Course description

Independent study allows third-year students who have excelled in their studies to undertake a semester-long piece of research and writing under the supervision of a member of the sociology staff. The course is reserved for those who have enrolled in the extended major in sociology and/or who meet the following prerequisites: #4 of SOCY intro courses; #4 of SOCY2049 and SOCY2339; and #4 of SOCY advanced electives. Students should contact a member of the sociology staff at least four weeks before the start of semester, providing a one-page outline of their proposed research and writing. The topic must be approved by the supervisor. Once the topic is approved, the student should contact the Head of Sociology and indicate their intention of enrolling in SOCY3050. Before granting permission to enrol, the Head of Sociology will consider the value and scope of the project, along with the workload implications for the supervisor. Independent study is not normally approved if other electives are available to the student.

The independent study courses were initially designed for a) students who had excelled in their studies and wanted to get a taste of research by working independently on a small project with a supervisor and/or b) students who showed aptitude to undertake independent research and who had no electives left from which to choose in finishing their degrees. In recent semesters, students appear to be choosing independent study as if it were a general elective in their degrees. The problem for SOCY staff is that there is limited capacity to supervise these students. In suggesting the new course descriptions below, the aim is to ensure students applying for entry into these courses better understand their purpose.

Archived offerings