Department of Sociology Records

Collection

Identifier: UA 0004.0026

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the official records that reflect the history and activities of the Department of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences from 1959-2015. These records contain material related to academic courses, degree proposals, departmental meetings, the history of the department, programs, and self studies. The files primarily include annual reports, brochures, course material, flyers, meeting minutes, memorandums, newsletters, proposals, reports, and an archive of the deptartment's website.

Dates

1959 - 2021

Creator

Department of Sociology (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement.

Biographical or Historical Information

Beginning in 1917, the topic of sociology was taught at the State Normal and Industrial College (now UNCG) under the Department of Sociology and Economics. H.H. Benke was the head of the department until his resignation in 1919. Eduard C. Linderman would replace Benke and serve as head from 1920 to 1922 and would be seceded by Gleen R. Johnson who would lead the department until 1954.

In 1936, the Department of Sociology was established as its own department separate from economics. Enrollment into the degree program continued to rise in the later 1930s and by 1946 had over 100 students. In 1946, there was four sociologist on staff including Mereb Mossman who would later go on to become Academic Dean of the Students for over 20 years.

In 1961, the department again changed names to become the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. This expanded title was encouraged by two young new professors, Elaine Burgess and Harriet Kupferer, who believed that the department needed to refocus its studies on modern academic and theoretical concerns of sociology. However, as the various areas of the department grew in size and specialization, it became more difficult to fit them under one single department. Therefore, in 1974 there would be another split as the Department of Sociology and Department of Anthropology became two distinct departmental units.

Extent

0.83 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Department of Sociology has undergone several name changes since its establishment in 1917 having been linked with economics and anthropology. Today it is responsible for the undergraduate and graduate curricula in sociology.

The records of the Department of Sociology contain annual reports, brochures, course material, flyers, meeting minutes, memorandums, newsletters, proposals, reports, an archive of the department's website and other records which document the activities of the department from 1959-2015.

Arrangement Note

The arrangement scheme for this collection was imposed during processing in the absence of a useable original order. This collection is arranged into two series with Series 1 arranged in alphabetical order while Series 2 is in chronological order. Series 1: General Files, 1959-2015 Series 2: Annual Reports, 1970-2002

Method of Acquisition

Periodically transferred from the Department of Sociology.

Offensive Language Statement

The UNC Greensboro University Libraries collects, preserves, and makes accessible unique and historical materials for learning and research. The nature of historical materials is such that some material may represent positions, norms, and values that are offensive and objectionable. These materials represent the opinions and actions of their creators. By providing access to these records in our reading room and through our digital collections, we recognize that archives and rare books can play a vital role in holding those creators accountable and in helping us learn from the past.

Our finding aids and other collection descriptions may occasionally re-use language provided by creators or former holders of the materials, but we strive to place outdated or offensive terminology in context. That said, we recognize that we may not always make the right decision and welcome feedback from all sources so we can learn and adjust our practices. Please contact us at scua@uncg.edu if you encounter problematic language in our finding aids or other collection description. We will review the language and, as appropriate, update it in a way that balances preservation of the original context with our ongoing commitment to describing materials with respectful and inclusive language.