Spring 2021 - PHIL 455W E100

Contemporary Issues in Epistemology and Metaphysics (4)

Metaphysics of Social Reality

Class Number: 2240

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Thu, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Two 300 division PHIL courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

May be repeated for credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: The Metaphysics of Social Reality

[Note: this course is to be taught concurrently with PHIL 803.]

In this course, we will use tools from metaphysics to examine the nature of a wide range of social entities and phenomena. Topics to be discussed include the metaphysics of social kinds, like gender, race, and disability; the metaphysics of social groups, like hockey teams and Arcade Fire; and the metaphysics of social entities like restaurants and provinces.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course may be applied towards the Writing Requirement (and the upper division Writing Requirement for Philosophy majors).

Grading

  • Weekly summaries/discussion questions 25%
  • Paper outline 10%
  • Workshop 20%
  • Final paper 45%

NOTES:

Course delivery: remote, synchronous. Online presence is required during scheduled time.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students must have access to internet and a computer/other device that permits streaming video, word processing and teleconferencing with Zoom.

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available through Canvas.


Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philmgr@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

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 SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 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).