Sociology involves the study of people as they interact with one another
in varied social-structural, cultural and historical contexts. Sociology provides
information on the social world, introduces students to different perspectives on social
life, and offers training in specific research skills. It expands our horizons, challenges
us to think critically about the world around us, and prepares us to participate in that
world First and second year sociology courses provide an overview of the discipline and an
introduction to sociological analysis. Third year courses emphasize theoretical approaches,
analytical methods, and their application to major substantive areas of sociological
interest. Fourth year courses allow students to work with greater interdependence and in
more depth on a range of sociological topics.
Note: The listing of a course in the Calendar is not a guarantee that the
course is offered every year.
Note: Students must obtain a grade of at least C- in all courses used to
fulfill prerequisite requirements. Otherwise, written permission of the
appropriate Department Head or Program Co-ordinator must be obtained.
SOCI 1001 (3CR)
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Format: lecture 3 hours
Exclusion: SOAN 1001
The course is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts of sociology.
These concepts include social structure, culture, socialization, deviance, social
control, social organization, structured social inequality, and social change. Extensive
use is made of examples from the Canadian context.
SOCI 2201 (3CR)
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOCIALIZATION
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 3 credits in the Social Sciences; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 2201; SOCI 3201
This course centres on the relationship between the individual and society. This
fundamental sociological theme is considered, mainly using the symbolic interactionist
perspective on socialization as a life-long process of learning, with continual
implications for identity. The differences between primary and secondary socialization
will be a theme recurring throughout the course.
SOCI 2211 (3CR)
GENDER RELATIONS
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 3 credits in the Social Sciences; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 2211; SOCI 3211
An introduction to the study of gender through an examination of the nature of
gender relations. Major theories of the origin and consequences of gender inequality will
also be considered. Issues such as reproduction, work, law, violence, and racism are
addressed, using cross-cultural examples.
SOCI 2531 (3CR)
EDUCATION AND SOCIETY
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 3 credits in the Social Sciences; or permission
of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN/SOCI 4531
This course explores the sociology of education in Canada. Topics covered include
educational credentialism; education and social mobility; access to post-secondary
education; the increasing significance of professionalism; educational institutions; and
educational subcultures.
SOCI 3001 (3CR)
THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIOLOGY
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001, and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 3001
A critical review of the perspectives developed in the first and second generations
of sociology in Europe, with special emphasis on the ideas of Auguste Comte, Herbert
Spencer, Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim.
SOCI 3011 (3CR)
CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
Format: lecture/group projects 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001, 3001 and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 3011
An overview of concepts, theoretical issues, and debates in recent sociological
theory. The course examines the nature of functionalism and conflict theory, the rise of
micro-sociological analysis, the challenges of feminism, the debate over post-modernism,
and other contemporary theoretical developments.
SOCI 3111 (3CR)
INEQUALITY IN CANADIAN SOCIETY
Format: lecture/student presentations 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 3111
An analysis of social inequality in Canada, past and present. Such topics as the
development of the Canadian class structure, income distribution, social mobility,
educational opportunity, life chance differentials, gender inequality, ethnic inequality
and class consciousness will be discussed.
SOCI 3121 (3CR)
LANGUAGE AND ETHNICITY IN CANADA
Format: lecture/student presentations 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 3121
An analysis of the official linguistic duality and ethnic plurality of Canadian
society. Focus will fall on the nature of these two fundamental features of the society,
and on their cause and consequence. Consideration will also be given to regional
variations within Canada as well as to comparisons with other societies. Particular
attention will be paid to understanding the social-psychological, structural, and
cultural consequences of linguistic and ethnic diversity within Canadian society.
SOCI 3221 (3CR)
WORK AND SOCIETY
Format: lecture/group work/student presentations 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: None
In this course, the nature and meaning of work in relation to changes in the position
of the professions, unions, government, women and minority groups, in industrial and post-industrial societies
will be examined. The course will also include consideration of topics such as the relations between work and
the family, work and gender, and work and politics. While focusing on work in Canada, this examination will be located
in broader international trends and processes.
SOCI 3301 (3CR)
SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS
Format: lecture/group projects/laboratory 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001, and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 3301
This is a course in sociological research methodology, including a consideration of
questions of social epistemology and research design. Students will gain practical
experience in doing social research through the conducting of surveys, participant
observation, content analysis, case studies, and other techniques.
SOCI 3331 (3CR)
FIELD COURSE IN SOCIOLOGY
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: Permission of the Department
This course is designed to provide students with an intensive field experience,
during which they pursue research on a topic to be chosen by the Instructor. As such, the
course is not designed to be offered during normal term time, but is available to
students through Continuous Learning. Completion of SOCI 3301 (Sociological Research
Methods) is recommended before registering for this course.
SOCI 3431 (3CR)
CRITICAL MEDIA ANALYSIS
Format: lecture/case studies/group projects 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 3431
An advanced research course on the media-based control of information and
dissemination of ideologies in modern society. The course will examine issues of
ownership and control of the media and the social construction of news. Students will
examine in detail current theoretical debates in cultural studies and media
analysis.
SOCI 3441 (3CR)
SOCIOLOGY OF KNOWLEDGE
Format: lecture/group projects 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 3441
This course focuses on the relationship between ideas and their social and cultural
contexts. The course will critically examine various forms of knowledge, including common
sense, scientific knowledge, and feminist epistemology.
SOCI 3451 (3CR)
DYNAMICS OF POPULAR CULTURE
Format: lecture/group projects 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 3451, 2421
An investigation of the process and forms of contemporary popular culture. Students
will be introduced to the major theoretical debates in the field of popular culture. In
addition, the course will examine the development of popular cultural expression.
SOCI 3501 (3CR)
POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
Format: lecture/group work/student presentations 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
This course examines the relationship between society and politics, the interactions between
individuals and governments. Processes of nationalism, trans-nationalism and civil society are investigated from a social constructionist
perspective and with an awareness of agency and structure. The major dimensions to be explored include: power, state and nationhood;
globalization and civil society; and political discourse, rhetoric and rituals. The course will draw on a variety of theoretical perspectives and use
Canadian and international examples.
SOCI 3521 (3CR)
COMMUNITIES
Format: lecture/student presentations 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 3521
A review of the sociological literature on rural, small-town, and urban social
organization with special emphasis on the notion of "community" in Canadian
society.
SOCI 3631 (3CR)
SOCIOLOGY OF CYBERSPACE
Format: lecture 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 1001 and 6 credits from 2000 level Sociology; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 3631
A course in the sociology of cyberspace, considering the social-structural,
cultural, and interactional dimensions of cyberspace and the information society.
Cyberspace will be treated in the broader context of the role of information in society,
and the theories of the relationship between communication technologies and social
structures. The usefulness of the term cyberspace as well as its commercial hype and pop
cultural status will be examined.
SOCI 4001 (3CR)
DEVELOPMENTS IN SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
Format: seminar 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 3001, 3011,3301; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: any version of SOCI 4001 previously offered with a different title
An advanced discussion of sociological theory based on major works of selected
sociologists.
SOCI 4031 (3CR)
FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES
Format: lecture/group projects 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 3001, 3011, 3301; or permission of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 4031
This advanced seminar course examines the nature of feminist methodological
approaches and theoretical analyses. Students will explore feminist contributions on a
variety of issues.
SOCI 4101 (3CR)
CLASS, STATUS AND PARTY
Format: seminar 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 3001, 3301 and 3 additional 3000 level credits in Sociology; or permission of
the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 4101
An advanced discussion of the economic, social and political dimensions of
structured social inequality. Canadian content will be used where appropriate.
SOCI 4301 (3CR)
SEMINAR IN RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Format: seminar 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 3001, 3011, 3301
An advanced exploration of sociological research methods. This course will further
develop students' understanding of and ability to use more advanced social research methods,
learn of new developments in the field, and explore issues in social research.
SOCI 4511 (3CR)
SOCIAL ORDER AND SOCIAL CHANGE
Format: lecture/case studies/group projects 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 3001, 3301 and 3 additional 3000 level credits in Sociology; or permission
of the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 4511
An advanced seminar on the nature and maintenance of social order in society. The
course examines the way in which the combination of coercion and consent leads to the
maintenance of power on the part of elite groups, and the suppression of dissent from
other groups. In addition, strategies for social change are assessed
sociologically.
SOCI 4521 (3CR)
MOBILITIES AND MIGRATIONS
Format: seminar 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 3001, 3011, 3301
Exclusion: SOCI 4951 Mobilities and Migrations
This course explores the movement of peoples within nations and across the globe.
It examines political and economic forces through immigration and emigration, transnationalism,
diasporic communities and refugees. It also considers some of the consequences of these mobilities
in terms of hybridity, cosmopolitanism, and feelings of attachment, as discussed in postcolonial
theories, and considers whether actual, imaginative, and virtual mobilities challenge
the notion of 'society.'
SOCI 4901 (3CR)
ISSUES IN SOCIOLOGY
Format: seminar 3 hours
Prereq: SOCI 3001, 3301 and 3 additional 3000 level credits in Sociology; or permission of
the Department
Exclusion: SOAN 4901
A study of specific issues in Sociology.
SOCI 4950/4951 (6/3CR)
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SOCIOLOGY
Format: Independent Study
Prereq: Permission of the Department/Program Advisor. Students must obtain
consent of an instructor who is willing to be a supervisor and must register
for the course prior to the last day for change of registration in the term
during which the course is being taken.
Note: A program on Independent Study cannot duplicate subject matter covered through
regular course offerings.
Note: Students may register for SOCI 4950/51 more than once, provided the subject
matter differs.
This course permits senior students, under the direction faculty members,
to pursue their interest in areas not covered, or not covered in depth, by other
courses through a program of independent study.
SOCI 4990 (6CR)
HONOURS THESIS
Format: thesis
Prereq: Permission of the Department
SOCI 1991/2991/3991/4991 (3CR)
SPECIAL TOPIC IN SOCIOLOGY
Format: Variable
Prereq: Set by the Department/Program when the topic and level are announced
Note: When a Department or Program intends to offer a course under this designation,
it must submit course information, normally at least three months in advance, to the Dean.
Note: Students may register for SOCI 1991/2991/3991/4991 more than once, provided the
subject matter differs.
This course either focuses on topics not covered by the current course offerings
in a department or program or offers the opportunity to pilot a course that is being
considered for inclusion in the regular program.