Sociology Before Sociology at Otago University

Abstract

A sociology minor appeared at Otago University in 2003 and a major in 2005, but these relatively late developments were preceded by a rich history of sociology-like research and teaching at our institution. This article presents a sociological prehistory which winds its way through aspects of the teaching and research of home science, preventive medicine, education, physical education, anthropology and several other disciplines, uncovering sociology-like approaches adopted in the university from the 1920s on. It then briefly considers the reasons behind the late establishment of a stand-alone sociology programme at the university.