Department of Sociology

Daniel P. Doyle, Chair

Sociology offers a perspective–a way to view the world–that examines the social contexts in which people live. A sociological perspective enables us to grasp connections among individuals, their communities and the broader society. It facilitates understanding of complex social processes and problems, and can offer insights into how to improve social welfare. At The University of Montana-Missoula, the Sociology faculty, graduate students and undergraduates learn about the sociological perspective through coursework on a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches, and topics that engage social issues in our own Rocky Mountain region to places all around the globe.

At the University of Montana-Missoula sociology faculty, graduate students and undergraduates use a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches to study important social issues affecting our local community, the Rocky Mountain region, the nation and the world.

Special Degree Requirements

Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.

The general sociology major requires a minimum of 33 sociology credits. Students may choose an option in criminology or in rural and environmental change. These options require 39 sociology credits. All sociology majors must complete a 3-credit extra-departmental requirement in computer science (does not count toward 33/39 credit minimum), a required core and four courses from the major content list, in order to insure broad exposure to the field of sociology. No more than 60 sociology credits may count for graduation. In addition to meeting these departmental requirements, students must meet all University-wide requirements, as specified in the catalog. These include: completing 120 credits, meeting the General Education requirements including the Upper-division Writing Proficiency Assessment, and taking 39 credits of upper-division course work. See the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog for other requirements.

Upper-Division Writing Expectation: To meet the Upper-Division Writing Expectation of the Bachelor of Arts with a major in sociology, student must successfully complete one course selected from SOC 421, 438, 465 or 488; or any other upper-division writing course approved for general education (see Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog).

Required Course Work:

1) Extra-departmental requirement (3 credits):
-CS 171--Communicating Via Computers or
-CS 172--Introduction to Computer Modeling, or
a higher-level CS course.
2) Core Courses (12 credits):
-110S--Principles of Sociology
-201--Social Science Methods
-202--Social Statistics
-455--Classical Social Theory
3) Major Content--four courses, two of which must be numbered 300 or above, (12 credits):
-210S--Social Psychology
-220S--Race, Gender and Class
-230S--Criminology
-270–Introduction to Rural and Environmental Change
-275S--Gender and Society
-300--Sociology of the Family
-306S--Sociology of Work
-308S–Sociology of Education
-320--Complex Organizations
-325--Social Stratification
-340–The Community
-342–Urban/Metropolitan Sociology
-355S--Population and Human Ecology
-485--Political Sociology

Sociology 110S is a prerequisite for most courses numbered 200 and above. Additional prerequisites are listed in course descriptions. Students who have not completed specified prerequisites may enroll only with the instructor's consent. All courses to be applied toward the major must be taken for a traditional letter grade. Majors are expected to earn a "C" or better in all core courses.

To earn 120 credits in four years, students must average 30 credits per year, or 15 credits per semester. Requirements for general sociology majors allow considerable flexibility in choosing courses. However, requirements for the criminology and rural and environmental sociology options are more stringent.

General Sociology:
Those students interested in the general sociology major, must take three electives in addition to the core skills and major content requirements listed above. Students whose primary interest is in a general sociology degree are urged to develop a plan of study with their advisors. The following courses are available for consideration: 120S, 130S, 140S, 212S, 235, 242S, 306S, 308S, 310, 322, 330S, 332, 333, 334, 335, 340, 342, 346, 355S, 370S, 381, 382, 386, 421, 424, 435, 438, 465, 466, 470, 490, 493, 496.

Criminology Option:
Criminology is an intriguing field of study which examines the making of law, the nature and extent of crime and criminality, and efforts to control crime. The option builds upon the required course work in sociology and allows students to pursue extended study of crime and the criminal justice system. In addition, the option provides opportunity for practical experience in the criminal justice system through internship placement. The criminology option prepares students for employment in public and private criminal justice agencies, as well as graduate study in sociology, criminal justice, and law.

In addition to courses required of all sociology majors in the core and content areas, students concentrating in criminology must complete the following:
230S--Criminology or 330S--Juvenile Delinquency
235--Criminal Justice System and any three of the following courses:
-332--Sociology of Law Enforcement
-333--Criminal Adjudication
-334--Sociology of Corrections
-335--Juvenile Justice System
-435--Sociology of Law
-438--Seminar in Crime and Deviance
Research Experience/Internship

Rural and Environmental Change Option:
Rural environments, residents and agencies are facing rapid social, economic, demographic and political change. This option develops analytical and practical skills for understanding rural and environmental change globally and in the American West, and its policy implications in such areas as rural health, welfare and work; community development and assessment; native peoples and natural resource management. An option in rural and environmental change prepares students for employment with either a government, private or non-profit agency concerned with the above topics or for pursuing an advanced degree in sociology.

Requirements, in addition to courses in the core and content areas, include:
346--Rural Sociology
470--Society and Environment and any three of the following courses:
-320--Complex Organizations
-322--Sociology of Poverty
-340--The Community
-355S--Population and Human Ecology
-370S--Social Change and Global Development
-381--International Social and Environmental Change (variable topics)
-382--Field Studies in International Social and Environmental Change
-424--Social Forestry
-465--Technology and Social Change
-485--Political Sociology
Research Experience/Internship

Sociology Honors Program: Sociology majors enrolled in the University Honors Program are expected to meet these additional requirements:

1) Each student must complete SOC 201 and 202 before the end of the sophomore year, and SOC 455 before the end of the junior year.

2) The student must enroll for an additional one or two credits to accompany a particular course in order to examine the course material in greater depth. Specific requirements for the student's independent work will be arranged in consultation with the instructor. Sociology 496 should be used when registering for extra credits.

3) The student must complete a senior project involving original research. Up to six credits may be earned under SOC 493. These credits are exempt from the 60 credit limit in the major.

Teacher Preparation in Sociology

Major Teaching Field of Sociology: For an endorsement in the major teaching field of Sociology, a student must complete the requirements for the B.A. degree with a major in Sociology and C&I 428. Students also must gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching and meet the requirements for certification as a secondary teacher (see the School of Education section of this catalog). Students are advised that the demand in Montana high schools for teaching of courses in this field is limited.

Minor Teaching Field of Sociology: For an endorsement in the minor teaching field of Sociology, a student must complete SOC 110S, 201, 220S, 230S or 330S, 455 and 6 elective credits in Sociology courses 200 and above. Students also must complete C&I 428, gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching and meet the requirements for certification as a secondary teacher. (See the School of Education section of this catalog.)

Suggested Course of Study

General Sociology Majors:

First Year	Autumn	Spring
SOC 110S Principles of Sociology	3	-
CS 111 Computer Literacy	-	3
ENEX 101 Composition	3	-
MATH 117 Probability and Linear Math	3	-
Writing course	-	3
Electives and General Education	6	9
Total	15	15
Second Year
SOC 201 Social Science Methods	3	-
CS 171 Communicating Via Computers or 172 Introduction to Computer Modeling	-	3
Sociology major content courses	3	6
Criminology core courses	3	3
Electives and General Education	6	3
Total	15	15

All sociology majors are expected to have their general education work completed by the end of their sophomore year. The bulk of the work in sociology should occur during the junior and senior years.

Third Year	Autumn	Spring
SOC 202 Social Statistics	3	-
SOC 455 Classical Social Theory	-	3
Sociology major content course	3	-
Upper-division writing course	-	3
Electives and option courses (Crim or Rural)	9	9
Total	15	15
Fourth Year
Electives and option courses (Crim or Rural)	12	12
Rural & Environmental Change core courses	3	3
Total	15	15

Students choosing an option in criminology are required to complete the core in their option prior to taking the criminology option courses. Students choosing the rural and environmental change option should complete the option elective courses prior to taking their core courses, which serve as capstone courses.

Requirements for a Minor

To earn a minor in sociology the student must complete a minimum of 21 credits in sociology with at least 9 of these credits at the upper division level. Students must take SOC 110S, 201, 455 and two (2) major content courses.

Courses

U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R.

Sociology (SOC)

U 110S Principles of Sociology 3 cr. Offered every term. Overview of the principles and concepts used in the study of human social interaction, groups, communities and societies. Required of all majors.
U 120S Contemporary Social Problems 3 cr. Offered autumn. A survey of sociological perspectives on problems such as racism, environmental degradation, sexism, crime, poverty, drugs, domestic violence, urbanization, mental illness and population.
U 130S Sociology of Alternative Religions 3 cr. Offered autumn. Same as RELS 130S. Unconventional religious groups in American society. Topics include recruitment, conversion, commitment, defection, leadership, belief systems, organizational structure and change.
U 140S Explaining the Holocaust 3 cr. Offered intermittently. The calculated and systematic destruction of Jews during the Nazi "Final Solution" is examined in lectures, readings and films. Concepts and principles of social science are used to explain the behaviors of the perpetrators, victims, survivors and "bystanders".
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 201 Social Science Methods 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., SOC 110S. Methods of research in the social sciences including naturalistic observation, interviewing, measurement, experiments, surveys, content analysis, and basic data analysis. Required of all majors.
U 202 Social Statistics 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., MATH 117 or consent of instr. Application of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to sociological data. Required of all majors.
U 210S Social Psychology 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., SOC 110S. The study of the behavior of individuals in social contexts ranging from small groups to societies. Topics include attitude change, conformity, aggression, helping behavior, self concept formation, and group cohesion and decision making.
U 212S Southeast Asian Culture and Civilization 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Same as AS and LS 212S. Introduction to the history, geography, cultures, social organization, and contemporary events of Southeast Asia.
U 220S Race, Gender and Class 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., SOC 110S. Analysis of the intersecting structure and dynamics of race, gender and class. Focus on power relationships, intergroup conflict and minority group status.
U 225 Community and Environment 3 cr. Offered spring. Same as EVST 225. Exploration of the various ways that communities address their environmental concerns. Introduction to relevant social science concepts.
U 230S Criminology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., SOC 110S. A critical examination of crime in society: how crime is defined, the extent and distribution of crime, theoretical explanations of criminal behavior, and crime control efforts.
U 235 Criminal Justice System 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., SOC 110S. A systematic survey of crime and the administration of justice in the United States, including the organizational structures, processes, and dynamics of law enforcement, criminal adjudication, and corrections.
U 270 Introduction to Rural and Environmental Change 3 cr. Offered autumn. Introduction to the study of relationships and interactions between people in rural societies and the environment.
U 275S Gender and Society 3 cr. Offered autumn. Same as WS 275S. Exploration of the social construction of gender, especially in western, post industrial societies such as the U.S. How gender ideologies affect the social definition and position of men and women in work, family, sexual relationships, sexual divisions of labor, and social movements.
U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
UG 300 Sociology of The Family 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., SOC 110S. Historical, cross-cultural, and analytical study of the family. Emphasis on ideology, social structures, and agency affecting family composition and roles.
UG 306S Sociology of Work 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., SOC 110S. Structure and function of occupations and professions. Problems of organization and relationships in work groups, with emphasis on the study of actual work situations.
UG 308S Sociology of Education 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., SOC 110S. The structure and operation of the educational system in the United States, with special attention to the organization and effectiveness of schools.
UG 310 Extraordinary Group Behavior 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., SOC 110S. The study of emergent social behavior including rumors, crowds, crazes, riots, panics, terrorism, revolutions and social movements.
UG 320 Complex Organizations 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., SOC 110S. The structure and operation of complex organizations and bureaucracies such as schools, government agencies, small businesses and multi national corporations.
UG 322 Sociology of Poverty 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., SOC 110S. An examination of the roots, prevalence and social characteristics of the poor. Analysis of policies intended to end poverty.
U 325 Social Stratification 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., SOC 110S. The origins, institutionalization and change of class, status, prestige, power and other forms of social inequality. Special attention to the effects of stratification on individuals.
UG 330S Juvenile Delinquency 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., SOC 110S. The study of juvenile delinquency as a social phenomenon, including the emergence of “juvenile delinquency” as a social and legal concept, the nature of delinquency, and theoretical explanations of delinquent behavior.
UG 332 Sociology of Law Enforcement 3 cr. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 110S, 235, and either 230S or 330S. An examination of policing in society, with emphasis on the cultural context in which it occurs, its structural characteristics, and social psychological processes.
UG 333 Criminal Adjudication 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 110S, 235 and either 230S or 330S. An examination of adjudicatory processes applied to the criminally accused. Includes pretrial, trial, and sentencing practices and procedures. Special attention to the sociological dimensions of criminal adjudication: its cultural underpinnings, structural characteristics and interactional dynamics.
UG 334 Sociology of Corrections 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 110S, 235 and either 230S or 330S. An examination of the purposes, structures, and processes of jails, prisons, and community corrections, including probation and parole. Emphasis on historical development and current trends and issues in corrections.
UG 335 Juvenile Justice System 3 cr. Offered autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 110S and 230S or 330S. An analysis of the juvenile justice system in the United States, including the historical development of policies and practices. The role of various social agencies in defining, preventing, and responding to delinquency.
UG 340 The Community 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 110S. The study of families, peer groups, neighborhoods, voluntary associations, power structures, social classes and large scale organizations as they come together in local communities.
U 342 Urban/Metropolitan Sociology 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 110S. Classical social theories of urban growth. Contemporary urbanization in local, regional, national and global contexts. Internal urban/metropolitan social organization in terms of race, ethnicity, social class and gender.
U 346 Rural Sociology 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., SOC 110S; SOC 201 recommended. Demographic, economic and sociocultural change in rural communities with an emphasis on global economy, political structure, urbanization, and economic and social infrastructure. Special attention given to the rural west and Montana.
U 355S Population and Human Ecology 3 cr. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 110S. An introduction to world population growth and change, including the impact of population trends on family and community life, and local, national and world decision making.
UG 370S Social Change and Global Development 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 110S. Introduction to the global roots and dimensions of social change. Broad perspective on the forces that have transformed how “development” has shifted from a process of economic growth and welfare assistance organized nationally to a process of globally organized economic, political and cultural change.
U 375 Agriculture, Society and Ecology 1 cr. Offered every spring. Same as EVST and PHIL 375. Lecture series that accompanies cooperative education credit for students participating in the Program in Ecological Agriculture and Society (PEAS).
U 381 International Social and Environmental Change 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 370; FOR 210; FOR 330 recommended. Same as FOR 381. A case study approach to developing interdisciplinary and critical perspectives on social and environmental change. Cultural, political and economic processes which affect and are affected by ecological change are examined and related to sustainable development and natural resource management.
U 382 Field Studies in International Social and Environmental Change 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 381. Same as FOR 382. A field course designed to supplement SOC 381. It provides an opportunity to examine social and environmental change and its management implications through an experiential learning, interdisciplinary field research experience.
U 386 Preceptorship in Sociology 2 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., SOC 110S and consent of instr. Assisting a faculty member by tutoring, conducting review sessions, helping students with research projects, and carrying out other class related responsibilities. Open to juniors and seniors with instructor's consent. Proposals must be approved by department chair.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of new courses or one time offerings of current topics.
U 398 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R 10) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of department. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Center for Work-Based Learning.
UG 421 Issues in Sociology of Family 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 300 or equiv. Analysis of selected topics on deviance, Montana families, family and the state, families and poverty, feminist perspectives on family, social psychology of families and families in cross-cultural perspective. This course will meet the upper-division writing expectation for sociology majors only.
UG 423 Addiction Studies 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Same as PSYC and SW 423. Examination of chemical dependency and behavioral compulsion, including alcohol and other drugs, gambling, eating disorders, sexual addictions. Ecosystems perspective on etiology, treatment, prevention, family dynamics, community response, and societal contributors.
UG 424 Social Forestry 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Same as FOR 424. A review of agroforestry, community forestry and opportunities and constraints to the use of trees in rural development and protected areas management.
UG 435 Sociology of Law 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 110S and either 230S or 330S recommended. The study of the law and society, including the origin, institutionalization, and impact of law and legal systems.
UG 438 Seminar in Crime and Deviance 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., SOC 110S, 235 and either 230S or 330S. Advanced studies in criminology/deviance theory and research. Emphasis on public policies related to crime. This course will meet the upper-division writing expectation for sociology majors only.
UG 455 Classical Social Theory 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., SOC 110S. Focus on the historical development of the field of sociology from 1850 to World War I. The classical writings of Comte, Tonnies, Weber, Durkheim, Marx, LePlay and Simmel emphasized. Required of all sociology majors.
UG 465 Technology and Social Change 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., SOC 110S; SOC 320 strongly recommended. Critical exploration of social theories and empirical studies of society and technology including organizational analysis, risk assessment and social impact identification. This course will meet the upper-division writing expectation for Sociology majors only.
UG 470 Society and Environment 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., SOC 110S. Introduction to the field of environmental sociology and influential sociological perspectives on global environmental change. Case examples from agrarian and industrialized regions around the world.
UG 485 Political Sociology 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., junior or senior standing. Analysis of political theory and behavior; social bases of power and policy determination; institutional interrelationships; intellectuals and ideologies; political trends and change; political participation and membership.
UG 488 Writing for Sociology 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., SOC 110S, 9 additional credits in sociology and satisfactory performance on the Upper-Division Writing Proficiency Assessment. Advanced study of variable topics or issues in sociology , with emphasis on writing for the discipline. This course satisfies the upper-division writing expectation for sociology majors only.
U 490 Internship Variable cr. (R 12) Offered every term. Prereq., SOC 110S, 201 and 202; 2.75 GPA; junior standing and consent of instr. Supervised placement in an agency or business which involves work experience related to sociology, criminology, and/or rural and environmental change.
U 493 Omnibus Variable cr. (R 12) Offered every term. Prereq., SOC 110S and consent of instr. Independent work under the University omnibus option. See index.
UG 494 Seminar 2 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., SOC 110S and at least junior standing. Selected sociological topics.
UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., SOC 110S. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
UG 496 Independent Study 1 3 cr. (R 9) Offered every term. Prereq., SOC 110S and consent of instr. Individual work with a faculty supervisor in an area of special interest. Proposals must be approved by department chair.
UG 520 Contemporary Social Theory 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., SOC 455. The major sociological theories developed since World War I, including an examination of the critical issues under debate.
G 530 Criminological Theory 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., SOC 235 and either 230S or 330S. Advanced study of the major theories of crime and criminality; includes the themes and theoretical perspectives of criminology together with relevant research findings.
G 538 Seminar in Crime and Deviance 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Advanced study of a specific criminological topic or issue with special emphasis on research and public policy. Possible topics include women and crime, cross cultural criminal justice, sentencing, the social location of crime, drugs and crime, causal analysis of crime and criminality.
G 555 Research Methods for Social Change 3 cr. Offered autumn. Same as EVST 555. Introduction to qualitative methods of research design, data collection, and analysis. Emphasis on research that facilitates and documents social change processes. Hands-on research experience through fieldwork projects. Includes instruction on writing social science and on research ethics.
UG 561 Qualitative Methods 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., SOC 110S and 201. Introduction to the basic methods used to conduct qualitative studies for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Some methods covered are ethnography, case study, focus group, interview and field observation. Students carry out a study using one or more of the methods discussed in class.
UG 562 Quantitative Methods 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., SOC 110S, 201 and 202. Introduction to the basic methods used to conduct quantitative sociological research and program evaluation including proposal development, survey design, sampling techniques, data analysis, and dissemination of findings.
UG 563 Social Data Analysis 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., SOC 110S, 201, and 202. A hands on introduction to preparing sociological reports and documents, performing research and statistical tasks common to the field. Presumes no previous knowledge of microcomputers.
G 571 Seminar: Rural and Environmental Change 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Utilizing a critical perspective, students examine rural and environmental transitions and their implications for policies and debates on managing growth, development and natural resources in rural areas.
G 577 Seminar in Rural Development 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Advanced study of rural sociology and community development in rural areas with an emphasis on an applied rural development research experience.
G 590 Internship Variable cr. (R 6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Supervised placement for graduate students in an agency or business which involves work experience related to sociology, criminology and/or rural and environmental change.
G 594 Graduate Seminar 3 cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently. Selected sociological topics.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 12) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
G 596 Independent Study Variable cr. (R 6)Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Work with a faculty supervisor in an area of special interest.
G 597 Graduate Research 2 3 cr. (R 9) Offered every term. Directed research. Student must develop a specific research or evaluation proposal which is approved by the instructor prior to registration. Those students electing the professional paper option may apply three credits of 597 toward graduation.
G 598 Cooperative Education Internship Variable cr. (R 6) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of department. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Center for Work-Based Learning.
G 599 Thesis/Professional Paper Variable cr. (R 6) Offered every term. Students may apply six credits of 599 toward graduation.

Faculty

Professors
Robert W. Balch, Ph.D., University of Oregon, 1972
Rodney L. Brod, Ph.D., Stanford University, 1972
Daniel P. Doyle, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1984 (Chair)
William H. McBroom, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, 1968
Paul E. Miller, Ph.D., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1970

Associate Professors
James W. Burfeind, Ph.D., Portland State University, 1984
Rebecca T. Richards, Ph.D., Utah State University, 1990
Teresa R. Sobieszczyk, Ph.D., Cornell University, 2000

Assistant Professor
Celia C. Winkler, Ph.D., University of Oregon, 1996