Master of Arts in Sociology (Thesis-Based)

at Lakehead University - Thunder Bay Campus Canada

The Department of Sociology is committed to fostering the development of socially responsible citizens of the world. We offer a graduate program dedicated to enhancing students' knowledge of the societies in which they live, while increasing their ability to think independently and critically about important social issues.

MA in Sociology: Gerontology Specialization

The Gerontology Program collaborates with five departments including Sociology, to provide students with an innovative, interdisciplinary learning perspective. Students have the opportunity to access multifaceted resources and work together with complementary disciplines.

Research and theory in Gerontology is reviewed, and the thesis or major project taken in the collaborating academic unit will have a gerontological focus.

The MA Social Justice Studies is an innovative, interdisciplinary program. The program allows students to pursue a 4 FCE course based degree or, with the approval of the Social Justice Studies Committee, complete a practicum, a creative project, or a research project in lieu of the final 1 FCE of coursework. The program prepares students to work, research and advocate towards a more socially just society which values equality, solidarity and human rights and recognizes the citizenship of each human being.

The program has three streams: an MA in Social Justice Studies, a Specialization in Social Justice Studies, and an MA in Social Justice Studies with a Specialization in Women's Studies. Within the MA they may choose the course stream, a research project stream, a creative project stream, or a practicum stream.

History
The academic and professional pursuit of History is the process of bringing the past to life. The study of History encompasses all aspects of human experience, from wars to celebrity culture, and is constantly evolving as our knowledge and perspectives advance.

As a History student you will have the flexibility to pursue your own interests within the discipline and the ability to regularly collaborate with your professors due to our small class sizes. Our courses provide you with various approaches to the study of History and the necessary skills to analyze any issue within its historical context. You will examine historical topics from North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa and South Asia including:

• Aboriginal History
• Digital History
• Environmental History
• Gender History
• International Development
• Political History
• Medical History
• Military History
• Social History

Sociology
The study of Sociology emphasizes the social relationships between people, communities and cultures. By exploring fundamental sociological theories, contemporary thinkers, and a variety of research methods, you will have the opportunity to examine topics including:

• Health and Aging
• Marriage and the Family
• Crime and Deviance
• Media and Popular Culture
• Science and Technology
• Gender and Sexuality
• Education
• Northern Communities
• Discrimination
• Social Change 

Research and hands-on application is at the core of our programs. You will graduate with the necessary skills to facilitate quantitative and qualitative research and to think creatively and inquisitively in order to better understand social patterns, behaviours and issues. 

Our faculty is actively engaged in diverse areas of research such as Gerontology, Education, Health, Demography, Media, Work and Occupations, Social Psychology, and Northern Studies, providing you with well-rounded course options taught by some of the foremost leaders in the field.

It is our goal to enhance your knowledge of the society in which you live and to increase your ability to think independently and critically.  You will graduate with a strong understanding of social interaction, preparing you for success in virtually any profession.

Anthropology is the broad, multi-disciplinary study and documentation of humans, past and present. As an Anthropology student you will have the opportunity to study everything from stone artifacts and skeletal remains, to a community's economic structure and unique dialect. Our Department of Anthropology has four distinct sub-disciplines with many different topics to explore in each:

• Archaeology
• Bioanthropology
• Linguistics
• Socio-Cultural Anthropology

Our courses blend in-class lecture with seminars, labs and field work to provide you with a well-rounded background in both the theoretical and practical applications of your area of interest. You will have access to world-class laboratories and anthropological collections which have contributed to groundbreaking findings and been utilized by some of the foremost leaders in the field.

Lakehead Advantage
We are one of the only universities in Canada to offer a Bachelor of Science (Anthropology) and an Honours Bachelor of Science (Anthropology) in addition to the Arts stream. The Science stream is focused on more field and lab-based work with an emphasis on core science courses including Biology, Chemistry and Physics as well as Math and Geography. This unique and thorough curriculum will allow you to pursue a career in Anthropology or the sciences depending on your interests.

Our Department of Anthropology is widely recognized as a leader in undergraduate research and for producing world-class Anthropologists. Our faculty members are leaders in their respective field of study and regularly work with undergraduate students on special topics courses and projects. Our students have published papers and presented their findings at national archaeological conventions across Canada, with most of them winning a place on the podium for their innovation.

A student may enter, proceed in and graduate from the Honours BSc program in accordance with stipulations of the University Regulations section and Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies Faculty Regulations section of the Calendar. All course choices in fourth year must be approved by the department. For more information Click On

We have a range of laboratories housing world-class equipment, integral to research across the region. You will have access to these resources including:

• Environmental Archaeology & Paleoecology Laboratory
• LU GIS Laboratory
• LU Instrumentation Laboratory
• LU Map Library
• LU Paleo-DNA Laboratory
• Physical Anthropology Laboratory
• Zooarchaeology Laboratory

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Lakehead University is a general degree designed to prepare students for success in a wide range of careers in management. 

We now offer two MBA program options.

• The MBA is a 12–month (3 terms, full time) general degree designed to prepare students for success in a wide range of careers in management. 
• The MBA with Advanced Studies in Management is a 16-month (4 terms, full time) degree that enables students to supplement the core MBA content with specialized courses in a range of areas. 

The two versions of the program help students to develop a comprehensive and integrated knowledge of business and management functions and a deeper understanding of the business environment. Students develop analytical, decision-making, and communication skills and enhance their abilities to examine ethical considerations in business. This program achieves these goals through intensive and stimulating lectures, energetic class discussions, contemporary and relevant case studies, and experiential learning projects. 

Historians seek to bring the past to life with the understanding that what we know of the past is not static but constantly evolving. The study of history encompasses all aspects of human experience in all parts of the world, and recognizes that the lives of ordinary people are as full of interest and significance as those of famous leaders. Students of history become involved in the process of creating a shared understanding of past events, but also pursue areas of history which are relevant to their own concerns.

Our Master's program specializes in Canadian, European, and World History and offers the option of a Major Research Project/Paper, Course-Work, or Thesis Program. It provides an excellent preparation for further graduate studies at the Ph.D. level.

Psychologists share a desire to make a positive contribution to human welfare through understanding and influencing the thoughts, emotions, and behaviour of individuals. They are concerned with what motivates us, what social, physical, and biological factors affect us, and what makes us unique.

Our multidisciplinary approach to Psychology provides you with the opportunity to explore these topics and the inner workings of the brain through either an Arts or Science stream, depending on your academic interests. Whichever stream you choose, you will graduate with the objective tools to develop theories, test them through scientific experimentation, and develop new knowledge through comprehensive research methods.

The breadth of study within our Psychology program is what sets Lakehead University apart. Throughout your undergraduate degree, you will gain at least one credit of exposure to all elements of the disciplines and sub-fields including Biological, Cognitive-Affective, Individual, Social, Abnormal, and Developmental, in addition to your stream electives.

Computer science combines the intellectual challenge of a young discipline with the excitement of an innovative and rapidly expanding technology. Computer science has been an active area at Lakehead University for over 25 years. The department resides in the University's Advanced Technology and Academic Centre (ATAC), a striking building that houses many of the University’s computing activities. Faculty, staff, and students are equipped with state-of-the-art computing facilities including smart lecture rooms, labs, and a variety of computing technologies (e.g. Virtual Reality, Parallel Computing).

The Master's program in computer science provides an opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of advanced knowledge in the discipline. Students benefit from a selection of advanced courses and a chance to pursue research that aligns with their interests and aspirations.

Two program options are available to students; each option maintains a balance between coursework and research:

• Master's by Thesis, which requires fewer courses and involves a more substantial research project
• Master's by Project (2 years), which involves courses aligned with the IT industry needs and also includes a limited research project
• Master's by Course, which involves more courses and includes a limited research component

Co-op Information

• A graduate student will normally be admitted to the co-operative program option after completion of two terms, for a starting date in May. Students are expected to obtain an aggregate of 80% or more and must have taken at least 4 half credit courses (excluding non-credit courses, project and thesis).
• Co-op employment for 8 months (two terms) must be successfully completed to satisfy the co-op requirement for the degree. 
• Students interested in a co-op placement should inform the Department's Co-op Advisor at least four months in advance of the proposed date of the placement (e.g., by late December for placements beginning in May). The Department's decision as to the suitability of each candidate will be based primarily on academic performance. 

Mathematics seeks hidden patterns that help us to understand life and the complex problems that surround us. This discipline of numbers, quantity, and space can be applied to many fields and industries, from Life Science to Finance. As a student in our Department of Mathematics, you will develop advanced analytical and critical thinking skills in addition to: 

• Research techniques 
• Scholarly writing proficiency 
• Comprehensive understanding of mathematical structures 
• Mathematical proof formulation and solution skills 

Mathematics is a very diverse and intellectually stimulating field of study. In addition to our traditional Mathematics programs, we offer Mathematical Physics and the flexibility to combine your Mathematics degree with a degree in Education, Economics, or Physics. You will benefit from our small class sizes, world-class faculty, unique research opportunities, and the ability to pursue mathematical topics you find most appealing.

The Faculty of Education at Lakehead University offers a Master of Education program designed to meet your professional and academic goals and interests. Our Master of Education (MEd) program provides you with a unique learning opportunity, which addresses the current landscape of both education and research.

MEd: Gerontology Specialization
The Gerontology Program actively collaborates with the Faculty of Education to provide you with an innovative, interdisciplinary learning perspective. You have the opportunity to access multifaceted resources and work together with complementary disciplines.