Spring 2018 - SA 340 D100

Social Issues and Social Policy Analysis (SA) (4)

Class Number: 1081

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Mon, Wed, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Lindsey Freeman
    lindseyf@sfu.ca
    Office: AQ 5075
    Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 16:30-17:30
  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of how sociological and anthropological theories and methods can be applied to the examination of social problems and issues which become the object of social policy. A central concern of the course is the question of how social issues are defined as problematic. Particular attention will be given to gender, ethnicity, class and generation. Substantive examples of social policy issues will be selected from a number of fields.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this course we will grapple with social issues by thinking at the intersections of science and technology, communities, the environment, and individual human and non-human bodies. We will consider the role of medicine and pharmaceutical companies in social life; the connections between science, technology, and violence; and precarity with respect to environmental catastrophes. We will arrive at thinking about what to do now, or as Donna Haraway says, how we might “stay with the trouble.”  The aim of the course is for students to sharpen their understanding, imagination, and critical thinking with respect to social issues and analysis. With this focus, students should be able to wield sociological and anthropological concepts and theories, and to communicate and write clearly, and analytically or creatively about social issues.

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Short writing assignments (both in and out of class) 10%
  • Presentations (one on course readings; one on final paper) 20%
  • Midterm paper (5-6 pages) 20%
  • Term paper (10-12 pages) 40%

NOTES:

Class Policies

  • Students are expected to attend class. Students are expected to participate. Students should come to each class with something to say about the texts—a critique, an observation, and/or a question.
  • During class exercises, students are expected to share their thoughts and observations and to comment on the thoughts and observations of their peers.
  • Close and careful reading is a requirement. Students should annotate their texts and make them their own, or make extensive and careful notes.
  • Students should hang on to their graded assignments for the entire semester.
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.
If you need more help understanding plagiarism, here is a good resource: https://canvas.sfu.ca/courses/15986

REQUIREMENTS:

Writing Assignments There will be two formal essay assignments due during the semester. These should be double-spaced in Times New Roman font. There may be additional in-class and outside of class writing assignments as well. Essays should be crafted and polished pieces of writing. They should showcase understanding of sociological and anthropological concepts and theories and the ability of the student to mobilize these concepts and theories to explain social life. Detailed assignment sheets will be posted to Canvas. Assignments must not be emailed, only hard copy essays will be accepted. If you know that you will be absent when your essay is due, it is your responsibility to make arrangements to hand it in ahead of time.

* Please note: Late midterm papers will be accepted, but no more than one week after they are due. There will be a deduction of 10% for late papers. The highest grade a late paper can receive is a “B.” Late final papers will not be accepted.

Detailed instructions for the reading discussion/presentation and the final presentation will be provided during the semester.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Cvetkovich, Ann. (2012). Depression: A Public Feeling. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
ISBN: 978-0822352389

Freeman, Lindsey. (2014). Longing for the Bomb: Oak Ridge and Atomic Nostalgia. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press.
ISBN: 978-1469622378

Hamby, Sherine & Nye, Coleman. (2017). Lissa: A Story about Medical Promise, Friendship, and Revolution. Toronto: Toronto University Press.
ISBN: 978-1487593476

Haraway, Donna. (2017). Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
ISBN: 978-0822362241

Additional readings on Canvas.

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