Traditions and Aggie culture: A sociological analysis of academics, athletics, and aesthetics

A theme of consciousness runs through the works of Alexis de Tocqueville, David Emile Durkheim, Carl Gustav Jung, and M. Scott Peck. Stream of conscience is a more appropriate choice of words as it relates to the concepts these authors used to discuss group, i.e. community, collective conscience, collective unconscious, social character, traditions or habits of the heart. Only one of these authors formally attained the title, sociologist. However, all four contributed to sociological thinking. Their theoretical writings become practical application when applied to various organizations and institutions. Each author concerned himself with how customs and/or traditions develop and change and are ingrained or manifest in individuals.;Two organizations that gained international prominence during the 20 th Century serve as examples and illustrations of the theoretical principles discussed in this dissertation. These groups are Texas A&M University and Twelve Step Fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. Texas A&M University proudly hails itself as "A Traditional University" and regales its Traditions in public media as well as everyday events involving the institution. Twelve Step Fellowships are widely regarded for their emphasis on a 12-step recovery program. However, much less information about the 12 traditions of these groups is available. This dissertation will discuss how the theories of such prominent social scientists as Tocqueville, Durkheim, Jung, and Peck allow groups to use traditions as a means to be self-reflective. Such self-reflection promotes wholeness, individually and collectively.