Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - GEOG 241 D100

People, Place, Society (3)

Class Number: 3619

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 10, 2023: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 8, 2023
    Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of GEOG 100, INDG 101, SA 101, or SA 150.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to key concepts and contexts in contemporary geographical approaches to social practices, meanings, and struggles. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course explores two fundamental geographical questions: How do places reproduce social relations defined by uneasiness, struggle, and exclusion? Why do places benefit some groups of people and not others? Focusing on geographers’ theorizations of power, identity, and hierarchy the course answers the above questions by exploring the following interrelated themes and scales of analysis: bodies, homes, communities, streets, institutions, cities, rural areas, nations, social media, and resorts.

Course Organization
Two hours of lecture and one hour of tutorial each week.

Note
There will be NO tutorials during the first week of class.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

  • Explain how places are produced by social relations defined by uneasiness, struggle, and exclusion.
  • Understand how key theoretical frameworks and empirical foci inform geographical research on the interrelationships between people, place, and society.
  • Explore how geographers have theorized power, identity, and hierarchy to understand how certain places benefit some groups of people and not others.
  • Explore how alternative ways of thinking and being (e.g. Indigenous conceptions of land) can reorient broader conceptions of place and societal structures in which people live.

Grading

  • Tutorial Participation: 10%
  • Tutorial Presentation: 10%
  • Midterm Exam: 20%
  • Assignment: 30%
  • Final Exam: 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Journal articles (available online).


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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.