Harold B. Lee Library

Brigham Young University and the Department of Sociology

Introduction

Brigham Young University is a private university that seeks to develop students of faith, intellect and character who have the skills and the desire to continuing learning and to serve others throughout their lives. Tracing its roots to Utah’s rich pioneer heritage and to Brigham Young Academy, the original school established in 1875, the university continues to provide an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brigham Young University’s remarkable history can be uncovered through many of the collections held in the University Archives. The following source materials can get you started on your exploration of Brigham Young University’s Department of Sociology.

Secondary Sources and General information

Collections held by the University Archives will be more useful to your specific research topic after you understand more about the general history of the university. The following resources are available to help you develop that understanding.

• Histories of Brigham Young University
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. Brigham Young University: The First One Hundred Years (4 volumes). Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. and W. Cleon Skousen. Brigham Young University: A School of Destiny.  Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1976.
  • Butterworth, Edwin Jr. Brigham Young University: 1,000 Views of 100 Years. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.
• Secondary Sources that relate to the Department of Sociology.
  • UA 301 History of the Brigham Young University Sociology Department Contains a brief of the Sociology Department, including names of those with masters and bachelors degrees.

Primary Sources

• Sample materials dealing with the Brigham Young University Department of Sociology: A sample of the materials that contain information about BYU’s Department of Sociology. To map out a research strategy, please schedule an appointment with the University Archivist at 422-5821 or gordon_daines@byu.edu for additional help in discovering what other collections we may have that pertain to your research topic.
  • UA 554 Records, 1940-1970 Includes records and correspondence of the department chair, department meeting minutes, general department information, and a brief history of the department, 1906-1954.
• The following item is restricted.  Please contact the University Archivist for more information regarding access to this collection.
  • UA 1251 Records, 1955-1989 This collection is made up of two series. The first consists of department meeting minutes, faculty class schedules, and faculty load reports, along with other miscellaneous reports, self-studies, and correspondence. The second series consists of part-time faculty files. Restricted for 25 years after the creation of the records and thereafter open to the public after consultation with the University Archivist and in accordance with the General Restriction Statement of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.
• Sample materials related to the Department of Sociology:
  • MSS SC 3066 Welsey W. Craig autobiography, 1990-1998 Comments on his ancestry; early life in Cabarton, Cascade, and elsewhere in Idaho; service in the U.S. Navy during the 1940s; conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), 1949; work in the Department of Sociology and School of Social Work at BYU; and professional and religious experiences, including in Guatemala, Peru, Spain, and Venezuela.
  • MSS 2112 Personal narratives, ca. 1980-1998 Papers of Wilford Smith, a faculty member in Department of Sociology at Brigham Young University, 1947-1981. Includes four volumes of autobiographical writings and two volumes of poems, essays, addresses, messages to his children, and other information.
  • MSS 4116 John R. Christiansen papers, 1804-1995 The collection consists primarily of material regarding Christiansen’s professional career in Sociology, including interview reels, course materials, publications and other materials on various topics including emergency preparedness and nuclear war survival, etc., and books Christiansen donated BYU.

This Popular Search Topics page offers only samplings of materials included in the University Archives that document the history of the Brigham Young University Department of Sociology. Be sure to visit Special Collections to discover other material.