Â鶹AV

Sociology

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Sociology

Location

Location

  • Department of Sociology
  • Stephen Leacock Building, Room 713
  • 855 Sherbrooke Street West
  • Montreal, QC H3A 2T7
  • Canada
  • Graduate Program and Admission Information:
  • Telephone: 514-398-6847
  • Fax: 514-398-3403
  • Email: graduate.sociology [at] mcgill.ca
  • Website: www.mcgill.ca/sociology

About Sociology

About Sociology

The Department offers training leading to the degrees of Master of Arts in Sociology (Thesis and Non-Thesis), Master of Arts in Sociology - Development Studies Option (Thesis and Non-Thesis), Master of Arts in Sociology - Environment Option (Thesis) (not offered in 2011-2012), Master of Arts in Sociology - Gender and Women’s Studies Option (Thesis and Non-Thesis), Master of Arts in Sociology - Medical Sociology Option (Thesis and Non-Thesis) with the Social Studies of Medicine Department, Master of Arts in Sociology - Neotropical Environment Option (Thesis) (not offered in 2011-2012), Master of Arts in Sociology - Social Statistics Option (Non-Thesis); Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology, Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology - Environment Option (not offered in 2011-2012), and the Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology - Gender and Women's Studies Option.

We have particular strengths in the following fields: states and social movements, economy and society, social inequality (class, ethnicity, and gender), deviance and social control, and health and society. It has very high standards and an excellent record of placing students in both academic and non-academic careers from the University of Chicago and Berkeley to Stats Can and as CEGEP teachers. The Department has a stellar record of research publications and a lively graduate program, and we benefit from many new faculty appointments allowing us to contribute to the forefront of current issues. A large number of M.A. programs are offered. Fewer are offered at the Ph.D. level (see below). The Department houses the Social Statistics Unit. This has full access to the resources of StatsCan, with training for students to boot.

Availability of Funding

The Department offers a limited number of teaching assistantships. A full teaching assistantship shall consist of a maximum of 180 hours of work per term. Appointments for a full teaching assistantship span 15 weeks and involve an average of 12 hours per week.

M.A. Program Options

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) (48 credits)
This program provides excellent methodological training, but is principally designed for students who wish to gain a first experience doing original research. Some students have stopped at this stage, more have gone on to higher degree work. Researching and writing a thesis requires considerable effort, and this program typically takes two years to complete.
Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Development Studies (48 credits)
This program is for students with a particular interest in development, an area in which Â鶹AV is very strong. Researching and writing a thesis takes considerable time, and this program typically takes two years to complete. Students enter through one of the participating departments and must meet the M.A. requirements of that unit. Students will take an interdisciplinary seminar and a variety of graduate-level courses on international development issues. The M.A. thesis must be on a topic relating to development studies, approved by the Development Studies Option coordinating committee.
Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Environment (48 credits)
(not offered in 2011-2012)
Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Gender and Women's Studies (48 credits)
This interdisciplinary program is for students who meet the requirements in Sociology and who wish to earn 6 credits of approved coursework focusing on gender and women’s studies, and in issues in feminist research and methods. The student’s thesis must be on a topic centrally relating to issues of gender and/or women’s studies. Researching and writing a thesis takes considerable time, and this program typically takes two years to complete.
Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Medical Sociology (48 credits)
The Sociology Department has particular expertise in social inequality (class, ethnicity, and gender), deviance and social control, and health and society. The Department has a stellar record of research publications and a lively graduate program, and we benefit from many new faculty appointments allowing us to contribute to the forefront of current issues -- in particular those dealing with health systems and with policies concerning HIV/AIDS. The Department has an empirical bent, and we are proud of the training in qualitative and quantitative research methods and in research design that we require of our students. Our Social Statistics Laboratory allows students to make systematic use of quantitative data sources. This program is given jointly by the Department of Sociology and the Department of Social Studies of Medicine. Many students who have chosen this option have gone on to do further research, others to personnel work in the health services. Researching and writing a Thesis takes considerable time, and this program typically takes two years to complete.
Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Neotropical Environment (48 credits)
(not offered in 2011-2012)
Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)
This program is for both students who wish to continue from an undergraduate degree in sociology, and those who wish to enter sociology for the first time. Â鶹AV is an excellent venue because the program involves rigorous training in methodology. Academically inclined students have gone on to higher degrees, some at Â鶹AV and others at other universities; the training offered has allowed others to go to varied careers, not least as teachers in CEGEPs. This program is designed to be completed within twelve months.
Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) — Development Studies (45 credits)
This program is for students with a particular interest in development, an area in which Â鶹AV is very strong. Many students from this program have gone on to further research, but several have entered the world of non-governmental organizations -- with some going on to work for the U.N. Students enter through one of the participating departments and must meet the M.A. requirements of that unit. Students will take an interdisciplinary seminar and a variety of graduate-level courses on international development issues. The research paper must be on a topic related to development studies, approved by the Development Studies Option Coordinating Committee. This program is designed to be completed within twelve months.
Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) — Gender and Women's Studies (45 credits)
This interdisciplinary program is for students who meet the degree requirements in Sociology and who wish to earn 6 credits of approved coursework focusing on gender and women’s studies, and in issues in feminist research and methods. The student’s research paper must be on a topic centrally relating to issues of gender and/or women’s studies. The program is designed to be completed within twelve months.
Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) — Medical Sociology (45 credits)
The Sociology Department has particular expertise in social inequality (class, ethnicity, and gender) and in many issues relating to health and society. The Department has a stellar record of research publications and a lively graduate program, and we benefit from many new faculty appointments allowing us to contribute to the forefront of current issues -- in particular those dealing with health systems and with policies concerning HIV/AIDS. The Department has an empirical bent, and we are proud of the training in qualitative and quantitative research methods and in research design that we require of our students. Our Social Statistics Laboratory allows students to make systematic use of quantitative data sources. This program is given jointly by the Department of Sociology and the Department of Social Studies of Medicine. The program is designed to be completed within twelve months.
Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) — Social Statistics (45 credits)
The Sociology Department has particular expertise in states and social movements, economy and society, social inequality (class, ethnicity and gender), deviance and social control, and health and society. This program complements the basic research training with the application of statistical methods to Statistics Canada data (or equivalent). It requires a statistics-based research paper that will normally flow out of a paper written for one of the graduate seminars. Comparable to an article in a professional journal, the paper ought to focus on a clearly defined research problem, demonstrating familiarity with the most important relevant scholarly work and the ability to carry out research and organize the results of the research. The program is designed to be completed within twelve months.

Ph.D. Program Options

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Sociology
The Sociology Department has particular expertise in states and social movements, economy and society, social inequality (class, ethnicity, and gender), deviance and social control, and health and society. The Department has a stellar record of research publications and a lively graduate program, and we benefit from many new faculty appointments allowing us to contribute to the forefront of current issues. There are two ways to enter the program. Some students are fast-tracked, as Ph.D. 1 students: they take twelve substantive courses, in addition to various thesis requirements, and are fully trained in qualitative and quantitative research methods and in research design. Other students, typically those with an M.A. in Sociology are considered Ph.D. 2 students: they typically take six substantive courses, in addition to various thesis requirements -- although further courses may be required if their methodological skills do not meet the standards required by the Department. Our Social Statistics Laboratory allows students to make systematic use of quantitative data sources. All students must pass two area exams, and present a thesis proposal before turning to the thesis itself -- which may take the form of a single piece of research or a set of articles on a particular theme.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Sociology — Environment
(not offered in 2011-2012)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Sociology — Gender and Women's Studies
The Sociology Department has particular expertise in social inequality (class, ethnicity, and gender), deviance and social control, and health and society. The Department has a stellar record of research publications and a lively graduate program, and we benefit from many new faculty appointments allowing us to contribute to the forefront of current issues -- in particular in gender issues relating to social change in post-communist and developing societies. There are two ways to enter the program. Some students are fast-tracked, as Ph.D. 1 students: they take twelve substantive courses, in addition to various thesis requirements, and are fully trained in qualitative and quantitative research methods and in research design. Other students, typically those with an M.A. in Sociology are considered Ph.D. 2 students: they typically take six substantive courses, in addition to various thesis requirements -- although further courses may be required if their methodological skills do not meet the standards required by the Department. Our Social Statistics Laboratory allows students to make systematic use of quantitative data sources. All students must pass two area exams, and present a thesis proposal before turning to the thesis itself -- which may take the form of a single piece of research or a set of articles on a particular theme. This concentration is an interdisciplinary program for students who meet the requirements in Sociology and who wish to earn 6 credits of approved coursework focusing on gender and women’s studies, and in issues in feminist research and methods. The thesis or set of articles must relate to issues of gender and/or women’s studies.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2011-2012 (last updated Aug. 11, 2011) (disclaimer)

Sociology Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Sociology Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a standing equivalent to a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.3 or better out of a possible 4.0. The degree may be either in Sociology or in another relevant social science. In the latter case, applicants may be required to take some additional Sociology courses to fill gaps in their background.

The strength of an applicant's academic record is of primary importance in consideration of an applicant's dossier. For a detailed description of courses open to graduates and undergraduates, and of preparation required of Â鶹AV honours students, candidates should consult the Undergraduate Programs, Courses and University Regulations publication available at www.mcgill.ca/study.

All applicants are asked to submit two letters of recommendation and two original copies of their university-level transcripts along with an example of their written work. Applicants not registered at Canadian universities must submit with their applications the results of the Verbal and Quantitative aptitude tests of the Graduate Record Examination. Canadian students are also encouraged to submit the results of this test with their application. Arrangements to take the Graduate Record Examination should be made directly with the Educational Testing Service by visiting their website at . Certain students must submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL exam is 567 on the paper-based test and 86 overall on the Internet-based test (no less than 20 in each of the four component scores). For more information on whether the TOEFL is required please visit www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply/prepare/requirements/proficiency. International students can also contact International Student Services at 514-398-4349 for more information, or visit their website, www.mcgill.ca/internationalstudents.

Candidates who lack sufficient preparation in the social sciences, but whose academic record justifies consideration for eventual admission to the master's graduate program, must register for a qualifying year during which they are required to take courses to broaden their knowledge of sociology. Candidates must achieve a final mark of at least a B in these courses and an average in all courses of at least B+; in general, they must, in the opinion of the Department, have achieved sufficient preparation in the subject matter of sociology before they will be allowed to proceed with graduate work. All candidates are expected to have taken courses in statistics, research methods, and sociological theory at the undergraduate level.

Any prospective students are encouraged to contact faculty members that they may wish to work with to ascertain that they will be available and not on leave during the time at which they wish to study. If need be, they may feel free to contact the Chair of the Graduate Â鶹AV Committee to guide them.

The program of study is designed to give students an advanced understanding of a major field in sociology, of current methods of sociological research, and of some principal theoretic issues in the discipline. Three terms of residence study is the minimum requirement for a master's degree. For the doctoral program, three years is the minimum residency requirement for students entering at the Ph.D. 1 level (those students without an M.A.) and two years for students entering at the Ph.D. 2 level (those with an M.A.).

M.A. in Medical Sociology

The program is open to students with a social sciences, health professions, or health sciences background. It is interdisciplinary in nature and includes required courses offered by both participating departments as well as a research paper/thesis based on original research. For additional information concerning this program, please consult the Social Studies of Medicine section or the website, www.mcgill.ca/ssom.

Application Procedures

Application Procedures

Dates for Guaranteed Consideration

For dates for guaranteed consideration, please consult the following website: www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/programs. Then select the appropriate program.

Note: We are not willing to consider any applications to be admitted for the Summer term.

Please note that the dossier must be complete with ALL of the following information before the applicant will be considered for entrance to the graduate program:

  1. application form (submitted online);
  2. Statistics, Theory, Methods form (available at www.mcgill.ca/files/sociology/statstheoryandmethodsform.pdf);
  3. two original copies of undergraduate and graduate-level transcripts. Please provide two official translations if the original is not in English or French;
  4. two letters of reference on the departmental forms (available at www.mcgill.ca/files/sociology/letterofrecommendation.pdf);
  5. test results (if applicable) - Graduate Record Examination and Test of English as a Foreign Language. Minimum score for the TOEFL: 567 on the paper-based test, 86 overall on the Internet-based test);
  6. statement of academic background - a brief statement of the applicant’s interests and the areas of sociology he/she wishes to study at Â鶹AV;
  7. one or two samples of written work. This can be in the form of a graded paper or a chapter from a thesis and must be at least 15 typewritten pages in length translated into English or French.

Applicants must apply using the online application: www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

M.A. in Medical Sociology

Admission is granted by a joint admissions committee made up of representatives from Sociology and Social Studies of Medicine.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2011-2012 (last updated Aug. 11, 2011) (disclaimer)

Sociology Faculty

Sociology Faculty

Chair
Professor Michael Smith
Graduate Program Director
Professor Axel van den Berg
Graduate Â鶹AV Director
Professor Axel van den Berg
Emeritus Professors
Maurice Pinard; B.A., LL.L., M.A.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Johns Hop.), F.R.S.C.
Peta Tancred; B.A.(McG.), M.A.(Montr.), Ph.D.(LSE)
Professors
Alberto Cambrosio; M.A.(Sher.), Ph.D.(Montr.) (Social Studies of Medicine) (on sabbatical 2011-2012)
John A. Hall; B.A.(Oxf.), M.A.(Penn. St.), Ph.D.(LSE) (James Â鶹AV Professor) (on sabbatical 2011-2012)
Céline Le Bourdais; B.Sc.(Montr.), B.Sc.(Laval), M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Brown) (Canada Research Chair in Social Statistics and Family Change)
Anthony Masi; A.B.(Colgate), M.A., Ph.D.(Brown) (Provost)
Michael Smith; B.A.(Leic.), M.A., Ph.D.(Brown) (James Â鶹AV Professor)
Axel van den Berg; Kand.Doc.(Amster.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Morton Weinfeld; B.A.(McG.), Ed.M., Ph.D.(Harv.) (Chair, Canadian Ethnic Studies) (on sabbatical 2011-2012)
Associate Professors
Lucia Benaquisto; B.A.(SUNY, Albany), M.A., Ph.D.(Harv.)
Shelley Clark; B.A.(Virg.), M.A., Ph.D.(Princ.) (on sabbatical Winter 2012)
Kathleen Fallon; B.A.(Calif.), M.A., Ph.D.(Ind.)
Matthew Lange; B.A.(Carleton Coll.), M.A., Ph.D.(Brown)
Amélie Quesnel-Vallée; B.S., M.S.(Montr.), M.S., Ph.D.(Duke) (on sabbatical Winter 2012)
Steven L. Rytina; B.G.S., Ph.D.(Mich.)
John (Jack) Sandberg; B.A.(Hunter), Ph.D.(Mich.)
Elaine Weiner; B.A.(Grinnell Coll.), M.A.(Flor.), Ph.D.(Mich.) (on sabbatical 2011-2012)
Assistant Professors
Marc (Marcos) Ancelovici; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(MIT)
Giovani Burgos; B.A.(SUNY, Albany), M.A., Ph.D.(Ind.)
Jason Carmichael; B.A.(Ariz. St.), M.A., Ph.D.(Ohio St.)
Eran Shor; B.A., M.A.(Haifa), M.A., Ph.D.(Stony Brook)
Zoua Vang; B.A.(Penn.), M.A., Ph.D.(Harv.)
Adjunct Professors
Donald Hinrichs; B.A.(W. Md.), M.A.(Md.), Ph.D.(Ohio St.)
Ho Hon Leung; B.A., M.A.(Acad.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Catherine Montgomery; B.A.(Car.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Montr.)
Associate Members
Gregory Baum (Religious Studies)
Jennifer Fishman (Social Studies of Medicine)
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2011-2012 (last updated Aug. 11, 2011) (disclaimer)

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) (48 credits)

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Development Studies (48 credits)

The M.A. thesis must be on a topic relating to development studies, approved by the Development Studies Option (DSO) coordinating committee.

For more information, see Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Development Studies (48 credits).

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Environment (48 credits)

(not offered in 2011-12)

For more information, see Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Environment (48 credits).

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Gender and Women's Studies (48 credits)

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Medical Sociology (48 credits)

This program is given jointly by the Sociology Department and the Department of Social Studies in Medicine.

For more information, see Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Medical Sociology (48 credits).

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Thesis) — Neotropical Environment (48 credits)

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) — Development Studies (45 credits)

The research essay must be on a topic relating to development studies, approved by the Development Studies Option (DSO) coordinating committee.

For more information, see Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) — Development Studies (45 credits).

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) — Gender and Women's Studies (45 credits)

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) — Medical Sociology (45 credits)

This program is given jointly by the Sociology Department and the Department of Social Studies in Medicine.

For more information, see Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) — Medical Sociology (45 credits).

Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) — Social Statistics (45 credits)

The program complements disciplinary training with research experience applying statistical methods to Statistics Canada data (or equivalent). It requires a statistics-based research paper that will normally, but not necessarily, flow out of a paper written for one of the graduate seminars. ...

For more information, see Master of Arts (M.A.); Sociology (Non-Thesis) — Social Statistics (45 credits).

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Sociology

For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Sociology .

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Sociology — Environment

(not offered in 2011-12)

For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Sociology — Environment .

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Sociology — Gender and Women's Studies

Faculty of Arts—2011-2012 (last updated Aug. 11, 2011) (disclaimer)
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