Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2019 - SA 410 D100

Sociology of Dangerous Classes (S) (4)

Class Number: 3152

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Minimum of 72 units including either SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Offers specialized instruction on advanced topics pertaining to the social and moral regulation of human subjects in both historical and contemporary contexts. It explores the ideologies, policies and practices of regulation and governance in application to selected social contexts and subjects including, but not confined to, welfare, justice, medicine, the 'psy' sciences, immigration, labour, sexuality, pornography, racialization, gender and family. Students will acquire specialized knowledge about the profound impact of civil and state regulation projects on societies past and present, and about the rich diversity of institutional, cultural and human experience that these social ordering ideologies, policies and practices encompass.

COURSE DETAILS:

The central focus of this advanced-undergraduate and elective graduate seminar will be sociological debates about the social and moral regulation of human subjects. We will explore how ideas of dangerousness, risk and fear have proliferated, and shaped social policies and practices in the management of “problem” populations. We ask who, in an era of neoliberal governmentality, are the objects of danger? Why do some groups appear to be more worthy of scrutiny, surveillance and control than others? Who gets to frame the debates such that certain actions and subjects are magnified, but others are not? The course will draw on a broad range of sociological literature to answer these questions and examine the underlying assumptions that inform the differential treatment of social groups and well as resistances to them.

Grading

  • Critical response discussion papers (4 x 5%) 20%
  • Critical response presentations (2 x 10%) 20%
  • Case study presentation 15%
  • Case study report 10%
  • Review essay 20%
  • Participation 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Electronic journal articles.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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