Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - SA 200W E100

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

Class Number: 7694

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Tue, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 22, 2024
    Mon, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Michelle Walks
    mwalks@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Tuesdays 3 - 4:30 pm

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:

With a focus on both Canada’s past and present, this course looks at issues of power, conflict, and change. This course focuses on issues such as: colonization, immigration policies, multiculturalism, regionalism, religion, employment, health, and families. With sociological and anthropological gazes, students will look at how historical policies and events, in combination with current influences of power, affect and relate to issues and changes in current Canadian society.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

1. Identify, define, and discuss  at least 3 main features of contemporary Canadian society

2. Define and discuss the aims and contradictions of Canadian ‘multiculturalism’

3. Effectively write about the significance of issues related to ethnic relations, immigration, social inequality, and the Canadian state, using a sociological and or anthropological approach

4. Identify key features of contemporary demographic change, and describe how they differ from traditional demographic characteristics

5. Write about and discuss challenges to commonly held myths about Canadian fairness, using specific historical and recent evidence

6. Effectively summarize and critically analyse (in writing) contemporary challenges to or within Canadian society, with reference to course materials and recent news media

Grading

  • Participation 14%
  • Quotes + Questions [x3] 15%
  • News Responses [x2] 36%
  • Midterm 15%
  • Final Exam 20%

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:

All readings for this course will be available via Canvas or online through the 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