Section Awards

The ASA Theory Section is committed to advancing sociological theory in both scholarly as well as professional respects. Neatly fulfilling this dual end, the section awards prizes for the best publications in sociological theory (the Theory Prize), the best papers written by students (the Shils-Coleman Student Prize), and career achievement in sociological theory (Lewis Coser Award). Details on the most current competitions and/or the most recent winners are posted on the Announcements page, while complete details on all recipients are detailed on the page for each award.

The Shils-Coleman Award recognizes distinguished work in the theory area by a graduate student. Work may take the form of (a) a paper published or accepted for publication; (b) a paper presented at a professional meeting; of (c) a paper suitable for publication or presentation at a professional meeting.

The Theory Prize recognizes outstanding work in theory, communicates the principle that theory is plural and broadly defined, and promotes the interests of the Theory Section. The Theory Prize is given for a book or for an article, book chapter, or published or publicly presented paper. Only titles from the four years prior to the award year are eligible for the Theory Prize.

The Lewis A. Coser Award for Theoretical Agenda-Setting. The Award is awarded on an annual basis. It is intended to recognize a mid-career sociologist whose work, in the opinion of the selection committee, holds great promise for setting the agenda in the field of sociology. Although the award is administered and awarded by the Theory Section, the committee should represent the breadth of Coser's commitment and experience.

   "The action, or behavior, of the system composed of actors is an emergent consequence of the interdependent actions of the actors who make up the system."
                                                               -James S. Coleman