Faculty of Social Sciences McMASTER UNIVERSITY

www.socsci.mcmaster.ca

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www.socsc i .mcmaster.ca

Social ScienceS

The Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University offers you an

educational experience of the highest quality. After our students complete

their studies, they enjoy considerable success whether they go to graduate

school, continue their education in some other way or enter the job market.

The flexibility of your first year in the Faculty of Social Sciences will help you

to discover your interests by giving you the opportunity to take courses from

a wide variety of disciplines. First-year courses are designed to provide an

overview of each discipline and to help you to choose a major (or majors)

best suited to your interests and learning style. Elective courses taken to

complement your studies may be selected from other Faculties, subject to

meeting prerequisites.

You should also feel free to make use of the extensive academic advising

offered through the Office of the Associate Dean. While some students have

well-defined academic plans, others are unsure of their academic interests

and may find it useful to talk to one of our academic advisors.

Inquiry As a first-year student you are encouraged to

complete Inquiry 1SS3. Taught in small classes of

30 students, it provides an opportunity for students

to learn how to ask good research questions, search

out and evaluate evidence, develop well-reasoned

conclusions and present outcomes to the class.

Research has shown that students who complete

Inquiry 1SS3 receive higher grades in university

courses, complete their degree on time and are more

likely to obtain the Dean’s Honour List standing.

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Develop After Level I you will further develop your academic

interests. The Faculty of Social Sciences offers

three- and four-year Bachelor of Arts and four-year

Bachelor of Social Work degrees. You can choose from

one (or two) of our innovative programs:

Anthropology

Economics

Geography

Gerontology

Health Studies

Labour Studies

Political Science

Psychology,

Neuroscience &

Behaviour

Religious Studies

Social Psychology

Social Work

Sociology.

Putting It All Together Hi-tech CEOs, university chancellors and others who know

the virtues of a social sciences degree have said:

‘our students develop a broad range of transferable skills

that adapt easily to a changing workplace.’

These skills include:

critical thinking

communication skills

problem-solving

research and data analysis skills

teamwork

confidence with presentations

abstract reasoning

expository writing

time management.

Experiential Education The Faculty of Social Sciences offers an education that combines academic study with hands-on experience – we call it

Experiential Education. This unique blend provides you with the opportunity to:

take our tuition-free course, Social Sciences 2EL0, which

provides an introduction to career planning through

experiential learning

participate in the diverse learning strategies used by

our award-winning professors, including: field trips,

simulations, computer-mediated experiments and

academic placements within the community

pursue a placement or practicum that allows you to

develop professional skills in the field while earning

academic credit

test drive your career choices before graduation

through our paid internships, career placements or

volunteer opportunities.

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Note: The last digit of the course code indicates the unit value of a particular course (e.g. 1A03 = 3 units).

Anthropology 1A03 Introduction to Anthropology: Culture and Society

An introduction to the comparative study

of culture and society. Anthropology began

as a discipline devoted to the study of the

ways of life in “primitive” or tribal societies.

The nature of anthropology has changed

in the last thirty years; today, the scope of

anthropology extends far beyond the few

remaining societies that have experienced

minimal cultural change. Examples are drawn

from a broad range of societies at all levels of

social and technological complexity in order

to explore some fundamental issues about

human knowledge and behaviour.

Anthropology 1B03 World Archaeology

An overview of the long-term archaeological

history of humanity, with an emphasis on

historical processes that include migration,

technological and stylistic change,

intensification of food production, social

differentiation and political integration. The

course will examine some of the scientific

methods and theories currently implemented

by archaeologists in their search for answers.

Anthropology 1Z03 The Human Species: Becoming and Being Human

The study of interaction between biology

and culture based on examination of human

biological variation and evolution, past and

present. The course takes an anthropological

approach to investigating humans within

the biological world; that is, it aims to study

humans as biological organisms who have

culture. Topics may include: human origins,

non-human primates, the concept of race,

disease, sex and gender. It will explore the role

played by culture, diet and disease in shaping

contemporary human biology and will ponder

the expanding human footprint on earth.

Economics 1B03 Introductory Microeconomics

Microeconomics is the study of the economic

behaviour of individual households, business

firms and the manner in which they interact

in the markets for goods, services and

labour. This course pays particular attention

to market structure (e.g. monopoly vs.

competition) and the roles of government.

The governmental roles considered include

those of market regulation (such as controls

for pollution and public utilities), provision of

services (such as health and education) and

income transfers (such as unemployment

insurance and public pensions). The goals of

the course are to help the student understand

why we have the types of markets and the

roles for government that we observe today

and what would be the consequences,

both good and bad, of alternative economic

policies. The course makes extensive use of

graphical analysis.

level i courSe DeScriptionS

Level I Program Students in Level I Social Sciences have a

great deal of flexibility in their course selection

from within the Faculty of Social Sciences and

from other Faculties across the campus.

Total = 30 units

Required: 12 units (from the Faculty of

Social Sciences)

Electives: 18 units

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Economics 1BB3 Introductory Macroeconomics

Macroeconomics concentrates on overall

economic activity and on such aggregate

measures as the unemployment rate, the

inflation rate and gross domestic product. The

main issue in this course is whether and how

changes in government expenditure, taxation

and monetary policies may affect the economy

in the short and long term. There is considerable

discussion of the policy choices involving such

issues as unemployment, inflation, government

spending and taxes, international trade and

others. The course makes extensive use of

graphical analysis and simple equations.

Geography 1HA3

Human Geographies: Society and Culture

This course provides an introduction to the

theories and methods of human geography by

providing an overview of the field and acts as

a foundation for subsequent human geography

courses. Topics covered include: culture

(including language, ethnicity and religion); cities

and urban society; symbolic landscapes; and

environment and health. There will also be an

opportunity to conduct fieldwork in the local area.

Geography 1HB3 Human Geographies: City and Economy

This course provides an introduction to the

theories and methods of human geography in the

area of urban/economic geography. The course

provides an overview of the field and acts as

a foundation for subsequent courses in urban/

economic geography. Topics include: world

population; environmental issues; theories of

location and world urbanization trends. There

will also be an opportunity to conduct fieldwork

in the local area.

Health, Aging and Society 1AA3 Introduction to Health Studies

Health, illness and health care are concepts

that have many social, cultural, political and

economic dimensions that go beyond the

biomedical perspective. This course will

focus on those issues through a critical social

scientific perspective. Themes may include

ways of understanding health and illness,

social justice and health and the politics of

health care systems.

Health, Aging and Society 1BB3 Aging and Society

This course examines issues in aging from a

multidisciplinary perspective including such

topics as: myths and stereotypes of aging, social

ties in later life and the aging of the Canadian

population. It provides a deeper understanding of

aging and the changing body, mind and self, as

well as the meaning and experiences, challenges

and opportunities of aging and later life.

Inquiry 1SS3

Inquiry in the Social Sciences

Inquiry is the art and skill of developing

understanding through the process of asking good

questions, searching out evidence and arriving

at well reasoned conclusions. In sections of only

30 students, the course will help develop critical

abilities in conducting an inquiry in the social

sciences. Students find these skills invaluable as

they progress in other university work. The course

is unique in that it takes the process of learning

to be crucial. It emphasizes a participatory

approach with the development of the ability to be

self-directed and features small group instruction.

Labour Studies 1A03 An Introduction to the Canadian Labour Movement

Why do some workers form unions while others

don’t? Why do some advocate reforming the

current economic system while others have

more radical political goals? How have workers

been affected by economic booms and busts,

political crises and war? This course will

explore these questions and more by examining

the history of the Canadian labour movement.

Students will look at how workers, by forming

trade unions and political parties, have shaped

working life, political participation, legal

employment rights and social welfare in Canada.

We will also examine how the earlier activities of

the labour movement continue to have an impact

on contemporary Canadian society.

Labour Studies 1C03 Voices of Work, Resistance and Change

How is work shaped by gender, race, class and

culture in a global world? How are workplace

cultures of community and resistance built? Do

they transform our experience of work? In this

course, questions will be raised about why work is

satisfying or not and under what conditions people

construct communities of work, at work. In order

to study these issues, the course will introduce

students to information on where people work,

the segmented structures of the labour market

and the changing form of employment relations

towards more precarious, risky jobs.

Political Sciences 1G06 Politics and Government

This course introduces students to the

theoretical and practical aspects of politics.

Students will develop an understanding of

the origins and significance of basic political

science concepts, such as democracy, citizens’

rights and responsibilities and political power,

among others. The course will also introduce

students to contemporary political issues, such

as controversies associated with Canadian

politics, international politics, multiculturalism or

the justice system.

Psychology 1X03 Introduction to Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour

This course explores the central theme that

rigorous research methods are required to

understand the broad topics of experimental

psychology. Students will explore learning

and cognitive functions, higher order

processes, social psychology, personality

and psychopathology through interactive web

modules, class reviews, weekly small group

discussions and live lectures.

Typical Timetable – Term I

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

8:30 am

9:30 am Psychology 1X03 – Introduction to Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour

(lecture)

Health, Aging and Society 1AA3

(tutorial)

Psychology 1X03 (lecture)

10:30 am Economics 1B03 – Introductory

Microeconomics (lecture)

Economics 1B03 (lecture) Psychology 1X03 (lecture)

11:30 am Health, Aging and Society 1AA3 – Introduction to Health Studies (lecture)

Health, Aging and Society 1AA3

(lecture)

12:30 pm

1:30 pm Sociology 1A06 – An Introduction to Sociology (lecture)

Sociology 1A06 (lecture)

2:30 pm Inquiry 1SS3 –Inquiry in the

Social Sciences (lecture)

Economics 1B03 (lecture)

3:30 pm Sociology 1A06 (lecture)

4:30 pm6

Psychology 1XX3 Foundations of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour

This course builds on the themes of Psychology

1X03 to understand that modern approaches

to problems in psychology use multiple levels

of analysis. Students will explore how methods

of neuroscience, evolution and behaviour

contribute to our understanding of sensory

systems and behaviours critical to survival

as we interact with the environment.

Religious Studies 1B06 World Religions

A study of the world’s major religious and

philosophical traditions, including Hinduism,

Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto,

Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The course

introduces major texts, thinkers and practices

to increase the student’s knowledge and

appreciation of these traditions and allows

them to develop a deeper understanding of the

academic study of religion.

Religious Studies 1D06 Modern Study of the Bible

This course is designed to introduce students

to the writings of the Bible, and to the study of

the Bible as an academic discipline. Substantial

portions of the Bible, in a modern English

translation, will be read. Attention will focus on

the circumstances in which, and the process

by which, various parts of the Bible came to be

written; also on how the Bible can be used to

illuminate the history of ancient Israel and

early Christianity.

Religious Studies 1J03 Great Books in Asian Religions

This course introduces foundational books of

the major religious traditions of Asia, including:

Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism and

Shinto, in their historical and cultural contexts.

Social Work 1A06 An Introduction to Social Work

Have you ever wondered how personal

problems are caused or affected by society?

Ever wanted to understand or do something

about injustice? This course introduces

students to new perspectives on current issues,

emphasizing the social context of what many

see as personal struggles. Students examine our

world, our communities and ourselves in relation

to issues such as poverty, violence, racism,

sexism, heterosexism and ableism. Students

will also consider the roles of social work and

social workers in service provision, advocacy,

organizing and policy development. The course

can provide a basis on which to decide whether

a career in Social Work is for you.

Sociology 1A06 An Introduction to Sociology

This course is designed to give students a

broad understanding of sociological inquiry.

The instructor will provide an overview of the

basic concepts and themes of sociological

analysis. Students will explore various issues,

such as deviance and crime, the world of work,

social movements, political organizations,

gender relations, race and racism, the family,

and popular culture.

Did You Know... The Department of Anthropology has a state-of-the-art ancient DNA laboratory, perhaps

the finest one of its kind in Canada?

Our department has long term involvement in applied HIV/AIDS research in the African

countries of Zimbabwe, Uganda and Malawi?

The Department has a new area of specialization in the Anthropology of Health?

Each summer, the department offers an archaeological field school at Dundurn Castle in

Hamilton? Students learn how to excavate an archaeological site and receive hands-on

instruction in such techniques as mapping, field recording and laboratory analysis.

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Admission to Level IIStudents must complete the requirements of any Level I program, including at least two

courses (6 units) from Level I Anthropology 1A03, 1B03, 1Z03.

Skills knowledge about biological, ecological and cultural factors that influence human behaviour

theoretical approaches and practical methods for enhancing cross-cultural understanding

an understanding of particular cultures and ethnic groups from a global perspective

skills in social research, qualitative interviewing and fieldwork

an understanding of the elements of human evolution and genetics

experience in writing both descriptive reports and analytical papers

the ability to analyze the root causes of social problems, and to work towards solutions with

people from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds

Anthropology today is part of an

interdisciplinary endeavour that studies

four dimensions of humankind: the past

of humanity, the cultures of present-day

peoples, the biological component of human

beings and language in a cross-cultural

perspective. It differs from other social

sciences in terms of its breadth (which is

global), its methods and its outlook, which is

comparative, humanistic and – increasingly –

both practical and applied. In the words

of Margaret Mead, a founding ancestor of

cultural anthropology, "never doubt that a

small group of thoughtful, committed people

can change the world. Indeed, it is the only

thing that ever has."

Focus of Study Our anthropology programs provide

grounding in the four sub-fields of

anthropology:

archaeology

biological (or physical) anthropology

cultural anthropology

linguistics.

anthropology

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economicS

Admission to Level II Students must complete the requirements

of any Level I program including Economics

1B03, 1BB3 and Math 1K03 (if Calculus and

Vectors 4U was not completed).

Did You Know... Members of the Department of Economics

participate in several major research

initiatives at McMaster:

The Research Institute of Quantitative

Studies in Economics and Population

The Program for Socio-Economic

Dimensions of an Aging Population

The Centre for Health Economics and

Policy Analysis

The McMaster Experimental

Economics Laboratory

The Public Economics Research

Data Laboratory

The Statistics Canada Research

Data Centre

The Offord Centre for Child Studies?

Research projects coming from these

initiatives support classroom discussions on:

the advantages of using tradable

pollution permits rather than pollution

taxes to effectively regulate the emission

of environmental pollution

effective ways to manage fisheries or

forest resources

the extent to which globalization limits

independent policy making by governments

in countries that engage extensively in

international trade such as Canada

how large will the pension and health

care burden be on today’s young

workers when the baby-boomers retire

sensible long-run targets for the size of

the Canadian government debt

the pros and cons for Canada of free

trade with the USA and Mexico

selecting the best taxes to cut from – among

the HST, income taxes and payroll taxes –

in order to help reduce unemployment.

Possible Careers Recent graduates have found employment as:

economic analysts

researchers

financial planners

economic forecasters

managers (government/business)

economic consultants.

Economics is the study of how individuals,

businesses and governments make decisions

and of how they might make better decisions.

Economists analyze behaviours in most

areas of human activity. What is the most

efficient and fair way to provide health care

and education? What are the benefits and

costs of free trade among countries?

What are the benefits and costs of

pollution control strategies?

Focus of Study Our general interest field courses, which

require only introductory economics as

a prerequisite, examine issues such as

those associated with public expenditure

and taxation policies, labour markets and

environmental regulation. More advanced

courses have additional prerequisites and

cover such policy areas as labour problems,

health care, natural resources, money and

banking, finance, industrial organization, the

aging society, international trade and finance

and development. Economics provides an

excellent preparation for graduate training not

only in economics but also in law, business

administration, public administration, health

administration and other areas.

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Possible Careers Recent graduates have found employment as:

Many others have gone on to graduate studies or professional programs.

Admission to Level II Students must complete the requirements of any Level I program including six units of Level I

Geography or Environmental Science courses.

Did You Know... McMaster’s School of Geography and Earth Sciences offers:

a state-of-the-art Geographic Information Systems (GIS) lab

an outstanding collection of more than 140,000 maps

access to Statistics Canada Research Data Institute?

Current research projects of the department’s faculty members include:

environmental issues in the Hamilton area

psychosocial impacts of exposure to environmental contaminants

the roles of the public in health-care decision-making

environmental health

urban economic and regional migration modeling

urban transportation energy use and emissions migration

integration of disabled persons in the workplace

teaching and learning in geography and environmental studies?

As a complement to lectures, students benefit from inquiry components in most courses,

methods courses (including geographical information systems), and a variety of field courses

and trips? Experiential education is an important component of the Geography programs.

environmental analysts

assistant controllers

GIS analysts

consultants

policy analysts

research assistants

teachers

urban planners.

Focus of Study McMaster offers Bachelor of Arts degrees

in Geography, Geography and Environmental

Studies and Geography and Another Subject

(Combined Honours). Upon entry into an honours

program in Level II students are required to

take two methods courses (Statistical Analysis

and Research Methodologies in Geography).

Students will also select courses from the

following themes:

GIS and Spatial Analysis

Urban Geography

Health and Population

Location and Transportation

Environment.

Human geography examines the spatial

organization of people and their activities. There

are three recurrent themes in human geography:

Humans and the land: the evolution of the

human world with reference to people,

their cultures and physical environments

Regional studies: the study of regional

variation in human societies

Spatial analysis: the study of why

phenomena are located where they are

and the explanation of spatial patterns of

human activity.

geography

“The need for an education in geography –

knowing where things are, why they are, and

why this knowledge matters – has always

been paramount in all societies. It is no

different today. Both geographic knowledge

and an appreciation of the value of geographic

perspective are essential to help individuals

and groups make sense of the changing worlds

in which we live.” William Norton, 2007

Focus of Study At McMaster, Gerontology is studied from a

wide variety of perspectives. We offer courses

on topics such as:

social aspects of aging

the aging mind

issues in aging families

social and health policy for an aging society

aging, work, retirement and pensions

images of aging in literature

aging and health

aging body

diversity and aging

aging and mental health

issues in long term care homes

research methods in gerontology.

Admission to Level II Enrollment in Honours Gerontology is limited.

Admission is competitive and is done through

an application process. To be considered,

students must complete the requirements of

any Level I program, including Health, Aging and

Society 1AA3 and 1BB3.

Strengths of the Program Faculty come from diverse academic

backgrounds with a wide range of

research interests and expertise

Provides a multi-disciplinary focus

on the study of aging and in-depth

knowledge on a wide range of topics

and issues in gerontology

Community professionals are involved

in the classroom, as placement

supervisors and as thesis advisors

Small class size allows for a high level

of student-faculty interaction and

fosters a “sense of community” among

students in the program

Experiential learning, with practical

and applied components, is available in

several courses

gerontology Gerontology is the interdisciplinary study

of aging, a fascinating and complex area

of investigation that requires integration

of biological, psychological, social, health

and economic knowledge. Gerontology

examines issues related to an aging

population and explores the meaning,

experiences and context of later life and

growing old.

Did You Know... McMaster was the first university to

offer an undergraduate Gerontology

program in Canada?

Health, Aging and Society 1BB3 students

have the opportunity to attend tutorials

led by older adults from the community?

Research interests of faculty who teach

Gerontology courses include: old age

security policies, health economics,

homecare workers and family inheritance?

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health, aging anD Society

Programs in Health, Aging and Society focus on the significance of health and aging in institutional and cultural contexts. The perspectives of

the social sciences are brought to bear on the diverse means and practices associated with health, aging and society.

Students will learn methodologies associated with the approaches, debates and representations of aging and health in a variety of context

(e.g., media, policy, literature). Special emphasis will be placed on the development of the students’ ability to critically analyze and interpret

information. In our Honours program two fields of study are available: Gerontology and Health Studies. There is also a BA program and a minor

in Health Aging and Society that combines the best of both areas of study.

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Admission to Level II Enrollment in Honours Health Studies is

limited. Admission is competitive and is

done through an application process. To

be considered, students must complete the

requirements of any Level I program, including

Health, Aging and Society 1AA3 and 1BB3.

Research Research interests of faculty who teach

in the program include:

the impact of environmental pollutants

on child health

cultural representations of health

and illness

migration of health care workers

social organization of cancer care

international comparison of disability

policy systems

complementary therapy use and health

care decision-making among people living

with HIV/AIDS

midwifery and maternity care

how religious beliefs influence and shape

illness and healing experiences

how social marginalization affects

people’s experiences of illness

rehabilitation policy.

Possible Careers Health Studies provides a solid basis for

informed engagement in community, cultural

and political contexts concerned with health

and illness. The skills that students learn will

be valuable preparation for many different

areas of work and study, including:

health-related occupations

other careers where health and health

care may be of interest, such as

journalism, public policy or law

further professional studies such as

nursing, social work or medicine

graduate studies.

Health Studies provides students with an

interdisciplinary background in the social and

cultural dimensions of health, illness and health

care. Health Studies examines the contributions

of Western medicine in the Canadian context,

explores other ways of understanding health

and illness, and examines health and health

care from an international perspective.

Focus of Study The broad aims are:

to introduce questions that social scientists

ask in the study of health and illness

to understand some of the implications of the

social and cultural study of health and illness

for health services and policies

to help students critically analyze and

interpret health-related information, debates

and representations in such contexts as:

the media, public policy, community activism,

literature and the arts.

Beyond first year, courses include:

Mental Health

Work and Health

Environment and Health

Ethical Issues

Disabilities and Chronic Illness

Health Economics

Social Aspects of Reproductive Health

Social Identity, Health & Illness

Health, Illness and the Body

Health Policy

Health in Cross Cultural and

International Perspectives.

As a minor, Health Studies complements

any four-year program.

health StuDieS

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Did You Know... students are able to become involved

in research projects with faculty?

The Labour Studies Online Learning

Centre (www.labourstudies.mcmaster.ca)

is one such student led project.

research activities of the unit are housed

in the Institute on Work in a Global

Society? Projects include:

- a major study of the relationship

between work organization and

heart disease

- the impact of globalization on social

cohesion amongst workers

- examining the treatment of contract

workers globally

- how reorganization of the public

sector has affected workers

- a study of international campaigns

to improve working conditions in

less developed economies

- work reorganization and work/family

balance in the public sector.

Honours students may complete a fourth-year

field placement course where they gain

practical experience in an area of interest?

You might:

sit at the bargaining table while GM

and the Canadian Automobile Workers

hammer out a deal

see what happens to workers when

a firm downsizes or introduces

new technology

help implement policies aimed at

reducing health and safety risks.

Possible Careers community outreach workers

international aid work

labour lawyers

human resource managers

union research officers

public policy analysts

arbitrators

employment equity officers

labour educators

A number of students have gone on to

law school, completed Masters in Industrial

Relations or the Masters in Work and

Society, taught by Labour Studies faculty

at McMaster.

Focus of Study Work is studied as one component of a

larger life experience that includes family life,

community relations, gender relations, and

state policy. The subject is broadly defined

to include those in paid and unpaid work,

and in traditional and non-traditional

workplaces. Course materials range from

medieval roots of modern labour markets to

discussions of how to deal with problems

created by globalization.

Admission to Level II Students must complete the requirements of

any Level I program including Labour Studies

1A03 and 1C03.

labour StuDieS

Labour Studies may be of interest to you if you would like to know: how work is changing in a global economy how unions are renewing themselves the impact of corporate strategies on workers how labour markets are being transformed how the role of women in the paid and unpaid

labour market is changing whether changes in the workplace are

improving the quality of life at work.

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Admission to Level II Students must complete the

requirements of any Level I program

including Political Science 1G06.

Did You Know... Some of our faculty research includes:

the impact of globalization and

the reasons for anti-globalization

demonstrations

racism and tolerance in the

United States and France

private non-governmental

authorities in the international

system (for example, private authority

of the internet)

restoration of the environment

around the Great Lakes

the political experience of refugees

reasons for economic success of

East Asia?

Political Science students have the

opportunity to combine theoretical and

practical learning:

in Political Science 3N06 Research

Methods, Statistics and Political

Analysis, as they conduct a general

social survey of the student body and

analyze the data

in Political Science 3S03 Local

Government and Politics in Canada,

when they visit City Hall and attend a

Council Meeting

when they attend various UN

simulations held each year around

North America?

Possible Careers journalists

policy analysts

data analysts

lawyers

media and communication

coordinators

political assistants

public affairs managers

human resource personnel

teachers

civil servants

Focus of Study The department covers all aspects of political science

with particular emphasis on:

Canadian Politics: public policy formation, social

movements, political parties, organized interests,

foreign defense and economic policy

Comparative Politics: theories of comparative politics,

methodology of comparative analysis, knowledge

of selected geographic areas and political systems,

human rights, regional integration and state policies.

International Relations: covering globalization,

international relations theory, international organizations

and international political economy.

Political Theory: examines political theory and the

questions and ideas that provide a basis for political

action. The major areas of study include the political

thought of the ancient Greeks, liberal-democratic

theory including theories of the market and the

political economy critique of liberal theory.

Public Policy: studies the way in which governments,

citizen groups, business, and other actors interact in

the development and implementation of government

policies. Students specializing in public policy learn

how to analyze government efforts to address public

policy problems.

political Science

Who gets what, when and how? Who rules? Where does the power lie in Canada? What drives globalization? Can it be stopped? In political science, we consider these and other questions in looking at the future of Canada and other countries around the world. We also look at issues such as justice, freedom and democracy and the relationship between individuals and governments. At the international level, students examine the cause of conflicts, the conditions for peace and the impact of regionalization and globalization on individuals and communities.

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Possible Careers Graduates are well prepared to pursue postgraduate training as well as

careers in medicine, neuroscience, law, speech and hearing pathology, clinical

psychology, forensics, business, teaching and environmental and biomedical

research. The types of entry-level jobs for which graduates are typically

prepared include those that use writing, analytical, people and research skills.

Admission to Level II Enrolment in the Honours BA program is limited. Students must complete

any Level I program including Psychology 1X03, 1XX3 with a grade of B- in

each and credit in Biology and Calculus.

For the BA program, students must complete any Level I program including

Psychology 1X03 with a grade of C- and Calculus must be completed by the

end of Level II.

Did You Know... The 90,000 square foot Psychology Building provides state-of-the-art

human and animal research facilities, including: an optical imaging

laboratory, a transgenic procedure suite, neurochemistry suites, a

computer lab, advanced eye-tracking and virtual reality systems,

equipment for transcranial magnetic stimulation and the largest number of

electroencephalography (EEG) systems in one department in Canada?

The Music Cognition Specialization is a new multidisciplinary program

which brings together science and the arts in a unique and innovative way;

studying questions about: the neural processing of music, the performance

and perception of music, how music induces emotional reactions and how

musical experience and training affect brain development?

Focus of Study Animal Behaviour: the use of ecological, evolutionary,

physiological and psychophysical approaches to

understand behaviour and cognition.

Cognition & Perception: Cognitive psychologists study

how people mentally represent their experience and

then use these representations to operate effectively.

Perception research seeks to understand how natural

and artificial stimuli interact with our sensory systems.

Developmental Psychology: is concerned with

factors that affect physical, perceptual, cognitive,

emotional and social development across the lifespan.

The relative contributions of innate and experiential

factors in development are studied.

Evolution & Social Behaviour: Evolutionary

psychology is where the study of social cognition,

development and behaviour is integrated with

the study of animal behaviour, physiology and the

evolution of behaviour.

Systems and Behavioural Neuroscience: The

question of how the brain works is a major focus of

this research area. Sensation, perception, learning,

memory, reasoning, emotion and all other aspects of

brain functioning depend on cellular communication

within the nervous system.

pSychology, neuroScience & behaviour

Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour is the scientific study of brain and behaviour. It covers topics from perception (how we see objects, process speed, hear music); to cognition (how we think); to emotion and social behaviour (how we feel, how we interact with others); to psychopathology (how and why does behaviour sometimes go wrong); to development and evolution (how organisms develop in various domains, the role of genetics in development, the role of environment) and how the brain develops and how experience influences its development.

15

Possible Careers The usefulness of a religious study degree is

not limited to those who seek employment in

religious organizations and may include:

community workers

journalists

teachers

religious educators

public relations officers

civil servants.

Focus of Study McMaster specializes in:

Asian religions: both religious traditions

and the religion and culture of the

geographic area

Biblical studies: the Jewish and

Christian Bible, scriptural themes, the

history of early Judaism or Christianity

Contemporary and comparative

religions: cross-cultural study of

religious phenomena including cults

in North America; health, healing and

religion; death and dying

Western religious thought: Christian

thought of all periods and the encounter

of religious thought (both Christian and

Jewish) with the science and secularism

of the modern world.

Admission to Level II Completion of any Level I program including

six units of Religious Studies courses.

Did You Know... Faculty in Religious Studies at McMaster

are engaged in research on:

anthropology of pilgrimage, focusing on

an unofficial Catholic pilgrimage shrine

in Brittany

technology and ethics

Buddhism, alcohol and tea in

Medieval China

new Jewish healing groups

Japanese religions

Buddhist monastic law

the emerging dialogue between theology

and the new physics and biology

the publication of the Dead Sea Scrolls

new approaches to Jewish-Christian

relations in late antiquity?

Religions have variously shaped peoples’

ideas of what is real and important about

themselves and the world; created institutions

such as temples, schools, synagogues and

churches; produced literature in which they

have recalled their history, instructed their

followers and poured out their devotion;

organized rites and rituals for the ordering

of both the continuities and the changes

of individual and communal life; crowned

kings and queens and inspired revolutions.

The study of religion, then, is one of the

most comprehensive ways of understanding

humankind and human visions of reality.

religiouS StuDieS

All known civilizations, cultures and nations

have been deeply affected by religion.

16

Admission to Level IIEnrolment in this Honours program is limited.

Students must complete any Level I program

including Pscychology 1X03 and Sociology

1A06 with a grade of B- in each and credit in

at least nine units of other Social Sciences

courses from the following list:

Anthropology 1A03, 1B03, 1Z03

Economics 1B03, 1BB3

Geography 1HA3, 1HB3

Health, Aging and Society 1AA3, 1BB3

Inquiry 1SS3

Labour Studies 1A03, 1C03

Political Science 1G06

Psychology 1XX3

Religious Studies 1B06, 1D06, 1J03

Social Work 1A06

Possible Careers behaviour analyst

career counsellor

health care coordinator

human resources specialist

marketing research

parole officer

teacher

volunteer services

Did You Know... Some of our faculty research includes:

child and adult development

human sexuality

intergroup relations

ethnopolitical conflict

relationship between psychology

and sociology

community versus individuality

the social and personal impact of,

and response to, economic crises?

Social Psychology students have the

opportunity to combine theoretical and

practical learning:

in Social Sciences 3ZZ3 (Complex

Problems From a Multidisciplinary Social

Psychology Perspective), as they examine

social problems from a multidisciplinary

social psychology perspective

in Social Sciences 4ZZ6 (Integrative

Studies in Social Psychology), when

they get to participate in a seminar,

an experiential education opportunity,

an internship, a group thesis, or some

combination of experiences which result

in a capstone learning opportunity?

Students examine various aspects of

social psychology from a multidisciplinary

perspective to gain an understanding of

how individuals behave, how small groups

and communities interact and how societies

develop practices and priorities.

Focus of Study Students will learn how to locate themselves

in the complex fabrics of their cultures, their

geographies and their power relationships.

Students who are interested in many social

science perspectives on how people develop

over the lifespan and how they behave

both individually and socially in different

environments and circumstances should

consider this program.

Social pSychology

17

Admission to Level II Social Work offers two limited enrolment

programs, a combined BA/BSW and a BSW

(for students who already have a degree).

The BA/BSW program requires:

completion of the requirements of

any Level I program with a minimum

average of 67%

one of: Sociology 1A06 or Social Work 1A06

six additional units from: Social Sciences I

courses, Indigenous Studies 1A03, 1AA3,

Women Studies 1A03, 1AA3

submission of an application form to the

School of Social Work by March 1st of the

year you plan to start the program, and

completion of the Social Work Admissions

Test (S.W.A.T.)

Aboriginal applicants may request an

alternative admission process.

For detailed instructions on applying and

dates for the S.W.A.T. go to our website

(www.socsci.mcmaster.ca/socwork/)

Experiential Education You will have two field placements during

your degree. Working in a community

organization you will:

gain real-life experience working with

service users and community groups

apply skills and knowledge acquired in

academic courses

understand how social organizations and

networks work

collaborate with other professionals and

learn social work values and ethics

learn from and be supervised by a

practicing social worker.

Possible Careers Social workers work with and for all kinds of

people – people living in poverty, people who

are ill, living with disabilities, experiencing

mental health difficulties or addictions, those

in conflict with the law, people who are

young or old, refugees, new immigrants and

Indigenous people. Social workers make vital

contributions to the community by working as:

counsellors and advocates

community organizers

administrators

social planners, researchers and

policy analysts.

Have you ever wondered how personal problems

are caused or affected by society? Ever wanted

to understand and do something about injustice?

Social Work might be for you. Social Work

emphasizes the social context of what many

see as personal problems. Social workers use

their skills and knowledge to facilitate change

with and for people who are experiencing

difficulties in their lives and who struggle with

the impact of injustice and oppression.

As social workers, we see personal troubles

as inextricably linked to oppressive structures.

We believe that social workers must be actively

involved in the understanding and transformation

of injustices in social institutions and in the

struggles of people to maximize control over

their own lives.

Focus of Study Our program prepares graduates for the

general practice of social work by developing:

how to analyze personal, community, family

and societal problems – including how social

work and social welfare institutions affect

and respond to these problems

practical skills such as interviewing,

counselling, community development,

social action and advocacy

Social Work

Admission to Level IIStudents must complete the requirements of

any Level I program including Sociology 1A06.

Possible Careers advertising consultants

business consultants

career counselors

health care coordinators

human resource specialists

job analysts

labour researchers

media consultants

parole officers

police officers/administrators

recruiters

social workers

statisticians

systems analysts

teachers

Did You Know... Sociology faculty excel in both teaching and

research? Our faculty are currently involved

in the following research projects:

community attitudes toward adoption

anti-sweatshop campaigns

Hasidic communities in Canada

aboriginal/non-aboriginal relations

the Ukrainian Diaspora

struggles around worker health and

safety in Ontario

women, restructured work and unions

the transition from school to employment

and changing forms of competition

among students

sociology of the internet/cyberspace

the popularization of the idea of

“globalization”

HIV/AIDS and alternative approaches

to health care

social construction of geological science

male cosmetic surgery

family inheritance

men’s filial care-giving

hockey violence

recruitment of foreign-trained

professionals.

At the core of sociology is a concern with

various types of social inequality and

movements for social change. Sociologists

study a wide range of issues in a way that

helps to explain the relationship between

our personal experiences and the wider

organization of society.

Focus of Study The Sociology Department at McMaster offers

expertise in six core areas:

Social Inequalities, which examines

inequalities based on race, gender and class

Individual and Society, which examines how

individuals are shaped by social processes

Work, Occupations and Organizations, which

explores organizations, paid employment,

domestic work and labour unions

Comparative Sociology, in which institutions

are compared across cultures and history

Sociological Theory, which provides the

conceptual tools for analyzing social life

Sociological Methods, which provides the

methodological tools for analysis.

Sociology

18

Sociology is the study of individuals,

groups, patterned behaviours, and social

institutions such as the family, education,

health and health care, the criminal

justice system, media, paid and unpaid

work, and politics.

tours .mcmaster.ca

viSitorinFormation

Regular Campus ToursCampus tours take about 1½ hours and are conducted by McMaster students. The entire

campus is covered in the tour including a visit to at least one residence building. Please note:

advanced notice of two to three working days is required

tours are available Monday to Friday, from October 4 to December 7, 2010

and January 10 to April 5, 2011

tour times are 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

campus tours may be scheduled on some Saturdays with at least one

week’s advance notice

campus tours are also available throughout the summer, from mid-May

to the beginning of August

You can meet students, staff and faculty, all who help define the distinct personality of

the University. McMaster offers many opportunities to do this, from simply spending a

couple of hours touring the campus to staying for a whole day and attending scheduled

activities during one of our special visit days. Please contact us in advance to book your

campus visit. This will ensure that we have time to make the necessary arrangements for

you. When you register for your visit you will receive details about start times, location,

where to park, etc. Remember parents and friends are always welcome to join you!

A visit is the best way to learn more about a university and get a feel for the campus.

Special visit eventsComplimentary parking passes

will be provided for registered

campus tour visitors upon

arrival. Please refer to your

tour booking confirmation

e-mail for further details. It is

best to enter the campus via

the Sterling Street entrance

(Central Campus). Directions

can be found online at:

www.mcmaster.ca/welcome/findus.cfm

To register for a campus tour,

contact the Student Recruitment &

Admissions Office:

Tour Portal tours.mcmaster.ca

e-mail liaison@mcmaster.ca

phone 905-525-9140 ext. 23650

fax 905-524-3550

Fall PreviewOctober 30, 2010

visit display areas and talk

with reps from academic,

service areas and student

groups in a relaxed and

informal Roam Around Session

tour the campus

March BreakMonday, March 14 –

Friday, March 18, 2011

regular campus tours

faculty-specific activities

available

be sure to register in advance

as group sizes are limited

May@Mac Saturday, May 7, 2011

University-wide Open House event

applicants will be sent information

in the Spring

includes campus bus tours, special

facility tours, sample lectures and lab

demonstrations, opportunities to speak

with professors, staff and students

Virtual Tour (tours.mcmaster.ca)Unable to visit McMaster in person? Explore our picturesque

campus via one of our online tours. You can take a Guided

Tour that follows the same route as an in-person walking

tour, create a personalized tour or simply explore major

campus hotspots. We also offer a basic version for users

with a slower internet connection or older computer.

Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA L8S 4L8

905 525-9140 ext. 23650

www.mcmaster.ca

Still have questions?ask.mcmaster.ca