Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2017 - SA 358 D100

The Philosophy of the Social Sciences (SA) (4)

Class Number: 8442

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An analysis of the nature of explanation in the social sciences: 'mind' and action, positivist and interpretive modes of explanation, sociological and historical explanation, objectivity, forms of relativism, the concept of rationality.

COURSE DETAILS:

If there is agreement that we can have knowledge of reality, it does not follow that there is agreement on the nature of reality, or the road to knowledge of it, or what knowledge is when we think we have it. The first and longest part of this course will be spent discussing how knowledge has been understood historically, how it has evolved, why it became formalized in the university, how and why disciplines as fragmented knowledge arose, and what were the rationale and significance of the 19th and 20th century disciplines of social science.    The second section will deal with contemporary problems in the social sciences, all of which will have been touched upon throughout the first section on the history of knowledge as philosophy/science. Here we will examine, as time permits, such questions as objectivity and neutrality, relativism and absolutism, truth and propaganda, theory and practice, rationality and explanation, ‘weltanschauung,’ ideology, and inter/cross/multi/trans-disciplinarity.  The course will end with a discussion of the current crisis in the social sciences, as the modern meets the post-modern characterized by globalization and new information technologies.  

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The course is intended to provide the student with:
a)  a broad grasp of the contested notion of knowledge,
b)  an analysis of the evolution of knowledge,
c)  an understanding of why knowledge takes the form of disciplines in universities,
d)  an appreciation of the many problems associated with knowledge and its acquisition,
e)  a grasp of knowledge as power and its current real and possible uses, as well as its theoretically potential uses in a society not divided by class.   

Grading

  • a) weekly study notes [due each week for 10 weeks 10%
  • b) a critical book review (due: mid-semester] 40%
  • c) a term essay [due: last class, 2017] 50%

NOTES:

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.

Both the book review and the term essay (b & c) must be written-up in formal essay style, complete with footnotes (any format, consistently used); and both must be typed and double-spaced.  

The weekly study notes must be typed, but can be submitted as point-form notes and comments on two or more articles, books, or book chapters – one to two pages each - for any ten weeks (10%).

REQUIREMENTS:

All students are expected to read SFU’s policies concerning academic dishonesty [T 10.02 and T 10.03]. The policies can be read at this website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no single text, but there are a set of readings (articles and/or book chapters) available online or scanned. Students are encouraged to read some of the suggested readings and use them for their assignments.   It is expected that students will read the assigned articles from each section. It is also expected that the reflections on these readings will be brought to the class and form the basis for student participation.
Set of readings will be listed on the syllabus, or perhaps available as a course package.  

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