Explicit Course Syllabi (Core courses only)
A. Undergraduate Course Syllabi
COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES
Communications Studies 201: Introduction to Communications Studies
Objectives: To introduce students to theories generated to explain a variety of
communications contexts, from interpersonal and small group communication to
organizational, public and mass communication. It also illustrates the different
intellectual traditions from the humanities and social sciences that have converged to
create the field. In so doing it introduces the concept of academic disciplines itself.
Communications Studies 335: Mass Communication and Canadian Society
Objectives: This course (shared in common with the Canadian Studies program)
examines the historical development and current role of newspapers, magazines,
television, radio, and new technology as purveyors of social and cultural values. The
course will introduce students to the theoretical literature on various aspects of the media,
including public policy questions such as the concentration of media ownership,
Canadian content requirements, censorship, the role of the media during elections, and
the problems and opportunities that have been and may be brought by advances in
technology.
Communications Studies 361: Written and Spoken Discourse
Objectives: to teach principles of effective argumentation in both written and spoken
forms. Classical rhetoric, modern public speaking and composition theory inform the
course. Topics include building effective arguments, understanding audiences, using
different organizational structures, audio-visual aids, style, and critical analysis of
argument.
Communications Studies 380: History of Communication and Information
Technology
(Restricted to students in the Communications Studies Major and Minor programs)
Objectives: This course provides a historical perspective on the development of
communications technologies as a means of understanding the social impact of current
technologies. The course introduces key theories about the relationship between largeorder changes in society and human culture and changes in communications media from
orality through manuscript and print literacy, the mass media and new information
technologies.
Communications Studies 441: Cultural Studies in Communication
(Restricted to students in the Communications Studies Major and Minor programs)
Objectives: This course examines how communication, primarily through the mass
media, builds, maintains and reproduces culture. Theories linking communication with
politics and ideology are examined and a critical perspective is cultivated.
Statistics Course
Students must take any statistics course offered across the campus as a prerequisite to
Communications Studies 451. The objective of this requirement is to give students a
basic understanding of how statistical methods can be used to generate knowledge,
whether or not they actually enter an area of Communications Studies which is
quantitatively driven.
Communications Studies 451: Research in Communications
Objectives: This course introduces students to a variety of research methods,
concentrating on the empirical traditions of surveys and interviews, experiments and
content analysis - that is, traditions relying on observation and experiment.. These
methodologies are studied against the background of the key theoretical tradition in
which they are situated.
Communications Studies 461: History and Applications of Rhetoric
(Restricted to students in the Communications Studies Major and Minor Programs)
Objectives: This course teaches explicitly many of the classical and modern theories of
rhetoric that underpin COMS 361. Students continue to develop their skills in writing
and public speaking in a variety of modes. They also become familiar with rhetorical
theories and practices that date from the beginnings of civil democratic society in
classical Greece, and use them as the subject matter of their essays and speeches.
Emphasis is placed on how changes in understanding of persuasion throughout history
reflect changing philosophies of language and changing understandings of how people
come to know and believe.
Communications Studies 591: Senior Seminar in Communications Studies
(Restricted to students in the BA Communications Studies Major Program)
Objectives: This final, capstone course is intended to bring together the various
approaches to communication studied throughout the program. Students will undertake a
major project that explores the ways in which communication builds social and cultural
values. This project will draw on much of the theory and method covered in earlier
classes, and will involve an experiential component requiring direct observation of a
communications event or set of events. Topics will vary from section to section in order
to take advantage of the instructor's research interests and expertise.
Communications Studies 580:
(Restricted to students in the BCS program)
Objectives: This final, capstone seminar for students in the BCS degree program is
intended to provide them with the opportunity to integrate the theory and critical analysis
of their university courses with the production standards and professional practices of
their diploma program. Students are required to do two primary projects, one an
independent research project, the other a group project culminating in the multimedia
presentation.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STUDIES
General Studies 300: Heritage I – Perspective
Introduction to the interrelationships of disciplines, ideas and problems within
contemporary life and their roots in Western European thought using primary source
material in literature, philosophy and religion, science and technology, political,
economic and social thought and the arts. Emphasis will be placed on understanding and
critically evaluating the context of thought within which individuals raised in the Western
European tradition think and view the world. Relationships to non-Western European
tradition will be discussed.
General Studies 500: Heritage II - Integration
A continuation of General Studies 300 emphasizing the integration of information
acquired during the student's undergraduate career, developing interrelationships among
the different subject areas that have dominated the Western European tradition, and
exploring how these relationships might change in the future.
History 477: History of Science
Historical development of ideas about the natural world from the ancient myths and
philosophies of the Middle East and Greece through the time of Galileo. Emphasis on the
emergence of Greek science, science in the Middle Ages, and the Copernican Revolution.
Historical development of post-Galilean science: the mechanical philosophy, Descartes,
Boyle, Newton; 18th-century Newtonianism; the rise of the theory of evolution, Darwin,
genetics through the discovery of DNA. Includes two components:
477.01. History of Science, Ancient Times to Galileo
477.02. History of Science, 17th to 20th Centuries
Philosophy 367: Science and Philosophy
For students in any discipline who would like to understand some of the fundamental
principles of scientific enquiry. Topics will include scientific explanation, theory,
prediction and confirmation.
Science, Technology and Society 325: Technology Within Contemporary Society
Definitions of technology; theories of technology/society interaction; innovation and
waves of technological change; technology as a system; automation and "post-industrial"
society; impact of new technology on work; growth and its limits; alternative technology;
energy technology; biotechnology and the Green Revolution; human reproductive
technology; information technology; controlling technology; ethical problems in
technology.
Science and Technology Studies 327: Science in Society
A case study analysis of the practice of science as a human activity. The theories linking
the emergence of modern science to western culture are considered. An analysis of ideas
of the social structure of scientific activity including: the role of examples in forming
scientific theories, the value system of scientists in both basic research and applied
research environments, "individual genius" vs multiple discovery, and the influence of
"leading" figures. The linkages of scientific activity with other cultural dimensions are
explored and the bases for formulation of "science policy" are considered.
Science and Technology Studies 341: Information Technology and Society
A study of the implications of information technology for political, social and economic
organization, individual psychology, and concepts of knowledge. Historical, ethical and
legal implications will be discussed. Credit for both Science, Technology and Society
341 and any of Communications Studies 380, General Studies 304 (Bachelor of
Accounting Science 304), or General Studies 341 will not be allowed.
Science and Technology Studies 343: Canadian Science Policy and Technology
Development
Examination and analysis of Canadian science policy and technology development.
Factors which influence policies and strategies, and factors which should influence them.
Evaluation of success and failures through case studies and policy analysis.
Science and Technology Studies 591: Integrative Seminar
An integrative seminar on the central themes of science and technology studies. Students
must complete two of Science, Technology and Society 325, History 477.01, 477.02,
Philosophy 367, or Sociology 435 as prerequisites or obtain consent of the Faculty.
B. Graduate Course Syllabi
Note: Courses numbered 615-789 are offered on the basis of student needs and
contingent upon the availability of staff resources.
Communications Studies 601: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Communications
Studies
A foundation seminar that provides an introduction to the field of communication
theories and approaches.
Communications Studies 603: Critical Perspectives on Television and Film
A seminar that explores theories and perspectives with regard to television and film.
Communications Studies 605: Organizational Communication
An examination of the application of theory and methodology of administrative
communication processes in complex organizations.
Communications Studies 609: Communication Law
An examination of the operation of Canadian law as it relates to the areas of
telecommunications, broadcasting and other media.
Communications Studies 613: Communication Theory
An examination of the major perspectives in communication theory through a historical
analysis of classic works and an overview of contemporary approaches and applications.
Communications Studies 615: Communication Research Methods
Designed to provide a fundamental understanding of empirical research in
communication. Focus will be on published, data-based research.
Communications Studies 619 : Communication and Cultural Industries: Policy and
Development
An analysis of the governmental and social contexts which inform the current
development of telecommunications, communications, cultural industries and new media
in Canada.
Communications Studies 623: Social and Economic Impacts of Communication and
Information Technologies
An examination of the social context of information and communication technologies
with regard to patterns of knowledge, power and social relationships.
Communications Studies 625: Interpersonal and Small Group Communication
An examination of the theory and research concerning communication processes in faceto-face and small group interaction. Provides opportunities to develop effective practical
skills.
Communications Studies 627: Mass Media and Democracy in North America
A discussion of how politicians use the media to campaign for office and retain power.
Also considers the effects of communication technologies on the nature of democratic
politics.
Communications Studies 629: Communication Management
An examination of communication management in business organizations. Looks at
topics such as marketing, public relations and advertising in the context of rapidly
changing business environments.
Communications Studies 641: Intercultural and International Communication
An examination of cultural/communication issues and practices in Canadian and
international contexts. Examines the role of media systems in processes of culture,
development and identity formation.
Communications Studies 711: Directed Studies
A research project under the direction of a faculty member.
Note: May be repeated for credit once.
Communications Studies 717: Selected Topics in Communication
A variety of communication topics based on faculty expertise.
Note: May be repeated for credit.
Communications Studies 790: Master's Project
A full year course required of all MCS students. Students develop a major research
project under the supervision of a faculty member, on the basis of their particular interest.