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What Is Sociology’s Contribution Beyond the Humanities and Other Social Sciences?

  • Symposium: Peter Berger’s Achievement in Social Science
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Abstract

Invitation to Sociology makes known that sociology is a coherent and value-added academic discipline. In exploring the continuing relevance of Invitation to Sociology, the time is ripe to reconsider sociology as a value-added intellectual enterprise. This paper answers this question: What does sociology have to offer beyond what the humanities and its sister social sciences already provide? This paper answers this question by identifying the four elements that compose the sociological tradition. These elements are social action; embeddedness; social problems; and social construction. I argue that these elements are more pronounced in sociology than in any other academic discipline, and hence contribute to the value-added character of sociology.

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Correspondence to Brian A. Pitt.

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Pitt, B.A. What Is Sociology’s Contribution Beyond the Humanities and Other Social Sciences?. Soc 47, 186–192 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-010-9317-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-010-9317-3

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