University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

Erving Goffman made foundational contributions not only in sociology but also in many other fields, including my home field of communication. Scheff's book helps contemporary scholars understand the ongoing relevance of Goffman. I particularly admire Goffman for his effective use of qualitative methods, the theoretical and applied nature of his work, and the improved human experience that his work supports. On a more personal note, I, like Goffman, was born in Western Canada and live in the Philadelphia area.