Communication Studies (CMNS) 402

Overview

Students of this course will develop a working knowledge of the recent history and current realities of media systems in North and Latin America. The course helps students evaluate the roles of mass media in different types of societies, economies and political systems. Using case studies from Mexico, Brazil, the United States, and Canada, the course examines issues of imported technology; the relations between mainstream and alternative media; international communication and national development; and the relationship between media, democracy, and developed nations.

Course Objectives

Students completing CMNS 402 should be able to achieve the following objectives:

1. Understand the complex roles of the media in the Western Hemisphere, and recognize and discuss specific aspects and issues within specific historical, political and economic contexts.
2. Analyse both content and context of media: these include messages and channels, as well as common patterns of relationship between media, technology, state, audiences, institutions.
3. Analyse significant media structures with reference to relations of social power in each type of society.
4. Assess ideological agendas about media systems and international communications policies in the context of current and future developments.

Outline

Part I provides an overview of the history, issues, and study of international communications in the post-WWII period. Parts II and III focus on the North and South respectively.

Part I: Introduction to the Study of Media Systems

• Unit 1: Mass Media in the Americas: Questions of Political Economy
• Unit 2: International Communication and National Development
• Unit 3: North and South: Channeling Information Flows

Part II: The North—The United States and Canada

• Unit 4: Overview: Media, Democracy and Developed Nations
• Unit 5: The United States: Mainstream Media
• Unit 6: The United States: Alternative Media
• Unit 7: Canada: Mainstream Media
• Unit 8: Canada: Alternative Media

Part III: The South: Latin America

• Unit 9: Overview: Communication Issues in Latin America
• Unit 10: Mexico and Brazil: Media, Politics and Paradox
• Unit 11: Imported Technology, Local Production
• Unit 12: Instruments of Struggle: Alternative Media
• Unit 13: Conclusion: A New World Information Order?

Evaluation

To receive credit for CMNS 402, you must complete all assignments and achieve a grade of at least 50 per cent on each of the written assignments, and obtain a course composite grade of at least "D" (50 percent). The weighting of the composite mark is as follows:

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

Other materials

The course materials also include a study guide, student manual, and a reading file.

Special Course Feature

Students registered in this course may take part in computer conferencing.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the CMNS 402 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on the examination.

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form