Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2017 - SA 301 D100

Contemporary Ethnography (A) (4)

Class Number: 4741

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A consideration of key themes in contemporary anthropology. This course addresses theoretical and methodological questions by examining the work of contemporary anthropologists conducting research in diverse locations around the world. Students with credit for SA 370 may not take SA 301 for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course explores anthropology's efforts to communicate across boundaries of time, space, language, and culture.  It is an introduction to key ideas and concepts in anthropology via a study of the discipline's most distinctive contribution to the social sciences -- ethnography.  Defined by one introductory anthropology textbook as "gathering information on contemporary cultures through fieldwork and firsthand study," the word ethnography stands for a complex amalgam of certain principles of method, representation, and analysis.  How do anthropologists learn to “see” culture and social organization in the course of fieldwork? How are generalizations built up out of everyday interactions with people in the course of research? What role does translation play in making sense of ways of life? What techniques allow us to analyze cultural meanings and social forms, such that we can claim to provide a true account? To explore these questions, we will read two ethnographies closely.  Our study of these two texts will be contextualized by discussion of articles and excerpts from important moments in the history of debate in anthropological theory. This course is organized around close study of the required readings, class discussions, writing exercises and study groups based on these readings, and background mini-lectures from the instructor. Active student participation is required in this reading-intensive course.

Grading

  • Participation in class discussion and group activities: 15%
  • Reading response/preparation worksheets (a set of informal writing assignments): 15%
  • 2 500 word essays (based on workbook assignments) 15% each 30%
  • 2 1000-1200 word papers (building on coursework) 20% each 40%

NOTES:

Where a final exam is scheduled and you do not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, you will be assigned a N grade. Unless otherwise specified on the course outline, all other graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned.

Students will receive an N grade if they do not complete the 2 500-word essays and the 2 1000-1200 word essays.

REQUIREMENTS:

Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy   The Department of Sociology and Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01‐ S10.04).  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.    

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Evans-Pritchard, E.E.  The Nuer. Oxford University Press: 1940

Hutchinson, S. Nuer Dilemmas: Coping with Money, War, and the State. University of California Press, 1996.

There will also be a required set of articles provided via Canvas.  

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS