Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 8.djvu/128

 1 1 6 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is, first, a philosophy, that is, a correlation of the methods and results of the special social sciences ; second, an application of social philosophy to concrete problems. Social philosophy is invalid, unless it is chiefly constructed from data authenticated by the antecedent sciences. Social programs, whether for society in general or for minor social endeavor, are without scientific credentials unless they are indorsed by social philosophy thus derived.

The Department of Sociology has, accordingly, the following special aims: (i) to furnish such expositions of social relations and theories as will serve the general pur- poses of educated citizens ; (2) to train teachers for similar work of general exposition in colleges; (3) to furnish professional equipment for other vocations devoted to social service, including the offices of public instruction through pulpit, platform, press, and the work of organizing enterprises for social improvement ; (4) to unite in the semi- nars companies of advanced students capable of the most comprehensive thought upon social philosophy, and to enlist them in co-operation for first-rate contribution to social doctrine. To this end fellowships are assigned to specially competent students of sociology.

FACILITIES FOR STUDY.

The facilities for sociological study at the University of Chicago are unsurpassed. The differentiation of departments devoted to social phenomena and the division of labor within the departments is nowhere more distinct and minute. The city of Chi- cago is one of the most complete social laboratories in the world. While the elements of sociology may be studied in smaller communities, and while it may be an advantage to beginners in the method of positive sociology to deal at first with more simple social combinations, the most serious problems of modern society are presented by the great cities, and must be studied as they are encountered in concrete form in large populations. No city in the world presents a wider variety of typical social problems than Chicago.

The instructors in the Department of Sociology aim to use the scientific material thus afforded both for didactic and constructive purposes. They find a large propor- tion of their opportunities for research in co-operation with the public-spirited men and women of the city. They are active members of many organizations of citizens for the purpose of investigating and shaping the life of Chicago. Graduate students in the department are taught to work among social facts, and to test and form theory by experience.

Thus the organized charities of the city afford graduate students of the university both employment and training. The church enterprises of the city enlist students in a similar manner. Several students of sociology have been residents and workers at Hull House. A social settlement upon the plan of Hull House has been founded and maintained by students and instructors in the university. Social organizations of every description, from trades unions to the Civic Federation, afford illustrations of every type of modern social experiment and opportunity for the largest variety of observation and experience. Representatives of all these phases of social effort cordially co-operate with the Department of Sociology in making these social endeav- ors tributary to the training of sociological students. It is the purpose of this depart- ment to appropriate to the utmost every advantage afforded by the vast social laboratory within which the university is located. This purpose will be especially prominent in connection with the work of the social settlements. While the primary aim of these enterprises is improvement of the district in which they are undertaken,