Course

Introduction to Media and Communication Studies

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Communications
Course code
CMNS 1221
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Fall
Winter

Overview

Course description
The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to a range of theories that seek to explain why we communicate as we do. The course establishes a general overview of the field of Communications from both theoretical and historical viewpoints. We will examine the rise of technology studies in Media and Communication Studies and consider the way in which communication technologies (from speech to the Internet) have refashioned both human consciousness and culture. Focus will also be given to specific sub-fields within the area of communications, including the study of popular culture, media analysis, film studies, advertising, and the political economy of communication.
Course content

Students will be exposed to a representative sample of current theories within the discipline of media and communication studies. As an introductory course, content will provide a survey of major trends and theories across the three major sub-fields of communication: communication and technology, communication and culture, and the political economy of communications.


Topics may include:

  • Communications and Technology
  • The Toronto School
  • Media Ecology
  • The Frankfurt School
  • Mass and Popular Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Advertising and consumption practices
  • New Media and Society
  • Alternative Communications Infrastructure
Learning activities

Instruction will primarily be lecture and discussion format. Lectures will also include critical engagement with excerpts from TV shows, films, news media, and digital media. Large and small group discussions give students an opportunity to work with the ideas and theories presented throughout the semester.
Some or all of the following methods may be used:

  • Lecture/seminar
  • Media (including video and documentary film)
  • Discussion of class readings and materials
  • Independent research
  • Group discussion and debate
  • Student-provided materials
Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation must be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. The exact means of assessment will be responsive to the adjusting media landscape.

  • Short and mid-sized assignments: 25%
  • Research paper/presentation: 25%
  • Midterm exam: 20%
  • Final exam: 20%
  • Attendance and participation: 10%
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify the major sub-fields of media and communication studies
  2. Summarize and explain major theories, message production, and audience reception
  3. Analyze issues in contemporary media and communication studies
  4. Evaluate how mass media and new (digital) media influence political, economic and social considerations
  5. Analyze how mass media and new (digital) media influence cultural production, social development, and interactions
  6. Explain and illustrate how technology influences communication
  7. Read and write competently within a variety of academic genres
  8. Assess communication theories for testability, usefulness, completeness, simplicity and presence of value assumptions
Textbook materials

There is no assigned textbook for this course. Readings will be made available to students, including canonical readings and recent peer-reviewed journal articles.

Requisites

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for CMNS 1221
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO CMNS 1XX (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU CMNS 112 (3)
Columbia College (COLU) COLU CMNS 110 (3)
Coquitlam College (COQU) COQU CMNS 110 (3)
Fraser International College (FIC) FIC CMNS 110 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) No credit
Langara College (LANG) LANG CMNS 1XXX (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU CMNS 110 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) No credit
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU MCOM 1XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO ELEV_O 1st (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV ELEV_V 1st (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC ENGL 1XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV MACS 110 (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC WRIT 1XX (1.5)

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
35
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
2
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1711
Times:
Start Time
9:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
35
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
34
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-