Examines technological literacies from a sociocultural orientation to language and literacy, supporting the position that literacies are socially and culturally situated and cannot be examined in isolation from their social constructedness. (Author/JL)

Maintains that sociology was founded in the 19th century as a discipline for the scientific study of social order. Contends that the discipline has been attacked by both liberals and conservatives. Argues that teaching sociology as a laboratory science is the best way to improve the discipline's professional and public image. (CFR)