Graduate Courses
Graduate Students in Communication and Culture are free to choose their elective courses from both the Communications Studies and Culture and Society course offerings.
COMS 601: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Communications Studies
An introduction to theories, problematics and approaches in the field of communications studies
Note: This course is required for all MA and MCS students
COMS 603: Media and Film Studies
Theories and perspectives in the study of media production, industries, genres and reception
COMS 607: Socio-Cultural Communication
Theoretical perspectives on communications as a symbolic process that produces and reproduces shared meanings, social practices and social structures
COMS 615: Research Methods
An introduction to empirical research in communication with a focus on published data-based research
Note: this course is required for all MA and MCS students
COMS 623: Social Contexts of Science and Technology
Theoretical perspectives for understanding central debates in the study of science and technologies in their social, political, cultural and communication contexts.
COMS 627: Media and Politics
A discussion of the relations between the media and power holders. The course also considers the effects of communication technologies on the nature of democratic and non-democratic politics.
COMS 711: Directed Studies
A research project under the direction of a faculty member
Under certain circumstances, students may be able to make arrangements with the department to take special topics courses when no appropriate 600 level course is offered. Students should consult the department regarding these arrangements.
Note: Please contact the Graduate Programs Office for more information on Directed Studies.
COMS 713: PhD Theory Seminar
A seminar for PhD students that enables them to focus their research interests and explore theories that will be relevant to their areas of specialization
COMS 717: Selected Topics in Communications
A variety of communication topics based on faculty expertise.
Some previous topics have included:
COMS 717.62 Risk Communications
COMS 717.68 Popular Culture
COMS 717.69 Practice of Visual Representation
COMS 717.70 Performance Studies
COMS 717.71 Communication and the Novel
COMS 717.72 Culture and Biological Diversity
COMS 717.73 Ethics in Western Culture
COMS 790: Master's Project
A full year course required of all MCS students. A student develops a major research project under the supervision of a faculty member, on the basis of their particular interest.
CUSP 601: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Culture and Society
A foundational exploration of a variety of approaches to studying culture and society including those rooted in traditional disciplines and those that have arisen in a more interdisciplinary climate such as cultural studies and critical discourse analysis.
CUSP 603: Heritage and Identity - Issues and Approaches
An investigation of the construction and negotiation of cultural heritage, ethnic identity, and history within the public sphere.
CUSP 605: Approaches to Development Theory and Praxis
An examination of the historical processes of development within a global context, emphasizing competing theoretical and methodological paradigms for evaluating those processes, and their implications for development praxis.
CUSP 607: Social and Global Justice
An examination of key legal, social and political theories as well as the history of Canadian (and international) social justice movements with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of social, group and individual rights as instruments of justice.
CUSP 613: Cultural and Social Theory
An in-depth look at theoretical approaches to the study of culture and society designed to provide students with the critical thinking skills necessary to unpack complex cultural and social dynamics and to develop innovative approaches to vexing issues.
CUSP 615: Research Methods
This course is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of research in culture and society areas. Students will be introduced to both quantitative and qualitative methods.
CUSP 711: Directed Studies
A research project under the direction of a faculty member.
CUSP 717: Special Topics
A variety of culture and society topics based on individual faculty expertise.
Joint-program Courses:
Thesis 112 (mandatory but non-credit) - A pro-seminar MA students take throughout the length of their degree. This course provides students with mentorship as they navigate through the degree, prepare a thesis proposal, construct their research and the thesis itself, as well as secure necessary grants.
Thesis 212 (mandatory but non-credit) - A pro-seminar PhD students take throughout the length of their degree. This course provides students with mentorship as they navigate through the degree, prepare a thesis proposal, prepare for candidacy exams, construct their research and the thesis itself as well as secure necessary grants.
Western Deans' Agreement
Under the Western Deans' Agreement, students may also be eligible to take courses at selected universities. Please contact the Graduate Programs Office for more information.