Future profession of sociologist: expectations of the university applicants

This article considers various aspects of selecting sociological discipline by the university applicants. Based on the conducted in 2019 empirical research, the author summarizes the representations of high graduates on sociology as a scientific discipline, as well as on sociological profession. Overall, applicants became more careful in selecting sociology for their future, have an idea what is modern sociology and its development trends. This is also reflected in the official statistics, which claims that the number of applications submitted for “Sociology” has increased over the recent years. However, difficulties of such choice are revealed as well. University applicants are rather focused on acquisition of specific competences in the field of sociology, but perceive sociology as a cross-disciplinary area of knowledge. The article determines the representations of university applicants on similarities between the school course of social studies and sociology, as well as on the role of social studies in selecting sociology in the university. Assessment is given to the opinions of university applicants on the advantages of sociology in relation to other scientific disciplines; opportunities for personal and career growth in the future profession of sociologist. The author touches upon the question of formatting the image of sociologist from the perspective of university applicants. Thus, the article resolves the problem of formation of the image of future profession among university applicants that chose the academic discipline “Sociology”.  In structuring educational strategies, the universities should take into account such representations of their applicants for improving learning efficiency.

‘Foundations of Social Theory’ oder ‘Foundations of Sociology’?

The comment deals with the relevance of Coleman’s Foundations of Social Theory for so called ‘sociological theory’. On the one hand Coleman’s work is an extraordinary contribution to the solution of some of the most important ‘classical’ questions of sociology. On the other hand it is to be expected that the enormous potential of the book probably has only limited effects within the wider sociological profession. One reason for that estimation is the unfamiliarity of many sociologists with Coleman’s instruments of aggregation of collective effects. The other - more important - reason is that Coleman almost completely leaves out any discussion of the importance of ‘symbolic’ and ‘cultural’ processes. Insofar the book is indeed a ‘Foundation of Social Theory’ but not a foundation of ‘sociology’ in its past and present understanding.

Kimball Young on Founders of the Chicago School

Editors' Introduction: In 1968, former president of the American Sociological Association Kimball Young (1893–1972) gave a seminar at Arizona State University that was attended by both editors. The sessions were taped, for it was Young's intention to organize the tapes into a book that would document his life as a sociologist, a book to be called Man in Transition. From these materials a first chapter has emerged that is Young's account of his experiences as a graduate student at the University of Chicago (1917–1919) as the Chicago School was evolving in the Department of Sociology. The editors' intention is to preserve the candid flavor of Young's storytelling. This candor sometimes has resulted in controversy as he cast his critical eye upon members of the sociological profession, a profession he participated in with remarkable vigor and enthusiasm.