Sociology
From the family unit to the global stage, how did we develop the societies we live in?
Students in this program are exposed to a variety of research methods and techniques.
They gain a firm foundation in both classical and contemporary social theories. Courses are offered in the following areas: social inequalities; the social construction of race, class, gender and sexuality; the sociology of childhood, youth and aging; sociology of the family; sociology of health; globalization and post-colonial theory; labour and trade union studies; sociology of the environment; Aboriginal studies; the sociology of education; and criminology.
Students can complete their studies online in the following: Concentration, Minor, and Certificate in Family Life Studies.
NOTE: The Criminology program, as well as the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights program are within the Sociology program umbrella.

The sociology program aims:
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to enable our students to question their taken-for-granted assumptions about how the social world operates;
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to provide our students with a strong background in a wide range of research techniques;
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to encourage our students to consider what responsibility and opportunities they may have to make the world a better place for themselves and others;
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to equip our students with the skills (critical thinking and research methods) they need to find meaningful work or pursue graduate studies upon graduating.
Program highlights:
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three or four-year programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts;
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also available: a multidisciplinary diploma or degree in Labour Studies (English only);
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multidisciplinary knowledge;
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critical thinking about contemporary issues from a sociological perspective;
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knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative social research methods;
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strong communication skills (written and spoken);
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identification of social injustices and strategies for addressing them;
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appreciation of diversity;
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ethical standards.
Ontario High School Applicants
Program Prerequisites:
- 1 grade 12 English U/M course; 5 other grade 12 U/M courses
- A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses
Additional information for applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses.
Additional information for applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate.
Click here to view information regarding General Admission Requirements.
Applicants from outside an Ontario High School
Canadian High School Applicants from outside Ontario
Canadian Applicants
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you must complete your application through the Ontario Universities Application Center (OUAC).
For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: Undergraduate Studies page.
Apply Now as a Domestic Applicant
International Applicants
If you’re an international applicant, you must fill out the International Application Form.
For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: International Students page.
Apply Now as an International Applicant
For Current Students
The degree options listed below are for the upcoming academic year, not the current academic year. If you are a current student looking for which courses to take in order to complete your degree options from a previous academic year's curriculum, please consult with an academic advisor.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology
Total 120 credits
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA.
Specialization in Sociology
First Year
SOCI 1015E Understanding Society *
6 elective credits of linguistic awareness (see regulations)
6 elective credits in scientific literacy
6 elective credits in Indigenous content
6 elective credits
Upper Years
SOCI 2016E Thinking Sociologically
SOCI 2017E Emergence of Sociological Theories
SOCI 2127E Research Methods and Data Analysis *
STAT 2126E Introduction to Statistics
SOCI 3005E Survey Research: A Course in Applied Sociology
SOCI 3016E Modern Sociological Theories: Manifestations and Issues
SOCI 3126E Qualitative Methods
SOCI 4016E Current Debates in Sociological Theory
SOCI 4026E Quantitative Methods
SOCI 4095E Honours Thesis
(OR) SOCI 4195E Internship and Report Writing (this course exists in French, yet to be developed in English)
18 additional SOCI credits
36 elective credits
* Minimum grade of C (60%) required
Notes:
- Eligible linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and Indigenous content courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies although the requirements have been slotted in the first year in the description.
- Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Major in Sociology
First Year
SOCI 1015E Understanding Society *
6 elective credits of linguistic awareness (see regulations)
6 elective credits in scientific literacy
6 elective credits in Indigenous content
6 elective credits
Upper Years
SOCI 2016E Thinking Sociologically
SOCI 2017E Emergence of Sociological Theories
SOCI 2127E Research Methods and Data Analysis *
STAT 2126E Introduction to Statistics
SOCI 3005E Survey Research: A Course in Applied Sociology
SOCI 3016E Modern Sociological Theories: Manifestations and Issues
SOCI 3126E Qualitative Methods
SOCI 4016E Current Debates in Sociological Theory
SOCI 4026E Quantitative Methods
6 additional SOCI credits, at least 3 of which are at the 4000 level
54 elective credits**
* Minimum grade of C (60%) required
Notes:
- Eligible linguistic awareness, Indigenous content and scientific literacy courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies although the requirements have been slotted in the first year in the description.
- Students must complete a minimum of a minor (24 credits) or a second major (42 credits) from among their elective credits.
- For a double major in Sociology and Criminology, students must take 9 SOCI credits to replace SOCI 1015 and SOCI 2127. Courses cannot be double counted between the two Majors.
- For a double major in Sociology and Equity, Diversity and Human Rights, students must take 6 SOCI credits to replace SOCI 1015. Courses cannot be double counted between the two Majors.
- Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Bachelor of Arts (General) in Sociology
Total 90 credits
Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Concentration in Sociology (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
First Year
SOCI 1015E Understanding Society *
6 elective credits of linguistic awareness (see regulations)
6 elective credits in scientific literacy
6 elective credits in Indigenous content
6 elective credits
Upper Years
SOCI 2016E Thinking Sociologically
SOCI 2017E Emergence of Sociological Theories
SOCI 2127E Research Methods and Data Analysis *
STAT 2126E Introduction to Statistics
SOCI 3016E Modern Sociological Theories: Manifestations and Issues
SOCI 3126E Qualitative Methods
12 additional SOCI credits, at least 6 of which are at the 3000/4000 level
30 elective credits
* Minimum grade of C (60%) required
Notes:
- Eligible linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and Indigenous content courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies although the requirements have been slotted in the first year in the description.
- Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
Minor in Sociology (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
SOCI 1015E Understanding Society*
SOCI 2016E Thinking Sociologically
SOCI 2127E Research Methods and Data Analysis
12 SOCI credits, at least 6 of which are at the 3000 level
* Minimum grade of C (60%) required
Certificate in Family Life Studies and Human Sexuality (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
(30 credits)
BIOL 2757E Biological Aspects of Human Sexuality
SOCI 2636E Desire, Love, and Work I: The Social Making of Gender
SOCI 3636E Desire, Love, and Work II: The Social Making of Sexuality
21 credits from:
ANTR 2005E Child Rearing Across Cultures
HIST 3616E History of Women and the Family in the Pre-Industrial Era
INDG 2205E The Aboriginal People: Family and Community
PHIL/RLST 2345E Bioethics: Human Life Issues
PHIL 2525E Contemporary Moral Issues
PSYC 2005E Developmental Psychology
SOCI 2006E The Child and Society
SOCI 2007E The Adolescent and Society
SOCI 2036E Family Sociology I
SOCI 2037E Family Sociology II
SWLF 3806E Child Abuse and Neglect
SWLF 3807E Violence Against Women
SWRK 4427E Social Work with Children and Youth
WGSX 2356E Reproduction and Mothering
WGSX 3405E Gender and Human Violence
Understanding Society
The Child and Society
The Adolescent and Society
Thinking Sociologically
Emergence of Sociological Theories
The World of Work
Family Sociology I
Introduction to Statistics
Research Methods and Data Analysis
What Do Unions Do?
Sociology of Educational Issues
Introduction to Globalization
Individual, Community and the Political Order
Desire, Love, and Work I: The Social Making of Gender
Social Inequality: Gender, Race, Class and Power
Institutions of the Criminal Justice System
Cultural Marginality and the Environment: Environmental Risk and Indigenous Populations
Theories in Criminology
Crime and Culture
Crime and Media
Explanations of Crime
Survey Research: A Course in Applied Sociology
Modern Sociological Theories: Manifestations and Issues
News, Pop Culture, and Power, Critical Perspective on Mass Media
Qualitative Methods
Social Movements
Workplace Rights Advocacy
Sociology of Education
Globalization and the New World Order
The Colonizer and the Colonized
In and Out of Work in the Global Economy
Desire, Love, and Work II: The Social Making of Sexuality
Selected Topics I
Selected Topics II
Poverty and the Criminal Justice System
Indigenous People, Minorities, and the Criminal Justice System
Crime, Illness and Disability
Canadian Labour History
Sexuality, Disability and Human Rights
Sociology of Aging
Independent Studies I
Independent Studies II
Quantitative Methods
Sociology of Labour Markets
Class, Race, Gender and Ethnicity in the Workplace
Honours Thesis
Political Sociology
Critical Analysis of Global Health Issues
Environmental Sociology
Capitalism, Work and the Regulation of Environmental Risks
Immigration: Politics and Society
Marxist Political Theory
The Sociology of Youth
Selected Topics I
Selected Topics II
Crime, Punishment and Modernity
State-Corporate Crime
List of Faculty Members
Sessionals - Established / Seniority
English Language Program
Robert Beckett, M.A.
Dana Cudney, M.A.
Moira Ferguson, Ph.D.
Kate Tilleczek, Ph.D.
French Language Program
Valentina Cisneros, Ph.D.
Tim Dubé, Ph.D.
Sika Eliev, Ph.D. (ABD)
Andréanne Fortin, M.A.
Komi Hemedzo, Ph.D.
Paul Jalbert, Ph.D.
Élisabeth Labrie, M.A.
Thomas Nkosi, Ph.D.
Sébastien Pelletier, M.A.
Rachid Bagaoui
School of Social Sciences
Lynne Gouliquer
Department of Sociology | School of Social Sciences
Anas Karzai
School of Social Sciences
Simon Laflamme
School of Social SciencesParveen Nangia
Faculty of Arts