Faculty of Arts

Sociology Courses

SY101 Introduction to Sociology 0.5

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.

Exclusion: SY100*.

SY102 Critical Analysis of Social Issues 0.5

This course is designed for students who intend to major in sociology. Through the study of classical and contemporary sociological thought, students will develop tools for the critical analysis of social issues. Course objectives include acquiring skills such as evaluating evidence, identifying assumptions, constructing arguments and writing a research paper. Emphasis will be placed on enhancing students' critical thinking and writing skills within a sociological context.

Prerequisite: SY101.

Exclusion: SY100*.

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* or SY101.

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* or SY101.

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* or SY101.

Exclusion: CC101, 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* or SY101.

Irregular course

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* or SY101.

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 SY101 (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* or SY101.

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* or SY101.

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* or SY101.

SY241 Sociology of Crime: Structural Perspectives 0.5

Structural perspectives, including functionalism and social conflict with respect to capitalism, imperialism and patriarchy, are used to examine criminalization through the making of law, law enforcement and the administration of justice.

Prerequisite: SY100* or SY101.

Exclusion: SY208*.

SY242 Sociology of Crime: Interpretive Perspectives 0.5

Interpretive perspectives, including social constructionism, symbolic interactionism and ethnomethodology, are used to examine criminalization through the making of law, law enforcement and the administration of justice.

Prerequisite: SY100* or SY101.

Exclusion: SY208*.

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* or SY101 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

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

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

Prerequisite: At least 1.0 senior SY credit (or permission of the department).

Irregular course

SY310* Directed Studies 1.0

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

Prerequisite: At least 1.0 senior SY credit (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. (Cross-listed as RE311*.)†

Prerequisite: One of SY203*, SY280, SY281 or 1.0 senior RE credit (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).

Exclusion: CC401.

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

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

Prerequisite: At least 1.0 senior SY credit (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* or SY101 and one of AN337/GS337, or GS101, SY203*, SY204*, SY338, 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 GS101, 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 AN341, GS101, SY233*, SY334, WS100 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY206w.

SY380 Religion and Social Change 0.5

(Cross-listed as GS380 and RE380.)†

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: SY101, SY102, SY280.

Exclusion: SY236.

SY387 Structural Theory in Sociology 0.5

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

Prerequisite: SY100* or SY101 and SY102; SY203*.

SY388 Interpretive Theory in Sociology 0.5

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

Prerequisite: SY100* or SY101 and SY102; SY203*.

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.

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: Year 3 or Year 4, 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: SY101, SY102, 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.)

SY412 Historical Sociology of the Family 0.5

The social and historical construction of motherhood, fatherhood and childhood in 20th century Western society is examined. There is a particular focus on media representations. The social understandings emerging from developmental psychology and expert parenting advice are also analyzed from a sociological perspective.

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

Exclusion: SY452k.

SY413 Sociology of Embodiment and Disability 0.5

A critical examination of the symbolic and material importance of bodies as both cultural phenomena and biological organisms. The course addresses the historical specificities in thinking about bodies, especially of those classified as "disabled", and explores the cultural shaping of the significance of embodiment. The course uses a variety of theoretical and empirical perspectives to engage controversies in the field.

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

SY414 Social Movements 0.5

A sociological examination of reformative and revolutionary social movements, and North American and European social movement theory, of the 20th and 21st centuries. Individual movements, such as the women's movement, the environmental movement, and the anti-capitalism movement will be analyzed as case studies.

Prerequisite: One of SY203* or SY204*, and SY387 or SY388 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: SY452n.

SY415 Sociology of Health, Illness and Gender 0.5

By drawing on a rich, multiperspectival, interdisciplinary body of research, this course examines the complex relationship amongst gender and opportunities for health and likeliness of illness. Topics include gender and medicine, sexuality, experiences across the life course, issues of mental health and others.

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

SY450 Advanced Directed Studies in Sociology 0.5

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

Prerequisite: SY101 and SY102 and 1.0 senior SY credit.

Co-requisite: Registration in any other Year 4 Honours Sociology course.

Irregular course

SY451* Advanced Directed Studies in Sociology 1.0

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

Prerequisite: SY101, SY102 and 1.0 senior SY credit.

Co-requisite: Registration in any other Year 4 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: Year 4 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: Year 4 Honours Sociology and permission of the department.

Faculty of Arts Faculty of Arts – Programs and Courses Sociology

Official electronic version updated at 10:33 a.m. March 31, 2005