Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - SA 850 G100

Selected Topics in Social Theory (5)

Class Number: 2185

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Fri, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines different historical and contemporary perspectives from the body of social theory. Students from other departments and faculties may enroll with permission of instructor.

COURSE DETAILS:

WHOSE LIVES MATTER? SOCIAL THEORY THAT TROUBLES WESTERN CONSTRUCTIONS OF THE HUMAN

The purpose of this course is to provide space for us to engage with social theorizing that troubles the Eurocentric, white supremacist, colonial, hetero-patriarchal and capitalist constructions of the human that traditionally anchor the origin story of Sociology as a discipline. Our project involves reading against the grain of whiteness and colonialism and is necessarily multidisciplinary, drawing as it does on critical race, postcolonial, cultural studies, black feminist, Indigenous, and bio-politics/assemblage theorizing. We will do this by focusing on socio-historical contexts and applying analytical questions to explore the ways in which various activist/intellectuals have framed their critiques of the West.

Grading

  • Three Critical summaries (3 x 10%) (use one or two of the analytical questions to guide your analysis): • Two of the required readings (one of which is **) and one supplemental combined with in-class presentations (10% each for a total of 30% of final grade) 750 words; 10 minutes • By end of November 16 class. One person per reading. Sign up on September 7 or 14 30%
  • Thematic analysis paper - 70% of final grade: 1. Final paper (4000 words) Due December 7 by 6pm – 40% 2. Poster presentation (10 minute overview + 20 minute facilitated discussion) – 30% 70%

NOTES:

Grading: 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:

All readings available via PDFs, CANVAS, SFU Library Reserves, SFU Library e-books, or links.

Should you wish to buy any of the books we are reading, please purchase exactly the same edition (for page # consistency).

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