Description
Book SynopsisIn this new volume of
Studies in Symbolic Interaction Carl J. Couch’s (1925-1994) memoir
The Romance of Discovery, which has lain unpublished for thirty years, is published in full for the first time. Couch, one of the co-founders of the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction, reflects on his work that influenced a generation of scholars and created a novel perspective known as the new Iowa School of Symbolic Interaction. His memoir describes the joy of establishing synergetic connections and the pain of the political struggles associated with the establishment of this school of thought. It offers a frank, proud yet humble, unapologetic description of a scholar’s journey, from a successful research to a founder of a school of thought. It provides a readable and valuable ‘moral tale’ of how research is not only a social act, but charged with political and conflictual dynamics as well.
Edited and set in context by Michael A. Katovich, the volume also includes Couch’s unpublished essay ‘Forms of Social Processes’ which sets out a theory of his methodology. Friends and colleagues offer their personal reflections on their relationship with Couch, and the volume concludes with a unique selected bibliography on new Iowa School works.
Trade ReviewKatovich introduces a collection of essays by fellow sociologist Couch (1925-94) by placing his work within the framework of paradigm shifts. Eight essays are from an unpublished manuscript called The Romance of Discovery, an analysis of academic personality types. Among them are crib, the seminar, the fate of the breakthrough, and harassing the deviants. A section on scientific foundations of discovery contains the single essay Forms of Social Processes. The final part is devoted to reflections on Couch by colleagues and friends. -- Annotation ©2017 * (protoview.com) *
Table of ContentsIntroduction: From Galileo Galilei to Carl Couch: Paradigm Shifts as Power Struggles, by Michael A. Katovich and Shing Ling Chen
Part 1: The Romance of Discovery; Carl J. Couch Preface 1, Backdrop 2, CRIB 3, The Seminar 4, The Breakthrough 5, Indifference 6, The Fate of the Breakthrough 7, Harassing the Deviants 8, Some Reflections
Part 2: Social Scientific Foundations of Discovery Forms of Social Processes; Carl J. Couch
Part 3: Reflections Pheasant Hunting Best Period of My Life Used Car Salesman Piss-n-Vinegar Grad Student Unvarnished Invitation Straightforward Honest Approach Ann First Meeting My Early Days with Carl
Selected Bibliography on the Iowa School
