University of Guelph

Sociology & Anthropology

SOC 3740 – Corrections and Penology

Fall 2025

Instructor

Instructor: Dr. Chris Tatham

Email: ctatham@uoguelph.ca [1]  

Office Location: MCKN 609

Office Hours: Office hours will be held over Zoom. See CourseLink for schedule and links.

Course Topic

This course examines the history of corrections and penology in Canada. Throughout this course, we will map out the political struggles and cultural shifts that led to the establishment of prisons as the preeminent modern form of punishment. Consideration will be given to the meanings, justifications, and purposes of punishment in relation to its broader social, cultural, political, and economic contexts. Theory and empirical research will be used to demystify the connections between social forces that both affect and are affected by corrections, penology & the criminal justice system. Course topics include the history of punishment, punishment ideologies, recent trends in penal policy and practice, correctional institutions and officers, prison inmates, gendered practices, the impact of the criminal justice system on Indigenous and racialized people and groups, as well as alternatives to punishment and crime prevention. 

Course Structure

Evaluation for this third-year lecture-style course includes written work (an outline and a reflection), an online presentation (comprised of pre-recoded audio and PowerPoint slides), in-class participation (via Kahoot-based surveys) and two written, application-based tests.

 

All readings will be provided through CourseLink or the Library.

 

While SOC 3740 is listed as an in-person course, blended options may be provided.

 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify, describe and critically access various approaches to punishment and penology
• Understand and evaluate policy and official discourses related to corrections and punishment
• Apply sociological concepts and theories to pertinent case studies and empirical examples
• Contribute to thoughtful and informed dialogue regarding punishment, corrections and penology in Canada
• Formulate research questions, collect appropriate sources and use scholarly research to develop and support written arguments
• Connect and apply course concepts, theories and examples to empirical research and current events
• Engage in thoughtful and respectful online discussion

 

Evaluation

ASSESSMENT	DESCRIPTION	WEIGHT
OUTLINE	Outline your topic and research question for your research essay. Locate a case and annotate academic sources related to your topic.	20%
TEST 1	In-person, written test, held during class time. Short and long answer.	20%
PRESENTATION	Develop and record a presentation on your topic, drawing from academic and non-academic sources.   This is not a live, in-person presentation.	20%
REFLECTION	Reflect upon Arts and Science Conference sessions OR your assignment writing process.	5%
TEST 2	Take Home Final Exam –                   Long answer / application-based essay.	20%
PARTICIPATION	Participate in online lecture-based surveys and online discussion groups.	15%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This web outline is for informational purposes only and is subject to change.

A complete course syllabus will be available on CourseLink on the first day of classes.