Sociology

Sociology looks at the social building blocks, or social structures, organizing Canadian and other societies. Sociology explores how families, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, legal systems and the state shape us as individuals and, in turn, how we as individuals shape these social institutions and structures. Sociologists are interested in understanding individual, group and societal experiences, choices and practices and the way seemingly personal characteristics represent patterns of behaviour that are shared with other people in other social groups and societies.

Is Sociology for you?

Sociology is for students who are curious about how people get along (or not), how and why communities come to be the way they are and why they change, why different kinds of people have such different lives, how people can work together to make the world more just and sustainable. A ‘sociological imagination’ will help you connect your personal story with the way societies are organized today, as well as in the past.

Sociology is also for students interested in gaining first hand knowledge on local field trips, semester-long placements as researchers in community organizations or at international field schools.

Areas of study

Sociology courses are available on social movements; the sociology of families; development; gender relations and social issues; the sociology of sport; political sociology; Islam and global politics; new information technology and society; Canadian social structure; the sociology of art; medical sociology; the sociology of the environment; immigration issues; social control and more.

Sociology is a separate discipline within the Department of Sociology & Anthropology. Sociology students can take advantage of a unique array of interdisciplinary Sociology & Anthropology courses, exploring issues of social justice; the environment; health; international development; immigration, race, ethnicity and indigenous rights; global problems and the culture of capitalism; gender and sexuality; the state, governance, and colonialism; the philosophy of the social sciences and more.

Joint majors with Contemporary Arts, Communication, Criminology, Latin American Studies, Women’s Studies and Canadian Studies are available, as well as practical experience through the Co-operative Education program.

Degree offered: BA

Government policy analyst or researcher

International trade specialist or diplomat

International law

Community and social service workers

Public relations and communications

Broadcasting and journalism

Consulting firms

Small business

Public administration

International development agencies and organizations

Education and academia