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Communication Major
The School of Communication has a long-standing tradition of critical, interdisciplinary approaches to the study of media and technology, with a commitment to social theory and political economy. The school bridges the critical and the applied in its undergraduate programs, and is committed to offering students the opportunities and the means to explore, analyze and critically evaluate the complexities and interplay between the numerous and diverse dimensions of communication.
Admission Requirements
Applicants will have a minimum 2.50 communication grade point average (CMNS GPA) upon completion of at least three CMNS lower division courses at SFU, each with minimum C- grade, and a minimum 2.00 CGPA.
Continuance Requirements
A minimum 2.25 CMNS GPA and 2.00 CGPA is required to remain in good standing in the program.
CMNS course enrollment requires a C- grade or better in each prerequisite course.
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete all of
An introduction to selected theories about human communication. This course is required for a major, honours or minor in communication. Breadth-Social Sciences.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| OL01 |
Layla Cameron |
Online |
Introduces students to the creative practice of multimodal writing and content creation for communication and media studies. Topics may include: creativity and idea generation; media literacy in digital environments; writing conventions for various platforms and genres; analytical writing and scholarly argumentation; audio-visual production for popular audiences. Writing.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Jennesia Pedri |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
| D101 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D102 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D103 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D104 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D105 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D106 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An introduction to the forms, theories and institutions of communication as they relate to broader social change, with a focus on the political, economic and regulatory shifts characterizing Canadian and transnational media systems. This course is required for a major, honours or minor in communication.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| OL01 |
Byron Hauck |
Online |
and at least five 200 level CMNS courses, including
An introduction to empirical research methods in diverse traditions of communication enquiry. Some methods recognize communication as everyday interactions; others analyze communication as a process; still others blend traditional scientific empiricism with analytical and critical methods derived from the arts and humanities. Topics include: ethics, paradigms, conceptualizing and operationalizing research, sampling, interviews, surveys, unobtrusive observation, content analysis, and the role of statistics in communication research. Prerequisite: Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMNS 201 or CMNS 260 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Quantitative.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Pippa Adams Alicia Massie |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
| D101 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D102 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D104 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D106 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
An introduction to empirical research methods in diverse traditions of communication enquiry. Some methods recognize communication as everyday interactions; others analyze communication as a process; still others blend traditional scientific empiricism with analytical and critical methods derived from the arts and humanities. Topics include: ethics, paradigms, conceptualizing and operationalizing research, sampling, interviews, surveys, unobtrusive observation, content analysis, and the role of statistics in communication research. Prerequisite: Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMNS 201W or CMNS 260 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
An introduction to interpretive approaches in communication inquiry. Topics include ethics, paradigms, conceptualizing the research process, documentary research, historical methods, discourse or textual analysis, ethnographic research, and performative research. Prerequisite: Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for CMNS 262 may not take CMNS 202 for further credit.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| D100 |
Hoornaz Keshavarzian Xiaoxing Zhang |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
| D101 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D102 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D103 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
|
| D104 |
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
* completion of this quantitative (Q) course satisfies part of the university's Q requirement.
Upper Division Requirements
A minimum total of 44 upper division units are required, to include the following:
- Seven upper division CMNS courses, at least five must be taken at SFU.
- Minimum total of 28 upper division units in CMNS.
- Including a minimum of two 400 level CMNS courses, at least one must be taken at SFU.
- Including one upper division CMNS "W" course
Directed study and field placement courses may not be used to meet this requirement.
Elective Courses
Unless completing another program outside communication (e.g., minor, major, joint major, honours, extended minor), it is strongly recommended that students complete two upper division courses (minimum three units each) outside of communication, with a minimum C- grade in each.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to Simon Fraser University beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
| Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
| W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at Simon Fraser University within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each) |
|
| Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more) | |
| B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth |
Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division: Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc |
|
6 |
Additional Breadth |
Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
|
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through Simon Fraser University study.