Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - LBST 202 D100

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

Class Number: 3551

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Xinying Hu
    xinyingh@sfu.ca
    Office: AQ 6080
    Office Hours: Tue. 12:30 pm-2:00 pm via in-person or 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:

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, analysis of pre-existing statistics, interviews, as well as others. Quantitative methods and analysis focus on using and interpreting quantitative data and statistics for social justice and social change.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon satisfactory completion of the course students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concept of methodology and how it applies to labour-oriented research.
  2. Define and apply research approaches grounded in social justice aims.
  3. Show familiarity with Canadian datasets, including the Labour Force Survey and Census.
  4. Identify appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods for conducting research on work-related topics.
  5. Utilize descriptive statistics and interpret basic regression models.
  6. Conduct small-scale original research projects using appropriate methods and data.

Grading

  • Attendance 5%
  • In-class (tutorial) assignments (2) 10%
  • Mid-term exam 25%
  • Social justice research toolkit (group project) 15%
  • Research report (research proposal, paper draft, and final report) 45%

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 Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Labour Studies Program follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic honesty and student conduct 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:

Gray, David E., 2018. Doing Research in the Real World. Fourth Edition. Sage.

Sande, A.van de & Byvelds, C., 2015. Statistics for social justice: a structural perspective. Fernwood Publishing.

Brown, L.A. & Strega, S., 2015. Research as resistance: revisiting critical, indigenous, and anti-oppressive approaches. Second edition. Canadian Scholars Press.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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