Sociologie als opleiding

Samenvatting

An examination is presented of the existing Dutch educational facilities in sociology and of proposals to improve them. Sociology was first taught in the Netherlands as part of studies in social geography at the Universities of Amsterdam and Utrecht; it has now become an independent discipline. Its teaching has two chief functions: intellectual training and professional preparation. Sociology in the Netherlands today is in a state of 'forced professionalization'; but its teaching is characterized by an overbroad base, shallowness, and accidental specialization. The result is that the Dutch sociologis does not have a truly definite profession. Any proposal for reforms of sociology teaching in the Netherlands must start from the assumption that Dutch sociology is 'socialy engaged.' The Rotterdam Plan offered by the Minister of Education, Arts and Sciences in 1963 for a joint faculty of law, economics and sociology is presented and it is commented that this proposal is useful as a starting point for discussions. I. Langnas.