Two categories: core courses and substantive courses.
Core courses cover sociological theories, research methods and data analytic techniques. With an emphasis on active learning, they form the core of our program, providing students with the basic intellectual tools that allow them to think sociologically and to engage in the practice of sociology. Because of their pivotal role in our program, we encourage students to take these courses early in their programs.
Topics in the methods courses explore the research process and the different methods that sociologists use to study diverse aspects of social life. Particular attention is paid to ethical issues in sociological research, to the problems that sociologists encounter in collecting data, to the strategies they use for deadline with these problems and to the costs of carrying out sociological research. In the statistical courses, students learn how to select appropriate statistical techniques, and use these techniques and statistical software (SPSS and STATA). The theories, methods and statistical techniques that make up this ‘tool kit’ provide students with knowledge and skills that allow them to evaluate the assumptions and evidence that are used to support or challenge arguments in sociology and public policy debates.
Theory courses use a combination of original sources and secondary treatments to introduce students to major sociological theorists, their works and the history of ideas. They also incorporate a concern for ‘theory in use’ – for using theory to make sense of contemporary society. Core courses in research methods and social statistics also focus on this concern. The labs in these courses provide students with hands-on experience of the methods and data analytic techniques that sociologists use.
Core courses:
Sociology 311: Introductory Social Statistics I
Sociology 313: Introductory Social Research Methods
Sociology 315: Introductory Social Statistics II
Sociology 331: Classical Sociological Theory
Sociology 333: Contemporary Sociological Theory
Substantive courses at the 300-level provide broad overviews of the substantive areas that make up sociology. They cover major concepts, topics, theoretical orientations and research methodologies that are used by sociologists in these areas. In presenting major research findings our faculty draw on their own research and on findings and insights of key researchers from around the world. By focusing attention on contemporary social contexts other than Canada, they bring international content into teaching. These courses make the sociological approach real by exposing students to comparative and historical research, by incorporating insights from other disciplines and by critically evaluating the implications of sociological research for a wide range of problems.
These courses develop students’ sociological imaginations by showing how thinking sociologically confirms and challenges conventional assumptions about past and contemporary social life. These course form key components of sociological inquiry and prepare students for more advanced study.
Substantive courses:
Sociology 303: Sociology of Gender
Sociology 307: Sociology of First Nations in Canada
Sociology 309: Alberta Society
Sociology 321: Sociology of Health and Illness
Sociology 325: Introduction to Deviance and Social Control
Sociology 327: Introduction to Criminal Justice
Sociology 341: Social Psychology
Sociology 345: Mass Communication
Sociology 353: Urban Sociology
Sociology 355: Population and Society
Sociology 365: Social Stratification
Sociology 371: Sociology of Families
Sociology 373: Sociology of Aging
Sociology 375: Sociology of Ethnicity and Racialization
Sociology 377: Sociology of Religion
Sociology 393: Sociology of Work
Sociology 399: Sociology of Sport