Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - PHIL 467W D100

Advanced Seminar (4)

Social Metaphysics

Class Number: 4134

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    15 upper division PHIL units or permission from the instructor. Students not in a philosophy major, philosophy honours, or joint major program can take PHIL 467W only with special permission from the instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced, in-depth seminar on a contemporary or historical philosophical topic. Required for all students in a philosophy major, philosophy honours, or joint major program. May be repeated for credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Social Metaphysics

This seminar focuses on recent work in social metaphysics, including the nature of social groups, social categories, and social individuals. Specific topics include the nature of social construction; the metaphysics of sex, gender, and sexual orientation; and social normativity. We will see how traditional tools of metaphysics can be applied to social phenomena, as well as how the need to account for social phenomena motivates the creation of novel metaphysical frameworks.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course will be applied towards the upper division Writing Requirement for philosophy majors, philosophy honours, and philosophy joint majors. All students declared in one of these programs starting with Fall 2024 have to take an offering of PHIL 467W as a required course. Students declared before Fall 2024 can take any 400 level course (at least 1 is required) - but make sure you also have an upper division PHIL W course. Starting with Fall 2025, the only such courses are PHIL 345W and PHIL 467W.
This course can be repeated for credit under a different topic.

Grading

  • Weekly summaries/discussion questions 20%
  • Paper proposal and bibliography 10%
  • Paper draft and comments 10%
  • Final paper 60%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be made available 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.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philcomm@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

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.