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School of Communication | Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology Simon Fraser University Calendar | Summer 2024

Dialogue Minor

This program offers a unique concentration of courses enabling students to focus on the conceptual framework, technique and practice of creating, sustaining and evaluating dialogue. The relationship of dialogue with public issues is highlighted, along with the role and effect of dialogue in various forms such as co-operation, controversy and confrontation.

Admission Requirements

Admission is subject to enrollment limitations.

Applicants will have a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) upon completion of 50 units.

Continuance Requirements

A minimum 2.75 CGPA is required to remain in good standing in this program.

Program Requirements

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum of 18 upper division units.

All students must complete

DIAL 390W - Semester: Dialogue (5)

The Dialogue component of the Semester in Dialogue will immerse students in the art and practice of thinking and communicating. The focus will be on strategies and methods to use in understanding diverse perspectives. Students will have an opportunity to expand their verbal and written communication skills as well as explore dialogue as a developing academic field. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students should apply prior to the term in which they wish to enroll. Students can be accepted into either the Summer Institute in Dialogue (DIAL 390W and 391W, 10 units) or the Semester in Dialogue (fall or spring term, DIAL 390W, 391W and 392W, 15 units), but not both. Students with credit for DIAL 393 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Hum/Soc Sci.

DIAL 391W - Semester: Seminar (5)

Topics covered each term will vary, but generally each course will examine a subject that encourages broad approaches and probes provocative issues. The course will consist of discussions led by faculty, frequent visits from relevant off-campus experts, a heavy reading load, and a number of individual and group student projects. Learning will be active rather than passive, stimulating students to research, explore and discuss rather than following a lecture format. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students should apply prior to the term in which they wish to enroll. Students can be accepted into either the Summer Institute in Dialogue (DIAL 390W and 391W, 10 units) or the Semester in Dialogue (fall or spring semester, DIAL 390W, 391W and 392W, 15 units) but not both. Students with credit for DIAL 394 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Hum/Soc Sci.

Or

DIAL 393 - Semester In (Dialogue Component) (5)

The Dialogue component of the Semester In will immerse students in the art and practice of thinking and communicating. The focus will be on strategies and methods to use in understanding diverse perspectives. Prerequisite: 45 units or permission of instructor. Corequisite: DIAL 394. Students with credit for DIAL 390W may not take this course for further credit.

DIAL 394 - Semester In (Seminar Component) (5)

Topics covered each term will vary, but generally each course will examine a subject that encourages broad approaches and probes provocative issues. Learning will be active rather than passive, stimulating students to research, explore and discuss. Prerequisite: 45 units or permission of instructor. Corequisite: DIAL 393. Students with credit for DIAL 391W may not take this course for further credit.

In addition to the requirements listed above, students must also complete

two of

CMNS 425 - Applied Communication for Social Issues (4)

An advanced seminar in applied communication that focuses on the research and strategic design of media messages, campaigns and programs for public awareness, education, and social change. This course involves the application of theories and approaches in critical media analysis to the tasks of media design and media use for public understanding, engagement and participation around social issues. Prerequisite: 26 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 60 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

CMNS 432 - Political Communication, Public Opinion and Political Marketing (4)

Examines the core paradox of the political discourse in a democratic society today. Despite rising levels of education and citizen access to 24-hour news, public affairs and contemporary forms of satire, voting turnout in most advanced democracies is declining. We look at how politics is defined and meaning is mediated within the communicative public sphere during and between elections. Prerequisite: 26 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 60 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00. Students with credit for CMNS 486 under this topic may not take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
B100 Daniel Ahadi
May 7, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
May 14, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
May 21, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
May 28, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Jun 4, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Jun 11, 2024: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Jun 13, 2024: Thu, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
Burnaby
Burnaby
Burnaby
Burnaby
Burnaby
CMNS 437 - Media Democratization: From Critique to Transformation (4)

An advanced seminar on the normative debates, social bases, and strategic potential for media democratization in the context of economically developed liberal democracies like Canada and the United States. This course complements other courses which critically examine state communication policies and the political economy and allegedly ideological character of corporate media. Here, we focus on campaigns and movements in civil society to define and build alternative communicative forms based on equality, democratic participation and/or human rights. Prerequisite: 26 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 60 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00. Students with credit for CMNS 428 or 487 under the same title may not take this course for further credit.

CMNS 447 - Negotiation and Dialogue as Communication (4)

This course provides frameworks and tools with which to understand and evaluate negotiation as a form of communication. The objective of the course is to provide an understanding of the role of communication in the negotiating process, and the consequences of different kinds of negotiation strategies in intercultural, international, competitive, and conflictual situations. It combines theoretical discussion with practical case studies, involves guest negotiators and analysts, and provides an appreciation of the world-wide scale and importance of negotiation as a basis for clarifying relationships. Prerequisite: 26 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 60 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

CMNS 460 - Seminar in Dialogue and Public Issues (4)

Focuses on the practical tools and conceptual approaches used in dialogue, with comparisons of the role and impact of dialogue among community, government, corporate, union, First Nations, legal-regulatory, advocacy groups and organizations. Emphasis is on interaction among interest groups and stakeholders, cultures of negotiation and decision-making, techniques of facilitation, and strategies for effective outcomes. This course can be repeated for credit up to a maximum of three times, if topic studied is different. Prerequisite: 26 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 60 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00. Students with credit for DIAL 460 may not take this course for further credit.

CMNS 461 - Field Placement in Dialogue (3)

Students work under faculty supervision in a placement where dialogue is planned or where dialogue occurs. Arrangements are the responsibility of the student, and enrollment is limited. This course can be repeated for credit up to a maximum of three times, if topic studied is different. Prerequisite: 75 units including CMNS 460 with a minimum grade of C-. Students with credit for DIAL 461 may not complete this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 TBD
D200 TBD
DIAL 392W - Semester: Final Project (5)

For their final project, each student will produce a manuscript suitable for submission to a major public media outlet on a topic relevant to the course focus for that term. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students should apply prior to the term in which they wish to enroll. Students can be accepted into either the Summer Institute in Dialogue (DIAL 390W and 391W, 10 units) or the Semester in Dialogue (fall or spring semester, DIAL 390W, 391W and 392W, 15 units), but not both. Students with credit for DIAL 395 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Hum/Soc Sci.

or DIAL 395 - Semester In (Final Project Component) (5)

Students will develop a class-wide final project, including conception, design, implementation and a final report. As well, each student will present a final individual project, to be designed with faculty. Prerequisite: 45 units or permission of instructor. Corequisite: DIAL 393 and DIAL 394. Students with credit for DIAL 392W may not take this course for further credit.

DIAL 461 - Field Placement in Dialogue (3)

Students work under faculty supervision in a placement where dialogue is planned or where dialogue occurs. Arrangements are the responsibility of the student, and enrollment is limited. Prerequisite: 45 units and permission of instructor. Students with credit for CMNS 461 may not complete this course for further credit.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for the above-mentioned CMNS courses may be waived in consultation with an undergraduate advisor.

Course Credit in Other Programs

Upper division CMNS courses completed for the Dialogue Minor may not count as part of the CMNS units for an honours, joint major, major, extended minor or minor (in communication).

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
Two courses (total six units or more) Humanities: B-Hum
Two courses (total six units or more) Sciences: B-Sci

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.