Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - SA 402 D100

Turning Ideas into Action in the World (A) (Inactive) (4)

Class Number: 2602

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Kathleen Millar
    kmillar@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: By appointment via Zoom

  • Prerequisites:

    Minimum of 72 units including SA 101 or 150 or 201W. Recommended: At least two upper division courses in anthropology.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines ways we can bring our anthropological and sociological skills, knowledges, and imaginations to bear in the world outside the academy, particularly in the realms of work and activism. Uses a praxis-based approach, wherein students actively apply their knowledge to practical issues while also reflecting on the process of doing so.

COURSE DETAILS:

The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it. – Karl Marx, Theses on Feuerbach

By this point in your studies, you have read innumerable articles and books, encountered diverse social theories, and debated all these ideas in your classes and beyond (or so I hope!). This course is your chance to turn some of this knowledge and theory into real social change. It explores how we can actually practice social science in our own lives and in our efforts to create a more just, equitable and humane world. The course is project-based, meaning that throughout the term you will develop a collaborative research project aimed at addressing a specific social issue you care about. In doing so, we will be reflexive in our methods and consider diverse approaches in applied and public anthropology such as community-based and participatory action research, activist scholarship, ethnographic media, and forms of writing for wider publics. We are living in a moment that can feel crisis-laden, given the COVID-19 pandemic, global anti-racist struggles, and ever deepening economic inequality. This course will help you see how anthropology can address the pressing social problems of our time.

Grading

  • Discussion posts 25%
  • Exercises 15%
  • Collaborative research proposal 10%
  • Presentation of collaborative research 20%
  • Individual praxis reflection and analysis 30%
  • SFU online ethics tutorial 0%

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:

This course will be delivered via remote teaching technology. We will meet via Zoom for a portion of the scheduled class time and other content will be available to you through on-line resources. Please note that nearly all teaching at SFU in Fall term 2020 will be conducted through remote methods. Enrollment in this course 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. No exams will be conducted in-person.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Universal Access Remote learning for this semester requires a computer or tablet, camera, and internet access. Most laptops and desktops are running OSX and Windows. Tablets may be Android, iOS or Windows based. Headsets are advised but not necessary. Note that students have free access to Zoom at https://sfu.zoom.us and to free Office 365 at https://cgi.sfu.ca/~msoff365/cgi-bin/.

REQUIRED READING:

All required readings will be available online through Canvas, the SFU Library, publicly accessible blogs, or other open access sources.


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).