The Sociological Insight of W.E.B. Du Bois

Abstract

discussed key aspects of the new field of sociology in his early writings. This article presents Du Bois' conception of the developing field and his sociological perspective based on nine of his key original sociological writings. Rather than generating theoretical formulations and studying abstract concepts, Du Bois insisted that sociology be an empirical science adhering to the methods utilized by the physical sciences. Sociology's major objectives are to study the "deeds of men" and to provide a science of human action. Sociological research seeks the discovery of "truth" which can form the basis of social policy. Noting that the regularity of human behavior is evidence of laws and acknowledging that human behavior is also subject to chance factors, sociology must seek to determine the limits of each. Du Bois' research methods, based on methodological triangulation, were formulated to provide the "truths" which he eagerly sought. Du Bois was convinced that these truths were worth knowing and that sociology had the promise of becoming one of the "greatest sciences." Attention directed toward Du Bois' key sociological writings within sociology curricula will introduce current and future readers to the groundbreaking sociological work of the pioneer sociologist.The purpose of this essay is to identify the primary sources of W.E.B. Du Bois' original writings where he discussed material pertinent to the development of the discipline of sociology. He was one of the first social scientists to identify as a sociologist and to start writing about the development of the new field of study. His primary topic of sociological interest was the scientific study of "the Negro problems," and his quest for a scientific sociology was paramount and aligned with his incessant compulsion to alleviate the evil effects of racism.Today, there are well over a dozen books and dozens of scholarly articles focusing on some aspect of Du Bois' sociology, and several scholars have recently made strong arguments justifying his preeminent role in the development of American sociology (Gabbidon 1999;Green and Wortham 2015;Morris 2015; Wright 2016). In fact, there is sufficient evidence that Du Bois established the first school of sociology in the United States at Atlanta University, predating the "Chicago School" by approximately twenty years

Embryonic intersectionality: W.E.B. Du Bois and the inauguration of intersectional sociology

“…None of the aforementioned professors dared to do what Du Bois did: which is to say, he inaugurated a tradition or “school” of empirical social scientific research primarily preoccupied with the most pressing problems confronting the citizens of the United States of America (Bay, 1998; Du Bois, 1978; Morris, 2015; Schrager, 1996; Wright, 2016; Zuberi, 1998, 2004). What is even more impressive is the wide-range and wide-reach of Du Bois’s contributions to sociology, which, includes undeniable offerings to urban sociology, rural sociology, sociology of race, sociology of class, sociology of culture, sociology of religion, sociology of education, sociology of crime, sociology of family, and seminal male-feminist contributions to sociology of gender and intersectional sociology (Balfour, 2011; Gillman and Weinbaum, 2007; Green and Wortham 2015, 2018; Hancock, 2005; Hattery and Smith, 2005; Lemons, 2009; Lucal, 1996; Rabaka, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2021; Zerai, 2000). Let us now turn our attention to Du Bois’s contributions to the sociology of race, gender, and class, where we can clearly see his “embryonic intersectionality.” Meaning, an inchoate, not fully formed variant of intersectionality that, because of its prefigurative nature, is at times conceptually connected, and at other times is intellectually awkward and discursively disjointed .…”

Learning and organising for social transformation: Lessons from WEB Du Bois and Jane Addams

“…WEB Du Bois worked at the margins of the academy to develop groundbreaking empirical studies of African American communities that brought together novel theories with rigorous research methods to contest the dominant construction of ‘race’ in Jim Crow America (Wright, 2006: 5). Du Bois used his innovative ‘methodological conscience’ (Green and Wortham, 2018: 71) to generate data through mixed methods community studies against which theoretical explanations could be assessed and reconfigured if necessary (Morris, 2015: 67). Du Bois’ ‘accent on political economy and social theory and his consistent emphasis on race, gender, and class issues, make his work an ideal model for reconceiving and recreating critical theory of contemporary society’ (Rabaka, 2006: 746).…”

Religion and Black Racial Identity in Du Bois’s Sociology

“…Morris, 2015, p. 121). Green and Wortham (2018) have laid emphasis on Du Bois's triangular methodology, to the effect that he made use of a plurality of methods in his empirical research. Even though Du Bois's sociology of religion has received no particular attention here, investigations conducted in this field of studies also point to the "impressive … array of traditional research methods" he successfully employed, as Zuckerman has pointed out (Zuckerman, 2002, p. 242).…”