Spring 2023 - SA 358 C100

The Philosophy of the Social Sciences (S) (4)

Class Number: 2605

Delivery Method: Distance Education

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Distance Education

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2023
    Mon, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An analysis of the nature of explanation in the social sciences: 'mind' and action, positivist and interpretive modes of explanation, sociological and historical explanation, objectivity, forms of relativism, the concept of rationality.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is designed to build understanding about the foundations of scientific inquiry and how these are related to specific paradigms for social scientific explanation. Students will be introduced to the interrelated nature of ontology, epistemology and methodology, and how these are thus related to the logic and validity of knowledge claims. Paradigms for social scientific explanation will be introduced, critically examined, and applied to understand the legal and political relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian state from various perspectives. By examining how different perspectives reflect different interests, students will develop an appreciation for the complexity of the philosophy of the social sciences.

Grading

  • Participation/Online Discussion 20%
  • Written Dialogues 20%
  • Analytical Reflections 20%
  • Final Exam 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Potter, G. (2017). The Philosophy of Social Science: New Perspectives (2nd edition). New York: Pearson / Routledge.
ISBN: 9781138998407

Bowles, P., & Veltmeyer, H. (2014). The Answer is Still No: Voices of Pipeline Resistance. Fernwood Publishing.
ISBN: 9781552666623

Coulthard, G. (2014). Red Skin, White Masks: Rejecting the Colonial Politics of Recognition. MINN: University of Minnesota Press.
ISBN: 9780816679652

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.

Centre for Online and Distance Education Notes:

All courses are delivered through Canvas.  Students will have access starting the first day of classes.   
https://canvas.sfu.ca

Required Readings are the responsibility of the student to purchase. Textbooks are available for purchase online through the SFU Bookstore's website. 

All courses have an Additional Course Fee of $40.This fee is not associated primarily with physical materials. This also supports developing tools and rich web resources embedded throughout the activities, assignments and videos.

Exams
If your course has an exam,  further details may be available in Canvas

NOTE : Exams may be held in-person, at the Burnaby campus. 

For information on exams and policies : https://www.sfu.ca/students/exams/new-exam-scheduling.html
https://www.sfu.ca/students/calendar

NOTE: This course outline was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please check your course details in Canvas.



*Important Note for U.S. citizens: As per the U.S. Department of Education, programs offered in whole or in part through telecommunications, otherwise known as distance education or correspondence are ineligible for Federal Direct Loans. This also includes scenarios where students who take distance education courses outside of their loan period and pay for them with their own funding, and attempt to apply for future Federal Direct Loans. 

For more information about US Direct Loans please visit and to read our FAQ on distance education courses, please go here: http://www.sfu.ca/students/financialaid/international/us-loans/federal-direct-loan.html


 

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