Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - PHIL 467W E100

Advanced Seminar (4)

Social Epistemology

Class Number: 5921

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 6, 2026: Tue, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    15 upper division PHIL units or permission from the instructor. Students not in a philosophy major, philosophy honours, or joint major program can take PHIL 467W only with special permission from the instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced, in-depth seminar on a contemporary or historical philosophical topic. Required for all students in a philosophy major, philosophy honours, or joint major program. May be repeated for credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Political Epistemology

This is an advanced course on current issues in political epistemology. Our starting point will be the epistemology of democracy, as well as public information exchange and collective decision-making more broadly. Further topics might include the phenomenon of “belief polarization,” the role of media (including social media), the commodification and politicization of expertise, and the potential pitfalls of “doing your own research.”

The format of the course will be a bit experimental and open-ended. In particular, there's a good chance that some readings will be drawn from the instructor’s own work in progress. Other readings will be weighted toward contemporary discussions but might also include some classic sources for reference.

Please note that this is a research-oriented seminar: it is expected that every student will make regular contributions to classroom discussion and to the online discussion board. They will also be required to frame their own original research project (with input from instructor) and to make a brief presentation of this project during class.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course will be applied towards the upper division Writing Requirement for philosophy majors, philosophy honours, and philosophy joint majors. All students declared in one of these programs starting with Fall 2024 have to take an offering of PHIL 467W as a required course. Students declared before Fall 2024 can take any 400 level course (at least 1 is required) - but make sure you also have an upper division PHIL W course. Starting with Fall 2025, the only such courses are PHIL 345W and PHIL 467W.

This course can be repeated for credit under a different topic.

Grading

  • Participation: regular contributions to in-class discussion 5%
  • Weekly discussion questions submitted to Canvas prior to class 10%
  • Paper draft and Provision of peer feedback on term paper drafts from two other students 10%
  • Final term paper, including first draft and revisions in light of peer feedback 60%
  • In-class presentation of research project (roughly 10 minutes, plus discussion 15%

REQUIREMENTS:

This course has a strict no-AI policy: use of AI-based writing or editing tools during any part of the drafting or writing process will be considered a violation of SFU’s academic integrity guidelines.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings are available online, or will be supplied by the instructor.


Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philcomm@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

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.