Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology

at Lakehead University - Thunder Bay Campus Canada

Social Work is a versatile and influential profession that facilitates positive change whether its working to develop social policy, assisting marginalized groups, providing counselling to individuals and families, or promoting social change.

Lakehead University's School of Social Work delivers a generalist undergraduate degree with a northern focus, based on an holistic view of social work practice.

Indigenous Learning
Indigenous Learning is an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural department open to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students. Borrowing from subjects including history, geography, anthropology and sociology, this program will examine societal structures and the ways the Indigenous population relates to mainstream populations in Canada.

Throughout our programs we aim to enhance your awareness of Aboriginal life experiences, culture and political issues. We focus on the current reality of Aboriginal Peoples as opposed to the traditional, anthropological approach. While history is a component of your Indigenous Learning studies, it will be within the context of lived implications in order to challenge assumptions and mistaken understandings about Aboriginal Peoples.

As a student you will learn 

• Archival research
• Census data analysis
• Cultural awareness
• Government record analysis
• Critical thinking skills
• Written and oral testimony and communications

Our Natural Science program is within the Department of Biology, yet does not require Chemistry and Mathematics prerequisites and contains less theory-based courses when compared to our traditional Biology programs. If you wish to apply, and acquire a basic knowledge of Biology, without pursuing the "career-scientist" route, Natural Science is for you. 

Following the completion of your Natural Science studies, you will: 

• Understand the basic principles of life systems and biological diversity 
• Demonstrate a high level of biological literacy 
• Understand the role and relationship of organisms in the environment 
• Exhibit advanced critical thinking and reflective experience skills 

Our program emphasizes field biology, and integrates many experiential learning opportunities including lab work and research internships. Each year you will have the flexibility to choose electives from other Faculties to supplement your Biology education, and gain a well-rounded and multidisciplinary understanding of living organisms and the environment. Careers in Outdoor Recreation often require individuals to have a basic biology knowledge. This program will enable you to obtain this training, and combine your Natural Science degree with an Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation.

As instruments of communication and discovery, languages open a window amidst the diversity of human experience. An understanding of multiple languages will continue to be in high demand well into the future and provide you with a powerful and marketable edge.

Lakehead's Languages program will offer you the chance to major in French as well as the possibility to explore the languages of Classics, Finnish, German, Spanish, Italian, and Native languages. In addition to achieving an advanced level of competency in a second language, you will encounter courses that encourage participation through research reports, oral presentations, and discussion on various socio-cultural and literary topics.

While Language studies are naturally associated with a career in education or interpretation/translation, there is virtually no career or profession in which the abiity to speak another language is not an advantage or necessity. Government agencies, business, health sciences, and industry are becoming increasingly aware of the advantages of hiring candidates who have a competency in two or more languages.

Undergraduate Degrees:

• BA
• BA/BEd
• HBA
• HBA/BEd (French)
• HBA (English and French)
• HBA (French and Philosophy)
• French Minor
• Spanish Minor
• Finnish Minor
• Certificate of French Proficiency
• Aboriginal Languages Specialist's Certificate

Social Work is a versatile and influential profession that facilitates positive change whether its working to develop social policy, assisting marginalized groups, providing counselling to individuals and families, or promoting social change.

Lakehead University's School of Social Work delivers a generalist undergraduate degree with a northern focus, based on an holistic view of social work practice.

Our courses blend in-class learning with field placements, in settings including correctional facilities, psychiatric hospitals, schools, or child welfare agencies, designed to develop critical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary skills.

As a student at our Thunder Bay campus, concentrations in Indigenous Learning, and Gender and Women's Studies are available to broaden your expertise within the field.

Our program is fully accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education and will provide you with a challenging and meaningful experience, applicable to a range of professional practice settings.

Women's Studies
The field of Women’s Studies has transformed dramatically since its introduction to Lakehead University in 1990. Alongside women’s experiences and gendered systems, you will examine elements of:

• Sexuality
• Queer Theory
• Law
• Masculinity
• Transnational Activism
• Ecofeminism
• Social Justice
• Pop Culture
• Embodiment

Through these topics and more, it is our goal to demonstrate how people are constrained by various ideological notions and how these notions can be challenged to facilitate equality.

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: Gender and Women's Studies Specialization
The Department of Gender and Women's Studies at Lakehead University is dedicated to furthering an understanding of the importance of gender as a category of analysis in scholarly inquiry. Through interdisciplinary instruction, you will critically assess the relevance of existing models of knowledge in reflecting gendered experience and scholarship.

The aim of the program is to encourage the development and integration of gendered teaching, learning, and research within the university community and the community at large. This Collaborative Master's program allows students to combine advanced disciplinary research with gendered scholarship from the interdisciplinary field of Gender and Women's Studies.

Lakehead University offers a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology. The master degree normally requires two years of full-time study.

As an exception to the general Master's regulations, applications to this program must be made by December 15.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.
The MA Clinical program strives to develop and nurture skills within students that are grounded in science, critical thinking, and ethics, so that they may serve as competent researchers, clinicians, and educators. The program adheres closely to the scientist-practitioner model of training and practice in psychology.  

Contrary to popular belief, the study of English is not simply about books. English is a wide-ranging field of study that uses textual analysis to dig deeper into our society and the world around us.

At Lakehead University, the flexibility of our English program encourages you to follow your own interests within the discipline. You’ll learn about the historical development of English language literature - from the Medieval to the contemporary period - as well as different theoretical approaches to the study of literary and cultural texts.

We offer a broad range of courses including:

• Poetry
• Film
• Popular Culture
• Creative, Academic, and Professional Writing
• Gender Studies
• Children’s Literature
• Fiction

Gender and Women's Studies
The field of Gender and Women's Studies has transformed dramatically since its introduction to Lakehead University in 1990. Alongside women’s experiences and gendered systems, you will examine elements of:

• Sexuality
• Queer Theory
• Law
• Masculinity
• Transnational Activism
• Ecofeminism
• Social Justice
• Pop Culture
• Embodiment

Through these topics and more, it is our goal to demonstrate how people are constrained by various ideological notions and how these notions can be challenged to facilitate equality.

Our Department of Women’s Studies takes an interdisciplinary approach to feminism. Our faculty members are prominent in the fields of feminist legal studies, women’s health, queer studies, cultural and new media studies and teach related courses that easily springboard our students into the Masters of Social Justice and related postgraduate programs, law schools across Canada, midwifery, policing, and many others.

As a Women’s Studies Honours student you are free to combine your studies with a joint major in Gerontology, Psychology, History, English, Indigenous Learning, Sociology, Outdoor Recreation, or Concurrent Education, as well as Concentration or Specialization options with Social Work.

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. 

The finance discipline of the Faculty of Business Administration offers a broad range of courses that are concerned with the financial sector of the economy. The courses are designed to prepare individuals entering management positions in corporate finance, investment management, banking institutions, international finance, and government agencies focused on private finance. Established in 1997, the Finance Major of the Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree Program now has graduates working in organizations across Canada as well as pursuing academic careers.

Finance is at the forefront of business strategy, penetrating all aspects of the business world. Finance has three distinct areas of focus - corporate finance, banking and investment management. With the purpose of maximizing the value of a firm, corporate finance involves obtaining and managing a firm's funds, seizing new opportunities, minimizing risk, and driving strategic change. Investment management involves making informed decisions about financial securities by utilizing bond pricing models, stock valuation techniques and portfolio management theory.

At the Faculty of Business Administration, you will learn how to make decisions about financing options and uncertain investment opportunities through case studies and application of theory on today's industry leaders. In addition, the many open business electives ensure that finance majors have a background in accounting and economics, while maintaining considerable flexibility to tailor the program in support of their career goals.

Government policies influence virtually every aspect of our lives, from housing to education to crime. Our Political Science program studies the institutions, ideas, practices, and power that shape government and policy at all levels. Students will gain a thorough understanding of political systems - with a particular focus on Canadian politics - and overarching notions of freedom, equality, and justice.

Our goal is to provide a well-rounded Political Science education by applying both theoretical and practical modes of analysis to examine sociological, economic, and historical contexts. If you have an interest in political systems abroad, you will also have the opportunity to explore the politics of America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Additionally, you will study:

• International Relations
• Political Theory
• Law and Politics
• Public Administration and Policy
• Indigenous Governance
• Comparative Politics