Sociology is defined by Merriam Webster as being “the science of society, social institutions, and social relationships; specifically: the systematic study of the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings” (2012). Sociology as it is known has many significant theorists noted for their individual contributions to this field. One of the most noted theorists in this field is W.E.B Dubois. He “was an African-American sociologist who embraced the tradition of merging scholarship and activism (Vissing, 2011). He laid the groundwork for Black sociology which studied the impact that social forces have on the Black family (Vissing, 2011). This study of Black sociology is still relevant in today’s society. His theory is most closely aligned with my personal views of sociology through his views on merging scholarship and activism, society’s impact on the Black family, and the importance of African (American) studies.
Du Bois was abundantly talented in his education in the areas of Western literature and history. With a thirst for knowledge, Du Bois pursued degrees at Fisk University and Harvard University. Additionally, he completed post-graduate work in Germany. By the time he was twenty-six years old, after living a life in equality with all the ethnicities in Europe, he found himself returning to America to see what kind of impact he could make on Black America when he arrived. He was not naive to believe it would be easy because he was fully aware of the plight of the African-American in the United States even with his somewhat integrated upbringing. Through education he became reintegrated into American society and he taught Greek and Latin when he first arrived. He later taught Sociology in
