Department of Sociology & Anthropology

http://socanth.msu.montana.edu/

Bachelor of Science in Anthropology

Students earning a B.S. in Anthropology obtain a broad, anthropological perspective on the study of humankind. As part of the curriculum, students are expected to become familiar with and understand the interrelationships among the diverse aspects of our humanity – both present and past. These include the biological evolution of our species, the adaptive advantage of human symbolic capacities and technological abilities, and the development of culture from earliest recognizable traces through the emergence of complex civilizations. Historical concerns include investigations of the diversity of human languages, the relationship between language and world view, the ethnography of speech practices, the cultural construction of the social and physical world, and the social and structural relationships that people use to make sense out of their daily activities. These concepts are introduced and applied through course offerings in the four sub-fields of anthropology: social/cultural anthropology, archaeology, evolutionary/biological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Students work closely with faculty to gain a well-grounded knowledge of anthropological theories and methods that allows them to pursue research in one or more sub-fields of study.

Anthropology is a diverse field that provides students with a solidly-grounded liberal arts education. At the same time it is a cornerstone for understanding issues of diversity in an increasingly global world. In order to gain the skills needed to pursue research, students will learn how to think critically, read in a discerning manner, formulate logical arguments, and write in a coherent fashion. The B.S. degree in Anthropology prepares students for graduate work in this discipline. Graduate degrees are typically required for professional participation in this field. In addition to professional employment as research scientists or college-level professors, anthropologists often find positions as consultants, teachers, museum curators, or as specialists in historic preservation. Equally, domestic and foreign assignments with international, federal, or state agencies and institutions, and jobs in private industry, are available. Anthropologists are also found in public service organizations, medical and public health programs, environmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and in positions that require community organizing abilities or ethnographic and social survey research skills.

Curriculum Requirements

Students pursuing a B.S. in Anthropology are required to complete 48 credits in anthropology courses and closely related fields. This includes required courses of ANTY 101D, one of either SOCI 101IS, SOCI 150D, or SOCI 201D; ANTY 215IS, ANTY 225IS, STAT 216Q or SOCI 202, ANTY 313, ANTY 473, and either ANTY 428RS or  ANTY 450R. The remaining credits are in electives: three elective credits in cultural anthropology, three elective credits in archaeology, and 18 additional elective credits. A total of 21 of the 24 elective credits in Anthropology must be upper-division (300/400 level).

In addition, Anthropology majors must complete one of the following sequences of courses:

Sequence A:

A minor or double major approved by the student's advisor: 21-27 credits

Sequence B:

18 credits of advisor approved electives

Academic advisors in anthropology work closely with each student to establish a viable educational plan. Ongoing interactions between students and advisors ensure that a student's educational objectives are being met as they move towards a degree.

Before enrolling in 300 and 400 level Anthropology courses, we strongly recommend that students complete their university Core requirements in Writing (W), Quantitative Reasoning (Q) and University Seminar (US) with a C- or better, with the Q Core completed by the end of their sophomore year. All university Core requirements must be satisfied by courses outside of those required for the Anthropology major.

Prerequisite Requirements

Any student who enrolls in a course offered by the Department of Sociology & Anthropology without successfully completing the required prerequisite(s) will be required to withdraw from the course and complete the prerequisite, unless they obtain instructor approval to remain enrolled. 

Transfer Students

For Anthropology Majors, the maximum number of Anthropology transfer credits accepted is 18. 

Bachelor of Science in Sociology

The Bachelor of Science in Sociology program provides students the opportunity to combine a liberal arts education with a unique focus on the empirical study of human societies including social dynamics, institutions, inequality, and crime and victimization. The curriculum is designed for students to explore interests in sociology and criminology, with an emphasis on elective courses and few prerequisites. A Bachelor's degree in Sociology prepares students for employment in a number of areas, including governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, law enforcement, corrections, and academic institutions. Sociology also provides excellent preparation for graduate school and other educational and career opportunities.

The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree with two options: (a) General Sociology, or (b) Criminology. Both options require 42 credits in sociology courses, along with 3 credits in statistics. In choosing specific sociology classes and topics, students consult with their advisor and instructors to determine the best set of classes to fulfill the elective requirements. For students in both the General Sociology and Criminology options, it will be helpful to discuss your substantive and occupational interests with your advisor to better design and align your major coursework with these interests. We offer many sociology classes that can be combined to create a focused and comprehensive plan of study, which will better prepare you to enter post-baccalaureate positions.

Additionally, the department recommends that students consider adding a second major or a minor to their degree plans to further assist in preparing them for labor market or graduate education options. The choice of this major or minor should also be made in consultation with advisors and other faculty members.

Criminology Option

This option is for the student who desires a strong foundation in Sociology with a specific focus on laws, the legal system, the social structure of criminal behavior, and society's efforts to understand and control crime and victimization. This option allows students to pursue a sociology degree that integrates core coursework in sociology with courses that focus on law, crime, and the criminal justice system. To achieve this integration, the student is required to take SOCI 101IS or SOCI 110IS, STAT 216Q or SOCI 202, SOCI 318R, SOCI 311, and SOCI 499 (15 credits total).The remaining 30 credits in Sociology will be comprised of 15 credits in Directed Criminology elective courses and 15 credits in Sociology elective courses.

We strongly recommend that prior to enrolling in any upper division courses in Sociology, students complete their Core requirement in Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, Diversity, and Inquiry-Social Sciences with a grade of "C-" or better. We also recommend students complete their Quantitative Reasoning Core by the end of their sophomore year and SOCI 318R in their junior year.

Sociology Option

This option is for the student who desires a broad foundation in Sociology with the ability to fully customize their major and substantive focus. For this option, the student is required to take SOCI 101IS or SOCI 110IS, STAT 216Q or SOCI 202, SOCI 318R, SOCI 455, and SOCI 499 (15 credits total). The remaining 30 credits in Sociology will be comprised of ten courses of the student's choosing, of which eight must be at the 300-level or above. Students that choose the General Sociology Option often take a set of courses that lead to a specific area of emphasis, such as Social Inequality, Family Relations and Children, Social Services, Health and Medicine, and Pre-Law.

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, unless they receive permission from the instructor to remain enrolled. Most elective courses in Sociology require SOCI 101IS or SOCI 110IS as a prerequisite. 

Curricula in Sociology

Transfer Students: 

The maximum number of Sociology transfer credits accepted is 18.

SOCI 318R, SOCI 455 or SOCI 311, and SOCI 499 must be taken within the MUS system, or at a transfer institution if the department deems the course to be a direct replacement. 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.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Minors