Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - SA 362 D100

Society and the Changing Global Division of Labour (S) (4)

Class Number: 3534

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Yildiz Atasoy
    yatasoy@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-5520
    Office: AQ 5082
    Office Hours: Monday 5:30 – 6:30 pm (details to be discussed in class)

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of the social and political implications of the global economy. Topics to be considered include the influence of neo-liberal economics, the decline of the national welfare state, transnational political agencies and public policy, the internationalization of culture, the global labour market, the 'world city' hypothesis, ethnic resurgence and alternatives to these developments.

COURSE DETAILS:

The history and trajectory of societies involve specific configurations of territories, landscapes and food-getting that interact with social class, gender and ethnic relations. These take shape within – and help shape – the character of the global system in different historical periods. Thus, the course addresses historical and global dimensions of the social and natural, including the endless process of commodification of land, labour and food. Through a program of focused readings, critical analysis of international news, in-depth class discussion, case studies, historical investigation and film materials, the course stimulates a discussion on the restructuring of capitalist modernity from the colonial to the neoliberal era in the global system, animated by powerful discourses of civilization, development, poverty, economic growth, ecological sustainability, climate change and food security. Throughout, the course aims to develop an alternative framework for reorganizing territory around the global commons and ‘bioregions’ that is attentive to livelihood, democracy, non-market values of well-being, and citizenship issues, along with actual and potential resistance movements.

Grading

  • Written summary 15%
  • Written commentary 10%
  • Class presentation 30%
  • Critical journals 30%
  • Presenting the international news of the week 5%
  • Participation (details will be discussed in class) 10%

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 Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T20.01), and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10‐S10.05). 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.

The Sociology and Anthropology Student Union, SASU, is a governing body of students who are engaged with the department and want to build the SA community. Get involved!  Follow Facebook and Instagram pages or visit our website.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Philip McMichael and Heloise Weber (2022) Development and Social Change: A Global Perspective (7th edition), Thousand Oaks, California: Pine Forge

Course readings (will be distributed in class, also available online through SFU Library)

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.

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