2013-2014 Graduate Courses

Winter 2014

Courses begin on Monday, January 6, 2014. All classes will be held in seminar rooms on the fifth floor of the Social Science Centre.  See SSC 5312 door for exact locations.

9002B - Classical Sociological Theory

An in-depth examination of classical sociological ideas including those of Marx, Weber and Durkheim. Specific attention will be devoted to the original writings of the classical thinkers.

Instructor: Scott Schaffer Mondays 1:30 - 4:30 Previous Course Outline

9007B - Advanced Multivariate Statistical Analysis

In this course we will cover the most common statistical techniques in the practice of sociology - linear regression, logistic regression, and survival analysis (event history analysis).  We will discuss the uses of these techniques and the assumptions that we make when using them.  Throughout the course, we will discuss how to develop an answerable research question, how to choose the best modeling strategy for that question, and how to interpret the results of quantitative analysis in light of relevant hypotheses.  There will also be an applied portion of the class held in the computer lab, where we will talk through basic issues that come up when working with data, such as missing data; saving data, code, and output; and making tables.  The last portion of the course will focus on writing about multivariate analysis - communicating questions, methods, and results clearly.

Instructor: Rachel Margolis Wednesdays 1:30 - 4:30 Previous Course Outline

*4407G/9130B - Criminological Theory & Research

This seminar will review and discuss major criminological theories and related empirical research. The course will look at empirical patterns associated with crime, violence and deviance; at the explanations offered for these patterns; and at the sociology of the criminal justice system.

Instructor: Paul Paré Tuesdays 1:30 - 4:30 Previous Course Outline

*4434G/9139B - Social Movements

This class will aim to further our understanding of protest and social movements by examining how it develops, is sustained, and (sometimes) declines. We will begin by examining theories of social movements and look at the ways in which our understanding of social movements and those who participate in them has changed over time. We will also examine mobilization to social movements and ask why some people come to participate while others do not. For those who do particiapte, we will assess the effect of this participation on them as individuals. We will also examine the tactics and goals of social movements and police and state regulation of these movements. This course focuses on theories of social movements and collective action through an examination of contempoary movements. The goal is for students to learn the analytic tools necessary in order to begin to examine and more critically asses the role of social movements in our society. Students will engage in original research by interviewing activists or observing a protest event and write a paper applying the theoretical concepts we have learned in class to their data.

Instructor: Catherine Corrigall-Brown Wednesdays 9:30 - 12:30 Previous Course Outline

9182B - Sociology of Youth

The Sociology of Youth is a rapidly growing area of study worldwide. In this course, we examine the debates that are driving the new field, including disputes in theoretical and methodological approaches, disagreements about the ontological status of the concept of "youth," differing interpretations of the nature of youth culture, how to conceptualize the apparent widespread disengagement of young adults from participation in adult institutions, and what role public policy should take in addressing the economic, social, and political conditions now confronting young adults.

Instructor: Jim Côté Tuesdays 9:30 - 12:30 Previous Course Outline

9204B - Aging, Work and Policy

This course will explore work and policy issues in the context of an aging society. Using a multi-level framework and life course perspective we will consider population and workforce aging, work history, work—life/family balance and its short- and long-term impact, unique circumstances of older workers, private and public pensions, retirement, and the impact of socially structured relations (age, gender, class, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation).

Instructor: Ingrid Connidis Thursdays 1:30-4:30

9263B - Selected Topics in Health

Advanced sociological concepts, principles and methods are used in the study of selected topics pertaining to health and health care, leading to an in-depth analysis of key issues.

Instructor: William Avison Wednesdays 9:30 - 12:30

*4416G/9373B - Migration

Determinants and consequences of internal and international migration are studied.  Theory and methods, as well as demographic and socio-economic issues related to both types of migration, are discussed.

Instructor: Teresa Abada Thursdays 9:30 - 12:30 Previous Course Outline

9587B - MA Sociological Research

This research writing seminar course will guide students in the three-term research paper MA stream through the various stages of completing research and writing research papers. Topics of focus will include formulating research questions and hypotheses, locating and selecting data and literature sources, conducting and writing reviews of the literature, and writing about one's findings.

Instructor: Tracey Adams Fridays 1:30 - 4:30 Previous Course Outline

* The Department of Sociology offers joint undergraduate/graduate level courses as a cost cutting measure and in order to ensure adequate class sizes. Past experience indicates that such courses can be successful for both graduate and undergraduate students. Sometimes different requirements are set for undergraduate and graduate students in terms of number of readings, type of paper required, or extent of seminar participation. It may be difficult, however, to conduct a seminar when there are such differences across students. Instead, the course may have the same structure for undergraduate and graduate students, but the two groups of students are evaluated separately on each criterion (e.g., exam, paper, class participation, presentations). In that way, undergraduate students need not fear that they are being compared to graduate students. At the same time, graduate students are expected to achieve higher standards of comprehension and analysis. Normally, a student may not take a graduate level course that he/she has previously taken at the undergraduate level.

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