Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - SA 304 D100

Social Control (S) (4)

Class Number: 3213

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

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

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course examines how the organization of control (formal and informal) affects both individuals and society. It will investigate how control takes form, how it functions, the ideologies supporting it, and the resistance it produces. We will ask the following questions: who are the agents of social control; who or what do they control; and how do they control?

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines how the organization of control (formal and informal) affects both individuals and society. It will investigate how control takes form, how it functions, the ideologies supporting it, and the resistance it produces. We will ask the following questions: who are the agents of social control; who or what do they control; and how do they control?

We will think about how social control permeates our lives and our social interactions. Historical and contemporary aspects of social control will frame our course in order to examine practices and ideas about order, control, punishment, social integration, solidarity, and more. We will explore, discuss and question ideas about social control in weekly topics relating to culture, religion, ritual, media, sport, medicine, and more. By reading about moral regulation, the governance of subjects, state, power, spaces, and surveillance, among others, we will delve into a variety of sociological perspectives about social control. In an effort to critique social control, we will also look at actions and ideas about freedom, agency, and contestation.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • The objective of this Social Control course is to expand students’ sociological knowledge by exploring means of social control globally and in Canada in the everyday world and its historical processes
  • Through lectures, discussions and presentations, students will gain a broad understanding of the structures and agents of social control
  • Theoretical, conceptual, and research methodological approaches will enable students to explore sociological ideas about social control, and challenges about the taken-for-granted assumptions in society and at the level of the individual about order and control
  • Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the material in assignments and examinations
  • The course is delivered online and therefore the traditional  components of teaching and learning, such as readings, lectures, tutorials, class discussion, in-class exercises, and audio-visual materials will be designed in a way that enables students to achieve the educational goals of this third-year sociology class

Grading

  • Participation (2 x 10 Q&A discussions; no make-ups) 20%
  • Presentation 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:

You will need access to a computer for online/remote learning, writing exams and uploading assignments on 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:

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).