Abstract
The Chicago School made a significant impact on the establishment of twentieth-century American sociology. From the time of its founding through the first five decades, its scholars had a lasting effect on both sociological thinking and social reform. Moreover, Chicagoans shaped the intellectual development of future sociologists through teaching and guiding the research of their students. This article reports the findings of a case study that examines the perceptions of scholars who were graduated from the University of Chicago. It presents their perceptions of how their training at Chicago compares with their own work with students, their own style of research, and their view of the discipline itself. An analysis of Chicagoans' accomplishments and contributions to sociology provide insight on whether or not the legacy of Chicago is being handed down to present generation academicians. Two primary sources of information are used to determine the intellectual trends and influences of the University of Chicago: (1) focused interviews with sociology faculty at Arizona State University who were graduated from Chicago after World War II, and (2) a survey of ASU sociology graduate students. Considered “typical” of many graduate-degree granting universities in the country, ASU provides a sufficient number of cases to trace the important aspects of Chicago School legacy.
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