Note: This is the 2012–2013 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Program Requirements
(Not offered in 2012-2013.)
McGill University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) have joined forces to offer graduate studies in neotropical environment. These are offered as options within existing programs in Biology, Bioresource Engineering, Geography, Political Science, Plant Science, Renewable Resources, and Sociology. Students must meet the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies admission requirements, enter through one of the participating departments and meet the requirements of that unit. Advisers will be McGill professors and STRI scientists. The degree is granted by McGill University.
To provide students with some research experience, all candidates in this program must present a thesis based on their own research with the thesis fieldwork conducted in Latin America on a topic approved by the Neotropical Environment Option coordinating committee.
Thesis Courses (27 credits)
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SOCI 690 M.A. Thesis 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : Exploratory thesis research for the selection of a thesis topic.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Restriction: Open only to graduate students registered in the M.A. thesis program of the Sociology Department.
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SOCI 691 M.A. Thesis 2 (6 credits)
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : Preparation, submission and approval of the thesis proposal by the student to his/her committee.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Restriction: Open only to graduate students registered in the M.A. thesis program of the Sociology Department.
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SOCI 692 M.A. Thesis 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : Fieldwork and data analysis on the thesis. Progress report to the supervisor.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Summer 2013
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Restriction: Open only to graduate students registered in the M.A. thesis program of the Sociology Department.
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SOCI 695 M.A. Thesis 6 (15 credits)
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : Completion, submission, and approval of the M.A. Thesis by the committee and the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Restriction: Open only to graduate students registered in the Medical Sociology thesis program.
Required Courses (18 credits)
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BIOL 640 Tropical Biology and Conservation (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Long-term research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute will be organized and synthesized to examine historical assembly and ecological maintenance of tropical communities. This synthesis will draw on phylogenetic concepts for historical insight and will examine the probable resilience of these communities to global change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Herre, Edward; Puebla, Oscar (Winter)
Restriction: students enrolled in Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor
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ENVR 610 Foundations of Environmental Policy (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Analysis of current environmental policies to reveal implicit and explicit assumptions regarding scientific methods, hypothesis testing, subject/object, causality, certainty, deities, health, development, North-South concerns for resources, commons, national sovereignty, equity. Discussion of implications of such assumptions for building future environmental policies.
Terms: Fall 2012, Winter 2013
Instructors: Brown, Peter Gilbert; Naylor, Robin Thomas; Goldberg, Mark (Fall) Hickey, Gordon (Winter)
Restriction: Enrolment in the Graduate Environment Option or enrolment in the Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) or permission of the instructor.
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SOCI 504 Quantitative Methods 1 (3 credits) *
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : Analysis of quantitative information, especially in large, survey-type, data sets. Use of computer programs such as SPSS and SAS. Topics include: cross tabulations with an emphasis on multi-dimensional tables, multiple correlation and regression, and, the relationship between individual and aggregate level statistical analyses. Special reference to demographic techniques.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Clark, Shelley (Winter)
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SOCI 540 Qualitative Research Methods (3 credits) *
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : Qualitative methodology, mainly participant observation, structured and unstructured interviewing. Students begin a research project using these techniques and submit field notes once a week.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Weiner, Elaine (Winter)
Restrictions: open to Sociology Honours students, and Sociology Major Concentration students with the instructor's permission
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SOCI 580 Social Research Design and Practice (3 credits) *
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : Asking researchable sociological questions and evaluation of different research designs used to answer such questions. Development of cogent research proposals, including data collection procedures. Principles, dynamics, strengths and practical limitations of research designs. Examples from recent publications.
Terms: Fall 2012
Instructors: Ancelovici, Marc (Fall)
Restriction: Open to U3 and graduate students
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SOCI 652 Current Sociological Theory (3 credits) *
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : Examination of works in some major areas of Sociology with a focus on: antecedent thought and research in the area; the internal structure and consistency of these works; the validity of the major claims made; and the implications for future theoretical development and research.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Hall, John Anthony (Winter)
Prerequisite: SOCI 330
* All students must have taken these courses or take them during the first year of the program. Students granted an exemption from any one or more of these courses by the Graduate Studies Committee must substitute another substantive seminar in its place.
Complementary Courses (3 credits)
3 credits from one of the following courses:
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AGRI 550 Sustained Tropical Agriculture (3 credits)
Overview
Agriculture : Contrast theory and practice in defining agricultural environmental "challenges" in the Neotropics. Indigenous and appropriate technological means of mitigation. Soil management and erosion, water scarcity, water over-abundance, and water quality. Explore agro-ecosystem protection via field trips and project designs. Institutional context of conservation strategies, NGO links, and public participation.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
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BIOL 553 Neotropical Environments (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Sci) : Ecology revisited in view of tropical conditions. Exploring species richness. Sampling and measuring biodiversity. Conservation status of ecosystems, communities and species. Indigenous knowledge.
Terms: Winter 2013
Instructors: Potvin, Catherine (Winter)
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ENVR 680 Topics in Environment 4 (3 credits)
Overview
Environment : Seminars and discussion of advanced, interdisciplinary aspects of current problems in environment led by staff and/or special guests.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Restriction: students taking the Neotropical Environment Option.
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor
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SOCI 565 Social Change in Panama (3 credits)
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : Analysis of social change in Panama, particularly during the 20th century: demography, social and economic structures, rural and urban activities and landscapes, indigenous peoples, the effects of the Canal and the Free Trade Zone. Focus throughout on the interaction of human society and the environment.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Faculty of Arts—2012-2013 (last updated Dec. 20, 2012) (disclaimer)
