SY 210 Syllabus - Winter 2021 (Greg Bird) PDF

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Syllabus / Course Outline for Greg Bird - SY210 Social Inequality (Winter 2021)...

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SY 210C/D Social Inequality Winter 2021 Syllabus Course Instructor: Office Hours: Office: Email:

Greg Bird After Lectures & Wednesday 1 – 2 pm Zoom [email protected]

Time & Location: SY 210C Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 – 11:20 (ZOOM) SY 210D Tuesday & Thursday 4:00 – 5:20 (ZOOM) Teaching Assistants: TBD SY 210C: Ramesh Thapa Email: [email protected] Office Hours: TBD SY 210D: Alex Carter Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Thursday 3-4 (Zoom) Wilfrid Laurier University is on the traditional and unceded territory of the Neutral, Anishnawbe and Haudenosaunee peoples. Brantford, Kitchener, and Waterloo are located on the Haldimand Tract. The Haldimand Tract: On 25 October 1784, Sir Frederick Haldimand, the governor of Québec, signed a decree that granted a tract of land to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), also known as the Six Nations, for their alliance with British forces during the American Revolution (1775-83). The Haldimand Tract extends by 6 miles on both sides of the Grand River, from its source in Dundalk Township to its mouth at Lake Erie. Originally, 950,000 acres was designated for the Haldimand Tract, today approximately 48,000 acres remain. Read more about the history and ongoing negotiations: https://iaacaeic.gc.ca/050/documents/p80100/130877E.pdf. Course Calendar Description: This course will examine various dimensions of social inequality using an intersectional analysis that unravels the ways that various forms of social ‘difference’ are implicated in relations of power and subordination. The course will provide an in-depth introduction to the social, structural and ideological dynamics of social inequality and oppression in local and global contexts. We will examine how race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality/sexual orientation, ability/disability and age operate within the context of various institutional sites to create systems of social inequality. The transnational dimensions of social inequality will be explored through various case studies to help connect the local and global contexts.

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course, you should be able to: • • • • • •

Identify and discuss the major forms of social inequality; Explain how social inequalities are created, maintained, organized, increased and/or diminished; Outline the major bases and forms of social inequality in Canada today; Discuss social inequality in Canada in the framework of larger patterns of inequality at the global level; Explain how elites mobilize to maintain their power and privileges; and Identify strategies used to resist social inequalities and social injustices.

Course Materials All the course readings are available on MYLS.

Additional Course Learning Materials MyLearningSpace Students are required to consult MyLearningSpace for copies of the course outline, course assignments, test results etc. More information will be provided during the first week of class.

Course Evaluation Critical Reflection Paper I Critical Reflection Paper II Critical Reflection Paper III Group Exercises

30% 30% 30% 10%

Tuesday, February 23 Tuesday, March 23 Thursday, April 8 Ongoing

Critical Reflection Papers (3 * 30% each) • For each unit, you must write a 4-5 page, double spaced, 12-point (Calibri or Times New Roman) font, critical analysis paper on one course reading marked by an asterisk (*) on the course syllabus • You must submit an electronic copy to the course Dropbox on MyLearningSpace. • Attach a Microsoft word document (not PDF, they cause issues for Turnitin.com) • Due at the beginning of the lecture. • Late penalty: 1% per day (including weekends) Group Exercises (10%) • Periodically, we will conduct group exercises. The instructor will provide groups with a set of questions. You will work on your group answers together and present you results in front of the class. • All students who attend these are expected to contribute to the exercises. • That means everyone should come to class prepared (read all the required readings

and be ready to discuss them). • You are expected to actively participate in discussions by positively contributing to other student’s presentations, asking interesting and relevant questions, helping other students comprehend the topics, treat everyone with respect, and most importantly, have fun. • Each exercise will be marked /1 for a total of 10 grades. N.B. Since we are working remotely and students have the option of attending this course asynchronously: this portion of your grades is optional. If you cannot attend the classes where we hold discussions, your papers will be worth 33.33% of your final grade

COURSE AND UNIVERSITY POLICIES Student Right to Privacy in the Context of Covid-19: For synchronous remote learning involving Zoom, and where permissible by course structure, students are encouraged to use technological supports such as virtual backgrounds and the muting of audio and video feeds in order to protect the privacy of their virtual work environment. You might also consider conducting a 360° scan of the workspace. The message tab (comments/chat section in Zoom) is a way to participate in classroom discussion without the use of video and/or audio. Possible Changes due to Pandemic: In the event that pandemic conditions require the University to adjust course delivery during the term, it may be necessary to alter course requirements. Students will be provided with the necessary information as soon as is feasible under the circumstances. Tech Support (Zoom): ICT is providing extensive support for students to assist them in their courses. Further information is available at: Student ICT Resources. Instructions for students navigating Zoom can be found at: Student Zoom Instructions. Academic Integrity/Misconduct (cheating): Laurier is committed to a culture of integrity within and beyond the classroom. This culture values trustworthiness (i.e., honesty, integrity, reliability), fairness, caring, respect, responsibility, and citizenship. Together, we have a shared responsibility to uphold this culture in our academic and non-academic behaviour. The University has a defined policy with respect to academic misconduct. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with this policy and the penalty guidelines, and are cautioned that in addition to failure in a course, a student may be suspended or expelled from the University for academic misconduct and the offence may appear on their transcript. The relevant policy can be found at Laurier’s academic integrity website along with resources to educate and support you in upholding a culture of integrity. Ignorance of Laurier’s academic misconduct policy is not a defense. Student Awareness of the Accessible Learning Centre: Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier’s Accessible Learning Centre for information regarding its services and resources. Students are encouraged to review the Academic Calendar for information regarding all services available on campus. Guidelines regarding the consideration of such students can be obtained by contacting the Accessible Learning Centre, ext. 3086, Accessible Learning Centre

Plagiarism: Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism. Students may be asked to submit their written work in electronic form and have it checked for plagiarism. Policy on Lateness: A penalty of 1% per day late (including weekends) will be deducted from the final assignment grade. Requests for extensions must be made in writing and presented in person. You may be asked to submit an "Illness Self-Declaration Form" in lieu of a traditional doctor's note.

Grade Appeals: The instructor and teaching assistants take the marking of assignments very seriously, and will work diligently to be fair, consistent, and accurate. Nonetheless, mistakes and oversights occasionally happen. If you believe that to be the case, you must adhere to the following rules: 1. Wait at least 72 hours after receiving your mark. 2. Carefully re-read your assignment, all assignment guidelines and marking schemes and the grader’s comments. If you wish to appeal, ask the instructor for a “Request for Mark Reconsideration” form. Submit a written explanation of why you think your mark should be altered. Please note statements such as “I need a higher grade to apply to X” are not compelling. Attach to your written explanation your original assignment, including all of the original comments. Submit a hardcopy of the package to the instructor during office hours, in class, etc. When regarded your new grade could be higher, lower, or remain the same. Copyright of Educational Materials: The educational materials developed for this course, including, but not limited to, lecture notes and slides, handout materials, examinations and assignments, and any materials posted to MyLearningSpace, are the intellectual property of the course instructor. These materials have been developed for student use only and they are not intended for wider dissemination and/or communication outside of a given course. Posting or providing unauthorized audio, video, or textual material of lecture content to third-party websites violates an instructor’s intellectual property rights, and the Canadian Copyright Act. Recording lectures in any way is prohibited in this course unless specific permission has been granted by the instructor. Failure to follow these instructions may be in contravention of the university’s Code of Student Conduct and Discipline and/or Code of Academic Conduct, and will result in appropriate penalties. Participation in this course constitutes an agreement by all parties to abide by the relevant University Policies, and to respect the intellectual property of others during and after their association with Wilfrid Laurier University. Email Communication: Please visit the instructor during office hours. The course instructor and teaching assistant will only respond to Wilfrid Laurier University email addresses. All emails must include the course code (e.g., SY ___) in the subject line. All emails should be signed with the student’s full name and student number. Emails from students will generally be answered within 1-2 working days of receipt. Treat emails as you would any other professional communication. Emails that ask questions that are answered in the course syllabus or website (e.g., “how much is assignment X worth”) will not receive a response. Writing Centre: Students are encouraged to review their website and use their services. The up to date, official Academic Calendar is posted on Wilfrid Laurier University’s web site.

Waterloo Student Resources Waterloo Student Food Bank - All students are eligible to use this service to ensure they’re eating healthy when overwhelmed, stressed or financially strained. Anonymously request a package online 24-7. All dietary restrictions accommodated. Waterloo Student Wellness Centre | 519-884-0710, x3146 - The Centre supports the physical, emotional, and mental health needs of students. Located on the 2nd floor of the Student Services Building, booked and same-day appointments are available Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm, and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm. Contact the Centre at x3146, [email protected] or @LaurierWellness. After hours crisis support available 24/7. Call 1-844-437-3247 (HERE247). For additional information regarding special circumstances for examination deferment, consult the Examination web site and check the Deferred Examination Policy section. The up to date, official Academic Calendar is posted on Wilfrid Laurier University’s web site.

Schedule of Topics, Readings, and Tests/Examination N.B. Minor revisions to readings and schedule may occur. Each lecture will do one or more of the following: • Expand on material in the readings • Provide concrete examples of applied sociological research • Discuss a topic that is not covered in the readings Unit 1 – Indigeneity, Settler Colonialism & Decolonization Week 1: Course Introduction & Settler Colonialism I January 12 & 14 Tuesday: Course Introduction & watch film: Colonization Road https://www.cbc.ca/firsthand/episodes/colonization-road Thursday: Wolfe, Patrick. 2006. “Settler Colonialism and the Elimination of the Native.” Journal of Genocide Research, 8(4): 387-409.*

Week 2 January 19 & 21: Settler Colonialism II Tuesday: Class Discussion on Wolfe (2006)

Thursday: Belanger, Yale D. 2018. “The Indian Act and Indian Affairs in Canada” in Ways of Knowing: An Introduction to Native Studies in Canada, 3rd edition. Nelson Canada, pp. 115-143.* •

Class Viewing: The Pass System

Week 3 January 26 & 28: The Indian Act (Special Guest Speaker WLU Indigenous Curriculum Specialist Erin Hodson) Readings: https://noraloreto.ca/the-indian-act-in-plain-english/ https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indian-act https://ww.nwac.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Indian-Act-Said-WHAT-pdf1.pdf Week 4 February 2 & 4: The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Haldimand Tract, Six Nations of the Grand River & Mohawk Refusal Simpson, Audra. 2014. “Indigenous Interruptions: Mohawk Nationhood, Citizenship, and the State” in Mohawk interruptus: Political life across the borders of settler states. Duke University Press, read 1-33.* Week 5 February 9 & 11: The Vanishing “Indigene,” Decolonization & Unsettling Settlers Tuck, Eve, and K. Wane Yang. 2012. “Decolonization is Not a Metaphor.” Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society, 1(1): 1-40.* ++++++ Reading Week ++++++ Week 6 [Critical Reflection Paper I – DUE] February 23 & 25: Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action (2015): http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf Unit 2 – COVID19 Pandemic & Social Inequalities Week 7 March 2 & 4: What is a pandemic? Tuesday: a) Penelope Ironstone & Greg Bird – “Editorial Introduction: Our COVID Conjuncture” b) Victor Li – “The New Normal”

c) Film – Viral Ideas of the Pandemic Moment Thursday: Penelope Ironstone - “COVID-19: An Essay in Keywords”* Week 8 March 9 & 11: Pandemic Subjects Tuesday: Greg Bird - “What is Quarantine? Cruise Ships, Lepers & The Temptation of Christ”* Thursday: Sara Matthews - “The Emergence of Emergency”* Week 9 March 16 & 18: Pandemic Inequalities I Tuesday: Jasmin Zine - “Pandemic Imaginaries and the Racial Politics of Masking”* Thursday: Archana Rampure - “Down and Out in the Time of Covid-19”* Week 10 [Critical Reflection Paper II – DUE] March 23 & 25: Pandemic Inequalities II Tuesday: Rinaldo Walcott - “Nothing New Here to See: How COVID19 & State Violence Converges on Black Life”* Thursday: Robyn Maynard - “Black Revolt/Abolition”* Week 11 March 30 & April 1: Pandemic Mills Tuesday: Eve Hack - “States of Emergency and the Muselmann in Long Term Care Homes”* Thursday: Mark Ayyash - “A Pandemic in an Age of Omnipresent Sovereign Power: The Plight of Palestine”* Week 12 [Critical Reflection Paper III – DUE] April 6 & 8: Mutual Aid Tuesday: Natalie Kouri-Towe – “Solidarity at a Time of Risk - Vulnerability and the Turn to Mutual Aid”* Thursday: Review [Final Paper Due]...