Sociology

An introduction to a variety of perspectives designed to provide insight into social interaction on the interpersonal level. Attention is also given to some of the methodological problems involved in acheiving a better understanding of this area of social life.

This course examines the rise of the North American film industry, its organization and its current cultural influence. It investigates the history of early film, the rise of the studio system, the star as celebrity, the emergence of a number of film aesthetics, and it analyses how film has represented social issues especially those of class, gender and race.

Examines the changing nature and organization of work within the context of regional, national and international developments. 

Examines the social nature and consequences of health, illness and healing and looks at medicine as a form of social control. Areas to be covered include the delivery of health care, social construction of medical knowledge, social inequality and its impact on health and disease.

Examines the historical preconditions, current processes in and structure of Canadian society. This may include French-English relations, regionalism, native rights, Canadian mosaic and position in the world system. 

Beginning with the cultures of prehistoric Indo-European speakers, this course examines the Greco-Roman world, the Christian institutions of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation periods. Students will be required to evaluate and interpret these periods from a sociological perspective which focuses on how societies and cultures develop through history. One of the founders of this perspective was Max Weber, probably best known and most influential figure in sociological theory. Students will be expected to study some of Weber's writings on uniqueness of the West.

An introduction to gender and gender studies from a sociological viewpoint with some consideration of interdisciplinary perspectives. Examines basic concepts, approaches, and methods pertinent to understanding gender relations and divisions in a global and historical context.

An analysis of social movements and revolutions from a sociological perspective. Emphasis is on critical understanding of why they arise, why some fail and why others succeed.

Introduces students to the new sub-field of anti-criminology. Focuses on qualitative criminological developments since the pioneering work of Howard Becker. Emphases will be placed on interactionist, ethnomethodological, feminist and other micro-level analyses which constantly challenge and provoke the criminological canon.

Introduction to historical and sociological understanding of modern and post-modern societies. Particular emphasis will be placed on Canada and Europe.

Introduces students to the logic and main stages of quantitative research, covering research design, sampling, measurement, data collection methods, and statistical analysis as well as research ethics. 

Introduces students to the inter-disciplinary emergence of qualitative methods (e.g., feminist, interactionist, textual), with an emphasis on epistemological, philosophical and reflexive concerns as well as practical applications.

A sociological examination of the principal ways communications can be understood. The course examines how Canadian films have addressed issues of regional identity, electronic communications (McLuhan), and national identity.

This course will investigate the relationship between film and society and will focus its attention on contemporary film.

This course provides a broad-based introduction to the interdisciplinary field of the sociology of film. It investigates the relationship between film and society and focuses its attention on post World War II Hollywood Films, Italian Neo-realist and French New Wave films. 

This course will investigate the relationship between film and society and will focus its attention on contemporary film.

Proceeding from the modern era, this course continues through the era of European exploration of the globe, the rise of the Galilean and Newtonian science, the Enlightenment, the American and French Revolutions, the mechanization of industry, nineteenth century nationalism, the First and Second World Wars, and concludes with a consideration of the rise and fall of the socialist/multicultural state in contemporary Europe. The focus of this course will be historical and sociological. Students will be required to employ sociological concepts so that they can gain a better understanding of historical phenomena.

Examines the historical emergence of contemporary western culture. Some cross-cultural comparisons will also be examined.

Advanced study in the field of anti-criminology. Focuses on developments in the field of critical criminology since the emergence of "The New Criminology" and "Discipline & Punishment". Emphasis will be placed on the critical analysis of our western systems of criminal justice.

Advanced study of socio-cultural and socio-historical transformations in Western societies. Emphasis will be placed on the critical literature in this field, and the detailed analysis of specific empirical transformations. Course topics change annually.

Provides a socio-historical analysis of a range of issues facing Aboriginal people in Canada today, including an examination of the colonization process through a focus on treaties, The Indian Act, the reserve system, and residential schools.

This course examines the social construction of knowledge. Explores the social and historical processes by which we have come to accept certain claims to knowledge as valid. Also examines controversies about the progressiveness and rationality of knowledge.

Under the direction of a supervisor, an Honours student develops a proposal which is approved by the Discipline.

Under the direction of a supervisor, an Honours student carries out an approved project and completes and defends a thesis.

Intensive study of a selected theorist or theory group or selected issues in sociological theory.

Advanced studies in discourse and textual analysis. Topics may vary from year to year, but will typically cover a selection from the following intellectual schools: phenomenology, ethnomethodology, conversation analysis, discourse analysis, cultural studies, post-structuralism, deconstruction, and feminism.

This course examines the daily cultural artifacts that surround us, their multitude of meanings, and their use by social actors. This course will provide a historical background for understanding contemporary popular culture, and will investigate current theoretical debates on mass culture, popular culture and postmodernism. NOTE: Students who have taken SOCI 3000 cannot also get credit for SOCI 3009.

Examines sex work as a social issue. Topics include radical, liberal and socialist feminist understandings of prostitution; sex workers' standpoints; criminological implications.

An advanced focus on how gender and organization(s) are mutually constituting, and how other sources of diversity (e.g., race, sexual orientation, class) intersect with gender, informing organizational structures and processes and our experiences with them. Examines feminist critiques of traditional approaches to organization; feminist conceptualizes of gender and organization; empirical studies of men and women in particular organizations (e.g., business, police, military, health care, educational organizations).