COMM 4466 Surveillance, Media and Contemporary Society
What is surveillance and how are surveillance technologies altering contemporary life? This course will explore this question by mapping the complex ways that media and digital technologies are used to acculturate us and generate acquiescence/ resistance to surveillance in society. We will use film, television, and Internet media along with assigned readings to develop critical perspectives on surveillance and surveillance practices. The class is designed to give you freedom to develop and express your own ideas on the costs and potential benefits of surveillance-based societies. **This course satisfies one of two writing intensive courses required within the Communication Major.**
Course overview
- Department
- Communication
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically
Requirements fulfilled
- International Studies: Concentration: Global Cultures – Cultures and Social Movements cluster (six courses; electives must come from one cluster) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- International Studies: Concentration: Global Cultures – Cultures at Work cluster (six courses; electives must come from one cluster) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Communication: Electives (four courses, 12 credits): any 3-credit class offered by the department; COMM5589 Internship Practicum may count once (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Communication: Writing Intensive Seminars (two courses numbered COMM4425-COMM4499, excluding COMM4485) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.40 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.53 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 4
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Kalemba Kizito | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 13 of 15 |
| Fall 2023 | Kalemba Kizito | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 of 12 |
| Spring 2023 | Kalemba Kizito | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 20 of 32 |
| Spring 2022 | Kalemba Kizito | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 9 of 30 |