Fall 2021 - LBST 202 D100

Labour Research for Social Change: Methods and Approaches (3)

Class Number: 6688

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 8 – Dec 7, 2021: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Edward Haddon
    edh@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: We 11:30–13:30 via Zoom
  • Prerequisites:

    LBST 100 or LBST 101 or with permission of instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students to labour research through methodology and research methods for social change. By exploring what methodology is, the methods common in labour research, and understandings of social justice, students gain experience of quantitative and qualitative approaches, including survey research. Focuses on using and interpreting quantitative data and statistics for social justice and social change. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Labour researchers use a variety of research methods to investigate the social world. Research methods allow us to empirically investigate the adequacy of social theory and to gather information to create theories to solve pertinent social issues. This course offers a grounding in what we know and how we come to know it. We will learn about both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including interviews, survey research, ethnography and participatory action research (PAR). We also learn about the nature of both qualitative and quantitative research including measurement, sampling validity, generalizability, grounded theory and the analyses of both quantitative and qualitative data.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Understand the basic principles of quantitative and qualitative research, including some criticism of both;
  • Increase familiarity with various methods of conducting labour research;
  • Improve the skills necessary to be a thoughtful consumer and critic of labour research;and
  • Understand the basics of sampling, analyses and measurement.

Grading

  • Participation in online discussion forums 15%
  • Group research proposal 20%
  • Midterm exam 30%
  • Final exam 35%

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 Labour Studies Program 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:

Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2019). Social Research Methods, 5th Canadian Edition. Toronto: Oxford University Press.

Print ISBN: 978-0-199029440
VitalSource ebook ISBN: 978-0-199029518

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 2021

Teaching at SFU in fall 2021 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with approximately 70 to 80 per cent of classes in person/on campus, with safety plans in place.  Whether your course will be in-person or through remote methods will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware 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.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the fall 2021 term.