SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
& Hilton M. Briggs Library Special Collections

 
 


College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
Rural Sociology Department records
 

Administrative Information | Search Terms | Background Note | Scope and Contents Note | Arrangement | PDF of Finding Aid
 

COLLECTION SUMMARY

Title:     College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Rural Sociology Department records

Dates:     1938-1984, 2000-2005, [n.d.] (bulk 1938-1940, 1950-1984, 2000)

Creator:     Rural Sociology Department, College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, South Dakota State University

Physical description:    0.42 linear feet—1 container

Collection number:     UA 5.9

Language:     Collection material in English.

Repository:     South Dakota State University Archives, Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.

Abstract:     Collection is composed of publications generated by the Rural Sociology Department, including reports, pamphlets, and surveys.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 

Provenance: The bulk of this collection was found in the Archives in 1997. There is no indication of where they came from or how they came to be here.

This is an on-going collection with material arriving through departmental records transfers, the university campus mail, or random donation by various individuals.

Access Restrictions: This collection is open to research without restriction. Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright Status: Copyright 2008 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives. Please credit the SDSU Archives if you copy or reproduce material from this finding aid.

It is the responsibility of anyone reproducing material to determine the copyright holders and obtain permission from them if necessary. Archives staff will provide available copyright information on request. Please note that most collections, especially those received before 1997, may not have complete information on file. (Revised 15 SEP 2003)

Preferred citation: [Identification of item]. College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Rural Sociology Department records, UA 5.9, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S. D.

Processing information: This collection was processed by Crystal J. Gamradt on March 11, 1999 with revisions on August 6, 2008 (cjg).

SELECTED SEARCH TERMS

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the subject guide. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.

Subjects:

  • Rural Life Census Data Center—South Dakota State University.

  • Rural Sociology Department—South Dakota State University.

  • Rural Sociology Department—Pamphlets—South Dakota State University.

  • Rural Sociology Department—Reports—South Dakota State University.

BACKGROUND NOTE

Sociology was established as a formal department at South Dakota State University in 1925.  Courses were taught in sociology before that time in the history and political science departments.  The first course with a particular rural focus was taught in 1913-14.

The development of rural sociology as a department occurred primarily because of the Purnell Act of 1925.  This act provided funding for research in sociology and economics, and South Dakota State University responded by forming department in those areas.  By the 1930's, the department was established enough to be in charge of sociological research with the WPA.  From 1933-1942, cooperative between government agencies and the department was common, and this assisted in carving the place rural sociology now holds at South Dakota State University.

The curriculum of South Dakota State University has grown enormously since the one class initially taught.  Students may now receive a BA or a BS in sociology in one of six options:  general sociology, teaching, social work, human services, criminal justice, or personnel service.  Since 1932, the department has offered an MS in rural sociology.  In 1961, a social science Ph.D. program began.  In this unique program, students could select from a combination of courses in history, political science, psychology, economics and sociology and receive a Ph.D.  After three years, the joint program was dropped and the Ph.D. became available only in sociology.

Today the Rural Sociology Department continues to hold its own in the College of Agriculture and Biological Science.  The courses offered by the department have been organized with three definite objectives in mind: 1) a sequence for those who may wish to earn an undergraduate major or minor in sociology; 2) basic service courses that will be of interest and practical help to students in any college; and 3) courses to fulfill requirements of a Master's degree or Doctor of Philosophy degree in Sociology.

SCOPE AND CONTENTS NOTE

This collection is composed of publications generated by the Rural Sociology Department, including reports, pamphlets, and surveys.

ARRANGEMENT of the RECORDS 

Folders are arranged in alphabetical order.

Box 1.

Folder

Description

Dates

1

Census data center report no. 1

1983

2

Dependent children in South Dakota

1938-1940

3

Evaluation report: Visions for Change - communities working together to strengthen our food and fiber system

2000 Fall

4

Pamphlet - Sociology

[n.d.]

5

Population update - South Dakota (reports)

1950-1984

6

Report to the SDSU faculty - Results of the evaluation

2004

7

Rural Life Census Data Center (web site information)

2005

8

Survey of Consumers' Attitudes and Values about Genetically Modified Organisms

2004

9

Survey of Producers' Attitudes and Values about Genetically Modified Organisms

2002

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Updated 6 August 2008 by cjg

Email questions or comments to: arcrefs@sdstate.edu

Copyright 2008 by South Dakota State University and SDSU Archives.
Please credit the SDSU Archives if you copy or reproduce material from this page.