Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - SA 302W J100

Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism (SA) (4)

Class Number: 5549

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Wed, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Agnes MacDonald
    ama102@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: By appointment

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the political economy and culture of capitalism in relation to global problems. Case studies may focus on issues of population, famine, disease, poverty, environmental destruction, social inequality, and nation-state violence. Resistance, rebellion and social movements in response to these problems also will be addressed. Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.

COURSE DETAILS:

The year 2020 began with catastrophes from a plane crashing in Iran to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and the unrests and protests of Black Lives Matter movement, among others. These events make us rethink our understandings of the world today, and instigate us to ask questions: What is the culture of capitalism today? What are the means and tools implemented for the spread of capitalist culture across the globe? Can capitalism be resisted? Are there alternatives to replace global capitalist culture?

In this course we will be engage these and other questions in order to problematize global capitalist culture. The course will look at historical contexts and developments of the world system of industrial and corporate capitalism, its patterns of social relations regarding political and cultural aspects among others in three main themes: A) Historical overview of Nations and Agents in the Global Capitalist Culture, B) People, Food, Health, Indigenous Groups, and the Environment, and C) Forces of Resistance in Global Capitalist Culture. While global capitalist culture appears as a social fact, that is, as an objective macro entity, the course will also pay attention to the interplay and participation of agency on the micro level. We will examine major global issues including population, famine, disease, poverty, environmental destruction, social inequality, and nation-state violence. Resistance, rebellion and social movements in response to these problems will also be addressed and the development of a historical perspective facilitated. By illustrating the various global phenomena of capitalism grounded in theory and concepts, and drawing out particular case studies from across the world and locally, we can better appreciate the relevance of globalization and capitalism and how it affects us directly or indirectly. Lectures, discussions, group/pair work, along with films will facilitate learning.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Honing awareness and practicing critical thinking about the current social world
  • Explaining specific global problems and their general connections to capitalist processes and related sociological theories
  • Analyzing contemporary phenomena in terms of their structure, implied values, and stakes for particular groups
  • Critiquing movements or campaigns that appear to advocate social justice aims and generate good feelings
  • Writing clearly and with conviction by using a sociologically informed vocabulary and structure

Grading

  • Participation (2 x 10 Q&A discussions) 20%
  • Group/pair presentation and summary 20%
  • Midterm exam 30%
  • Final research essay 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 Labour Studies Program 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.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

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

You will need access to a computer for online/remote learning, writing exams and uploading assignments on SFU Email, CANVAS and ZOOM, along with access to mobile phone apps, eg. Messenger, WhatsApp for in-person communication. You will be provided with links to these various platforms.

REQUIRED READING:

Robbins, R. H. & Dowty, R. A. (2019). Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism, 7th edition. New York: Pearson.

Additional required material will be available through Canvas.

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).