture and its relation to folk, mass and high culture. Popular Culture is studied in its wide variety of forms (including film, television, literature, music and advertising) and its economic, political and historical contexts.

The Popular Culture program also offers a Co-op stream available for interested and qualified students. The Co-op stream combines academic and work terms over a four-year period.

Please consult the Popular Culture entry for a listing of courses and program requirements.