Communications Studies

This program is co-ordinated by the Department of Communications, Popular Culture and Film

Chair

Marian Bredin

Undergraduate Program Adviser

Russell Johnston

Director, Co-operative Programs

Cindy Dunne

General Information

Administrative Assistant

Bridget Cahill

905-688-5550, extension 4290

Scotia Bank Hall 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 is an interdisciplinary program that 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 focuses 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 views information technology and digital media as integral components of contemporary social and cultural practices. Primary emphasis is placed on the study of new media in relation to communications theory. Students also have opportunities to explore these topics and theories in applied settings.

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. Each Co-op stream combines academic and work terms over a four-year period. Students spend two years in an academic setting, where they acquire the necessary background prior to taking the first work placement. In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, Communications Studies Co-op students are assessed an annual administrative fee (see the Schedule of Fees).

Students admitted to the Communications Studies Co-op program must follow the Co-op program schedule. Failure to adhere to the schedule may result in removal from the Communications Studies Co-op program. Eligibility to continue is based on the student's major average and non-major average. A student with a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average will be permitted to continue. A student with a major average lower than 70 percent will not be permitted to continue in the Communications Studies Co-op program. If a student subsequently raises his/her major average to 70 percent, the student may be readmitted only if approved by the Co-op Admissions Committee.

The Communications Studies Co-op program designation will be awarded to those students who have honours standing and who have successfully completed a minimum of twelve months of Co-op work experience.

Program Notes

Honours Program

Business Communications stream

Year 1

	COMM 1F90
	FILM 1F94
	MGMT 1P51 and 1P52
	POLI 1F90
	one Science context credit

Year 2

	COMM 2F50, 2P15, 2P20 and 2P65
	one-half COMM credit
	MKTG 2P51 and 2P52
	one elective credit (see program note 3)

Year 3

	COMM 2F98, 3P15, 3P62 and 3P65
	one-half COMM credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
	OBHR 2P51 and 2P52
	one elective credit

Year 4

	One credit from COMM 4P17, 4P23, 4P30, 4P31, 4P50, 4P51, 4P55, 4V50-4V59
	one COMM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	two credits from COMM 4P55, ENTR, MGMT, MKTG, OBHR numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one elective credit

Communications Policy stream

Year 1

	COMM 1F90
	ENGL 1F91, 1F95 or FILM 1F94
	MGMT 1P51 and 1P52 or SOCI 1F90
	POLI 1F90
	one Science context credit

Year 2

	COMM 2F50, 2P15, 2P20,2P21 and 2P26
	POLI 2F12
	one elective credit

Year 3

	COMM 2F98, 3P14, 3P15, 3P20 and 3P21
	one COMM credit
	one elective credit

Year 4

	One credit from COMM 3P93, 4P17, 4P32, 4P55
	two credits from COMM 3P93, 4F80, 4F99, 4P17, 4P23, 4P30, 4P31, 4P32, 4P50, 4P51, 4P55, 4V50-4V59
	one COMM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one elective credit

Information Technology stream

Year 1

	COMM 1F90
	COSC 1P02 and 1P03
	ENGL 1F95 or FILM 1F94
	POLI 1F90 or SOCI 1F90
	one Science context credit

Year 2

COMM 2F50, 2P15, 2P20 and 2P26

COSC 1P95, 1P96 and 2P50

one elective credit (see program note 2)

Year 3

	COMM 2P90, 2P91, 3P14, 3P15 and 3P90
	COSC 2P89 and 3P94
	one of COMM 2P14, 2P65, 3P63, 3P65, 3P92
	one elective credit

Year 4

	Two credits from COMM 4F80, 4F99, 4P17, 4P22, 4P23, 4P30, 4P31, 4P50, 4P51, 4P55, 4V50-4V59
	two COMM credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one elective credit

Media and Culture stream

Year 1

	COMM 1F90
	ENGL 1F91 or 1F95
	FILM 1F94
	PSYC 1F90 or SOCI 1F90
	one Science context credit

Year 2

	COMM 2F50, 2P15, 2P20 and 2P21
	one COMM credit or one of FILM 2F90, LING 1F94, PSYC 2F20, 2F30, VISA 1F98
	one and one-half elective credits

Year 3

	COMM 3P14, 3P15, 3P20 and 3P21
	one COMM credit
	one COMM credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
	one elective credit

Year 4

	Two credits from COMM 4F80, 4F99, 4P17, 4P23, 4P30, 4P31, 4P50, 4P51, 4P55, 4V50-4V59
	two COMM credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one elective credit

Communications Studies Co-op (Honours only)

Students admitted to the Communications Studies Co-op Program must follow the program schedule as listed below. Failure to adhere may result in removal from the program.

Business Communications stream

Year 1

	COMM 1F90 and 2F50
	FILM 1F94
	MGMT 1P51 and 1P52
	POLI 1F90

Spring/Summer Sessions:

	COMM 2P20
	one-half COMM credit
	one elective credit

Year 2

	COMM 0N90, 2F98, 2P15 and 2P65
	one-half COMM credit
	one-half COMM credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
	MKTG 2P51 and 2P52
	OBHR 2P51 and 2P52

Spring/Summer Sessions:

COMM 0N01

Year 3

Fall Term:

	COMM3P15
	one COMM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one credit from COMM 4P55, ENTR, MGMT, MKTG, OBHR numbered 3(alpha)90 or above

Winter Term:

COMM 0N02

Spring/Summer Sessions:

	One Science context credit
	two elective credits

Year 4

Fall Term:

COMM 0N03

Winter Term:

	COMM 3P65
	one COMM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one credit from COMM 4P55, ENTR, MGMT, MKTG, OBHR numbered 3(alpha)90 or above

Communications Policy stream

Year 1

	COMM 1F90 and 2F50
	ENGL 1F91, 1F95 or FILM 1F94
	POLI 1F90
	one elective credit (MGMT 1P51 and 1P52 strongly recommended)

Spring/Summer Sessions:

	COMM 2P20 and 2P21
	one elective credit

Year 2

	COMM 0N90, 2F98, 2P15, 2P26, 3P14, 3P15, 3P20 and 3P21
	one elective credit (MKTG 2P51 and 2P52 strongly recommended)

Spring/Summer Sessions:

COMM 0N01

Year 3

Fall Term:

	One of COMM 3P93, 4P17, 4P32, 4P55
	one-half COMM credit
	one and one-half COMM credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above

Winter Term:

COMM 0N02

Spring/Summer Sessions:

	One Science context credit
	two elective credits

Year 4

Fall Term:

COMM 0N03

Winter Term:

	One of COMM 3P93, 4P17, 4P32, 4P55
	one-half COMM credit
	one and one-half COMM credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above

Information Technology stream

Year 1

	COMM 1F90 and 2F50
	COSC 1P02, 1P03, 1P95 and 1P96
	ENGL 1F95 or FILM 1F94

Spring/Summer Sessions:

	One Social Science context credit
	one elective credit

Year 2

	COMM 0N90, 2P15, 2P20, 2P26, 2P90, 2P91, 3P14 and 3P15
	COSC 2P50, 2P89 and 3P94

Spring/Summer Sessions:

COMM 0N01

Year 3

Fall Term:

	COMM 3P90
	one COMM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 and above
	one COMM credit numbered 4(alpha)00 and above

Winter Term:

COMM 0N02

Spring/Summer Sessions:

	One Science context credit
	two elective credits

Year 4

Fall Term:

COMM 0N03

Winter Term:

	COMM 3P65
	one COMM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one COMM credit numbered 4(alpha)00 or above

Media and Culture stream

Year 1

	COMM 1F90 and 2F50
	ENGL 1F91 or 1F95
	FILM 1F94
	PSYC 1F90 or SOCI 1F90

Spring/Summer Sessions:

	COMM 2P20 and 2P21
	one elective credit (MGMT 1P51 and 1P52 strongly recommended)

Year 2

	COMM 0N90, 2P15, 3P14, 3P15, 3P20, 3P21
	one COMM credit
	one COMM credit or one of FILM 2F90, LING 1F94, PSYC 2F20, 2F30, VISA 1F98
	one-half elective credit

Spring/Summer Sessions:

COMM 0N01

Year 3

Fall Term:

	One-half COMM credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
	one COMM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one COMM credit numbered 4(alpha)00 or above

Winter Term:

COMM 0N02

Spring/Summer Term:

	One Science context credit
	two elective credits

Year 4

Fall Term:

COMM 0N03

Winter Term:

	One-half COMM credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
	one COMM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
	one COMM credit numbered 4(alpha)00 or above

Pass Program

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the Honours program in any stream entitles a student to apply for a Pass degree.

Combined Major Program

Students may take a combined major in Communications Studies and a second discipline. For requirements in the other discipline, the student should consult the relevant department/centre. It should be noted that not all departments/centres provide a combined major option.

Honours

	COMM 1F90, 2F50, 2P15, 2P20, 2P21, 3P15, 3P20 and 3P21
	one credit from COMM 4P17, 4P23, 4P30, 4P31, 4P50, 4P51, 4P55
	two credits from COMM 2P90, 3P14, 3P17, 3P18, 3P65, 3P90, 3P92, 3P93, 4F80, 4F99, 4P17, 4P23, 4P30, 4P31, 4P32, 4P50, 4P51, 4P55

Pass

	COMM 1F90, 2F50, 2P20, 2P21, 3P14, 3P20 and 3P21
	one of COMM 2P90, 3P17, 3P65, 3P93

Minor in Professional Writing

With the exception of students in the Co-op streams, it is possible for Communications Policy and Media and Culture stream majors to earn a Minor in Professional Writing. For details see the calendar entry for the Department of English Language and Literature.

Description of Courses

Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.

# Indicates a cross listed course

* Indicates primary offering of a cross listed course

Prerequisites and Restrictions

Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.

COMM 1F90

Introduction to Communications

Approaches and issues in communications from both humanities and social science perspectives. Topics include the cultural use of symbols and signs, qualitative and quantitative mass media analysis, critical analysis of texts, the cultural character of the Canadian media and the impact of the media and media institutions upon society.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

COMM 2F50

Communications Theory

Systems theory, semiotic and cognitive approaches to message production and reception, symbolic interactionism and other constructivist approaches, interpersonal and group communication theories, communications analysis and theories of the mass media and their functions in society.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined), PCUL (single or combined) and FILM (single and combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide.

Prerequisite: one of COMM 1F90, FILM 1F94, PSYC 1F90, SOCI 1F90 or permission of the instructor.

*COMM 2F92

Popular Narrative

(also offered as ENGL 2F92 and PCUL 2F92)

Archetypal and mythic dimensions of popular literary genres such as the detective novel, Gothic fiction, science fiction, the romance novel; comparison and contrast with other media.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of COMM 1F90, one ENGL credit numbered 1(alpha)90 to 1(alpha)99, FILM 1F94 or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 2F95

Introduction to Digital Imaging

(also offered as VISA 2F95)

Basic concepts in two dimensional image creation and manipulation for print and the web. Systematic overview and project-based use of fundamental graphic software including Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, PageMaker and Dreamweaver.

Lectures, lab, 5 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and VISA (single or combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide.

Prerequisite: COMM 1F90, VISA 1P97 or permission of the instructor.

Note: enrolment limited to 15 students. Material fee required. Students may need additional materials that they must supply.

#COMM 2F98

Canadian Public Administration

(also offered as LABR 2F98 and POLI 2F98)

Political, legal and managerial dimensions of public administration. Topics include the structure and management of public organizations; government reform; political-bureaucratic relations; pressure groups; human resource and budgetary processes; the policy process; ethics and accountability.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of COMM 1F90, LABR 1F90 (1P91 and 1P92), one POLI credit numbered 1(alpha)90 to 1(alpha)99 or permission of the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in COMM (POLI) 3P50.

COMM 2M90-2M99

Special Studies in Communications

Topics selected on the basis of specific areas of instructional expertise and student interest.

#COMM 2P14

Technical Writing

(also offered as WRIT 2P14)

Processes of technical writing and editing. Document design for scientific, corporate and industrial communication. Practical experience in the production of technical documents.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one credit from COMM 1F90, ENGL 1(alpha)90 to 1(alpha)99, WRIT 1(alpha)80 to 1(alpha)99 or permission of the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in WRIT 2P15.

*COMM 2P15

Communications Research Methods

(also offered as PCUL 2P15)

Introduction to qualitative and quantitative methods for communications and popular culture research.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and PCUL (single and combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide.

Prerequisite: COMM 1F90 or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 2P16

Communication for Organizations

(also offered as WRIT 2P16)

Theory, strategies and practice of writing for both business and public organizations.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one credit from COMM 1F90, ENGL 1(alpha)90 to 1(alpha)99, WRIT 1(alpha)80 to 1(alpha)99 or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 2P18

Reporting and News Writing for Mass Media

(also offered as WRIT 2P18)

News gathering, writing and editing for print and electronic media; journalistic style and conventions; interviewing and other information-gathering techniques; editing basics.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to EWRT majors until date specified in BIRT guide.

Prerequisite: one credit from COMM 1F90, ENGL 1(alpha)90 to 1(alpha)99, WRIT 1(alpha)80 to 1(alpha)99 or permission of the instructor.

Note: students minoring in Writing may register prior to date specified in BIRT guide. Contact the Department.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in WRIT 3P09.

#COMM 2P20

Introduction to Popular Culture

(also offered as FILM 2P20 and PCUL 2P20)

Historical, theoretical and critical approaches to various forms of popular culture (film, music, television, literature, periodicals and advertising).

Lectures, seminar, lab, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined), FILM (single or combined) and PCUL (single or combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide.

Prerequisite: one of COMM 1F90, CANA 1F91, FILM 1F94 or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 2P21

Canadian Popular Culture

(also offered as FILM 2P21 and PCUL 2P21)

Survey of the media in Canada. Studies in the popular arts, with special reference to the ways that institutions (CBC, NFB) and selected artists identify and express a Canadian cultural imagination.

Lectures, seminar, lab, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined), FILM (single or combined) and PCUL (single or combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P20 or permission of the instructor.

*COMM 2P22

Media and Sport

(also offered as PCUL 2P22 and SPMA 2P22)

Representation of sport in film, television and advertising. Topics may include issues of race, gender, business, politics and ideology in both professional and non-professional sports.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined), PCUL (single or combined) and SPMA majors with a minimum of 5.0 overall credits or permission of the instructor.

COMM 2P26

The Information Society

Relationship between information technologies and social and political practices since the 19th century. Historical development of information technologies, role of technology in society, critical theory of technology, and concepts of control.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) until date specified in BIRT Guide.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P20.

COMM 2P51

Language and Communications

Interconnections between language and its cultural and communicative meanings in terms of their situational, interactional, and functional features.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite: COMM 1F90.

#COMM 2P54

Documentary Film

(also offered as FILM 2P54 and SOCI 2P54)

History, theory, aesthetics and cultural implications of documentary film and other media.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week; plus weekly film lab.

Prerequisite: one of FILM 1F94, COMM 1F90, SOCI 1F90 or permission of the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in COMM (FILM/SOCI) 2F54.

#COMM 2P55

Interpersonal Communication

(also offered as SOCI 2P55)

Perspectives on human communication including both verbal and non-verbal communication.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) majors and SOCI (single or combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide.

Prerequisite: COMM 1F90, SOCI 1F90 or permission of the instructor.

Note: students minoring in Sociology may register prior to date specified in BIRT guide. Contact the Sociology Department.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in RECL 3P14.

#COMM 2P56

Canadian Cinema

(also offered as FILM 2P56)

Critical and historical study of Canadian cinema.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week; plus weekly film lab.

Prerequisite: one of FILM 1F94, COMM 1F90, or permission of the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in COMM (FILM) 2F97.

COMM 2P65

Organizational Culture

Comparison of competing approaches and contemporary debates in cultural analysis of organizations.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to CSBC majors until date specified in BIRT guide.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P20.

COMM 2P90

Computer-Mediated Communication

Nature of computer-mediated commu-nication (CMC) and its role in social, educational and interpersonal contexts. Practicum component will introduce the technology and the methodologies that are essential to explore the potential of CMC.

Lectures, seminar, lab, 4 hours per week.

Prerequisite: COMM 1F90 or permission of the instructor.

COMM 2P91

Hypertext: Reading and Writing in New Spaces

Theory, philosophy and politics of Hypertext as a communicative mode. Topics include critical theory in a Hypertext context, changing perceptions of reader narrative, new forms of Hypertext fiction and Hypertext compared with other electronic textuality.

Lectures, seminar, lab, 4 hours per week.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P90 or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 2P94

Popular Cinema

(also offered as FILM 2P94 and PCUL 2P94)

Popular cinema as art and institution emphasizing film genres and cultural contexts.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week; plus weekly lab.

Prerequisite: FILM 1F94.

#COMM 3F10

Media Psychology

(also offered as PSYC 3F10)

Psychological aspects of media as entertainment and information, including social factors and cultural environments (sex, violence, sports, music, news, talk shows).

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and PSYC (single or combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite: COMM 1F90, PSYC 1F90 or permission of the instructor.

Note: students minoring in Psychology may register prior to date specified in BIRT guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

#COMM 3F28

Basic Production: Video

(also offered as FILM 3F28)

Introduction to the theory and practice of video techniques: critique of video and production work.

Workshops, seminar, 3 hours per week; additional production time as required.

Restriction: permission of the Department.

Prerequisite: two FILM credits.

Note: enrolment limited to 15 students. Materials fee required.

COMM 3F71

Internship in Communications Industries

Internship emphasizing the economic and social contexts of media organizations, businesses and technology systems.

Tutorial, 3 hours per week; plus internship placement time.

Restriction: open to COMM (Business Communications, Communications Policy and Information Technology stream) majors with a minimum of 10.0 overall credits, a minimum 70 percent major average, a minimum 60 percent non-major average and permission of the Undergraduate Program Adviser.

Note: students are responsible for arranging their placement with a prospective employer and arranging their course with a faculty supervisor, in consultation with the Undergraduate Program Adviser, before registration. Enrolment limited to a maximum of 15 students.

COMM 3P01

Directed Reading

Tutorial combined with one or more research papers or projects in an area of Communication Studies of mutual interest to the student and instructor.

Restriction: permission of the Undergraduate Program Adviser.

Note: students are responsible for arranging their course with a faculty member in consultation with the Undergraduate Program Adviser and must submit a written proposal signed by the faculty member to the Undergraduate Program Adviser before registration.

*COMM 3P14

Media Industries

(also offered as PCUL 3P14 and SOCI 3P14)

Media industries emphasizing Canadian media economics and public policy.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single and combined), PCUL (single and combined) and SOCI (single and combined) majors with a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P20 or SOCI 2P12.

*COMM 3P15

Media Analysis

(also offered as PCUL 3P15)

Introduction to methods of media analysis. Comparison of theoretical and methodological approaches to mass media content, production consumption, and reception.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and PCUL (single or combined) majors with a minimum of 8.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P15.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in COMM (PCUL/SOCI) 3P16.

#COMM 3P17

Politics and the Mass Media in Canada

(also offered as PCUL 3P17 and POLI 3P17)

Canadian mass media and their relationship to the political process.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite: COMM 2F50, one POLI credit numbered 1(alpha)90 to 1(alpha)99 or permission of the instructor.

*COMM 3P18

Audience Studies

(also offered as FILM 3P18 and PCUL 3P18)

Theoretical and methodological approaches to the understanding of audiences for media and cultural products, including print, sound, film, broadcasting, and digital media.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P15 and 2P20 or FILM 2F90.

#COMM 3P20

Television Studies

(also offered as FILM 3P20 and PCUL 3P20)

Historical, theoretical and critical approaches to television.

Lectures, seminar, lab, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined), FILM (single or combined), PCUL (single or combined) and STAC majors with a minimum of 9.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite: one of COMM 2P20 and 2P21, FILM 2F90 or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 3P21

Canadian Television

(also offered as FILM 3P21 and PCUL 3P21)

Historical theoretical and critical approaches to Canadian television.

Lectures, seminar, lab, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined), FILM (single or combined), PCUL (single or combined) and STAC majors with a minimum of 9.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite: COMM 3P20 or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 3P33

Psychology of Intergroup Behaviour

(also offered as PSYC 3P33)

Social psychological theories and research in the area of intergroup relations and intergroup conflict. Topics include realistic conflict theory, social identity theory, social exchange, relative deprivation and research on intergroup perceptions and attitudes. Current issues/controversies and implications for the resolution of intergroup conflict.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and PSYC (single or combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits or 3.0 PSYC credits above PSYC 1F90.

Prerequisite: PSYC 1F90

Note: students minoring in Psychology may register prior to date specified in BIRT guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

#COMM 3P54

Issues in Documentary Film

(also offered as FILM 3P54 and SOCI 3P54)

Advanced studies in selected aspects of documentary film and other media.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week; plus weekly film lab.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P54.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in COMM (FILM/SOCI) 2F54.

#COMM 3P56

Issues in Canadian Cinema

(also offered as FILM 3P56)

Advanced studies in selected aspects of Canadian cinema.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week; plus weekly film lab.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P56.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in COMM (FILM) 2F97.

COMM 3P62

Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications

Examination of the public relations process; role, functions, historical evolution and relevance to effective marketing communications strategy.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (Business Communications stream) majors with a minimum of 9.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite: MKTG 2P52.

*COMM 3P63

Desktop Publishing and Design

(also offered as WRIT 3P63)

Practicum in desktop publishing, layout and design.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and ENPW majors with a minimum of 9.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite: COMM 2F50, one WRIT credit numbered 2(alpha)00 or above or permission of the instructor.

COMM 3P65

Organizational Communication

Critical examination of the theories and practices relating to the process of communication in various organizational contexts.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) majors with a minimum of 9.0 overall credits.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P65.

#COMM 3P70

Popular Music and Society

(also offered as MUSI 3P70 and PCUL 3P70)

Critical approaches to popular music in its social, cultural, political, and economic contexts.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined), MUSI (single or combined), and PCUL (single or combined) majors with a minimum of 8.0 overall credits or permission of the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in COMM (MUSI/PCUL/POLI) 2P70.

#COMM 3P74

Geography and Gender

(also offered as GEOG 3P74 and WISE 3P74)

Work of feminist geographers. Relationship between gender and space with respect to the organization of the city, architecture of the home, design of the shopping mall, the media, fear, homelessness, gentrification and employment.

Lectures, seminar, 4 hours per week.

Prerequisite: one of COMM 2P20 and 2P21, GEOG 2P02, 2P03, 2P06, WISE 2P90, 2P91 or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 3P80

Psychology of Interpersonal Behaviour

(also offered as PSYC 3P80)

Social psychology of interpersonal attraction and relationships, as studied through experimental, correlational and longitudinal designs. Reinforcement, exchange, attributional, equity and balance models. Levels of relationships. Aspects of the maintenance and dissolution of relationships and of interpersonal psychopathology.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and PSYC (single or combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits or 3.0 PSYC credits above PSYC 1F90.

Prerequisite: PSYC 1F90.

Note: PSYC 2F30 recommended. Students minoring in Psychology may register prior to date specified in BIRT guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

#COMM 3P88

Words in the Mind

(also offered as PSYC 3P88)

Focus on the mental lexicon, including basic components, vocabulary, theories of meaning, metaphors and meaning, selecting and recognizing words in communication.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and PSYC (single or combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits or 3.0 PSYC credits above PSYC 1F90.

Prerequisite: one of COMM 1F90, LING 1F94, PSYC 1F90 or permission of the instructor.

Note: students minoring in Psychology may register prior to date specified in BIRT guide. Contact the Psychology Department.

COMM 3P90

Communication

Explorations of topics such as virtual communities, cyber-identity/identities and cyber-spirituality.

Lectures, lab, seminar, 4 hours per week.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P90 or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 3P92

Technology and Culture

(also offered as FILM 3P92 and PCUL 3P92)

Studies in the effects of technological change on cultural forms and the representations of technology in different media.

Lectures, lab, seminar, 4 hours per week.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P20, 2P21 or permission of the instructor.

*COMM 3P93

Media and Minorities

(also offered as PCUL 3P93 and SOCI 3P93)

Relations between mass media and minority groups in society including dominant representations and stereotypes of cultural, racial and sexual minorities and minority group access to alternative forms of media production.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week; plus weekly lab.

Prerequisite: one of COMM 2F50, COMM 2P21, SOCI 2P11 and 2P13 or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 3P94

Film and Television Genres

(also offered as FILM 3P94 and PCUL 3P94)

Genre theory and its application to popular film and television. Topics may include the western, situation comedy, docudrama, film noir or melodrama.

Lectures, lab, seminar, 4 hours per week.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P20 and 2P21.

#COMM 3P96

Issues in Popular Culture

(also offered as FILM 3P96 and PCUL 3P96)

Specialized studies in popular culture and its role in specific social, historical or theoretical contexts.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week, plus weekly lab.

Prerequisite: COMM 2P20 and 2P21 or FILM 2F90.

#COMM 3P97

Gender and Film

(also offered as FILM 3P97 and WISE 3P97)

Gendered narratives in classical Hollywood cinema to the late 1950s emphasizing film constructions of femininity and masculinity, and the implications of spectatorship and ideology within classical film.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week; plus weekly film lab.

Prerequisite: one of COMM 2P20 and 2P21, FILM 2F90, WISE 2P91 or permission of the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in COMM 3F97.

#COMM 3P98

Screened Women

(also offered as FILM 3P98 and WISE 3P98)

Woman-centred films from early to contemporary cinema by women directors from different countries, contextualized in issues of feminist film theory and paradigm shifts in female representation, ideology and spectatorship.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week; plus weekly film lab.

Prerequisite: one of COMM 2P20 and 2P21, FILM 2F90, WISE 2P91 or permission of the instructor.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in COMM 3F97.

#COMM 3Q99

Media: Fantasy and Reality

(also offered as PSYC 3Q99)

Media images and reality, the role of absorption as well as other personality and cognitive aspects of the experience of reality vs. fantasy, virtual reality, computer effects and images.

Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and PSYC (single or combined) majors until date specified in BIRT guide. Students must have a minimum of 8.0 overall credits or 3.0 PSYC credits above PSYC 1F90.

Prerequisite: COMM 1F90, PSYC 1F90 or permission of the instructor.

Note: students minoring in Psychology may register prior to date specified in BIRT guide. Contact the Department.

COMM 3V50-3V59

Special Topics in Communications Studies

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisites: COMM 2F50, 2P20 and 2P21 or permission of the instructor.

COMM 4F80

Directed Reading

Directed individual or group reading in an area of communications studies.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) majors with a minimum of 14.0 overall credits, a minimum 80 percent major average, approval to year 4 (honours) and permission of the Undergraduate Program Adviser.

Note: students are responsible for arranging their course with a faculty member in consultation with the Undergraduate Program Adviser and must submit a written proposal, signed by the faculty member, to the Undergraduate Program Adviser, before registration. The reading may not be on the topic or with the faculty member of the student's COMM 4F99 thesis.

COMM 4F99

Honours Thesis

Thesis to be based on individual study and research carried out under the supervision of a faculty adviser.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) majors with a minimum of 14.0 overall credits, a minimum 80 percent major average, approval to year 4 (honours) and permission of the Undergraduate Program Adviser.

Note: to register in the Honours thesis, the student must consult the Undergraduate Program Adviser about topics, department regulations and the selection of an adviser.

*COMM 4P17

Canadian Cultural and Communications Policy

(also offered as PCUL 4P17)

Historical perspectives on the development of government policies affecting the arts, cultural industries, public and private broadcasting in Canada.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and PCUL (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours) or permission of the instructor.

COMM 4P22

Technology, Change and Curriculum

Impact of technology and the information age on society and schools and the need to reflect resulting changes in school curriculum.

Lectures, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (Information Technology stream) majors with approval to year 4 (honours) and permission of the Undergraduate Program Adviser.

Note: enrolment limited.

#COMM 4P23

Research on Media and Popular Culture

(also offered as PCUL 4P23 and SOCI 4P23)

Advanced research seminar on the relations between mass media and popular culture.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined), PCUL (single or combined) and SOCI (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours) or permission of the instructor.

Prerequisite: COMM 3P14 or 3P15 (3P16).

*COMM 4P30

Theories of Mass Culture

(also offered as FILM 4P30 and PCUL 4P30)

Studies in cultural theory and its application to mass media texts, with special reference to the work of the Frankfurt School, French Structuralism and British Cultural Studies.

Lectures, lab, seminar, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined), FILM (single or combined) and PCUL (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours) or permission of the instructor.

*COMM 4P31

Theories of the Visible

(also offered as FILM 4P31 and PCUL 4P31)

Central 20th-century developments in theories of visibility and their relevance to the field of media studies.

Lectures, lab, seminar, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined), FILM (single or combined) and PCUL (single or combined) with approval to year 4 (honours) or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 4P32

Comparative Mass Media

(also offered as POLI 4P32)

Selected problems concerning the mass media and the political process in Canada and other countries.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and POLS (single or combined) majors with a minimum of 14.0 overall credits and either a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average or approval to year 4 (honours).

Prerequisite: COMM 3P17 or permission of the instructor.

COMM 4P50

Ethnography of Communication

Anthropological approaches to cultural variations in communications, particularly verbal communication. Purposes to which speech is put and the way it is organized for these purposes in different cultural contexts.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours) or permission of the instructor.

COMM 4P51

Language and Power

Role of language in the creation and maintenance of ideology and power structures. Topics include political rhetoric, religious discourse, language in the professions (law, medicine).

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours) or permission of the instructor.

*COMM 4P55

Advertising, Mass Media and Culture

(also offered as PCUL 4P55)

Historical research into the development of Canadian advertising practices in an international context. Evaluation of the cultural and economic impact of advertising on the mass media and the role of advertising in the formation of a consumer culture.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) and PCUL (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours) or permission of the instructor.

COMM 4P60

Directed Project in Information Technology

Supervised training in information technology through placement in a public or private sector organization.

Restriction: open to COMM (Information Technology stream) majors with a minimum of 14.0 credits, a minimum 80 percent major average, approval to year 4 (honours) and permission of the Undergraduate Program Adviser.

Note: enrolment limited.

COMM 4V50-4V59

Research in Communications Studies

Special topics in communications studies.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours) or permission of the instructor.

#COMM 4V53

2004-2005: Representing Modern Scotland

(also offered as FILM 4V53 and PCUL 4V53)

Social and cultural makeup of Scotland and its representation in film, television, fiction, and theatre; economics of cultural production in Scotland and comparisons with the Canadian situation.

Lectures, lab, seminar, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined), FILM (single or combined) and PCUL (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours) or permission of the instructor.

COMM 4V54

Functions of Technology in Organizations

Advanced seminar on the functions of information technology in diverse organizational settings, its effectiveness in maintaining employee professional development, and its influence on attitude, behaviour and work practices.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM (single or combined) majors with approval to year 4 (honours) or permission of the instructor.

CO-OP COURSES

COMM 0N01

Co-op Work Placement I

First co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to COMM Co-op students.

COMM 0N02

Co-op Work Placement II

Second co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to COMM Co-op students.

COMM 0N03

Co-op Work Placement III

Third co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to COMM Co-op students.

COMM 0N04

Co-op Work Placement IV

Optional co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to COMM Co-op students.

COMM 0N05

Co-op Work Placement V

Optional co-op work placement (4 months) with an approved employer.

Restriction: open to COMM Co-op students.

COMM 0N90

Co-op Training and Development

Provides a framework for the development of learning objectives by students for individual work terms. Includes orientation to the co-op experience, goal setting, career planning, resumé preparation and interview skills preparation.

Lectures, presentations, site visits, 2 hours per week.

Restriction: open to COMM Co-op students.