Spring 2018 - SA 301 D100

Contemporary Ethnography (A) (4)

Class Number: 1021

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Mon, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Noel Dyck
    ndyck@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-4511
    Office: AQ 5065
    Office Hours: By appointment
  • Prerequisites:

    SA 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A consideration of key themes in contemporary anthropology. This course addresses theoretical and methodological questions by examining the work of contemporary anthropologists conducting research in diverse locations around the world. Students with credit for SA 370 may not take SA 301 for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Ethnography stands at the heart of the anthropological endeavour to comprehend similarities and differences in human experience in terms of social relationships and cultural practices.  Increasing numbers of practitioners in other academic disciplines have, indeed, adopted ethnography as an optional or supplementary research methodology.  Yet within anthropology the "doing" of ethnography comprises not merely a research method but also an essential and integrated form of intellectual inquiry and expression.

This course will investigate ethnography as a comprehensive and highly flexible disciplinary practice that in social and cultural anthropology combines: (1) research methodology, (2) mode of analysis, and (3) means for presenting anthropological findings.  The seminar will mount this investigation through a careful reading and discussion of contemporary ethnographic writings.   In addition to the common reading materials assigned for the class, each member of the seminar will prepare a research paper involving independent reading.

Grading

  • First mid-term examination 25%
  • Second mid-term examination 15%
  • Final essay project 35%
  • Seminar participation 25%

NOTES:

Grading
When 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 a N grade. Unless otherwise specified on the course outline, all other graded assignments in this course must be completed in order 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:

Thomas Hylland Eriksen and Elisabeth Schober. (2016). Identity Destabilised: Living in an Overheated World. London: Pluto Press.
ISBN: 978-0745399126

Kristin V. Munroe. (2016). The Insecure City: Space, Power and Mobility in Beirut. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
ISBN: 978-0813574622

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS