 | The University of Virginia record March 15, 1928 |  |
THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN THE SOCIAL
SCIENCES
OFFICERS OF ADMINISTRATION
Edwin Anderson Alderman, Ph.B., D.C.L., LL.D.
President of the University
Wilson Gee, M.A., Ph.D.
Director of the Institute
Mabel Frances Boysworth, M.A.
Executive Secretary
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
| EDWIN ANDERSON ALDERMAN, Ph.B., D.C.L., LL.D | Ex Officio Chairman |
| JOHN LLOYD NEWCOMB, B.A., C.E. | Assistant to the President |
| ARMISTEAD MASON DOBIE, M.A., LL.B., S.J.D. | Professor of Law |
| WILSON GEE, M.A., Ph.D | Professor of Rural Economics and Rural Sociology |
| TIPTON RAY SNAVELY, M.A., Ph.D. | Professor of Economics |
| BRUCE WILLIAMS, Ph.D. | Professor of Political Science |
| DUMAS MALONE, M.A., Ph.D. | Professor of History |
| FLOYD NELSON HOUSE, Ph.D. | Professor of Sociology |
| FRANK BANE | Assistant Professor of Applied Sociology |
RESEARCH STAFF
| WYLIE KILPPATRICK, M.A., Ph.D. | Research Professor of Government |
| FRANK WILLIAM HOFFER, M.A. | Assistant Research Professor of Public Welfare |
| WILLIAM HENRY STOUFFER, M.A., Ph.D. | Research Associate in Economics |
| JOHN JAY CORSON, 3rd. B.S. | Research Assistant in Economics |
Establishment.—The announcement was made by President Alderman
to the Rector and the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia during
the commencement exercises in June, 1926, that the Laura Spelman
Rockefeller Memorial had made a grant of $137,500 to the University for
research in the field of the social sciences: economics, government, sociology,
history, psychology, philosophy and related subjects. The grant extends
over a five year period, $27,500 becoming available each of the years from
July 1, 1926 to July 1, 1931.
The work under the provisions of the grant has been organized as an
Institute for Research in the Social Sciences. The President of University,
the Assistant to the President, the Dean of the Graduate Department, the
members of the University faculty of professorial rank in the schools of History,
Sociology and the employed personnel constitute the membership of the
Institute.
As outlined in the resolutions which were adopted by the Institute,
"the duty of this Institute shall be to promote research effort, both individual
and group, in the Social Sciences at the University of Virginia—at the
outset primarily in the field of Virginia problems. It shall further be the
function of the Institute to consider any matter that concerns the development
of the Social Sciences in the University of Virginia, making recommendations
thereon to the President of the University."
Social Science Building.—The University of Virginia Institute for Research
in the Social Sciences is housed in one of the original Jefferson
buildings of the University formerly known as the Old Medical Building.
The interior of the structure has been thoroughly repaired and put in excellent
condition for the activities of the Institute. Provision is made for
office space and equipment for the research workers, and also a general office
has been set up where supplies and secretarial assistance are provided.
Scope of Research Effort.—The grant to the University of Virginia is
being utilized at the outset primarily for research into a number of vital
economic and social problems in the life of the State. It has chosen this
field for two reasons. First because Virginia is in a changing period of its
history, and needs full light on its problems to direct as wisely as possible
the current of transition. And secondly, the University of Virginia realizes
that it is a State University and desires to relate itself more and more intimately
with the people and the life of the State in general, feeling that
such a relationship will be mutually beneficial. However, the work of the
Institute in its full development will not be limited to the field of Virginia
problems but large provision will be made for scholarly research in the
broader phases of social science research without respect to geographical
boundaries.
The research in the Institute is carried on as the professor's own research
project assisted by well-trained research workers. The plan is to
limit the number of problems to be studied, and to do these thoroughly,
and in a way that will make the investigations of a practical immediate or
ultimate value in the life of the State. A definite portion of the grant is being
allotted for the publication of the studies when completed.
Research Lectures.—In addition to the research projects undertaken
through the Institute, a series of lectures on the fundamental objectives
and methods of research in each of the social sciences is being projected.
Men of outstanding ability in their particular fields are secured. Two of
these were given in 1926-27, and the remaining six are to be given in 192728
or soon thereafter. These lectures will be collected and published in a
volume on "Objectives and Methods of Research in the Social Sciences"
under the imprint of the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences.
Investigations in Progress
1. A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PUBLIC WELFARE
SYSTEM OF VIRGINIA, by Frank Bane, Associate Professor of Applied
Sociology, and F. W. Hoffer, Associate Research Professor of Public
Welfare.—A constructively critical approach to the whole public welfare
situation in Virginia, the aim being to suggest needed improvements in the
existing machinery.
2. THE REVENUE SYSTEM AND TAX LAWS OF VIRGINIA,
by Tipton R. Snavely, Professor of Economics, and W. H. Stouffer, Research
Associate in Economics.—Including a study of the Burden of Taxation
on Agriculture and The Taxation of Industrial Enterprises. The purpose
of these investigations is to determine the relative effects of the existing
tax laws on the particular groups of people concerned.
3. SURVEY OF THE LITERATURE AND SOURCES OF
SOUTHERN POLITICAL, ECONOMIC SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL
HISTORY SINCE RECONSTRUCTION, by Dumas Malone,
Professor of History and Lester J. Cappon, Research Associate in History.
—A critical bibliography of the literature of southern history since reconstruction
which includes a survey chiefly of monographic materials, biographies,
official publications of federal and state governments, learned societies
and religious organizations, and southern newspapers and periodicals.
4. A STATISTICAL STUDY OF THE RANK OF VIRGINIA
AMONG THE SEVERAL STATES OF THE NATION, by Wilson Gee,
Professor of Rural Economics and Rural Sociology, and John J. Corson,
3rd, Research, Assistant in Economics.—A comprehensive study made from
all possible statistical sources, determining the rank of the state in education,
wealth, manufacturing, agriculture, vital statistics, etc. Completed
July 1, 1927.
5. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA, by
Wylie Kilpatrick, Research Professor of Government.—Including a brief
survey of the historical aspects of the subject, a comparison of the existing
situations in Virginia with the best examples of modern county government,
the fee system, and the formulation of a comprehensive program of
reform for county government in Virginia.
6. COMMUNITY STUDIES, by Floyd N. House, Professor of Sociology
in co-operation with the Co-operative Education Association of Virginia.—An
intensive survey of several typical communities which is expected
to develop later into a regional study of the State.
7. BREAKDOWN OF RURAL LIFE IN TIDEWATER VIRGINIA,
by Wilson Gee, Professor of Rural Economics and Rural Sociology,
and John J. Corson, 3rd, Research Assistant in Economics.—A research
into the causes and manifestations of the breakdown of rural life in
certain sections of Virginia, which have decreased in population since the
first census.
| The University of Virginia record March 15, 1928 | |