About Us - Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology

Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology

6135 University Avenue, Rm. 1128
PO Box 15000
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3H 4R2
Canada
Tel: (902) 494-6593
Fax:(902) 494-2897

Pauline Gardiner Barber,
Chairperson
tel: (902) 494-2069
pgbarber@dal.ca

Liesl Gambold,
Undergraduate Coordinator tel: (902) 494-3689
liesl.gambold@dal.ca

Brian Noble,
Sociology/Social Antrhopology Honours Advisor
tel: (902) 494-6751
bnoble@dal.ca

Emma Whelan,
Graduate Coordinator
tel: (902) 494-6752
emma.whelan@dal.ca

Leola Lefebvre,
Administrative Secretary
tel: (902) 494-6595
leola.lefebvre@dal.ca

Rachelle Fox,
Graduate/Undergraduate Secretary
tel: (902) 494-6593 rachelle.fox@dal.ca

Social Anthropology and Sociology are related and overlapping disciplines. Although in some universities they are found in separate departments, this Department and many of its classes blur the distinction between them and emphasize the area of overlap. The department is committed to a programme that stresses the areas of convergence between the two disciplines. Sociology and Social Anthropology provide an academic training that is rigorous and cosmopolitan. Students develop research skills along with a general intellectual preparation which stands them in good stead for graduate work in the disciplines, or for a broad range of professions such as law, medicine, social work or journalism.

Sociology

From its inception in the nineteenth century, sociology has been concerned with understanding the growth and evolution of modern societies. Classical sociologists attempted to identify universal laws of human behaviour which would help them to understand the nature of social change and social order, the role of the individual in relation to the broader society, and the production and reproduction of social inequalities. While contemporary sociologists have abandoned the search for universal laws, the discipline continues to study the social context of human action, and has contributed substantially to knowledge and understanding of our own world.

Social Anthropology

Anthropology is composed of four subfields, social/cultural, archaeological, biological, and linguistic. The strength of our programme is the concentration upon Social Anthropology, the area most complementary to Sociology. Social Anthropology, with its emphases on global context, continuity and change, questions of human and group identity, and views on human nature, may focus on local cultures or entire civilizations. For example, some social anthropologists study historical and contemporary conditions of indigenous groups, tribal or peasant societies, while others conduct their research within industrial societies. Our programme provides the opportunity for students to become conversant with the comparative cultural implications of modern societies, such as different forms of family and kinship practices, changing gender relations, the organization of work, law and social injustice, medicine and health, religion, and political economy. How do people in different places and times react, resist, and adapt to change?

Resources

Atlantic Institute of Criminology

The Atlantic Institute of Criminology is housed in the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology Complex. The Institute is a centre for the exchange of information among researchers and policy makers in the field of crime and criminal justice. Consultative services are available to researchers for planning and execution of research projects and related undertakings. As part of its mandate, the Institute seeks to encourage pursuit of criminological studies.

Sociology and Social Anthropology Students' Society (SOSA Society)

The Sociology and Social Anthropology Student's Society (SOSA Society) is a vital part
of student life in our Department. The activities range from movie nights to round table discussions on topics of interest to our collective student membership. We are ratified with the Dalhousie Student Union and therefore a part of Dalhousie student life at large.

The SOSA Society executive is elected at the Annual General meeting each September. The executive consists of the following members as required and if deemed necessary: the Auditor; the Treasurer; the Secretary; the Public Relations Officer; the Vice-President; the President; All members of the Committee shall be required to be members of the Dalhousie SOSA Society and students at the University.

The SOSA Society is often invited to attend and/or support various political activities on
campus. Our primary role is to act as liaison not only between students and the
Department but also between our student body and the student body at large, the Student Union. Starting in fall of 2010, we will elect an executive that will sit on the Dalhousie Arts and Social Science Society meetings and will represent Sociology and Social Anthropology students.

The success of the SOSA society depends on student participation. We urge students to
attend the Annual General Meeting in mid-September to help shape the activities of
the coming year. For new students, involvement in SOSA Society is an excellent way to
get to know your fellow students.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22613348040
Email: dalsosasociety@gmail.com

During the 2009-2010 school year the Dalhousie SOSA Undergrad Student Society has been quite successful. We have been having monthly coffee events at Just Us Cafe, where SOSA students have been able to come out and talk about classes, honors projects, and their areas of interest. These events have been amazing for creating a community
within the SOSA department. Over the course of the year we have had a few larger events that were intended to recruit more members as well as give professors a chance to come join our events. We have had a Meet and Greet, as well as a "Chocolate Extravaganza", which were a lot of fun, and allowed for society development.

Unfortunately, due to weather, our major event (the SOSA “Meet and Greet” Pizza Party, February 17) was cancelled, but we should have it rescheduled for after the break. That being said, after break we will be planning our major event that everyone is looking forward to, the SOSA Wine and Cheese! As well as the rescheduling of our pizza event and our monthly coffee at Just Us!

Katie MacLeod
SOSA Society President

Sociology and Social Anthropology Graduate Association (SSAGA)

Graduate students have their own, the Sociology and Social Anthropology Graduate Association (SSAGA). SSAGA is a ratified society dedicated to SOSA Grad students in order to promote camaraderie among peers and a collegial student environment in the department. We’ve settled in to the “White House,” which is located between the McCain and the Library, and is home to our meetings and also houses our common office space. After ratifying the society in the fall, members updated the constitution, changed the name (from SSASS to SSAGA), and are now working on a number of exciting projects. SSAGA members have hosted casual socials, potlucks, and board game nights. Upcoming events include a movie night, a capture the flag extravaganza, and bowling. The association is also working on making connections and providing support to honours students in the SOSA department.

Further information about SSAGA activities and events can be found by perusing our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=370084006467
Our constitution (and more!) can be accessed via the SSAGA TigerSociety website: http://my.dsu.ca/tiger_society/society/show/296

To contact members of the SSAGA executive, or for more information, please contact Anne Spice: anne.spice@dal.ca