Benton Johnson
Encyclopedia
Benton Johnson is an American sociologist
and professor emeritus of the University of Oregon
's Sociology Department.
and Guion Griffis Johnson. He was named Guy Benton Johnson, Jr., after his father, but was called "Benny" and continued to use "Benton" in adulthood.
His father was a sociologist and anthropologist, and his mother a noted historian. While in college, he met Miriam Massey
and they were married on 21 July 1951. Miriam also pursued a successful career in sociology, focusing on family issues and gender roles. Together they had two children.
He received a bachelor of arts degree from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and went on to obtain his doctorate in Sociology from Harvard University
in 1954. While at Harvard, he was a student of Talcott Parsons
.
Johnson taught at Guilford College
and the University of Texas at Austin
prior to joining the faculty of the Department of Sociology at the University of Oregon
. He has chaired both the University of Oregon's Sociology Department and its Department of Religious Studies.
From 1972 through 1974, Johnson was Editor for the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
. From 1980 through 1981, he served as president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. He was president of the Association for the Sociology of Religion
in 1987, and served as president for the Religious Research Association during 1995 and 1996.
in 1994.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
and professor emeritus of the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
's Sociology Department.
Life
Benton Johnson is the son of Guy Benton JohnsonGuy Benton Johnson
Guy B. Johnson was a sociologist and social anthropologist. He was a distinguished student of black culture in the rural South and a pioneer advocate of racial equality.-Life:...
and Guion Griffis Johnson. He was named Guy Benton Johnson, Jr., after his father, but was called "Benny" and continued to use "Benton" in adulthood.
His father was a sociologist and anthropologist, and his mother a noted historian. While in college, he met Miriam Massey
Miriam M. Johnson
Miriam M. Johnson was an American sociologist and professor emerita of the University of Oregon's Sociology Department.-Life:Miriam Johnson was born Miriam Massey in Atlanta, Georgia on 12 January 1928 to Leola and Herbert Massey. While attending the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, she...
and they were married on 21 July 1951. Miriam also pursued a successful career in sociology, focusing on family issues and gender roles. Together they had two children.
Academic career
Johnson is best known for his work related to theory and typology related to religious movements.He received a bachelor of arts degree from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and went on to obtain his doctorate in Sociology from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1954. While at Harvard, he was a student of Talcott Parsons
Talcott Parsons
Talcott Parsons was an American sociologist who served on the faculty of Harvard University from 1927 to 1973....
.
Johnson taught at Guilford College
Guilford College
Guilford College, founded in 1837 by members of the Religious Society of Friends , is an independent college whose stated mission is to: provide a transformative, practical and excellent liberal arts education that produces critical thinkers in an inclusive, diverse environment, guided by Quaker...
and the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
prior to joining the faculty of the Department of Sociology at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
. He has chaired both the University of Oregon's Sociology Department and its Department of Religious Studies.
From 1972 through 1974, Johnson was Editor for the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion is a peer-reviewed journal, published by Wiley-Blackwell in the United States of America under the auspices of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, dedicated to publishing scholarly articles in the social sciences, including psychology,...
. From 1980 through 1981, he served as president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. He was president of the Association for the Sociology of Religion
Association for the Sociology of Religion
The Association for the Sociology of Religion is an academic association with more than 700 members worldwide. It publishes a journal, the Sociology of Religion: A Quarterly Review and holds meetings at the same venues and times as the American Sociological Association.-History:The ASR was founded...
in 1987, and served as president for the Religious Research Association during 1995 and 1996.
Awards
His book Vanishing Boundaries: the Religion of Protestant Baby Boomers received the annual book award from Society for the Scientific Study of ReligionSociety for the Scientific Study of Religion
The Society for the Scientific Study of Religion was formed to advance research in the social scientific perspective on religious institutions and experiences.-Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion:...
in 1994.