ObjectivesThe objectives of the program are to provide advanced studies in general sociology and in a wide variety of specialized fields of research for students planning to pursue a professional career in the discipline and students already engaged in occupations where such studies will be of value to their work. We emphasize pluralism in our approaches to theory and methods and encourage students to creatively and actively engage their sociological training in a wide variety of established and emerging fields. The graduate program in Sociology offers two options: a thesis option and an essay option. In addition to the core courses in theory and methods, course offerings in the program often reflect the various fields of interest of the faculty and the research projects they pursue individually or as part of a research team in a research center. Although all students are required to take six credits in theory and six credits in research methods and a departmental seminar, the remaining courses are elective. A balance of different elective course offerings is taught from year to year according to faculty and student interest.
Academic titleMaster of Arts in Sociology
Course descriptionSOCI 602 Issues in Classical Sociological Theory (3 credits)
This course is designed to examine selected classical texts and analyze the work of recent interpreters and critics. During this course, we will endeavour to develop our critical understanding of the classics. In addition, we will strive to create an awareness of the diversity of readings of classical texts that will enhance our ability to make further critical appropriations, revisions, and uses of the classical tradition.
SOCI 603 Issues in Contemporary Sociological Theory (3 credits)
This course is an in-depth study of issues in contemporary sociological theory. It is designed to foster awareness of the plurality, diversity, and divergence among contemporary readers and readings of current texts. The focus is on critical analysis of major writings representing diverse theoretical orientations in recent sociology. Attention is given to fundamental assumptions and to practical implications of given orientations and styles of sociology.
SOCI 612 Quantitative Research Design and Methods (3 credits)
This course explores quantitative research design and methodology as a whole process, from conceptualization to research questions, methods, data analysis, and results dissemination. Topics include data structures and their relation to theory; data collection; access to and use of large data sets; coding and validity and reliability issues; statistical techniques as generalized linear models; linear and logistic regression. Students apply various methods to read data. Ethical issues are also considered.
SOCI 613 Qualitative Research Design and Methods (3 credits)
This course explores research methodology, design, analysis and dissemination. Tonics include focus groups, participant observation, open-ended and structured interviewing, content and discourse analysis, life histories and historical analysis. Analysis will also explore approaches to coding qualitative data and the links between data and conceptual and theoretical categories. Ethical issues as well as issues of researcher safety in the field are considered.
SOCI 660 Graduate Development Seminar (3 credits)
This course is designed to help students develop the professional skills needed to pursue a career in research, practice or teaching. Students are exposed to a variety of research approaches through presentations by a diversity of faculty researchers. Discussions also cover topics such as presenting papers at conferences, applying for funding and scholarships and publishing research. The seminar takes place every two weeks. Grading is on a pass/fail basis.
SOCI 690 Thesis Tutorial (3 credit tutorial)
The thesis tutorial is dedicated to crafting a research proposal. This course should be taken during the first academic year of residency.
SOCI 691 Thesis
Students enroled in the thesis option are required to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research which reflects a scientific approach. The thesis proposal, SOCI 690 (prepared within the confines of the thesis tutorial) will serve as the basis for the elaboration of the actual thesis, SOCI 691. This will take the form of a written thesis (21 credits) of at least article length. The student will then orally defend the thesis before an examining committee. The thesis may be written in either English or French.
SOCI 695 Essay-----
The essay is written under the supervision of one faculty member and is evaluated by two faculty members, including the supervisor. It can either be a literature review of a substantive nature, or a report on empirical research. Students are expected to submit work of publishable or near publishable quality. The appropriate length of the essay is approximately 40 pages.
Selected Topics
The offerings for the following courses will be reviewed each year in light of the interest of students and faculty members. Five elective courses are offered each academic year from the list given below. Courses numbered “700” are advanced studies and normally will be conducted on a tutorial basis. The corresponding 600-level course is a prerequisite to the 700-level course. All courses listed below are worth 3 credits unless otherwise noted.