The future of applied sociology is being shaped by a variety of factors including the historical development of the discipline, the institutional context of colleges and universities, and a wide variety of social trends related to the goals and funding of higher education. Five alternative scenarios for the future of applied sociology are set forth: “Down and Out,” “Subfield Status,” “Increasing Focus,” “Ascension of Applied Sociology,” and “Leaving Home.” Internal and external factors shaping contemporary higher education and their possible impacts on the future of applied sociology are considered in order to assess the likelihood of the five alternative futures.
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