SOCIAL, CULTURAL, & MEDIA STUDIES

The following interdisciplinary courses are offered by the Social, Cultural, and Media Studies department. Each course draws on research and theory from two or more of the following disciplines: anthropology, Latin American studies, media and communication studies, and sociology.

To assist student in planning their programs, the disciplinary focus is noted as follows:

ANTH: Anthropology
LAS:  Latin American studies
MACS:  Media and Communication Studies
SOC:  Sociology

For example, a course with a disciplinary focus of SOC, ANTH may be counted as either sociology or anthropology credit, but not both.

Additional courses in anthropology, Latin American studies, media and communication studies, and sociology are located under those discipline names in this calendar.

SCMS 255 (formerly ANTH 255, SOC 255):
Introduction to Social Research 3 credits

Prerequisites: ANTH 102 or SOC 101

Transferability: SFU, OU, UBC, UVic

Disciplinary focus: ANTH, SOC

An introduction to the conduct of sociological and anthropological research. Topics include the relationship between theory and research, concept formation, operationalization, exploratory studies, hypothesis generation and testing, data collection techniques within both sociology and anthropology, the assessment of causality, the critical evaluation of research on both theoretical and methodological grounds, the definition of research problems, and ethical issues in social research.

Note: Students having credit for SOC 255/ANTH 255 will not receive additional credit for SCMS 255.

SCMS 310 (formerly ANTH 310, SOC 310, LAS 310):
Special Topics: Regional Studies of Latin America 4 credits

Prerequisites: 45 credits, to include at least six credits of anthropology, sociology, and/or LAS. (One or more of SOC 250, ANTH 220, or LAS 102, 110, 200, or 201 recommended.)

Disciplinary focus: ANTH, LAS, SOC

Using sociological and anthropological approaches, this course is designed to provide you with insights into the society and culture of a specific nation or region within Latin America. In doing so we shall move effortlessly and with intellectual grace from the heady heights of macro-analysis and theoretical sociology to the details of micro-analysis and ethnography, and back again. The course will increase our awareness of the diversity of the Latin American experience — an experience that is becoming increasingly important and which also offers many insights into our own society.

Note: The region of study is denoted with a letter designation (e.g., SCMS 310a). Students may take SCMS 310 twice for credit as long as the letter designation differs, but may not take it more than twice.

Students who have previously taken ANTH 310, LAS 310, or SOC 310 should contact the department before registering for any section of SCMS 310, to ensure they are not repeating a course for which they already have credit.

SCMS 334 (formerly MACS 334, SOC 334):
Cultural Policy 4 credits

Prerequisites: 45 credits, to include at least six credits of sociology and/or MACS

Transferability: SFU

Disciplinary focus: MACS, SOC

An analysis of the various facets of the cultural arts in Canada — film, video, art and photography, theatre and dance, writing and publishing — concentrating primarily on the policies and laws affecting them.

SCMS 355 (formerly SOC 355):
Quantitative Methods 4 credits

Prerequisites: MATH 104 or MATH 106, and SCMS 255

Disciplinary focus: ANTH, SOC

An examination of measurement issues within sociological and anthropological research, focusing on the logical and conceptual construction and interpretation of tables, and an examination of the issues and abuses of statistics. Students will blend classroom knowledge of statistics with “real life” analysis of sociological data (including the use of computer software) to develop practical research skills. The course focuses on the application, rather than the mathematics, of statistics.

SCMS 356 (formerly SOC 356):
Qualitative Research Methods 4 credits

Prerequisites: 45 credits, to include SOC 101 and SCMS 255

Transferability: SFU

Disciplinary focus: ANTH, SOC

This course examines methods used in the collection and analysis of sociological data including interviews, participant observations, ethnographic research, archival research, feminist methodologies, and research ethics.

SCMS 363 (formerly ANTH 363, SOC 363, LAS 318):
Processes of Development and Underdevelopment: Latin America 4 credits

Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University

Prerequisites: 45 credits, to include SOC 101 and at least three additional credits sociology, anthropology, or LAS. (SOC 250, ANTH 220, and/or LAS 200 recommended.)

Disciplinary focus: ANTH, LAS, SOC

An examination of sociological and anthropological theories of development and underdevelopment as applied to the Third World. Topics include the nature and consequences of world system linkages, colonialism and decolonization, patterns of social and cultural change in selected societies and regions. Particular attention will be placed on the political economy for Latin America.

Note: Students having credit for SA 363 at UCFV or SFU will not receive additional credit for SCMS 363.

SCMS 387 (formerly ANTH 387, SOC 387):
Canadian Native Peoples 4 credits

Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University.

Prerequisites: 45 credits, to include ANTH 102 and at least three additional credits of anthropology and/or sociology

Transferability: SFU, OU

Disciplinary focus: ANTH, SOC

The study of traditional Canadian Native culture and contemporary issues. The focus of the course will vary from semester to semester.

Note: Students having credit for SA 387 at UCFV or SFU will not receive additional credit for SCMS 387.

SCMS 388 (formerly ANTH 388, SOC 388):
Comparative Studies of Minority Indigenous Peoples 4 credits

Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University.

Prerequisites: 45 credits, to include ANTH 102 and at least three additional credits of anthropology and/or sociology

Transferability: SFU as SA 388

Disciplinary focus: ANTH, SOC, LAS

The social and cultural patterns of indigenous people within various modern nation-states, and their relations with majority societies and with other indigenous groups across the world.

Note: Students having credit for SA 388 at UCFV or SFU will not receive additional credit for SCMS 387.

SCMS 440 (formerly SOC 440):
Selected Topics in the Sociology of Religion 4 credits

Prerequisites: 60 credits, to include at least nine credits of sociology and/or religious studies

Disciplinary focus: SOC

An advanced course in the sociology of religion. Topics will change from semester to semester. The course is usually offered conjointly with the courses in other specialty areas (e.g., LAS, Women’s Studies, etc.)

SCMS 440A (formerly SOC 440A, LAS 440):
Religion in Latin America 4 credits

Prerequisites: 60 credits, to include at least nine credits of sociology, LAS and/or religious studies. (HIST 261, 262, 459 can be considered LAS courses.) (ANTH 130 can be considered religious studies.)

Disciplinary focus: LAS, SOC

Most people know of Latin America as the crucible for recent developments in Catholicism like liberation in theology. However, religion has long played a central role in shaping Latin American societies just as it has been shaped by them. This course will explore the connections between religion and society in the Latin American context. The emphasis of the course will shift from semester to semester, but it will normally focus on some combination of the following: pre-Columbian religions, Catholicism and conquest, syncretism, liberation theology, religion and revolution, evangelism, the survival of indigenous religions, and other related topics.

SCMS 460 (formerly MACS 460, SOC 460):
Issues in the Information Society 4 credits

Prerequisites: 45 credits, to include at least nine credits of sociology and/or MACS, or permission of instructor

Disciplinary focus: MACS, SOC

This course is an opportunity to discuss issues that relate to our use of interactive networked computers. How do the new information technologies affect privacy, democracy, access to information, family life, work, and communities? Students will use e-mail, online conference software, and the Internet for some course work, but technical proficiency is not a prerequisite.

SCMS 463 (formerly ANTH 463, SOC 463):
Special Topics in Development Studies 4 credits

Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University.

Prerequisites: 60 credits, to include at least nine credits of sociology and/or anthropology. (ANTH 220, SCMS 363 and SOC 250 recommended.)

Transferability: OU, SFU

Disciplinary focus: ANTH, SOC, LAS

An examination of processes of social and cultural change in selected Third World societies. Topics will change from semester to semester, but may include liberation movements and colonialism, the comparative study of post-revolutionary societies; the persistence, transformation, and disappearance of contemporary peasantries; and directed change programs.

Note: Students having credit for SA 463 at UCFV or SFU will not receive additional credit for SCMS 463.)

Note: this course uses a letter designation to denote the specific topic (e.g., SCMS 463a). Students may take SCMS 463 twice for credit as long as the letter designation differs, but may not take it more than twice.

Students who have previously taken ANTH 463 or SOC 463 should contact the department before registering for any section of SCMS 463, to ensure they are not repeating a course for which they already have credit.

SCMS 468 (formerly ANTH 468, SOC 468):
Environment and Society 4 credits

Developed in partnership with Simon Fraser University.

Prerequisites: 60 credits, to include ANTH 102 and at least six additional credits of sociology and/or anthropology

Transferability: UNBC

Disciplinary focus: ANTH, SOC

This course examines ecological and environmental approaches and studies in anthropology and sociology, and studies of environmental issues in contemporary situations. Topics include relationships between forms of social organization and resource use, studies of resource-use conflicts, and the ways in which different cultures view the environment. This course draws extensively on case studies by anthropologists and sociologists, with a special emphasis on the Pacific Northwest and communities in the Fraser River watershed.

SCMS 470 (formerly ANTH 470, SOC 470):
Race and Racism: Selected Topics 4 credits

Prerequisites: 60 credits, to include at least nine credits of sociology and/or anthropology

Disciplinary focus: ANTH, SOC

Questions of race and ethnicity arise frequently in the context of popular discussions of social problems, national identity, and even national unity. They are equally important in academic discussions about modern societies around the world. This course explores selected topics related to race, racism, and ethnicity from sociological and anthropological perspectives. Topics covered may include ethnic conflict, immigration and immigration policy, multiculturalism, racism, the development of immigrant identities and communities, charter groups/dominant cultures, indigenous and migrant subordination, the meaning of exile, etc. Students should consult the department to determine the content for a particular semester.

SCMS 470A (formerly ANTH 470A, LAS 470, SOC 470):
Latin American Immigrants and Immigration 4 credits

Prerequisites: 60 credits, to include at least nine credits of sociology, anthropology and/or LAS (LAS 110 and/or HIST 261 recommended)

Disciplinary focus: ANTH, LAS, SOC

Immigration has been a crucial element in the formation of Latin American society and culture. It as shaped the identity and community among Latin Americans abroad and has had reciprocal effects on the immigrants’ societies of origin. This course explores various aspects of Latino immigration from several perspectives. Topics covered may include: the push/pull factors causing immigration, immigration policy, the development of immigrant identities, the meaning of exile, and the formation of immigrant communities and their relationship to the dominant culture of Canadian society. The course will be of interest to students in Latin American studies and other who will work with Latino communities in Canada.

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