Taking stock of the discipline: Some reflections on the state of American sociology

Abstract

While sociology, as a subject of inquiry, is fundamental for a democratic society, the field of sociology, as it is practiced through a scientific discipline, is not. In this article, I contend that the discipline of sociology in the United States is increasingly vulnerable, both as a viable professional association and an academic field of study, through its notable weaknesses in four fundamental areas. Patently, these include an amorphous disciplinary mission and scope, the lack of theoretical and methodological integration, a peripheral isolation of the widespread application of disciplinary knowledge, and the lack of program accreditation efforts. In many respects, these four areas direct attention toward the culture of American Sociology, what has previously been termed the "soci ology of sociology'1 (see, e.g., Reynolds and Reynolds, 1970). Although histori cally colorful, the discipline appears to lack a coherent and generally recogniz able history among its members, both with regard to the evolution of its scientific accomplishments and its relationship to higher education. This outcome is problematic because, unless we, as a discipline, routinely emphasize our his tory and scientific accomplishments, American Sociology will likely become an historical footnote in the annals of science. Let me offer evidence for my conjecture through elaboration of these four areas.