Guy Rocher
Encyclopedia
Guy Rocher, CC
, CQ
(born April 20, 1924) is a Canadian
academic and sociologist.
Born in Berthierville, Quebec
, he received a B.A. from the Université de Montréal
in 1943, an M.A. in sociology from Université Laval
in 1950, and a Ph.D. in sociology from Harvard University
in 1958. From 1952 until 1960 he taught at Université Laval. From 1960 he has taught at the Université de Montréal.
and education, and the sociology of law
. He is the author of several books and of numerous articles and scientific reports. He has lectured extensively throughout Canada and abroad.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, CQ
National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
(born April 20, 1924) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
academic and sociologist.
Born in Berthierville, Quebec
Berthierville, Quebec
Berthierville is a Canadian town located between Montreal and Trois-Rivières on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in the province of Quebec. Berthierville is the seat of D'Autray Regional County Municipality, and is served by Autoroute 40, and is the junction of Routes 138 and 158...
, he received a B.A. from the Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
in 1943, an M.A. in sociology from Université Laval
Université Laval
Laval University is the oldest centre of education in Canada and was the first institution in North America to offer higher education in French...
in 1950, and a Ph.D. in sociology from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1958. From 1952 until 1960 he taught at Université Laval. From 1960 he has taught at the Université de Montréal.
Professional career
While a professor at Laval, Rocher in 1957 became one of the founders of the Association internationale des sociologues de langue française, of which organization he was treasurer and a member of its first executive. In 1960, he became a full professor of sociology at Université de Montréal. There he was director of the sociology department (1960–1965), vice-dean of the social sciences faculty (1962–1967), and from 1979 onwards he has been a researcher in the Centre de recherche en droit public. Rocher also worked for the government of Quebec, as deputy minister for cultural development (1977–1979) and as deputy minister for social development (1981–1983).Work
Rocher is one of the pioneers in the application of contemporary social sciences to Quebec society, especially including the relationship between Church and State, intergenerational mobilityIntergenerational Mobility
Inter-generational mobility is a measure of the changes in social status which occurs from the parents' to the children's generation. It can affect anyone in the population, as one’s economic standing can increase or decrease from the position they were born into...
and education, and the sociology of law
Sociology of law
The sociology of law is often described as a sub-discipline of sociology or an interdisciplinary approach within legal studies...
. He is the author of several books and of numerous articles and scientific reports. He has lectured extensively throughout Canada and abroad.
Honours
- In 1971 he was made a Companion of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. - In 1991 he was made a Knight of the National Order of QuebecNational Order of QuebecThe National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
. - In 1991 he received the Royal Society of CanadaRoyal Society of CanadaThe Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
's Pierre Chauveau Medal - He received the 1997 Molson PrizeMolson PrizeThe Thomas Henry Pentland Molson Prize for the Arts is awarded by The Canada Council for the Arts. Two prizes are awarded annually to distinguished individuals. One prize is awarded in the arts, one in the social sciences and humanities...
in the Social Sciences and Humanities. - In 1999 he received the Royal Society of Canada's Sir John William Dawson Medal.