ChairNorman Okihiro, BA, MA (Toronto), PhD (York), Professor
The Sociology/Anthropology department offers a joint undergraduate program in sociology and anthropology. The program’s offerings are diverse and well-balanced, with a cross-cultural, comparative focus and special strengths in the areas of gender, globalization and the life course. The Department’s program provides students with a solid grounding in and broad exposure to the allied disciplines of sociology and anthropology through a sequence of required courses. Building on a first year course that introduces students to the general scope of sociological and anthropological theory and practice, the program exposes students to both qualitative and quantitative methods including practical instruction in approaches to research and date analysis. SOAN majors also take courses in sociological and anthropological theory, giving them a chance to explore core ideas of the disciplines, and to develop and exercise their critical thinking skills. Beyond the core courses, majors have significant freedom to concentrate on various substantive areas through the selection of appropriate electives.
The Sociology/Anthropology Department also plays a significant role in providing required and/or elective courses to students in other academic programs at the University, including child and youth study, cultural studies, linguistics, education, family studies and gerontology, peace and conflict studies, political and Canadian studies, public policy studies, public relations and women’s studies.
The Sociology/Anthropology curriculum is designed to provide students with analytical, writing, research and presentation skills and to prepare majors for a variety of careers in social service, social policy and social research professions, and for graduate studies and other professional programs. Our program prepares students to be informed, active, and responsible participants in the increasingly complex social life of the modern world.
Admission Requirements
Review sections 2.1.4 Admission Requirements and 2.1.6 Additional Admission Requirements.
Major (20 Units)
Combined Major (20 Units)
Honours Degree (20 Units)
Concentration (4.0 Units)
Minor (3.0 Units)
Major (20 units)
The degree with a major is intended for those students with a clearly focused interest who wish to gain knowledge in depth of a single discipline.
Students intending to complete the major degree must declare their intention to do so before they register for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.
| Students must successfully complete 20 units with the following requirements: |
| ❏ | a minimum of 8.0 and a maximum of 10 units in the major as follows:
❏ SOAN 1101 (or SOAN 1102 and 1103)
❏ SOAN 2400, 3313, 3314, 4416
❏ a minimum of 5.0 and a maximum of 7.0 units of SOAN, 2.0 units of which must be at
the 3000 level or above
❏ a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 8.0 units of SOAN |
| ❏ | MATH 2208 and 2209 (see MATH 2208 for prerequisites) |
| ❏ | a minor consisting of 3.0 units as specified by the department offering the minor. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units |
| ❏ | students may choose a second 3.0 unit minor in any area that offers a minor |
| ❏ | 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under Bachelor of Arts (General Studies)
(exclusive of the major):
❏ Core A - Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
(Note: Core A is fulfilled by MATh 2208 and 2209)
❏ Core B - Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
❏ Core C - Humanities (1.0 unit) |
| ❏ | at least 9.0 units must be at the 2000 level or above |
| ❏ | Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives. |
Special Studies
Students may count a maximum of 4.0 units of directed/independent/research studies courses towards the degree, with no more than 2.0 units in any single discipline. |
Major CertificateStudents who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Arts (General Studies) degree may apply to do a major certificate. Students must fulfill the requirements for the major degree listed above.
Combined Major (20 Units)
The combined major degree is intended for those students who wish to gain in-depth knowledge of two disciplines. Students must declare a major or combined major before registering for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.
| Students must successfully complete 20 units. In order to complete a combined major in Sociology/Anthropology, the following requirements must be met: |
| ❏ | a minimum of 6.0 units and a maximum of 8.0 units in the Sociology/Anthropology combined major as follows:
❏ SOAN 1101 or (SOAN 1102 and 1103)
❏ SOAN 2400, 3313, 3314, 4416
❏ 2.5 additional units of SOAN at the 2000 level or above
❏ an additional 0.5 unit of SOAN at the 3000 level or above |
| ❏ | MATH 2208 and 2209 Note: Math 2208 and 2209 are required as co-requisites to SOAN 3313 and together fulfill the Core A requirement described below |
| ❏ | a second combined major specified by another program
(Biology, Canadian Studies, Chemistry, Cultural Studies, Economics, English,
French, History, Mathematics, Political Studies, Psychology, Women’s Studies) |
| ❏ | a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 6.0 units of each combined major |
| ❏ | at least 5.0 units of the 12 units required for the combined majors must be at the 3000 level or above |
| ❏ | 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under Bachelor of Arts (General Studies)
(inclusive of the major):
❏ Core A - Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
(Note: Core A is fulfilled by MATH 2208 and 2209)
❏ Core B - Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
❏ Core C - Humanities (1.0 unit) |
| ❏ | at least 9.0 units of the total 20 units must be at the 2000 level or above |
| ❏ | Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives. |
Students wishing to combine an arts major and a science major (e.g. Chemistry and English or Biology and Political Studies):
❏ must meet all of the requirements listed above
and
♦ to complete a BSc (Combined Major) primary science discipline plus secondary arts discipline
❏ must complete a minimum 12 units of the total 20 units in science disciplines
♦ to complete a BA (Combined Major) primary arts discipline plus secondary science discipline
❏ must complete a minimum 12 units of the total 20 units in arts disciplines
Honours Degree (20 Units)Students wishing to do an honours degree in sociology/anthropology must apply to the department.
| Students must successfully complete 20 units with the following requirements: |
| ❏ | a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 units in the honours subject as follows;
❏ SOAN 1101 (or SOAN 1102 and 1103)
❏ SOAN 2400, 3313, 3314, 4416, 4490, and 4499
❏ a minimum of 5.5 and a maximum of 7.5 units of SOAN, 3.0 units of which must be at
the 3000 level or above |
| ❏ | MATH 2208 and 2209 |
| ❏ | a minor consisting of 3.0 units as specified by the department. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units |
| ❏ | 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies)
(exclusive of the honours subject):
❏ Core A - Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
(Note: Core A is fulfilled by MATh 2208 and 2209)
❏ Core B - Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
❏ Core C - Humanities (1.0 unit) |
| ❏ | obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a grade of at least C- in 10 units of the required SOAN honours courses |
| ❏ | achieve a minimum of B- in the honours thesis |
| ❏ | obtain an overall GPA of 3.0 in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken |
| ❏ | Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives. |
| Note: First-class honours will be awarded to students who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better in 10 units in the honours subject and no grade below B- in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken. |
Honours CertificateStudents who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology/Anthropology may apply to do an honours certificated. Students must fulfill the requirements for the honours degree listed above and meet the University regulations regarding honours certificates.
Concentration (4.0 Units)
| To obtain a concentration in Sociology/Anthropology, students must fulfill the following requirements: |
| ❏ | SOAN 1101 (or SOAN 1102 and SOAN 1103) |
| ❏ | 2.0 units of SOAN at the 2000 level or above |
| ❏ | 1.0 unit of SOAN at the 3000 level or above |
Minor (3.0 Units)
| To obtain a minor in Sociology/Anthropology, students must fulfill the following requirements: |
| ❏ | SOAN 1101 (or SOAN 1102 and 1103) |
| ❏ | 2.0 additional units of SOAN |
The Department of Sociology/Anthropology does not accept Challenge for Credit.