Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - SA 250 D100

Introduction to Sociological Theory (S) (4)

Class Number: 3199

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 150.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An account of sociological theory, outlining the main ideas and concepts of the principal schools of thought.

COURSE DETAILS:

"I often say that sociology is a martial art, a means of self-defense. Basically, you use it to defendyourself, without having the right to use it for unfair attacks," - Pierre Bourdieu

This course provides an overview in foundations of sociological theory. By focusing on key figures in the development of the discipline and ultimately arriving at their critics, this class gives students the tools to evaluate and to make lively sociological theories while expressing their ideas through discussion and writing. In the first part of the course, specific attention will be directed at major thinkers that constitute the foundations of sociological traditions, such as Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Georg Simmel, W.E.B. DuBois, and others. We will then follow sociological thinking through various schools of thought and analytical positions, such as: the Frankfurt School, Collège de Sociologie, Marxian thought, feminist theory, and critical race theory. Along the way we will follow the development of the ideas of the sociological imagination, reflexivity, and critical histories of modernity.

A Covid-19 note:

Students, we will meet virtually in a very strange and unsettling time. Many of you have likely faced added challenges due to the global pandemic and may continue to face them. I promise to offer compassion and flexibility in our time together because I am invested in you, not only as students in my class, but as people in the world. This is a moment that requires thinking, generosity, and community building. This fall, we will think together about the ways in which theory can help us to understand our lives and societies in order to imagine something better. We will engage with theory, using both our minds and our hearts through close reading, regular writing practice, and radical listening.

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Discussion responses 40%
  • Term paper 50%

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:

  • All texts and films/videos/podcasts assigned for the week should be read, watched, and listened to before our Zoom meeting.
  • Students should attend all Zoom meetings whenever possible.
  • Canvas responses: Exactly 500 words responding to assigned texts or films (adding an image or a song is okay, too).
    • Responses should be well-crafted and polished pieces of writing that demonstrate your understanding of texts, concepts and theories, and your ability to apply them to the world around you. Responses should not simply be summaries of the text.
  • Students must post 10 responses to the readings out of 11 possible: 7 should be written; 3 can be images or sounds/songs. Only one response per week in advance of our Zoom meetings.
  • For an “A” all 7 written responses must be well executed by demonstrating clear writing and understanding of the text, theories, and concepts with very little grammatical, punctuation, or stylistic errors. For a “B” a student must write at least 6 well executed responses. For a “C,” at least 4 good responses. Students will receive feedback on their responses to improve their writing and theoretical knowledge. They will also be informed in writing if their responses are not satisfactory.
    • Please note that no ‘make-up’ or ‘extra’ responses are possible in light of doing poorly on any given response.
  • Responses must be posted 24 hours in advance of class and correspond to the theories and concepts we are studying for each week.
  • Students must read at least one response out loud during our Zoom meeting for full participation points.
  • Students must be active participants of the Canvas discussion board by interacting with fellow students' posts for full participation points.

 Course Policies:

  • Plagiarism or cheating of any kind in the course of academic work is taken very seriously. Academic honesty includes accurate use of quotations, as well as appropriate and explicit citation of sources in instances of paraphrasing and describing ideas, or of reporting on research findings or any aspect of the work of others—including that of instructors and other students. These standards of academic honesty and citation of sources apply to all forms of academic work: examinations, essays, theses, art and design work, oral presentations, and other projects. It is the responsibility of students to follow the rules of proper citation.
  • No recording, photographing or videotaping of the course is permitted without written permission from the professor.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Wifi, access to a laptop or tablet with sound, a camera that would enable you to appear in a video classroom, and streaming capabilities.

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available through Canvas, the SFU Library, or otherwise online as noted.

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 SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 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).