On the 100th anniversary of Lev N. Kogan. A Sociologist as an Object of Museum Discourse

Abstract

This article examines the activities of a unique sociological museum, based out of the Ural Federal University in Yekaterinburg. The museum is dedicated to the life and work of Professor L.N. Kogan, one of the highest profile Soviet/Russian sociologists of the second half of the XX century. The authors of the article focus on the goals, methods, style of work of the museum and its significance when it comes to reproducing the history of sociology in the Urals. Described are the main forms and types of the museum’s educational activities among students, postgraduates, applicants receiving sociological education and professional training, as well as teachers and numerous guests of the university, city and region. The article shows how Kogan’s image is constructed in the museum’s space; also considered are the potential of his creativity and its implementation in theoretical and empirical research. A large number of documents, artifacts, and various sources gathered in the museum allow visitors via training sessions and tours to get an idea about the main stages of Kogan’s life, studies, work, and his achievements in scientific, journalistic, and social activities. In the museum you can get acquainted with the style and methods of the scientist’s work, the specifics of his interactions with students, postgraduates, applicants and sociologist colleagues. Almost all of L.N. Kogan’s monographs and most important publications are presented on the shelves. The museum’s exposition demonstrates the breadth of his scientific interests, which, in addition to sociology, extended to such areas as philosophy, political science, cultural studies, art and theater. The museum gives you a vivid idea of the personality of the scientist, his willingness to impart knowledge upon people, his professionalism in the study of social processes, how skilled he was in the culture of academic communication, as well as his ability to instill optimism into people. In addition, thanks to the abundance of historical documents, visitors have the opportunity to trace the history of the formation and development of sociology at the Ural University and the region over a period of 50 years. At the end of the article, the authors introduce the readers of the journal to the future prospects of the work of the L.N. Kogan Sociological Museum.