Seoul National University Institute of Social Sciences hosts a Classic Lecture Seminar every semester to offer an opportunity to re-examine the classics of social sciences through the perspectives of prominent scholars.

 The first Classic Lecture Seminar of the Institute of Social Sciences for the 2025 Spring Semester will be held as follows, and we invite everyone to participate:

"Sociological Imagination and Intellectual Craftmanship"

 This book, published by C. W. Mills in 1959, remains one of the most influential modern classics. Mills defines sociological imagination as the ability to perceive the relationship between individual lives and larger social structures, helping us understand the significance of historical phases in various individuals' inner lives and external experiences. He argues that this perspective allows us to comprehend personal troubles as public issues and transform public apathy into participation in public matters. His stance, which goes beyond the then-popular grand theories or empiricism traditions to advocate for independent theorization, has evolved into social movements and critical theory in practice, various micro-macro linkage strategies in methodology, and diverse heuristics and systematic theory construction strategies in research methodology. This presentation will highlight the core arguments of Mills and explore the implications of his intellectual legacy for contemporary social science scholars in Korea.

Presenter: Professor Jae-Yeol Lee (Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences)

Date and Time: March 21 (Friday), 12:00 - 13:30

Location: Seminar Room, Institute of Social Sciences (Building 16, Room M111)

A light meal will be provided during the lecture.

For inquiries: css@snu.ac.kr / 02-880-5475