Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - SA 200W OL01

Power, Conflict and Change in Canadian Society (SA) (4)

Class Number: 2339

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines Canadian society from the perspective of the social sciences. Students apply sociological and anthropological concepts to analyze issues in modern societies, focusing on Canada as a case. Topics include class structure, the nature of Canada's population, regional variation, gender relations, multiculturalism, and colonialism. Students with credit for SA 100W are not eligible to take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course aims to introduce students to foundational assumptions about Canadian society. It also aims to prepare students to write essays for the social sciences. We will begin with an introduction to how social scientists approach the study of society in general, and move through a series of questions particular to Canadian society, including: How is Canadian society infused with colonial legacy? How are social hierarchies shaped by deeply held ideas about Canada and rooted in Canadian law and policy? Topics include: state violence, citizenship, capitalism, welfare state, poverty, immigration, labour, education, health, media, and activism. We will consider several Canadian myths, including multiculturalism, a level playing field, and equal access to health and education.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

It is my aim that upon completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Compare two dominant theoretical approaches to the study of society
  • Recognize and explain neo/liberal ideology in the framing of current affairs in Canada
  • Critique representation of Canadian societal values in mainstream media using relevant sociological theory
  • Challenge longstanding myths about Canadian fairness with reference to specific historical and contemporary evidence
  • Identify significant challenges facing Canadian society with reference to course material
  • Communicate in writing in a way that is creative, compelling, and legible to the discipline

Grading

  • SA200W TUBE audio/video presentation and discussion leadership 15%
  • Essay Proposal 15%
  • Essay Draft and Peer Review 20%
  • Final Essay 20%
  • Discussion Dossier 1 15%
  • Discussion Dossier 2 15%

NOTES:

This class is delivered asynchronously, which means there is no set “lecture” time. Students read and engage with materials, classmates, and the instructor on their own time.

However, to keep us on track, each week is structured to begin on Monday morning with the presentation of new material. Some weeks require participation in staged discussion between Monday morning and Wednesday evening and again between Thursday morning and Saturday evening. I host live office hours in person or on Zoom on Thursday afternoons.

For those with uneven schedules and caregiving obligations who may be interested in clustering time spent on this course, it is possible to read ahead and prepare some assignments in advance of deadlines. Please talk to me in office hours if this is your plan so that we can ensure you have enough feedback and preparation for each assignment as you will not benefit from feedback given to the class in advance of assignment deadlines throughout the term.

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 them on Instagram!

REQUIREMENTS:

Please note that one peer review assignment is designed to take place over a set number of days around early November. It is not demanding of time (designed to take 2 hours from start to finish), but needs to be completed within a set window of time. I suggest marking your calendars at the start of the semester because this assignment is required to be able to complete the final assignment and the course and it is logistically challenging to accommodate extensions.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

  • access to a computer and/or other electronic device that will allow you to write, record audio and video, and upload assignments in Canvas
  • access to an internet connection
  • Microsoft Word for all assignment submissions (available to all students for free http://www.sfu.ca/itservices/technical/software/office365.html)

 

REQUIRED READING:

Naiman, Joanne. 2012. How Societies Work: Class, Power, and Change, 5th Edition. Winnipeg and Halifax: Fernwood Publishing.

Vowel, Chelsea. 2016. Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Issues in Canada. Portage & Main Press.


RECOMMENDED READING:

Gregory Younging on Elements of Indigenous Style: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/how-indigenous-authors-are-claiming-space-in-the-canlit-scene-1.4573996/elements-of-indigenous-style-author-shares-5-common-mistakes-editors-make-1.4577798


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 term 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.