COURSE CURRICULUM

The Social Development Studies (SDS) program offers a rich and diverse selection of courses that explore the complex interplay between individuals, communities, and social systems. From foundational courses like SDS131R Political Ideologies and Social Development and SDS150R Lifespan Processes to more specialized topics such as SDS311R Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Public Policy, SDS357R Family Violence, and SDS410R Queer and Trans Studies, students engage with critical social issues through interdisciplinary perspectives. Courses like SDS250R Social Statistics and SDS251R Social Research equip students with essential quantitative and qualitative research skills, while SDS322R Community Engagement and Social Development emphasizes practical applications in social change. The curriculum also includes innovative topics such as SDS260R Ecology, Society, and Justice, SDS421R (Re)framing Indigenous-Settler Relations, and SDS441R Popular Culture and Social Change in the Radical Imagination, encouraging students to critically analyze contemporary societal challenges. Opportunities for independent study (SDS398R, SDS399R) and apprenticeships (SDS495R, SDS496R) deepen hands-on experience, and senior seminars (SDS450R, SDS499A/B) provide a platform for advanced research. Overall, SDS prepares students to understand and actively contribute to social development and justice through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach.