CMNA 399 Outline 2014/15 Spring

COURSE NUMBER:

CMNA 399

COURSE TITLE:

Special Topics in Communication Arts - 2014/15 Spring - Communications in the Canadian Context

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Josh Noble

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 0)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A course on a topic of figure of special interest to a member of the communication arts faculty and offered on a non-recurring basis.

Prerequisites: 3 credits of Drama or 3 credits of Communication Arts

2014/15 Spring

This course explores major historical themes and events related to the transfer of goods, services, and information before and after Canadian confederation. Specific attention is given to the importance of speed, distance, climate as students will reflect on the development of Canadian society, human geography, immigration, and culture as features shaped by the three forces identified above. This notion of a shaped society with systemic biases arising from the total communication infrastructure (both ‘natural’ and ‘man-made’) will be explored in trips to Edmonton’s river valley, Jasper, and through Northern BC on Canada’s first industrial communication infrastructure – railway.

Same as HIST 399

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Empire and Communications – Harold Innis; Citizens and Nation – Gerald Friesen

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:

Classroom contribution	10%
Paper 1 (5-6 pages)	15%
Paper 2 (7-8 pages)	20%
Paper 3 (10+ pages)	30%
Final Examination	25%

	100%

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To become acquainted with the manifest and latent effects of communications technology and infrastructure – particularly as it relates to geography – in nation building;
To better understand the Aboriginal experience of the land;
To understand the communications opportunities and threats pertinent to Canada;
To cultivate a Christian notion of land and place.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Monday, May 4: Classroom
Tuesday, May 5: Field trip

Travel the Edmonton River Valley – culminating in a trip to Fort Edmonton for a field opportunity to explore further concepts.

Wednesday, May 6: Field trip/Classroom

Travel to Ukrainian Village

Thursday, May 7: Classroom
Friday, May 8: To Jasper.

Drive to Jasper. Depart on Via Rail at 12:45PM – arrive in Prince George at 7:00PM. Stay night at HI Hostel or UNBC. *Tentative* Meet with Ted Binnema.

Saturday, May 9:

Depart on Via Rail at 8:00AM – arrive in Prince Rupert at 8:30PM. Stay night at HI Hostel in Prince Rupert

Sunday, May 10:

Depart on Via Rail at 8:00AM – arrive in Prince George at 8:30PM. Stay night at HI Hostel or UNBC.

Monday, May 11:

Depart on Via Rail at 9:45AM – arrive in Jasper at 6:30PM. Drive to Miette Hot Springs, then onto Edmonton.

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.