Faculty of Arts

Sociology Courses

SY100* Introduction to Sociology 1.0

The course entails a survey of the perspectives, concepts and methods used by sociologists to gain an understanding of social relations and interactions in such institutions as the family, religion, education, government and industry.

SY201* Sociology of the Family 1.0

A focus on the contemporary Canadian family, applying the principal theories of sociology to dating, marriage, child rearing, parenting and family interaction within and outside the family.

Prerequisite: SY100*.

SY203* Sociological Theory 1.0

An introduction to the classic theories of sociology which dealt with such issues as capitalism, industrialism and urbanism. Emphasis will be placed on the social context of theory, the assumptions underlying theory and the critical evaluation of theories.

Prerequisite: SY100*.

SY204* Social Inequality 1.0

A critical examination of the causes and consequences of various forms of inequality, especially of race, class and gender. Other current issues in the area of social inequality, such as age and sexual orientation, may also be considered.†

Prerequisite: SY100*.

Exclusion: SY301.

SY206 Special Topics on Contemporary Society 0.5

The study of one or more aspects of contemporary society from the sociological point of view. The content of the course is deliberately flexible and will vary with the specialization of the department.††

Prerequisite: SY100*.

Irregular course

SY208* Sociology of Crime 1.0

The standard sociological perspectives are employed to examine the making of crime through the making of the law, the administration of justice through the courts and law enforcement by the police.

Prerequisite: SY100*.

SY211 Sociology of Physical Activity 0.5

(Cross-listed as KP211.)

SY216 Sociology of Aging 0.5

Theory, research and application in sociological gerontology, including ethnicity, gender, class, work, health and family, and community relations. Attention will be given to aging from the three major paradigmatic perspectives of sociology: positivism, activism and definitionism.††

Prerequisite: SY100*.

SY224 Sociology of Work 0.5

The study of the role of industrialization, capitalism and bureaucracy in the organization of work including such topics as comparative and historical differences in work, post-industrialism, types of work organizations and human relations.†

Prerequisite: SY100* (or permission of the department).

SY231 Sociology of Suicide 0.5

The course examines the social construction of the suicidal state of mind, attempted suicide, completed suicide, suicide rates and the social problem of suicide.†

Prerequisite: SY100*.

SY232 Sociology of Mental Illness 0.5

The course includes an examination of differences in rates of mental illness among social groups. The roles of the public, the family, the law, psychiatrists and others dealing with the social construction of mental illness are analyzed. The organization of asylums is also considered.†

Prerequisite: SY100*.

SY233* Sociology of Women 1.0

The study of ideological and structural factors that enable us to understand women's position in, and experience of, society. Attention will be paid to differences among women through investigating a variety of issues from sexism in social science to an analysis of women's movements.

Prerequisite: SY100*.

SY280 Research Methods I 0.5

The methods used in the collection and analysis of sociological data including such topics as scientific logic, research design, operationalization, sampling, experiments, surveys, reliability, validity and scale construction.

Prerequisite: SY100* and registration status: Sociology program.

Exclusion: SY235, SY285*.

SY281 Research Methods II 0.5

The methods used in the collection and analysis of sociological data including such topics as interviews, participant observation, interpretive research, ethnomethodology, conversation analysis, historical research, feminist methodologies and research ethics.

Prerequisite: SY280 and registration status: Sociology program.

Exclusion: SY285*.

SY303 Sociology of Youth 0.5

An examination of adolescence and youth in contemporary society, with reference to such topics as identity, subculture, education, employment, family, and development to adult status.†

Prerequisite: One of SY203*, SY280, SY281 (or permission of the department).

SY305 Sociology and Cultural Forms 0.5

An analysis of society through such cultural forms as literature, film, art and music with discussion of topics such as regionalism, nationalism, colonialism, post-colonialism, racism and sexism in dominant as well as oppositional cultural forms.††

Prerequisite: SY203* (or permission of the department).

SY307 Political Sociology 0.5 {NEW}

An analysis of such political dimensions of society as the state, ideology and propaganda, leadership, power and authority and social movements.

Prerequisite: One of SY203*, SY204*, SY280, SY281 (or permission of the department).

SY308 Sociology of Mass Communication 0.5

This course considers the social organization, social impact and social meaning of the media of mass communication. Some topics will be: models of mass communication; the roles of regulators, communicators and gatekeepers in the creation of media content, the nature of media content; the question of effects, and the mass audience. (Cross-listed as CS308.)

Prerequisite: One of SY203*, SY280, SY281 (or permission of the department).

SY309* Special Topics in Sociology 1.0

A study in depth of specific empirical and theoretical problem areas of sociology.

Prerequisite: At least one senior credit in Sociology (or permission of the department).

Irregular course

SY310* Directed Studies 1.0

A study in depth of specific empirical and theoretical problem areas of sociology reflecting the research interests of members of the department.

Prerequisite: At least one senior credit in Sociology (or permission of the department).††

Irregular course

SY311* Sociology of Religion 1.0

An introduction to the classical and contemporary writers in the sociology of religion. Using several theoretical perspectives, the class will explore such classical and contemporary issues as church, sect and cult, the relationship of religion to industrial development, magic and alienation in technological society.†

Prerequisite: One of SY203*, SY280, SY281 (or permission of the department).

SY313 Sociological Perspectives on Canadian Society 0.5

An examination of issues in contemporary Canadian society, such as language rights, regionalism and multiculturalism, using sociological perspectives.†

Prerequisite: One of SY203*, SY280, SY281 (or permission of the department).

SY316* Sociology of Education 1.0

An investigation of sociological approaches to educational institutions. Topics covered include the origins of systems of state schooling, theories of education in capitalist society, education and social selection, the ethnography of schooling, and others.†

Prerequisite: SY203* or possession of an Ontario Teacher's Certificate (or its equivalent).

SY318* Sociology of Deviance 1.0

An analysis of the social construction of deviance, the development of social control and the use of social rules; deviant behaviour and deviant careers; particular forms of deviance, including mental illness, juvenile delinquency and varieties of interpersonal violence are examined; controversies surrounding the use of drugs and alcohol are also considered.

Prerequisite: One of SY203*, SY280, SY281 (or permission of the department).

SY321 Sociology of Medicine 0.5

An examination of medicine as an institution, ideology and activity of social control. Comparative analysis of health care interventions, organizations, personnel and systems in Canada, the United States, Great Britain and China.

Prerequisite: One of SY203*, SY280, SY281 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY323*.

SY322 Sociology of Health and Illness 0.5

The social causes and consequences of illness from the perspective of the major paradigms in sociology. Attention will be given to the objective and subjective distribution and causes of illness.

Prerequisite: One of SY203*, SY280, SY281 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY323*.

SY323* Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine 1.0

The social causes and consequences of illness from the perspective of the major paradigms in sociology. The objective and subjective distribution and causes of illness. Medicine as an institution, ideology and activity of social control. (Distance Education course)

Prerequisite: One of SY203*, SY280, SY281 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY321, SY322.

SY329 Directed Studies 0.5

A study in depth of specific empirical and theoretical problem areas of sociology reflecting the research interest of members of the department.

Prerequisite: At least one senior credit in Sociology (or permission of the department).

Irregular course

SY331 Social Change 0.5

An analysis of selected concepts and theories of social change relating to contemporary social, political, religious and economic institutions.†

Prerequisite: One of SY203*, SY280, SY281 (or permission of the department).

SY332 Race and Ethnic Relations 0.5

General Theories of race and ethnic relations and research studies of special ethnic groups. Although comparative in orientation, the course will emphasize ethnic minorities in Canada.†

Prerequisite: SY100* and one of SY203*, SY204*, AN/DI337, SY338, DI100, WS100.

Exclusion: SY202*.

SY333 Human Rights 0.5

An examination, employing concepts from political economy and discourse analysis, of state terrorism and propaganda in the democratic media in the context of the relations of Canada and the United States with Third and Fourth World peoples. (Cross-listed as AN333.)

Prerequisite: One of DI100, EN302, HI329*, PO232, SY203* (or permission of the department).

SY334 Sociology of Gender 0.5

A study of the social production of femininity and masculinity. Various explanations of sexual difference, from biological to sex-role theory, will be examined critically. Recent contributions to the sociology of gender, including proposals for altering current gender relationships, will be considered.

Prerequisite: SY203* or SY233* (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY234.

SY338 Women and Development 0.5

A study of the place of women in 'developing areas', and a critique of existing development theory, policy and practice, The course focuses on issues such as gender politics, productive and reproductive labour, population policies and health, sexuality and reproductive rights, with an emphasis on the role of international agencies and aid. (Cross-listed as AN338.)†

Prerequisite: One of SY233*, SY334, AN221, DI100, WS100 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY206w.

SY382 Social Statistics 0.5

A variety of descriptive statistics and inferential procedures will be considered, with emphasis on the study of correlation and regression.

Prerequisite: SY280.

Exclusion: SY236.

SY387 Structural Theory in Sociology 0.5

An examination of the main varieties of structural theory in sociology.

Prerequisite: SY203*.

SY388 Interpretive Theory in Sociology 0.5

An examination of the main varieties of interpretive theory in sociology.

Prerequisite: SY203*.

SY400* Current Developments in Sociology 1.0

The course will examine current issues and debates in the discipline as reflected in major sociological journals and monographs.

Prerequisite: SY203*, SY280 and SY281; SY387 or SY388 (or permission of the department).

SY401 Social Organization of Knowledge 0.5

A critical analysis of the organization, production and administration of forms of knowledge about society.†

Prerequisite: SY203*, SY280 and SY281; SY387 or SY388 (or permission of the department).

SY402 Contemporary Issues in Social Theory 0.5

An examination of the key debates in social theory such as structuralist versus instrumentalist theories of the state, the problem of linkage between macro and micro level theory perspectives, the present status of causal versus interpretive methodologies, and current issues in functional versus coercion theory.†

Prerequisite: SY387 or SY388.

SY403 Feminist Theory 0.5

An examination of the development of feminist theory from the 18th century to the present, with study of selected texts representative of the major feminist perspectives. Emphasis will be placed on the most influential texts in the field of sociology.††

Prerequisite: SY203* or SY233*; SY387 or SY388 (or permission of the department).

SY404 Ethnomethodology 0.5

A study of the methods and practices people use to produce and recognize "sensible" social actions in naturally occurring situations. Transcripts of audio and video recordings will be examined. Using exemplary studies as a resource, students will do their own research projects.†

Prerequisite: SY203*, SY280 and SY281; SY387 or SY388 (or permission of the department).

SY405 Poverty 0.5

An examination of poverty as a social institution, social ideology and experienced reality. The course focuses on poverty as a social problem, including political and definitional debates and policy attempts at a response, both in the context of Canadian society and through consideration of selected cross-cultural case studies. (Cross-listed as AN405.)

Prerequisite: Registration status: Third or Fourth Year, and one of: AN371, or SY203*.

Exclusion: SY452c.

SY406 Environmental Sociology 0.5

The major issues in the sociology of the environment are examined. Topics may include: the sociology of risk, science and technology, the social construction of environmental issues, ecofeminism, the sociology of environmental movements, and the political economy of global capitalism and the environment. Course material will be related to current environmental issues where applicable.†

Prerequisite: SY203*, SY280 and SY281; SY387 or SY388 (or permission of the department).

SY407 Sociological Theory and Psychoanalytic Thought 0.5

A study of the central concepts in psychoanalysis, with an emphasis on how these concepts contribute to an understanding of subjectivity, social relations and their interaction. The course will focus on the social implications of psychoanalytic thought.†

Prerequisite: SY203*; SY387 or SY388 ( or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY452B.

SY408 The Sociology of Sexualities 0.5

An exploration of sexuality as a social and historical construction, including the examination of basic assumptions about sexuality, as well as the range of lived experiences and meanings of what we have come to know as sexuality.†

Prerequisite: SY100*, SY203*; SY387 or SY388 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY452a.

SY409 The Sociology of Men and Masculinities 0.5

A critical examination of the changing definition of manhood and masculinity in contemporary society in such areas as power, sexuality, race, inequality, elitism and aggression.

Prerequisite: SY203* or SY204*; SY387 or SY388 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY452u.

SY410 Theory and Practice: The Political Economy of Inquiry 0.5

An examination of the moral organization of sociological inquiry with specific focus on the part played by the universities in the political economy of global corporate capitalism with its attendant distribution of human rights.

Prerequisite: SY203* or SY333; SY387 or SY388 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY452g.

SY411 Advanced Sociology of Physical Activity 0.5

(Cross-listed as KP411.)

SY450 Advanced Directed Studies in Sociology 0.5

Areas of specialization of the department will be emphasized.††

Prerequisite: SY100* and one senior credit in Sociology.

Co-requisite: Registration in any other Fourth Year Honours Sociology course.

Irregular course

SY451* Advanced Directed Studies in Sociology 1.0

Areas of specialization of the department will be emphasized.††

Prerequisite: SY100* and one senior credit in Sociology.

Co-requisite: Registration in any other Fourth Year Honours Sociology course.

Irregular course

SY452 Advanced Special Topics 0.5

Advanced, theoretic examination of a specific area of sociology. Consult the department for current offerings.

Prerequisite: SY203* and permission of the department.

Irregular course

SY489 Advanced Qualitative Analysis 0.5

An examination of qualitative research designs including participant observation, interviews, content analysis, conversation analysis, historical analysis, and descriptive and inductive strategies of analysis.††

Prerequisite: SY203*, SY281; SY387 or SY388 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY389.

SY490 Advanced Quantitative Analysis 0.5

The design and analysis of social surveys are covered. Multivariate analytical techniques, including correlation, regression, path and multiple classification analysis are used in a data analysis research project. An appropriate computer package will be used.††

Prerequisite: SY203*, SY382 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY390.

SY491* Senior Seminar in Sociology 1.0

A colloquium in which students will discuss central concepts in sociological inquiry, under the direction of faculty.††

Prerequisite: Registration status: Fourth Year Honours Sociology.

SY492* Thesis 1.0

Directed study and research on a topic appropriate to the student's interest, under the direction of faculty.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Fourth Year Honours Sociology and permission of the department.

Faculty of Arts Faculty of Arts – Programs and Courses Sociology

Official electronic version updated on February 4, 2002