SOC 101Introduction to Sociology
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 4 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
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.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
- GERON 352
- HLTH 260
- HLTH 352
- KIN 352
- LS 213
- LS 221
- LS 222
- LS 223
- LS 224
- LS 226
- LS 227
- LS 228
- LS 229
- LS 240
- LS 263
- LS 280
- LS 300
- LS 305
- LS 325
- LS 326
- LS 327
- LS 328
- LS 329
- LS 387
- RCS 262
- REC 203
- REC 362
- RS 262
- SDS 345R
- SOC 200
- SOC 201
- SOC 202
- SOC 204R
- SOC 205
- SOC 207
- SOC 207R
- SOC 210
- SOC 213
- SOC 221
- SOC 222
- SOC 223
- SOC 223R
- SOC 224R
- SOC 225
- SOC 227
- SOC 228
- SOC 229
- SOC 230
- SOC 232
- SOC 240
- SOC 241
- SOC 246
- SOC 248
- SOC 249
- SOC 252
- SOC 256
- SOC 260
- SOC 263
- SOC 270
- SOC 280
- SOC 305
- SOC 307
- SOC 310
- SOC 312
- SOC 320
- SOC 324
- SOC 325
- SOC 326
- SOC 327
- SOC 328
- SOC 329
- SOC 330
- SOC 342
- SOC 346
- SOC 349
- SOC 352
- SOC 354
- SOC 355J
- SOC 362
- SOC 369J
- SOC 370
- SOC 383
- SOC 385
- SOC 387
- SOC 388
- SOC 389
- SOC 430
- SOC 436
- SWREN 224R
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3316 | 193 / 200 | MW 16:00–17:20 |
| LEC 002 | 4014 | 192 / 200 | MW 10:00–11:20 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3376 | 0 / 250 | W 19:00–21:50 |
| LEC 081 | 4121 | 0 / 200 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 701 | 1266 | 83 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 702 | 1609 | 223 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
60% liked it76% easy54% useful
From 460 ratings and 118 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
I hated this class. The actual content was interesting but that's literally it. WAYYYY too many readings for a first year beginner class. Two different textbooks that we had to pay for and on top of that there were additional readings 😭🙏 We had a test worth 30%, essay worth 30%, and final exam worth 40%. All of the questions were SO vague and unspecific. Like three word prompts which we were expected to write entire essays on. The professor rambled during every lecture and his lessons were almost always the exact stuff from the textbook, making them pointless. He constantly praised himself over the smallest stuff, which was actually so annoying to sit through. He'll put this review on the…
Jun 2025 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Only 3 Big assignments, I did not have in-person tests. The assignments you would have a couple of weeks to do. And they are long essay questions. These assignments did not include rubrics. I had to buy 2 books and they were expensive.
Apr 2025 · didn’t like it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
SOC 101 (In online) was a fully asynchronous online course structured around weekly modules and quizzes. There were no live lectures, Zoom meetings, or discussion posts. Each week included readings, videos, and a short quiz based directly on the module content. The quizzes were straightforward and easy to complete if you reviewed the material.
The course had no midterms or final exam, but instead relied heavily on two large written assignments. While there were only two major assignments, they were long, time-consuming research essays and made up a significant portion of the workload. These assignments required substantial effort and were the most difficult and frustrating part of the…Jan 2026 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
VERY EASY CLASS! The professor was engaging and clear; you should take some notes as her slides are not very detailed. The three tests were straightforward, and the written assignment was okay. No final exam, which was nice :)
Jan 2024 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Took this course fully remote and asynchronous with Kyra W. I found the content to be tedious and heavy with content modules and readings. The grade is composed of 2 major essays throughout the term and 8 weekly quizzes.
I found the marking for this course to be very rough, and believe they think high school writing is better and they do not understand academic writing (I'm coming from a Psychology background and usually do very well in written assignments). The TAs and instructors were absent in answering questions in the discussion board throughout the term.
Somehow they've managed to turn sociology into a joke loaded with unnecessary readings and podcasts. I do not recommend this…Aug 2024 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
132 posts and comments in 110 threads mention SOC 101, October 2010 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2024
I am looking to get a high average my 3rd and 4th year in Honor Science any course tips? 9 points, 7 comments
“I currently have completed all my pre-requisite courses for the postgraduate program I want to apply for. The only thing I am missing is the high average for my best 2 years of undergrad. …”
u/SkirtAlternative3266: “sociologyyyy”
u/SkirtAlternative3266: “SOC101 with dr. pulis”
Should I take a minor in Sociology? Need advice. 3 points, 1 comment
u/Normal-Rest-1048: “… I took SOC 101 back in my 2A term, and it got me interested in the field, which is why I started considering the minor. Now, I’m not sure if I really need it. …”
Winter 2024
Easy online courses with no in person exams?? 2 points, 10 comments
u/Key-Magazine-6416: “… I’ve taken CLAS 104, FR 151 and 152, ENGL 108P as well as both SOC 101 and PSYCH 101. …”
Fall 2023
Hist 111 or SOC 101 1 point, 3 comments
u/pizzalover140: “Hey Im debating on whether or not I should take Hist 111 or SOC 101 Im equally interested into both of them I just would rather take the easier one to help boost my average. …”
Spring 2023
as a biomed student, should i not take physics first year? 1 point, 10 comments
“To preface, I am not a math or physics person. I got an 80 in calc and never took physics in high school. …”
u/8strws: “not taking physics until you’re an upper year is a great idea. i didn’t know we were allowed to drop a course that was automatically added by the university in first year so i just stuck with it …”
u/just_myself_4ever: “they havent taken any of my courses yet so far. i still have BIOL130/L, CHEM 120 /L, HLTH 101, SOC 101, and then PHYS 11/L added, so 5 courses in total no! i got placed in uwp 😭😭😭”
Winter 2023
Online electives for a Math major 3 points, 2 comments
“Yo, coop this summer looking tough so i'm planning on getting some electives out of the way during the summer. Anyone know any cool electives for the summer that are offered online?”
u/PythagoreanPentagram: “I’m (not) gonna be taking SOC101 online next term! I’m currently enrolled in it but I’m gonna drop it as soon as I stop procrastinating about it lmao, gonna take a lighter course load”
What electives did you select for Spring 2023? Will pick one with the most votes 17 points, 17 comments
“What electives did you select for Spring 2023? Will pick one with the most votes”
u/PythagoreanPentagram: “SOC 101 online lol”
Fall 2022
easiest course to fulfill social science requirement for cs? 2 points, 1 comment
“im trying to get the two social science courses requirement done for my degree during first year. currently taking geog 101 and am looking for a bird course that is preferably not super boring to be …”
u/fruitypuch: “GEOG 219 very easy and SOC 101”
Spring 2022
I’ve been scammed 121 points, 529 comments
u/just_in_camel_case: “Bro his discord is literally thief”
u/Dry_Vehicle7808: “(least delusional SOC 101 student)”
Online bird courses spring 2022 2 points, 12 comments
“Help a kid out- need to catch up on credits- looking for recommendation for easy courses without prerequisites?”
u/NuttingInYourMother: “HRM 200, PSYCH101, SOC101, GEOG181, CS100, ECON101, CLAS201, REC280, GEOG225”
Winter 2022
SOC 101 Online 3 points, 5 comments
u/ggkat19: “Has anyone taken soc 101 online? If so was it a lot of work or was it generally pretty passive. Im in 3B biomed sci looking to take a bird elective over spring and was just wondering what its like in terms of workload.”
Favourite first year classes? 5 points, 25 comments
“Title says it. Also mention prof please!”
u/MrShadez101: “SOC 101 was super interesting and super easy to understand”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them