Section Information

Here you will find a description of the ASA's mission, in general, and the activities of the Theory Section, in particular. The purpose of the ASA Theory Section is to foster the development of sociological theory through the interchange of ideas, teaching experiences, research programs, and research results. The Section organizes various activities under guidance of a Council and various committees. Scroll down or click on the links below for more information. 

• The ASA | Section Activities & Bylaws | Theory Section Officers | History

"For scientific theory is one thing to which the pragmatic formula applies; it is justified only by its usefulness in understanding the facts of empirical experience."

-Talcott Parsons.

Scholars and students interested in the advancement of sociology may wish to consider becoming a member of the American Sociological Association and its Theory Section. Membership in the ASA and the Section includes: hard-copies of the newsletters; access to the Section's email list serve; and great opportunities to meet fellow scholars with similar interests in teaching and research.

Membership in the ASA is required for section membership and also comes with a variety of additional benefits, including access to publications, such as the ASA newsletter Footnotes, and opportunities to engage with fellow sociologists from other sections. 

To join the section, please get in touch with the ASA office. The ASA homepage provides instructions on how to become a member. 

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American Sociological Association 1307 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 700 Washington, DC 20005-4701 Phone: ( 202) 383-9005; Fax: (202) 638-0882 Email: membership@asanet.org

Overview and ByLaws
The purpose of the Theory section is to support scholarship in social theory within sociology and related disciplines. Among its various tasks, the Theory section publishes a newsletter, honors practicioners of theory with several awards, and organizes an annual program at the ASA annual meeting.
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You can read the Theory section Bylaws in pdf format.

Committees
The Section each year appoints and elects members of a Nominations Committee to secure a smooth transition of the section leadership; a Theory Prize Committee to honor the best work in sociological theory; a Shils-Coleman Prize Committee to honor the best theory paper by a student; and a Membership Committee, which promotes the Section towards the ASA membership.

See the Announcements page for the up-coming meeting and prize competitions.