Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2017 - SA 474 E100

Cultures, Politics, Performance: Conversations with Performance Studies (A) (4)

Class Number: 4800

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Mon, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Minimum 72 units including SA 101 or SA 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Anthropological studies of performance as theoretical/methodological framework for analyzing social relations and power in selected historical/cultural contexts. Subjects may include theories of performance and performativity; creativity and experience; cultural performance; ritual; performance as political resistance; performance and everyday life. Ethnographic and historical accounts focused on performance in colonial/neocolonial/postcolonial processes will constitute substantive course content.

COURSE DETAILS:

This is a practice-based course that invites students to create and present life stories while reading, watching, hearing and responding to those created by others. We will explore multiple forms (texts, images/video/film, live performance, installation, everyday conversation).

Throughout the course, we will tack back and forth between the life story projects students research and create, and theoretical/methodological debates about the potential of experimental ethnographic methodologies to serve as transdisciplinary meeting ground for work in anthropology/ethnography/performance studies.  We will explore emerging work in multisensory ethnography, and we will pay particular attention to relationships among storytellers, their stories, and the cultural/political contexts in which specific forms of life storytelling are practiced, celebrated and/or silenced.

Storytelling will be approached throughout as an irreducibly social and relational practice necessarily involving storytellers and audiences, and memory work. An interwoven question organizes the fabric of this course: How/why do life storytelling research and performance?  Question threads include: How/why define what constitutes a “life story”?  Why/how may life stories be researched, represented and communicated? How/why do ethical/political questions surrounding life storytelling work emerge for researchers? Why/how may diverse audiences watch/listen to life stories?  How/why does political power shape who may tell (and who may hear) what life stories when, where, and how? Why/how may life storytellers reproduce and/or challenge dominant political powers?

Storytelling research, creation and performance are irreducibly relational practices necessarily involving storytellers and audiences, and thus requiring regular attendance at all classes. Some graded work will be completed in class, including course project design, and ongoing peer exchange and review of research processes.  

Credit for this course may be applied to the PERFORMANCE STUDIES CERTIFICATE.

Grading

  • Ethnographic Diary 20%
  • Class participation and analyses of readings & viewings 30%
  • Term project (life story development exercises = 20%; final presentation = 30%) 50%

NOTES:

In order to complete course assignments, students will be required to conduct independent research outside the classroom. These activities may require travel by vehicle or public transit, as well as on foot.  Students may negotiate alternatives with Instructor if necessary.

REQUIREMENTS:

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.

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:

Articles, book chapters and multi media materials available through CANVAS and/or on reserve at Bennett Library.

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