A reminiscence of Harvey Sacks 1968-1975
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26485/PS/2026/75.1/2Keywords:
Harvey Sacks, conversation analysis, ethnomethodology, sociologyAbstract
This is an account of several years in the study of conversation analysis with Harvey Sacks at UC Irvine. In the late sixties and early seventies Sacks provided a series of lectures, research reports, and a methodology detailing how ordinary conversations could be recorded, transcribed, and studied. As the founder of the field Sacks brought us closer to the ideal of sociology as a science. During several years of study with the gentleman I discovered a remarkable intellect and an interesting person that I attempt to describe through a chronology of his progression of thought, relationship to ethnomethodology, and published and unpublished research results. Included are some personal experiences and reflections that I hope provide a better understanding of the man as well as his academic direction.
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