Communication Studies (CMNS) 335

Overview

Virtually all we know about the world and our economic, political, and social lives beyond our immediate senses comes to us through the media. Media and other information providers—including libraries, archives, and museums—are recognized as being central to democracy, cultural dialogue, and good governance because they foster diversity and democratic debates, promote peace and sustainable development, and are essential sources of information and knowledge.

Media and information literacy (MIL) is an umbrella term that encompasses various and evolving competencies required to navigate today’s increasingly complex communications environment. Such competencies include the ability to understand information for public good; the ability to engage with information, media, and digital communications for participation in sustainable development; and the ability to seek and enjoy the full benefits of fundamental human rights. Anyone interested in critical skills for navigating today’s media landscape will benefit from knowledge of MIL.

Outline

Unit 1: Introduction to Media and Information Literacy

Unit 2: Using MIL to Make Sense of the News

Unit 3: Freedom of Expression as a Cornerstone of MIL

Unit 4: Representation and Race in MIL

Unit 5: MIL and the Problem of Misinformation and Disinformation

Unit 6: MIL in the Digital Age: Privacy and Online Safety

Unit 7: An MIL Approach to Artificial Intelligence

Unit 8: Decolonizing Media Cultures: Indigenous Media

Unit 9: Media and Information Audiences and Global Citizenship

Learning outcomes

1. Explain the scope and significance of media and information literacy (MIL).
2. Apply various frameworks to media and information to analyze and assess media messages, audiences, and production, as well as the legitimacy of information shared by the media.
3. Explain the meaning of freedom of expression (FOE), its relationship to MIL, and its importance in a democracy.
4. Identify the elements that contribute to positive media representations and to equity, diversity, dialogue, and inclusion.
5. Describe MIL strategies and tools for recognizing disinformation and misinformation.
6. Explain why privacy is a special concern for MIL in digital media cultures.
7. Assess artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms in the context of MIL.
8. Summarize the importance of decolonization and cultural sovereignty to media and information literacies.
9. Explain the significance of active audiences as global citizens.

Materials

This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.

All the course materials are available online and include a Course Information, a Study Guide, and readings in the Digital Reading Room (DRR).

Evaluation

To receive credit for CMNS 335, you must complete and submit all of the assignments. You must achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent) for the course.

You will be evaluated on your understanding of the concepts presented in the course and on your ability to apply those concepts. Your final grade in the course will be based on the marks achieved for the following activities.

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

Challenge for credit

Overview

The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you 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 about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Evaluation

To receive credit for the CMNS 335 challenge registration, you must complete all required components and achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent). 

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