COMS 627
POLITICAL ECONOMY OF COMMUNICATION
Leslie Regan Shade
Department of Communication Studies
Concordia University
Fall 2006
Wednesdays, 1:15-4pm
CJ 5.223

Office: CJ 4.407
Tel: 848-2424 x2550
lshade@alcor.concordia.ca
Office Hours: Wednesdays 4-6 or by appointment

Political economy examines the relationship between media and communication systems and the broader social structures of society, asking questions about how media systems reinforce, challenge, or influence existing class and social relations. This course will familiarize students with the theory of political economy as it relates to media and communication studies through an overview of historical and contemporary readings. The course will cover some of the ‘classic’ texts and debates in political economy of communication, while offering a fresh perspective on the incorporation of political economy into other domains of communication studies: globalization, feminism, internet policy, ‘new media’, the cultural industries, children’s media culture, and social movements.

As this is a seminar class, students are expected to show up on time, debate and discuss readings and generally contribute to a stimulating and convivial ambience. There will be one major writing assignment for the class, which students will work on throughout the course, presenting this to their colleagues in an iterative fashion.

Students are encouraged to e-mail the professor with their particular research interests so that readings may be tailored to their interests.

So, for the last year at least I receive more and more spam ... but one spam in particular. It's also for Cialis or Viagra and reads as so - rather poetic and curious, and I'm wondering if there is a sequel to this story....