Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - SA 200W C900

Power, Conflict and Change in Canadian Society (SA) (4)

Class Number: 8452

Delivery Method: Distance Education

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Distance Education

  • Instructor:

    Amanda Watson
    adwatson@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Th 1:00-3:00 pm via FaceTime audio or Zoom

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines Canadian society from the perspective of the social sciences. Students apply sociological and anthropological concepts to analyze issues in modern societies, focusing on Canada as a case. Topics include class structure, the nature of Canada's population, regional variation, gender relations, multiculturalism, and colonialism. Students with credit for SA 100W are not eligible to take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course aims to introduce students to foundational assumptions about Canadian society. It also aims to prepare students to write essays for the social sciences. We will begin with an introduction to how social scientists approach the study of society in general, and move through a series of questions particular to Canadian society, including: How is Canadian society infused with colonial legacy? How are social hierarchies shaped by deeply held ideas about Canada and rooted in Canadian law and policy? Topics include: state violence, citizenship, capitalism, welfare state, poverty, immigration, labour, education, health, media, and activism. We will consider several Canadian myths, including multiculturalism, a level playing field, and equal access to health and education.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

It is my aim that upon completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Compare two dominant theoretical approaches to the study of society
  • Recognize and explain neo/liberal ideology in the framing of current affairs in Canada
  • Critique representation of Canadian societal values in mainstream media using relevant sociological theory
  • Challenge longstanding myths about Canadian fairness with reference to specific historical and contemporary evidence
  • Identify significant challenges facing Canadian society with reference to course material
  • Communicate in writing in a way that is creative, compelling, and legible to the discipline.

Grading

  • Audio/video presentation and discussion leadership 15%
  • Essay proposal 10%
  • Essay draft and peer review 10%
  • Final essay 10%
  • Reading responses (5 x 5%) 25%
  • Discussion participation dossier 30%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy: The Department of Sociology & 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.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Access to a computer and/or other electronic device that will allow you to write and upload assignments in Canvas and virtually attend your classes remotely through Blackboard Collaborate and/or Zoom
  • Access to an internet connection
  • Microsoft Word for all assignment submissions (available to all students for free http://www.sfu.ca/itservices/technical/software/office365.html)

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Please see SFU Bookstore website for information on textbook purchase options.

REQUIRED READING:

Naiman, J. (2012). How Societies Work: Class, Power, and Change, 5th Edition. Winnipeg and Halifax: Fernwood Publishing.


ISBN: 978-1-552664650

Vowel, C. (2016). Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Issues in Canada. Portage & Main Press.

This title is available online for free through the SFU Library here.


ISBN: 978-1-553796800

RECOMMENDED READING:

Recommended viewing:

Gregory Younging on Elements of Indigenous Style


Centre for Online and Distance Education Notes:

All CODE Courses are delivered through Canvas.  Students will have access starting the first day of classes.   
https://canvas.sfu.ca

Required Readings are the responsibility of the student to purchase. Textbooks are available for purchase online through the SFU Bookstore's website. 

All courses have an Additional Course Fee of $40.This fee is not associated primarily with physical materials. This also supports developing tools and rich web resources embedded throughout the activities, assignments and videos.

Exams
If your course has a take-home exam, please refer to Canvas for further details. 

Students are responsible for following all Exam Policies and Procedures (e.g., missing an exam due to illness).

NOTE: This course outline was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please check your course details in Canvas.


*Important Note for U.S. citizens: As per the U.S. Department of Education, programs offered in whole or in part through telecommunications, otherwise known as distance education or correspondence are ineligible for Federal Direct Loans. This also includes scenarios where students who take distance education courses outside of their loan period and pay for them with their own funding, and attempt to apply for future Federal Direct Loans. 

For more information about US Direct Loans please visit and to read our FAQ on distance education courses, please go here: http://www.sfu.ca/students/financialaid/international/us-loans/federal-direct-loan.html

 

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).