2024-2025 Sociology Undergraduate Chair
Why Study Sociology
Are you thinking of an undergraduate degree in Sociology? Consider these questions:
- How are crime rates changing and how can we make sense of those changes?
- How are the food choices we make related to the lives of people in developing countries?
- What do we mean by Indigenous justice and Indigenous knowledge? How are these concepts related to the lives of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people?
- How is immigration shaping our society? How do immigrants' life chances compare with those of people born in Canada?
- How do women with breast cancer make sense of their illness and their relations with others?
- Do increased educational opportunities lead to better job and social opportunities for all Canadians?
- What do we mean by addictions and what are the dimensions of addictions of various forms in Canada?
- How are transformations associated with new technologies and globalization affecting our lives and communities?
These issues describe just a few of the many areas covered by courses and research in Sociology. Sociology is the study of human social life, focusing on developing an understanding of changes in social structure and human interaction on an individual, societal, and global level. As the above questions reveal, the Department of Sociology at the University of Saskatchewan includes a diverse range of core programming in the discipline and more specialized program, research and outreach activities. We offer programs for Sociology majors leading to a BA 3-year, BA 4-year and, for those wishing to pursue graduate studies or other opportunities in the discipline, a BA Honours degree. We also have an array of programs to compliment to our BA degree program, including: Aboriginal Justice and Criminiology (ABJAC), Certificate in Criminology and Addictions Program (CCAP), as well as a minor in Law, Crime, and Justice. We also have an exciting new 2+2 program that enables qualified students to combine studies in Canada and China. This agreement is with the University of Saskatchewan and Huazhong Agriculture University in Wuhan, China.
What Can a BA in Sociology do for You?
After completing a BA in Sociology, there are two general routes you can take. You can apply for Graduate Studies, continuing with your academic studies and working towards teaching and research, or you can go out and work in areas that you have a passion for. A Sociology degree provides insight into different social factors like gender, social class, race, ethnicity, age, and education that can help you better understand your work. It can take you anywhere from being a police officer in the justice system to an advertiser in business or helping with community development. It gives you the skills needed to better understand your social surroundings and how structures work.
Our Programs
Sociology is the study of human social life, focusing on developing an understanding of changes in social structure and human interaction on an individual, societal and global level.
Scholarships and Awards
Value: $225
Number: Varies
Eligibility: Awarded to a graduate of the B.A. (Advanced) degree program and to a graduate of the B.A. (Honours) degree program. Selection will be based on academic achievement and participation and accomplishments in student government, departmental affairs and community involvement.
Apply: No application required.
Most Outstanding Graduate in Sociology Award
This award recognizes an undergraduate student, graduating with a BA degree, who demonstrates characteristics important to Sociology. An undergraduate student who communicates effectively and engages in discussions about society and social issues; thinks critically, analytically, and logically in relation to social issues and social problems; understands sociological principles, concepts, theories and the application of sociological methods to examine social behaviour, social issues, relations between individuals and societies, social diversity, social inequality and social institutions; and shows an awareness that social reality is experienced differently depending on the specificities of one’s social location, including the role of race (especially Indigenous identity), class, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability and other socially constructed identities and their consequences in shaping opportunities and life chances.
The Department of Sociology Outstanding Graduating Student Award acknowledges students who embody the above qualities and who have achieved a high academic standing in the final two years of their degree.
Nominations of graduating students are accepted from Sociology faculty, sessional lecturers, and instructors. Students are considered based on their nomination, overall average and average in their major, contributions to the program, and contributions outside of the program. This award is presented at the College of Arts and Science Awards Banquet in early June.
Recipients:
- Michelle Straus, 2024
- Stephanie Lenz, 2023
- Devin Pratchler, 2022
- Jasmine Doran, 2021
- Celine Beaulieu, 2020
- Susan Shacter, 2019
- Momo Tanaka, 2018
- Michayla van de Velde, 2017
- Zoe Johansen-Hill, 2016
- Justine Shenher, 2015
- Jessica Hoehn, 2014
- Kelsey Drayton, 2013
- Joshua Robinson, 2012
- Shirley Quinn, 2011
- Dean McIvor, 2010
- Krista MacLean, 2009
- Paul Spriggs, 2008
- Mitch Daschuk, 2007
- Rita Hamoline, 2006
- Claudia Boehm, 2005
Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) Outstanding Graduating Student Award
These awards recognizes two undergraduate students, graduating with 1) a B.A. Undergraduate Degree and 2) a B.A. Honours degree, who demonstrate characteristics important to Sociology. An undergraduate student who: communicates effectively and engages in discussions about society and social issues; thinks critically, analytically, and logically in relation to social issues and social problems; understands sociological principles, concepts, theories and the application of sociological methods to examine social behaviour, social issues, relations between individuals and societies, social diversity, social inequality and social institutions; and shows an awareness that social reality is experienced differently depending on the specificities of one's social location, including the role of race (especially Indigenous identity), class, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability and other socially constructed identities and their consequences in shaping opportunities and life chances.
The Canadian Sociological Association Graduating Student Awards acknowledge students who embody the above qualities and who demonstrate outstanding characteristics of citizenship and leadership through their involvement in the university and broader community through active membership in student-led organizations, agencies, groups, and/or social movements.
Nominations are accepted from Sociology faculty, sessional lecturers and instructors until April each year. Top students are considered based on: their nomination; overall average and average in their major; contributions to the program; and contributions outside of the program. Students receive an award certificate and letter of congratulations from the President of the CSA. Recipients are also acknowledged publicly on the CSA-SCS websites and the Department of Sociology, U of S website, after August 1st each year.
Recipients:
- 2024 Matthew Fenton (BA) & Muhammad Amir (BA Honours)
- 2023 Jade Bager (BA) & August Skrudland (BA Honours)
- 2022 Leah Houseman (BA Honours)
- 2021 Shayla Batty (BA Honours)
- 2020 Celine Beaulieu & Nicole Pasloski (BA Honours)
- 2019 Maria Cruz (BA Honours)
- 2018 Momo Tanaka (BA Honours)
- 2017 Michayla van de Velde (BA Honours)
- 2016 Vita Andersone (BA Honours)
- 2015 Danielle Genest (BA Honours)
- 2014 Jessica Hoehn (BA Honours)
Student Resources
Undergraduate Academic Advising
The Sociology Department provides student advising on a drop-in basis every March/April. A schedule for the current years advising will be posted early March.
Prior to meeting with a faculty member, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- Be familiar with your Degree Works, as this is what you'll be working with when meeting with a faculty member. If you have questions about the degree program requirements for a BA 3-Year, BA 4-Year, and BA 4-Year Honours, please click here
- Have specific questions ready for your faculty member and don't hesitate to email these questions prior to the meeting! The benefit to this is that it gives the faculty member a chance to look up materials that they can prepare for your advising meeting
- If you have questions about a specific class in the department, look over the description of it in the Course and Programs Catalogue first. If this still does not answer your question, send an email to the faculty member who is best suited to answer. Example: If your question is directed about the benefits of taking a criminology focused class over a health focused class, you would want to talk to a faculty member whose research area is criminology and/or health
- If your questions are related to having the correct courses and credit units, specifically for graduating, please set up an advising meeting with Arts & Science Undergraduate Advisors
Academic
Student Life
- USSU - The University of Saskatchewan Students' Union
- ASSU - The Arts & Science Student Union
- ISSAC - The International Student and Study Abroad Centre
- ASC - Aboriginal Student Centre
- DSS - Disability Services for Students
- SECC - Student Employment and Career Centre
- Student Health Services
- Health & Dental
- Saskatoon City Transit