The Department of Native American Studies, Political Science, and Sociology

Dr. Craig Wilson, Chairperson
LA 802, (406) 657-2311 or 657-2119
cwilson@msubillings.edu
www.msubillings.edu/cas/nams/

Undergraduate Degrees and Majors

Bachelor of Arts
Major:  Sociology

Bachelor of Science
Majors:  Sociology, Criminal Justice

Minors:  Native American Studies, Political Science, Sociology

Teaching Minors:  Political Science, Sociology

Pre-Professional Program:  Pre-Law

Certification:  Social Science (Broadfield) Endorsement

Advising Information

Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester to confirm that their Plan of Study is accurate and complete.  If necessary, changes and updates should be made in order to ensure that program requirements can be completed in a timely manner.  Faculty advisors work with students to explore appropriate internships, cooperative education placements and/or experiential learning opportunities which will enhance the student’s academic program.  In addition, advisors provide assistance in selecting elective courses which support the student’s interests, career plans and Plan of Study.

Academic advising services for all freshmen Arts and Sciences majors are provided through the Advising Center in McMullen Hall, Room 100.  Upon declaring a specific major, Arts and Science majors will be assigned to a faculty advisor in their department for upper-division advising.  Advising files for all upper-division students are maintained in the departmental office of the program in which the student is majoring.  Although advisors are available to assist students in designing their Plans of Study, students are ultimately responsible for meeting degree requirements. 

The Department of Native American Studies, Political Science and Sociology combines three scholarly disciplines, each with its separate faculty and academic programs.  The four-year program in Sociology leads to a Bachelor of Science degree.  The department offers minors in Political Science, Native American Studies, and Sociology.

Sociology

Mission Statement
The sociology program at MSU Billings is dedicated to promoting the values of social responsibility, respect for diversity, and a commitment to lifelong learning.  Our sociology program takes a holistic approach to learning, an approach that directly links academic work with understanding of the structure of social institutions, changes in them, and their impacts on the lives of individuals. Our program also conveys insights into the dynamics of social processes, and the manners in which individuals both shape and are shaped by these processes.  Finally, the sociology program at MSU Billings imparts knowledge about the self as it relates to various social contexts.

Objectives
Students who complete the sociology program at MSU Billings will be able to use the following tools to provide an understanding a variety of social situations.

• Critical thinking
• Introspective awareness of self in social contexts
• Multi-cultural awareness
• Inductive and deductive logical modeling
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods

The Sociology Program
The study of sociology at MSU Billings is based on a core of theory and method courses:  (1) how to understand social life as a sociologist (theory) and (2) how to observe social life and draw conclusions from what one sees (method).  Courses involving theory and method are required for every major.

In the interest of building a broad sociological foundation, each student is required to take at least one course from the four areas in the program:  (1) General Sociology, Anthropology and Human Ecology; (2) Interpersonal Relationships, Family and Human Sexuality; (3) Crime and Criminal Justice; and (4) Women and Minority Studies.  Based on this foundation, students are strongly encouraged to focus their academic interest on one of the four areas.  To provide opportunity for students to integrate their academic knowledge in sociology and the wider social world we live in, the department requires a minimum of 135 hours of work experience with an organization.

A degree in Sociology provides a solid foundation for a student to enter into either graduate study or occupation in government, industry or business.  For instance, with a concentration in program area two or three, a student can find job opportunities in human services or the criminal and/or juvenile justice related fields. There are two degree programs in Sociology.  A Bachelor of Arts degree program orients a student toward graduate study by putting an emphasis on the proficiency of a second language.  A Bachelor of Science degree program puts an emphasis on familiarity with Mathematics and Computer Science to prepare a student for entering the labor market right after graduation.  Nonetheless, the difference between the two degree programs is only a matter of emphasis, rather than the substance of the program itself.  Regardless of one's special interest, one might wish to emphasize research methods and statistics.  Because of the growth of computer use, these two skills are cited as most valuable by sociology graduates employed in nonacademic jobs.

Extended major:  in lieu of a minor, students may choose the Sociology major extended option.  This option requires 15 additional credits from the list of Sociology courses.

Political Science

Political Science is the study of politics, government, and public affairs.  It provides the student with knowledge and understanding of the theory, organization, functions, and processes of domestic and international systems and institutions of politics and government, including the role of individual and group relations.

Courses offered are oriented toward (a) preparing the student for citizenship roles in community and national affairs and providing a coherent knowledge of political and government activities; (b) assisting the student to secure a broad liberal arts and sciences education; (c) providing undergraduate preparation for those students who propose to study at the graduate level; (d) offering general training for students who plan careers in government and public affairs; (e) preparing students for careers in secondary teaching; (f) providing a sound background for those students who intend to enroll in law and other professional schools; (g) providing a useful background for students who wish to work in management and staff positions in business and industry which have relationships with the public sector, including political journalism.

Native American Studies

The Native American Studies Program has four primary goals:  (1) to offer a comprehensive academic program in Native American Studies for both Native American and nonnative students; (2) to provide increased awareness of and appreciation for the rich cultural heritage, knowledge, and contributions of Native Americans in the United States; (3) to contribute actively to increased multicultural awareness and appreciation at MSU Billings and throughout the region; and (4) to cooperate with other MSU Billings programs in providing a supportive environment for Native American students.

Native American Studies began at Montana State University Billings in 1970 and has continued to develop in response to internal and external needs and provisions.  The Native American Studies staff supports other Native American related programs at MSU Billings including Multicultural Student Services and the Intertribal Indian Club.  Some NAMS courses are cross-listed between Native American Studies and English, History, Philosophy, Psychology and Political Science.  The academic offering in Native American Studies includes classes which examine past and present Native American cultures as living, vital cultures; explores issues in Native American history, education, and the behavioral sciences; and identifies factors that contribute to the unique cultural and legal status of Native American people.  Special workshops and classes are held which are responsive to the contemporary needs and concerns of the Native American populations in Montana.  NAMS courses provide a background for any career involving work with people from different cultures and especially with Native American communities.  Montana law permits local schools to require that teachers have a background in Native American Studies.  In 1981 the Montana Board of Education and Human Services took action that would allow a certified teacher with any endorsement to teach Indian studies courses if they have 10 credits of Native American Studies coursework.  An academic minor of 21 credits is offered for the Arts and Sciences, Education, or Business student.

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