Courses

Course: GEND 419: Special Topics in Gender Studies | Sexual Diversity in Islam
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Junaid Jahangir

Protests by faith-based organizations across Canada prominently featured Muslim groups in the media. The concerns revolved around teaching LGBTQ content on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. Within the Abrahamic faiths, while there are local United Churches and both Reform and Conservative Jewish Synagogues that affirm their congregants, there does not exist an affirming Mosque space for LGBTQ Muslims in Edmonton. Given such a status quo for LGBTQ Muslims, there is a pressing need for addressing the theological roots that shape the forbidding Muslim discourse on LGBTQ individuals in Islam. The objective in this course is to delve into the primary texts of Islam, the Qur’an and the Hadith, the exegetical texts, the rulings of the jurists and the opinions of contemporary Muslim scholars to offer a critical and pluralistic perspective on sexual diversity in Islam. At the end of this course, students should be able to deconstruct popular arguments wielded against LGBTQ accommodation in Islam.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in GEND 319 or minimum grades of C- in GEND 219 and one of GEND 398, GEND 498, ANTH 308, ANTH 320, ENGL 368, PHIL 333, PSYC 370, SOCI 301, SOCI 430 or SOWK 433.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 302: Current Issues in Sociology | Sick People and Sick Places: On the Political Economy and Cancer Risk
Term: Winter 2026
Session: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Andrew Patterson

This course explores how the political economy can affect population health with special emphasis on cancer risk. Coursework will begin with a review of standard models for cancer prevention, which continue to receive wide support in the medical community. We will then explore sociological modes of explanation for population health outcomes like cancer, which more directly involve politics and economy. Questions will be addressed as to whether economic growth is "good" for population health, what the post-industrial economy has to do with cancer risk and the role that business organizations play in abetting risk. The course will consider opportunities to reduce cancer risk in society such as social movements. Students will conclude the course with a better understanding of how comparative cancer risk can be explained sociologically as well as some possible solutions.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in SOCI 290.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 302: Current Issues in Sociology | Migration, Borders and Citizenship
Term: Winter 2026
Session: AS02
Instructor: Dr. Kalyani Thurairajah

There has been increasing attention on the topic of borders and migration. Who is allowed to migrate? Should we open or close our borders for these migrants? What is the impact of these migrants on society? This course examines how theories of citizenship, borders and migration conceptualize and racialize various ‘migrant stories’ (e.g., economic immigrant, refugee, tourist, etc.). Over the course of the semester, we will discuss the ways in which borders are controlled to allow access based on the ‘desirability’ of the migrants, and how these decisions influence citizenship and belonging.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in any 200-level SOCI course.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 302: Current Issues in Sociology | Alcohol: Pleasure or Danger?
Term: Winter 2026
Session: AS03
Instructor: Dr. Tami Bereska

Alcohol has a long history in Canada and around the world. It is a part of almost all Canadians’ lives, whether through their consumption or the consumption of those around them. But for most of us, alcohol remains a taken-for-granted aspect of life. Unless our alcohol use or its use by those around us becomes “problematic,” we don’t give it much thought. This course explores the social construction of alcohol in Canadian society, historically and today. At the micro level, individuals attribute certain meanings to alcohol. Yet those meanings arise within meso-level (e.g., university party culture) and macro-level (e.g., globalization) forces. At all levels, structures and processes of power are key—the power of peer groups, the power of moral entrepreneurs, the power of media and the power of the alcohol industry itself.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in any 200-level SOCI course.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 304: Current Issues in Family, Youth and Diversity | Sociology of Childhood
Term: Winter 2026
Session: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Sandra Rollings-Magnusson

What does it mean to be a child in Canada today? What social, political and economic implications are influencing the way that a child is socialized? Is childhood disappearing? Beginning with a discussion of how the concept of childhood was understood in the past, the course will move into children’s rights, new sociologies of childhood, diverse parenting practices and the influence of peer groups, mass media and the education system. The experiences of immigrant, refugee and Indigenous children will also be highlighted as will child poverty, child abuse and child protection.

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C- in SOCI 271, SOCI 261 or SOCI 361; course instructors may have additional prerequisite requirements.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 402: Special Topics in Sociology | The Sociology of Sound
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Annaliese Pope

Similar to many academic disciplines with European roots, the field of sociology has privileged the visual through ocularcentric ways of both understanding the social and legitimizing knowledge and data. By instead prioritizing sonic and aural forms of engagement with the social world, this class will introduce students to key terms in the literature on sound such as soundscape, key, signal, and rhythm analysis, and then engage with such approaches in relation to sociological study. Areas addressed will include subjective and collective perceptions of sound, the impacts of sound on marginalized populations, the historical association of "noise" with different socioeconomic groups, the use of sound as an attempt to gain power within the social world and the interpretation of sonic data as a legitimate form of knowledge production and dissemination. We will look at—and listen to—a range of examples in order to critically reflect upon sonic phenomena and perception in our own everyday experiences within the social.

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C- in a 300-level SOCI course; individual instructors may require specific prerequisites.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Special Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice | Sociology of Prisons
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Willam Schultz

Prisons play a complex and important role in Canadian society, yet few people know or understand what life is like in carceral settings or how such experiences change people. This course draws on the lived experiences of people who are incarcerated in and work in Western Canadian prisons. Critiquing widespread perceptions that prisons are “places apart,” we will discuss how prisons are related to other social institutions and will draw connections between incarceration and social problems including socioeconomic inequality and systemic racism. Specific topics will include race, gender, drugs, gang membership, solitary confinement and prison subcultures. By the end of this course, students will be able to list some of the unique challenges faced by incarcerated people and prison staff in Canada and will be able to describe why these experiences impact rehabilitative success/lack of success. In addition, students will be able to describe prison’s role as an ambidextrous institution—one which punishes with one hand and provides key social services with the other.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Special Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice Career Attainment
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS02
Instructor: Dr. Michael Seredycz

The seminar promotes work-integrated and experiential learning approaches to offer you more insight into career attainment, retention and promotion within criminal (and social) justice agencies. You will identify agencies of interest and generate a strategic plan to fulfill your career goals while applying organizational behaviour and occupational socialization research. The course highlights the importance of assessing short- and long-term market outlooks to ascertain whether a traditional career or gig economy position is more (or less) advantageous.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Special Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice Policy Analysis
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS03
Instructor: Dr. Michael Seredycz

Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, this course offers you an applied understanding of the decision-making processes of criminal and social justice policy development, implementation, and evaluation. Discussions will begin with how the (re)definition of the problem/issue, the relevant policy/ legislation, negotiating stakeholder membership and workload, bureaucratic and administrative evidence-based practices and potential solutions. This problem-solving process becomes more complex when we factor in democratic politics, economics and cross-cultural ideological perspectives.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Special Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice | Social Movements and Police Reform
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS04
Instructor: Dr. Zara Zaidi

In recent years, social movements advocating for police reforms have gained significant traction globally. This course delves into the intricate dynamics between society and law enforcement agencies, examining the historical, cultural and political contexts that have given rise to various social movements seeking change in policing practices. Drawing on theories of collective action and social organization, students will explore the evolution of social movements and their role in influencing policy changes related to law enforcement. From the civil rights movement to contemporary advocacy efforts, we will analyze the strategies employed by diverse social movements and their impact on shaping public discourse surrounding policing and police reforms within North American context.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 461: Advanced Topics in Social Inequalities | Social Inequality Among Canadian Immigrants Employed in Precarious Labour
Term: Winter 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Parvinder Hira-Friesen

The nature and meaning of paid work and its relationship to wider social inequalities of immigrant status and gender. Specifically, this course will examine immigrant participation in precarious employment within Canadian labour markets. Precarious jobs will focus on newcomers employed in involuntary part-time work, multiple job holders and temporary workers. The course will further assess how Canadian immigrant employment in these types of jobs may result in lower earnings leading to wage disparities. Finally, the course will examine government intervention and immigration policy reform for the economical integration of Canadian newcomers. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to identify and discuss the contemporary issues related to precarious labour in Canada, critically discuss the prevalence of social inequality within Canadian labour markets with respect to migration and become familiar with key concepts regarding the sociology of work and marginalized Canadians.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in one of SOCI 301, SOCI 261, SOCI 361 or SOCI 368.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 302: Current Issues in Sociology | Demons, Dictators and Serial Killers: Understanding ‘Evil’ in Society
Term: Spring/Summer 2026
Section: AS01
Instructors: Dr. Susan Raine

What do we mean when we identify a person, movement, ideology or a behaviour as evil? What is evil? To what extent does consensus exist around definitions of it? This course investigates the ways in which scholars have attempted to answer these and other questions. Starting with religious perspectives, this course addresses an array of theoretical and applied approaches to the nature of evil from disciplines including philosophy, sociology, media studies and psychology. Offering historical and comparative case studies and examples, the course explores various conceptualizations of evil, including the following: demonic possession, mass atrocities, serial killers and capitalism. Integral to these discussions is an examination of our ongoing fascination with evil, as evidenced by our consumption of products associated with it (e.g. horror films and true crime literature).

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in any 200-level SOCI course.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 396: Sociological Field Placement
Term: Spring/Summer 2026
Section: AS01
Instructors: Dr. Emily Milne

This course integrates classroom-based learning with a work-integrated learning (WIL) project-based opportunity to enhance students’ sociological insight through direct engagement with social issues and community-based organizations. On campus, students participate in lectures and shared readings addressing key theoretical, methodological, and ethical dimensions of social issues and community contexts, supplemented by individualized readings connected to their WIL organization. Off campus, students collaborate with community partners on an applied project involving data collection, research and analysis, data interpretation, and the creation of written reports or other knowledge-mobilization outputs. By linking sociological theory, empirical research, and public and applied sociology with community engagement, the course fosters the development of core professional skills, including critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and interpersonal and professional communication. Through hands-on experiential learning, students gain practical experience that strengthens their preparation for future academic pathways and diverse employment opportunities.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in SOCI 215 or 315 and consent of the department. To enroll in this course, contact Dr. Milne to receive the application form.

Permission Required: Yes

Course: SOCI 402: Special Topics in Sociology | Political Economy of Housing
Term: Spring/Summer 2026
Section: AS01
Instructors: Annaliese Pope

This course interrogates the commodification of housing through a political economic analysis. By engaging with Marxist thought, it explores the financialization of housing, gentrification, and the housing affordability crisis. In addition, the social relations surrounding different components of housing, such as construction, neighbourhoods, and collective struggles over land access and tenant rights will also be addressed.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in a 300-level SOCI course.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Special Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice | Hate Crime and Society: Understanding Hate, Hate Crimes, and Responses to Hate
Term: Spring/Summer 2026
Section: AS01
Instructors: Irfan Chaudhry

This seminar critically examines the intersections of hate, bias, and discrimination within Canadian criminology and criminal justice. Students will explore how “hate” is defined and understood through criminal law, human rights legislation, and sociological theory. The course analyzes legal and institutional approaches to addressing hate‑motivated behaviour, including policing practices, prosecutorial strategies, and sentencing considerations within a Canadian context.

Through case studies, scholarly literature, and seminar‑based discussion, students will interrogate how structural inequities shape the experiences of targeted communities, and evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of existing legal frameworks. Emphasis is placed on developing a nuanced understanding of the social construction of hate, the role of state institutions in responding to it, and emerging challenges in prevention, enforcement, and community‑based approaches

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 302: Current Issues in Sociology | Shopping and Society
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Jordan Foster

This course provides an overview of the sociology of consumption. The study of consumption provides an entry point for examining the intersection between culture, economics and the environment. Potential topics include the following: the shopping experience, consumption as status, the environmental impact of consumerism, fashion cycles and identity construction through consumption.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in any 200-level SOCI course

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 302: Current Issues in Sociology | Critical Disability Studies
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS02
Instructor: Dr. Alissa Overend

This course explores the cultural formation of disability. Using the social model of disability, we consider how social institutions such as medicine, sport and education, and the built environment ‘dis-able’ people systemically and socially. We question how critical disability studies re-frame notions of able-bodiedness and able-mindedness, reflect on dominant distinctions between ‘health’ and ‘illness’ and examine how assistive technologies can be used to promote social integration and change.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in any 200-level SOCI course

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 302: Current Issues in Sociology | Neoliberalism and Comparative Perspectives on Social Inequality
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS03
Instructor: Dr. Korbla Puplampu

Sociology, at its core, seeks to advance an understanding of society and to offer solutions to social problems. One major issue in society is inequality. Sociologists are therefore interested in an analysis of social inequality, its nature, principles and consequences. A feature of social inequality is that it is universal in nature. That means, every society on the planet has social inequality, even though its form tends to vary from society to society. This course focuses on social inequality from a comparative perspective, focusing on the Global North and Global South. Therefore, the course is framed by the theoretical and policy implications of neoliberal globalization. The course, drawing on assigned readings, class presentations and discussions, examines the following from a sociological perspective: the changing role of the state in society; technology and the globalization of the economy; culture and diversity of population; environmental considerations; and protest movements in a context of democratic governance. By adopting a comparative perspective, with an emphasis on commonalities and differences, the course seeks to offer a better comprehension of the persistence and universal nature of social inequality in contemporary society.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in any 200-level SOCI course

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 402: Special Topics in Sociology | Topics in Globalization
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Stephen Speake

Whatever happens at the global economic and political levels is changing and shaping individual lives in diverse ways worldwide. This seminar course takes the student on a journey connecting our local lives with the positive and negative global processes and structures that create the conditions for well-being or distress at the local level. The course covers various topics, including defining and conceptualizing globalization; the global economy; neoliberalism; global inequality; global food systems; political structures and organizations; the role of technology; the impacts on culture and the environment; and possible future trends of globalization.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in a 300-level SOCI course; individual instructors may require specific prerequisites.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 402: Special Topics in Sociology | Memory and Society
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS02
Instructor:  Dr. Jeffrey Stepnisky

In this course, we explore the social dimensions of memory and remembering. We start with the idea that memory often includes a relational or social component. We remember with others, and even when we are remembering alone, the style and content of our memory is shaped by social forces. We then consider narrative and social psychological approaches to the study of memory and later expand our focus to include meso- and macro-level forces that shape memory. Importantly, we spend a great deal of time talking about “collective memory.” Collective memories are memories that are shared by groups of people—families, friend groups, religious communities, nations and even the entire globe. As the course develops, we discuss how memory creates individual identity and social solidarity, but also how its construction is influenced by powerful social actors and structures. The course relies on both lecture and extensive group discussion, based on examples that both the instructor and students bring to class.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in a 300-level SOCI course; individual instructors may require specific prerequisites.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Topics in Criminality and Criminal Justice | Hate Crime & Society: Understanding Hate, Hate Crimes and Responses to Hate
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Irfan Chaudhry

This seminar critically examines the intersections of hate, bias and discrimination within Canadian criminology and criminal justice. Students will explore how “hate” is defined and understood through criminal law, human rights legislation and sociological theory. The course analyzes legal and institutional approaches to addressing hate‑motivated behaviour, including policing practices, prosecutorial strategies and sentencing considerations within a Canadian context.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Topics in Criminality and Criminal Justice | Governing Risk: Power, Control and the Politics of Uncertainty
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS02
Instructor: Alysha McDonald

Risk is everywhere—but what does it actually mean to govern through risk? In contemporary societies, risk has become a powerful governing logic through which institutions anticipate harm, classify populations, distribute resources and justify intervention across domains such as criminal justice, public health, urban planning, social policy and digital governance. Yet risk is not simply discovered; it is socially produced through data practices, policy frameworks, professional expertise, media narratives and political priorities. Drawing on dominant theories of risk governance, this course examines how risk is constructed, circulated and embedded in institutional routines, shaping ideas of responsibility, prevention and accountability. We will analyze how actuarial tools, predictive analytics and regulatory frameworks structure decision-making across organizations, influencing how spaces are managed, populations are categorized and inequalities are reproduced. By the end of the course, students are equipped to critically evaluate how risk frameworks organize contemporary governance, trace their uneven social effects and assess the broader ethical and political stakes of living in a “risk society.”

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 424: Advanced Topics in Deviance | Alternative Beliefs: The Paranormal and Conspiracy Theories
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Susan Raine

This course examines the socio-cultural significance of fringe belief systems in North American society. The persistence and prevalence both of paranormal beliefs and conspiracy theories illustrate the ways in which many North Americans seek answers to questions concerning their place in relation to the world—questions that adherents of such beliefs find dominant social institutions are not able to answer satisfactorily. This course explores first, the increasing popularity of a number of paranormal beliefs and practices along with the often complex ways that individuals incorporate them into their dominant religious belief systems—belief systems that often quite explicitly reject paranormal narratives. Second, this course considers how and why many people create meaning through intricate conspiratorial narratives that speak to persuasive moral worldviews. Conspiracy theories reject and subvert accepted histories and socio-cultural and political knowledge and beliefs, allowing their followers to question dominant forms of power. In each area, the pursuit of ‘truth’ and the quest for personal empowerment permeate these counter-ideologies.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 224 and a 300-level SOCI course or consent of the department

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 463: Adv Topics in Canadian Society | Neoliberalism, Food Security and Labour in Canada
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Korbla Puplampu

This seminar examines neoliberalism, food security and labour to advance an understanding of contemporary Canadian society. The course, drawing on assigned readings, class presentations and discussions and written assignments, studies the posture of the Canadian state and society in terms of food security and labour, specifically the nature of policy interventions, the problem of food security, the plight of labour and the implications for Canadian society. That means the course examines the issue of neoliberalism within and beyond Canada relative to food security and the difficulties of labour. Other topics for discussion include financialization and affordability of housing, the ethnic and gender underpinnings of temporary foreign workers, the normalization of casual labour, the gig economy and professionalization. By approaching food and labour relations from a broader perspective, the course isolates continuities and discontinuities, contradictions, tensions and challenges for the Canadian state and society in a context of neoliberalism.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in at least one 300-level SOCI course

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 477: Advanced Topics in Youth | The Rise and Decline of the 1960s Youth Counterculture
Term: Fall 2026
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Tami Bereska

Youth have long participated in social movements, yet only some are constructed as distinctly “youth movements.” In the mid-1960s, a highly visible youth counterculture emerged in North America, shaped by the baby boom and broader social transformations and amplified through mass media. While often reduced to the image of the “hippie,” this counterculture also encompassed student rights activism, workers’ rights struggles, anti–Vietnam War protests and anti-racist movements, including Red Power and Black Power. Despite their scale and cultural influence, these movements achieved uneven institutional change and many of the structural issues they challenged—systemic racism, settler colonialism, labour exploitation, militarism and consumer capitalism—persist. This course examines the emergence and trajectories of 1960s youth-led movements, with particular attention to framing identity and the construction of the “youth movement” as a social category.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in SOCI 377 or consent of the department

Permission Required: No

Course: GEND 419: Special Topics in Gender Studies | Heterosexualities
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. JJ Wright

This course engages queer theory to explore the sociopolitical, cultural and historical factors that produce contemporary heterosexuality. By the end of the course, students are able to critically examine the discursive production of heterosexuality as diametrically opposed to queerness, as well as how heterosexuality varies across women and men, racial groups, class and one's identity as trans or cisgender. Topics may include the invention of heterosexuality, compulsory heterosexuality, settler sexuality, sexual desire and identity across the life course and the ways in which the possibilities for straight and queer desires are created in and through systemic social relations of power. The course draws from queer scholarship and students should have some familiarity with studies of gender and sexuality upon registering for this course. 

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in GEND 319; or minimum grades of C- in GEND 219 and one of GEND 398, GEND 498, ANTH 308, ANTH 320, ENGL 368, PHIL 333, PSYC 370, SOCI 301, SOCI 430, or SOWK 433

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 302: Current Issues in Sociology | Sick People and Sick Places: On the Political Economy and Cancer Risk
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Andrew Patterson

This course explores how the political economy can affect population health, with special emphasis on cancer risk. Course work begins with a review of the traditional models for cancer prevention, which continue to receive wide support in health research. We then explore sociological modes of explanation for population health outcomes like cancer, which more directly involve politics and economy. Questions are addressed as to whether economic growth is ‘good’ for population health, what the post-industrial economy has to do with cancer risk and the role that business organizations play in abetting risk. The course considers opportunities to reduce cancer risk in society, such as social movements. Students conclude the course with a better understanding of how comparative cancer risk can be explained sociologically, as well as some possible solutions.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in any 200-level SOCI course

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 302: Current Issues in Sociology | Posthumanist Sociology
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS02
Instructor: Dr. Annaliese Pope

By tracing the roots of sociology to Descartes’ rationalism, this course begins by problematizing the development of sociology as a humanist field of study. In contrast, it examines and develops a posthumanist sociology in which human exceptionalism is decentered. In so doing, and by drawing upon the work of prominent posthumanist thinkers, this course poses questions such as: What does the category of human mean in the context of rapid technological change? Where do our identities and bodies begin and end in a virtual world? What does it mean to become human in relation to non-human animals with whom we share many capabilities? And, what ethical responsibilities do we have to critically interrogate and engage with these questions within the field of sociology?

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in any 200-level SOCI course

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 302: Current Issues in Sociology | Demons, Dictators and Serial Killers: Understanding ‘Evil’ in Society
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS03
Instructor: Dr. Susan Raine

What do we mean when we identify a person, movement, ideology or a behaviour as evil? What is evil? To what extent does consensus exist around definitions of it? This course investigates the ways in which scholars have attempted to answer these and other questions. Starting with religious perspectives, this course addresses an array of theoretical and applied approaches to the nature of evil from disciplines including philosophy, sociology, media studies and psychology. Offering historical and comparative case studies and examples, the course explores various conceptualizations of evil, including the following: demonic possession, mass atrocities, serial killers and capitalism. Integral to these discussions is an examination of our ongoing fascination with evil, as evidenced by our consumption of products associated with it (e.g., horror films and true crime literature).

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in any 200-level SOCI course

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 303: Contemporary Issues in Criminology | Canadian Police Reform
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS04
Instructor: Zara Zaidi

This course delves into the complex and evolving landscape of Canadian policing, exploring the multifaceted issues and challenges related to police reform faced by law enforcement agencies in the contemporary socio-political context. Through a critical examination of theoretical frameworks, empirical research and real-world case studies, students develop a comprehensive understanding of the challenges that shape reformative measures and strategies in Canadian law enforcement agencies. The course explores a wide range of topics, including but not limited to, community policing, police accountability, diversity and inclusion, use of force, mental health crisis intervention, technology and surveillance, indigenous policing and the impacts of globalization on law enforcement practices.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 225 and SOCI 227

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 303: Contemporary Issues in Criminology | Getting Out: Reintegration, Belonging and Life After Incarceration
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS05
Instructor: Alysha McDonald

Leaving prison is supposed to mark the end of a sentence – but for many people, it is just the beginning of a different kind of navigation. Reintegration is rarely a clean transition. Housing, employment, relationships, identity and ongoing supervision all shape what life after release looks like. This course examines reintegration in depth, drawing on theories of re-entry, desistance, identity and belonging alongside empirical research into how people experience and manage life after incarceration. We explore the structural forces that shape reintegration, such as poverty, racism and labour market exclusion, as well as the personal dimensions of rebuilding identity and finding belonging post-release. Together, these lenses help us understand reintegration as a complex and ongoing process. By the end of the course, students are able to apply key theoretical frameworks to real-world reintegration contexts, assess the research methods used to study post-release life and engage with competing ideas about what reintegration means and what it should look like.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 225 and SOCI 227

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 402: Special Topics in Sociology | The Sociology of Beauty
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Jordan Foster

This course interrogates beauty as a powerful social institution and axes of differentiation—one that organizes labor markets, structures gendered and racialized hierarchies, shapes intimate life and fuels global consumer capitalism. Moving beyond the idea of beauty as merely aesthetic or individual preference, we examine how it operates as a form of symbolic capital and an economic resource. To do this, we engages intersectional and critical race perspectives, examining how beauty standards are shaped by class, race, gender, age and disability.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in a 300-level SOCI course; individual instructors may require specific prerequisites.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 402: Special Topics in Sociology | The Sociology of Sound
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS02
Instructor: Dr. Annaliese Pope

Similar to many disciplines with Eurocentric roots, the field of sociology has privileged the visual through an ocularcentric understanding of the social. By instead prioritizing sonic and aural forms of engagement, this course introduces students to key terms and controversies in sound studies and examines the relevance of such approaches for sociology. Areas addressed include subjective and collective perceptions of sound, the impacts of sound on marginalized populations, the historical association of “noise” with different socioeconomic groups, relationships between sound and power within the social world and engagement with sonic data as a legitimate form of knowledge production and dissemination. We look at—and listen to—a range of examples in order to critically reflect upon sonic phenomena and perception in our everyday experiences within the social.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in a 300-level SOCI course; individual instructors may require specific prerequisites.

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice | Sociology of Prisons
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. William Schultz

Prisons play an important role in Canadian society, but few people know or understand what life is like in carceral settings. This course draws on the lived experiences of people who are incarcerated in and work in Western Canadian prisons. Critiquing widespread perceptions that prisons are “places apart,” we discuss how prisons are related to other social institutions and draw connections between incarceration and social problems including inequality and systemic racism. Specific topics include race, gender, drugs, gang membership, solitary confinement, prison subcultures and prison abolitionism. By the end of this course, students are able to list some of the unique challenges faced by incarcerated people and prison staff in Canada and are able to describe how and why these experiences impact rehabilitative success/lack of success. In addition, students are able to describe prison’s role as an ambidextrous institution—one that punishes with one hand and provides key social services with the other.

Note: This class was previously entitled “Life Experiences in Canadian Prisons.” Students cannot receive credit for both courses.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice | Social Movements and Police Reform
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS02
Instructor: Zara Zaidi

In recent years, social movements advocating for police reforms have gained significant traction globally. This course delves into the intricate dynamics between society and law enforcement agencies, examining the historical, cultural and political contexts that have given rise to various social movements seeking change in policing practices. Drawing on theories of collective action and social organization, students explore the evolution of social movements and their role in influencing policy changes related to law enforcement. From the civil rights movement to contemporary advocacy efforts, we analyze the strategies employed by diverse social movements and their impact on shaping public discourse surrounding policing and police reforms within the North American context.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Topics in Criminality and Criminal Justice | Hate Crime and Society: Understanding Hate, Hate Crimes and Responses to Hate
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS03
Instructor: Irfan Chaudhry

This seminar critically examines the intersections of hate, bias and discrimination within Canadian criminology and criminal justice. Students explore how hate is defined and understood through criminal law, human rights legislation and sociological theory. The course analyzes legal and institutional approaches to addressing hate‑motivated behaviour including policing practices, prosecutorial strategies and sentencing considerations within a Canadian context.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice | Religion and Crime: Moral Order and Sacred Violence in Secular Society
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS04
Instructor: Dr. Susan Raine

Whilst religion has often been cited as a protective factor against crime, contemporary research illustrates a more complex picture. This course begins by reviewing foundational and current scholarship that examines to what extent, and under which circumstances, religious affiliation acts or does not act as a preventative measure against crime. We then review research which assesses religious affiliation of persons upon entering prison, as well as conversion to religion once incarcerated. Addressing these dynamics provides insight into the role that religion plays in shaping how people re-enter society post-incarceration.

The remainder of the course focuses on religion as a contextual factor for crime. Religion has many unique characteristics that can facilitate and rationalize crime in ways that differ from secular settings. Hence, integral to the dynamics of religion-related crime are the impacts of religiously shaped institutional power, rigid religious patriarchy, religious obedience, unquestioning reverence of religious authority figures, abuse of authority, literal readings of sacred texts and secrecy. These criteria along with a broader understanding of the social significance of religion help elucidate the nature of serious religion-related crimes. Drawing on both historical and contemporary cases studies, several types of religion-related crime are discussed including the following: the physical and sexual abuse of children, polygyny, financial fraud and tax evasion, homicide, assault and other forms of violence. Such crimes can occur across religious types including in traditional world religions, denominations, sectarian movements and alternative religions or cults. This course focuses on North American examples although other global contexts may also be considered.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 403: Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice |Society, Radicalization and Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremism (IMVE)
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS05
Instructor: Dr. William Schultz

Terrorist violence, radicalization and ideologically motivated violent extremism (IMVE) are commonly covered in news media and in online discussion. However, the causes of IMVE are sometimes unclear and can seem senseless and pointless to outside observers. In this course, we examine historical forms of IMVE as well as modern scholarship on the topic. Topics include historical variations in IMVE, the role of the internet in shaping modern IMVE and how social theory can help us understand the differences between extremist group actions and so-called “lone wolf” terror attacks. In addition, we examine how IMVE interacts with other social features such as charismatic leadership, religion, social movements and political values.

Prerequisites: Minimum grades of C- in SOCI 227 or SOCI 327 and one of SOCI 303, SOCI 320, SOCI 321, SOCI 323, SOCI 324, SOCI 325, SOCI 326, SOCI 328 or SOCI 329

Permission Required: No

Course: SOCI 461: Advanced Topics in Social Inequalities | Labour Market Precarity Among Canadian Immigrants
Term: Winter 2027
Section: AS01
Instructor: Dr. Parvinder Hira-Friesen

This course examines immigrant participation in precarious employment within Canadian labour markets. Precarious jobs focus on newcomers employed in involuntary part-time work, multiple job holders and temporary workers. The course further assesses how Canadian immigrant employment in these types of jobs may result in lower earnings leading to wage disparities. Finally, the course examines government intervention and immigration policy reform for the economical integration of Canadian newcomers.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in one of SOCI 301, SOCI 261, SOCI 361, or SOCI 368

Permission Required: No