Spring 2017 - SA 340 D100
Social Issues and Social Policy Analysis (SA) (4)
Class Number: 4803
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Tue, Thu, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Lindsey Freeman
lindseyf@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
SA 101 or 150 or 201W.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An examination of how sociological and anthropological theories and methods can be applied to the examination of social problems and issues which become the object of social policy. A central concern of the course is the question of how social issues are defined as problematic. Particular attention will be given to gender, ethnicity, class and generation. Substantive examples of social policy issues will be selected from a number of fields.
COURSE DETAILS:
In this course we will grapple with social issues by thinking at the intersections of place/space, belonging/exclusion, and visibility/invisibility. We will consider the contradictions of capitalism; the history of violence done to individuals and groups who live on the “margins”; environmental catastrophe and risks; the challenges of remembering difficult pasts and the way societies forget, among other social problems. In addition, we will interrogate the hierarchies of power and the variances of sexism, racism, and classism they produce. The aim of the course is for students to sharpen their understanding, imagination, and critical thinking with respect to social issues and analysis. With this focus, students should be able to wield sociological and anthropological concepts and theories, and to communicate and write clearly and analytically about social issues.
Grading
- Participation: 10%
- Short Writing Assignments (both in-class & out of class):: 10%
- Presentation (20 minutes): 20%
- Midterm Paper (5-6 pages): 20%
- Term Paper (10 – 12 pages): 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 an 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.
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:
Marc Auge, No Fixed Abode. Seagull Books (or University of Chicago), 2013.
Javier Auyero & Deborah Swinton, Flammable: Environmental Suffering in an Argentine Shantytown. Oxford University Press, 2009.
Maggie Nelson, The Argonauts. Graywolf Press, 2015.
Claudia Rankine, Citizen. Graywolf Press, 2014.
Peter C. van Wyck, The Highway of the Atom, McGill-Queens Press, 2010.
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