Summer 2016 - SA 331 D100
Politics of the Family (S) (4)
Class Number: 5851
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Sarah Rudrum
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Prerequisites:
SA 101 or 150 or 201W.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A sociological examination of the contested nature of contemporary domestic and intimate relations. The course will focus on debates arising from equality movement politics (e.g. gender, sexuality, race).
COURSE DETAILS:
This course invites a sociological examination of the contested nature of contemporary domestic and intimate relations. Our examination of the politics of family interrogates how state policies affect our intimate lives. We begin with anti-colonial and critical feminist responses to how families are shaped and constrained by state policies and social norms. For example, Betty Friedan’s feminine mystique is revisited with media analysis and attention to racialization by Sara Ahmed. Through case studies, we learn how particular ideologies of family find articulation through media, legal, and medical practices with striking social consequences. We examine reproductive control as a tool of state building, identifying ways in which legal, judicial, and medical systems have constrained parenthood along lines of social location. Having established an understanding of forms of control, we trace transformations of family that have occurred as a result of, as well as despite, state policies, highlighting the diversity of experiences, concerns, and formats of domestic and intimate relationships with attention to gender, sexualities, and ‘race’/ethnicity.
This course invites a sociological examination of the contested nature of contemporary domestic and intimate relations. Our examination of the politics of family interrogates how state policies affect our intimate lives. We begin with anti-colonial and critical feminist responses to how families are shaped and constrained by state policies and social norms. For example, Betty Friedan’s feminine mystique is revisited with media analysis and attention to racialization by Sara Ahmed. Through case studies, we learn how particular ideologies of family find articulation through media, legal, and medical practices with striking social consequences. We examine reproductive control as a tool of state building, identifying ways in which legal, judicial, and medical systems have constrained parenthood along lines of social location. Having established an understanding of forms of control, we trace transformations of family that have occurred as a result of, as well as despite, state policies, highlighting the diversity of experiences, concerns, and formats of domestic and intimate relationships with attention to gender, sexualities, and ‘race’/ethnicity.
Students will be invited to critically reflect on: What kinds of relationships and families have been privileged or marginalized within Canada? How has domestic and intimate life evolved over time, and how has it stayed the same? What forms of resistance and activism have contributed to changing notions of the family? Students are encouraged to extend the critiques presented in the academic work via critical self-reflection and media analysis, through engagement with lectures, in-class participatory learning activities, and assignments.
Grading
- Participation: 20%
- (Partnered) presentation: 15%
- In-class mid-term: 20%
- Research Paper: 30%
- Poster Presentation: 15%
REQUIREMENTS:
Where a final exam is scheduled and you do not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, you will be assigned an N grade. Unless otherwise specified on the course outline, all other graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned.
Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01‐ S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Courses readings are on electronic reserve. They are available via Canvas and the SFU library.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site contains information on what is meant by academic dishonesty and where you can find resources to help with your studies. There is also a section on tutoring.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS