First year students take our leading edge courses Perspectives in Sociology (SOCY100) and Major Themes in Sociology (SOCY101). These courses introduce students to the core ideas and themes in contemporary Sociology, using a variety of teaching and learning methods that combine dynamic lectures and small group tutorials. Students learn the basics of Sociology, the latest ideas and approaches to thinking sociologically, and explore the breadth of the discipline, but we also train them in university level writing, argumentation and research skills.
After taking SOCY100 and SOCY101 in their first year, students take core training courses in sociological theory and research methods in their second year, alongside a wide array of optional courses. In their third and fourth years, students choose increasingly specialized option courses. Third year students also have many opportunities to study Sociology abroad through the International Programs Office. Fourth year courses are seminars with a maximum of 28 students, enabling an excellent faculty to student ratio. Fourth year students may also opt to work with a professor on a thesis project over two terms on a specialized topic.
The courses in the undergraduate program cover a wide range of topics such as - Criminology; Race and Racialization; Globalization; Consumer Culture; Digital Sociology; Deviance and Social Control; Policing; Criminal Justice; Professions; Health, Illness and Disability; Law and Social Structure; Gender and Contemporary Society; Science, Knowledge, and Power; Digital Capitalism; Love, Sex, and Sociology - allowing students to sample the field very broadly or concentrate some of their interests in our three core research areas:
The Academic Calendar is the resource to use for specific degree plan requirements as well as course lists for requirements that allow for a choice of courses. Please choose the link for the Academic Calendar according to your entry term into the SOCY degree plans.
If you entered your SOCY plans before Fall 2025 please use the archived Academic Calendar to check your degree plan requirements and review course lists:
Sociology – Major (Arts) – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Sociology – Joint Honours (Arts) – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Sociology – General (Arts) – Bachelor of Arts
If you entered your SOCY plans as of Fall 2025 please use the current Academic Calendar to check your degree plan requirements and review course lists:
Sociology – Specialization (Arts) – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Sociology – Major (Arts) – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Sociology – General (Arts) – Bachelor of Arts
Our students develop a range of essential skills:
- Research Skills – conduct research, use social scientific databases, understand journal articles, explain and interpret social research data
- Research Techniques – employ the relevant qualitative and quantitative research techniques to produce and analyze data
- Research and Program Evaluation – accurately and critically evaluate existing research and programs
- Reason and Argument – develop coherent and reasoned argument; deconstruct and critique arguments and evidence
- Problem Solving – approach an issue from several perspectives in a systematic manner
- Oral, Written and Media Communication – write coherent reports, summarise and present information orally and visually in a range of media
- Resource and Time Management – effective prioritization of resources, skills and time, to complete projects
- Observational and Interpretive Skills – accurately identify, interpret and explain relevant social phenomena and issues
- Critical Thinking – critically assess ‘common sense’ approaches to social issues and provide alternative explanations
Our students have pursued successful careers in:
- Professional Academic
- Law
- Criminal Justice
- Statistics Canada
- Human Resources
- Consumer Research
- Health Research
- Media
- Communications
- Advertising & Marketing
- Social Services
- Corporate Training
- Program Evaluation
- Corporate Research
- Social Policy
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Counselling
- Education
- Publishing
- Editing
- International Aid
- Human Rights organizations
- Policy Analysis
- Public Administration & Policy
- Public Relations
- Global Development
- Charities
For help and support
A Sociology Degree and Beyond
Video presentation on how to get a job with a sociology degree.
Please contact us if you have specific questions about our Undergraduate Program.