Community and urban studies coordinated by Donald Pierson in São Paulo Sociology e Politics School - ELSP- Brazil

Abstract

The contribution of Donald Pierson (1900-1995) to the Social Sciences in Brazil has been significant because he combined theory and research in the formation of the first generation of professional social scientists in Brazil. Simultaneously to a series of initiatives aiming to be established in ELSP an academic model in social sciences, he coordinated two studies in São Paulo which have focused on observing the social differences related to eating habits and housing in São Paulo. After these two initial studies, Pierson coordinated two community studies in the interior regions of Brazil, with the aim of identifying aspects of the social change process. Both studies, community and urban, are the subject of this article, which also intends to make better known the work in the ELSP during the decades 1940-50 of the 20th century.