Overview
This course is an in-depth exploration of how, due to multiple systems of oppression and colonialism, people are able to find themselves “at home” to varying degrees. The course has three main components: we begin with an examination of housing as a commodity (Madden and Marcuse, 2016) and explore historical and contemporary ways that systems of home and housing have been built to prioritize and comfort some over others. Specifically, we start grounded in the context of what is now known as Canada and consider settler colonial housing systems. We engage with broad theoretical literature, as well as case studies that highlight the interconnections between local and global housing systems. From there, we move to examine some of the ways people are reimagining the housing system for equitable futures including, but not limited to, land back movements, land trusts, communal living, and decommodification of housing. The third component of the course involves an immersive experiential learning experience.
Outline
Unit 1: Introduction to Housing as an Area of Study
Unit 2: Housing in the Canadian Context
Unit 3: Housing in the Transnational Context
Unit 4: Case Studies
Unit 5: Learning in Placement
Unit 6: Reflecting on Experiential Learning
Unit 7: Wrap-Up and Learning Reflection
Learning outcomes
After taking GLST660, students should be able to
- discuss the relationship between settler colonialism and housing systems;
- explain and understand the process and consequences of housing as a commodity;
- describe the ways in which housing systems are connected and entwined with other systems; and
- critically engage with how people are exploring equitable housing futures.
Evaluation
To
receive credit for GLST 660, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least
D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Reflective Log | 25% |
| Learning Document | 25% |
| Forum Participation | 25% |
| Case Study | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
Reflective Log: Throughout the course, students will engage in reflective activities to process their learning and to engage with texts and guest speakers. This reflective log will ask students to engage with all the learning outcomes of the course and will be especially relevant to PLO4. Specific prompts will ask students to reflect both on the readings throughout the course and the larger learning outcomes across the course.
Learning Document: At the end of the course, students will be asked to submit a final project in a style of their choosing (zine, presentation, audio file, etc.) to share and integrate their learning throughout the course.
Forum Participation: At three points in the term, students will be asked to respond to questions on the forum about some of the key concepts throughout the course. They will be expected to engage with learning in relation to course content, as well as with their peers.
Case Study: Students will submit a case study on the course forum where they document an example of how people are challenging the current housing system. They will be required to write a short essay explaining how this work is situated within the housing system and draw on readings from the course and two additional readings to situate the work of the case study. Then they will present the case and share what they have learned about from their work. Examples of cases could include land trust to Indigenous-led housing initiatives to the drug user liberation front.