Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - SA 201W D100

Anthropology and Contemporary Life (A) (4)

Class Number: 2746

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Pamela Stern
    pstern@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-4677
    Office Hours: Mondays, 10am-noon (drop-in), other times by appointment

  • Prerequisites:

    Recommended: SA 101.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the anthropological perspective as applied to the organization of everyday life in contemporary settings. Introduces positivist, interpretive, and critical interpretive approaches to the analysis of social actions, identities, and values as enacted in space and time. Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.

COURSE DETAILS:

What role do algorithms play in contemporary life in Canada and around the world? How do they affect the decisions we make? And, perhaps more importantly, how do they affect the decisions made about us? In this experiential learning class, we will look at how anthropologists study people’s entanglement with algorithmic culture. We will use the tools and theories of anthropology to conduct our own investigations of the ways algorithms affect labour and employment, our sense of safety and security, consumption, healthcare, leisure, and much more. As we will be learning together, active student participation is critical. Classes will consist of lectures, quizzes, discussions, and collaborative research activities. The course satisfies requirements for a lower division Writing Intensive course.

Students in this course may be asked to use and evaluate Generative AI tools for some activities. All students will be required to complete research ethics training in order to participate in the group research activities.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

At the end of this course students will:

  • understand the scope of anthropology and recognize how and where anthropology contributes to our knowledge of contemporary social concerns;
  • be able to apply anthropological methods and theories to contemporary social issues and phenomena;
  • be able to make a convincing argument supported by data and social theory; and
  • have experience collecting, analyzing, and presenting ethnographic data

Grading

  • active and constructive participation in classroom activities 10%
  • in class quizzes 15%
  • ethnographic activities and in class writing 25%
  • contribution to a group research project 25%
  • an op-ed essay 25%

NOTES:

Students in this course may be asked to use and evaluate Generative AI tools for some activities.

All students will be required to complete research ethics training in order to participate in the group research activities.

Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all 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.

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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 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 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:

  • Wilson, Joseph. Humans of AI: Understanding the People Behind the Machines, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2026. (Digital version available from SFU library or for purchase from SFU Bookstore. A few print copies are also at the Bookstore)
  • Journal articles, book chapters, and other documents (in a coursepack at the SFU bookstore. I will place a copy on reserve at the library)
  • Podcasts, videos, other materials (CANVAS)

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.