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SOC 327Policing in a Democratic Society

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Sociology
Cross-listed
LS 327

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course offers students an opportunity to engage in advanced critical examination of the police as social control agents in contemporary democratic societies. Students will explore topics such as the historical evolution of policing; police recruitment, training, and education; police/community relations; the occupational subculture of the police; police authority and discretion; private policing; and police misconduct.

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    • LS101 - Introduction to Legal Studies (0.50)
    • SOC101 - Introduction to Sociology (0.50)
    • SOC101R - Introduction to Sociology (0.50)

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001327617 / 62MW 16:00–17:20

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 08135320 / 50Online or by arrangement
LEC 701124615 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

82% liked it78% easy63% useful

From 11 ratings and 5 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Very easy course, and had a few quizzes. If you've taken SOC 229, there's some repeated content here so it was very easy to catch up. I liked the audio included in each module, as it helped as I followed along in the transcript.

    Jan 2020 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Took this course online W25. Content was a mix of prerecorded audio lectures and textbook reading. There were 3 20-minute MC quizzes each worth 20% and an open-book 3-hour final exam worth 40%. Easy to get a decent mark if you pay attention and take notes on the lectures. Can easily get the textbooks online for free but the reading is more supplementary content. Content was interesting and engaging despite the recordings themselves being somewhat bland.

    Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Took it online in Spring 2024. The latter few topics overlap with what was taught in LS 229 so you've got it easier if you took that course prior. Three MC tests (each 20%) then one final open-book exam. Beware that there is a lot to remember for the MC tests - 4 or 5 units per test.

    Sep 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Took the course online. Did not purchase any of the books as some are available online from Uwaterloo Library and the other one wasn't necessary for passing this course.
    3 quizzes multiple choice (20% each) first 2 quizzes had a 20 minute time limit, 3rd one for some reason was untimed.
    1 final exam (40%) untimed. open book.

    Aug 2023On UW FlowRemove this

  • I found this course to be pretty birdy and easy to end with a low 90. If you have taken LS 229 I recommend the course set-up and some topics are repeated which helps. The exam was straightforward with no surprises and marked fairly. Quizzes are easy 80s-90s if you take the time to watch the lectures and make some jot notes. VERY INTERESTING material-wise.

    Apr 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

5 posts and comments in 5 threads mention SOC 327, October 2017 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.

Winter 2022

Easy LS/SOC Courses 2 points, 1 comment

“What do people recommend for easy Legal Studies and/or Sociology courses for any year Also what’re some easy bird courses in the Arts department”

u/StupidS3xyFlanderz: “SOC 229 selected topics in criminology was pretty fun and easy, so was SOC 327 policing in a democratic society. Both were m/c quiz only when I took them.”

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SOC 327 1 point, 0 comments

u/okaypriority2180: “has anyone taken SOC 327 with Fred? I'm currently taking it online and to say it's been a shit show is an understatement. the quizzes are 20 minutes worth 20% and 20 questions long on about 4-5 modules worth of information, so it's basically a guessing game of what is important. …”

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Winter 2021

Winter 2020

Fall 2017

Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments

“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”

u/Jackhofmann: “… SOC 229 SOC 240 SOC 248 SOC 270 SOC 275 SOC 302 SOC 306 SOC 321W SOC 322 SOC 324 SOC 325 SOC 327 SOC 370 SOC 398R SOC 399R SOC 406 SOC 428 SOC 434 SOC 490R SOC 498 SOC 499A SOC 499B SOC 700 SOC 701 SOC 712 SOC 725 SOC 740 SOC 784 SOC 789 SOCWK 120R SOCWK 220R SOCWK 221R SOCWK …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar