Fall 2020 - GSWS 399 D100

Gender, Sex and Numbers (4)

Class Number: 7406

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    30 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Through an examination of the social construction of numbers and other forms of quantitative data will provide an introduction to measurement and its use within social justice movements and policy circles. In analyzing such topics as the relationship between professional, state and community conceptualizations of quantitative evidence, students will make use of introductory statistical concepts, methods and argument. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

In an era when “Big Data” rules, a critical engagement with the production, collection, and analysis of data (of all kinds) is ever important. This course examines the how and why of quantitative data from a feminist perspective. Students will be introduced to quantitative measurements and their uses, especially within social justice movements and policy circles. Students will learn to interpret and evaluate quantitative data through topics like smart cities, economic justice, and tools used to address urban liveability (safety, housing, transit).

The course focuses on critical quantitative methods, practiced independently and collaboratively, through three components: census data (how to gather and analyze it), survey data (how to design, conduct, and analyze it), and statistical concepts and methods.

Students will become conversant in a feminist analysis of quantitative datasets and measurement. Students will understand how to use and explain basic statistical concepts and methods. Students will learn how to gather and analyze census and survey data. Students will use an intersectional feminist lens to interpret and analyze the role that quantitative data may play in transformative justice.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

For more detailed information please see the GSWS website: http://www.sfu.ca/gsws/undergraduate/courses/Educational_Goals.html

Grading

  • Participation (Individual and collaborative exercises) 20%
  • Survey research exercise (Collaborative exercise) 15%
  • Discussion paper (Individual exercise) 15%
  • Research reflection paper (Individual exercise) 15%
  • Datawalk activity and analysis (Individual or collaborative exercise) 35%

NOTES:

SYNCHRONOUS and/or ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS SCHEDULING

We will meet in synchronous sessions Tuesdays 8:30-10:30 weekly. We will use primarily Canvas (Blackboard Collaborate) and Zoom as a back-up.

Many weeks will also include drop-in workshopping sessions from 11:00-12:00.

Asynchronous work will be expected using the discussion space on Canvas, hypothes.is, and other open source online platforms.

Access to internet and a computer with camera and microphone will be required.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

  • Various content (handouts, journal articles, videos, etc.) available on Canvas and/or via SFU library databases.
  • Exercises handed out in class.

 


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).