"When he was here, I talked to him about how exciting it would be to work together," Wilson, himself a nationally renowned sociologist, said yesterday. "It would be great to team with him on research projects and write several books together."

Wilson noted that while he focuses on ethnography and history, Bobo's strength is empirical research.

At UCLA, Bobo taught classes on social psychology, public opinion and race and ethnic relations. He also led a seminar titled "Recent Developments in Social Psychology: Intergroup Attitudes, Beliefs and Behaviors".

Bobo will beginning teaching in the Afro-American Studies and Sociology departments in the fall, but he has not yet decided which courses he will lead.

"I'm looking forward to putting together a seminar around the situation of the modern black middle class," he said.

Bobo's future colleagues greeted the announcement of his appointment with applause yesterday.

"Larry Bobo is a superb empirical sociologist who has been engaged in research and thinking about some of the central demographic and policy issues about America today," Professor of Government and Sociology Theda Skocpol wrote in an e-mail message. "I am delighted that he is coming."

Bobo, who grew up in Southern California, admits he is a little anxious about leaving sunny Los Angeles for Boston's winters.

"I really am leaving home," he said