Spring 2020 - SA 887 G100

Special Topics in Sociology/Anthropology (5)

Sociology of Dangerous Classes

Class Number: 3083

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Wendy Chan
    wchane@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-4469
    Office: AQ 5077
    Office Hours: Mo 14:00-15:00

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced seminar devoted to an in-depth examination of a topic not regularly offered by the department.

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 (5 x 8%) 40%
  • Reading presentation 10%
  • Case study presentation 15%
  • Review essay 20%
  • Participation 15%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy: The Department of Sociology & 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.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.    

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Book chapters, journal articles, and other materials available in CANVAS.

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://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