Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - PHIL 803 G100

Selected Topics in Metaphysics (5)

Social Metaphysics

Class Number: 7193

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Social Metaphysics

Important note regarding enrollment: All seats are reserved for philosophy graduate students. Philosophy honours students can access enrollment into this course by contacting the Philosophy Advisor (philcomm@sfu.ca). Enrollments from graduate students in other departments will be considered only upon submission of the Graduate Course Add Form, and with instructor's permission. All such enrollments will be done in or after the first week of classes.

Title: Social Metaphysics
In this course, we will look at recent work in social metaphysics, including the nature of social groups, social categories, and social individuals. Specific topics include the nature of social construction; the metaphysics of race, gender, and sexual orientation; and relational personhood (especially in Chinese metaphysics). We will see how traditional tools of metaphysics can be applied to social phenomena, as well as how the need to account for social phenomena motivates the creation of novel metaphysical frameworks.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Successful completion of this course will satisfy the “M&E Stream” distribution requirement toward the MA degree for philosophy graduate students.


Grading

  • Presentation 10%
  • Paper proposal (including workshopping and draft exchange) 20%
  • Final paper (including workshopping and draft exchange) 70%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

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.

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:

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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.