<Li> succession in community institutions as stakeholders and actors in the ebb and flow of ethnic groups . Cressey (1932) studied the dance hall and commercialized entertainment services, Kincheloe (1938) studied church succession, Janowitz (1952) studied the community press, and Hughes (1979) studied the real - estate board . </Li> <Li> city politics . Merriam's commitment to practical reform politics was matched by Gosnell who researched voting and other forms of participation . Gosnell (1935), Wilson (1960), Grimshaw (1992) considered African American politics, and Banfield and Wilson (1963) placed Chicago city politics in a broader context . </Li> <P> The school is perhaps best known for the subcultural theories of Thrasher, Frazier, and Sutherland, and for applying the principles of ecology to develop the social disorganization theory which refers to consequences of the failure of: </P> <Ul> <Li> social institutions or social organizations including the family, schools, church, political institutions, policing, business, etc. in identified communities and / or neighborhoods, or in society at large; and </Li> <Li> social relationships that traditionally encourage co-operation between people . </Li> </Ul>

The university of chicago's sociology department had an early focus on cities and urban life