Department of Sociology & Anthropology
SO 101 Introduction to Sociology 3 Cr
Survey of the basic concepts and methods with an emphasis on sociology as a mode of analysis. Introduces the student to a sociological way of thinking to better understand one’s self and others. This study of behavior utilizes materials drawn from contemporary American society. Each semester.
SO 200 Social Problems 3 Cr
An in-depth examination and discussion of selected American social problems, including poverty, sexism, racism, family violence, and health issues. Recommendations for alleviation of the problems with a particularly Christian viewpoint. Prerequisite: SO 101. Spring semester, even-numbered years. Fulfills National Diversity requirement.
SO/AN 204 Cultural Anthropology 3 Cr
An analysis of the nature of culture and society and a survey of the range of cultural phenomena with emphasis placed on social structures and the dynamic interrelationship existing between the various social institutions. Fall semester, even-numbered years. Fulfills Global Diversity requirement.
SO/AN 208 The Family 3 Cr
Anthropological and sociological investigation of the marriage and family institutions in various cultures and their influences upon both individuals and social organizations. Analysis of family communications; one’s choices in relationships; parenting; life transitions; and roles of gender, property, power, and love in marriage and family. Prerequisite: SO 101 or consent of instructor. Odd-year, Fall semester. Fulfills National Diversity requirement.
SO 215 Contemporary Issues in Rural and Urban Sociology 3 Cr
This course examines sociological processes in the urbanization of societies. Problems concerning both rural and urban life will be covered, as well as efforts to build community from the local level to that of the “global village”. The conflicting interests that farmers, ranchers, environmentalists, developers, urban planners, business, government and other groups have in these issues are presented and analyzed. Prerequisite: SO 101. Offered every third semester. Fulfills National Diversity requirement.
SO/PSY 216 Social Psychology 3 Cr
An introduction to and an analysis of social interaction, including the social aspects of personality, social attitudes, group behavior, and the influences of social institutions on individual behavior. Prerequisite: PSY 105 or SO 101. Fall semester.
SO/AN 218 Introduction to Native American Studies 3 Cr
An overview of American Indian histories, cultures, religions, and philosophies. The course examines the continuity between traditional and contemporary ways of life, Native American education, and American Indians in Montana. Every semester. Fulfills National Diversity requirement.
SO 220 Sociology of Sport 3 Cr
This course examines sports in American society. It helps the student to understand the reciprocal influences between sports and our culture, including social values, education, socialization, deviance, minority and female athletes, and the mass media and money. Sports is placed within the context of social institutions including the family, politics, economics, religion, etc. The course is designed to be a part of the student’s development of a healthy, analytic view of sports and leisure that will facilitate longevity and good health. Field experiences and observations will be included. Spring semester, even-numberd years.
SO 225 Sociology of Gender 3 Cr
While there are biological differences between the sexes, in this course we will explore the social aspects of gender from a sociological perspective. From this view, gender is treated as separate from sex, because gender is the study of differing social expectations for people according to their sex. We will examine how gender is defined, constructed, and reinforced within society, and how all this relates to gender identities and gender inequality. With a critical eye on gender’s social construction, we will address issues of gender acquisition and explore the interactions between gender and other socially-constructed categories such as race/ethnicity and class as well as social institutions. Prerequisites: SO 101, PSY 105, or CO 101. Fall semester, odd numbered years.
SO 230 Social Movements and Collective Action 3 Cr
When groups want to affect social change but even traditional democratic means (lobbying, voting, etc.) have failed, what are their options? How effective are these options in different circumstances? When has a social movement or form of collective action been successful? Would you say the environmental movement has been successful? The women’s movement? The simplicity movement? In this course, we will explore why social movements and collective action are so common, even in democratic states, as a means for redressing grievances. We will look at the origins, circumstances, consequences, and competing theories of riots, crazes, panics, reforms and revolutionary movements. This is a course for anyone interested in how significant, systematic social change happens, or doesn’t happen. Prerequisite: SO 101. Pending approval for National Diversity requirement effective fall 2011.
SO231 Demography* 3 Cr
This course is concerned with population studies and the effects of population growth, loss, morbidity, and mortality on society. The age distribution within a society has important implications for social, economic, and political planning. In order to plan for the future we have to understand why some populations are growing while others are shrinking and what happens to societies as their patterns of birth, death, or migration change. Are we in the midst of a population explosion? Is the growing size of the senior population going to break the economy? These are all questions that will be explored. First offered fall 2012. Prerequisite: SO 101
SO 262 Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, and Dependent Behavior 3 Cr
A holistic approach with a particularly sociological emphasis regarding the use and abuse of alcohol, other psychoactive drugs, and dependency behaviors, e.g. gambling and sexual addiction. Upon completion of the course, students will understand problems of addiction, methods of prevention and control, theories of causation, and the disease concept. They will know various treatment methods. Prerequisite: SO 101. Fall semester, odd-numbered years.
SO 291 Social Gerontology 3 Cr
This course presents the many (physical, social, family, emotional, public policy, and other) dimensions of aging within the context of current sociological, gerontological, and other social theories. Empirical facts on aging include a background on social science research methods used to gain such knowledge. This course includes guest lectures by community professionals working in gerontological fields, as well as elderly individuals. Prerequisite: SO 101. Pending approval for National Diversity requirement effective fall 2011. Offered every third semester.
SO 309 Crime and Criminology 3 Cr
A survey of findings, myths, and perspectives on crime. A wide variety of types of crime are studied, including violent, white collar, sex, corporate, and organized crime. Theories regarding crime and proposed solutions to crime are examined. Prerequisite: SO 101. Offered every third semester (Fall 2010). Fulfills National Diversity requirement.
SO 312 Juvenile Delinquency and Deviant Behavior 3 Cr
Course emphasizes juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system; includes theories on juvenile delinquency, mental illness, drug abuse, and sexual deviance; and examines the role of institutions and various treatment methods. Strongly recommended for those interested in careers in law, probation, parole, human services, or social work. Prerequisite: SO 101 or consent of instructor. Offered every third semester. Fulfills National Diversity requirement.
SO 314 Sociology of Law 3 Cr
Examination of social processes involved in enacting legislation, law enforcement, and judicial decisions along with the roles of lawyers, judges, and others in both civil and criminal systems. Recommended for those interested in law, law enforcement, or areas related to the legal system. Prerequisite: SO 101 or consent of instructor. Offered every third semester (Fall 2010). Fulfills Global Diversity requirement.
SO/AN 317 Ethnic and Racial Relations 3 Cr
An anthropological and sociological examination of ethnic and racial relations within and between different socio-cultural groups, including an analysis of ethnic differences and the various patterns of individual, social, social psychological, and cultural relationships. Prerequisite: SO 101. Fall semester. Fulfills National Diversity requirement.
SO/AN 318 American Indians 3 Cr
An in-depth examination of selected Native American groups, cultural areas, and contemporary issues, such as Tribal Law, Federal and State legal issues as they pertain to American Indian Treaty issues including water, hunting, and fishing rights, or Native American Spirituality. Prerequisite: SO/AN 204 or SO/AN 218. Odd-year, spring semester. Fulfills Global Diversity requirement.
SO 331 Social Science Research Methods 4 Cr
An overview of the principles, methods, and practice of research in the social sciences. The course will assist students in research design, case studies, conducting field research, analyzing and evaluating their research data, conducting needs assessment, program evaluation, and practice effectiveness. Prerequisites: SO 101; MA 207; Junior status. Spring semester.
SO 335 D mestic Violence 3 Cr
Domestic Violence includes violence against spouses and partners, children, and elders in our society. It is a serious and often hidden problem. The Judicial Committee of the United States Senate estimates that close to 5 million assaults, murders, and rapes are committed against women in their homes each year. The statistics in reported incidences of reported child abuse are staggering and increasing dramatically. And while men are often too embarrassed to report it, men also are raped and battered. In this course we will use the sociological imagination to shift through competing perspectives on the causes of this violence. Prerequisite: SO 101. Fall semester, even-numbered years.
SO 340 Sociology of Organizations 3 Cr
Organizations are the fundamental unit of modern society. Organizations shape the ways we interact, how we accomplish goals, how we transfer resources, and how we develop our own sense of self. Organizations are extremely diverse. They can be small and local, like our Helena Brewers baseball team or Carroll’s SAVE group. They can be large and international, like Microsoft or the World Bank. They can be voluntary, like a club. They can be involuntary, like a prison. In this course we will focus on the diversity in organizations and examine how they work, why they empower some people and hinder others, and how they reflect and shape society. We will look at a variety of theories attempting to understand organizations, and evaluate each for their usefulness. We will then apply these theories to specific organizations we read about through course material, and then you will have a chance to apply the theories in your own case study of an organization of your choosing. Prerequisite: SO101. Spring semster, odd-numbered years.
SO 351 Medical Sociology 3 Cr
Course develops an appreciation of the role of sociology and social sciences in the study of health and medical care. Treatment of patients, functioning of health care systems, and many of the problems confronting modern medical care which relate to sociology and the social sciences. Recommended for those considering a career in public health, health science, medicine, health care delivery, or social work. Prerequisite: SO 101 or consent of instructor. Spring semester. Fulfills National Diversity requirement.
SO 355 Sociology of Emotions 3 Cr
In this course we look at emotions from a sociological perspective and ask such questions as: Are emotions the glue that holds society together?; Where do emotions come from?; Are emotions logical or illogical?; and Do neurobiological processes create emotions or do emotions inform neurobiological responses? As human beings we experience emotions, yet social interaction necessitates that certain kinds of emotions are appropriate in some settings and not in others. At this point we must ask ourselves how much our emotions are influenced and constrained by cultural norms, values, beliefs, and vocabularies. We especially have to control our emotions in the workplace; does this create emotion-work? We will also look at emotional relationships between humans, society, and pets. Prerequisite: SO101, Junior Standing. Spring semster, odd-numbered years.
SO 360 Environmental Sociology 3 Cr
This course will examine the relationships between human society and the natural environment with a particular emphasis on how different social classes, races and genders experience or affect the environment. We will study how factors such as consumption, population growth, development, technology, political ideologies and social movements affect the identification, emergence and resolutions of environmental problems—from local to global levels. By the end of the course students will be able to think critically about the relationships between the social and the natural worlds, and will analyze and begin to suggest solutions to contemporary environmental problems. Prerequisite: SO 101. Spring semester, even-numbered years.
SO 392 Modern Social Theory 3 Cr
This course introduces students to important theoretical tools that will enable them to see the world as sociologists do and, in the process, assist them in constructing new theories as social contexts continually change. In addition to highlighting the contributions of some of the discipline’s founding theorists (e.g., Marx, Weber, Durkheim and Mead), the course will focus on five of the most significant theoretical perspectives in sociology; conflict theory, functionalism, symbolic interactionism, phenomenological sociology and feminist theory. Prerequisite: SO 101, Junior Standing. Fall semester.
SO 425 Sociology Internship 3-6 Cr
This course is an internship consisting of supervised work experience and an intern observation in approved social service and governmental agencies which render direct service to clients or client systems. Students are placed in agencies which correspond to their major area of study. Agencies include those dealing with the juvenile and criminal justice system, those serving the needy, those engaged in health care delivery, and governmental agencies. Readings will be assigned and periodic individual meetings with each student’s sociology advisor will be held. No more than six (6) credits of SO 425 may apply to a student’s total major requirements. Prerequisites: Senior standing; consent of instructor.
SO 495 Senior Seminar 3 Cr
A comprehensive review and professionalization for seniors graduating in sociology, including an analysis of the sociology profession, a survey of literature, and direction in the formulation of a semester project. Satisfies the comprehensive examination requirement. Prerequisite: SO 392. Fall semester. Fulfills Writing Intensive requirement.