Announcements

Above and Beyond

Edwin Hodge As a sessional instructor in Sociology, Edwin has gone above and beyond in his contributions to undergraduate teaching and community-building in the department. A student observed that Edwin has “gone leaps and bounds in the Sociology Department to help make sure that students not only succeed but flourish in the classroom environment. Iman Fadaei As an international graduate student in Sociology, Iman has gone above and beyond in advancing research on “how the human ‘self’ is being transformed due to digital technologies.” A faculty member also commended Iman for being a strong “advocate for graduate students” through service as PhD representative in Sociology, PhD representative for the CSPT program, International Teaching Assistant Consultant (LTSI/iTAC), and elected representative for Sociology on the Graduate Students’ Society Council. Congratulations on receiving this award, and thank you so much for all of the ways in which you have gone above and beyond in your contributions at UVic!

Distinguished Women Scholars Lecture - Dr. Emily Huddart Kennedy

Dr. Emily Huddart Kennedy is an expert on civil society’s engagement in environmentalism. In this lecture, she will talk about political polarisation over environmental protection, arguing that everyone cares about the environment, but when we critique and demean others’ relationships with the environment, we fail to recognize that important common ground.

Sign up for Social Sciences Co-op!

Have you finished your first year of studies? Now’s the time to apply to co-op to gain paid, hands-on experience related to what you’re studying. Find out what you love by test driving career options, building a career network, and earning a salary all during your degree! Find out more about why co-op could be right for you at uvic.ca/coopandcareer/apply. Your deadline is coming up! Social science students must apply to co-op by September 20.

Learning Assistance Program

The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) is based out of UVic’s Centre for Accessible Learning. With all university classes recently moving online, many students may feel overwhelmed as they cope with changes to their coursework. The LAP runs a fee-based specialized tutoring program and learning assistance program, as well as a free program called Study Solutions. Recognizing the challenges students are facing this term in the face of unideal circumstances, we wanted to look at ways in which our program could reach a wider range of people who may benefit from extra support.

Moving Trans History Forward 2021

The Moving Trans History Forward conferences are not just for scholars, or just for community people. MTHF conferences are a unique blend that create opportunities for cross-fertilization among members of the general public; students and faculty; artists; activists; Trans, Nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and other gender-diverse people; family members; allies; and service providers. Conferences consider both our history, and the crucial issues which impact us today, and into the future—locally, nationally, and globally.

Statement Against Racism and Police Brutality and in Defense of Social Justice

Our department is committed to social justice, equality, and equity. In alignment with this commitment, we must take a stand against the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbrey, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and George Floyd in the United States, and Regis Korchinski-Paquet, Jason Collins, Eishia Hudson, and D’Andre Campbell in Canada.

Learning Assistance Program

The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) is based out of UVic’s Centre for Accessible Learning. With all university classes recently moving online, many students may feel overwhelmed as they cope with changes to their coursework. The LAP runs a fee-based specialized tutoring program and learning assistance program, as well as a free program called Study Solutions. Recognizing the challenges students are facing this term in the face of unideal circumstances, we wanted to look at ways in which our program could reach a wider range of people who may benefit from extra support.

Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards Fair

The Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA) program was established in 2009-2010 by the Vice-President Academic and Provost. The goal of this award is to encourage undergraduates to pursue innovative and original research to enhance their learning while at the University of Victoria and to provide a valuable preparatory experience towards graduate studies or a research related career. The Division of Learning and Teaching Support and Innovation (LTSI) administers the award process on behalf of the Provost’s Office. JCURA is directed at undergraduate students from all disciplines and who meet the following eligibility requirements: ◾full-time third or fourth year undergraduate student (normally registered in 12 or more units of study in the winter session) ◾excellent academic standing (normally with a minimum sessional GPA of 7.0) ◾satisfy the general regulations of Student Awards and Financial Aid This award experience allows students to be mentored by a faculty supervisor. Each academic unit is eligible for one to three student nominations per year, depending on the number of students in the unit. Successful student applicants receive $1,500 credited directly to their UVic fee account.

Department of Sociology Colloquium Series presents Dr. Jason Beckfield

Jason Beckfield is Professor of Sociology, Chair of the Department of Sociology, and Associate Director of the Center for Population and Development Studies at Harvard University. He researches the connections between political institutions and social inequalities. His book Political Sociology and the People’s Health was published in 2018 by Oxford University Press. His book Unequal Europe: Regional Integration and the Rise of European Inequality was published in 2019 by OUP. At Harvard, Jason teaches courses on social inequality, population health, globalization, and quantitative research methods.

Lansdowne Lecture - Dr. Jason Beckfield

Jason Beckfield is Professor of Sociology, Chair of the Department of Sociology, and Associate Director of the Center for Population and Development Studies at Harvard University. He researches the connections between political institutions and social inequalities. His book Political Sociology and the People’s Health was published in 2018 by Oxford University Press. His book Unequal Europe: Regional Integration and the Rise of European Inequality was published in 2019 by OUP. At Harvard, Jason teaches courses on social inequality, population health, globalization, and quantitative research methods.

In Memoriam: Zheng Wu

Zheng Wu passed away on August 27 in Victoria, after a short period of illness. He was a longstanding professor of sociology at UVic (1992-2019), department chair from 2006-2011 and past president of the Canadian Population Society. He retired from UVic on July 1, and had planned to extend his gerontology research as Tier I Canada Research Chair in Aging and Health at SFU. Zheng’s research interests reached across numerous demographic topics, with a long-held emphasis on family demography. His recent research program was concerned with trends and patterns of aging population in Canada, focusing on union formation and dissolution in later life, and physical and psychological wellbeing of older adults. His other research areas include immigration, social integration, and race and ethnicity. Zheng was an accomplished educator and scholar. Over his career, he published over 100 books, edited volumes, chapters in books and peer-reviewed journal articles. Zheng is survived by his wife Lanjing Li, brother Jun and sister Fei. At his request, no funeral is to be held after his death.

Abolishing Corporate Crime: The Trump Chapter

Corporate Crime, unlike corporate harm, is inherently political. It must be “named”, “shamed”, “blamed”, and most importantly counted, measured, reported and disciplined by state institutions. By the same token, it can be eliminated by political fiat. From the 1980s on, as governments bought into neoliberal doctrines, regulatory agencies in most capitalist democracies have been variously downsized, privatized, and starved of resources and staff. With the election of Donald Trump, however, this agenda in the United States has exploded. Federal laws protecting workers, the environment and the economy are all threatened—not just with downsizing but with outright elimination. This lecture documents the Trump agenda as it has been practiced thus far in these three areas, then attempts to understand, through critical theory, how and why this has happened.

Dr. Cecilia Benoit awarded a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Fellowship

Congratulations to Dr. Cecilia Benoit has been awarded a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Fellowship. The foundation fellowship will fund Dr. Benoit's work across Canada with sex workers in week-long transformative learning sessions held at local sex worker agencies for her project, "Beyond the 'Missing Women Inquiry': Empowering Sex Workers as Social Justice Advocates."

Doctoral oral examination announcement: Mohammad Nasser Jahani Asl

Mohammad Nasser Jahani Asl, PhD candidate, will be defending his Doctoral dissertation on Thursday, August 24, 2017 (10:00 a.m., Clearihue Building, Room B007). The dissertation is titled "Identity, Politics, Organization: A Historical Sociology of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and the Kurdish Nationalist Movement".

Sociologist among nation's top gender equity champions

Recognized by Status of Women Canada for her work in gender equality, Dr. Cecilia Benoit has devoted 25 years as a researcher to advancing the social rights of marginalized populations, especially women. On October 18, Benoit and five other women were recognized with the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case.

Graduate School Information Session - Wednesday October 19, 2016

The Department of Sociology will be holding a Graduate School Information event on Wednesday October 19th, 2:30 - 3:30pm in Cornett A125. Come along to learn about the benefits of doing a Master’s degree and some of the resources available to graduate students. Information will be provided on the department’s MA program, along with practical advice on how to put together an application for admission. There will also be the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. For more information, please contact the Graduate Advisor, Dr. Steve Garlick, at sgarlick@uvic.ca

Corporate power, fossil capital, climate crisis

This week-long course is open to social science graduate students from across Canada, May 8-12, 2017 at the University of Victoria. This course will be directed by Dr. William Carroll, but will feature presentations, guest lectures and extensive participation from members of the Corporate Mapping Project network, including representatives from environmental, social justice, labour and First Nations groups.

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