Sociology

SOCI 1125 CR-3

Introduction to Society: Processes and Structures

Students will learn essential concepts, theoretical perspectives, and methods used in the discipline of sociology. They will explore some of the current sociological research on topics including culture, media, deviance, gender, ethnicity, globalization, family, religion, education, and social inequality. Students will, above all, critically examine assumptions we make about social life and will develop informed views on social issues that are important in their own lives and the lives of others in local, national, and international communities.

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 1270 CR-3

Education & Society: Sociological Perspectives

Students will study sociological perspectives on schooling and education in contemporary society, focusing on the structure and process of education, the politics of teaching, relationships between schooling and work, and social inequalities.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2100 CR-3

The Sikh Diaspora

Students will study the Sikh Diaspora--the fragment of an ethnic community that exists outside of its homeland--with a focus on the Sikh community in Western Canada. They will examine social theory related to migration and social adaptation. Students will investigate the major social issues that immigrant communities face in the process of adaptation to Canada both at the personal and community levels.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2225 CR-3 (formerly 1225)

Canadian Society: Conflict and Consensus

Students will study various aspects of Canadian society. They will use sociological perspectives to critically analyze such things as Canadian identity, ethnic diversity and multiculturalism, national unity, regional differences, foreign control, and international relations. Students will explore the structure of Canadian society including issues related to health care, education, economy and work, social inequalities, government, and social policies.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2230 CR-3 (formerly 1230)

Racialization and Ethnicity in Canada

Students will explore the impact of racialization and ethnicity on Canadian social policy and practice in areas such as law and justice, education, human service delivery, arts, and the media. They will analyze evidence of systemic patterns of advantage and disadvantage based on race, ethnicity, and aboriginality in Canadian society. Students will critically examine the effects of race, ethnicity and aboriginality on social, political, and academic discourse, and on resistance movements.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2235 CR-3 (formerly 1235)

The Development of Sociological Thought

Students will explore the development of sociological thought from early modernist thinkers through to contemporary, post-colonial, and post-modern theorizing. They will critically evaluate essential sociological concepts, models, and theoretical approaches in light of the historical contexts in which they were developed, ongoing debates within the discipline, and their relevance to contemporary social life.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2240 CR-3 (formerly 1240)

Women in Canada

Students will examine the diversity of women’s lives in Canada. They will consider various approaches to the study of gender (i.e., what constitutes femininity and masculinity), as well as various perspectives on gender inequality. Students will examine the diverse ways in which women’s experiences shape and are shaped by institutions such as the economy, the state, education, family, and mass media. They will analyze the interrelationships in gender, race, ethnicity, class, age, sexuality, disability, and geography as well as their impact on the conditions of women’s lives both within Canada and globally.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2250 CR-3 (formerly 1250)

Families in Canada

Students will examine the institution of the family in Canada in both historical and contemporary contexts. They will consider issues and approaches relevant to the sociology of the family and explore the structure and organization of various family forms and relations in the context of social, economic, and cultural transformation. Students will analyze the impact of gender, race, ethnicity and class on the institution of the family and compare cross-cultural and other differences among families both within Canada and globally.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2255 CR-3 (formerly 1255)

Micro Sociology: the Dynamics and Structure of Social Interaction

Students will explore and learn the social forces that stimulate and constrain social interaction, particularly in the area of social influence. They will examine who influences whom, how, and to what effect.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2260CR-3 (formerly 1260)

Research Methods in Sociology

Students will study the quantitative and qualitative approaches used to conduct social research. They will emphasize practical application of research design and data collection techniques while conducting their own research projects.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2270 CR-3 (formerly 1270)

Sociology of Education: A Critical Perspective

Students will critically explore the sociological, philosophical, and psychological concepts and theories of education and learning. They will examine the historical, socio-economic, and political factors responsible for the establishment and growth of the education system and schooling in the Canadian and global contexts. Students will investigate and analyze current educational issues and controversies. They will analyze the effects of discrimination and inequality on the achievement levels of students, and the organization of schools and universities. Students will critically examine the effects of “race”/ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, and disabilities on the experiences of teachers and students in schools.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2275 CR-3 (formerly 1275)

Mass Media and Society

Students will study the place of the mass media in Canadian society and their role in the social construction of reality. They will examine the development of print, radio, television, and new media in a global context, and will focus on the interconnection between media and other social institutions. Students will evaluate and apply various theoretical approaches to media production, content, and audiences.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2280 CR-3 (formerly 1280)

Sociology of Health and Illness

Students will learn how social, cultural, economic, and political factors surround the experience of the individual with regards to health and illness. They will learn about the structure of Canada’s health care system, the roles of health care professionals, health care delivery systems, the interaction between health providers and service users, and policy issues in health care.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2300 CR-3 (discontinued: Sept. 2007)

Sociology of Work and Industry

Students will study various aspects of work in the Canadian context from a sociological perspective. They will explore topics such as the historical transformation of work, the impact of new technologies, work structuring and restructuring, work relations, control and resistance, and the place and meaning of work in Canadian society, paying special attention to gender, race, and ethnicity. They will evaluate and apply classic and contemporary sociological theories on work and industry, and above all learn to think critically about issues related to work and industry that affect the lives of all Canadians in significant ways.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 2365 CR-3

An Introduction to Statistics in Social Research

Students will study statistical techniques used in sociology and will examine descriptive and inferential statistics with an emphasis on practical sociological applications.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 3210 CR-3

Technology and Society

Students will examine the complex relationship between technology and society in Canada and internationally from a sociological perspective. They will focus on the social and ethical implications of modern technology, as well as its historical development and cultural foundations. Students will learn to think critically and comprehensively about the role of technology in contemporary societies, through comparative analysis and theoretical evaluation. They will pay particular attention to the social, economic, political, and cultural transformations brought about by computerization, and explore the value conflicts and social challenges created by the new information technologies.

Prerequisites: 45 credits, at 1100 or higher, including SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 3230 CR-3

International Migration and Ethnic Communities

Students will critically examine the causes of international migration, refugee movements, and the establishment of ethnic communities outside of their countries of origin. They will focus on environmental crisis, ethnic strife and cleansing, wars, economic crisis, disease, and cultural issues. Students will look at the development of ethnic communities as a result of migration and the viability of such communities in the context of both multi-culturalism and uni-culturalism. They will also examine the ways in which gender, class, ethnicity, racialization, and legal status organize migration and settlement. NOTE: This is a seminar course.

Prerequisites: 30 credits including SOCI 1125 (SOCI 2230 recommended)

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 3275 CR-3

Sociology of Popular Culture

Students will explore the role of popular culture in their everyday lives and its connection with social structures and processes. They will apply various sociological perspectives, concepts, and interpretive strategies to a critical examination of a variety of popular culture forms, consumer goods, and leisure activities. They will analyze the production and consumption of popular culture within the local and global contexts and explore the relationships between popular culture, and community, identities, ethnicity, gender, the body and sexuality. Note: this is a seminar course.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125 (SOCI 2275 recommended)

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 3280 CR-3

Sociology of Dying and Death

Students will critically examine cultural, historical, and contemporary attitudes and practices concerning dying and death. They will focus on the dying process, medicalization of death, funerals and body disposal, grief and bereavement, the coroner’s role, suicide, assisted death, and other end of life decisions. NOTE: This is a seminar course.

Prerequisites: 60 credits, at 1100 level or higher, including SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 3300 CR-3 (formerly 2300)

Sociology of Work and Occupations

Students will study the sociological aspects of work and occupations in the Canadian context. They will explore topics such as the historical transformation of work, the meaning of work, the impact of new technologies, and work structuring and restructuring. They will also examine the social organization of occupations, the relationship between work and social inequality, employment opportunities and insecurities, and control and resistance. Students will critically analyze issues related to work and occupations that affect Canadians in significant ways. Note: This is a seminar course.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 3310 CR-3 (formerly SOCI 2310)

Sociology of Conflict and Conflict Resolution

Students will critically analyze the basic elements and processes of human social conflict and dispute resolution. They will examine how real-world conflicts emerge and evolve into disputes, and ultimately run their course to either a resolution or stalemate. Students will also learn and apply strategies to dealing with conflict in everyday life situations.

Note: This is a seminar class.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 3320 (formerly 2320) CR-3

Sociology of Global Inequalities

Students will critically examine the various perspectives on development and underdevelopment within a global context, as well as their relation to changing economic, political and social situations in Canada and the Third World. They will examine the globalization process by focusing on NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and other regional economic arrangements, paying particular attention to the effect of such processes on communities and individuals.
NOTE: This is a seminar course.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125 (POLI 1150 or 2130 recommended)

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 3345 CR-3 (formerly 2345)

Social Policy in Context

Students will examine how social issues are defined, and how social policies are formulated, administered, and revised. They will explore the dynamic relationship between social policy and Canada’s social structure from varying theoretical perspectives. Students will consider historical and global influences, contemporary welfare state programs, as well as ideological, social, and economic factors shaping policy formation. Note: this is a seminar course

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 3385 CR-3 (formerly 2385)

Introduction to Demography

Students will study the analysis of population and its three main components: fertility, mortality, and migration. They will engage in an examination of demographic patterns in contemporary Canadian society, along with extensive cross-cultural and historical analysis. Students will also undertake in-depth study of significant contemporary international demographic changes, particularly those taking place in Asia and the USA.

Prerequisites: SOCI 1125

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)

SOCI 4280 CR-3

Sociolegal Aspects of Assisted Death

Students will critically examine sociological and legal aspects of assisted death in Canadian and selected international contexts. They will study moral, ethical, and legal issues concerning assisted suicide and euthanasia; the development of social policy and law on end-of-life decisions; research on euthanasia and assisted suicide; and social movements for the right to die and the right to life. Note: This is a seminar course.

Prerequisites: 60 credits at 1100-level or higher, including SOCI 1125 and CRIM 1101

Transferable (refer to transfer guide)