Overview

Our Masters of Arts program is distinct in its focus on applied social research with an emphasis on social justice.  By “applied” we mean research that focuses on current societal concerns and with a view to problem-solving, or more generally, research that has some practical utility.  By “social-justice” we mean research that promotes social equality and people’s democratic right to participate in decisions that affect their own and other’s well-being.

Emphasis on applied social research and the opportunity to study in either of Canada’s official languages are the program’s distinguishing features.  Students learn to investigate social relation from variety of methodological perspectives and using a broad spectrum of research techniques.  These can include participatory action research, critical analysis of official discourse and social policy, political economy, feminist research, program evaluation, institutional ethnography, critical statistical analyses, historical sociological approaches, human rights indices and assessments, and social impact studies.

Sociology Course Descriptions

Program Requirements

To obtain the master’s degree in Sociology (applied social research) candidates must fulfill the two following program requirements:

Option I

Take three compulsory courses: SOCI-5106EL - Theory and Society, SOCI-5216EL - Seminar in Research Design, Data Collection and Data Analysis,  and SOCI-5217EL - Advanced Statistical Methods or SOCI-5417EL - Qualitative Inquiry* ;

*Which of these will be the required course for the program will be determined in consultation with the supervisor and the English MA Coordinator.

 and

Take two additional 3-credit courses (for a total of five courses) as well as submit and defend a master’s thesis.

Option II

Take three compulsory courses: SOCI-5106EL - Theory and Society, SOCI-5216EL - Seminar in Research Design, Data Collection and Data Analysis,  and SOCI-5217EL - Advanced Statistical Methods or SOCI-5417EL - Qualitative Inquiry*;

*Which of these will be the required course for the program will be determined in consultation with the supervisor and the English MA Coordinator.

and

Take four additional 3-credit courses (for a total of seven courses) as well as submit and defend a master’s essay.

For the successful completion of a program, an average of “B” (70%) standing must be maintained in all courses in the area of specialization (obligatory courses); such courses will be indicated by the students’ Advisory Committee. Students must not have any grade lower than “C” (60%) in any course.  Students are permitted to repeat one failed course to improve their mark.

Research

Students have the opportunity to study with faculty members whose research interests include: social and moral regulation; the social construction of race, gender and sexualities; the sociology of aging; the sociology of the family; the sociology of childhood and youth; the sociology of health; globalization and underdevelopment; food insecurity and food sovereignty; woman and development; labour and trade union studies; state formation and state policy; the social organization of knowledge; and the sociology of education.

• Members of faculty accredited to the M.A. program

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