Message from the Chair

The Department of Sociology at Brock University is committed to a critical, social justice approach. Faculty members research and teach about significant social issues such as animal rights, capitalist relations of production, educational equity, environmental activism, gang violence, gender conventions, globalization, hate crimes, professional wrestling, sexuality, racism and sweat shops. Our Department is the first university in Canada to offer a Concentration in the rapidly-growing field of Critical Animal Studies, examining the role and treatment of animals in human societies. Our Concentration in Critical Criminology pushes the boundaries of criminological thinking, examining law as social control and raising ideas about social harm. Our Concentration in Social Justice explores the constraints and opportunities of an increasingly complex world riven by war, environmental degradation, the growing gap between rich and poor and speciesism.

Courses enhance students' abilities to examine critically the social conventions and regulations that circumscribe our lives, and to explore possibilities for progressive social change. Students gain skills in designing social research, thinking critically, analyzing statistical data, computing, writing and making oral presentations. Our graduates move into a variety of fields, such as law, social work and teacher education, as well as pursuing further education in graduate school.

News:

• For Immediate Release

• Oct 1, 2011

  Renowned farm animal advocate to speak at Brock

  TORONTO – Nathan Runkle, Founder and Executive Director of U.S. based Mercy for Animals, will be giving a free public talk in the Sankey Chamber at Brock University from 12-2pm on Tuesday, October 11th. The presentation, titled “Inspiring Compassion: Putting Our Ethics on the Table”, will focus on how industrial farming has changed the way cows, pigs and chickens are treated and how our food choices can become a powerful tool in preventing cruelty to animals. Nathan’s presentation at Brock is sponsored by the Department of Sociology.

  Mercy for Animals is the fastest growing farm animal protection group in the United States, gaining international attention with their undercover investigations and powerful ad campaigns. Founded in 1999, Mercy for Animals has 75,000 members and a growing list celebrity supporters, including Ellen DeGeneres. A nationally recognized advocate for animal protection, Nathan has appeared in hundreds of newspaper, television, and radio interviews, including National Public Radio, The Los Angeles Times, and The Chicago Tribune.

  Nathan will be in Ontario from Friday, October 7th through to Thursday, October 13th. If you would like to arrange for an interview, please contact Joseph Pace (Executive Director of MFA Canada) at 416.898.4882, or Shannon Kornelsen (Director of Communications) at 647.884.7200.

• Academic Advisor Viola Bartel is the recipient of the 2011 National Academic Advising Association Award
• Administrative Coordinator Jill DeBon receives Brock University Distinguished Service Award
• Dr. June Corman accepts position as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Social Sciences
• Professor Mary-Beth Raddon is the recipient of a 2010 Chancellor's Chair for Teaching Excellence
• Professor Kevin Gosine one of the 2010 recipients of the Best Practice Teaching Award

  Opportunity for students to gain experience in the Criminal Justice Field
  The John Howard Society is looking for Sociology students to volunteer for their:
  "Justice Services Volunteer Program and Volunteer Mediator for Project Rewind".
  For more information please call: 905-682-2657 ext. 260
  Academic Integrity Tutorial - strongly recommended for students
  

If you have questions about what constitutes cheating and plagiarism take the quiz today! Go to: http://www.brocku.ca/academicintegrity/tutorial/
The tutorial takes about 10 minutes and is especially recommended for first year students.