Sociology MA and PhD students must take SOCY901 and SOCY902 (Sociological Theory and Methodology).
MA students are required to complete six courses. Students are registered in Pattern II (A) (Essay). At the end of the Fall Term, students may remain in the Essay pathway, or apply to pursue Pattern I or Pattern II (B). Entry to these is dependent on academic progress, a successful proposal, and supervision.
PhD students will complete four courses, a course in professional and pedagogical skills, a 2-part qualifying examination (written and oral), and a thesis in traditional or manuscript format to be defended before a committee of examiners.
With the approval of the Graduate Coordinator, students can choose to take elective courses from other departments who offer courses jointly with Sociology or arrange to take graduate level courses outside of the Department. Academic Calendar, Courses of Instruction.
All courses are generally completed during the first year of study: two or three in the fall term + two or three in the winter term.
2026-2027 Courses
For detailed course information, see the official 黄色视频 Calendar.
For details on course times and location please use .
SOCY901 Sociological Theory (3.0 Units). Required Course.
This course enables students to critically engage with some of the core positions and debates within contemporary sociological theory. It aims to provide an advanced forum for the examination and discussion of several varieties of theorizing in Sociology, the philosophical issues and problems intrinsic to the social sciences, the continued salience of classical traditions and the plurality of responses to them. Students will be encouraged to situate their own work within these positions, and most importantly be open to exploring the very different ways in which theory conceptualizes the social world and the possibilities of inquiry.
SOCY920 Advanced Issues in Socio Legal Studies: Criminalization, Social Control and Punishment (3.0 Units).
This course explores theories of criminalization, social control, punishment through an examination of contemporary punishment practices. Students will gain a theoretical foundation in the sociology of punishment and explore more recent innovations and developments in criminalization and punishment. This course moves beyond a narrow focus on prisons as spaces of punishment to consider the broader meaning, role and place of punishment in society. We will explore the empirical realities and the lived experiences of punishment in the community, in the criminal court process, and in custody, while reflecting on and analyzing the racialized and gendered nature of social control and punishment. The class will consist of in-person circle learning, reflection, discussion, reading, and activity-based learning.. Three term hours.
SOCY934 Rage Against the Machine: Technologies of Domination (Special Topics) (3.0 Units).
This course explores a range of special topics in the area of surveillance, critical big data studies, and/or digital media. Topics vary from year to year. See the Departmental Graduate Studies website for details.
SOCY902 Sociological Methodology (3.0 Units). Required Course.
This course deals with the main contemporary methodological approaches to the explanation of social phenomena. It will critically examine the strengths and weaknesses of the major strategies of social research (qualitative, quantitative and historical).
SOCY936 Intersectionality, Inequality, Power (Special Topics) (3.0 Units).
This course will offer an in-depth exploration of the complex ways in which power and inequality are produced and perpetuated. Drawing on foundational theories, such as colonialism, intersectionality, and network theory鈥攕tudents will explore how race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and other facets of identity converge and interact with historically rooted structures and institutions. Student will read works by Franz Fanon, Bruno Latour, Patricia Hill Collins, Judith Butler, Saba Mahmood, and Michel Foucault. Students will engage with these texts to understand the diverse frameworks scholars use to analyze power dynamics and inequality, and consider how and when to apply them to their own work. Throughout the semester, we will use these theories to examine inequality in domains like beauty, education, labor markets, healthcare, and criminal justice. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to explore specific themes or delve into other strands of inequality research based on their interests.
Under the supervision of an individual faculty member, students may conduct intensive reading in a research area not offered in core or elective courses. Readings are to be arranged in consultation with the faculty supervisor and accompanied by meetings during the term to discuss the readings and submission of written assignments.
SOCY 881,891,892,893,894,895,896,897
Once you have approval, you will need to print and complete with the course instructor an Application for Individual Directed Study. Once completed, you will need to sign the form yourself and arrange for it to be signed by the course. Return the completed, signed form to socygrad@queensu.ca