Willard Waller
Encyclopedia
Willard Walter Waller was an American sociologist. Much of his research concerned the sociology of the family
, sociology of education
and the sociology of the military. His The Sociology of Teaching (1932) was described as an "early classic" in the field of the sociology of education. Before his sudden death, he was recognized as one of the most prominent scholars in the field of sociology.
.
He spent several years as a high school teacher at the Morgan Park Military Academy. He obtained his BA from the University of Illinois, MA from the University of Chicago
, and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania
. He was a faculty member at the University of Nebraska and Pennsylvania State College in the early 1930s, and at Barnard College
from 1937 until his death. He was an editor and stockholder of the Dryden Press.
He died in New York City
, from a sudden heart attack, on July 27, 1945.
Much of his research concerned the sociology of the family
(with focus on courtship and divorce), sociology of education
(pioneering the analysis of schools as social institutions) and the sociology of the military (with focus on veterans). He coined the term principle of least interest
. His most notable studies include The Sociology of Teaching (1932), described as an "early classic" in the sociology of education. Before his sudden death, he was recognized as one of the most prominent scholars in the field of sociology. An obituary
for him was published in the American Sociological Review
.
American Sociological Association
's annual award for the outstanding publication in the sociology of education is named after Waller.
Sociology of the family
The Sociology of the family examines the family, as an institution and a unit of socialisation, through various sociological perspectives, particularly with regard to the relationship between the nuclear family and industrial capitalism, and the distinct gender roles and concepts of childhood which...
, sociology of education
Sociology of education
The sociology of education is the study of how public institutions and individual experiences affect education and its outcomes. It is most concerned with the public schooling systems of modern industrial societies, including the expansion of higher, further, adult, and continuing...
and the sociology of the military. His The Sociology of Teaching (1932) was described as an "early classic" in the field of the sociology of education. Before his sudden death, he was recognized as one of the most prominent scholars in the field of sociology.
Biography
Waller was born on July 30, 1899, in Murphysboro, IllinoisMurphysboro, Illinois
Murphysboro is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 7,970 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the Metro Lakeland area.-Geography:Murphysboro is located at ....
.
He spent several years as a high school teacher at the Morgan Park Military Academy. He obtained his BA from the University of Illinois, MA from 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...
, and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. He was a faculty member at the University of Nebraska and Pennsylvania State College in the early 1930s, and at Barnard College
Barnard College
Barnard College is a private women's liberal arts college and a member of the Seven Sisters. Founded in 1889, Barnard has been affiliated with Columbia University since 1900. The campus stretches along Broadway between 116th and 120th Streets in the Morningside Heights neighborhood in the borough...
from 1937 until his death. He was an editor and stockholder of the Dryden Press.
He died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, from a sudden heart attack, on July 27, 1945.
Impact and recognition
Waller's studies were often qualitative in nature (ethnographical), and he opposed excessive specialization.Much of his research concerned the sociology of the family
Sociology of the family
The Sociology of the family examines the family, as an institution and a unit of socialisation, through various sociological perspectives, particularly with regard to the relationship between the nuclear family and industrial capitalism, and the distinct gender roles and concepts of childhood which...
(with focus on courtship and divorce), sociology of education
Sociology of education
The sociology of education is the study of how public institutions and individual experiences affect education and its outcomes. It is most concerned with the public schooling systems of modern industrial societies, including the expansion of higher, further, adult, and continuing...
(pioneering the analysis of schools as social institutions) and the sociology of the military (with focus on veterans). He coined the term principle of least interest
Principle of least interest
Principle of least interest is one of the indicators of power in interpersonal relationships. It suggests that the power lies in the hands of the person who cares the least about the relationship.This term was coined in 1951 by the sociologist Willard Waller....
. His most notable studies include The Sociology of Teaching (1932), described as an "early classic" in the sociology of education. Before his sudden death, he was recognized as one of the most prominent scholars in the field of sociology. An obituary
Obituary
An obituary is a news article that reports the recent death of a person, typically along with an account of the person's life and information about the upcoming funeral. In large cities and larger newspapers, obituaries are written only for people considered significant...
for him was published in the American Sociological Review
American Sociological Review
The American Sociological Review is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed academic journal covering all aspects of sociology, including new theoretical developments, results of research that advance the understanding of fundamental social processes, and methodological innovations. It is published by SAGE...
.
American Sociological Association
American Sociological Association
The American Sociological Association , founded in 1905 as the American Sociological Society , is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the discipline and profession of sociology by serving sociologists in their work and promoting their contributions to serve society.The ASA holds its...
's annual award for the outstanding publication in the sociology of education is named after Waller.
Works
- The Old Love and the New (1929)
- The Sociology of Teaching (1932)
- The Family: A Dynamic Interpretation (1938)
- The Veteran Comes Back (1944)