Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CMNS 455W D100

Feminist Approaches to Science and Technology (4)

Class Number: 2412

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    26 CMNS units with a minimum grade of C- or 60 units with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Topics include the processes through which gendering of technologies takes place; information and communication technologies (ICTs), gender and public and private spheres; issues related to labour of women and gender minorities in tech sectors; and gender and the use of ICTs in relation to health; as well as the contributions which the study of gender and ICTs have made to theoretical debates within science, technology and society studies. Students with credit for CMNS 455 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course explores the field of Feminist Science and Technology Studies (Feminist STS). We will consider gender more broadly, including transgender perspectives, and take a strong focus on the relationship between gender, race, sexuality, and ability. We will ask what constitutes a technology within a feminist framework, and consider methods that feminist STS scholars have used to situate technologies in gendered contexts and communities of use. After establishing this basis, we will focus our learning on the relationship between gender, computing, and the Internet. Problems to be explored include:  how gender structures databases; participation in computing industries; the gendered and racialized design of search engines; networks, and other information systems; and the use of information and communication technologies for feminist activism. This is a writing intensive course intended to improve students’ skills in written communication. Toward this goal, students will choose a topic related to the course that interests them, and practice writing about that topic across three different genres, receiving written feedback throughout the course to help develop writing.

Grading

  • Writing Assignment 1 (500-800 words): Writing for an Online Audience 25%
  • Writing Assignment 2 (1000-1250 words): Writing an Opinion/Editorial 25%
  • Writing Assignment 3 (Around 1500 words plus 500 word artist’s statement) Twine Game 30%
  • In-Class Writing Exercises 10%
  • Contributions to Class Discussions and Other Activities 10%

NOTES:

The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relationship to established university-wide practices. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 with regard to Student Discipline. For further information visit: www.sfu.ca/policies/Students/index.html.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Course readings will be made available as PDFs through the course CANVAS site.

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.