Sociology

This course introduces the basic concepts of sociology including social structure, culture, socialization, deviance, social control, social organization, structured social inequality, and social change. It makes extensive use of examples from the Canadian context.

This course explores the major theoretical frameworks of sociology and the conceptual tools used to examine intersecting social relations embedded in everyday practices. It focuses on understanding how biographical characteristics are influenced by impersonal historical forces and significant structural transformations of society. The examination of sociological imagination lays the foundation for understanding how to differentiate between 'personal troubles' and 'public issues'.

This course is intended as an introductory examination of social inequalities and stratification in Canada based primarily on issues relating to class. This course guides students through an understanding of historic class formations in Canada to more modern analyses and understandings of class as related to neo-liberal and global economies. As well, this course looks at the intersections of class with gender, race, and disability as it relates to social inequalities and stratification.

This course explores health, illness, and health care from a sociological perspective. The course focuses on the social determinants of health, demonstrates how social structures influence the occurrence of illness, examines why some social groups suffer more sickness and disease than others, deconstructs the social construction of medical practices and medicalization, and shows how health practices are socially constructed.

This foundational course will introduce learners to an alternative approach to crime that differs from the traditional punitive approach of the legal system. Participants will explore the foundational values, goals and principles of both Restorative Practice as well as the Restorative Justice model, and how this approach may be applied in a variety of sociological settings including, but not limited to social services, nonprofits, and schools. The course explores how restorative justice practice represents a move from one of social control to one of social engagement, in terms of the response to crime. Further, the course will consider the situation in Canada as it compares to the United States and the United Kingdom in implementing reforms to the justice system based on diversionary approaches and strategies. Finally, the course reviews evidence of the cost effectiveness of restorative approaches and the effectiveness at reducing recidivism.

This course integrates academic course work with community engagement linking sociological concepts, empirical studies, embodied knowledge, public and applied sociology, and field research with independent experience working in partnership with a community organization. This course aims to heighten students' engagement with central sociological themes and material through their experiences in community-based work. The academic course content facilitates students' ability to reflect in deep and constructive ways on their experiences working with the community. (Format: Independent Study)