This Course and Program Catalogue is effective from May 2024 to April 2025.

Not all courses described in the Course and Program Catalogue are offered each year. For a list of course offerings in 2024-2025, please consult the class search website.

The following conventions are used for course numbering:

  • 010-099 represent non-degree level courses
  • 100-699 represent undergraduate degree level courses
  • 700-999 represent graduate degree level courses

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24 Results

SOC 303.6: History of Sociological Theory

The development of sociological thought in Europe and America since the 18th century. Description and criticism of principal historical and contemporary contributions to sociological theory.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC including SOC 233.


SOC 306.3: Contemporary Class Structure

An examination of theoretical models and empirical studies of the structure of social class relations in advanced industrial society. The course will examine patterns of class relations in the western industrialized nations and will also study selected dimensions of global class structure and inequality.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC.


SOC 307.3: Animals in Society

Sociological perspectives on the relationship between human and non-human animals, and the multi-dimensional role of animals in contemporary society.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC courses
Note: Students with credit for SOC 298: Special Topics in Environmental Sociology Social Dimensions of Sustainable Development may not take this course for credit.


SOC 309.3: Theories of Social Change

A study of classical and contemporary sociological approaches to social change and the consequences of rapid change in institutional structures.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC.


SOC 310.3: White Collar and Corporate Crime in the Global Context

This course examines the topic of white-collar and corporate crime in the global context. Through assigned readings, lectures, presentations, class discussion, and written assignments, this course will guide students in studying important international issues that shed light on how and why these offenses occur and how they are dealt with. We will begin with a general introduction to the field, including definitions, conceptual, and theoretical issues from the social sciences, law, and criminology regarding what has become known as white collar and corporate crime. Following this, we will discuss various forms of such crime including unsafe products, unsafe working conditions, environmental crime, financial fraud, governmental crime, official corruption and so forth. Next, we will consider issues regarding globalization, regulation, enforcement, and sanctioning. Finally, we will examine the future of white collar and corporate criminality from both international and comparative perspectives.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): SOC 212


SOC 311.3: Youth Crime Justice and Social Control

Designed to provide students with conceptual and practical knowledge in the study of child and youth crime and deviance. The material focuses not only on issues of social justice, but also treatment by institutions of social control including the justice system.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): SOC 212 or 214.


SOC 312.3: Current Issues in Criminal Justice

Analysis of current developments in theories and research on criminogenesis, and the administration of criminal justice. Topics include inequalities of involvement and treatment in the justice system based upon race, class and gender. Developing a general theoretical structure of justice system operation and reform is a key concern.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): SOC 212 and (234 or 329).


SOC 313.6: Practicum in Criminal Justice I

An applied course that provides students with professional experience and the ability to critique criminal justice processing and services for Indigenous people. Students are placed in a 12-week work program after consultation with the program coordinator.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Indigenous Justice and Criminology Program.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 232.3 and SOC 233.3.
Note: Students with credit for SOC 317, SOC 318 or SOC 326 will not receive credit for this course.


SOC 314.6: Practicum in Criminal Justice II

An applied course that provides students with professional experience and the ability to critique criminal justice processing and services for Indigenous people. Students are placed in a 12-week work program after consultation with the program coordinator.

Weekly hours: 3 Practicum/Lab hours
Restriction(s): Enrolment in the Indigenous Justice and Criminology Program.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 313.6
Note: Students with credit for SOC 326 will not receive credit for this course.


SOC 319.3: Indigenous People in Urban Areas

Describes and analyzes the growth, distribution, and integration of the Indigenous population in Canadian urban centres as well as the causes and consequences of the urbanization of Canadian Indigenous people. Issues covered will include education, law, family life, and Indigenous-white relations.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC.


SOC 321.3: Sociology of Religion

An analysis of religion in terms of the processes (e.g., secularization and urbanization), which have affected the religious institutions of the West, and of the social and personality structures which, in interaction, shape religion and are shaped by it.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC.
Note: Costs in addition to tuition may apply to Independent Studies sections of this course.


SOC 324.3: Multiculturalism Theories Debates and Realities

Is multiculturalism dead? Is multiculturalism the right model for addressing increased religious, ethnic and racial pluralism? Multiculturalism is a heavily debated concept. This course discusses the core theories and debates around multiculturalism. In order to properly understand both the claimed ‘successes’ and ‘failures’ of multiculturalism, this course will examine the contours of multiculturalism as a philosophy, policy, and practice.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC


SOC 325.3: Applied Quantitative Research in Sociology

Designed to review the basic analytical techniques in statistics as they are applied to Sociological questions, and to introduce analyses that logically follow from the basic techniques. The students will apply the techniques covered in the class to existing data sets using data analysis software.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): SOC 225 or PSY 233 or STAT 244.
Note: Refer to Statistics Course Regulations in the Arts & Science section of the Catalogue if intending to use for Arts & Science credit.


SOC 326.6: Criminology and Addictions Practicum

An applied course that provides students with professional experience and the opportunity to critique criminal and social justice processing, and addictions services. Students are placed in a 6 week work placement after consultation with the program coordinator.

Prerequisite(s): Two of SOC 212.3, SOC 232.3 or SOC 347.3 and permission of the department. Students must be enrolled in the Certificate in Criminology and Additions program.
Note: Students with credit for SOC 313.3, SOC 317.3 or SOC 318.3 may not take this course for credit.


SOC 328.3: Social Inequality and Health

Explores the inter-relationships between sociological theory, health and illness, and various dimensions of social inequality such as socio-economic security/insecurity, gender, class, race and ethnicity, ability/disability, and access to health care services. Course objectives will be achieved through the integration of theoretical and experiential learning.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units Sociology


SOC 329.3: Penology and Corrections

An overview of the correctional system; from police, through courts and sentencing, incarceration, release and post-release processes; a look at the key positions and principles involved in custody, punishment and rehabilitation, with an emphasis on the Canadian system, but in a comparative context.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC including SOC 212.


SOC 332.6: Principles of Research Design

Examination of a series of issues to be resolved in formulating a comprehensive research design. Topics include formulating the problem; plan of data organization; defining and selecting cases; collection of data; organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. Each student is expected to develop a number of research projects during the year.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC including SOC 232 and 325.


SOC 340.3: Marriage Family and Society

Emphasis will be placed on the analysis of changing patterns of marriage and the family within the contemporary social structure and on consequences and resulting trends from such structural changes.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC including SOC 210 and SOC 211.


SOC 341.3: Institutional Racism and Indigenous People

A sociological analysis of various models of institutional racism will be examined, and their applications to Indigenous experiences will be evaluated. Topics include colonial domination, Indigenous reserves, urban Indigenous, resource development, and welfare services.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC.


SOC 347.3: Studies in Addictions

An introduction to the study of addictions, with a specific focus on problematic alcohol and illicit drug use. It introduces students to basic concepts and debates in the addictions field concerning causes, consequences and interventions. Each is examined from four standpoints: the user, society/culture, service providers, and decision/policy makers. Students are invited to question how we know what we know, with an emphasis on the Canadian context. The addictions field is fraught with controversies. This course is designed to assist students with integrating their existing and acquired knowledge and applying it to current debates in a sociologically informed, public health contextualized, and understanding manner.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 6 credit units of 100-level SOC or 18 credit units at the University.


SOC 355.3: Sociology of Friendship Intimacy and Close Ties

Examines friendship, intimacy, and close ties from a sociological perspective. Topics explored include conceptualizations of friendship; the influence of social roles, institutions, and structures on close ties; changes to close ties across the life course; the rise of solo living; technological transformations of intimacy; and the future of intimacy.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units SOC courses including one of SOC 210.3 or SOC 211.3


SOC 360.3: Globalization and Social Justice

Explores the major theories of globalization, global social stratification and social justice through issues of risks, challenges and opportunities of contemporary social life. Central concerns are the following three themes: what is globalization, what is happening; and what are people doing that is shaping the outcome of the process?

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units in sociology, including SOC 110.6 or SOC 111.3 and SOC 112.3 or permission of the instructor.


SOC 398.3: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours


SOC 399.6: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours