History

The department's roots reach back to the latter part of the 19th century. The earliest recorded sociology course taught on our campus, Social Science: A Short Study of the Chief Data of Sociology was offered in 1884. The originator of this course, George Howard, commented that, "This method intensifies the interest, develops the analytical and reasoning powers, broadens the view, creates a spirit of inquiry, and produces a healthy tendency to specialization." Among other luminaries during these early years were Mary Tremain who, in 1895 taught a course entitled, The Status of Women: History of the Development of Her Legal and Social Position, and A.R. Hill who taught Social Psychology in 1897.

By the first part of this century, UNL had become a leading center of sociology in the United States. Three members of the Sociology Department, E.A. Ross, George Howard and Charles Elwood, served as Presidents of the American Sociological Association. Dr. Hattie Plum Williams introduced courses on ethnic groups, community analysis, and social service and in 1921 became the first woman to chair a department of sociology in the United States. Joyce Hertzler was one of the founders of the Midwest Sociological Society and became its second president in 1937. Four other members of the Department (James Reinhart, Alan Bates, Nicholas Babchuk and Alan Booth) have been presidents of the Midwest Sociological Society.

At present, the Department of Sociology is comprised of 20 faculty members who each teach and do research in most of the major fields of the discipline. The UNL Department of Sociology continues to be nationally and internationally recognized for its excellence.