Introduces the basic concepts, theories, perspectives, and approaches of sociology and their application to the study of society and the relationship between the individual and society. Specific topics used to illustrate these sociological perspectives will include some combination of issues concerning socialization, sex and gender, family, community, population and aging, urban life, religion, race and ethnicity, work and occupations, inequality, education, environment, globalization, politics and social movements, technology and social change. 

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.

Examine aspects of youth in contemporary Western societies such as identity and sub-cultures, sexual behaviour, music, consumerism, religion, education, employment, crime and violence; as well as other issues affecting youth and their transitions to adulthood. Highlight the sociological connections between an individual's personal world and the social world through sociological perspectives and approaches. 

Explore how life is gendered from the moment of birth. Children are exposed to a variety of gendered messages through various media. The choices, opportunities, and obstables that we face as adults are in large measure built upon these messages. Strategies for identifying the gendered nature of work, leisure, advertising, parenting, and aging are discussed.

Whether it is a prayer said in times of sorrow, grace at a meal, a religious ritual to celebrate adolescence, fasting, advice from a faith leader, or a spiritual blessing for a long-term intimate relationship, contact with religion comes in many different forms. Some Canadians “believe without belonging” while others belong to religious organizations but are unsure of their beliefs. Topics include patterns of spirituality in Canadian society, new religious movements, gender and family issues within contemporary religions, violence, and the impact of immigration and multiculturalism on the journey of faith. The impact of changing socio-cultural conditions on religion in Canadian society will be highlighted. 

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.

A critical overview of mass communications within Canadian society: media institutions and audiences; processes and the impact of the media; media control and policy; social problems and the media; and social issues in an information society.

Examines sociological perspectives on marriage and family life: changing forms and functions of the family in the context of the growth of capitalism and industrialism in Western society, women, liberation and the family, patterns and ideologies of family formation and dissolution, changes in family law, and future prospects and alternatives.

Focuses on the role of women within a historical and contemporary context, including women’s position in the family, and in educational, political, and economic institutions. The nature, perpetuation, consequences, and the ideology of sexism in capitalist and non-capitalist societies will also be examined.

An introduction to the basic physical, psychological, and demographic changes which occur in aging. Emphasis is given to understanding the everyday world of the young old, their participation in family life, personal life style and community activities after retirement, and with the restrictions created by limited financial resources.

Explores how personal experiences with dying and death are shaped by societal, cultural, and institutional expectations. Students develop skills in critically analyzing theoretical and methodological issues to provide insights on how attitudes towards dying and death are influenced by social organizations, demography of death, care systems, and socialization at various stages of life. 

Examine the social nature of health and illness and look at medicine as an institution of social control. Cover topics such as models of health, the social production of disease, stigma, and chronic illness/disability; the pharmaceutical industry; as well as issues impacting on health, including sexism and racism. 

An introduction to current social issues in Canada such as social inequality, regionalism, unemployment, media concentration, the role of multinationals, and the state of the Canadian economy. The impact of these in shaping our everyday actions and beliefs will be examined.

This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop an understanding of various sociological approaches to the study of social problems and to focus on a selection of substantive issues such as the role of social movements in the construction of social problems.

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

Investigates ‘the information society’ debate by focusing on the major contributors who argue that the information society is new and revolutionary. Other scholars accept the important role of information technologies in contemporary society but maintain that these technologies help broaden and extend existing social, cultural, economic, and political relations. 

Examines the relationship between technology and social change, such as the sources and effects of technical change, the control of technology, and the origin and nature of controversies involving modern technologies.

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.

Explores the basics of demographic trends for understanding patterns and causes of health and disease in different populations. Students apply this knowledge to analyze policy options to improve the health of populations.

A critical review of the first and second generations of sociology in Europe and the United States, with special emphasis upon the ideas of thinkers such as Comte, Spencer, Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Mead, Cooley, Merton, and Parsons.

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.

Examine the major developments in late 20th century sociological theory: the critique of functionalism and the rise of conflict theory; feminist theory and the critique of male-stream sociology; the revitalization of interpretive sociology; the emergence of neo-functionalism; and the debate over post-modernism.

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.

Examines the interactional and institutional processes involved in ethnic and intercultural relations. Focuses on group experience, status and identity, communication and language, and the historical and contemporary conditions of social change, tension, and conflict.

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.

Examines the place of media (such as film, television, and newspapers) in contemporary social life. Analyzes how media have emerged and developed, the organizational forms they have taken, and how they reflect and influence shared social experience.

Examines the relations between society and the state by comparing traditional political sociology with the contemporary approach. Issues include the nation state as the center of political activity, how power is exercised through institutions, social groups, class, the production of identity or subjectivity, how globalization and social movements decenter state political activity, the impact of these changes on citizenship and democracy.

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. 

This course explores the complex interaction among science and technology in contemporary society.

Examines social interaction and communication in society as it occurs in social encounters and gatherings. Explores the presentation and projection of self in everyday life.

Examines the process of social transformation to promote development. Learn of the ties between countries at different stages of development, patterns of industrialization, urbanization, and changing class structure including its relation to the state.

Examines the nature of social stratification from both a historical and a comparative perspective. Attention is given to current controversies in this area.

Examines the social construction of masculinity, femininity, and changes in gender relations over time and in different societal contexts.

A sociological examination of the way humans perceive and relate to their physical environment. Potential topics include: environmentalism as a social movement, the social dynamics of environmental controversies, and public policy toward the environment.

Explores the broad conditions that shape environmental health, with special emphasis on both sociological analysis and political ecology.  We will examine questions of science, public policy and social justice.  This course will bridge the gap in understanding between policy and social perspectives and examine emerging strategies, from community-based monitoring to international negotiations concerning health and environment.

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.

The course explores the nature of social and professional responses to conflict and conflict resolution. It critically assesses, contrasts, and compares theoretical literature and research studies on processes such as adjudication and arbitration, negotiation, restorative justice, circle sentencing, and mediation in the context of gender, culture and social-economic power. Students will have an opportunity to explore how conflict resolution processes, and the skills and techniques associated with them, affect how conflict is perceived and resolved.

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 conducts a systematic analysis of important readings in social theory relevant to both the social sciences and the humanities. Topics covered may include, but are not limited to, such areas as the historical development of social theory (e.g. the Ancient Greeks, the Enlightenment), the theoretical foundations of research methodologies (e.g. positivism and constructionism), key debates in sociology (e.g. subject/object, agency/practice/structure), or in-depth focus on the approaches of major social theorists.

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.

Experience in-depth learning of quantitative research methods in the social sciences. Develop quantitative research designs to answer a research question. Learn about sampling; primary data collection with standardized instruments; and data analysis with descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Prepare a standardized questionnaire and interviews; choose between statistical analytical methods for primary and secondary data; and interpret and write about the results.

SPSS and Stata are statistical software packages largely used in the social sciences. If applied to analyze large scale secondary data, they provide students and researchers with a powerful tool to answer critical questions on phenomena, trends, and relationships in a variety of disciplinary areas. Most textbooks and courses at the undergraduate and graduate level tend to combine the teaching of substantive topics in methodology and methods with practical applications of this software package. This course tries to contribute twofold. Practically, it aims at offering students and faculty an opportunity to learn about one software package (either SPSS or Stata), its tools, and its challenges independently from content coverage on methods and statistics. While maintaining a substantial coverage of analytical and statistical topics, the course will focus on how to design and implement data analysis with SPSS or Stata syntax commands rather than on teaching statistics.

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 nature and delivery of health care in a variety of international settings. Emphasis will be placed on comparative analysis of health care systems in relation to prevailing patterns of health and disease as well as the broader socio-cultural contexts in which they are delivered.

The sociological study of varied world religions at both societal and interpersonal levels. Topics may include new religious movements, conversion, gender issues, and the relations between Eastern and Western belief systems.

Studies critical social and educational processes and structures, and the rapport of educational institutions with other social institutions, using comparative concepts and theories of sociology.

A critical examination for advanced students of theoretical, legal and policy issues related to selected aspects of changing patterns of families and familial relationships in Canadian and other Western societies.

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.

Examine the challenges faced by victims of family violence in family law processes, the protections in place for victims of family violence, and the options available for resolving legal disputes when family violence is present. Consider the unique needs of vulnerable groups and the importance of collaborative approaches to safety for survivors of family violence. Offered online only across all course codes.  

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.

Course study to be of an advanced topic in sociology chosen jointly by student and instructor with the permission of the Department Chair.

Produce a 40- to 60-page Honours Thesis that must be approved by the Department of Sociology. This reading and research course is open only to research-based Honours students. 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.