Sociology BA Major or Minor

  • Program Length
    4 Years
  • Credential
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options
    Honours, Major, Minor
  • Fully Available at
    Nanaimo
  • Partially Available at
    Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)

Are you fascinated by the social behaviour of people? Consider a Sociology major!

Students in the VIU Sociology study program explore a breadth of issues and events from the past, present and future that shape society. Sociology covers every aspect of human existence, making the skills learned and understanding gained from this area of study carry over into almost any future career.

With an in-depth awareness of the inner workings of social behaviour from a macro level, Bachelor of Sociology students graduate with the tools to help make the world a better place with careers in social work, government, counselling, community affairs and international aid.

Program Overview

Sociologists seek to understand human behaviour and attitudes by examining how these are shaped by history, culture and a society’s political and economic arrangements. Sociologists examine how ‘macro’ issues such as race, class and gender, environmental destruction, and technological innovation are linked to the constraints and opportunities faced by individuals. Of central concern to sociology is the study of social inequality at the local, national and global levels. Sociologists also study how societies change and how such changes affect the life chances of individuals and groups. Sociological research spans a very wide range of subject areas including family, gender, aging, social movements, health, religion, population, science and technology, community development and the natural environment.

The B.A. Major in Sociology is a well-rounded program that provides students with a solid grounding in research methods, sociological theory and the core areas of sociological inquiry including inequality, gender, social change, political economy, family and the self in society.

The B.A. Minor in Sociology can be combined with a Minor in another discipline to fulfil the requirements for the B.A. degree. This is a flexible option that allows students to tailor a program best suited to their educational goals and career aspirations.

Requirements for a Major

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2 *Credits
SOCI 111 - (Introduction to Sociology)3
SOCI 209 - (Social Inequality)3
SOCI 250 - (Introduction to Social Research) or equivalent**3
Plus two additional lower-level SOCI courses6

* All required Year 1 and 2 courses must have a minimum average grade of “C+” with no grade lower than “C” in each course.

** Students with credit in SSID 250, CRIM 220 or PSYC 204 are exempt from SOCI 250.

Years 3 and 4Credits
SOCI 310 - (Foundations of Social Theory) or,
SOCI 312 - (Contemporary Sociological Theory)		3
Select one* of the following courses:
SOCI 350 - (Qualitative Research),
SOCI 351 - (Quantitative Research and Analysis),
CRIM 350 - (Qualitative Research Methods), 
CRIM 351 - (Quantitative Research Methods),
PSYC 300A - (Statistical Methods in Psychology I)
PSYC 304 - (Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology) or,
SSID 350 - (Qualitative Research)		3
Note: The above courses require a minimum grade of “C” in each course. 
A minimum of twenty-four additional credits of Sociology courses numbered 300 and above. 
Note: Up to nine of the required twenty-four minimum credits may be taken as experiential learning options (SOCI 391,SOCI 392, SOCI 393, or SOCI 499).
Note: Up to twelve of the required twenty-four minimum credits may be taken as some combination of experiential learning options or courses in other departments that are defined as suitable, as noted below.
Note: Up to nine of the required twenty-four minimum credits may be taken from course in other departments. Please check the departmental website or the department chair for a current list of courses, or check with the department chair to determine other suitable courses within these areas.		24

* Students may not receive credit in more than one of SOCI 350, CRIM 350, SSID 350 or PSYC 304. Students may not receive credit in more than one of SOCI 351, CRIM 351, or PSYC 300A.

Note: Many upper-level Sociology courses are offered on a three-year rotation. Students are encouraged to review the Sociology Department's course scheduling page for information on expected course dates.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2 *Credits
SOCI 111 - (Introduction to Sociology)3
SOCI 209 - (Social Inequality)3
SOCI 250 - (Introduction to Social Research)3
Plus two additional lower-level SOCI courses6

* All Years 1 & 2 required courses must be completed with a minimum average grade of “C+” and no grade lower than “C” in each course.

Years 3 and 4Credits
Select one of the following:
SOCI 310 - (Foundations of Social Theory) or,
SOCI 312 - (Contemporary Social Theory)		3
A minimum of fifteen additional credits of Sociology courses numbered 300* and above. 
Note: Up to three of the required fifteen minimum credits may be taken as experiential learning options (SOCI 391 or SOCI 499).
Note: Up to three of the required fifteen minimum credits may be taken from courses in other departments. Please check the departmental website or with the department chair for a current list of courses, or check with the department chair to determine other suitable courses within these areas. 		15

* Many upper-level Sociology courses are offered on a three-year rotation. Students are encouraged to review the Sociology Department's course scheduling page for information on expected course dates.

Recommended Electives

Electives from any Social Sciences discipline and from History are directly supportive of Sociology. Students planning a Major or Minor in Sociology should seek advice from the B.A. Degree Advisors.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit) 4,992.00
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Total 7,333.96
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $799.77 per credit) 23,993.10
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Total 26,335.06
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus