How structural racism played a role in the development of
the field of Sociology
I briefly introduced you to the Atlanta Sociological
Laboratory, the first American School of Sociology. Some very important work
came out of that institution and yet, it is rarely mentioned in undergraduate
Sociology classes. Structural racism has allowed for higher education to value
white sociology and sociologists over all others and that is the foundation of
the discipline. While major strides have been made, we still rest on that
foundation and if we do not recognize this, we miss an honest understanding of
the ways in which the study of society privileges whiteness and we cannot fix
it.
This assignment is
taken from the original article I cited
regarding the Atlanta Sociological Laboratory
Atlanta Sociological Laboratory.pdf
Learning Outcomes: At the completion of this project, the
student will possess the ability to:
1. Express some of the contributions of W. E. B. Du Bois and
the Atlanta Sociological Laboratory to the discipline during its formative
years in the United States;
2. Compare and contrast W. E. B. Du Bois’s and the Atlanta
Sociological Laboratory’s contributions with those identified in Introduction
to Sociology textbooks in areas including research methods and sociology of
race.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of sociological theory.
What to do:
First you’ll read the following articles listed below
(Accessible via the COM library and hyperlinked here-thanks to superstar
librarian David Patterson!) and compare them to the information you’ve read in
Chapter 2-Sociological Research and Chapter 11-Race and Ethnicity
Research Methods
Wright, Earl, II. 2002. “Using the Master’s Tools: Atlanta
University and American Sociology, 1896–1924.”Links to an external site.
Sociological Spectrum 22(1):15–39.
Wright, Earl, II. 2002. “Why Black People Tend to Shout! An
Earnest Attempt to Explain the Sociological Negation of the Atlanta
Sociological Laboratory Despite Its Possible Unpleasantness.” Links to an
external site.Sociological Spectrum 22(3):325–61.
Wright, Earl, II. 2006. “W. E. B. Du Bois and the Atlanta
University Studies on the Negro, Revisited.”Links to an external site. Journal
of African American Studies 9(4):3–17.
Zuckerman, Phil. 2002.
“The Sociology of Religion of W. E. B. Du Bois.”Links to an external site.
Sociology of Religion 63(2):239–53.
Sociology of Race
Wright, Earl, II and Thomas C. Calhoun. 2006. “Jim Crow Sociology: Toward an Understanding
of the Origin and Principles of Black Sociology via the Atlanta Sociological
Laboratory.”Links to an external site. Sociological Focus 39(1):1–18.
After reading these, I’d like you to respond in the form of
a 500-800 word essay.
In your essay, please address the following:
1. Briefly summarize the significant contributors to the
areas of research methods (module 2) and race and ethnicity (module 11) who are
identified in the textbook.
2. Briefly summarize the significant contributors to this
area who are identified in the articles provided here.
3. Compare and contrast each set of contributors. For
example, Who were the major actors? When did they make their accomplishments?
and What were their major accomplishments, the methodological techniques they
employed, and their theoretical orientations (functionalist, conflict, and
symbolic interaction)?
Use a theoretical perspective (functionalist, conflict, or
symbolic interaction) to explain why the significant contributors/
contributions in the article are not included in the Introduction to Sociology
textbook.
Use a theoretical perspective to argue for or against
including the significant contributors/contributions in the article who are not
included in the Introduction to Sociology textbook.