Courses
For a complete listing of sociology courses, see the Academic Calendar.
For a listing of courses offered this year, see the timetable.
Program advisor
Erin Steuter
esteuter@mta.ca
Programs
The Department of Sociology offers a minor, a major, and an honours program in sociology. There are also two certificate programs.
| First-year courses | Provide an overview of the discipline and an introduction to core concepts in sociology. |
| Second-year courses |
Designed for minor, major, and honours students to gain a firm grounding in the general approaches taken in sociology and promote the critical thinking, methodological, and writing skills necessary for advanced work. |
| Third-year courses | Emphasize theoretical approaches, analytical methods, and their application to major substantive areas of sociological interest. The areas covered reflect the strengths and interests of the faculty, and are designed to give students exposure to a broad range of material. |
| Fourth-year courses | Allow students to work with greater independence, and in more depth, on a range of topics. |
- For the courses required for each program and their prerequisites see the Academic Calendar.
- When advice is needed on the sociology program, students can contact the program advisor, Erin Steuter at esteuter@mta.ca
- To keep track of the courses you have taken, it is useful to fill in a degree audit form.
Honours
How to decide if you should do honours:
- Doing well (GPA 3.0 on courses above first year)
- Want to be immersed in sociology
- Thinking of graduate school
Honours replaces a major and is the most specialized degree we offer.
All students intending to do an honours degree should, if at all possible, make this decision by the end of the second year. If you have decided on a thesis-based honours, you should have chosen a topic by the middle of the third year and should begin work on it during the summer before your final year, after consultation with a faculty member who has agreed to act as a thesis advisor.
To apply to do an honours, please complete the declaration to pursue honours form.
Types of honours
| TYPE OF HONOURS | WILL APPEAL TO YOU IF |
|
Coursework option Must take two extra fourth-year sociology courses |
Interested in advanced classes in sociology Have done the course rotation properly so can take the extra fourth-year courses Like the structure of classes |
|
Thesis option Conduct research and write a thesis under the supervision of one of the sociology professors |
Interested in advanced issues in sociology Interested in doing a thesis-based MA or a PhD Want to investigate a topic in depth Want to write a lot Can balance working and researching (either in the summer before fourth year or during your fourth year) Your topic fits with one of the professors’ areas and he or she agrees to supervise you
|
| Applied Honours |
Concentrate on specialized courses that teach you to apply your knowledge to real world problems |
Sociology certificates
Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Certificate Overview. The Department of Sociology's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate provides students with the opportunity to develop valuable knowledge, methodologies, and applied skills about the important issue of building an inclusive society free from barriers to full participation and engagement.
Students develop their cultural competence by exploring the wide range of human qualities and attributes within a group, organization, or society including dimensions of diversity such as ancestry, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, physical and intellectual ability, race, religion, sex, sexuality, and socio-economic status.
Courses examine the principles of equity in polices and practices to assess and improve their effectiveness in achieving fair, inclusive, and respectful treatment of all people.
Course material reviews historical and contemporary injustices and disadvantages faced by particular groups. Students examine how to create opportunities and reduce disparities in opportunities and outcomes for diverse communities and to assist institutions and organizations in identifying and tackling barriers to create safer environments for marginalized people.
Applied projects allow students to develop strategies that facilitate individuals' and communities' social inclusion in economic, social, cultural, and political dimensions.
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate is 18 credits earned as follows:
| 9 credits | from SOCI 2111, 2121, 2211, 2221, 2231, 2401, 2501, 2611 |
| 3 credits | from SOCI 3101, 3511, 3551, 4551, 4561 |
| 3 credits | from SOCI 3701, 3711, 3731, 3781 |
| 3 credits | from SOCI 3771, 4701 |
Certificate in Social Research Methodologies
Certificate Overview. The courses included in this certificate focus on the understanding and application of the social science research methods commonly used in the public and private sectors.
Skills in social research methods are highly transferable and marketable, and graduates with these skills are increasingly sought by employers across all sectors — academia, government, charities and business.
The Certificate in Social Research Methodologies is 18 credits earned as follows:
| 6 credits | from Psych 2001, 2011 |
| 6 credits | from SOCI 3301, 3311 |
| 6 credits | from COMM 3401, ECON 1701, 3401, GENV 3701, PSYC 3001, 3021, SOCI 3731,4311, WGST 3121 |
Sociology Teaching Assistant Certificate
Sociology Teaching Assistant Certificates are awarded to students who have worked as Teaching Assistants in the department each year during Convocation Weekend. A record of recipients is kept on file and with the student's permission may be used in letters of reference written on the student's behalf.
The application form should be completed and submitted to the department head by the last day of classes in the student's graduating year.