Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society
Encyclopedia
The Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society (IUS) is a professional organization and forum for the exchange and evaluation of research on military institutions, civil-military relations
, and military sociology
with a broad emphasis across the social and behavioral sciences. The IUS is intended to be interdisciplinary in nature and has around 600 fellows in over 35 countries, who hold varying occupations in the military, academia, and the private sector.
The Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society was founded in 1960 by Morris Janowitz
, professor of sociology at the University of Chicago
. The IUS is centrally located at Loyola University Chicago
and has a Washington D.C. region, a Rocky Mountain region, and a Canada region. The stated mission of the IUS is to provide independent, interdisciplinary analysis of military institutions, which "requires intellectual collaboration across university, organizational, disciplinary, theoretical, and national lines." The IUS publishes the journal Armed Forces & Society
, which has been in circulation since 1974. The IUS hosts international conferences every other year, which provide for the presentation and evaluation of new research on civil-military issues.
Civil-military relations
Civil–military relations describes the relationship between civil society as a whole and the military organization or organizations established to protect it. More narrowly, it describes the relationship between the civil authority of a given society and its military authority...
, and military sociology
Military sociology
Military sociology aims toward the systematic study of the military as a social group rather than as an organization. It is a highly specialized subfield which examines issues related to service personnel as a distinct group with coerced collective action based on shared interests linked to...
with a broad emphasis across the social and behavioral sciences. The IUS is intended to be interdisciplinary in nature and has around 600 fellows in over 35 countries, who hold varying occupations in the military, academia, and the private sector.
The Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society was founded in 1960 by Morris Janowitz
Morris Janowitz
Morris Janowitz, was an American sociologist and professor who made major contributions to sociological theory, the study of prejudice, urban issues, and patriotism. He was one of the founders of military sociology and made major contributions, along with Samuel Huntington, to the establishment of...
, professor of sociology at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. The IUS is centrally located at Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
and has a Washington D.C. region, a Rocky Mountain region, and a Canada region. The stated mission of the IUS is to provide independent, interdisciplinary analysis of military institutions, which "requires intellectual collaboration across university, organizational, disciplinary, theoretical, and national lines." The IUS publishes the journal Armed Forces & Society
Armed Forces & Society
Armed Forces & Society is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes scholarly articles and book reviews on civil–military relations, military sociology, military institutions, conflict management, arms control, peacekeeping, conflict resolution, military contracting, terrorism, and...
, which has been in circulation since 1974. The IUS hosts international conferences every other year, which provide for the presentation and evaluation of new research on civil-military issues.
Scholarly Study of IUS
Burk (1993) explored the origins of the study of military sociology with a specific emphasis on the works of Janowitz and a historical review of the first 20 years of the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society.Previous Presidents
- Morris JanowitzMorris JanowitzMorris Janowitz, was an American sociologist and professor who made major contributions to sociological theory, the study of prejudice, urban issues, and patriotism. He was one of the founders of military sociology and made major contributions, along with Samuel Huntington, to the establishment of...
, IUS Founding President and Chair (1960–1982) - Sam C. Sarkesian, IUS President and Chair (1982–1989)
- Charles MoskosCharles MoskosCharles C. Moskos was a sociologist of the United States Military and a professor at Northwestern University...
, IUS President (1989–1995) and Chair (1989–1997) - David R. Segal, IUS President (1995–2003) and Chair (1997–2003)
- John Allen "Jay" WilliamsJohn Allen Williams (professor)John Allen Williams is a professor of political science at Loyola University Chicago and is Chair and President of the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society. He serves on the editorial board of the National Strategy Forum in Chicago and is on the board of directors for the Pritzker...
, IUS President and Chair (2003–present)