Departmental Demography and Reputational Success: The Fall and Rise of Top Sociology Departments 1950–1980

Between 1950 and 1980 surveys of academic sociologists revealed a major shift in the relative ratings of the top six Sociology
departments. Wisconsin rose from a distant sixth to being rated first or second. Harvard and Columbia dropped from first and
second the rankings to as low as sixth seventh. Underlying these trajectories were a variety of historical changes affecting
academia and Sociology, particularly in the 1960s. Using complete yearly listings of the faculties of these six top departments
I trace the demographic changes that appear to have been instrumental in producing the movement in ratings. In particular,
the radical growth and youth of Wisconsin, and the aging of Harvard and Columbia seem to have played an important role.