Program Details
BACHELOR OF ARTS, MAJOR IN SOCIOLOGY
The Sociology Department is launching an exciting new four year Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology in January, 2011!
The Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology is unique in the Lower Mainland as it combines theoretical, research, and applied components in the curriculum. Our BA Major in Sociology program offers critical, practical and transformative studies in local and global approaches. Our program offers exceptiuonal learning experiences in applied settings with academic rigor and a well-rounded education in various sub-fields in the discipline.
The BA Major in Sociology program at Kwantlen is the only program of this kind in BC that involves a practicum component, which provides students with the opportunity to volunteer in a local or global context in a community based setting, make employment contacts, and apply knowledge students have learned in class in the field.
Why should I major in Sociology at Kwantlen?
Develop your career skills
Sociology prepares you with the essential skills needed for your career, including:
Critical thinking and problem solving skills
Research skills
Teamwork and leadership skills
Communication and presentation skills
Personal management and entrepreneurial skills
Inter-personal and inter-cultural skills
Students will also develop a broad understanding of the social, cultural, economic, and political relationships between local, regional, and global communities, which are important and desired qualifications sought by prospective employers in public, private and non-profit organizations. Emphasis on principles of equity, equality, democracy, cultural diversity and active citizenship as important elements of the curricula will prepare students for employment within a culturally, socially, economically, and politically heterogeneous and interconnected world. Today, sociologists are working in a broad range of fields including, but not limited to, government, communications, corrections/law, business, community affairs, health, teaching, research, and marketing.
Know yourself and your communities
Sociology provides you with the knowledge and skills to stimulate your imagination and reflect about yourself and your place in both local and global communities. Sociology enhances your social and cultural literacy that is essential for understanding personal relationships and personal growth. Our curricula will prepare you for living and participating in a diverse society as informed citizens.
Prepare for advanced studies
Sociology offers a wide range of courses that prepare you for graduate or professional studies. Our courses are rigorous in both theory and research, and are taught in creative and innovative ways by qualified and dedicated instructors.
Structure of the BA Major in Sociology Program
Year One
The 1000 level course in Sociology serves as a foundation in core concepts, theories, methodologies and sub-fields in sociology.
SOCI 1125 Introduction to Society: Processes and Structures
Completion of SOCI 1125 with a minimum GPA of 2.0 provides a prerequisite for all sociology courses at the 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels.
Year Two
Courses at the 2000 level offer more extensive study in sociological theory and research methods, as well as specialized areas in sociology. Students will be required to complete 21 credits from 2000 level sociology courses, including 12 credits from required courses as follows:
SOCI 2225 Canadian Society
SOCI 2235 The Development of Sociological Thought
SOCI 2260 Research Methods in Sociology
SOCI 2365 An Introduction to Statistics in Social Research
Plus an additional 9 credits from 2000 level elective courses in sociology:
SOCI 2150 Sociology of Indigenous People (NEW – pending approval)
SOCI 2155 Indigenous Perspectives on Settler Societies (New – pending approval)
SOCI 2230 Racialization and Ethnicity in Canada
SOCI 2240 Women in Canada
SOCI 2250 Families in Canada
SOCI 2255 Micro-Sociology: The Dynamics and Structure of Social Interaction
SOCI 2270 Sociology of Education: A Critical Perspective
SOCI 2275 Mass Media and Society
SOCI 2280 Sociology of Health and Illness
SOCI 2285 Gods in the Global Village: A Sociological Perspective of World Religions
SOCI 2311 Social Justice in a Global Context
SOCI 2370 Social Stratification (New – pending approval)
Year Three & Year Four
Courses at the 3000 level continue to provide breadth and build on course content covered the 2000 level courses on sociological theories, research methods and studies in specific focus areas of the discipline. Students will be required to complete a total of 30 credits from sociology courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels.
Students must complete 6 credits from required sociology courses as follows:
ONE of:
SOCI 3235 Classic Sociological Theories
SOCI 3330 Contemporary Sociological Theories
And ONE of:
SOCI 3260 Qualitative Research Methods
SOCI 3365 Quantitative Research Methods
At the 4000 level, students are required to complete 6 credits from courses that include a service learning, applied or experiential learning component, consolidating what they have learned at previous levels, while gaining practical experience. Courses that satisfy this requirement include:
ONE of:
SOCI 4325 Sociological Aspects of Community Service (6 credits)
SOCI 4330 Global Community Services (6 credits)
OR TWO of:
SOCI 4225 Advanced Topics in Canadian Issues (3 credits)
SOCI 4320 Advanced Topics in Global Studies (3 credits)
Plus an additional 18 credits from sociology elective courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels:
SOCI 3210 Science, Technology and Society
SOCI 3230 International Migration and Ethnic Communities
SOCI 3240 Gender in a Global Context
SOCI 3245 Gender, Bodies and Sexualities
SOCI 3270 Education, Nation Building, and Globalization
SOCI 3275 Sociology of Popular Culture
SOCI 3280 Sociological Aspects of Dying and Death
SOCI 3300 Sociology of Work and Occupations
SOCI 3310 Sociology of Conflict and Conflict Resolution
SOCI 3320 Sociology of Global Inequalities
SOCI 3325 Introduction to Community Services (NEW – pending approval)
SOCI 3335 Theory in Action: Social Movements (NEW – pending approval)
SOCI 3345 Social Policy in Context
SOCI 3385 Demography
SOCI 4150 First Peoples and Public Policy in Canadian and Global Contexts (NEW – pending approval)
SOCI 4230 Race and Ethnicity: a Global Perspective
SOCI 4240 Advanced Topics in Gender and Sexuality (NEW – Pending Approval)
SOCI 4275 Lost in Transmission: Diversity and the Media
SOCI 4280 Socio-legal Aspects of Assisted Death
SOCI 4310 Terrorism, Globalization, and Social Justice
SOCI 4375 Advanced Topics in Media Studies (NEW – pending approval)
SOCI 4475 Sociology of Consumption (NEW – pending approval)
BACHELOR OF ARTS, MINOR IN SOCIOLOGY and ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY
The Sociology Department also offers a four year Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Sociology which students can complete as part of a Double Minor Program at Kwantlen, in addition to our two year Associate of Arts Degree in Sociology.
At the 1000 and 2000 levels of our degree programs, students gain an introduction to sociology and a solid foundation in essential concepts, skills, and knowledge in sociological theory and research methods. Specialized area courses are offered at the 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels representing various significant sub-fields in the discipline. Students may wish to take a broad range of sociology courses or streamline their program by choosing electives for a concentration in Canadian or Global sociological studies.
Graduates of the BA Major in Sociology and BA Minor in Sociology programs will be well prepared for higher education and employment in a variety of fields. For more information on employment opportunities in Sociology, go to the Careers area of the Sociology Department website.
Sociology courses also make excellent electives to supplement programs in other disciplines.
