Sociology Programs (BA)

Chair
Mary-Beth Raddon

Professors
Kate Bezanson, Nancy Cook, Andrea Doucet, Thomas Dunk, Ifeanyi Ezeonu, Tamari Kitossa, Michelle Webber

Associate Professors
Jonah Butovsky, Lauren Corman, Katerina Deliovsky, Margot Francis, Kevin Gosine, Trent Newmeyer, Hijin Park, Mary-Beth Raddon, Dennis Soron

Assistant Professor
Fernando Avila, Gökbörü Sarp Tanyildiz, Julie Ham, Samantha McAleese

Lecturer
Lyn Trudeau

Department Administrative Advisor
Lindsay Shaw

General Information

Administrative Co-ordinators
Lori ann Gomez
Debbie Ouellette

905-688-5550, extension 3455
Academic South 400A
brocku.ca/sociology

The Department of Sociology offers students a unique opportunity to cultivate their intellectual curiosity and social awareness, and to develop their capacity to engage in a critical, informed and self-reflective way with the key social institutions, relationships and processes shaping the world in which they live.

Sociology, by its very nature, encompasses all spheres of social life. Accordingly, it allows students to delve into a rich variety of fascinating topics of the greatest historical and contemporary relevance: animal studies; gender; sexism; family life; sexuality; race and racism; cultural identity; globalization; imperialism and colonialism; immigration; poverty and class inequality; work and the economy; education; religion; the environment; crime, prisons and social repression and social movements. Underlying the wide range of issues taken up in the department’s teaching and research activities is a shared commitment to analyzing inequality, oppression and exploitation in all of their varied manifestations and exploring the forms of resistance and struggle to which they give rise.

Students of Sociology develop useful skills that they can carry forward into many areas of their future lives. They learn the basic principles and techniques of social research and are given the opportunity to develop more advanced skills in both qualitative and statistical analysis. They expand their critical thinking, theory-construction and problem-solving abilities and sharpen their skills in oral and written expression. Finally, by learning to develop and to support their ideas while remaining responsive to contending opinions and perspectives, they greatly enhance their ability to work constructively with others, to think outside the narrow confines of ingrained cultural prejudices and habitual forms of “common sense,” and to respond creatively and proactively to a wide range of personal, social and political challenges.

Students declaring a major in Sociology can pursue one of the following programs: an Honours BA program in Sociology with co-op, an Honours BA program either in Sociology alone or as a combined major, a BA with Major (either single or combined) and a 3-year Pass BA program (either single or combined). In addition to combined major programs in other academic departments, Sociology students may co-major in interdisciplinary Centres such as Canadian Studies, Labour Studies or Women’s and Gender Studies.

Students with a minimum 70 percent Sociology average may declare the BA Honours or combined Honours program as well as a Concentration in Applied Social Research and Data Analysis, Criminology or Critical Animal Studies before June 1 of any study year. The Honours program provides students with the opportunity for a more intensive examination of issues in the field. Request for admission to Year 4 (Honours) is by application through a Year 4 Studies form and requires a minimum 70 percent major average and completion of a minimum of 13.5 overall credits. Submit honours applications to the Department Administrative Advisor.

Students with a minimum 60 percent Sociology average may declare the BA with Major (single or combined), BA Pass (single or combined) major, Africana Studies, Critical Animal Studies or Sociology Minor before June 1 of any study year. Submit Declaration of Major form to the Department Administrative Advisor.

Students declaring a major in Sociology (Honours, BA with Major, Pass) are responsible for ensuring that their programs satisfy the departmental requirements. The Department Administrative Advisor provides academic advising to Sociology and Critical Criminology students upon request. Students book advising online. To declare a major, minor, or concentration in Sociology, normally at the completion of SOCI 1P90  and SOCI 1P91  (1F90) with a minimum average requirement, a Declare or Change Major form must be completed and submitted for approval to the Department Administrative Coordinator by June 1. 

The requirements for graduation with a BA (Honours) are a minimum 70 percent major average, a minimum 60 percent non-major average, and a minimum 60 percent overall average. The requirements for a BA with Major and a Pass BA are a minimum 60 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent overall average.

Sociology and Labour Studies-George Brown College

This program involves courses offered through Brock and George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology. This four-year program combines courses and training in applied labour studies settings at George Brown College with a degree at Brock. The program caters to individuals who wish to have a career in a wide variety of areas including unionized environments, occupational health and safety, politics, or human resources. The program allows students to gain both solid applied skills in these areas and a strong theoretical knowledge about a variety of these topics. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this program will be granted both a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Sociology and Labour Studies degree from Brock and two certificates from George Brown College: 1) a certificate in Contemporary Labour Perspectives from the George Brown School of Labour, and 2) a Post-Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management. Gaining both a degree and these certificates would ordinarily involve attending college after earning a university degree, but the Brock and George Brown program combines the two in a single integrated package that can be completed in four years. Applicants must have a minimum 70 percent overall average to be considered for admission to the program. Volunteer experience is considered an asset. Successful applicants must maintain a minimum 70 percent overall average during Year 2 and meet other program requirements to continue in the program. Enrolment in this program is limited. Admission to the program is not guaranteed by attainment of the minimum requirements. Application forms for the Sociology and Labour Studies program are available from the Office of the Dean of Social Sciences.

Please consult the Labour Studies entry for a listing of program requirements.

Policing and Criminal Justice

Policing and Criminal Justice is discontinued and is no longer accepting applicants. Current students should consult https://brocku.ca/webcal/2022/undergrad/pcjp.html.

Program Notes

1. SOCI 4F01  and SOCI 4F90  are restricted to students with a minimum 80 percent (single or combined) major average and permission of the Department Administrator.
2. Courses given outside the Department may be given SOCI credit provided that they are part of an integrated program and written approval is obtained from the Department Administrative Coordinator.
3. With permission of the Department Administrative Coordinator, courses in related disciplines numbered 3(alpha)90 or above may be considered for SOCI credit.
4. In 20 credit honours degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In this 20 credit BA with Major degree program a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least four and one-half credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least one and one-half credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 15 or 20 credits may be taken.