Fall 2020 - POL 131 D100
Politics of Prosperity and Inequality (3)
Class Number: 7351
Delivery Method: Remote
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: TBA, TBA
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 9, 2020
Wed, 9:29–9:29 p.m.
Burnaby
-
Instructor:
Denis Dogah
ddogah@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Introduces how politics shapes economic inequality and development. Focuses on how government policy and the struggle for power offer solutions to major social and economic problems. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course introduces students to the politics of poverty and inequality in the mainly developed global North and global South countries. Part I provides a comprehensive overview of the various meanings, definitions, and categorizations of poverty and relates these varied conceptualizations to the political origins of inequality. Part II identifies the causes of extreme poverty, deprivation, and marginalization and explains how these factors relate to local and international struggles between powerful political, economic, and social actors. Part III will analyze the role of international organizations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, private foundations, and civil society groups in managing the humanitarian consequences of poverty and inequality. We will draw on relevant case studies to illustrate key concepts, central themes, and debates.
Schedule: There will be a two-hour lecture each week and one-hour tutorials.
Grading
- Online Discussion 15%
- Mid-Term Exam (synchronous) 25%
- Research Paper 30%
- Final Exam (synchronous) 30%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Benjamin, C., & Cosgrove, S. (2017). Understanding Global Poverty: Causes, Capabilities, and Human Development. Routledge. (ebk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-31684-0
Hume, D. (2015): Global Governance and poor people in the post-2015 era. Routledge. (ebk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-73893-2
Additional texts will be available on Canvas.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
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
TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020
Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).