Sociology at Lakehead University

The study of Sociology emphasizes the social relationships between people, communities and cultures. By exploring fundamental sociological theories, contemporary thinkers, and a variety of research methods, you will have the opportunity to examine topics including:

• Health and Aging
• Marriage and the Family
• Crime and Deviance
• Media and Popular Culture
• Science and Technology
• Gender and Sexuality
• Education
• Northern Communities
• Discrimination
• Social Change 

Research and hands-on application is at the core of our programs. You will graduate with the necessary skills to facilitate quantitative and qualitative research and to think creatively and inquisitively in order to better understand social patterns, behaviours and issues. 

Our faculty is actively engaged in diverse areas of research such as Gerontology, Education, Health, Demography, Media, Work and Occupations, Social Psychology, and Northern Studies, providing you with well-rounded course options taught by some of the foremost leaders in the field.

It is our goal to enhance your knowledge of the society in which you live and to increase your ability to think independently and critically.  You will graduate with a strong understanding of social interaction, preparing you for success in virtually any profession.

The Lakehead Advantage

Our small department gives you access to professors and graduate students/teaching assistants as needed. We have an open-door policy and encourage you to take advantage of the intimate learning environment to increase your comprehension and foster networking opportunities. 

Due to Thunder Bay's large Aboriginal population and location in Northwestern Ontario, we regularly incorporate Indigenous issues into our course content, starting in first year. This equips you with the compassion and understanding to better engage with and support such populations both personally and professionally, a major advantage to numerous careers in the public and private sector.

Our courses utilize group work and collaborative learning, giving you regular opportunities to develop interprofessional skills needed to succeed in a sociology-based career. This departure from strict lecture learning gives you the ability to think independently and critically about sociological theory as well as the broad range of topics you will encounter.