Department of Sociology
The 1997-98 University of Montana Catalog

Jon J. Driessen, Chairman

Sociology, as one of the social sciences, seeks to discover the basic structure of human society, to identify those factors which hold groups together or which change and weaken them, and to know what conditions transform social life. The study of sociology is broadly interested in linkages among individuals, groups, institutions and society. Like any other basic science, sociology is characterized by a systematic search for fundamental knowledge of the nature of its subject matter. Sociology is a profession which applies its knowledge and techniques to practical problems in the every day world of individuals, groups, organizations and government. Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees are offered.

Special Degree Requirements

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

To earn a degree in sociology the student must successfully complete a minimum of 34 credits in the major. No more than 47 sociology credits may be applied toward graduation.

The major includes required core and distribution requirements designed to insure broad exposure to the field of sociology. All majors must complete the following courses:

  1. Sociology Core (110S, 201, 202, 455 and either 210S or 320);

  2. At least one course from the Social Institutions area (275, 300S, 304S, 306S, 308S, 450, 481);

  3. At least one course from any two of the following areas:

      Social Problems (120S, 220S, 322)

      Population, Environment and Social Change (250S, 355S, 370S, 424, 470, 475)

      Cross-Cultural Sociology (240S, 242S, 244S)

      Collective Behavior (130S, 140S, 310)

      Community Studies (340, 344, 346)

      Ethics and Writing (466E)

      Research Methods (360, 460)

      Criminology/Deviance: (230S, 235, 324, 330, 332, 333, 334, 335, 435, 438, 490)

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 34-credit major must be taken for a letter grade. Majors are expected to earn a "C" or better in all core courses.

Criminology Emphasis. Completion of a degree in sociology with an emphasis in criminology provides a sound educational background for work in public and private criminal justice agencies, as well as graduate study in criminology, criminal justice and law.

In addition to courses required of all sociology majors, students concentrating in criminology must complete the following:

  1. Criminology core (235 and either 230S or 330S).

  2. Any three of the following: 324, 332, 333, 334, 335, 435, 438, 490.

The Sociology Department offers a variety of internships in the criminal justice system to qualified students. These internships are awarded on a competitive basis and require junior standing, a GPA of a least 2.75, and successful completion of all criminology and sociology core courses except Soc 455. Depending on the nature of the internship, additional prerequisites may be required. Students may receive up to 12 credits by enrolling in Soc 490 for one or more semesters.

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 47-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. Students should complete the required second endorsement (major or minor) in a field other than Drama, Economics, Geography, Journalism or Psychology.

Minor Teaching Field of Sociology: For an endorsement in the minor teaching field of Sociology, a student must complete Soc 110S, 201, 220S, and 230S or 330S and 9 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

To earn 130 credits in four years, students must average 32.5 credit per year, or just over 16 credits per semester. Requirements for general sociology majors allow considerable flexibility in choosing courses. However, requirements for the criminology concentration are more stringent. Criminology students must plan their college careers carefully if they expect to graduate in four years.

General Sociology Majors:

First YearAutumnSpring
Soc 110S Principles of Sociology3-
Soc 201 Social Science Methods-3
Soc 210S Social Psychology-3
Enex 101 Composition3-
Math 117 Probability and Linear Math3-
Writing course-3
Electives & General Education76
Total1615

Second YearAutumnSpring
Soc 202 Social Statistics3-
Sociology distribution requirements63
Writing course-3
Electives & General Education11
Total1717

Criminology Emphasis:

First YearAutumnSpring
Soc 110S Principles of Sociology3-
Soc 201 Social Science Methods-3
Soc 210S Social Psychology3-
Soc 235 Criminal Justice System-3
Enex 101 Composition3-
Math 117 Probability and Linear Math-3
Writing course-3
Electives & General Education73
Total1615

Second YearAutumnSpring
Soc 202 Social Statistics3-
Soc 230S Criminology or 330S Juvenile Delinquency-3
Sociology distribution requirements36
Writing course3-
Electives & General Education88
Total1717

Requirements for a Minor

To earn a minor in sociology the student must complete a minimum of 20 credits in sociology with at least 10 of these credits at the upper-division level. Students must take Soc 110S, 201, one course from the Social Institutions area, and either Soc 210S or 320.

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.

    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 and spring. 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 Religious Cults 3 cr. Offered spring. Same as RS 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 spring odd-numbered years. 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. Majors must take Soc 210S or 320. Psyc 350S is not equivalent to Soc 210S.

    U 220S Race and Ethnic Relations 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., Soc 110S. Analysis of the dynamics of American racial and ethnic relations. Focus on power relationships, intergroup conflict and adaptations to minority-group status.

    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 and either Soc 230S or 330S. 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 240S Japanese Society 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., Soc 110S. Introductory historical and analytical study of Japanese society, its institutions and culture. Emphasis upon Japanese-American comparisons.

    U 242S South Asia/Land and People 3 cr. Offered spring. Same as Geog 242S. The physical setting of South Asia, its history, culture and socioeconomic organization. Examination of regional differences, changing social patterns, and the relationship between people and the environment.

    U 244S Southeast Asia 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Introduction to the history, geography, cultures, social organization, and contemporary events of Southeast Asia.

    U 250S Social Change 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., Soc 110S. Sociological theories brought together with instances of changes in societies to illuminate the mechanisms and principles of change. Focus on contemporary and historical changes.

    U 275 Gender and Society 3 cr. Offered autumn. 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 300S Sociology of The Family 3 cr. Offered autumn. 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 304S Sociology of Religion 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., Soc 110S. Focus on religious rituals, belief systems, conversion and commitment processes, and activities which promote social cohesion and social conflict. Typologies of religious organizations and classical and contemporary theoretical conceptions of religion are examined.

    UG 306S Sociology of Work 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. 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 odd-numbered years. 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 odd-numbered years. 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. Majors must take Soc 320 or 210S.

    UG 322 Sociology of Poverty 3 cr. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., Soc 110S. An examination of the roots, prevalence and social characteristics of the poor. Analysis of policies intended to end poverty.

    UG 324 Family and Deviance 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., Soc 110S. An indepth look at the social construction of deviance in connection with families, including creation of normative standards for family composition, roles, and behavior. Attention to external and internal influences on family violence, sexual abuse, and other problems encountered by family members.

    UG 330S Juvenile Delinquency 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years and summer. Prereq., Soc 110S. The nature, extent, causes and control of juvenile delinquency.

    UG 332 Sociology of Law En forcement 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 whih 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, 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 autumn. 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.

    UG 344 Urban Sociology and Ecology 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., Soc 110S. The origin and development of cities, with special emphasis on the interplay of population, social organization, technology and the physical environment.

    UG 346 Rural Sociology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., Soc 110S. The lifestyles and social patterns of rural America. Special emphasis on Montana and the Northwest.

    UG 355S World Population 3 cr. Offered spring odd-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 360 Microcomputers in Sociology 3 cr. Offered autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., Soc 110S, 201, 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.

    UG 370S Social Change and Global Development 3 cr. Offered autumn 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 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 Cooperative Education Office.

    UG 424 Social Forestry 3 cr. Offered spring odd-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.

    UG 450 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 455 Foundations of Contemporary Social Theory 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., Soc 110S. Historical development of master concepts and theories in sociology from Comte to Parsons, including European and American theorists such as Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel, Cooley, Thomas, and Mead. Required of all majors.

    UG 460 Ethnographic Research Methods 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., Soc 110S. An introduction to basic methods in ethnographic research. Actual field studies are carried out by study teams consisting of graduate students and advanced undergraduates.

    UG 466E Ethics in Social Research 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., lower-division course in Perspective 5, Soc 110S and 201 or consent of instr. Ethical concerns in social research and their relation to traditional ethical thought and public policy decisions.

    UG 470 Society and Environment 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., Soc 110S; Soc 370S recommended. 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 475 Gender, Economy and Social Change 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., Soc 110S; recommend Soc 370S. Introduction to major theories and issues in the sociology of gender. Focus on gender relations within the broad context of global economic and social change. Case examples between rural and industrialized regions around the world.

    UG 481 Sociology of Language 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., Soc 110S. Same as Ling 481. An examination of the ways language functions to fashion groups, situations, relationships and memberships in contemporary society. Special emphasis on how language is used in actual social settings.

    U 490 Internship Variable cr. (R-12) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. Supervised placement in an agency or business which involves work experience related to sociology and/or criminology.

    U 493 Omnibus Variable cr. (R-12) Offered intermittently. 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 consent of instr.

    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.

    G 501 Social Research Methods 3 cr. Offered autumn. Current methods used in quantitative sociological research and program evaluation; from writing a proposal to the dissemination of findings.

    G 502 Social Data Analysis 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., Soc 360 and 501. Computer analysis of social data emphasizing statistical models and techniques currently used in social research and program evaluation.

    G 505 Social Theory 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing or consent of instr. Critical analysis of major modern theoretical positions in sociology.

    G 535 Criminological Theory 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., Soc 230S and 235. 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 590 Internship Variable cr. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instructor. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor.

    G 594 Graduate Seminar 3 cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Topics vary according to faculty and student.

    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.

    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.

    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 Cooperative Education Office.

    G 599 Thesis Variable cr. (R-6) Offered every term. Students electing the thesis option 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

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

      Jon J. Driessen, Ph.D., University of Colorado, 1969 (Chair)

      William H. McBroom, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, 1968

      Paul E. Miller, Ph.D., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1970

      Fred W. Reed, Ph.D., University of North Carolina, 1972

    Associate Professors

      Jill M. Belsky, Ph.D., Cornell University, 1991

      James W. Burfeind, Ph.D., Portland State University, 1984

      Daniel P. Doyle, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1984

    Assistant Professor

      Rebecca T. Richards, Ph.D., Utah State University, 1990

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