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Streams

Professions, Occupations and Social Change

This stream introduces students to a variety of sociological perspectives on the changing nature of work and industrial/post-industrial organization in the contemporary economy. Students will be introduced to the classical foundations of sociology (Marx, Durkheim and Weber) as well as contemporary theoretical frameworks or "schools" of sociology: positivist/functionalist; hermeneutic/interpretative; critical theory; and Feminist theory.

This theoretical foundation will enable students to critically investigate a variety of perspectives on industrial relations, organizational behaviour, and class, race and gender stratification. In the contemporary context, students will examine:

  1. how domestic and international economic restructuring has transformed both domestic and international divisions of labour;
  2. the changing demands placed on governments with respect to health and safety regulations, labour relations, gender equality and compensation (e.g. pay equity); and
  3. the way in which power is distributed and administered within business organizations to 'mobilize the work effort'.

As they progress through this stream, students will be expected develop an ethical (or 'normative') analysis of these changes to industrial organization and the possibilities of alternative forms of institutional organization.

This stream may be of particular interest to students wishing to pursue careers in private sector or public sector management, especially human resource management. This stream will also be of interest to students thinking of pursuing graduate studies in sociology and/or business administration.

Course Requirements

BA Requirements

  • AP/SOCI 1010 6.0 Introduction to the Sociology OR
    AP/HUMA 1790 6.0 Business, Tradition and Culture
  • AP/SOCI 3600 3.0 The Sociology of Work and Industry
  • AP/SOCI 3615 3.0The Sociology of Occupations and Professions

An additional six credits from the following list:

AP/COMN 3311 6.0 Communication in Organizations

AP/COMN 3112 3.00

AP/SOCI 3490 6.00 Formal Organizations

AP/SOSC 3981 3.0 Diversity Issues at the Work Place

AP/SOSC 3993 3.0 Strategies of Social Science Research

AP/ADMS 3120 3.0 Gender Issues in Management

SC/MATH 2560 3.0 Elementary Statistics I OR

SC/MATH 1352 3.0 Statistics for Business & Society


Honours BA Requirements

In addition to the above, students must include at least six credits chosen from:

AP/COMN 4115 6.00

AP/PHIL 4150 3.00 Professional Ethics

AP/PHIL 4160 3.00 Topics in Business Ethics

AP/SOCI 4620 6.00 Issues in the Sociology of Work & Labour

AP/SOSC 4042 6.00 Research in the Community