Sociology at Montana

The Sociology faculty at UM bring diverse theoretical perspectives to their courses and use a wide array of methodological strategies in their research and teaching. Their interests range from social issues facing our local community and the Northern Rocky Mountain region, to national and global concerns. Faculty research addresses both theoretical issues, such as the causes of criminal behavior, and practical matters, such as the impact of legislation on family policy and poverty programs.

Fields of Study

In addition to a general sociology major, students may choose one of three options for structuring their course work. The General Sociology major provides a broad foundation in sociological theory and research, together with exposure to a variety of courses in the main substantive areas of the discipline. Students interested in crime and criminal justice can choose an option in Criminology, while students concerned with the causes and consequences of social inequality can select an option in Inequality and Social Justice. Students interested in rural and environmental issues can pursue an option in Rural and Environmental Change. These options allow students to concentrate their studies in a particular area of interest while still acquiring a solid foundation in the discipline of Sociology.

Award Winning Students, Staff, and Faculty

Assistant Professor Daisy Rooks has been awarded the 2013 Cox Educational Excellence Award. The prestigious Cox Award was established to encourage and reward junior faculty members in the area of teaching. 

Sociology graduate student Mike King received the 2013 Graduate Assistant Teaching Award during the Employee Recognition Day Awards. This University-wide award recognizes Mike's outstanding TA work in Sociology and Chemistry.

Sociology graduate student Cassie Sheets is the winner of the award for the best paper in the Social Sciences at the 2013 University of Montana Graduate Student and Faculty Research Conference. Her paper was titled: "The Sweet Grass Hills: A Foucaultian Discourse Analysis of Blackfeet Indian Power". 

Associate Professor Kathy Kuipers received a 2013 Student Affairs Faculty Award.

Administrative Associate Adelle Mackey was an honoree at the 2013 Student Affairs Staff Recognition Reception in recognition of her exceptional work with Student Services.

Associate Professor Teresa Sobieszczyk has spent the 2012-2013 academic year in Vietnam on a Fullbright Award.

Professors Kathy Kuipers and Daisy Rooks were selected to teach Global Leadership Initiative freshman seminars during Autumn Semester, 2013. Professor Kuiper's course is entitled "Who Are You? Identity in our Social World," and Professor Rooks' course is titled "Privation in a Land of Plenty: Hunger and Homelessness in the US".

Sociology graduate student Scott Byington won the 2013 Clancy Gordon Environmental Scholarship. Rumor has it that Scott is the first social sciences student to receive this scholarship.