SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
Media & Cultural Studies
FILM 236/3.0
Introduction to cultural and social theory of film and other media as it relates to the tension between citizenship and consumerism. Examines roles, functions, and impact of mass media technologies, institutions, and practices in both scholarly and practical forms.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the winter term
Learning Outcomes
Course level learning outcomes:
- Evaluate media and cultural texts (advertising, television genres, cultural spectacle, etc.) in relation to social power and identity
- Discuss the history of media and social action from poster to hashtag
- Demonstrate fluency in theoretical foundations of media studies and cultural studies;
- Analyze the circuits of production, distribution and consumption of media texts;
- Demonstrate knowledge of key developments of cultural technologies and their political, social and economic contexts of emergence
Description
The televisual events of the Gulf War, September 11, Abu Ghraib; the televised ‘town halls’ and shirtless Prime Ministers; Obama-effect; the role social media in the Trump era; the ‘information’ economy and the “global financial crisis”; reality TV; the sublime destruction of the planet and the promises of its pleasures through tourism, etc. These are just a few aspects of our contemporary social and cultural world that indicate the degree to which everyday life is permeated and ‘framed’ by mass media. Mass media -- film, television, music, and, the internet -- does much more than mediate events or distribute entertainment.
Terms
Fall 2021
Course Dates:
Sept. 7 - Dec. 3, 2021
Exam Dates:
Dec. 8 - Dec. 22, 2021
Evaluation
10% - Short Reflection Essay
20% - Media Theory Essay
10% - Project Proposal
5% - Proposal Peer Editing
15% - Annotated Bibliography
25% - Final Project
15% - Participation (includes Discussion forums and course surveys)
**Evaluation subject to change**
Live Sessions
This course has optional live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities).
Instructor
Dr. Ian Robinson (ir18@queensu.ca)
Textbooks and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
All texts and materials for this course will be provided in onQ.
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend approximately 10 hours a week (120 hours per term) on study/practice and online activity for this course.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
| Letter Grade | Grade Point |
| A+ | 4.30 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.70 |
| F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.
