Media and Communication Studies

Articulation Committee

(MACSAC)

Minutes

May 27, 2005

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

MalaspinaUniversityCollege

Attending: Norbert Ruebsaat (Columbia), Eric Spalding (UCFV, chair), Gary McCarron (SFU), Marshall Soules (Malaspina,), Liz Hammond-Kaarremaa (Malaspina, SLP), Jason Taylor (SelkirkCollege), Doug Stetar (Malaspina), and Joy McLean (Blanche Mcdonald Centre) and Bill Strom (TWU, recording secretary)

1. Welcome, and Introduction of Members

Chair Eric Spalding asked for everyone to introduce themselves. New members included Jason Taylor, Doug Stetar, and Joy McLean. A warm welcome was extended to all.

2. Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved as distributed.

3. Approval of the Minutes.

The minutes of May 14, 2003 were distributed and accepted with the minor change of “Spaulding” to “Spalding” throughout.

4. Digital Media Technology Minor (DMT) at Malaspina.

Doug Stetar described the intention of Malaspina to develop a minor in digital media technology.[Note: These courses will be primarily in the classroom with some online components.] The program will cover theory and practice. The Media Studies program will use two designations—DIGI (Digital Media Technology) and MEDI (Media Studies) to distinguish between primarily applied (DIGI) and history and theory (MEDI) streams that will combine to form a major. Discussions are still underway as to how the two will relate to each other, yet there is a good working relationship and willingness to share courses. Six of the courses (110, 220, 230, 260, 280, & 281) have already been approved. Ample discussion ensued and Doug received good feedback from committee members.

Motion: To include digital and new media program chairs as members of MACSAC for the purpose of collaboration, planning, and articulation within media communication education in BC colleges, universities, and schools. Moved (Bill) Seconded (Marshall) Approved unanimously.

Lunch was enjoyed by all. And specialty coffees too.

5. BCCAT Matters.

a) BCCAT’s Annual Meeting of Chairs and System Liaison Persons, February 4, 2005. Eric reported on this meeting (after sending us his summary notes on same earlier this year). Liz noted especially the syllabus template available for our use from BCCAT.

b) Applying for Transfer Innovations project funding. We discussed that MACSAC members such as Doug, Marshall, and Jason might initiate a MACSAC website project with some students for which we could receive funding. The group was excited about this prospect.

Motion: To apply for funding from the Transfer Innovations project to develop a MACSAC website and gather information regarding digital media programs. Moved (Gary) Seconded (Norbert). Passed unanimously. Doug and Marshall will primarily head this up in consultation with Jason.

c) New position statement from BCCAT about instructor qualifications. The PCTIA is now conforming to public university qualifications for instructors for courses seeking articulation with the public sector. (PCTIA – Private Career Training Institute Association)

6. SFU’s Undergraduate Curriculum Initiative.

Gary reviewed material circulated earlier (and available at regarding writing-intensive, breadth, and quantitative courses now required at SFU. He observed that breadth (B) and quantitative (Q) courses that already articulate to SFU will suffice for this requirement; however any writing-intensive (WI) courses will need to be re-examined at SFU to assess their means of pedagogy (and whether they are “writing intensive” enough). These requirements begin in fall 2006.

Gary also noted that SFU underwent an external review. He also noted that SFU may move toward “removing” CMNS 220, 221, 223 (and similar ones) and replace them with a mega theory course at the 2nd year level. The “removed” courses would be beefed up to 3-year status. This would provide introductory theoretical knowledge for students on which upper-level courses could be built. He also reported that CMNS now works collaboratively with film, and they are working toward doing the same with computing at SFU.

7. Michael O’Neill was unable to attend, so we put his DVD presentation on hold until the end of the meeting for interested parties.

8. New articulation business.

a) CMNS 230 at SFU is using new readings. Worth checking out online.

b) Marshall encouraged us to consider building our own classic book list for media studies.

c) Numerous books, videos, and documentaries were referred to. (The secretary hopes everyone took notes on what interested them!)

9. Next meeting: We agreed to meet next year at UCVF in Abbotsford, May 26, 2006. (Thank you, Eric, for offering.)

10. Adjournment: After watching the O’Neill video, the meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m. (Thank you Michael for this sample of your work!)

Appreciation was offered and received for Marshall’s hosting of this year’s meeting.

(These minutes remain unofficial until approved by our committee on May 26, 2006.)

Respectfully submitted,

Bill Strom (recording secretary)