Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - SA 327 E100

Sociology of Knowledge (S) (4)

Class Number: 7782

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Tue, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Agnes MacDonald
    agnes_macdonald@sfu.ca
    Office: AQ 5068
    Office Hours: Tuesday, 3pm-4:15pm and by appointment

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of sociological theories concerning the interaction of social structures, and meaning and belief systems.

COURSE DETAILS:

The Sociology of Knowledge course is an examination of sociological theories concerning the relation between thought and society. More specifically, the course engages interactions of social structures, meaning and belief systems from Western developments of epistemology and classical sociological thought to indigenous traditions, feminist knowledge, and post-modern discourses. After a general introduction to the concept of “knowledge,” an overview of the ways of knowing will lead us to methods of inquiries across historical times and places in order to arrive at key disciplinary approaches. We also engage the primary differences between the social determination of knowledge and the social construction of reality, classification of knowledge, and human agents’ everyday experience. The subthemes of the course help build our understanding of the development of the sociology of knowledge. A collection of articles and book chapters provide us with grounding material of the topics to discuss, ask questions and write about. In addition, two books will be available to draw on for the research paper project.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Foster our understanding of what “knowledge” means in the discipline of sociology
  • Contextualize the development of the meaning of “knowledge” in macro and micro perspectives
  • Apply critical thinking to various sociological topics through theory, method and discourse of “knowledge”
  • Broaden our knowledge of sociology through key themes about the Sociology of Knowledge from course texts during class discussions and presentations
  • Deepen our sociological research skills by the development of the final essay

Grading

  • Participation (2x10 Q&A discussions, no makeup) 20%
  • Presentation (2-4 students/class) 15%
  • Midterm Exam 30%
  • Final Research Essay 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 Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T20.01), and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10‐S10.05). 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.

The Sociology and Anthropology Student Union, SASU, is a governing body of students who are engaged with the department and want to build the SA community. Get involved!  Follow Facebook and Instagram pages or visit our website.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Material for notetaking in class. Access to a computer and internet for additional online/remote learning and uploading assignments on CANVAS.

REQUIRED READING:

1. Course Reader: Collected academic articles. (available online CANVAS)

2. Books: Du Bois, W.E.B. The Souls of Black Folk. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1999. (available at SFU library)

3. Books: Lukács, György. Soul & Form. Trans. John T. Sanders & Katie Terezakis. Intro. Judith Butler. New York: Columbia University Press, 2010.

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