Social Studies Courses

SOST 110 - Introduction to Mass Media
This course introduces students to analyses of the mass media of communication in modern societies.

SOST 201 - Statistics and Software for the Social Sciences
This course introduces students to the basic methods of statistics with applications in the social sciences and the use of computer software for data management, manipulation and (univariate and bivariate) statistical analysis. ***Prerequisite: Completion of 12 credit hours or SOC 100 or permission of the Department Head*** *Note: It is recommended that sociology majors take SOST 201 and 203 concurrently in the Fall semester.*

SOST 203 - Introduction to Social Research Methods
An introduction to the social research process and the ethical dilemmas faced by social scientists. A survey of the essential procedures for investigating social research problems, including writing literature reviews, stating testable hypotheses, specifying conceptual and operational definitions for relevant concepts, sampling, and selecting appropriate methods for data collection. *** Prerequisite: 12 credit hours or permission of the Department Head *** *Note: It is recommended that sociology majors take SOST 201 and 203 in the Fall semester.*

SOST 306 - Applied Methods: Quantitative Approaches
In this course, students will produce and analyze quantitative data, using a survey and other methods. Students will be introduced to computer programs and use these to assist in writing reports and papers that analyze the data. This class is intended for sociology majors. ***Prerequisite: SOST 201 and SOST 203, or permission of department head*** *Note: This class is intended for sociology majors*

SOST 307 - Applied Methods: Qualitative Approaches
This course is a practical exploration of the principles and methods of qualitative analysis, including interviews, focus groups, participant observation, content analysis, and discourse and media analysis. Students will design and conduct a research project. *** Prerequisite: One 200- or 300-level sociology course and SOST 203, or permission of Department Head. ***

SOST 800 - Graduate Seminar
A weekly seminar devoted to a discussion of special issues in interdisciplinary social sciences, reports of research projects, and presentations by students and faculty. Students are expected to register in the graduate seminar in two semesters.

SOST 801 - Interdisciplinary Issues in the Social Sciences
A framework for interdisciplinary studies in the social sciences, examining the roles of complexity, uncertainty, and change in areas of social reality not normally covered by established disciplines. An emphasis on conceptual and methodological integration, developing alternative forms of conceptualization, constructing interdisciplinary research questions, and devising unique research strategies.

SOST 811 - Social Research Projects
A research project to be supervised by faculty. The project could involve research within the University or be done in cooperation with government agencies or other groups outside the University.

SOST 880AE - Qualitative Methodology
A practical exploration of the principles and methods of qualitative analysis, including interviews, focus groups, participant observation, content analysis, and discourse and media analysis. Students will design and conduct a research project.

SOST 880AM - Community-Based Research: Approaches and Methodologies
This course is an in-depth examination of theoretical, methodological, and practical issues in the design and implementation of participatory community-based research for diverse contexts. It also investigates the role of community-based research in citizen-led social change.

SOST 880AN - Community Engaged Scholarship and Outreach
Community engaged scholarship (CES) is about research, learning, and methods for working in partnership with communities. It builds on learning from community development, the commons, community-based research and social movements. It brings students, organizations and communities together to produce research and action, synthesize existing work and mobilize knowledge creatively.

SOST 880AO - Advanced Qualitative Research Methodology
This course introduces graduate students to the practice of social research using qualitative methods. Emphasis is placed on both theory and application. Students will learn about several major methodological frameworks (e.g., ethnography, case study, participatory research) as well as concrete methods to collect and analyze qualitative data. *Note: Students may receive credit for one of SOST 880AO or SOST 890AY.*

SOST 890AG - Animals & Society
This course critically examines social relations between human and other animals. Key theoretical perspectives, including animal rights, animal welfare, and political economy approaches, will provide an interdisciplinary framework for understanding the complex role of animals in human society, including humans' use of animals for pets, food, clothing, research, entertainment, and other uses.

SOST 890AH - Applied Social Research in Gender and Food Security
This course is an exploration of the intersection of food (in)security and gender. Operating at three levels of inquiry (macro, meso, micro), the course examines international trade and other policy determinants of food (in)security with links to gender dimensions at the household level. The course involves an applied research component focused on food and gender issues in the province of Saskatchewan.

SOST 890AI - Gender, Media, and Representation
This course examines issues of gender and representation in contemporary media. The course begins with an overview of major theoretical approaches to gender/sex in the context of social inequality. Content analysis and discourse analysis methods will be used to examine gendered representation in contemporary media.

SOST 890AJ - Social Dimensions of Climate Change
This course examines the social dimensions of climate change vulnerability and adaptation from a sociological perspective. Key topics include: conceptual frameworks for understanding social dimensions of climate change; social differentiation (e.g., gender, race, class, geopolitical location) and climate vulnerability; vulnerability assessment methods; and policies for sustainable adaptation.

SOST 890AK - Sociology of Terrorism
A critical examination of the major theoretical perspectives on terrorism and an exploration of societal responses to terrorist attacks.

SOST 890AL - Gender, Culture, and Intersectionality
This course will examine the origins and development of intersectionality as a theoretical framework for feminist research. With particular attention to the intersection of gender and culture, the course will explore both the theoretical implications and methodological applications of the intersectionality framework. Course readings will focus on two connected questions: how has intersectionality been applied in empirical research to date, and what methodological possibilities does it hold for future research?

SOST 890AN - Ethics in Social Science Research
his course examines ethical issues in social science research with human participants. Assigned readings will cover the historical development of ethical review and the importance of ethical research. Contemporary ethical dilemmas, including those related to participatory action research and feminist research, will also be discussed. Course assignments include research project design and completing an application for research ethics review.

SOST 890AY - Advanced Qualitative Research Methodology
This course introduces graduate students to the practice of social research using qualitative methods. Emphasis is placed on both theory and application. Students will learn about several major methodological frameworks (e.g., ethnography, case study, participatory research) as well as concrete methods to collect and analyze qualitative data. *Note: Students may receive credit for one of SOST 880AO or SOST 890AY.*

SOST 890BA - Interdisciplinary Issues in Veteran’s Programming
This course examines issues confronting Canadian veterans from an interdisciplinary prespective. Areas for focus will include government programming, employment, homelessness and PTSD. Readings will draw upon disciplinary insights from public policy, psychology and sociology.

SOST 890BB - The Sociology of Exclusion
A directed readings and research course that engages students in in-depth analysis of a historical or contemporary case project involving racialization, and gender discrimination, making use of theory and concepts from the social sciences related to the issues of systemic and institutionalized discrimination.

SOST 890BC - Advanced Criminology: Indigenous Peoples and Criminal Justice
This course critically (a) examines the historical and contemporary issues concerning Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian criminal justice system (CJS) and (b) analyzes how factors such as racism and colonialism have contributed to inequalities and discrimination experienced by the Indigenous Peoples and in turn shaped their interactions with the CJS.

SOST 901 - Research
Thesis Research