UofM Course Calendar 2007-2008: Graduate Studies

Faculty of Graduate Studies
Section 6: Programs in Graduate Studies

6.69 Sociology

Head: Stephen Brickey
General Office: 320 Isbister Building
Telephone: (204) 474 9260
Fax: (204) 261 1216
Email: sociology@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/arts/sociology

Academic Staff

Program Information
The Department of Sociology offers programs at the Master and Ph.D. levels. Both programs provide training in the core areas of the discipline (theory and research methods) as well as in the department’s major areas of specialization: criminology; gender, sexuality and family/intimate relations; health and aging; and inequality and social transition. The relatively low graduate student/faculty ratio creates an informal learning environment in which students receive considerable individual attention. Faculty members are actively involved in research, including some projects that readily lend themselves to the production of student theses/dissertations. Many students who have completed their Sociology degrees at the University of Manitoba have gone on to successful careers in the academic community, in the private sector, and in government service.

Fields of Research
The major areas of research of the Sociology faculty include criminology and criminal justice, health care, gender studies, inter-group (race/ethnic) relations, power and inequality, social change and development, and social psychology. Several department members have affiliations with research centres and institutes at the University of Manitoba, including the Centre on Aging, RESOLVE (a centre for research and education for solutions to violence and abuse), the Disaster Research Institute, the Health, Leisure, and Human Performance Institute, and the Centre for Higher Education Research and Development.

Research Facilities
In addition to housing a number of research centres and working groups, the Department of Sociology has been the home of the Winnipeg Area Study (WAS) since 1981. The WAS conducts an annual survey of 750 randomly selected Winnipeg households and serves as an important research vehicle for faculty members in various disciplines as well as community service agencies. The survey consists of some basic demographic and quality of life questions that are included annually, as well as questions submitted by researchers on topics they wish to study (for example, attitudes toward crime and the police, parental use of physical discipline, wife abuse, deinstitutionalizing the mentally ill, and unions and management).

M.A. in Sociology

Admission
Admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. Students who have completed a University of Manitoba Honours B.A. (or equivalent) in Sociology may enter directly into the Master of Arts program. Students with other degrees or backgrounds may be eligible for admission to a pre-Master’s program to the satisfaction of the department. Contact the Sociology Department for further information.

Application Deadlines
Canadian/U.S. students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 3 months prior to their intended start date. International students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 7 months prior to their intended start date.

Program Requirements
Minimum program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. The Master of Arts program in Sociology requires 12 credit hours of course-work (700/7000 level) beyond the pre-Master's requirements. Students must also complete and successfully defend a thesis.

Second Language Reading Requirement: None

Expected Time to Graduate: Two years

Ph.D. in Sociology

Admission
Admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. Students who wish to enter the Doctor of Philosophy program must have completed the equivalent of a University of Manitoba Master of Arts in Sociology.

Program Requirements
Minimum program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. Students must complete:

A minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework (including 3 credit hours in Theory and 6 credit hours in Research Methods);

A passing grade in two comprehensive examinations in two different subject areas, chosen from the following: Classical Theory; Criminology; Gender, Sexuality and Family/Intimate Relations; Inequality and Social Transition; Research Methods; Social Psychology; Health.

Successful defense of a dissertation proposal; and

Successful defense of the completed dissertation.

Second language requirement: yes

Expected time to graduate: three years

Course Descriptions

SOC 4450 Honours Seminar Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 077.445) An intensive discussion of selected sociological problems, culminating in a major Honours thesis. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

SOC 4460 Advanced Sociological Theory Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.446) A critical examination and analysis of sociological theories. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

SOC 4470 Research Methods 1 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.447) An introduction to the philosophy of science and the logic of scientific methods, as well as a survey of social research methods and issues. Students are expected to gain a working knowledge of the research process. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

SOC 4480 Research Methods 2 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.448) The application of quantitative data analysis in the social sciences, including the following multivariate procedures: multiple regression, dummy variable regression, simple analysis of variance and covariance, and an introduction to path analysis. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

SOC 4520 Current Issues in Criminology and Corrections Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.452) An advanced course designed to examine current controversies and issues in the Canadian system of criminal justice and corrections. Emphasis will be placed upon contemporary theory and research. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

SOC 4530 Readings in Sociology Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.453) A reading course for undergraduates and pre-Master's in sociology. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

SOC 4540 Sociology of Health Care Seminar Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.454) An analysis of theory and research in health care including topics such as: explanatory models of health and illness; the sick role; self-care health beliefs and behaviour; and professionalism and health care. Prerequisite: written consent of department head; SOC 2490 (or 077.249) and SOC 3540 (or 077.354) are recommended.

SOC 4550 Sociology of Aging Seminar Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.455) This course considers selected aspects of aging with a specific focus on Canada. Topics such as gender, race and ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexuality, family, housing and transportation concerns, work and retirement patterns and use of social and health services may be included. Prerequisite: written consent of department head; SOC 2620 (or 077.262) is recommended.

SOC 4560 Advanced Sociological Theory Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.456) A critical examination and analysis of selected sociological theories. Course content may vary from year to year depending upon the instructor's interest. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

SOC 7110 Seminar in Sociology of Religion Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.711) A comparative and analytical study of religion with particular reference to such areas as integration, change, ideology, value orientation, normative structures, social class, intergroup relations, personality systems.

SOC 7120 Seminar in Sociology of Education Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.712) An analytical treatment of the influence of education, as a basic social institution, on society its functions in socialization, change, control, social mobility, social progress, etc. and the influence of society on the organization, content, and goals of education.

SOC 7130 Seminar in Sociology of Developing Countries Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.713) An intensive study of developing countries vis-à-vis their formulation and implementation of policies of guided societal transformations and international implications of modernization of traditional societies.

SOC 7160 Selected Topics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.716) An intensive study of the contemporary research and theory in a selected field of sociology.

SOC 7190 Seminar in Selected Topics in Sociological Theory Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.719) The content of this course may vary from year to year, depending on interest and need.

SOC 7240 Seminar in Selected Topics in Research and Methods Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.724) The content of this course may vary from year to year, depending on interest and need.

SOC 7250 Advanced Seminar Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.725) Seminar with reference to one or more selected problems in sociology.

SOC 7260 Seminar in Selected Problems in Social Psychology Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.726) Examination of the major concepts, assumptions, findings, and implications of one or more substantive areas within social psychology.

SOC 7280 Seminar in Theories of Criminal Behaviour Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.728) An advanced course dealing with theory and research in the field of criminology with emphasis placed on an evaluation of existing theories of crime and criminal behaviour.

SOC 7300 Seminar in the Sociology of Law and Social Control Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.730) A detailed examination of the criminal justice system, with special emphasis on the Canadian situation.

SOC 7310 Seminar in Intergroup Relations Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.731) This seminar will provide an opportunity for detailed study of intergroup (religious, racial, and ethnic) relations in contemporary Canadian society.

SOC 7320 Seminar in Political Sociology Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.732) A critical examination of classical and contemporary sociological theories and current empirical research concerned with the relationship between politics and society. Particular emphasis is placed upon the origin, development, nature and future of the welfare state from a comparative perspective.

SOC 7340 Seminar in the Sociology of the Family Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.734) This seminar investigates various conceptual frameworks which are developing in the study of the family today, including research problems and procedures unique to such study. Various approaches will be examined.

SOC 7350 Advanced Reading and Research 1 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.735) Directed study of a selected area within the general field of sociology.

SOC 7360 Advanced Reading and Research 2 Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.736) Directed study of a selected area within the general field of sociology.

SOC 7370 Issues in Health Care Seminar Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.737) An advanced seminar designed to examine current issues in health care. The content of this course may vary from year to year depending on interest and need. Prerequisite: a grade of "C+" or better in SOC 4540 (or 077.454) or written consent of the department head.

SOC 7380 Issues in Aging Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.738) An advanced seminar designed to examine current issues in aging. The content of this course may vary from year to year depending on interest and need. Prerequisite: a grade of "C+" or better in SOC 4550 (or 077.455) or written consent of the department head.

SOC 7390 Survey Research Methods Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.739) Through the vehicle of the Winnipeg Area Study, students learn all aspects of survey research. Topics covered include: sampling, question and questionnaire construction, index construction and scaling methods, techniques for establishing validity and reliability, order effects, conducting interviews, coding, data analysis, and budgeting. Course includes interviewing experience.

SOC 7400 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.740) This course emphasizes the understanding and application of advanced quantitative data analysis techniques to sociological research problems. Issues in regression decomposition, path analysis, log-linear analysis, discriminant function analysis, principal components and factor analysis, as well as non-parametric statistical tests are covered as they relate to sociological research concerns. Statistical packages are used to illustrate sociological examples. Prerequisite: SOC 4480 (or 077.448) or written consent of the department head.

SOC 7410 Selected Topics in Quantitative Research Methods Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.741) This course emphasizes the understanding and application of selected quantitative data analysis procedures as they apply to sociological research concerns. Statistical packages are used to illustrate sociological applications. Topics covered will vary but may include logistic regression, multiple classification analysis, multivariate analysis of variance and covariance, canonical correlation, recursive and nonrecursive models, and LISREL The course emphasizes issues related to the sociological use of these techniques. Prerequisite: SOC 4480 (or 077.448) or written consent of the department head.

SOC 7420 Qualitative Research Methods Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.742) This course provides an overview of the methods of qualitative research. Discussion focuses on the philosophical foundations of qualitative methods, the variety of techniques available within interpretive and conflict paradigms, issues of sampling, analysis, validity, and report writing.

SOC 7430 Seminar in Classical Sociological Theory Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.743) A critical examination of certain central aspects of the sociological tradition. The content of this course may vary from year to year depending on interest and need.

SOC 7440 Seminar in Contemporary Sociological Theory Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.744) An examination of current trends in sociological theory. The content of this course may vary from year to year depending on interest and need.

SOC 7450 Selected Topics in Criminology Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.745) An advanced seminar in a selected area of criminology.

SOC 7460 The Sociology of Comparative Industrial Relations Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.746) An advanced course in industrial relations in Europe and North America from a macro-sociological approach which will introduce the student to theoretical and empirical work on the nature of power and conflict in capitalist society.

SOC 7470 Evaluating Social Programs Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.747) Designed as a course in applied sociology, students will review the models and methodologies used for evaluating social programs. The course will introduce the necessary conceptual and analytic tools to design and carry out program evaluations. Students may not hold credit for both SOC 7470 (or 077.747) and the former 077.733.

SOC 7480 Social Inequality Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.748) A critical examination of classical and contemporary theories and current empirical research concerned with various dimensions of social inequality (such as class, gender and race) and social stratification from a comparative perspective.

SOC 7490 Globalization Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 077.749) A sociological examination of the globalization of trade, production and finance, including the creation of multilateral trading blocs (e.g., APEC, EU, NAFTA) and international organizations (e.g., WTO, IMF, the World Bank) and their impact upon social inequality, the welfare state and the environment in developed and developing nations.


			Information on receiving an official print copy of the Calendar & Registration Guide. University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2, 204.474.8880 Questions or Comments?