Spring 2017 - SA 887 G200
Special Topics in Sociology/Anthropology (5)
Class Number: 4838
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Mon, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Dara Culhane
culhane@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An advanced seminar devoted to an in-depth examination of a topic not regularly offered by the department.
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 including texts, images/video/film/audio, live
performance, installation, everyday events and conversations.
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 for experimental ethnographic methodologies to serve as meeting ground for
transdisciplinary 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 entanglements
in which specific forms of life storytelling are practiced, celebrated and/or silenced.
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/experience 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 social and
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.
Grading
- Ethnographic Diary 20%
- Class participation and analyses of readings & viewings 30%
- Term project- Life Story Development Exercises (20%) + Final Presentation (30%) 50%
NOTES:
This course is available to senior undergraduates and graduate students. Graduate
students registering for SA 887 will be required to complete additional assigned readings
and viewings, and term project may be designed to reflect graduate research interests.
Credit for this course may be applied to the PERFORMANCE STUDIES
CERTIFICATE.
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 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 ALL of the assignments in the grading section.
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.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Articles, book chapters and multi media materials available through CANVAS
and/or on reserve at Bennett Library.
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
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