History and Sociology Double Major

Applicants interested in the double major program in History and Sociology must apply for admission to one of the ten major programs (Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Language and Intercultural Relations, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology or Sociology), or to Undeclared Arts. Students are not admitted directly to a double major.

The Faculty of Arts accepts applications for transfer to a double major program in the second semester of studies. Approved transfer students commence studies in the double major program in second year.  Further details on the process will be provided by the Faculty of Arts during first semester.

Students will have the opportunity to develop proficiency in critical thinking, and enhance their ability to question, research, argue, understand, and communicate. Combining their studies in these two disciplines will allow them a unique set of skills to situate complex issues within a broader historical and structural context.

Students in a History and Sociology double major will:

• Explore a diversity of historical and contemporary issues using critical theoretical frameworks.
• Use historical and sociological methods to understand and analyse complex phenomena.
• Understand the impact of structural inequalities (e.g., gender, race, class, legal status) on individuals and communities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the socio-historical and global context of contemporary social relations and knowledge production, including ways in which a) structural inequalities and social injustice are manifested in individual and group identities; and b) social injustice, inequalities and identities have been legitimated, normalized, and institutionalized over time and c) people individually and collectively resist discrimination and inequality.
• Critically read, interpret, assess, conduct and evaluate research methods and methodologies used within sociology and history, while demonstrating an informed knowledge and respect for epistemological and ethical issues.
  
• Demonstrate social engagement by bridging academic thought and research in relation to practical challenges, policies and strategic organization in local, national and global communities and forums. Express the intellectual breadth to allow sociology specialists to explore new perspectives on identities, social relationships and the organization of social institutions.
  
  

Students in the History and Sociology Double Major develop proficiency in critical theoretical and methodological approaches, allowing them to make sense of historical and contemporary issues and events. A Double Major in History and Sociology prepares students to work in any field where people, communities, and cultures are important. Some students may wish to pursue careers in museums and the heritage sector. Graduate career paths may include education, law, data management and analysis, business, the public service, and non-governmental organizations. Graduates may also pursue academic research and teaching in areas such as History, Sociology, Law, Communications, Heritage Studies, or other inter-disciplinary programs.

The curriculum builds on a foundational year of interdisciplinary study in the Humanities and Social Sciences, followed by three years of more specialized study in History and Sociology. Students take a combination of 13 required and elective courses in History and 13 required and elective courses in Sociology, as well as 6 liberal studies courses.

Semesters One and Two: The first year is a Common Arts Platform, which is shared with the BA programs in Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Language and Intercultural Relations, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, and Sociology. They develop foundational understandings of the discipline through two introductory courses in each of History and Sociology. Students also acquire skills and knowledge in two foundational courses, Academic Writing and Research, and Critical Thinking, and choose additional electives from a broad range of areas to gain a broad, interdisciplinary base of knowledge, skills, and methodologies.

Semesters Three and Four: In second year, students are provided with foundational tools in theory and research methods through a Common Arts Platform course, Research Design and Qualitative Methods, an introductory course in quantitative data analysis, classical sociological theory, and a first course in Historian’s Craft. Students also acquire foundational knowledge related to the disciplines through courses in Indigenous perspectives on Canada, the city of Toronto, and elective courses related to equity and diversity and a range of historical topics.

Semesters Five and Six: In the third year, students develop their methodological skills through courses in archival research and advanced social research. More advanced courses in sociological theory and Historian’s craft allow students to sharpen their disciplinary understanding. Students will have the opportunity to put theories and research methods into practice by involvement in research projects seeking to discover something new about the world, and through elective courses in areas of study that interest them.

Semesters Seven and Eight: In their final year of study, students take two senior seminar courses (one seminar and a thesis course), as well as a senior capstone course in Sociology, where they will consider their studies in relation to future goals and plans. Elective offerings allow students to solidify their historical and sociological expertise and sharpen professional competence.

In order to transfer to the History and Sociology Double Major from any of Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Language and Intercultural Relations, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, or Sociology, students must:

1. have a CLEAR Academic Standing at the end of the Winter term of their second semester of studies; and
2. must have successfully completed SOC 105 and one HIS course numbered between HIS 100 and HIS 399, or one of HIS 461, HIS 462 or HIS 490. It is strongly recommended that students complete, in first year, both SOC 105 and SOC 107, and two HIS courses numbered between HIS 100 and HIS 399, or one of HIS 461, HIS 462 or HIS 490.

HST courses may be substituted for HIS courses with departmental approval.
 

Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions
History and Politics & Governance courses and PHL 214 are not available for credit.

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions
History and Politics & Governance courses are not available for credit.
 

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1:

One course from Table I (opens in new window)  (Humanities).
One course from Table I (opens in new window)  (Social Sciences).

REQUIRED GROUP 2: Two courses from the following:

Note: In the total degree, a maximum of four liberal studies HST courses may be substituted for HIS courses. 

PROFESSIONALLY RELATED: One course from Table I or Table III.  

PROFESSIONALLY RELATED: One course from Table III.

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 2: Two of the following courses, not previously taken:

Note: In the total degree, a maximum of four liberal studies HST courses may be substituted for HIS courses.

PROFESSIONALLY RELATED: One course from Table I, Table III, Table IV (History), or Table IV (Sociology)

Note: HIS and SOC courses cannot for credit toward Professionally-Related Table requirements.  

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies. (opens in new window) 

Begins 2021-2022

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One course from the following:

REQUIRED GROUP 2: One course from the following:

REQUIRED GROUP 3: One course from the following:

PROFESSIONAL: Two courses from History Table II (History) (opens in new window)    

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies (opens in new window) .

Begins 2022-2023

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One of the following courses:

PROFESSIONAL: Three courses from Table II (History) (opens in new window) 

PROFESSIONAL: Two courses from Table II (Sociology) (opens in new window) 

LIBERAL STUDIES: Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).