Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Founded 75 years ago, the Department of Sociology at Harvard has a rich tradition of fundamental contributions to social science. Whether the grand theory of Talcott Parsons, the social networks of Harrison White, or the urban inequality research of William Julius Wilson, every era in the department’s history has shaped social inquiry on an international scale. Especially since its experimental heyday in the 1950's and 60's—when psychology, sociology, and anthropology collaborated in the former Department of Social Relations—life has never been dull. Indeed, Harvard’s “relational turn” of the mid 20th century has proven visionary.
Combining small size with intellectual diversity and a wide variety of research methods, the current department continues to draw energy from the unique larger community that is Harvard and the creative nexus of the Boston-Cambridge area. After a recent period of faculty growth, the Department of Sociology at Harvard is also embarked on a trajectory of new projects and ideas that is interwoven with our dedication to training the next generation of leaders. We welcome your visit, virtual or otherwise, and urge you to engage the research and teaching that make up our latest efforts.
Robert J. Sampson, Chair
Copyright 2007 Harvard University Department of Sociology
NEWS
Sociology alum, Arne Duncan, (A.B., Harvard, 1987) has been chosen to serve as secretary of education in the Obama administration. (See Schools Chief from Chicago is Cabinet Pick, New York Times, December 16, 2008).
“The New Social Science” was the focus of an issue of The Yard, highlighting the research being done by Harvard social scientists.
Top Ratings for Department. Harvard Sociology was ranked in the top five (#1 and #5) according to two reports that assessed academic departments according to their scholarly output. See “A New Standard of Measuring Doctoral Programs,” and "Top Universities Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index," Chronicle of Higher Education.
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