Sociology when it "leaves" the University: illustrations for a debate

Abstract

This article is on the recent discussion about Sociology of Profissions, focusing the possibilities and limits of Sociology in trying to become a legitimate field or production and diffusion of knowledge in the non-academic work field. Recognizing the success of the institutionalization of Sociology in the universities, associations and scientific publications, we try to observe the challenge contained in the proposal which says that the social scientisit may be required, as the professional who has specific skills that distinguish him other careers, by various institutions to do research, planning and to work as consultants. We study four civil entities (in Rio de Janeiro) of great national expression in what concerns the requirement of this professional.