CMN 3182 A
POLICY STUDIES
FALL 2025
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Study of the principles governing information and communication regulations, national and international. Examination of the legal and regulatory systems of Canadian media. Issues in the social and cultural domain.
Prerequisite: CMN 2160. Reserved for students in the Communication and Journalism Programs.
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
On completion of this course the student will be able to:
• Describe the legal and regulatory systems pertaining to the media in Canada.
• Describe the economic, political and social challenges that influence the broad- casting regulatory system in Canada and other parts of the world.
• Describe the various ways in which mass media in Canada is regulated by the Canadian state.
• Explore the manner in which media organizations and their key personnel go about determining the content of media.
• Explain and interpret broadcasting policies in Canada.
• Analyze and provide a critical judgment on texts related to national media policies.
• Construct valid arguments about broadcasting and information policies.
COURSE FORMAT
CMN 3182 is not confined to abstract theories of policy studies; rather, it represents an intellectual journey that combines conceptual knowledge with critical reasoning and practical application. The course is structured to integrate both theoretical foundations and topical case studies, allowing students to identify meaningful correlations between ideas and their real-world implications. Particular emphasis will be placed on major so- cietal transformations and the ways in which media has been compelled to adapt to evolving communicative needs.
Each lecture will be accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation designed to frame and illustrate the subject matter. To foster deeper understanding, students will also engage with Complementary Visual Presentations—including original documentaries, films, and archival footage—enabling them to become “eyewitnesses” to historical and cultural de- velopments. This immersive approach will encourage students to critically examine the intersections between theory and practice. Active participation will be essential in un- packing these connections and in cultivating nuanced, well-reasoned conclusions.
Beyond the core readings, additional mandatory texts will be introduced throughout the semester and made available via Brightspace. To further enrich the study of policy, se- lect films or excerpts will be screened. Film analysis will serve not only as an intellectual exercise in cultural interpretation but also as a means of sharpening analytical skills in policy-oriented contexts.
Note:
Students are strongly encouraged to review the Course Outline thoroughly, as it pro-vides essential guidance for academic success and details the methods of assess-ment. Please be aware that lectures are designed to complement—not replicate—the textbook, and independent engagement with all materials will be critical to mastering the course content.
I would kindly like to remind you that our lectures are meant to be a space for focused learning and discussion. Please avoid using online platforms for chatting, browsing, or watching games during class. If you wish to do so, I respectfully ask that you step out- side the classroom.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Jozsef Orosz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning broadcast journalist from Hungary who has pro- duced and anchored daily television and radio programs for over thirty years. As a war correspondent, he has reported on major historical events, including the Gulf Wars (Baghdad, 1991 and 2003), the Fall of Communism (Berlin, Czechoslovakia, and Roma- nia, 1989), the War in the Balkans (Sarajevo, 1993), the aerial bombings of Belgrade (1999), the Netanya suicide bombing in Israel (2002), and the Georgian Revolution in Tbilisi (2003).
Since relocating to Canada in 2010, he has taught a wide range of courses at the Uni- versity of Ottawa, including Journalism Ethics, Public Broadcasting, Sociology of Jour- nalism, Theories of Journalism, Theories of the Media, Intercultural Communication, Im- age and Communication, Non-Verbal Communication, Public Opinion, and War, Peace, and the Media, among others.
ATTENDANCE AT EXAMS
Absence from an exam or not submitting an assignment due to illness or extraordinary personal circumstances must be justified. You will be required to provide a medical cer- tificate or other official documentation no more than 5 (five) calendar days after the exam in order to be allowed to write a make-up exam. Other reasons such as, but not limited to, travel, employment and misreading the examination schedule are not acceptable.
In case you need to defer your final exam, it is compulsory to request a referral from the Faculty of Arts.
You may refer to Academic Regulation 9.5 for further details at
http://www.uottawa.ca/governance/regulations.html
COURSE POLICIES: ATTENDANCE, ASSIGNMENTS, PARTICIPATION, AND EVALUATION
The Course Outline constitutes a mutual agreement between students enrolled in CMN 3182 and the instructor; both parties are expected to uphold its requirements.
Class Attendance and Participation
• Regular attendance is mandatory. Attendance may be taken occasionally during lectures.
• Absences must be justified with appropriate documentation (e.g., medical certif- icates) submitted within five working days of the missed class. Only illness or extraordinary personal circumstances will be accepted; reasons such as travel, employment, or misreading the schedule are not valid excuses.
• Attendance directly impacts final grades:
o 5 absences: maximum final grade = B
o 6 absences: maximum final grade = C
o 7 absences: maximum final grade = D
• Active participation in lectures and discussions is expected. Participation means offering thoughtful, creative, and informed contributions to class discussions, not simply expressing an opinion.
• Engagement may include mini-lectures, presentations, and contributions to group projects. Students from diverse cultural backgrounds are especially en- couraged to share their perspectives and experiences.
• Meaningful participation may positively influence the final grade (up to 10%).
Assignments
• Assignments are due on the specified dates.
• Exceptions or extensions must be arranged with the professor before the dead- line. Requests for accommodations (e.g., sports commitments, SASS accom-modations) must be negotiated in advance.
• Late penalty: one letter grade will be deducted per day. After five days, the as- signment will automatically receive a failing grade (F).
• All assignments and components are mandatory. Failure to complete all require- ments will result in a grade of EIN.
• Students are advised to keep copies of all assignments submitted and retain graded work until final grades are released. In cases of loss, theft, or dispute, it is the student’s responsibility to provide the original.
Final Examination
• The final exam will take place during the official examination period at the end of the semester.
• It will focus extensively on the course readings, lectures, and compulsory visual materials (films, documentaries, and archival footage).
• Please note: Failure to engage with the assigned readings and films strongly correlates with poor examination performance.