Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - SA 315 D100

New Information Technology and Society (SA) (4)

Class Number: 4910

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    VANCOUVER

  • Instructor:

    Bascom Guffin
    mguffin@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: By appointment, in person or online

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores the new social spaces and social practices fostered by new information technology. Special attention will be paid to who is making decisions about what technologies to adopt and how, what social changes are resulting, and who benefits and who loses. A significant portion of activity in this course will involve direct engagement with new information technology.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course provides an overview of some of the ways new information technologies have impacted human societies. We will critically examine some of the social and cultural factors that have shaped the use of information technologies, as well as how these technologies have recruited humans into new ways of doing and being. Course readings include defining texts along with ones that are more specific in how they address such issues as inequality, the power of algorithms, surveillance, the gig economy, and the like. Video lectures will not simply summarize the assigned readings but will rather be complementary to them. It is therefore imperative that you do the readings and watch the weekly lecture video before class so that you can make substantive contributions to class discussion each week. To that end, you will write responses to each week’s readings and lecture video. The course’s project assignments are geared to help you learn more about the social implications and entanglements of digital technologies. The goal of the course is to develop theoretical tools for analyzing how information technologies affect society and our lives, and to develop a set of qualitative research methods and communication skills that can be applied to other courses and beyond. We approach this project as partners and will be insightful and generous critics with the material and each other.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

As a successful student in this class, you will:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of the complex social implications and entanglements of digital technologies;
  • Develop skills in doing primary and secondary qualitative research in the digital realm;
  • Adapt and use theoretical tools to analyze how information technologies affect society and our lives; and
  • Hone communication skills that can be applied to other courses and beyond.

Grading

  • Class Participation & Attendance 15%
  • Weekly Materials Responses 15%
  • Assignment 1 30%
  • Assignment 2 40%

NOTES:

For each of assignments 1 and 2, you will choose from a menu of assignment formats.

Grading: Grades in this class will be based on a percentage scale. Weekly Responses will not be accepted after 12 noon the Tuesday before class; late submissions for all other assignments will result in a grade reduction of 5 percentage points per day, except for medical reasons or other significant emergency. With the exception of the weekly Synopses and Reflections, you must complete all graded assignments in this course or you will receive a final grade of N. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

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:

All required readings are available through Canvas, the SFU Library, or online.


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.