Encyclopedia of Sociology

AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION AND OTHER SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS

1998 Section Totals

Total Low Income Student Regular

1. Undergraduate Education 419 12 62 345


2. Methodology 414 13 118 283


3. Medical Sociology 1,021 35 306 680


4. Crime, Law, and Deviance 634 16 236 382


5. Sociology of Education 579 12 182 385


6. Family 759 30 216 513


7. Organizations, Occupations, and Work 1,062 27 346 689


8. Theory 691 19 180 492


9. Sex and Gender 1,114 32 405 677


10. Community and Urban Sociology 553 16 175 362


11. Social Psychology 666 19 260 387


12. Peace, War and, Social Conflict 274 7 69 198


13. Environment and Technology 401 15 126 260


14. Marxist Sociology 362 11 103 248


15. Sociological Practice 308 13 36 259


16. Sociology of Population 406 8 84 314


17. Political Economy of the World System 416 9 151 256


18. Aging and the Life Course 563 16 147 400


19. Mental Health 408 17 116 275


20. Collective Behavior and Social Movements 568 10 222 336


21. Racial and Ethnic Minorities 685 15 227 443


22. Comparative Historical Sociology 522 5 150 367


23. Political Sociology 580 9 207 364


24. Asia/Asian America 325 6 117 202


25. Sociology of Emotions 279 9 96 174


26. Sociology of Culture 843 27 315 501


27. Science, Knowledge, and Technology 390 13 147 230


28. Computers, Sociology and 263 11 67 185


29. Latino/a Sociology 247 5 86 156


30. Alcohol and Drugs 247 10 57 180


31. Sociology of Children 330 10 85 235


32. Sociology of Law 316 3 123 190


33. Rational Choice 183 3 37 143


34. Sociology of Religion 535 19 173 343


35. International Migration 283 12 83 188


36. Race, Gender, and Class 830 20 382 428


37. Mathematical Sociology 206 4 76 126


38. Section on Sexualities 281 12 137 132


39. History of Sociology 215 5 42 168
    Totals 19,178 535 6,147 12,496

Table 2

public. As Simpson and Simpson (1994) describe
the change: ‘‘ASA reacted to the pressures of the
1960s and 1970s mainly by absorbing the pressure
groups into its structure. A result has been to
expand the goals and functions of the association
beyond its initial disciplinary objective. Functions
are more differentiated now, encompassing more
professional and activist interests’’ (p. 265). The
executive office grew slightly, with the growth in
Ph.D.-level sociology staff who led these new ven-
tures. In addition to the executive officer, these
sociologists had titles (e.g., Staff Sociologist for
Minorities, Women, and Careers) that reflected
their work.

In the last ten years, some significant organiza-

tional changes have occurred. The executive office

has been professionalized, with new hires often

having at least a B.A. in sociology. The senior

sociology staff direct the core programs (see be-

low) and no longer have fixed terms of employ-

ment. As such, the office is more programmatic

and proactive.

Key changes in the ASA’s governance include:

• Passage of an ASA mission and goals
  statement, with six core programs in the
  executive office (the six programs are: