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 State of Iowa established a Sister State Relationship with the Hebei (huh-bay) Province in the People's Republic of China in the early 1980's. Hebei Province is at approximately the same latitude as Iowa with similar temperature, rainfall, soil types, crops and livestock. Because of these similarities exciting possibilities existed for educational exchanges.

In 1984, Iowa State University set up a teacher training program in the People's Republic of China (PRC) to reintroduce the study of sociology as an academic discipline, which was abolished in 1949. The intent of the teacher training program was to recruit Chinese students to come to Iowa State University and pursue graduate degrees in sociology. Dr. Gerald Klonglan and Dr. H. C. Chang first visited China (PRC) in 1984. Dr. Chang, a professor in sociology, was the interpreter for all of the negotiations between the two countries. During the 1980's other Iowa State University faculty members traveled to China (PRC) to lecture and train their Chinese counterparts. In 1990, the first Chinese students began graduate work at Iowa State University.

The collection contains correspondence, advisory group files, agreements, and documents relating to papers presented, conferences, seminar writings, and workshops.

The collection is arranged according to contract number.