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Bachelor's Degree Program

Sociology

Why do people stop at red lights even when no one is around? Why do people often act "against their interests?" And why is society getting more unequal yet it’s more accepting of diversity? Do you think about how society affects your life and how you might make things better? Find out with a sociology degree. A sociology degree from the University of Regina is for you, if you are interested in:

  • Social life
  • Social problems
  • Social change
  • Social causes and consequences of human action

Study the pressing issues of our time. Develop an understanding of society and its problems by studying the intersection of topics like these:

  • Power
  • Inequality
  • Class
  • Gender
  • Race
  • Indigeneity
  • Communities
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Development
  • Agriculture and food systems
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Health
  • The media

U of R sociology professors focus on current issues. Engage with them in tough and controversial debates. Assist professors with their pressing research work, which is tied to key issues — social problems, social conflict and change. Become a better, more well-informed and involved citizen. Prepare for a wide range of sociology job opportunities.

Many of our sociology majors take part in U of R's Arts Co-operative Education Program, Arts Internship Program — as well as Undergraduate Teaching Fellowships — with work placements in businesses, government or community development organizations. Recent sociology co-op and internship placements include:

  • Planning, Performance and Policy branch of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Central Services
  • SaskEnergy
  • Government of Saskatchewan
  • Regina Intersectoral Partnership
  • SOFIA House women’s shelter
  • STOPS to Violence
  • UR Pride

What is Sociology?

With a sociology degree, develop skillsets employers need from the next generation of professionals:

  • Analytical thinking
  • Problem-solving
  • Quantitative and qualitative research
  • Effective writing
  • Interpersonal relationships and communication
  • Creativity and innovation

Former University of Regina sociology students now work as policy analysts and researchers in public service, trade unions and non-governmental organizations. Sociology degree graduates seek many career options in roles such as these:

  • Researcher
  • Public policy analyst (health, housing, agriculture and more)
  • Consultant
  • Public relations specialist
  • Labour relations officer
  • International aid and development worker
  • Non-profit program coordinator
  • Program manager
  • Social and community service manager
  • Urban and regional planner
  • Data analyst

Sociology Meet your faculty

Quick Facts

Program: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology
Length: 4 years
Offered Through: University of Regina Campion College First Nations University of Canada Luther College
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
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Why Study Sociology at the University of Regina?

Our faculty members bring diverse research and teaching expertise, a commitment to teaching, and a record of a continuing commitment to service to the university and the public. Students succeed in U of R's sociology program thanks to our long-standing tradition of supporting learning through effective teaching, supervision and mentoring. Join inspirational professors researching a wide range of areas, such as:

  • Rozzet Jurdi-Hage – Associate Professor and Department Head – Researching population health, community-based participatory research, community-engaged social and public policy research, risk, outcomes and prevention and safety, sociology of higher education, postsecondary students’ beliefs, experiences and outcomes, quantitative and mixed-methods research methods, critical realism. Read about Professor Jurdi-Hage's community-based participatory research with Regina Fire & Protective Services.
  • Robert Biezenski – Instructor and Co-op Coordinator – Researching analog theory and analog sociology, as well as sociological theory. Read Dr. Biezenski's article, "U of R prof explains the lure of 'Avengers: Endgame.'"
  • Amber Fletcher – Associate Professor and Academic Director of the Community Engagement & Research Center – Researching gender, sociology of disaster, environmental climate change, agriculture, rural communities, qualitative research methods, critical realism. Read about Professor Fletcher's Earth Day webinar.
  • Cindy Hanson – Professor – Researching gender and sexuality, intersectionality, active citizenship, feminist and non-formal adult learning, community engagement, and Indigenous policy related to Indian residential schools, which you can read about in this Globe and Mail article.
  • JoAnn Jaffe researches agrarian and rural political economy; rural households and communities; agri-food system knowledge; eco-social justice; food security; and international development in the Caribbean, Latin America, East Africa and Saskatchewan. Check out Professor Jaffe's CBC interview about her new book, Divided. 
  • Jim Warren – Adjunct Professor – Researching political economy of water and drought management on the Canadian prairies, impacts and adaptation related to climate change for rural communities, sustainable water, land management for western Canadian agriculture. Check out Professor Warren's article on affordable water prices in low-income households.
Get a solid foundation in sociology through courses such as:
  • Inequality and Social Justice: A sociological introduction to the origins and consequences of social inequalities.
  • Gender and Sexuality: Focuses on sexual identity, gender inequality and changing definitions of masculinity and femininity.
  • Sociology of Indigenous People in Canada: An introduction to the policies and legislation shaping the relations between Indigenous people and other Canadians.
  • Rural Societies: A sociological introduction to classic and contemporary perspectives on rural life.
  • Statistics and Software for the Social Sciences: Get an introduction to the data management software used by social studies professionals, including statistical analysis.
  • Environment and Society: A sociological introduction to the relationship between society and the natural environment.
  • Sociology of Development: Focuses on sociological theories of international economic, social and political development.
  • Power and Social Justice: Examines sociological perspectives on the impact of inequalities of power and wealth on justice and injustice in society.

Sociology Frequently Asked Questions

What clubs, campus events, and networking opportunities do sociology degree students participate in?

In the University of Regina's sociology program, you can join a group of undergraduate and graduate students in the Sociology and Social Studies Course Union. Work on committees such as:

  • Undergraduate Program Committee
  • Special Programs and Events Committee
  • Research, Travel and Scholarship Student Fund Committee
  • Public Relations, Promotion and Alumni Outreach Committee
That way, you can have a say in the sociology undergraduate program's direction. Students’ input has been invaluable as the Department works continuously to review, assess and improve its program and administrative procedures, and is one of many reasons U of R’s sociology undergraduate program remains so strong and relevant.
Are there teaching assistant and research assistant positions available?
Yes! Teaching assistant and research assistant positions are available. Every semester, there are several teaching assistant positions available to upper-year undergraduate students. Faculty members often hire Honours and senior undergraduate students as research assistants to contribute to their research. Honours sociology majors enjoy even more opportunities to present their research and receive feedback from faculty members.
Do you offer sociology scholarships?

Yes! The Department of Sociology and Social Studies offers many opportunities for research and travel funds, as well as awards for exemplary students.

  • Student Research Fund – Up to $1,000. Upper-year and Honours students in the active research phase of their program may apply for a research grant.
  • Travel Fund – Up to $1,000. Upper-year and Honours students may apply for this award to support travel related to their program of study or their research-assistant-related work, including support for conference presentations.
  • Dawn Gaetz Prize: The prize of $750 is awarded yearly for the most outstanding essay for a sociology or social studies undergraduate course within the fall or winter semesters.
  • CSA Outstanding Graduating Sociology Student: Canadian University Sociology Departments recognize their top graduating students. Departments select one top student in each academic level who has graduated or will be graduating in a given academic calendar year.

Sociology Program Concepts and Goals

U of R's sociology majors develop critical and analytical thinking skills, solve complex problems and perform research. Develop technical efficiency, effective reading, written communication and presentation skills to prepare yourself for a wide range of sociology job opportunities.

Study

Take courses like inequality and social justice, families, gender and sexuality, rural societies, global food systems and the environment taught by sociology professors who bring a diverse array of research interests and a long-standing tradition of supporting student learning, and who are ready to provide mentorship. Sociology professors will help you reflect on how what you learn in the classroom can be applied in life and in the workplace.

Engage

Present at a conference after applying for a $1,000 travel fund award. Research the sociology of agriculture and food, climate change and gender or political economy of resource extraction with a faculty of our department. Learn to use SPSS Statistics software and Qualitative Data Analysis software | NVivo.

Experience

Do an internship at Regina Intersectoral Partnership. Gain experience at a co-op at a government organization. Perform research with a professor to prepare for an advanced sociology degree. Our students graduate well-prepared — they've even won competitive scholarships at graduate levels.

Sociology Concentrations

Honours Designation

Complete your sociology degree in two ways:

  • Bachelor of Arts major in Sociology
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology

In the Honours sociology program, you'll get more concentrated exposure to sociology courses for a stronger foundation for future graduate studies.

Review details in the Undergraduate Calendar

What Can You Do With a Sociology Degree?

U of R sociology majors found careers at the following places, in the following industries, and more.

To explore minors that may be available in this program area, please visit the Academic Calendar or meet with your faculty advisor in the Academic Advising Office after you are admitted.

 

 

  • Senior Policy Analyst, Strategy and Innovation Branch, Government of Saskatchewan
  • Senior Evaluation Analyst, Early Childhood Program, Policy and Design, Ministry of Education, Government of Saskatchewan
  • Executive Director, Consultant Services, Office of Planning, Performance and Improvement, Ministry of Finance, Government of Saskatchewan
  • Provincial Administration Service Centre, IA Worker, Ministry of Social Services, Government of Saskatchewan
  • Executive Coordinator, Regional Services Branch, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Saskatchewan
  • Settlement Team Leader, Regina Open Door Society
  • Member Services and Public Engagement Officer, Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation (SCIC)
  • YWCA Regina Senior Director of Women's Housing
  • Program Advisor, University of Regina
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