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SOCIOLOGY
Note: See beginning of Section F for abbreviations, course numbers and coding.
Unless otherwise indicated, students must complete Sociology 1001 before taking any sociology
courses at the 2000 level or above. Students are required to complete at least 9 credit hours of
sociology courses at the lower level (1000–2000 courses) before enrolling in any upper level sociology
courses. Students who are not majoring or honouring in Sociology will be admitted to a 4000 level
course only if they have completed 18ch of Sociology and have consulted with the instructor. A
minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for all sociology courses taken to meet the Majors, Honours
requirements or prerequisites.
SOCI 1001
Introduction to Sociology
3 ch (3C)
Surveys the basic concepts, theories and analytical methods of sociology and introduces
students to sociology as a way of thinking.
SOCI 2007
Introduction to Human Evolution and Social
Anthropology
3 ch (3C)
An introduction to the social and evolutionary anthropology of human diversity.
Prerequisite: SOCI 1001 with a grade of "C" or better; or permission of the instructor.
SOCI 2251
Film and Society
3 ch
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.
SOCI 2253
From TV to the Internet
3 ch
This course provides a broad-based introduction to the interdisciplinary field of the sociology
of the media. It explores the political, economic, ideological and organizational settings
within which the media operates and charts its growing importance in many aspects of
contemporary life.
SOCI 2323
Sociology of Work
3 ch
This course will examine the changing nature and organization of work within the context of
regional, national and international developments.
SOCI 2376
Sociology of Health, Illness and Healing
3 ch (3C)
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. Prerequisite: none
SOCI 2413
Canadian Society
3 ch (3C) [W]
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. No prerequisite required.
SOCI 2471
Sociology of Western Civilization
3 ch (3C)
Beginning with the culture of prehistoric Indo-European speakers, this course examines the
Greco-Roman world, the Christian institutions of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and the
Reformation periods. Students will be required to evaluate and interpret these periods from
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sociological perspective which focuses on how societies and cultures develop through
history. One of the founders of this perspective was Max Weber, probably the best known
and most influential figure in sociological theory. Students will be expected to study some of
Weber's writing on the peculiar wrtings on the relationship of sociology to the established
field of history. Prerequisites: SOCI 1001 with a grade of 'C' or better; or permission of the
instructor.
SOCI 2501
Introduction to Gender and Gender Studies
3 ch (3C)
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. NOTE: Students who take SOCI 2501 may not receive credit for GEND 2001 .
SOCI 2533
Social Movements and Social Revolutions (O)
3 ch (3C)
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.
SOCI 2611
Language, Crime and Human Agency
3 ch (3C)
Introduces students to the field of qualitative criminology. Focuses on criminological
developments since the work of Becker in the 1950s. Emphases will be placed on
interactionist, ethnomethodological, feminist, and other micro-level analyses of crime in
Western societies.
SOCI 2615
Historical Sociology 1
3 ch
Introduction to historical and sociological understanding of modern and post-modern
societies. Particular emphasis will be placed on Canada and Europe.
SOCI 2991
Cuban Society
3 ch
Examines the historical preconditions, together with the current processes in, and structure
of, Cuban society. Prerequisite: SOCI 1001 .
SOCI 3000
Sociological Theory
6 ch (3C)
Surveys the origins of and development of sociological theory. Considers major classical
theorists such as Marx, Durkheim, and Weber, and selected modern and contemporary
theories. Prerequisite: 4 term courses in Sociology including SOCI 1001 .
SOCI 3003
Sociology of Economic Ideas
3 ch (3C)
Explores the relationships between the evolution of economic ideas and the prevailing sociohistorical conditions. Also examines broader implications of economic ideas for the
formulation of economic and social policy.
SOCI 3104
Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences
3 ch (3C)
Introduces students to the logic and main stages of quantitative research, covering
sampling, measurement, data collection methods, and statistical analysis as well as
research ethics.
SOCI 3105
Qualitative Methods in the Social Sciences
3 ch (3C)
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.
SOCI 3214
Sociology of Communications
3 ch (3C)
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A sociological examination of the principal ways communication can be understood. It will
analyze both theoretical considerations and applied issues in communication studies.
SOCI 3251
Film and Society II
3 ch (3C)
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. Prerequisite: SOCI 1001 , SOCI 2251
SOCI 3331
Cinematic Rome (O)
3 ch (S)
This course situates cinematic Rome in its cultural, urban, social and political settings. It
focuses on films that treat the city of Rome as a protagonist as well as a symbolic cultural
space that will be traversed, examined, contested, and reclaimed. The course will further
examine how Rome is used in film as a site for the projection of modern romance, Cold War
imperial political conflicts, sexual identities, decadence, and cultural anxieties. Course will
normally be taught on site in Rome. Prerequisite: SOCI 1001 and 2 term-courses of lowerlevel SOCI, or permission of Instructor.
SOCI 3471
Sociology of Western Civilization II
3 ch (3C)
Proceeding from the modern era, this course continues through the era of European
exploration of the globe, the rise of 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 consideration of the rise
and fall of the socialist and multicultural state in contemporary Europe. The focus of this
course will be historical and 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. Prerequisites: three termcourses in Sociology at the lower level including SOCI 1001 ; or permission of the
instructor.
SOCI 3501
Signs, Symbols and Society
3 ch
An introduction into the origin and role of signs and symbols in the production and
reproduction of human societies. Prerequisite: SOCI 1001 and 6 ch of Sociology at the lower
level(2000).
SOCI 3517
Sociology of Culture
3 ch (3C)
Examines cultural texts and practices in society. It will analyze the historical emergence of
culture and how it is related to assumptions about class, gender, politics and history.
Prerequisite: 3 term-courses in Sociology.
SOCI 3523
Sociology of Third World Development
3 ch (3C)
A comparative historical study of the wealth and poverty of nations. Emphasizes how the
environment, culture and politics affect economic development.
SOCI 3543
Sociology of Gender Relations
3 ch
Examines gender as an organizing principle in social life, exploring how particular patterns
of gender relations shape and are shaped by key areas of human activity (e.g., work,
education, communication, sexuality, family violence) in ways that generate and perpetuate
gender inequalities.
SOCI 3544
Gender and Technology
3 ch
Explores the processes through which gender relations and assumptions about gender enter
into the design and use of technologies, the extent to which the social relations of
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technology are implicated in the generation of gender inequalities, and the impacts of
technology on the lives of women and men.
SOCI 3614
Culture, Criminal Justice & Social Structure
3 ch (3C)
Advanced study in the field of qualitative criminology. Focuses on developments in the field
since the emergence of the New Criminology in the 1970s. Emphasis will be placed on
Marxist, post-structuralist and other macro-level analyses of crime in Western Societies.
Prerequisite: SOCI 1001 , SOCI 2611.
SOCI 3615
Historical Sociology 2
3 ch
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. Prerequisite: SOCI
2615 .
SOCI 3822
Sociology of Modernization
3 ch (3C)
Course explores the transition from traditional to modern society. Emphasis is on the
structures of everyday life before and after modernization.
SOCI 3889
Sociology of Native Issues: Culture and Colonization
3 ch
This course explores the spirituality and diversity of native culture in Canada, the impact of
European colonization and the use of genocide, reserves and residential schools.
Prerequisite: SOCI 1001 and 6 ch of Sociology courses.
SOCI 3911
Cinematic New York (A)
3 ch
This course examines films shot in New York within the historical and sociological context of
the city as well as within the body of work of a number of directors who made New York an
important setting for their stories. The course will normally be taught on site in New York.
Prerequisites: SOCI 1001and two term-courses in lower level Sociology; or permission of
Instructor.
SOCI 3921
Sociology of Knowledge
3 ch (3C)
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.
SOCI 4014
Designing Research Proposals
3 ch
Under the direction of a supervisor, an Honours student develops a proposal which is
approved by the Discipline.
SOCI 4015
Honours Thesis
3 ch
Under the direction of a supervisor, a student conducts, completes and defends a thesis.
Prerequisite: Sociology 4014
SOCI 4023
Special Topics in Sociological Theory
3 ch (3S)
Intensive study of a selected theorist, theory group or issue in sociological theory.
Prerequisite: SOCI 4013 .
SOCI 4263
Discourse and Text
3 ch
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-
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structuralism, deconstruction, and feminism. Prerequisite: SOCI 3105
SOCI 4317
Sociology of the Arts
3 ch (3C)
A theoretical and empirical investigation of the current and historical sociological conditions
of artistic production and consumption. A field based research project is required.
Prerequisites: 3-term courses in Sociology, including SOCI 3517 and either SOCI
3104 or SOCI 3105 .
SOCI 4363
Political Sociology
3 ch (3S)
A comprehensive historical study of the political routes the major countries of the East and
the West took to reach modern industrial society. Emphasis is on the interrelations of state
power, class, ideology, and industrialization.
SOCI 4403
Special Topics in Canadian Society
3 ch (3S)
Intensive examination of one or more selected topics. Prerequisite: SOCI 2403 or SOCI
2413 .
SOCI 4503
Research Seminar in Popular Culture
3 ch
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. Prerequisites: SOCI 3000 and
one of SOCI 3104 or SOCI 3105 ; or 4 term-courses in Sociology and ICS 3001 and ICS
3003 ; or permission of instructor.
SOCI 4555
Gender and Organization
3 ch (3S)
An advanced level focus on how organizations are viewed and explained as gendered,
sexualized entities. Examines feminist critiques of traditional approaches to organization;
feminist conceptualizations of gender and organization; empirical studies of men and
women in particular organizations; organizations, gender and violence; and gender and
military organization. Prerequisites: Either (a) Sociology 1000 or (b) Gender Studies
2001 and permission of the instructor
SOCI 4705
Sociology of Civilizations
3 ch (3C)
A comparative study of the cultural, political and economic heritage of world civilizations.