Professing Sociology: Studies in the Life Cycle of Social Science

by Irving Horowitz (Editor)

Overview

Professing Sociology was originally published at a time when sociology commanded widespread interest and public funding. Written by one of the leaders of "the new sociology" of the late sixties, this volume captures the nature and intensity of the field's intellectual foundations and scope. It reveals the field's post-World War II development as a scientific discipline and as a profession, and includes the author's most significant writings on critical trends shaping the field.

Irving Louis Horowitz divides the life cycle of sociology into three main sections. The first deals with the inner life of sociology, covering basic theoretical issues uniting and dividing the profession. In a second section, Horowitz shows the institutions and sources from which the struggle of ideas is nourished. A third section shows how political life shapes the inner life of American sociology. Horowitz gives a great deal of attention to international social science, to the relationship of social science to public policy, and to federal projects and grant agencies and their effects on research.

Irving Louis Horowitz was undoubtedly influential in shaping his field, and Professing Sociology offers valuable insights into how ideas become part of the fabric of professional life. As the new introduction by Howard G. Schneiderman shows, Professing Sociology provides a clear picture of sociology at the height of its importance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412851985
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/28/2014
Pages:	387
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Irving Louis Horowitz (1929-2012) was Hannah Arendt Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Political Science at Rutgers University. He was the founder and served as chairman of the board and editorial director of Transaction Publishers.

Howard G. Schneiderman is professor in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at Lafayette College.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Transaction Edition, by Howard G. Schneiderman Preface I. THE INNER LIFE OF SOCIOLOGY 1. Consensus, Conflict, and Cooperation 2. Scientific Criticism and the Sociology of Knowledge 3. Social Science Objectivity and Value Neutrality 4. Crime, Custom, and Culture 5. A Formalization of the Sociology of Knowledge 6. The Sociology of Social Problems 7. On Alienation and the Social Order 8. Social Deviance and Political Marginality II. THE ACADEMIC LIFE OF SOCIOLOGY 9. On Learning and Teaching Sociology 10. Establishment Sociology 11. Sociology for Sale 12. Anthropology for Sociologists 13. Max Weber and the Spirit of American Sociology 14. Mainliners and Marginals 15. From Social Psychology to Social Performance III. THE POLITICAL LIFE OF SOCIOLOGY 16. Functionalist Sociology and Political Ideologies 17. International Social Science Research 18. Social Science and Public Policy 19. The Life and Death of Project Camelot 20. Federally Sponsored Overseas Research 21. Social Science Fiction and the Americanization of Conflict 22. Social Indicators and Social Policies 23. Social Science Yogis and Military Commissars NAME INDEX SUBJECT INDEX

Editorial Reviews

-Although the articles are highly critical of past and present trends in social science, underlying all of them is the author's optimistic belief in the ability of social science to answer the eternal problems of mankind. . . . The book has much to say to anthropologists, both in areas that deal with the field directly and those that treat social science generally.-

--Judith G. Goode, American Anthropologist

-Written with characteristic liveliness, wit, and style. . . [these papers] make instructive and entertaining reading.-

--Harold Fallding, Social Forces

"Although the articles are highly critical of past and present trends in social science, underlying all of them is the author's optimistic belief in the ability of social science to answer the eternal problems of mankind. . . . The book has much to say to anthropologists, both in areas that deal with the field directly and those that treat social science generally."

--Judith G. Goode, American Anthropologist

"Written with characteristic liveliness, wit, and style. . . [these papers] make instructive and entertaining reading."

--Harold Fallding, Social Forces

"Although the articles are highly critical of past and present trends in social science, underlying all of them is the author's optimistic belief in the ability of social science to answer the eternal problems of mankind. . . . The book has much to say to anthropologists, both in areas that deal with the field directly and those that treat social science generally."

--Judith G. Goode, American Anthropologist

"Written with characteristic liveliness, wit, and style. . . [these papers] make instructive and entertaining reading."

--Harold Fallding, Social Forces

From the Publisher