103 courses in the 1992–93 Undergraduate Calendar, read from the scanned original. The text comes from OCR, so check the scanned page before relying on a detail.
SOC 120RFundamentals of SociologyW 3C 0.5
An examination of the fundamental concepts of Sociology and their application in seeking to understand the changing patterns and life-styles taking place specifically in Canada, and in general, within North American society.
Students may receive credit for only one of SOC 120R or SOC 101
SOC 223Deviance: Perspectives and ProcessesF 3C 0.5
The deviance-making process is examined in a variety of social contexts. Examines the emergence of rules and control agencies, the processes by which persons become involved in deviant activities, and the contingencies affecting their careers as deviants.
Prereq: An introductory Sociology course or consent of instructor
Examination of the social adaptations of the disabled. Particular attention is given to the theoretical tradition which considers disability as a form of involuntary deviance which stigmatizes the individual.
Spoiled identity resulting from deviant Status inhibits if not prevents acceptance and social mobility. Consequences of spoiled identity, lowered status positions and deviant criminal and “social” adaptations are examined from a symbolic interactionist perspective.
SOC 369RCustodial and Rehabilitative InstitutionsF 3C 0.5
“Total institutions” are concerned with resocialization of “inmates”. This course considers the structure of maximum security prisons, mental hospitals, isolated work environments and concentration camps, emphasizing their philosophies, their organization, their goals, and their effectiveness in modifying and controlling behaviour.
An independent in-depth study of a selected area of concern to the student within the discipline of Sociology. Available to individuals or small groups of third or fourth year Social Development Studies Majors and arranged with one of the facuity members from the program. Prereq: Permission of Undergraduate Officer
An introduction to the basic concepts and frames of reference of sociological investigation and interpretation. Topics for analysis will include communities, associations and institutions, classes and status groups, crowds and publics, social processes, and social change. Special attention is given to Canadian society. Not open to students who have taken
An examination of cultural forces that create social problems and failures in personal and institutional adjustments. Specific attention is paid to the problems of poverty, delinquency and ethnic relations in Canadian society.
A survey of sociological perspectives on marriage and the family in urban-industrial societies. Special attention is given to Marriage and the family in Canada. Comparisons with U.S and Britain will be undertaken.
The course will examine the substance of victimization: the scientific study of victims, the process, etiology and consequences of victimization. Topics will include victims and politics, the victims movement, “Victim-precipitation”, the victimization of women and family violence.
The social definitions of adolescence in cross-cultural and historical perspective. Social roles of adolescents in the institutional structures of urban-industrial societies with special emphasis on the family, education, and the economy. The relationship of adolescents’ social roles to processes of social change and stability. Prereq: SOC 101 or consent of instructor
An examination of gender relations in Canadian society, including historical changes and the contemporary situation. Emphasis is placed on a consideration of the social construction of gender, the gender structure of institutions and gender inequality. The course also examines selected issues in contemporary gender relations.
Attention will be focused on the concepts and theories of sociology as they apply especially to the educational system. This course is designed for Co-op and Regular students who plan to enter the teaching field.
This course focuses on the intersection of biography and social structure within the family. Application of sociological theory and methods to students’ own family backgrounds will be used to illustrate the social bases of identity.
This course examines sport in modern societies and the distinctive features of Canadian sport. Attention is directed to the relationship between sport and other institutions, including the economy and political system. Contemporary issues, including racial and gender inequality and controversies over violence and drugs are also considered.
Analysis of social classes in society including their basis for development, composition and consequences for society. Special attention is given to social stratification in Canada.
This course examines issues both in the socio-historical development of Canadian society and its present social structure, organizations, ideologies, and problems of identity.
A systematic analysis and criticism is presented of biological, psychological, psychoanalytical and sociological theories of juvenile delinquency. Attention is given to statistics and contemporary research with special emphasis on the distribution and types of delinquent subcultures.
The deviance-making process is examined in a variety of social contexts. Examines the emergence of rules and control agencies, the processes by which people become involved in deviant activities, and the contingencies affecting their careers as deviants.
Focusing on the “processes and problematics of social control", this course examines: the conditions affecting the emergence of legal norms; the enforcement of criminal law; and the processing of offenders.
An analysis and criticism of the major theories of criminal behaviour. Emphasis is given to the relationship between social structure and criminal behaviour; types of criminal behaviour such as drug addiction, burglary and homicide in contemporary society. Special attention is given to Canadian data.
This course will explore the production of scientific knowledge in its social historical content, using a case study approach. Specific topics will include scientific objectivity, diseases in social context, selective bias and the logic of positivism.
This course relates the prospect of social change to issues such as the division of labour, automation, technology and ecology, “post-industrial” society, small scale technology, workers’ control and the domination of nature.
Introducing students to symbolic interaction, a sociological social psychology, this course examines: the impact of culture on socialization experiences; the development of self-identities and social reputations; and interaction patterns in a variety of casual, occupational and deviance contexts.
The sociological analysis of the behaviour of crowds, mobs, publics and related phenomena and their relationships to social organization and social change.
This course considers the (social) processes by which people “do business”. Focusing on day to day exchanges, ongoing relationships within the business and consumer community are examined from an interactionist perspective.
SOC 241Introduction to the Sociology of Work3C 0.5
A survey of the changing nature and ideology of work, as well as the impact of different kinds of work organizations on other institutions and on individual works. Canadian emphasis but some comparative material included. Examines the relationship between formal and domestic economies. Some discussion of alternative forms of work (co-ops, industrial democracy).
Special emphasis is given in lectures, reading and assignments to the particular problems facing industrial Canada, especially in reference to regionalism, elitism, the multinational enterprise and the
An introduction to the study of work and occupations; the problems of occupational choice, occupational socialization and identification; the concepts of career and career mobility; the professionalization process, the nature of professions; the impact of occupation on life styles, leisure and retirement.
This course provides an introduction to the social processes and functions of mass media communication — with particular reference to the Canadian context. Emphasis is focused on the relationship between mass communication and the ongoing reconstruction of social reality.
The course deals with the current literature on death and dying. Pattems of mortality as affecting different social groups and as reflecting differential life chances of individuals in society are described. North American issues of death and dying are considered against an historical background.
This course focuses on the social aspects of health and illness, including social causes of illness, the social process of becoming ill, and the social consequences of being defined as ill.
An examination of sociological research and theory in the field of mental illness, especially as it relates to the family. Such topics as psychiatric hospitals, public attitudes and social stigma, aftercare and rehabilitation, and the epidemiology of mental iliness will be examined.
An overview of international migration, particularly during this century; a survey of Statistical sources and theoretical expianations of migration. A section of the course will be on the history of immigration to Canada, migration within Canada, and Canadian immigration policies in the context of world migration.
Study of the basic demographic processes in the population of Canada. Demographic implications for selected social institutions. Use of Canadian enumeration and registration data.
SOC 263Sects, Cults and New Religious Movements3C 0.5
An analysis of minority retigions considered deviant by the dominant society such as the Amish, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses, with special consideration of the recent new religious movements including Unification (Moonies), Scientology and Krishna consciousness. Cross-listed as RS 227 Offered at Conrad Grebel College
Religion is defined broadly and its relation to phenomena like totalitarian movements, psychoanalysis and drug experience examined. The features common to ali religions are explained, viz myth, dogma, church, ritual, ethics and religious experience.
An examination of the object and function of sociological theory in social research. Types of sociological theories. Discussion of selected classics of 19th- and early 20th-century sociological theory.
A study of problems arising from the interplay between institutionalized education and the forces of rapid social change in the contemporary society. It emphasizes the changing roles of the learners and instructors and social dimensions of newer learning theories and programs. Themes will be selected and studied in depth on a seminar basis.
An analysis of naturally occurring and experimental groups from a social structural perspective. The study of processes of internal differentiation, integration, authority, etc; and the relationships between small groups and their environments.
This course examines institutional influences on bodily practices, including practices of regulation and control. Examples of topics examined include the body in consumer culture; exercise, dieting and fitness as social practice; professional dominance, regulation of bodies, and forms of cultural embodiment in gender. race and social class.
An introductory survey of the research techniques employed by sociologists. The formulation of research designs appropriate to various kinds of intellectual problems in social science is stressed. Prereq: SOC 101 or consent of instructor. Students are encouraged to take SOC 280 before, or concurrently with SOC 321, although this is not required. _ See overlapping content note (Grading Systems, item 7) on page 9:7
The treatment of women by the law, as victims or offenders, reflects attitudes towards female sexuality that have influenced lega! thinking since 1800. The course investigates how the law has been used as an instrument of social control over women and their sexual behaviour. Prereq: SOC 206 or consent of the instructor
Examines in depth the process and results of criminal sentencing. Topics include types of sentences for criminal and quasicriminal offences; objectives of sentences; factors affecting sentences; the process of sentencing; the administration and effectiveness of sentences; and unresolved debates in sentencing.
Prereq:SOC 101 and one course in the 220 series or permission of instructor
A seminar dealing with multicultural attitudes and beliefs in Canadian society, especially within the majority English and French Canadian populations.
An examination of the distinctive nature of professions; professional recruitment, socialization and identification; professional careers; the professionalization of occupations; relationship to government; professional specialization; status, power and mobility of professionals.
Examines the role of large-scale organizations in industrial society, and their impact and influence. illustrations will be drawn from commerce and industry, as well as education, health services, and government.
Using sociological concepts and theories, the course will examine the nature of the relationship between employers and employees, current issues facing unions and management, and the character of accommodation which may be realized between the two.
An introduction to individual and population aging. Topics discussed include: aging from an historical and comparative perspective; aging in subcultures; aging and the social structure; aging and social processes; aging and the environment; work and retirement; and aging and leisure patterns.
Nature and extent of leisure phenomena in contemporary society. Examination of institutional and formal organization aspects, social role, social research strategies employed in the study of leisure. Prereq: SOC 101 or consent of instructor Cross-listed as REC 201
A systematic review and analysis of sources, patterns, processes, and consequences of social change in developing countries, the role of ideas, and the breakdown and reorganization of social structure.
The comparative study of urbanization as a process; the culture and organization of cities, urban problems; special attention is given to industrial cities of Canada, with comparative reference to the principal cities of Western societies.
Using a symbolic interactionist approach, this course examines central features of urban community life. Particular attention is given to the corporate, commercial, consumptive and communications aspects of urban society as well as residential practices and street life.
Special attention will be paid to the growing public awareness of the failure of law to provide justice or social control ina number of situations. Local judges, lawyers and police officials are invited to discuss such issues as the jury system, police and violence, civil rights and mass media.
Problems about the fundamental methods and aims of the social sciences generally, the problems specific to Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, etc., and their relations to one another will be considered.
Prereq: Some previous work in a Social Science or in Philosophy
An examination of the growing sociological literature on women’s roles, experiences, realities, problems and challenges. Particular emphasis is placed on critiques of traditional sociological theory and methodology and the emergence of new theories and methodologies which better reflect women's experiences.
The design of sample surveys. Survey procedures from the conceptual level through sampling, measurement, questionnaire design, administration and analysis of responses are illustrated within the context of practical examples and student projects.
An examination of sociological theories of gender and gender relations. Emphasis is placed on tracing historical changes in interpretations of gender, with a particular consideration of contemporary theoretical debates. Approaches to be considered include feminist theories as well as political economy and cultural studies.
SOC 405The Development of Sociological Theory2C 0.5
Analysis of selected original writings by the major figures in the classical sociological tradition of the 19th- and 20thcenturies; in particular, Marx, Durkheim and Weber. Also includes discussions of pertinent critical literature.
Prereq:SOC 101 and one other Sociology course (SOC 305 is recommended)
We examine the development of sociological theory in Canada by focussing on major historical and contemporary figures and theories representative of Englishlanguage sociology. We examine, in addition, sociologically important scholars and schools of thought in history and political economy as well as selected developments in French-language Canadian sociology.
SOC 408Contemporary Debates in Sociological Theory2S 0.5
Deals with recent controversies in sociological theory; e.g. Giddens’ theories of structuration and the state; critical theory, including the works of Habermas on communicative action; postmodernist theory; the positivist/interpretive debate and varieties of psychoanalytic theory. Prereq: SOC 101 and SOC 305
An application of symbolic interactionist theory, this course examines the contingencies affecting data collection and analysis of ongoing group life. While doing field work, students have an opportunity to examine basic features of interactionist thought.
A survey of applications of the concept of the network in studying social structures. Examples will be drawn from diverse areas, such as interpersonal relations, community studies, social support, interorganizational relations, elites, deviant groups, etc.
SOC 499ASenior Honours Essay Required of all Honours students in Sociology or by election by Joint Honours/B 0.5/0.5
and General Sociology students in their fourth year. For students electing Honours Sociology (Canadian Studies), the essay should bear on some topic of particular sociological significance for Canadian society.
Prereq: Fourth-year Sociology General or Honours
A letter grade for SOC 499A will be submitted only after the completion of SOC 499B
Sociology courses offered at Renison College are listed in the Social Development Studies section.