Spring 2018 - SA 366 E100
Special Topics in Sociology (S) (4)
Class Number: 12928
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Wed, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
Vancouver
-
Instructor:
Yildiz Atasoy
yatasoy@sfu.ca
Office Hours: Wednesday 4:30-5:30 pm (by appointment)
-
Prerequisites:
SA 101 or 150 or 201W.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Explores a topic in Sociology not regularly offered by the department.
COURSE DETAILS:
Sociology of Landscapes, Ecology and Agrarian Change
This course focuses on the sociology of agrarian change and its ecological relations. Modernization narratives have placed agriculture on the margins of most social analysis. However, the current ecological crisis is forcing us to take a new look at global agrarian transformation and its social, political, cultural and ecological implications. This course adopts various analytical approaches to examine pressing contemporary issues concerning the centrality of agriculture in the relationship between humankind and the rest of nature. Among the particular issues examined are: the contested commodification of landscapes and territories; the gendered and racialized processes of production and labour in farming and farming practices; peasant dispossession and seed enclosures; agro-biotechnology; agricultural knowledge(s) including indigenous knowledge and non-market values of well-being; as well as actual and potential resistance movements involved in reimagining the relationship between agriculture and the nature.
Grading
- Written summaries x 2 (15% ea) 30%
- Class presentation 30%
- Critical journals 25%
- Presenting the international news of the week 5%
- Participation (details will be discussed in class) 10%
NOTES:
Grading
Students will receive an N (incomplete) grade if they do not complete any one of the following assignments: Two sets of written summaries; class presentations; and critical journals. An N is considered an F for purposes of scholastic standing.
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:
Yildiz Atasoy (2017). Commodification of Global Agrifood Systems and Agro-Ecology: Convergence, Divergence and Beyond in Turkey. London and New York: Routledge. (Also available as an e-book.)
ISBN: 978-0415820509
Selected readings will be available in the SFU Library and online.
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