Bridging the Gap Between Cultures of Teaching and Cultures of Research

In: Teaching sociology: TS, Volume 34, Issue 4, p. 325-340

Abstract

The twentieth century saw a series of major changes in higher education that, among other things, led to an increasing tension between teaching and research within the academy. I argue that the contraposition of these two activities is counterproductive to sociology as well as other disciplines. Content analysis of job listings in the American Sociological Association (ASA) Employment Bulletin from three different decades suggests that although teaching and research increasingly blended near the end of the twentieth century, significant differences remain between type of institution and the relative emphasis upon teaching and research. I conclude with several suggestions for changes that are needed to help bridge the gap between teaching and research within the changing landscape of higher education.