Spring 2024 - SA 443 D100
Ethnographic Sensibility in Action (A) (4)
Class Number: 2041
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Pamela Stern
pstern@sfu.ca
1 778 782-4677
Office Hours: TBA in person
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Prerequisites:
Minimum of 72 units including either SA 101 or SA 150.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Selected Topics in Anthropology. Seminar exploring the topic through discussion, and developing original ideas that engage with anthropological theory and methods. Course topic varies with the instructor and section. See detailed course outline for more information. SA 443 may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught.
COURSE DETAILS:
The Social Lives of the Dead
The dead are everywhere, and surprisingly lively in human worlds. This advanced seminar will examine ethnographic materials concerning the dead as a tool for unpacking anthropological theory. We will investigate some of the many ways that the dead are made to remain involved in the lives and well-being of the living. Topics will include assisted dying, the missing and disappeared, the treatment of the dead bodies and body parts, memorials, the “good” death, state-led mass murder, unmarked graves, etc.
As an advanced seminar, class meetings will be largely devoted to student-led discussions of readings, films, and other course materials. Within the broad framework of the course, students will have the opportunity to propose specific topics and materials for inquiry.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
At the conclusion of the course, students will have
- Developed a deepened understanding and appreciation for social theory and be prepared to apply it in new contexts;
- become familiar with the large and diverse anthropological literature concerning the treatment of the dead and dying
- developed confidence and skill for critical analysis
Grading
- weekly preparation of discussion ideas 18%
- constructive and ongoing participation in classroom discussion and activities 12%
- a book review essay 30%
- a term project to be developed in consultation with the professor 40%
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
REQUIRED READING:
- Verdery, Katherine. 2000. The Political Lives of Dead Bodies. New York: Columbia University Press.
- Rosaldo, Renato. 2014. The Day of Shelley’s Death: the poetry and ethnography of death, Durham: Duke University Press (digital version accessible from SFU Library)
- Allison, Anne. 2023. Being Dead Otherwise. Durham: Duke University Press (digital version accessible from SFU Library)
- Podcasts, videos, journal articles and book chapters (available through CANVAS)
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