Brigham Young University. Dept. of Sociology (1921-1960)

The Department of Sociology was established and placed in the College of Arts and Sciences following the division of the Department of Economics and Sociology in 1921. In 1954 the department was transferred to the newly formed College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Department of Sociology remained a part of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences until it was renamed the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in 1960. Department chairs included Russell Swensen (1921-1925), Clarence S. Boyle (1941-1942), Harold T. Christensen (1943-1947), Ariel S. Ballif (1948-1955), and Reed Bradford (1955-1960).

Variant Names

Brigham Young University. College of Arts and Sciences. Dept. of Sociology

Brigham Young University. College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology

Brigham Young University. Sociology Dept.

Description

Established: 1921

Abolished: 1960

Location: Provo, Utah (1921-1960)

Functions

The Dept. of Sociology was responsible for teaching courses in: Elementary principles of Sociology, Community organization and leadership, Rural Sociology, Americanization of Foreigners, and Educational Sociology. By 1954 the department also taught courses in: Social problems, Courtship and Marriage, Anthropology, Social Psychology, Social Ethics, Race relations, Social Legislation, Modern America, Human Relations, and Urban Sociology.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The Dept. of Sociology was administered by a department chair. The department was under the direction of the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1921 to 1954, and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences from 1954 to 1960.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of Arts and Sciences (1921-1954)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of Humanities and Social Sciences (1954-1960)

Earlier unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Economics and Sociology (1921)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology (1960)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Educational Sociology (1922-1925)

Associated Archival Materials

Dept. of Sociology records, 1940-1970 (UA 554)

Sources

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1921-1922: p. 30 (part of College of Arts and Sciences) p. 136-137 (courses taught by the department)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1953-1954: p. 299-303 (courses taught by the department)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1954-1955: p. 368 (part of the Humanities and Social Sciences)

Brigham Young University The First One Hundred Years, 1975: v. 4 p. 493 (Department Chairs were: Russel Swensen, 1921-1925 and 1930-1940; Clarence S. Boyle, 1941-1942; Harlod T. Christensen, 1943-1947; and Ariel S. Balliff, 1948-1954)

Brigham Young University 1975: vol. 3 p. 118 (Department of Sociology renamed the Department of Sociology and Anthropology)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1954-1955: p. 17, 335 (Ariel S. Ballif, chairman; students advised to take courses in related fields; example courses: Social Ethics, Social Case Work, Marriage, the Family, and the Sociology of Religion)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1955-1956: p. 40 (Reed Bradford, chairman)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2009-00207

Creator: UPB