Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology

at Trent University Peterborough Canada

Politics shape everything society touches, influencing what we believe, how we live and what we do to create order in a chaotic world. In this program, you’ll learn to make a positive impact through shaping and influencing social policy, focusing on Canadian politics, world politics and political theory. You’ll find yourself debating and exploring ideas surrounding democracy and global politics, closely examining power relations and relationships between state, business, and citizens.

Resume Boosters:-

• Apply your learning to the real world through a community engagement project or political internship
• Get published – complete a fourth-year thesis under the supervision of expert faculty who are leaders in the field
• Go global and internationalize your degree (and experience) through a study abroad opportunity

With so many fascinating science programs offered at Trent, it can be difficult to know which degree to choose. If you’re interested in general sciences but haven’t yet decided on a specific program, this flexible first-year pathway is for you. Honours Science allows you to explore courses across various science programs before declaring a major or joint-major in your second year. You can even choose to combine different disciplines, taking courses from programs across both the sciences and arts.

Program Paths
Start in Honours Science in first year and move into the science program of your choice in second year – Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology… which major will you choose?

Politics impacts all aspects of life, and importantly, quality of life. In Political Studies at Trent, you will find yourself debating and exploring ideas around democracy and global politics as you examine power relations and relationships between the state, business, and citizens. It is exciting and enlightening to learn how these relationships influence each of our lives, and more broadly, political, economic, and social change nationally and internationally. Our small class sizes and interactive student-professor relationships build confidence, skills, and knowledge for a variety of careers.

Political Theory
Political Theory explores the ideas people use to understand and shape political life. Theoretical premises developed over centuries invest our assumptions, our choices and our rhetoric with meaning. Whether in a global or a Canadian mirror, we see ourselves as liberals, conservatives, neoliberals, socialists, Marxists, anarchists – perhaps postmodern or postcolonial - but always as members of a community. Political theory helps us grasp wider significance from the diversity of political ideas and events shaping our present and our future. Political theory also helps us invest those ideas with new and inspired meaning in the contemporary context.

An important field of study particularly in today’s social media-focused world, Sociology helps us achieve a greater understanding of the complex yet simplistic nature of humankind, and the societies in which we choose to organize ourselves. Rooted in the social sciences and inspired by a passion for social justice, Trent’s Sociology program engages students in understanding and acting on the consequences of social change. Through this degree, you’ll explore and question a diverse range of social topics, completing your studies with a heightened understanding of human relationships and society. A sociology degree is an excellent foundation for law school, teachers college, social work or similar programs.

Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies (Specialization):-

Small classes sizes allow you to make connections with professors and open doors to hands-on, undergraduate research opportunities studying homelessness, the criminalization of women, restorative justice, or the impact on Indigenous peoples.

For students pursuing an Honours Sociology degree, this standout specialization explores the study of crime and punishment, the influence of social inequality as a cause of crime, and how criminals and victims are treated by the criminal justice system. You’ll apply your sociological knowledge and potentially perform independent research on homelessness, the criminalization of women, restorative justice or the impact on Indigenous peoples.

This specialization is available to students pursuing a single or joint-major Honours degree in Sociology.

Resume Boosters:-

• Gain a solid foundation in legal research methodology and theoretical application that will prepare you for success in a variety of workplace settings
• Streamline and personalize your degree with a focus on crime and society
• Familiarize yourself with case law research by learning from and working with practising legal professionals
• Take a prison-based course that explore restorative justice in all contexts

With 220 million French speakers worldwide (projected to be more than 700 million by 2050), French language and knowledge of Francophone cultures has become a highly sought after and valuable skill. In this program, you’ll examine the diversity of Canadian and international Francophones. Through explorations of history, literature, cinema and contemporary topics, you will discover where the words, phrases and slang you speak come from and reaffirm yourself as a French-speaking citizen. French & Francophone Studies is about more than just learning a language. It’s also about understanding the world and culture that the language reflects. Enroll in the program’s co-op stream to experience the moments that describe French speak and society. Through co-op, you will hone skills through distinct three work terms, giving you the opportunity to explore French and Francophone topics and experiences in a variety of ways.

Resume Boosters:

• Explore your strengths and career interests, and graduate with 12 months of work experience (and income) through the new four-year B.A.co-op option, giving you the competitive edge for future job prospects.
• Enhance your language comprehension through French language events, public readings, and student-run mini-conferences
• Build global connections in Trent’s longest-established study abroad program as you refine your French skills in a European context in Nantes, France.
• Study languages more in-depth through a Concentration in Linguistic
• Access other language courses through the Trent Centre for Language and Linguistics – study Chinese, German, and Spanish, all with no background required

Trent’s joint major programs give you full license to create a degree that's uniquely your own, by combining courses in the arts, sciences, or professional programs. Have a passion for social justice? Combine your Politics degree with Gender & Women’s Studies. Interested in all things tech? Join Media Studies and Computing Systems. Mix and match programs that best appeal to your interests, preparing yourself for a future with more possibility.

Computing Systems
The ability to create, manipulate, and speak the language of computing systems has become some of the most valued skills applicable to almost every industry. Whether it’s a job that does not exist yet or current positions if you study Computing Systems at Trent, you’ll get a chance to develop your skills in designing, implementing, and integrating software applications.

Business
You want to become an innovative business leader or entrepreneur. No other program will help you get there better than Trent’s exclusive Bachelor of Business Administration. By examining corporate, self-employment, online, small business, and other business models, you’ll learn the fundamentals of leadership and management, gaining a deep understanding of the organization of business and its role in today’s highly-digital world.

In this program, the first-of-its-kind anywhere in North America, you’ll study a unique mix of Indigenous knowledge and Western teachings, learning from Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty, elders, guest speakers and other scholars.

IES brings together the principles of both Indigenous knowledge and Western science. Here, you’ll explore complex topics such as climate change, sustainable communities and Indigenous health and environment. By applying a cross-cultural approach, you’ll learn to generate solutions to the complex local, regional, national, and international issues facing Indigenous peoples and communities around the world.

Deepen your understanding of the regulation and expression of diverse forms of sexuality and its role in shaping societies across the world and through history. This specialization gives students a rich, multidisciplinary lens through which to understand the theoretical, creative and empirical aspects of sexuality. Graduate with the skills and expertise needed to succeed in a broad range of fields – from advocacy to law.

In this program, the first-of-its-kind anywhere in North America, you’ll study a unique mix of Indigenous knowledge and Western teachings, learning from Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty, elders, guest speakers and other scholars.

IES brings together the principles of both Indigenous knowledge and Western science. Here, you’ll explore complex topics such as climate change, sustainable communities and Indigenous health and environment. By applying a cross-cultural approach, you’ll learn to generate solutions to the complex local, regional, national, and international issues facing Indigenous peoples and communities around the world.

Resume Boosters:-

• Take hands-on environmental fieldwork courses in Trent’s 12 on-campus nature areas
• Lead a community-based research project and apply your knowledge to assist a local organization
• Volunteer with Trent Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Science youth outreach summer camp

Are you drawn to social sciences or humanities, but unsure which program you should apply to? The Honours Arts path at Trent is geared towards students like you, who want to explore a few different areas of study before declaring a major or joint-major in second year. Start your university experience through this first-year pathway and you’ll have the flexibility to combine different disciplines and take courses from programs across the humanities and social sciences.

Program Paths:-
Start in Honours Arts in first year and move into the humanities or social sciences program of your choice
in second year – English, History, Economics, Anthropology, Media Studies, International Development... choose from 30+ degrees.