Faculty Books
Aldon Morris
Professor
1812 Chicago Avenue
Room 102
Phone: (847) 491-3448
amorris@northwestern.edu
Office Hours: Thursday 3:30-5:30 pm
Areas of Interest
Social Movements
Black Social Protest
Sociological Theory
Sociology of W. E. B. Du Bois
Social Inequality
Race
Religion
Relevant Link
African-American Studies
Asian American Studies
Biography
Ph.D., State University of New York, Stony Brook 1980. Areas of interest include social movements, theory, sociology of W. E. B. Du Bois, the civil rights movement, race, religion, social inequality and political sociology. His book, The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement, which received several prizes including the American Sociological Association Distinguished Contribution to Scholarship Award, emphasized the organizational and cultural basis of social protest. His current research extends that analysis to subsequent decades and regions in the U.S. He is co-editor of Frontiers in Social Movement Theory with Carol Mueller which has been translated into Chinese by The University of Peking Press. Morris is co-editor with Jane Mansbridge of Oppositional Consciousness: The Subjective Roots of Social Protest. Morris has published numerous articles covering his major areas of interests.
Morris is currently working on two projects. The first explores the role of W. E. B. Du Bois in the founding of American Sociology. Du Bois, he argues, was central in producing the first major empirical sociological studies in America and building the first school of American sociology. This project explores the sociological, theoretical, and institutional factors responsible for Du Bois’ work being marginalized by the sociology profession.
Morris’ second project is a study of the civil rights movement that takes into account the new scholarship on northern civil rights movements. The central question guiding this study is how must the dominant scholarly narrative be changed and expanded in light of the new scholarship on northern movements. It seeks to formulate a comprehensive explanation of the national Civil Rights Movement.
Courses Taught
SOCIOL 201: Social Inequality
SOCIOL 202: Social Problems
SOCIOL 376 Special Topics: Category of Race in America
SOCIOL 376 Special Topics: The Civil Rights Movement
SOCIOL 440: Stratification, Race, Class and Gender
SOCIOL 441: Social Movements
Books
Oppositional Consciousness: The Subjective Roots of Social Protest
(with Jane Mansbridge), University Chicago Press, 2001
Frontiers in Social Movement Theory (with Carol M. Mueller), Yale University Press, 1992
Origins of the Civil Rights Movement: Black Communities Organizing For Change
The Free Press, 1984
Publications
Naked Power and the Civil Sphere
Sociological Quarterly, 2007
The National Baptist Convention: Traditions and Contemporary Challenges
With Shayne Lee; Erdmon Press, 2005
Leadership in Social Movements
With Suzanne Staggenborg; Blackwell Publishing, 2004
William Henry Exum Award
The intent of this prize is to honor the memory of William Henry Exum, a member of the Department of Sociology and the African American Studies Department, who died in 1986 at the age of 37. Exum was concerned with the quality of writing and research analysis in student papers. He was also interested in racial problems facing minority youths in higher education. This award was established as a means of continuing his goals of breaking barriers for all minorities.
The award submission deadline is April 27, 2012. All interested students should submit a 15-20 page paper, typed and double-spaced, on a topic dealing with race and ethnicity. Students are not limited to a sociological approach in preparing their submissions, nor is the award limited to sociology or social science majors.
The paper should include a cover sheet with the student's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, year in school, and major.
Three copies of the essay must be submitted by the announced deadline to the Exum Award - Department of Sociology, 1810 Chicago Ave., Evanston Campus or one copy by email to sociol@northwestern.edu.
This award is open to all undergraduate students from all disciplines.
Upcoming Events
COLLOQUIUM: Aldon Morris, Sociology, Northwestern University
May 24, 2012 • 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
