Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CA 354 D100

Social I (3)

Class Number: 6258

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, Thu, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Prerequisites:

    One of CA 221, 231, 246, 252, 261, 271, 285, or permission of instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The first of two courses in the Social Studio set. Students will be introduced to contemporary practices, methodologies and ethical considerations at play at the intersection of performance and social practice.

COURSE DETAILS:

 

As the first course in our Social Studios, it offers students an introduction to the creative intersections of social practice and theatre/performance. Drawing from a wide variety of historical and contemporary projects—from Teatro Campesino to Dread Scott’s Slave Rebellion Reenactment Reenactment (2019)—students will develop skills and techniques to produce their own projects that reimagine the social form and function of live performance, with an emphasis on collaboration, participation, interventionist tactics, reenactment, and dialogue.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Develop an in-depth understanding of the histories and practices related to social practice, socially engaged art and theatre, tactical interventionist performance, participatory art, relational and dialogic aesthetics. 
  • Create socially engaged projects rooted in collaboration, participation, direct action, and dialogue.
  • Reimagine the social form and function of live performance through creative inquiry, play, and radical experimentation.

Grading

  • General Participation 20%
  • Studio Assignments 40%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Final 20%

NOTES:

We enter this space as collaborators. Each participant is responsible for the production and maintenance of its trajectory. This requires full attendance and participation in scheduled classes and presentations.  

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Students arrive on time for scheduled classes and any group work outside of class. Absences or lateness will adversely affect the final grade. 5 mins of lateness equals 1 full absence. We will always start on the agreed upon time. Notify the instructor in advance of all absences. 2% of the final grade is reduced for every absence without reason.
  • Assignments are prepared and completed on time (i.e. readings completed in full, materials prepared for presentations, etc.).
  • Everyone participates in group discussions and presentations. We hold each other accountable in the studio and to appropriate behaviour.
  • Individual research and group studio practice outside of the scheduled class times will be required.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

  • Bring a book to write in.  
  • Access to digital recording devices (broadly considered, ie. phones, computers etc)

REQUIRED READING:

All readings are provided by the instructor and available on Canvas as PDFs.

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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.