Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - EDUC 836 G001

Equity Issues in Language, Education and Society (5)

Class Number: 10199

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Thu, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Participants will critically examine how language intersects with nation-states, race, class, religion, gender, sexuality, and ability, among other social categories, to perpetuate multiple forms of inequality in various social institutions, such as mass media, home, school, church, workplace, and law and the judicial system. Participants will juxtapose academic articles with personal experiences and observations, as well as media representations and public discourses, to explore equity issues related to language in education and society in local, national and global contexts.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • 1) To raise participants’ critical awareness of how language has played an important role in constructing various forms of inequality locally and globally
  • 2) To help participants to identify and critically analyze how language functions to construct inequalities in texts, media and everyday interactions relevant to them today
  • 3) To help participants to produce materials to critically reflect on and dialogue about language issues in globalization, particularly in increased global inequalities

Grading

  • Meaningful Participation 15%
  • Language Autobiography and Critical Reflections 25%
  • Team Facilitation 25%
  • Final Project: Dialoguing with self and others 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Academic articles, book chapters and other course materials will be available online. Be certain you know how to use and access SFU Library databases and Canvas. Please bring hard- or electronic-copies of required readings to each class.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Lippi-Green, R. (1997/ 2012). English with an accent: Language, ideology, and discrimination in the united states. London & New York: Routledge.

Cameron, D. (2003/1995) Verbal Hygiene. London & New York: Routledge.

Bonfiglio, T. P. (2002). Race and the rise of standard American. Berlin & New York: Mouton De Gruyter

Fabian, J. (1986). Language and colonial power: the appropriation of Swahili in the former Belgian Congo 1880-1938. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

Billig, M. (2006/1995). Banal nationalism. London: Sage.

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