Teaching Sociology in Brazil:

an interview with Carlos Benedito Martins

Abstract

This interview was conducted with Carlos Benedito Martins, a full professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Brasilia. The aim was to highlight the author's educational and professional background, as well as to understand the writing of the book O que é Sociologia, published by Brasiliense in the 1980s. This book has more than 60 editions and approximately 750,000 printings, which represents a notable editorial success for an introductory book on sociology for Brazilian readers. In the interview, the author presents some aspects that help us to understand the social relations involved in writing the book, as well as his vision of the teaching of sociology in Brazil.