Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - PHIL 822 G100

Selected Topics in Normative Ethics (5)

Bodies

Class Number: 7721

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Thu, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Bodies

[Note: this course is to be taught concurrently with PHIL 421W B100.]  

Important note regarding enrollment: instructor consent is required for all students apart from Philosophy graduate students.

This course will explore contemporary readings that concern our relationships with our bodies.  Drawing on work across a range of areas, including applied ethics, philosophy of gender, and disability theory, topics discussed will include the following:

• What is objectification, and is it always bad to objectify people?
• What is involved in trying to responsibly navigate racism, colorism, and fetishism in beauty standards?
• When is altering our bodies harmful, and when is it a way of expressing a more authentic version of our identities?
• Is there an objective fact of the matter about which bodies are healthy?
• What does it mean to experience our bodies as gendered, insofar as we do?

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Successful completion of this course will satisfy the “Value Theory Stream” distribution requirement toward the MA degree for Philosophy graduate students.

 

Grading

  • Short Reading Response Assignments and Quality of Participation 15%
  • Presentation 15%
  • Final paper (3,000-5,000 words) (This will require a paper proposal, version 1 of the paper, and a final version of the paper) 70%

NOTES:

Course delivery: please note that this course is in person, face to face. However, it might switch to remote delivery. Decision to be taken closer to the start of the semester and will be added here.

UPDATED JULY 29: Course delivery:  remote, synchronous. All students must be available to participate in classes over Zoom during the scheduled class period.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

UPDATED JULY 29: This course will meet over Zoom during the scheduled class period.  Students will need a microphone and high-speed internet access that will allow them to view live video and contribute to discussions and class activities over audio.  A camera is optional.  Technical specifications for compatibility with Zoom are available here

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available on Canvas.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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