Spring 2024 - SA 887 G100
Special Topics in Sociology/Anthropology (5)
Class Number: 1986
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Nicholas Scott
nascott@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An advanced seminar devoted to an in-depth examination of a topic not regularly offered by the department.
COURSE DETAILS:
How did do so many humans come to think that their species was better than all the rest? Why do people obsess about artificial intelligence and ChatGPT, yet ignore the intelligence of other animals, plants and fungi? What social and moral implications arise from our species literally causing a mass extinction? This course investigates the rise and demise of human supremacism, an ancient, protean ideology that weighs heavily on humans as they try and navigate the ever more ferocious floods, fires, heat domes and droughts to come. It introduces ‘the new ecological sociology,’ a fast growing field that tears down the anthropocentric border walls that affluent societies keep building around humans to separate and elevate them above earth’s other beings, who, according to outdated science and opinion, lack social skills, intelligence, consciousness, personhood, subjectivity and moral worth.
The course begins with far-out ecological speculation in two, opposite directions: deep histories, where human supremacism first coalesces as sapiens and their hierarchy myths colonize earth from many directions, and far futures, where human supremacism ultimately collapses as escapist post-sapiens grasp at other earths with their uploaded minds. From out there, the course marches steadily back towards our present day and its practical problems, like how to stem rapid biodiversity loss and suburban sprawl, counter widespread financialization of farmland and nature, and build more equitable and ecologically better ways of living together (walk and chew gum) at the same time.
Epic inequity, polarization, isolation and narcissism––society is falling apart. However, the new ecological sociology is resolute: it is an exciting time to be alive. Today, society sits on the verge of coming back together again and re-converging through a much bigger notion of whose lives count. The stakes could not be higher. Besides human supremacism, this course illuminates what is already starting to replace it: new visions and practices of multispecies democracy and fairer ways of including other-than-human persons in ‘our’ community. Along the way, we follow clashes between humanists, transhumanists and anti-humanists; dive into the moral lives and capabilities of cats, crows, dogs, orcas, bees, wheat and fungi; and explore how decolonization, far right politics and climate change are shaping the death and life of human supremacism in Canada and elsewhere.
Grading
- Participation (showing up, activity listening and discussion, being a good citizen) 10%
- Weekly Short Assignments (N=10) 40%
- Final Research Projects 50%
NOTES:
Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraws 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.
Academic Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Department of Sociology and Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) 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: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.
Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with2 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
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Provided on Canvas
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.
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
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