Course Number: CMNS 262
Course Title: Design and Method in Qualitative Communication Research
Credit Hours: 3 Vector: 2-1-0
Course Description
Examination of a wide range of approaches to research in media and cultural studies, including a discussion of ethical issues. Topics may include: historical methods, field work methods, textual analysis, case studies.
Prerequisite: CMNS 110 or 130.
Recommended: None.
Corequisite: None.
Special Instructions: Students who have credit for CMNS 286 in Spring 2004 may not take CMNS 262 for further credit.
Course(s) to be dropped if this course is approved: N/A
The School of Communication feels that our students need more than just quantitative and documentary research method course choices when pursuing a program of studies in CMNS. Qualitative methods are also required background for many of our upper division courses. Maximum credit hours in prereq to ensure students take this course early enough to prepare them for upper division course work in CMNS.
Will this be a required or elective course in the curriculum; probable enrolment when offered?
It will be an elective course. CMNS Majors, Honours, Joint Major and Extended Minor students are required to take two 200-level CMNS research methods courses as part of their degree programs. Enrollment when offered will probably be 75-90.
Indicate Semester and Year this course would be first offered and planned frequency of offering thereafter.
Which of your present CFL faculty have the expertise to offer this course? Will the course be taught by sessional or limited term faculty?
Course could be taught by numerous CMNS faculty members. Sessional or limited-term instructors would only be used if regular faculty members were unavailable (e.g., due to study leave).
Are there any proposed student fees associated with this course other than tuition fees?
Is this course considered a `duplicate' of any current or prior course under the University's duplicate course policy? Specify, as appropriate.
Note: Senate has approved (S.93-11) that no new course should be approved by Senate until funding has been committed for necessary library materials. Each new course proposal must be accompanied by a library report and, if appropriate, confirmation that funding arrangements have been addressed.
Provide details on how existing instructional resources will be redistributed to accommodate this new course. For instance, will another course be eliminated or will the frequency of offering of other courses be reduced; are there changes in pedagogical style or class sizes that allow for this additional course offering.
Course will use existing instructional resources.
Does the course require specialized space or equipment not readily available in the department or university, and if so, how will these resources be provided?
No.
Does this course require computing resources (e.g. hardware, software, network wiring, use of computer laboratory space) and if so, describe how they will be provided.
No.
This course examines a wide range of approaches to research in media and cultural studies, including historical methods, field work methods, and textual analysis. In the course we will undertake a close examination of prominent research studies in media and cultural studies. In each of the studies examined we will try to locate the main research question and we will look for underlying assumptions made by the researcher. We will also ask what methods are used to get what data and for what purposes? In addition, we will focus on the actual techniques of data analysis and presentation in each study, and we will consider the strengths and weaknesses of the methods used. The course also includes a discussion of ethical issues in media and cultural studies research.
A custom courseware package will be available from the bookstore.
The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy T10.02 with respect to "Intellectual Honesty" "Academic Discipline"; (see the current Calendar, General Regulations section).