CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

"A review on sociological textbooks in Argentina and Mexico (1940-1960), Interim Conference 2004, RC08, ISA, Marienthal, Austria, 20- 23 de mayo de 2004. It is commonly believed that the teaching of sociology spread in Latin America only after 1960. However, some university lectures on sociology were given in several universities throughout the region before then, and sociological textbooks were published in response to the increasing demand from local lecturers and students. A comparative analysis is made of eight textbooks of sociology from Argentina and Mexico, looking for common and divergent topics, traditions, concepts, research methods, theories and cross- references. Those chosen represent a broad cross-section of the volumes available for local undergraduate students at that time. The books studied were amply cited in the reading lists, and some of them were best- sellers. Four were published in Mexico, and four in Argentina, by both private and university publishing companies. They were written by seven diverse authors: three Argentinian writers, one from Mexico and three European refugees. The books show a similar structure, although they differ in extent; their contents are described, and the reasons for their similarities and differences are explored. Special attention is also paid to the references to the US sociological literature, to identify its possible influence on Latin American sociology. This teaching material is placed in the context of other channels for the diffusion of ideas, such as journals and meetings, so it may be understood in the context of the progressive local institutionalisation of sociology during the proposed time. This paper helps towards a better understanding of the general situation of the professional and intellectual field in the region, showing that Latin American sociology was not, as has sometimes been suggested, absolutely speculative or uninformed before 1960, and throws light on the history of sociological ideas in the region.

enviar mensaje