Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - SA 359 D100

Special Topics in Anthropology (A) (4)

The Meaning of Life

Class Number: 4945

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

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

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150 or 201W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores a topic in Anthropology not regularly offered by the department.

COURSE DETAILS:

Special Topic: The Meaning of Life

What makes life worth living? How do we find meaning in the human condition? This course examines life’s fundamental questions, not through philosophical abstraction, but rather through empirical research that explores a diversity of human experiences in time and space. We will consider what anthropology can teach us about joy and happiness; suffering, death, and loss; love and desire; self-actualization and social belonging; and transcendence and the cosmos. The course will enable students to explore various dimensions of the human condition across distinct cultural and historical contexts. The course will also create opportunities for students to connect course material to the existential challenges of living life in
the turbulence of our present historical moment.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

• Become a wiser, healthier human
• Discover ways to contribute to human flourishing more broadly

Grading

  • Not Knowing Posts 15%
  • Participation 15%
  • Proposal 5%
  • Presentation and reflection 15%
  • Exam #1 25%
  • Exam #2 25%

NOTES:

Grading: All graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. The Department of Sociology and Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01- S10.04). It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website (http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html). 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 using parenthetical citation in the social sciences (see, for example, http://www.aaanet.org/publications/style_guide.pdf). You may choose which style to use but must be consistent.

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. This means that you must write the midterm exam, participate in at least half of the seminars, complete at least half of the discussion questions, give a presentation, and submit the proposal and essay. 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.

 

REQUIREMENTS:

This course is electronics-free. You are required to come to class with a notebook, pen/pencil, printed readings and/or your detailed notes on the readings.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Pen/pencil, notebook/paper, printed readings/notes

1. Printed readings: No electronic devices are permitted in this seminar. Therefore, you are required to bring all readings in hard copy to the seminar. All required readings will be made
available through the SFU library and Canvas, but you must print them.
2. Paper/notebook and pen: You must come to class prepared to write notes and reflections with pen and paper. We will often have in-class writing that will be done on paper.

REQUIRED READING:

All required reading will be made available through the SFU library and 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

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.