Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - SA 366 E100

Special Topics in Sociology (S) (4)

Forced Migration and Refugees Studies

Class Number: 6820

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Thu, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Baran Fakhri
    afakhri@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Thursday 3:00-4:00 PM, in-person

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores a topic in Sociology not regularly offered by the department.

COURSE DETAILS:

Special Topic: Forced Migration and Refugee Studies

In this course we look at forced migration, refuge, and ‘illegal’ migration. Specific questions guide our exploration: How does humanitarianism collaborate with capitalism and colonialism? Why do hierarchies of attention favour certain refugee subjects? How do borders exercise control through maiming, humiliating, and scattering? How do refugees protect their agency amid their precarity? What produces protracted waiting and uncertainty in ‘irregular’ migration? How do migrants interact with landscapes and border geography? What is migrant smuggling and clandestine border-crossing? How can precarious labour entangle with ‘irregular’ migration? With these questions in mind, we hear stories from migrants and follow them on their routes, reflecting on uncertainty and waiting, violence and fear, and hope and resilience.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Gain a broad grasp of contemporary forced migration geographies
  • Learn about how states, laws, and international organizations are involved in forced migration and refuge
  • Develop a critical approach to understanding forced migration beyond the framework of ‘illegality’, crisis, or victims to be saved
  • Explore how refugees experience, navigate through and narrate their forced displacement
  • Explore how borders, bordering practices, and border violence control and target migrants via multiple modalities
  • Practice and sharpen skills in analytical writing and film analysis

Grading

  • Attendance and Participation 20%
  • Thematic Reflection (3 each 10%) 30%
  • CINE/MOBILITY (Film Analysis) 10%
  • Research Paper 40%

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

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

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All required texts and material are listed in the weekly course schedule. These readings and assigned material will be available on Canvas, or online as otherwise indicated. There are a number of films and documentaries to watch that will be available via 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

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.