Last updated: September 8, 2010 @ 03:05PM
Sociology
Master of Arts in Critical Sociology
Dean
Thomas Dunk
Faculty of Social Sciences
Core Faculty
Professors
June Corman (Sociology), Ann Duffy (Sociology), Thomas Dunk (Sociology), Dan Glenday (Sociology), Jane Helleiner (Sociology), Murray Knuttila (Sociology), Murray E. G. Smith (Sociology), John Sorenson (Sociology)
Associate Professors
Kate Bezanson (Sociology), Jonah Butovsky (Sociology), Janet Conway (Sociology), Ana Isla (Sociology), Michelle Webber (Sociology)
Assistant Professors
Nancy Cook (Sociology), Ifeanyi Ezeonu (Sociology), Margot Francis (Sociology), Kevin Gosine (Sociology), Tamari Kitossa (Sociology), Hijin Park (Sociology), Mary-Beth Raddon (Sociology), Dennis Soron (Sociology)
Graduate Program Director
Michelle Webber
mwebber@brocku.ca
Administrative Co-ordinator
Julia Gottli, MA Critical Sociology
STH 400B
905-688-5550 x 4576
csociology@brocku.ca
http://www.brocku.ca/sociology/criticalsociology
Program Description
The MA in Critical Sociology is based on three foundations: (i) an examination of theoretical perspectives in critical sociology, (ii) the study of both standard and innovative sociological methodologies, and (iii) the exploration of a diversity of key topics in the field. Through course work and interaction with faculty, students will be exposed to a wide range of critical sociological frameworks, including Marxist political economy, political ecology, critical race theory, feminist analyses, animal studies, and poststructuralist, queer and post-colonial paradigms. Students will also examine a diverse range of sociological methodologies, in particular ethnographic research, interview and survey-based research methods, critical discourse analysis, and feminist methodologies. This theoretical and methodological foundation, coupled with exposure to diverse empirical concerns, will prepare students to develop sophisticated and rigorous approaches to critical sociological research and analysis.
The program will prepare students to enter a wide variety of employment fields, as well as to proceed to PhD level studies in Sociology, related disciplines, and other interdisciplinary programs. Possible career options include social research and policy development, employment in social advocacy and activism organizations, program evaluation for both governmental and non-governmental organizations, and teaching in community colleges and other venues.
Admission Requirements
Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in Sociology, with a minimum overall average of 75%. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in English.
The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of suitable candidates.
Individuals interested in part-time study should consult with the Graduate Program Director.
Degree Requirements
Students will consult with the Director or designated faculty liaison person when planning their programs of study. Additional credits may be required of candidates with insufficient pre-admission background.
The program offers two streams: thesis or major research paper. Students wishing to pursue the thesis stream must seek approval from the Director at the end of the first term.
Scheme A: Course Work and Major Research Paper
The program of study must include: SOCI 5F91 (major research paper), SOCI 5P01, SOCI 5P02, four half-credit electives, and SOCI 5N00 (graduate workshop). Of the four half-credit electives, normally three will be offered as electives within the Critical Sociology program and normally one will be a course offered by another Brock graduate program, a graduate course at another Ontario university (OVGS), or a Directed Studies course. All courses must be pre-approved by the Director.
Scheme A is designed to normally be completed in three terms.
Major Research Paper
To complete the requirements of SOCI 5F91, each student must complete a major research paper that demonstrates capacity for independent work and original research or thought. The major paper shall be chosen in consultation with a Supervisor and will be evaluated by the Supervisor and a second faculty reader. Students interested in pursuing a broader range of courses should enroll in Scheme A. Full-time students must complete one year of full-time study (three successive terms).
Full-time students in Scheme A will normally enroll in SOCI 5P01, SOCI 5P02, one elective course, and the graduate workshop (SOCI 5N00, note that this workshop normally runs over two terms) in the fall term. In the winter term students in Scheme A will normally enroll in three additional elective courses.
Part-time students will normally take one of either SOCI 5P01 or SJES 5P02 in the first term and at least one half-credit course per year thereafter.
Scheme B: Course Work and Thesis
The program of study must include: SOCI 5F90 (thesis), SOCI 5P01, SOCI 5P02, two half-credit electives, and SOCI 5N00 (graduate workshop). The electives will normally be offered within the Critical Sociology program; however, subject to the approval of the Director, students may complete one elective credit offered by another Brock graduate program, a graduate course at another Ontario university (OVGS), or a Directed Studies course.
Scheme B is designed to normally be completed in five terms.
Thesis
To complete the requirements of SOCI 5F90, each student must complete, and defend at a public oral examination, a thesis that demonstrates a capacity for independent work and original research or thought. The thesis topic shall be chosen in consultation with the Supervisor and other members of the Supervisory Committee. A formal thesis proposal must be approved by the Committee. Scheme B is intended for students who are prepared to do an in-depth project on a specialized topic.
Full-time students in Scheme B will normally enroll in SOCI 5P01, SOCI 5P02, and the graduate workshop (SOCI 5N00, note that this workshop normally runs over two terms) in the fall term. In the winter term students in Scheme B will normally enroll in two additional elective courses.
Course Descriptions
Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.
SOCI 5F90
Thesis
An in-depth research project involving the preparation and public defense of a thesis that demonstrates the capacity for independent work and original research or thought.
SOCI 5F91
Major Research Paper
A major research paper that demonstrates the capacity for independent work and original research or thought.
SOCI 5N00
Graduate Workshop
A non-credit graduate workshop that focuses on issues in graduate studies and critical sociological research students encounter while developing their programs of study and preparing their proposals, research papers and theses.
Note: Completion of the workshop is required for successful completion of the MA program.
SOCI 5P01
Critical Social Theories
A survey of key historical and contemporary theoretical themes in critical Sociology.
SOCI 5P02
Critical Social Research Design and Methods
An exploration of the methodological and epistemological foundations of major traditions of sociological inquiry, techniques of data collection, and case studies of critical sociological research in each tradition.
SOCI 5P10
Intermediate Statistics for Sociologists
An intermediate quantitative data analysis course that emphasizes a critical understanding and application of several major cross-sectional multivariate statistical techniques used to address sociological research questions.
SOCI 5P20
Globalization, Inequality and Social Change
Sociological perspectives on economic, social, cultural and political processes of globalization; global social inequalities; the historical antecedents of globalization; and global social movements.
SOCI 5P30
Engaging Criminology in the 21st Century
Critical examination of contemporary and historical issues and theory in criminology. Topics may include advanced criminological theories, heterodoxies, controversies and contemporary issues in criminology, criminal justice and sociology of law.
SOCI 5P40
Animals and Human Societies
Sociological perspectives on animal-human interactions, possibly including animal-human bonds and boundaries; the nature of animal rights; ethical treatment of animals; animals and the law; representations of animals; and cultural meanings of animals.
SOCI 5P50
Critical Sociologies of Gender and Sexuality
Current sociological perspectives on femininity, masculinity and sexuality as organizing principles of society at local, national and global scales that articulate with other social inequalities to shape principal social identities and institutions.
SOCI 5P60
Critical Perspectives on Race and Racism
Current sociological perspectives on the social inequalities associated with issues of race, racism, ethnicity and anti-racism; the articulation of race with other forms of social inequality at the local, national and global level; and anti-racist struggles for social justice.
SOCI 5P70
Critical Sociological Studies in Education
Current issues in the sociology of education in Canada and globally, such as access, representation, experience and careers of students, teachers and faculty; student cultures; student supervision; efforts to alter pedagogy and curriculum; and implications of globalization for educational practice.
SOCI 5P80
Problems and Possibilities in Economic Life
Perspectives drawn from economic sociology, political economy and other interdisciplinary disciplines on the relationship between economic structure and social organization and inequalities; alternative ways of organizing material life and social life; and democratic socialist planning.
SOCI 5P90
Environment in Social Context
Current sociological perspectives on the relationship between environment and human societies. Topics may include environment inequalities and social justice struggles, sustainability, biodiversity, consumerism, and environmental management.
SOCI 5P95
Directed Study
Specialized study on an individual basis under the direction of a faculty supervisor.
SOCI 5V80-5V89
Selected Topics in Critical Sociology
A topic in critical sociology that will vary by instructor.