Cmst 1a03
Dive into communication theory!
Published by Chad
06-12-2008
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 Published by |
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MacInsiders Founder/Admin
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,120
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| Author review |
| Overall Rating | | 8 |
| Professor Rating | | 9 |
| Interest | | 8 |
| Easiness | | 7 |
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Average 80%
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Cmst 1a03
Welcome to Communication Studies! This course is a lot of reading and courseware because it gives you a foundation in communication theory. You learn about some of the big thinkers in the field of communication studies while at the same time looking into issues that are covered in later upper year classes. While some of the readings can be dry and challenging at times, you will learn the best ways to read through large articles and be able to turn that into a well written paper. Authors include Innis, McLuhan, Pinker, Turing, Lasch and more. A wide range of topics are covered which is what makes the class so interesting because you are introduced to a lot in only one semester!
The course is taught by Dr. Sévigny (read his prof review here), a very smart and outgoing professor who is very approachable if you want to talk with him after class. Warning: he likes talking about his pets 
Depending on your T.A., be prepared to give short presentations in tutorial on various readings each week as well as write some written material such as press release or story. The course exam is multiple choice and has questions from the lecture material. Very straight forward and not hard to study for if you attend class. Sévigny puts a sample exam up as well to help you prepare - and some of those questions are also on the final exam so memorize them!
From the course outline it states that you should: - learn about interpersonal, group, mediated and mass communication strategies;
- learn about the role of language in communication (socio­cultural and cognitive);
- learn about the effects of mediated communication on society and the individual;
- learn about how performative acts affect communication for society and the individual;
- learn how to start and maintain a blog;
- learn how to write for media – a short news story, a press release, a media backgrounder
- and an opinion editorial
COURSE BREAKDOWN- Short News Story 10%
- Press Release 10%
- Media Backgrounder 10%
- Blog 10%
- Tutorial Participation 15%
- Opinion Editorial 20%
- Final Examination 25%
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06-15-2008 at 11:50 PM
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#2
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Member
Real name: Matt
Program: Engineering (General)
Year: Alumni
Residence: 2014 Graduate
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 49
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Dr. Sevigny is awesome and captivating, material covered is interesting and applicable. He is very approachable and will help you after lecture. The course really makes you think.
As for difficulty, it depends what your good at. This was for me an Engineering I elective, and the style is very different from engineering courses. Instructions for assignments are vague and there is obviously no right or wrong answers, so marking is subjective. Lots of reading, hard to stay on top of it. Taking your own notes is different from the rest of the engineering courses.
If in engineering I recommend you stay away from this course as an elective first year if looking for an easy course (macro or micro would suit you much better). If you want a challenging and very interesting course, take this one. It is possible to get a 12. Don't skip, and take good notes. I took notes in class and from readings, 300 page notebook filled.
WARNING: Writing and speaking intensive, a strong background in writing is beneficial, I saw many ESL students struggle with this course.
__________________
Matt Gardner
Mechatronics, Minor Bus. Graduate
Valedictorian, Engineering, 2014
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06-21-2009 at 08:59 PM
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#3
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Member
Real name: mesopotamia
Program: Chemical Engineering
Year: Third
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 10
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I took this class with Dr. Faulkner. She's such a nice & amazing prof. I think this was the easiest course I've taken so far. There's barely any work involved but you need a TA that gives decent marks in tutorials!
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07-06-2009 at 07:08 PM
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#4
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Member
Real name: A
Program: Commerce
Year: Third
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 56
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What are the required textbooks?
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07-06-2009 at 07:23 PM
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#5
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Moderator
Real name: Jeremy
Program: Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics
Year: Alumni
Residence: Edwards 08-09, SOCS 09-12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,484
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jujumiste
What are the required textbooks?
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In summer the required texts were:
ADLER/SEVIGNY - UNDERSTANDING HUMAN COMMUNICATION (CANADIAN EDITION)
SEVIGNY A - INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION
__________________
Jeremy Han
McMaster Alumni - Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University Third Year - Doctor of Optometry
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07-06-2009 at 07:33 PM
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#6
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Member
Real name: A
Program: Commerce
Year: Third
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 56
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will they be the same for fall/winter 2009?
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07-06-2009 at 07:34 PM
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#7
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Moderator
Real name: Jeremy
Program: Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics
Year: Alumni
Residence: Edwards 08-09, SOCS 09-12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,484
Thanked:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jujumiste
will they be the same for fall/winter 2009?
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No one knows, you'll have to wait until the list comes out.
__________________
Jeremy Han
McMaster Alumni - Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University Third Year - Doctor of Optometry
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06-24-2010 at 10:27 PM
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#8
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Member
Real name: Krista
Faculty: Science
Year: First
Residence: Hedden Hall
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Does this course require alot of essays or written work?
i am taking it as a first year elective.
thank you
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06-27-2010 at 09:15 PM
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#9
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Member
Real name: Tian
Program: Business
Year: Third
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How does this course compare to an English course? Is it hardcore reading and writing?
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06-27-2010 at 09:23 PM
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#10
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Moderator
Real name: Jeremy
Program: Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics
Year: Alumni
Residence: Edwards 08-09, SOCS 09-12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,484
Thanked:
1,629 Times
Liked:
604 Times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MTK3
How does this course compare to an English course? Is it hardcore reading and writing?
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http://www.macinsiders.com/forumdisp...152.html?f=152
Course outlines, CMST is there so you can download the file and see exactly what the course constitutes.
__________________
Jeremy Han
McMaster Alumni - Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University Third Year - Doctor of Optometry
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09-08-2010 at 09:37 PM
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#11
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Member
Real name: em
Year: Third
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
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Overall pretty fun class!  |
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09-02-2011 at 11:07 AM
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#12
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Member
Real name: Ashley
Program: Communication Studies
Year: Alumni
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 64
Thanked:
7 Times
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I'm a third years communications student, and found this class to be really easy. I had it with Hijri (who was apparently a harder prof than Sevigny), and my mark was significantly higher in this class than any others I took. I highly recommend it!
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01-09-2012 at 02:41 PM
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#13
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Member
Real name: annie
Year: First
Join Date: Sep 2009
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how many midterms are there? what are the %? and are there any assignments? essay? what you do in the tutorial?
thanks a lot!!!
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09-12-2012 at 09:20 AM
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#14
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Member
Real name: benson
Faculty: Social Science
Year: Second
Residence: SOCS
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
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there was no mid-term, and there were 4 assignments, all of which were manageable. Great course. just do the readings.
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09-16-2012 at 11:46 AM
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#15
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Member
Real name: Ashley
Program: Communication Studies
Year: Alumni
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 64
Thanked:
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This year it's graded on attendance and participation, tutorial presentation, op-ed, essay and exam.
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