The Social Sciences at Brock examine the complexities of human behaviour, interaction and society. Learn about the world around you and how you can change it.
Prepare to tackle pressing local and global issues by gaining understanding, learning to interpret context and developing the ability to think through implications.
Study diverse topics. Explore and develop your many interests. Understand new perspectives. And gain skills employers value—learn to think critically and argue persuasively, train to conduct research using proven methods, and practice analyzing and interpreting data.
A degree in the Social Sciences propels you toward a meaningful career path and further professional and graduate studies.
In these pages, you will learn more about the scholarship, creativity, and widespread impact of our our students, professors, staff, and alumni in teaching and learning, research, service, and community engagement.
“Scholars in the Social Sciences at Brock University adapt to ever-changing circumstances, assess multi-faceted issues from multiple perspectives, and remain clear-eyed and determined when seeking explanations and solutions to confront and address the needs of our society.”
– Dean Ingrid Makus
Faculty facts
The Faculty of Social Sciences is home to the following Areas of Study:
Applied Disability Studies
Applied Disability Studies
Applied Behavioural Analysis
Applied Linguistics
Applied Linguistics
Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
Teaching English as a Second/Subsequent/Foreign Language
Child and Youth Studies
Child and Youth Studies
Concurrent Child and Youth Studies BA (Honours)/B.Ed (Primary/Junior)
Communication, Popular Culture and Film
Business Communication
Media and Communication Studies
Film Studies
Economics
Economics
Business Economics
Environmental Sustainability Research Centre
Environmental Sustainability
Sustainability Science
Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice
Geography and Tourism Studies
Geography (BA/BSc)
Concurrent BA Geography/B.Ed and B.Sc Geography/B.Ed
Tourism and Environment
Tourism Management
Labour Studies
Labour Studies
Political Science
Political Science
Public Administration
Canadian Politics
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Political Theory
Public Policy and Administration
Psychology
Psychology
Behavioural & Cognitive Neuroscience
Lifespan Development
Social & Personality Psychology
Social Justice and Equity Studies
Sociology
Sociology
Critical Criminology
Critical Animal Studies
Applied Social Research and Data Analysis
Africana Studies
Critical Sociology
Women’s and Gender Studies
Women’s and Gender Studies
Learning options
Experiential education
Student body
New offerings in the Faculty 2024-25
New in September 2024 is the PhD in Applied Behaviour Analysis in the Department of Applied Disability Studies
Coming in September 2025 is a new fully course-based option for the Master of Sustainability in the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre
And in September 2026 we welcome the first cohort to our new Doctorate in Applied Behaviour Analysis (AbaD) in the Department of Applied Disability Studies
Award Databases
Recipients of awards, scholarships, and grant funding from across the Faculty of Social Sciences can be found in these searchable databases.
Congratulations to Shadaé Brown, Psychology major and Women’s and Gender Studies minor, who was recently named a Brock Undergraduate Co-op Student of the Year. She works as a Relief Counsellor at Gillian’s Place, building on previous co-op experience as a Counselling Intern with the organization. Read more.
As part of Brock’s 60th anniversary celebrations, contributions of our research into children was highlighted in March. FOSS researchers featured included Professor and inaugural Chair of Child Studies, the department that grew into today’s Department of Child and Youth Studies (CHYS), Tony Volk in CHYS, and Maureen Connolly, Maurice Feldman, and Julie Koudys in Applied Disability Studies – among many others. Read more.
In March, Psychology graduate and Brock University Wellness Navigator Dawn Kakiroko (BA ’24) was named an EDI Changemaker by Brock Human Rights and Equity. Kakiroko’s role is a new position within Student Wellness and Accessibility Services (SWAC) in collaboration with the Black Student Success Centre. Her role is funded by the McCall MacBain Foundation. Read more.
In March, Menstrual Equity Gala organizers Kennedy Hance (left), a Peer Assistant with Brock’s Student Justice Centre (SJC); Mabrukah Abdulmalik, an Anti-Racism Advocacy Assistant with the SJC; and Muskaan Waraich, a Feminist Advocacy Peer Assistant with the SJC and a fourth-year student with a double major in Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies, welcomed attendees to Pond Inlet for discussion, activities and the launch of a new Best Practices Guide for promoting menstrual equity on campus. Read more.
This web site was launched for the 2020-2021 school year. In previous years, the Faculty of Social Sciences provided highlights in The FOSS Review, published annually each September.