Sociology

How do photographs affect the way we think of ourselves (e.g., our body image) and of others (e.g., the "primitives" pictured in National Geographic)? How do photographs create desire (e.g., in advertising and pornography)? Why do people take photographs of friends and family but rarely photograph complete strangers? These questions explore the nature of a "picturing society", one where individuals are surrounded by photographic images and, as a result, the ability to capture realistic representations of the world around us influences image, meaning, and memory. The term "picturing society" also refers to the process of using visual information to understand the characteristics of society – social class and gender divisions, social structure, the process of social change, etc. Photographs from a wide variety of contexts – personal, commercial, scientific, artistic, and others – will be used to explore these aspects of picturing society.

Provides an introduction to the sociological imagination by highlighting the sociological connections between an individual's personal world and the social world. Sociological perspectives and approaches are introduced through examination of such aspects of youth in contemporary Western societies as identity and sub-cultures, sexual behaviour, music, consumerism, religion, in schools, employment, crime and violence, and other issues affecting youth and their transitions to adulthood.

Introduces current theories, research and practice in family violence issues. Topics include: themes of violence; dynamics of violence; gender relations; attitudes, myths, and realities surrounding family violence; public versus private nature of family violence. Research from various perspectives is evaluated. NOTE: Credits can only be obtained for one of SOCI 2001 and FVI 2001.

This course is open to students from all faculties and disciplines who are interested in learning the very basic language and techniques of understanding, analysing, and reporting data in the social sciences. This course is equally divided between qualitative and quantitative approaches to different types of social science data. NOTE: This course is not equivalent to SOCI 3103 Research Design or STAT 2263 Statistics for Non-Science Majors.

Examines the elements and patterns of deviance, basic principles of both normative and deviant behaviour, and the institutionalization of each. Examples of specific areas and types of deviance are studied in some detail. NOTE: Credit can be obtained for only one of CRIM 2603 and SOCI 2603.

Examines the history of juvenile delinquency, its incidence, its causes, and the methods of investigation. Deals with agencies involved in the adjudication and treatment of juvenile and youthful offenders. NOTE: Credit can be obtained for only one  of CRIM 2613 and SOCI 2613.

This course will examine the major theories related to violence in intimate relationships and explore the different intervention strategies and programs which have evolved from these theories. Credit cannot be obtained for both FVI 3006 and SOCI 3006.

Provides students with the skills to design a variety of research projects. The focus is on the components that make up a research project, including access to data sets, recruitment of research participants, choosing methods of data analysis, and research ethics review. Note: This course is not equivalent to SOCI 2022 Introduction to Data in the Social Sciences.

Studies cultures as ideas and value systems. Examines how cultural meanings are interpreted and used by individuals and groups in the course of everyday living.

An examination of the relationship between religion and gender in various interpersonal and societal contexts. Emphasis is placed upon understanding how modern religion both contributes to and challenges traditional notions of masculinity and femininity.

Examines the institution of health care with particular emphasis on the Canadian health care system. Topics covered include theoretical approaches to the sociological study of health care; the history and development of Canada's Medicare system; the pharmaceutical industry; alternative/complementary health care; the socialization and legitimation of health care professionals; and the patient/practitioner relationship. 

Examines the historical development of criminological theory and the causes of crime. Deals with criminal causation theories and with an evaluation of the theories and purposes of punishment. Note: Credit can be obtained for only one of CRIM 3613 and SOCI 3613. Students who have completed SOCI 3610 or its equivalent may not receive credit for SOCI 3613.

Provides an analysis of the organized abuses of institutionalized power, particularly on the part of corporations and governments. The problem of controlling corporate and governmental deviance is also discussed as organizations pose prevention and control problems which are different from those involving individual deviants. NOTE: Credit can be obtained for only one of CRIM 3623 and SOCI 3623.

Examines issues pertaining to violence against women in Western society, including gender socialization, gender dynamics in dating and family relationships, private versus public, the contributions of social institutions (e.g., sports, the media, schools, the workplace, the military, the medical system, and the legal and criminal justice systems), and the special vulnerability of women in marginalized groups. NOTE: Credit can be obtained for only one of CRIM 3634, FVI 3634 and SOCI 3634.

Examines the paradigms of both restorative and transformative justice. Reviews criminal justice systems in post-industrial societies with a focus on punishment as the principal response to crime. Contrasts restorative justice with the current paradigm of retributive justice. Discusses victims, offenders, and the community within the context of the failure of the retributive system in meeting its responsibilities towards them. Critically analyzes prisons, limitations of restorative justice models and programs, and Indigenous traditions in community justice. NOTE: Credit can be obtained for only one of CRIM 3636 and SOCI 3636.

Examines the religious, philosophical and ethical justifications from the perspectives of different religious traditions for non-violence as a tool for social change in the contemporary world. We will study the concepts and theories of non-violence that may include the selected writings of L.N. Tolstoy (Russia), M. Gandhi (India) and R. Menchu (Guatemala) within their cultural, social, historical and religious traditions. 

This course provides students with a general understanding of the role of food in contemporary societies by exploring the socio-cultural aspects of food production and consumption in a cross-cultural context. It also analyzes the economic and political landscape of farming in an international context by examining food politics over regulatory measures in food labelling and safety, genetically modified food, organic and sustainable agriculture, and the future of the world food system. NOTE: Credit can be obtained for only one of ANTH 3801 and SOCI 3801.

This course offers an in-depth learning experience with qualitative methodological approaches and qualitative research methods in the social sciences. It introduces students to qualitative methodology and its usage in the field, and highlights important ethical considerations and concerns. Students will explore how to develop qualitative research designs; how to define a research question and how to answer it by developing a research protocol. This course offers students the ability to learn how to choose analytical methods for their data and how to interpret the results obtained from it.

This course offers an in-depth learning experience with quantitative methodological approaches and quantitative research methods in the social sciences. This course covers the foundations of research design, data collection, and data analysis. In this class, students will learn how to develop quantitative research designs to answer a research question. They will learn about sampling, primary data collection with standardized instruments, and data analysis with descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Students will be able to learn from this course how to prepare a standardized questionnaire and interviews, as well as to choose between statistical analytical methods for their primary and secondary data. Finally, students will learn and practice how to interpret and write about their results.

Examines the social and cultural implications of communication via computer networks, with particular emphasis upon the similarities to and differences from other forms of electronic communication (e.g., television, telephone, radio). 

Explores the successes, challenges, and failures of legal responses to domestic violence. Why has the legal system had difficulty responding effectively to domestic violence? Does it have something to do with the nature of law, the nature of gender, and the nature of social science and social change? What happens when law is confronted by changing social conceptions of gender, of children, of the roles of men and women? Does culture matter? Do new multi-disciplinary, collaborative judicial initiatives offer promise or peril? Students will review legal cases and socio-legal research in order to search for answers to such questions. NOTE: Credit can be obtained for only one of CRIM 4337 and SOCI 4337.

Provides a sociological analysis of law in modern society, including discussion of legal theory, sociological and feminist criticisms of law, law as a means of social control and change, socio-legal research into the processes used by the legal system and its alternatives (such as mediation, restorative justice models, victim-offender reconciliation programs) to resolve disputes, and the abilities of the legal system and its alternatives to offer justice to the disadvantaged. NOTE: Credit can be obtained for only one of CRIM 4355 and SOCI 4355.

Provides a sociological examination of current perspectives, responses, and debates about the meaning of equality and the just society. Possible topics include the shift from individual rights to collective rights and competition and cooperation at a macro and a micro level. NOTE: Credit can be obtained for only one of CRIM 4513 and SOCI 4513.

A reading and research course open only to research-based Honours students in their final year and meant to produce a 40-60 page Honours Thesis that must be approved by the Department. Permission to take this course must be sought from the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Sociology in agreement with the supervisory professor in the desired area of study.