Psychology and Sociology
New Program
Brochure
Major Offered
The study of the behavioural sciences at Booth College is an interdisciplinary degree involving psychology and sociology. While these two disciplines traditionally reside in separate departments within universities, increasingly, some are bringing these disciplines together to integrate the study of human behaviour, individual and corporate. The discipline of psychology focuses on the processes of human development and behaviour at the individual level. The discipline of sociology focuses on the study of human activity in social settings of many kinds. This degree structure is not an attempt to blur the lines between the two classic disciplines, but to hold these two perspectives in tension and seek a deeper understanding of human behaviour as a whole.
Learning Objectives
The Behavioural Science program seeks to develop in its students the following intellectual abilities and disciplinary skills:
• A sound theoretical foundation in the fields of psychology and sociology;
• The ability to use basic research methodologies with a critical sensibility, including quantitative and qualitative methodologies;
• To demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of prevailing social forces and institutions and the fundamentals of human psychological development and behaviour;
• To gain a particular area of expertise appropriate to the undergraduate level of study;
• To be prepared for the pursuit of graduate studies in either psychology or sociology if so desired.
Program Requirements
• 48 credit hours in the discipline
• In addition to the above, the disciplinary courses as listed below must be completed. When courses appear in the core curriculum and in the disciplinary major they may be counted in the total for both areas. For example, PSY 105 Introduction to Psychology (6) fulfills both the core curriculum requirement for six credits of social sciences and the Behavioural Science requirement for the course.
PSY 105 Introduction to Psychology (6) (A)
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (6) (A)
BHS 100 Research Methods (3-3) (A)
BHS 300 Multivariate Statistics (3-3) (A)
BHS 499, Capstone Integration (3) (A)
A minimum of 27 credit hours in psychology and sociology at the 200 level or higher
A minimum of 12 credit hours in psychology and sociology at the 300 level or higher (including BHS 300 and BHS 499)
Course Planning
The degree requirements will be structured so that a student can follow his or her interests within the major. Some will prefer to concentrate on theoretical aspects of psychology; others will be more interested in human development. Some will acquire an interest in the physiology of psychological phenomena or the psychological foundations of deviance. Within the discipline of sociology some will choose to study social problems and urban issues, others will prefer to inquire about the sociology of crime, religion, education and other areas of inquiry to which sociology extends its reach.
What can I do after graduation?
Program Title: Behavioural Science
Program Head: Sherrie Steiner, PhD
Academic Staff: Sherrie Steiner, PhD (full-time), Cheryl Albas, PhD (sessional, sociology), Joseph Campbell, PhD (adjunct)