The teaching of sociology at Iowa State University started in 1880 when A.S. Welch taught one of the first courses with sociological content ever offered in the United States. At Iowa State, the bachelor of science in sociology degree program was established in 1914, the master of science degree in sociology was first offered in 1920, and the doctor of philosophy in sociology degree program began in 1944.

The department was separated from the Department of Economics and Sociology in 1966; previously, the department had maintained two functionally separate curricula of economics and sociology within one department, with each section directed by a "professor in charge." In July 1966, the Department of Sociology and Anthropology was created. The bachelor of science in anthropology degree program was established in 1971. In December 1990, the anthropology program separated from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, creating two separate departments: the Department of Sociology and the Department of Anthropology.

Since its establishment, the Department of Sociology has grown into one of the largest sociology departments in the country with 40 faculty members, roughly 60 graduate students, and nearly 300 undergraduates. The Department offers 44 undergraduate and 47 graduate courses, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in sociology or in an interdisciplinary program in public service and administration in agriculture, and the Master of Science and Ph.D. in sociology and rural sociology.

The collection consists of correspondence, reports, and other collected materials regarding various topics of concern to the Department of Sociology.

The collection is arranged in alphabetical order.