Sociology
The Bachelor of Science in Sociology permits an emphasis in one of two major areas of study: Justice Studies or Sociology. This degree provides the student the opportunity to combine a liberal arts education with a unique focus on the study of human behavior, social groups, and society. Students in either option are permitted a large number of elective courses.
Although the nature of the opportunities for employment with the Bachelor's degree vary, each option provides excellent preparation for graduate school and other educational and career opportunities.
We strongly recommend that prior to enrolling in any upper division courses in Sociology or Justice Studies students complete their core in Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, Diversity, Inquiry - Social Sciences, and Stat 216 with a grade of C- or better. We also recommend students take SOC 318 in their junior year.
Justice Studies and Sociology options require an "enrichment series" comprised of a minimum of 9 semester credits (no less than 3 courses) that constitute a coherent sequence (normally from external department(s). Specific requirements may depend upon the option; the course of study must be approved by the advisor. No more than one of the courses may be from the university core and no more than one course may be taken prior to application for approval. Approval should be sought prior to the junior year. More detailed information is available from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
Prerequisite Requirements
Any student who enrolls in a course offered by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology without the required prerequisite(s) will be required to withdraw from the course. Any major who enrolls in an upper division course must have formally applied and been approved for permission to enroll.
Curricula in Sociology
SOCIOLOGY OPTION
Sociology is the study of situations in which human beings are in relationship with one another. It seeks to explain social institutions, standards, cultures, and the factors that operate in social change. The sociology option is designed to prepare the student for employment when a sociology background is desirable or required, or for further study in sociology at the graduate level.
Sociologists may find employment with nonprofit and for profit business and agricultural organizations or governmental agencies, as well as academic institutions. The fields of labor relations, personnel administration, market analysis, and various types of industrial research employ trained sociologists. Many graduates enter the social services.
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| WRIT 101W--College Writing I | 3 | ||
| SOC 101--Sociological Inquiry | 3 | ||
| University Seminar Core | 3 | ||
| Diversity Core | 3 | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning Core | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 15 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| STAT 216--Elementary Statistics | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 24 | ||
| SOC or JS Electives | 3 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Junior Year | Credits | ||
| SOC 301--Intro to Social Theory | 3 | ||
| SOC 318--Research Methods | 4 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 9 | ||
| SOC or JS Electives | 3 | ||
| Sociology Core | 9 | ||
| Enrichment Series | 3 | ||
| 31 | |||
| Senior Year | Credits | ||
| SOC 451--Senior Capstone Seminar | 3 | ||
| Sociology Core | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 11 | ||
| SOC or JS Electives | 6 | ||
| Enrichment Series | 6 | ||
| 29 |
Sociology Core: Students must take 12 credits from the following:
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| SOC 303--Social Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 304--Social Stratification | 3 |
| SOC 308--Population Problems | 3 |
| One of the following two courses: | |
| SOC 325--Sociology of Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| SOC 326--Sociology of Gender | 3 |
| SOC 345--Complex Organizations | 3 |
| SOC 363--Political Sociology | 3 |
| JS 319--Law and Society | 3 |
Sociology Electives: Students may take 12 credits from any course designated as SOC or JS - All but 3 credits must be upper division and no more than 3 credits of JS 441,JS 476 and SOC 476 combined can count toward the fulfillment of elective credits.
The maximum number of Sociology transfer credits accepted is 18.
SOC 301 and SOC 318 must be taken at MSU-Bozeman. Transfer students who have taken these prior to transferring can petition to have these courses accepted. For graduation in the Sociology option students must have a grade of "C-" or higher in all required and elective Sociology courses.
A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.
JUSTICE STUDIES OPTION
The Justice Studies Option provides sociology students the opportunity to engage in an interdisciplinary, critical examination of justice theories and practices. This examination involves a variety of perspectives, including sociology, criminology, ethical theory, legal studies, and political philosophy. Faculty recognize that criminal justice issues are complex, and cannot be separated from broader social justice issues. Students in this option have the opportunity to learn about theories of justice, crime and criminology, comparative justice, law, punishment theories and practices, adolescents and justice, and differential institutional and socio-economic treatment of populations based on gender, race, class, and ethnic identities. Faculty are committed to challenging students to develop their own understandings of justice, to analyze critically, and propose possible solutions to a wide variety of contemporary issues of justice facing society.
Graduates of this option have found employment with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as correctional, probation, and parole organizations. Other graduates have found employment with social services agencies or advanced to law school or graduate school.
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| WRIT 101W--College Writing I | 3 | ||
| SOC 101--Sociological Inquiry | 3 | ||
| University Seminar Core | 3 | ||
| Diversity Core | 3 | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning Core | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 15 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| JS 201--Intro to Justice in Theory and Practice | 3 | ||
| STAT 216--Elementary Statistics | 3 | ||
| SOC or JS Electives | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 21 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Junior Year | Credits | ||
| SOC 301--Intro to Social Theory | 3 | ||
| SOC 318--Research Methods | 4 | ||
| SOC or JS Electives | 3 | ||
| Justice Studies Core | 12 | ||
| Enrichment Series | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 6 | ||
| 31 | |||
| Senior Year | Credits | ||
| SOC 451--Senior Capstone Seminar | 3 | ||
| SOC or JS Electives | 3 | ||
| Justice Studies Core | 3 | ||
| Enrichment Series | 6 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 14 | ||
| 29 |
Justice Studies Core: Students must take the following:
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| JS 201--Intro to Justice in Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Take one of the following two courses: | |
| JS 319--Law and Society | 3 |
| JS 326--Law and Inequality | 3 |
| Take one of the following two courses: | |
| SOC 311--Criminology | 3 |
| SOC 309--Sociology of Deviance | 3 |
| Take one of the following three courses: | |
| SOC 304--Social Stratification | 3 |
| SOC 325--Sociology of Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| SOC 326--Sociology of Gender | 3 |
| Take one of the following two courses: | |
| SOC 345--Complex Organizations | 3 |
| SOC 363--Political Sociology | 3 |
| Take one of the following two courses: | |
| SOC 403--Police and Society | 3 |
| JS 410--Correctional Institutions | 3 |
Justice Studies Electives: students must take 9 credits from any course designated as SOC or JS. All but 3 credits must be upper division and no more than 3 credits of JS 441, JS 476, and SOC 476 combined can count toward the fulfillment of elective credits. Six of the nine credits must be JS courses.
The maximum number of Justice Studies transfer credits accepted is 18.
SOC 301 and SOC 318 must be taken at MSU-Bozeman. Transfer students who have taken these prior to transferring can petition to have these courses accepted. For graduation in the Justice Studies Option, students must have a grade of "C-" or higher in all required and elective courses in Sociology and in Justice Studies.
A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.
SOCIOLOGY MINOR (NON-TEACHING)
| Required Courses | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC 101--Socialogical Inquiry | 3 | ||
| SOC 301--Intro to Social Theory | 3 | ||
| Three courses from the following: | |||
| SOC 303--Social Psychology | 3 | ||
| SOC 304--Social Stratification | 3 | ||
| SOC 308S--Population Problems | 3 | ||
| One of the following two: | |||
| SOC 325--Sociology of Race and Ethnicity | 3 | ||
| SOC 326--Sociology of Gender | 3 | ||
| SOC 345--Complex Organizations | 3 | ||
| SOC 363--Political Sociology | 3 | ||
| 21 | |||
12 of 21 hours must be from upper division courses numbered 300 or above.
