Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2017 - SA 335 J100

Gender Relations and Social Issues (S) (4)

Class Number: 3017

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Aug 4, 2017: Mon, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A sociological study of the position of women and men in major social institutions in western industrial societies, in particular Canada. Social institutions that may be examined include: the family, education, the economy, the polity, law, and the mass media. Particular attention will be paid to social policy issues. Students with credit for SA 292 (when offered as gender relations) or GSWS 308 (or WS 308) may not take SA 335 for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Feminists of the 1970s claimed that "the personal is political," demonstrating that the personal experience of gender is not just a private, individual phenomenon, but rather it is situated, produced and reproduced within a broader social landscape. In subsequent research, gender scholars theorized how other axes of power—such as race, class, sexuality, and immigration status—intersect with gender, enabling and constraining one's life possibilities.

This seminar will challenge students to synthesize this research and analysis to critically examine their own assumptions about gender and other intersecting forms of power. Using course readings, video clips, current affairs, Canadian social policy and our own situated knowledges, we will draw connections between the personal and the political, the individual and the structural, rendering visible the ways in which institutions inform various dimensions of social life. Drawing on several theoretical traditions—such as feminist, queer, trans, masculinities, and critical race scholarship—students will examine the organization and meaning of gender in institutional contexts such as labour, family, health, and the state.

Grading

  • Active participation 20%
  • Tutorial leaders 10%
  • Reflexive paper 10%
  • Take-home exams (4 x 10%) 40%
  • Policy analysis paper 20%

NOTES:

There is no final exam in this course. All graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than “N” to be assigned. Your final mark in the class will be based on the above grading rubric.

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). In graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a list of references, following an 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:

Required course materials (articles and book chapters) will be available for download or direct reading through Canvas and the SFU library reserves: http://troy.lib.sfu.ca/search/r.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Additional recommended texts can be found through an SFU library search.

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