Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - EDUC 806 G031

Selected Problems in Higher Education (5)

Class Number: 5618

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

COURSE DETAILS:

This is a special topics course offering for the M. Ed in Education Leadership in post-secondary settings. The focus of this course is post-secondary education futures. Located in decolonial, critical and speculative approaches, we consider the histories of academic culture and how these are shaping the current moment when decolonial imperatives clash with neo-colonial pressures. We consider the unsettling of the tenets of the academy posed by Generative AI, contested policies of internationalization, funding for universities in a democratic society and the ongoing struggle for access, equity and Indigenization particularly in post-secondary institutions in British Columbia located on unceded Indigenous territories. Organized in a book club format, we will read into these themes, troubles and possibilities together. Participants are then invited to follow strands of these conversations in deeper reading and writing projects oriented to their research topics.

Meeting Dates: Thursdays, September 4 – November 27. No class on October 9.

Meeting Times: 5:30 – 8:30. This is a 5 credit course; in addition to our 3 hour in-person meetings students will pursue individual and group projects, readings and activities. Please plan to dedicated an average of 10 hours to course work. This includes 5 hours a week of class learning including in-person meetings and applied learning activities outside the course, and at least 5 hours a week of reading and writing in preparation for class meetings.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Deepen understanding of the histories and cultures shaping contemporary post-secondary institutions;
  • Develop a repertoire of concepts related to decoloniality to analyse and transform contemporary practices;
  • Make connections to your interests, research topics and social locations in the academy;
  • Generate possibilities for alternative futures in post-secondary education;
  • Hone skills and develop confidence in generating diverse texts for academic and public audiences;
  • Create a generative and supportive learning community.

Grading

  • Response “plus” 3 x 20 % = 65% 60%
  • Course portfolio/project 40%

NOTES:

Assignment Descriptions:

Response “Plus”. Every three – four weeks students individually and/or in pairs/small groups, generate and share a response to core texts and at least two constellation texts, in which you think through ideas in relation to your research topic. These may be presented in a diversity of modes from poetry and prose, podcasts, photo essays.  We will create a timeline for when these responses are due, ideally half the group responding on alternate weeks.

 A portfolio or project presented to the class and the instructor at the end of the course that synthesizes, deepens and mobilizes a course idea/theme in relation to your capstone/individual research topic.


In keeping with the course theme of decolonizing and thinking the university differently, this course adopts methods of ‘ungrading’. We will generate guidelines together for what work constitutes an  A, B and so on. There will be elements of self-assessment/reflection in which grades are negotiated according to students’ learning goals in relation to the course topic.

From time to time we may leave the classroom for walks and outings.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Core course readings (books for the book club) and related articles (constellation readings) will be available online at the SFU library and circulated 2 weeks before the start of the course.

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

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.