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Digital Journalism

Certificate

This program provides an introduction to and experience in diverse forms of public communication that draw on journalistic traditions that are being transformed by digital platforms and data driven communication.

Admission Requirements

A student in any faculty at SFU may declare this certificate through the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology. Normal university grade point average requirements apply for entry into all FCAT courses.

Program Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 21 units, including core courses and elective courses in digital journalism at SFU.

For this certificate, students may take a maximum of two courses from CA, CMNS, or IAT.

Units applied to one certificate may be applied also to major or minor programs of a bachelor’s degree under the normal regulations governing those programs but may not be applied to another Simon Fraser University certificate or diploma.

Students who wish to complete upper division courses must ensure that they have the prerequisites and be aware that some courses may have limited enrollments.

Core Courses

Students will complete at least three of

CA 149 - Sound (3)

Introduction to acoustics, psychoacoustics, sound synthesis, audio sampling and signal processing, and sound production in general as relating to music, film sound, radio, new media, art installations and live performance. Students who have taken CA (or FPA) 184 cannot take CA (or FPA) 149 for further credit. Students with credit for FPA 149 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
OL01 Online
CA 186 - Art and the Moving Image (3)

Introduces the many ways artists have employed moving images across artistic disciplines. By the completion of the course students should have a good sense of both the historical innovations and traditions in moving-image arts as well as the use of moving images in the contemporary art scene. Students with credit for FPA 186 may not take this course for further credit.

CMNS 110 - Introduction to Communication Studies (3)

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
CMNS 120W - Creativity and Communication Across Media (3)

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
IAT 202 - New Media Images (3)

Explores the computational nature of technology as applied to contemporary art and design. It is a studio-based, media production course that explores new forms of art and design that are mediated by or modeled after computing processes as opposed to transforming or digitizing existing forms. Prerequisite: IAT 100 with a minimum grade of C- and a minimum of 21 units. Breadth-Humanities.

IAT 235 - Information Design (3)

Introduces theory and practice of designing visual representations of information. Students will learn to visually translate textual, numerical and evidentiary information so that it can be communicated to diverse user communities and contexts. An emphasis will be on understanding how the meaning of images can change over time and across contexts and cultures. Beginning with photographic images, interactive charts, graphs, and maps, projects progress to more complex information in media forms ranging from advanced aspects of the web to interactive 3D visualizations. The relationship between visual display is explored in relation to its technology of creation, including code and information architecture. Prerequisite: Completion of 21 units and IAT 102 with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
E100 May 6 – Jun 17, 2024: Wed, Fri, 6:00–7:50 p.m.
Surrey
E101 May 6 – Jun 17, 2024: Wed, Fri, 1:00–2:50 p.m.
Surrey
E102 May 6 – Jun 17, 2024: Wed, Fri, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
Surrey
PUB 101 - Publication of Self in Everyday Life (3)

An exploration of how social media have transformed social behaviour (presentation of self) into proto-publishing (publication of self) by encouraging greater public participation in publishing in all forms of publishing in society. Using online tracking to discern practices, attention is given to how social media contribute to the social identities of participants and how they affect social interaction.

PUB 201 - The Publication of Professional Self (3)

Social media are transforming the public behaviour of organizations into publishing activities focused on the management of their social identities. In the context of emerging conceptual frameworks, students will learn about, track, and discern social media practices, and then develop and implement strategies for interactions of organizations with governments, partners and rivals, consumers, citizens and society. Prerequisite: PUB 101.

and at least two of

CA 304 - Professional Practices in the Contemporary Arts (3)

Focus on understanding working life in the arts and culture sector as related to students’ own creative and scholarly practices. Prepares students for internships and practicums by building knowledge of potential working environments and approaches. Additional topics include career and job search as well as development of artistic projects. Prerequisite: 30 units in Contemporary Arts.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
E100 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Wed, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
GOLDCORP
CA 319W - Critical Writing in the Arts (3)

Examines aspects of critical writing associated with the historical and contemporary arts and encourages students to participate as writers in the artistic and cultural debates of their day. Forms examined will include but not be limited to reviews, articles, descriptive synopses for exhibition and festival programs, curatorial essays, project proposals and artists' statements. Prerequisite: 60 units including at least six units in CA (or FPA) history/theory courses. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 319 may not take this course for further credit. Students with credit for FPA 319W may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

CA 341 - Music and Culture (3)

The relationship of music and culture, with emphasis on traditional and contemporary music in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Indigenous cultures of North America. Specific cultural areas may be selected for intensive study in any particular term. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Prerequisite: 45 units.

CA 344 - Thinking and Writing About Sound (3)

An in-depth investigation of selected social, political, philosophical, and theoretical issues associated with contemporary music and the sonic arts. Topics such as sound and technology, popular music and the mass media, or critical issues in non-western and Indigenous music might also be considered. This course can be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: CA 140 or permission of instructor.

CMNS 235 - Digital Democracies (3)

Introduces students to the study of the relationship between public communication, information media practices and structures, and democracy. Examines the role of media and communication in existing and emerging democratic contexts, including print and electronic journalism, alternative media, public spheres, and the challenges of constructing and maintaining a democratic media and communication environment in Canadian and global contexts. Prerequisite: Nine CMNS units with a minimum grade of C-.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Byron Hauck
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Mon, 5:30–6:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMNS 313 - Topics in Data and Society (4)

Topics in the social, political, and cultural aspects of data and datafication. Explores social and philosophical implications of gathering, interpreting, and managing data. Topics include: data protection, visualization or sonification, data activism, big data, algorithmic bias and decision making, AI harms, big data, and the political economy of data. This course can be repeated once for credit (up to a maximum of two times). Prerequisite: 17 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 45 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

CMNS 314 - Topics in Media Production and Aesthetics (4)

Topics on the cultural production of acoustic, visual, and/or multimodal communication. Explores cultural contexts of media production, media artifacts, media perceptions, and alternative media practices. Topics include: advertising, film, gaming, radio, television, and questions of representation in media professions. This course can be repeated once for credit (up to a maximum of two times). Prerequisite: 17 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 45 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Christopher Jeschelnik
Jun 25 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 Jun 25 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, Thu, 1:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Jun 25 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, Thu, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
CMNS 316 - Topics in Popular Cultures and Public Communication (4)

Topics on public and popular cultures with a focus on social, political, and cultural dynamics. Explores audiences, publics, and institutions at a global, national, and/or local level. Topics vary and may address themes like: news, music, public media, advertising, sports, childhood, youth cultures, art, and everyday life. This course can be repeated once for credit (up to a maximum of two times). Prerequisite: 17 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 45 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
D100 Ahmed Al-Rawi
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D101 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D102 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
D103 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Thu, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D200 Darren Fleet
May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Vancouver
D201 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
Vancouver
D202 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Vancouver
D203 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Vancouver
D204 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Vancouver
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 426 - Video Design for Social Communication (4)

This workshop examines the growing role that video is playing in a variety of public relations, industrial, advocacy and educational contexts. The emphasis of this course is on issues of communication design in relation to the goals and values in specific communication forums. Prerequisite: 26 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 60 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

IAT 313 - Narrative and New Media (3)

Explores the role of narrative in various media and New Media environments, from traditional linear environments and multi-linear and networked media environments. Examines the relationship of narrative elements in the light of the practice and the aesthetics of New Media. It will include an overview of New Media theorists. Prerequisite: Completion of 48 units.

IAT 344 - Moving Images (4)

Reviews and consolidates the fundamentals of digital video production, including camera and composition skills, the role of sound, lighting, and continuity and montage editing. Students will review and analyze works from traditional cinema and from contemporary digital video. The course will reinforce fundamental skills and extend the student's abilities to use a range of digital production, post-production, and presentation techniques. Prerequisite: Minimum of 48 units and IAT 202 with a minimum grade of C-.

and two of

PUB 210W - Professional Writing Workshop (3)

University-level skills and practice in writing clear, concise, logical, and direct text suited to particular purposes. Students will learn to assess the rhetorical situation (audience, purpose, occasion) and identify the appropriate style, tone and format of writing for the situation, in writing reports, instructions, proposals, and presentations in both print and online environments. Students who have credit for PUB 210 may not take PUB 210W for further credit. Writing.

PUB 212 - Public Relations and Public Engagement (3)

A critical and applied approach to theories and practices of professional public engagement, with a focus on public relations. This course is problem-centred and issues-driven, and emphasizes the development of knowledge and skills of effective and strategic professional public engagement across a wide range of current and emerging media technologies, platforms, and communication environments. Prerequisite: 25 units; PUB 210W highly recommended.

PUB 332 - Graphic Design in Transition: Print and Digital Periodicals (4)

An in-depth study of the design methods fundamental to periodicals in print and in digital media. Students evaluate, and engage in the design and repurposing of publications, exploring current practices of content delivery online and through mobile devices. Emphasis is placed on innovative methods and design practices for screen-based publishing. Prerequisite: PUB 231.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
B100 TBD
B101 May 6 – Jun 17, 2024: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Vancouver
PUB 448 - Publishing and Social Change: Tech, Texts, and Revolution (4)

An exploration of the relationship between publishing and social change, both historically and today. This seminar explores the history of publishing and revolutions - democracy, science, abolition, feminism - as well as how students can use publishing techniques and skills to advocate for social and political issues in which they are engaged. Prerequisite: 60 units. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

PUB 458 - Journalism as a Publishing Problem (4)

Technological change is affecting the media and traditional publishing by disrupting its business model, methods of dissemination, and control. Students will gain foundational skills to begin to understand and evaluate these new publishing models with a specific focus on content, audience, and revenue creation. Prerequisite: 75 units. Students who have taken PUB 480 under the title "Journalism as a Publishing Problem" may not take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
BLS1 May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.