Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - SA 216 D100

Sociology of Indigenous-Settler Relations (S) (4)

Class Number: 7182

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the social, political and legal forces that structure contemporary relationships between Indigenous peoples, settlers, and the state. Topics include anti-Indigenous racism; colonialism and knowledge production; sovereignty and nationhood; law and property; fiscal and economic relations; gender and race; and decolonization and solidarity. Students who have taken SA 442 under the title "Sociology of Indigenous-Settler Relations" in Fall 2021, Fall 2022, or Fall 2023 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is focussed on sociological analysis of settler colonialism, Indigenous-settler relations, and Indigenous- state relations. Working from Indigenous theories on the contemporary shape of Indigenous-settler relations in Canada, we will examine how these relationships are structured around inequality, injustice, and struggles over sovereignty. We will examine how institutions such as law, economy, and scientific knowledge production are sites of contention over Indigenous knowledge, land, and nationhood. Some of the specific topics we will grapple with in this course include: racism, property, and possession; land, borders, and cities; Indigenous identity and science; and the role of budgets and taxes in relation to Indigenous-Canada relations. The course ends with discussion of the future of reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenous-settler relationship building.

Grading

  • 2 Tests 50%
  • 1 Assignment 30%
  • Participation 20%

NOTES:

Grading: 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.

Grading System: The undergraduate course grading system is A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F, N (N standing indicates student did not complete course requirements). Intervals for the assignment of final letter grades based on course percentage grades are 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

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

No required texts. All readings uploaded 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.

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.