Volume 35 May/June 2007 Number 5
Looking forward to the 2007 ASA Annual Meeting in New York . . . $1,000 (in 2005 constant dollars) fell by 156,833, while the number renting Down and Out in New York City for $1,400 or more grew by 63,187, an increase of almost 25 percent. Despite Despite Well-Intentioned Social Policy, New York’s Homeless Problem Is Worsening this evidence of worsening afford- ability problems confronting renters, by Mitchell Duneier, Princeton University outlined in the Mayor’s plan, visitors to rent program seems to be a 20 percent the Bloomberg administration recently and CUNY Graduate Center, and Patrick New York City this summer will encoun- annual reduction in the rent supplement announced it will replace the HSP pro- Markee, Coalition for the Homeless ter a city that is falling significantly provided to formerly homeless families, gram with a new rent subsidy aimed at behind on its own and rules excluding homeless families, which is limited to A generation of sociological study benchmarks for the working poor and only one or two years—again, raising and activism on homelessness—both in the plan’s imple- disabled people from enormous concerns among advocates, its measurement and in thinking about mentation. There is the program. Indeed, service providers, and homeless families. what to do about it—has influenced an all-time record under HSP rules, Counting the Homeless public debate and initiatives on combat- number of homeless families in the pro- ing homelessness in New York City over families residing gram are prohibited The numbers of street homeless have the past few years. In late 2005, Mayor in shelters as well from leaving welfare traditionally been hard to count, with Michael Bloomberg, responding to calls as thousands of for work, despite the City estimates usually ending up lower by advocates and service providers, individuals still fact that their rental than both scholarly counts and the announced a 10-year agreement with literally sleeping on assistance is reduced estimates by advocates. In recent years, then-Governor George Pataki to finance city streets and in each year. At the same Professor Kim Hopper (author of the and develop 9,000 new units of sup- the subway system. time, housing costs have been skyrocket- classic Reckoning With Homelessness) from portive housing—subsidized permanent ing while wages cannot keep up. the Mailman School of Public Health at Low Wages and High Rent housing with social services—for chroni- According to data collected by the Columbia University, has worked closely cally homeless people and people living One reason for rising family home- Census Bureau’s Housing and Vacancy with the City’s Department of Homeless with disabilities. The key idea motivat- lessness may be flaws in the city’s Survey, between 2002 and 2005 (the most Services as it conducted an annual ing Bloomberg was to reduce the reliance “Housing Stability Plus” program (HSP). recent data available), the number of on temporary shelter and to expand the Launched in December 2004 to replace apartments available at rents of less than See Homeless, page 8 supply of cost-effective supportive hous- federal Section 8 vouchers for homeless ing, which is an idea that many sociolo- families, HSP provided declining rent gists have long advocated. subsidies to families to move them out Looking forward to the 2007 ASA Annual Meeting in New York . . . Bloomberg’s initiative to build more of shelters and into permanent housing. supportive housing was part of a larger However, the number of homeless fami- Plenary Examines Popular Culture plan announced a year earlier to reduce lies moved to permanent housing fell by homelessness in New York City by two- 11% last year to 5,950, the lowest number as Propaganda and Critique thirds over five years. At that time, the in four years, and HSP moved fewer City released and posted on its website families in its second year of operation by Bonnie Thornton Dill, University of can serve as a force for progressive social detailed implementation plans with than in its first (4,524 families in 2005 vs. Maryland and ASA Vice President change also increases. For example, there timelines and targets. Unfortunately, 4,033 families in 2006). is considerable debate around popular despite the laudable and ambitious goals Part of the problem with the cur- Popular and commercial cultures have culture’s capacity to address issues of long been important sites of cultural con- inequality within a capitalist economic flict, where ideas about social relations structure, where the dissemination of are persuasively embedded and in con- ideas and ideologies is so tightly bound Eliza Pavalko to Serve as the Next stant negotiation with critiques of such to economic resources. These themes ideas. Academic discussions on popular suggest that to understand where global Editor of JHSB culture started as soon as contemporary entertainment and popular culture are mass society formed itself, and the views headed, one should begin by looking by Tom Gieryn, on popular culture that were devel- afresh at the starting point: The funda- Indiana University-Bloomington cheeky authors in the years ahead, and oped at that time still influence popular mental cultural, political, and economic she will respond to them as she responds culture as propa- landscape of Eliza K. Pavalko has been selected to her horses: kind and firm. ganda and critique contemporary to succeed Peggy Thoits as editor of As globalism spreads, the intellectual Early Career within contempo- America as it the Journal of Health and Social Behavior rary America. formulations, political stakes, and stands today. (JHSB), and her colleagues at Indiana Eliza Pavalko did her undergradu- Given the popular investments about the extent to The plenary’s University-Bloomington now have ate work at Guilford College in North explosion in which popular and commercial cultures format is a moder- two reasons to congratulate her. At the Carolina, and completed her doctorate scholarly inter- ated conversation Department’s annual award ceremony in in 1987 at Florida State University, with est in popular can serve as a force for progressive among cultural April, Eliza was named the Allen D. and a dissertation on “Labor Processes and culture, which social change also increases. producers, critics, Polly S. Grimshaw Professor of Welfare State Formation in encompasses such and scholars. In a Sociology. the United States, 1900-1930.” mediums as comic books, digital media, “multilogue” orchestrated by Herman Eliza and I share a com- Her MA thesis at Florida State hip-hop, television and the Internet, the Gray of the University of California- mon interest in horse manure, tackled a different problem: “Popular Culture as Propaganda and Santa Cruz, five distinguished par- although her focus is more on “Measures of Self-Assessed Critique” plenary on August 11, 2007, ticipants will explore the limitations, the production end while mine Health: Comparing Health offers diverse perspectives about the challenges, and possibilities of critique is on its consumption. Eliza Indicators Among Older extent to which these cultures can serve in the popular and commercial culture spends many hours riding Males.” Traces of both early as a force for progressive social change. arena as well as its use and mobilization and training horses. My roses projects can be found through- Central to this year’s theme, “Is Another for understanding contemporary social benefit wonderfully from the out Eliza’s career of productive World Possible: Sociological Perspectives life. Their conversation will provide a manure that Eliza’s horses pro- research. She has maintained and Contemporary Politics,” this plenary critical lens for examining the goals, duce in abundance, but that is an interest in macro-level Eliza K. Pavalko is dedicated to the development of dilemmas, and challenges involved a story for another time. What and policy relevant aspects of dialogue not only between classical and in creating and disseminating these Eliza does with her horses just health care, along with an inter- sociological perspectives and contempo- products. might shed light on her dispositions and est in micro-environmental determinants rary politics but also between the United Participants include: tendencies as the new editor of JHSB. of health and well-being. It seems most States and the peoples and their coun- Sarah Banet-Weiser is associate Our colleague Jane McLeod describes appropriate that Eliza’s first publication, tries whom we affect and who affect us. professor in the Annenberg School of Eliza as the perfect balance of kindness based on her master’s thesis and co- As globalism spreads, the intellec- Communication. Her teaching and and firmness: “Her triumph in taming authored with Melissa Hardy, appeared tual formulations, political stakes, and research interests include feminist the- a cheeky horse is a sight to behold!” popular investments about the extent to No doubt Eliza will face at least a few See JHSB Editor, page 4 which popular and commercial cultures See Plenary, page 8
Published by the American Sociological Association May/June 2007 Footnotes
The Executive Officer’s Column In This Issue . . . An “Accountability Squeeze” on Higher Education In September 2006, U.S. Department of Education (DoE) Secretary Margaret Spellings unveiled an ambitious plan—perhaps “campaign” better captures its complexity—to implement the recommendations of What the Federal her Commission on the Future of Higher Education. The Commission’s much-anticipated report—and ensuing year of debate and research— Budget Says About was intended to present to the higher-education leadership, policy- makers, and the public suggestions to help improve American public Fiscal Priorities higher education. The multifaceted plan has been both controversial 3 and provocative, and sociology education has a serious stake in its fate. On Capitol Hill, the ASA Conflict arises as educational institutions are driven increasingly by Congressional Fellow examines Sally T. Hillsman market forces, as well as state and federal regulations, while stakehold- the deeper meaning of the federal ers try to maintain core academic missions and values. Public drafts of the report, A Test of Leadership: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education budget. (see www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/hiedfuture/reports/pre-pub-report.pdf), have fomented much discussion about higher education’s role and efficacy. With but one dissent- The Exciting World ing vote, the Commission’s members voted last August to approve the report, one of several recent assessments that constitute a mounting “accountability squeeze.” By now, it is the of Encyclopedias rare faculty member or administrator who is unaware of the report’s primary emphases on affordability, student access to higher education, and assessment of student learning. But it Whether looking at modern is important that sociologists in higher education educate themselves about the details and 4 implications. day sociology or taking an international perspective, Five-Step Program sociologists write or edit The Commission proposes a combination of federal laws, regulations, and financial incen- numerous encyclopedias. tives for various higher education stakeholders to implement the recommendations. Last fall, Spellings specified her plans for five immediate steps: • Expand the No Child Left Behind Act The Good, the Bad, to secondary schools, thus providing a measure on how many high school and the Misunderstood students graduate unprepared for For the best Annual Meeting college-level work. Vantage 5 • Streamline the process by which presentation, be visual not students apply for financial aid to help fami- verbose. lies. This will necessarily entail congressional legislation. Point • Develop a national higher education “unit records” information system that protects A Century of Social student privacy while permitting an assessment of student learning. Despite DoE assurances, many fear, among other things, the privacy-violating potential of this Science system. • Provide matching funds to colleges, universities, and states that collect and publicly The ASA looks back as the Russell disseminate measures that describe their students’ learning. 5 • Convene accreditation organizations, higher education leaders, and other types of poli- Sage Foundation celebrates 100 years of strengthening the social cymakers in the fall of 2007 to move the country’s college accreditation system toward measures of student achievement. sciences. High Stakes Seven ASA-NSF Grants DoE leadership considers the accreditation process—a self-regulatory process consisting of private- and public-sector players—as a strategic entryway into higher education through Awarded which the federal government can achieve many of the recommendations. Accrediting organizations oversee quality control at the majority of U.S. colleges and universities, but The Fund for the Advancement of DoE, through its NACIQI (the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and 6 Integrity), oversees accreditors. Furthermore, DoE has undisputed leverage over receipt of the Discipline awards innovative federal financial aid by students at higher education institutions. research projects and scientific Many assert that DoE has fueled a “false crisis.” The stakes have increased, however, for conferences. scholars/educators concerned with the integrity and independence of higher education. For example, the DoE wants to establish a standardized set of federally monitored student learn- ing outcomes that would be applicable to all institutions. The DoE also wants a flexible trans- Chapel Hill’s fer of credit requirement. If DoE is successful, higher education will move quickly toward a federal system of accreditation, significantly altering current relationships among accrediting Sociological Approach organizations, educational institutions, and the DoE. Sociological research strongly suggests to Management that it will be less financially viable smaller colleges and two-year colleges—where the major- 7 ity of students from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds and many students of color Call it Management and Society, begin their higher education careers—that would be most vulnerable to losing accreditation Not Industrial Relations. as a federalized system begins to require expensive curriculum reforms and more extensive student assessment focused on quantitative measurement of educational outcomes. DoE did respond to educational community concerns about the highly controversial Getting a Kick Out of Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and regulations proposed for monitoring student learning. ASA members need to be attentive to and offer comment on future regula- Gender Empowerment tory proposals and to work collectively at their home institutions and professional associa- tions to present elected federal officials with their concerns. Martha Thompson found her 9 Other Opportunities to Influence sociological purpose by teaching underserved women self-defense. At the March 2007 DoE summit of national-level participants, a range of matters surfaced related to the affordability-access-accountability triad that now inextricably identifies the Commission. DoE is hosting a series of June summit meetings to gather information—in roundtable format—from local- and regional-area educational institutions. The summits are in Kansas City (June 5), Seattle (June 7), Phoenix (June 12), Boston (June 14), and Atlanta (June 19). Vickie Schray, DoE Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary, seeks informed individuals in Our Regular Features higher education to discuss student success indicators in all fields, including sociology, and how such indicators could be integrated into accountability systems. In addition, the DoE Public Forum...... 11 plans to meet this summer with representatives of disciplinary societies, including ASA, to discuss how student success indicators can be made comprehensive and visible. ASA mem- Departments...... 12 bers interested in contributing to this issue of national student outcome indicators in higher Obituaries...... 15 education should contact the ASA Public Affairs Office (Lee Herring at [email protected]).
—Sally T. Hillsman May/June 2007 Footnotes
Is the Federal Budget a Moral PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE
Document? ✔ What advice did sociologists give to NIH on peer review? . . . . The by Rebecca Sager, 2000, at the end of Clinton’s presidency, Center for Scientific Review (CSR), the National Institutes of Health ASA Congressional Fellow there was a budget surplus of $5.6 tril- (NIH) gateway for all grant applications submitted to the $28-billion lion. However, in the last six years of agency, held the second of its six one-day “open house” workshops on It is simply immoral for this government to a Republican-controlled Congress and April 25. The purpose of the 200-attendee workshop was to obtain system- continue to mortgage our children’s futures with President Bush in office, we have a atic feedback from scientists about whether NIH’s current configuration of through policies that lead only to growing $2.8-trillion budget deficit. This change Study Sections (i.e., peer review groups) is sufficient to effectively evaluate deficits and deeper national debt. Tomorrow, in our nation’s fiscal security is due to a grant proposals for technical and scientific merit. These CSR open houses we will strike a strong blow for fiscal sanity. significant shift in both our spending pri- provide feedback on both anticipated technological advances and topical —Rep. Steny Hoyer, House Majority Leader orities as well as how we raise revenue. foci that could impact the review process’s efficacy over the next few years. There are two main reasons for this The first workshop sought input from the neuroscience community, while A recent New York Times article reported change. First, under Republican leader- the April workshop engaged social and behavioral scientists in helping the on new data about the widening income ship, in 2001 and 2003, a significant tax NIH assess its peer review infrastructure. CSR Director Antonio Scarpa gap. According to economists Emmanuel cut package was passed. Seventy percent explained that CSR wants the composition of study sections and the struc- Saez and Thomas Piketty, “The of these cuts went to people ture of these sections (also called Initial Review Groups) to serve scientific top 1 percent of Americans— with incomes in the top two advances. Scarpa said that continuous evaluation of CSR helps ensure those with incomes that year of income tax brackets, and aver- that proposal reviews are fair and timely. CSR manages most of NIH’s more than $348,000—are receiv- aged $103,000 a year to people peer review work with standing study sections, and they are intended ing their largest share of national with incomes over $1 million not to be “captive” to any single one of NIH’s 27 primary institutes, thus income since 1928.” In other dollars. In comparison, the aver- decoupling application review from decisions about which projects will words, the richest in America are age American making $20,000 be funded. A number of sociologists participated in the April workshop now the richest they have ever to $50,000 received only $704 a including two whom ASA invited (Joan Kahn, University of Maryland- been since immediately before year. Additionally, increases in College Park, and Jason Schnittker, University of Pennsylvania). ASA the Great Depression. During spending have resulted in an public policy staff Lee Herring and Jean Shin actively participated in one the same week that this report expanding national debt and of six breakout sessions, “Basic Behavioral Science,” and ASA Executive was released, the U.S. House Rebecca Sager its resulting interest payments, Officer Sally Hillsman chaired the breakout session on “Risk, Intervention, of Representatives passed its costing important programs Prevention: Individual or Small Group Level.” The meeting emphasized federal budget resolution for valuable resources. For exam- scientific questions rather than process issues. Several attendees felt that FY 2008, determining how much appro- ple, interest on the national debt will peer review for specific behavioral and social science areas often works priating committees can spend in 2008. cost almost $300 billion in 2008 alone, well, but there were suggestions about areas to which CSR should be at- While many would consider the budget a enough to fund State Children’s Health tentive. And the issue of researchers self-selecting (i.e., choosing to not purely fiscal document, there has been a Insurance (which provides health insur- submit applications to NIH because of a perception that certain areas are renewed commitment on the part of some ance to all low-income children) for the not funded) was mentioned. For more detailed information, see
Sociologists’ Encyclopedic Impact Sociology is a constantly expanding felt that it was “an excellent chance to concepts, methodologies, and important discipline, and the vast knowledge base both promote as well as to pay tribute people in the field.” Bonilla-Silva kept that has existed in sociology has certainly to the discipline of sociology.” He was this in mind when editing his section on Vote! grown and developed into multiple sub- drawn to this project for various reasons, sociology. He feels that this section will areas as evidenced by ASA’s 44 sections. one of which was that it gave him the “provide the basics on the important What is the best way to disseminate this opportunity to work with many scholars matters in sociology, but also incorporate information? One increasingly popu- who are also passionate about sociology. discussions on their limitations. This will lar avenue for sociologists is through This encyclopedia, which both editors allow readers to understand the con- encyclopedias related to the social sci- feel is a labor of love, is an important tested nature of our scientific endeavor.” ences. Sociologists are going beyond the contribution to sociology because it is Additionally, Bonilla-Silva hopes that challenge of contributing pieces to these a reference handbook made up of more readers will appreciate the extra effort The 2007 ASA encyclopedias by taking on the larger role than 100 clear and concisely written made to compile entries that critically of editor. research topics put together by experts in analyze the latest trends, concepts, and election was launched To edit an encyclopedia can be quite a the field. According to Peck, each area of debates in the social sciences, and yet it challenge. However, for sociology that is covered “is devel- is still easy to read and understand. on Monday, April 23rd. veteran encyclope- oped to document the In addition, George Ritzer, University dia editors, such as general historical of Maryland, recently edited the 11-vol- Paper ballots were mailed Clifton D. Bryant, a and contemporary ume Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology, professor of sociology 1 knowledge that has published in December 2006. There that day by the ASA election at Virginia Tech, taking been established…” are several other encyclopedias edited on such a project can be For that reason, he by sociologists currently in develop- agent. At the same time, rewarding. Bryant recently feels that students, ment at Sage Publications, including the co-edited a two-volume professors, and any Encyclopedia of Social Problems (edited by st all members with valid encyclopedia titled 21 Century other reader will Vincent N. Parrillo), the Encyclopedia of Sociology: A Reference Handbook. greatly benefit from Interpersonal Violence (co-edited by Claire e-mail addresses received This is Bryant’s fourth time as an this encyclopedia. M. Renzetti), the Encyclopedia of Gender encyclopedia editor. Bryant states Another encyclo- and Society (edited by Jodi O’Brien), and instructions on how to that one of the reasons why he enjoys pedia in the works the Encyclopedia of Race, Ethnicity, and doing this kind of work is because he gets i s t h e second edition of the Society (edited by Richard T. Schaefer). access candidate statements to meet other sociologists—in the United International Encyclopedia of the Social Thanks to the hard work of sociologists States and around the world—who are Sciences, set to be released in 2008 by willing to take on such projects, knowl- experts in various fields of sociology. With MacMillan Reference. Under the overall edge about a variety of areas in sociol- and how to cast their votes this most recent publication, Bryant hopes editorial guidance of William Darity, Jr., ogy past and present will continue to be that not only students turn to this ency- professor of economics and an adjunct accessible to readers at all levels and thus online. Go to
JHSB Editor, from page 1 in JHSB in 1986, the first of six papers has been Deputy Editor of JHSB, and She has worked with a wide variety health care (along with its globalization), she authored in the prestigious journal earlier in her career she served simultane- of data and methodologies, includ- the persistence of health disparities, and that she now will edit (a paper from her ously as Consulting Editor at AJS and as ing quantitative analysis of large data the geographical and temporal dimen- dissertation project appeared three years Editorial Board member at the American sets, historical comparative analysis, sions of health care. Eliza will reach out to later in the American Journal of Sociology Sociological Review, a testament to her and qualitative analysis of open-ended other ASA sections—Family, for example, (AJS) as well). capacity for hard work. Eliza has also survey responses—and no doubt this or Race, Gender, and Class—to encour- Eliza’s special interest in looking at been a member of innumerable panels diversity will be reflected in the array age submissions from sociologists whose health through a life course perspective and review boards to consider grant pro- of papers the journal will soon publish. primary focus may be outside the conven- was galvanized during her four years at posals and agendas for Eliza’s writing is tional boundaries of medical sociology. the University of North Carolina, where future research, includ- consistently crisp and She plans to reach undergraduate audi- she worked closely with Glen Elder. ing at the National Eliza is not the kind of person to direct. Those who ences by getting new papers from JHSB Eliza and Glen co-authored six journal Science Foundation, submit manuscripts included in future editions of handbooks publications and one book between 1990 the Bureau of Labor cruise on past successes. She will to JHSB during the and syllabi sets. She wants to extend the and 1993 (sometimes with other col- Statistics, the National shake things up, for the better. next three years will reach of JHSB outside of the academy via laborators), on subjects that stand at the Institute on Aging, and have no difficulty highlights of its articles in ASA’s Contexts. intersection of family, work, gender, and the National Institutes of Health. discerning why their work was accepted Above all, Eliza starts out her new job health. Eliza learned a great deal about However, perhaps the best recom- or rejected, as Eliza, ever the mentor, will with no agenda other than to publish the the value of good mentorship during her mendation for Eliza’s “promotion” to provide wise and useful suggestions for very best sociological research on health Carolina years, and she has become the editor of JHSB is the breadth of her improvement. and social behavior. consummate mentor since her arrival research and its centrality for the big and Her colleague, Brian Powell, describes at Bloomington in 1991. Last year, the enduring questions of our discipline. Planning for the Future two of Eliza’s many virtues: she is calm graduate students at Indiana presented In the very best tradition of life course Although JHSB has recently achieved under fire, and she has an unyielding Eliza with their annual Mentor Award; it research, Eliza’s papers bring together an ISI journal impact factor just below sense of fairness. Jane McLeod adds: care- is easy to see why. Of her most recent 16 a deep understanding of the structural American Sociological Review and AJS ful, reflective, and generous. These quali- publications, 12 have been co-authored contexts in which human lives unfold (and well above Social Forces), Eliza is ties are just as good for training horses as with graduate students or post-docs. (workplace policies, for example), with not the kind of person to cruise on past they are for editing a scholarly journal. One of Eliza’s current students, Deidre a sensitive appreciation for the day-to- successes. She will shake things up, for We are confident thatJHSB will thrive Redmond, received a 2007 ASA Minority day realities of individuals who inhabit the better. As an example, she hopes to under Eliza Pavalko’s stewardship. Fellowship. those contexts (such as the demands of expand the audience for JHSB by pub- family caregiving responsibilities). Her lishing works that will be of particular New manuscript submission An Experienced Editor work weaves tight connections between interest to practitioners and policymak- addresses for ASA journals. Eliza is well prepared for her new theory, empirical evidence, nuanced ers in the medical community on topics See page 16. editorial responsibilities. Since 2005, she interpretations, and policy implications. such as the organization and financing of May/June 2007 Footnotes
Looking forward to the 2007 ASA Annual Meeting in New York . . . The Educational For Conference Presentations, Less Is More Testing Service Retracts Recent by Jill Campbell, seems beneficial; the audience, however, According to the dual-coding theory, first ASA Publications Department has a different perspective. proposed by psychologist Allan Pavio, Changes to the GRE “Too much material,” “ineffective,” If you are talking while your audi- verbal and relevant visual information During the fall of 2006, the Educational “convoluted,” “defied easy understand- ence is also trying to read your slides, it presented together can enhance learning. Testing Service (ETS) announced sig- ing.” These are just a few of the com- is likely they are either hearing you or Your audience may learn more if you nificant changes to the Graduate Record ments regarding presentations at last reading the words, but not both. Verbal present figures on your slides rather than Exam (GRE) to take effect in September year’s annual meeting. More specifically, comprehension decreases when informa- text while giving your talk. of this year (see January 2007 Footnotes). tion is presented both aurally and in writ- Public Forum writer Dean Harper (see Audience-centric Visual Aids On April 2, 2007, the ETS announced that December 2006 Footnotes, p. 11) criticized ten form. The theory is that the parts of plans to launch the revised GRE General presentations that the brain that process Knowing how your audience pro- Test had been cancelled. This deci- consisted of text- words you hear are cesses the information you are present- sion was made in consultation with the heavy PowerPoint Your audience may learn more if you also activated when ing enables you to make decisions about Executive Committee of the GRE Board. slides read verbatim, present figures on your slides rather you process words how to format your PowerPoint slides The primary reason the organization cites you read. But if you for maximum effectiveness. The follow- overly complex than text while giving your talk. for cancelling the launch of the new test diagrams, and short try to do both at ing are a few suggestions to help you was test taker access. Officials were not presentations with once, your audience’s prepare figures and slides for your next confident that full access would be avail- too much detail. attention is split and comprehension presentation: able for all students who wanted to take For researchers who not only labor suffers. r Keep bullet points short. Present key the general test. GRE officials said that points only. It is better to leave over the quality of their research meth- A Picture Really Is Worth 1,000 Words they believe the “problems guaranteeing ods and analyses but also struggle with your audience wanting a little more complete access to the new Internet-based creating figures in Excel and bullet points Since silence typically is not an option than wanting much less! test outweighed the benefits of immedi- in PowerPoint, such criticisms may be dif- during a talk (unless you trying to achieve r Let the figures speak for you. Instead ately moving to the new format.” ficult to hear, much less accept. However, a John Cage–esque kind of presenta- of explaining your data in para- Instead of launching the new format Harper’s criticisms are not unfounded; tion), you will need to find alternatives to graphs or bullet points, show your of the test, the GRE will continue to offer in fact, the modes with which you com- presenting text-heavy slides while speak- data through figures. the test worldwide in its current format. municate your research—both verbal ing. One option is to simply decrease the r Choose easy-to-read fonts. Sans David Payne, Executive Director of the and visual—have a significant impact on amount of text on each slide to include serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Helvetica) GRE Program at ETS, said that the deci- whether your audience will comprehend only a few short bullet points (remember are often easier to read on screen sion to cancel the launch of the revised and remember your presentation. to keep the font size large enough for the because the letters appear more test was made in the best interest of the myopic researchers in the back row who distinct. Also, be sure text and fig- test takers and the graduate institutions Words, Words, Words are accustomed to reading text less than ure labels are large enough to read that use the GRE scores for admission There are a number of reasons why two feet away on their laptops). at a distance. decisions. After much discussion, the researchers use text-heavy slides during An even more effective option is to dis- r Practice your presentation in advance current test “offers students more con- conference presentations. The presenters, card the text almost altogether so that you so you do not need to rely on text- venient and flexible opportunities to test who have just spent a good deal of their include primarily figures in your slides, heavy slides as reminders of what when and where they choose, while still time and budget on their study, want to with text for titles and subtitles or key to say next. providing score users with valid pre- provide as many details as possible in the points only. Because your brain processes Remember: Your research may be dictors of test takers’ preparedness for few minutes they have to present their semantic (verbal) and visual information excellent, but if it is presented poorly, its graduate school study,” said Payne. The research, with the expectation that the separately, your audience can simultane- import may never be realized. two primary changes that were being pro- ously listen to your talk and pay attention audience leaves with a full understand- Before becoming ASA’s publications posed included the style of the tests and to your slides if your slides are showing ing of their work. Some presenters may manager, Jill Campbell received a master’s the scoring. ETS officials and members of copy their presentation notes into a slide figures and not large chunks of text. the GRE Board will continue to look into Presenting words and images does not degree in technical communication. Her so they are less likely to forget what to say master’s work examined the role of informa- ways of improving the test in the future. next. simply prevent distraction but may work For more information on this announce- to improve your audience’s comprehen- tion design and textual narrative in learn- From the presenter’s perspective, dis- ing and memory. ment, visit the ETS website at
have been working on research and writ- Family Life, by Suzanne M. Bianchi, John That’s a Lot of Candles: ing projects that reflect the Foundation’s P. Robinson, and Melissa A. Milkie. The commitment not only to sociology but book analyzes four decades of data to Russell Sage Celebrates 100 Years to the social sciences in general and their explore the ways in which families spend applicability to social problems and policy their time in an era when the number by Diego de los Rios, professional personnel that coordinated making. The six sociologists are: Jose of stay-at-home parents is decreasing. ASA Governance Program the Foundation’s activities was created in Itzigsohn, Brown University; Roberto In addition to its value as a resource 1948 and has been used ever since. Patricio Korzeniewicz, University of for sociologists interested in gender, or the past 100 years, the Russell Maryland-College Park; Timothy Moran, family, and occupation, the book is a F Visiting Scholars Sage Foundation (RSF) has established SUNY-Stony Brook; Pyong Gap Min, perfect example of how the collaboration itself as one of the leading sources of During its reorganization, RSF estab- Queens College and CUNY Graduate between The Russell Sage Foundation research funding in the social sciences. lished a research center “where visiting Center; Ann Orloff, Northwestern and ASA Rose Series has achieved its Founded in 1907 with a generous gift scholars can pursue their writing and University; and Christopher Rhomberg, goal of producing books that provide from Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, research, often in collaborative Yale University. valuable information for social scientists, the Russell Sage Foundation played an groups.” Sociology, and ASA in policymakers, and the general public. important role, for most of the first half particular, and the Russell Sage Rose Series of the 20th century, in the improvement Foundation have had an active The Russell Sage Foundation A Celebration of hospital and prison conditions, as well and symbiotic relationship for also works hand-in-hand with ASA On April 19, to commemorate 100 as the development of social work as a many years. Since 1995 alone, through publication of the Rose years of work, the Foudnation held a profession. During this early stage, the more than 60 sociologists have Series in Sociology. The series was day-long symposium at the Waldorf- Foundation was also actively involved in been appointed Visiting Scholars established in 1967 with support Astoria Hotel in New York City. The reforms in areas such as health care, city at the RSF, including ASA’s from Arnold and Caroline Rose, event focused on the current stance of planning, and social security programs, President-elect Arne Kalleberg. Kalleberg and since 1996 it has been published by the nation with regard to social issues— among other issues. spent his year as a visiting scholar the Russell Sage Foundation under the especially the labor market in America, After World War II, the Foundation researching flexible staffing arrange- auspices of the ASA. After a decision social stratification, and immigration and underwent a philosophical and struc- ments (e.g., temporary, part-time, and from the ASA Council in 1995, the series new diversity—that have long concerned tural reorganization. Following more contract) and job quality. shifted from publishing single-study the Foundation. than four decades of having specialized Last fall, Russell Sage appointed monographs and began the publication On the occasion of the Russell Sage departments and playing a pioneering six sociologists among the 21 Visiting of books intended for a broader audience. Foundation’s centennial, ASA members, role in dealing with problems of the poor Scholars for the 2006-07 academic year. The books are intended for social scien- leaders, and staff would like to take this and the elderly, the Foundation shifted From topics as specific as the identity of tists, policymakers, and others, by seeking opportunity to congratulate and express its focus to strengthening the social Dominican immigrants in Providence, to provide an integrative overview of a gratitude to the Foundation for its 100 sciences as a means of achieving more RI, to broader subjects—such as the crisis specific topic. years of hard work and commitment to informed and rational social policy. To of American unions or inequality from The most recent publication in the Rose the discipline and service to the public support this shift, a new central staff of a global perspective—these sociologists Series is Changing Rhythms of American good. May/June 2007 Footnotes
among new immigrant groups, especially in non-gateway cities—Charlotte, NC, ASA Awards Small Grants in Sociology Atlanta, GA, and Salt Lake City, UT—and will build a theoretical framework that The American Sociological Association adults and a second group of 15 pairs of Massacre: A Case Study in Urban Public moves beyond individual adaptation of (ASA) is pleased to announce seven new mothers and daughters. All of the daugh- Health. This is an historical and socio- immigrants. Instead, this study focuses grants from the December 2007 review ters will be generated from the TIES logical case study of a massive rat on the collective action of immigrants. cycle of ASA’s Fund for the Advancement data base. In the longer term, findings control project undertaken in Budapest, Okamoto hypothesizes that the incor- of the Discipline (FAD), a competitive from this study will be compared with Hungary, in 1971 and 1972 and its after- poration of immigrants requires more small grants program co-funded by ASA findings from a study of Dominican and math. It focuses on institutions, policies, than resources and sympathetic elites; and the National Science Foundation Mexican women in the United States. and historical events that explain the it requires threats from the immigrants (NSF) and administered by the ASA. FAD Erik Larson, Macalester College, city’s 30-year success in improving public themselves. She believes that the more awards provide seed money (up to $7,000) Coup or Commission? Legal Consciousness, health despite its resource-poor condi- oppressed and segregated the immigrant to PhD scholars for innovative research Political Contention, and Reconciliation in tion. The PI examines interactions among group, the more likely that they will projects and for scientific conferences that Fiji. The PI proposes to conduct inter- public health objectives, waste manage- protest. Resources, political opportuni- advance the discipline through theoreti- views with political elites and ordinary ment policies, privatization of public ties, size of the immigrant group, and cal and methodological breakthroughs. citizens in Fiji, the site of a recent coup utilities, and unique historical events. residential and occupational segregation Below is a list of the latest FAD Principal and ongoing ethnic tensions. As a result Molnar will attempt to explain why the constitute the independent variables of Investigators (PIs) and a brief description of these interviews, he hopes to better Budapest rat control project was success- the study. The PI further hypothesizes, of their projects. understand the ways that law affects ful by answering three questions: What that after controlling for the independent David Fitzgerald, University of social and political change and popular were the conditions that pushed the variables, more threats will result in California-San Diego, and David Cook- thinking, especially when racial and eth- city to launch the program? What were greater political integration. Martin, University of California-Irvine, nic tensions are a significant part of the the key factors that made the program Okamoto will create a data file of Race and Immigration in the Americas. The context. The PI will examine how a recent successful? How has the city been able newspaper articles about immigrant col- purpose of this study is to investigate the proposal to establish a post-coup recon- to maintain a rat-free status? Molnar lective action events between 1997 and factors that explain racial and national ciliation commission as well as a recent hypothesizes that this success was the 2006. Okamoto will use local newspapers origin preferences and quota systems in military coup, both outside the formal result of high levels of centralization in to avoid the selection bias resulting from the Americas over the last 150 years. It court system, are related to the practice a state socialist political system, the use national newspapers. After the data is will employ a time series analysis of a of law and to the legal consciousness of of the same rat control company, and the coded, she will perform an event history database consisting of racial and national citizens. The question of how extra-legal stability of the relations among social analysis. As a future study, Okamoto will origin preferences in 22 countries’ immi- actions influence public consciousness of actors. To test these hypotheses, he will extend her analysis to gateway cities in gration laws to test which domestic or law is the study’s key research question. use several data collection techniques. He order to conduct comparative analyses. international conditions explain the Given the growth of truth or rec- will engage in archival research includ- ASA needs to increase member contri- racialization—racial discrimination—of onciliation commissions as a means of ing meetings of the Executive Committee butions to the FAD program to carry on these policies. In contrast to the generally uncovering human rights abuses and of the City Council, interview approxi- at its current level. This ASA-NSF pro- accepted explanation that racial quotas their potential role in moving countries mately 20 key agency officials, and gram rewards scholars at all levels and ultimately disappeared with civil rights from authoritarian to more democratic accompany officials and technicians on a all types of institutions of higher educa- movements that rendered these quota regimes, Larson emphasizes the impor- series of preventive patrols and responses tion for cutting-edge research and confer- systems as unacceptable, Fitzgerald and tance and ensuing legitimacy of studying to complaints by citizens. ences. Send contributions to FAD, c/o Cook-Martin hypothesize that liberal the relations between law and reconcili- If the conditions and context in Business Office, American Sociological regimes had more racialized policies ation. He suggests that this analysis is Budapest are generalizable, the findings Association, 1307 New York Avenue, compared to authoritarian regimes. The a pivotal case study for comparative from this study can provide lessons on Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005-4701, or authors suggest that liberal states may research on the rue of law in the Pacific. how an under-funded municipal govern- call Girma Efa at (202) 383-9005, ext. 306. have less racialized internal laws but The project design includes working with ment can institute and maintain urban Additional information is available on hypothesize that they have more racialized graduate students at the University of the health measures. the ASA homepage at
the Management and Society Student The Management and Society Program Association (MSSA). In concert with UCS, the MSSA plans guest speakers, and workshops on topics like resumé at UNC-Chapel Hill development, job searching, and by Kyle Anthony Murphy, ASA Academic “equip students with the skill necessary in the Workplace, Organizational interviewing. and Professional Affairs Program to place work, particularly the work they Communication, Nonviolent Conflict Students whose grade point average are interested in doing, in its larger his- Resolution, and History of American is 3.2 or higher are permitted to initiate At the University of North Carolina- torical, social, and economic contexts.” Business. a two-course Management and Society Chapel Hill (UNC), some undergraduate The program does not aspire to provide This disciplinary variety is an impor- honors thesis. In order to begin an students are taking a highly sociological advanced professional training; instead tant ingredient in the development of honors project, the student must find a approach to management. The multidis- it hopes to impart general knowledge of flexible thinkers. Key says that “this faculty sponsor as well as another faculty ciplinary curriculum of the Management techniques like statistics, administration, approach not only gives students expo- member who will read the final thesis. and Society Program provides a unique tests and measurements, and guidance. sure to a wide array of social scientific Upon completion, the sponsor and mixture of liberal arts preparation and The curriculum encourages discussion of theory and method...it also socializes reader review the thesis and determine broad professional skills that can be topics like employer-employee relations, them to think about problems from mul- whether the student will graduate with applied to careers in a variety of organi- the development of human resources, tiple perspectives and to bring diverse highest honors, honors, or simply receive zations. As a result of extensive interde- and the institutional context of work. analytic strategies to bear.” Among the credit for the two honors courses. partmental cooperation, Management diversity of viewpoints, the sociology The Management and Society and Society students take courses in A Panoply of Insights into Work faculty provide a sturdy foundation with Program also works with UCS to follow business, communications, economics, While the cooperation of six depart- courses on data analysis, micro-social their graduates’ progress. Recent data history, psychology, and sociology on ments may present administrative interaction and relations, the labor force, from the UCS First Destination Survey their way to a bachelor’s degree. challenges, its interdisciplinary nature formal organizations and bureaucracy, shows that new graduates are taking jobs A program that encourages under- is a fundamental attribute of the stratification, and the economy. as varied as account executives, diversity graduates to investigate work is not new Management and Society Program. The specialists, sales and marketing directors, to Chapel Hill. In 1947, courses in indus- program is housed in UNC’s Sociology A Fast Track to Middle Management loan analysts, and teachers. A substantial trial relations were first offered as part Department, but the curriculum is While in the program, students are proportion of program graduates receive of the graduate and undergraduate curri- composed of courses that belong to each given outside-the-classroom opportuni- advanced professional training at busi- cula. Although the graduate school later of the involved departments. The core ties that help their chances of success ness or law schools, while others pursue dropped the courses, the undergraduate curriculum is divided into four parts that in the employment market. “Following master’s degrees in areas like finance, program remained and students were require different numbers of courses: changes at the university level,” Key accounting, and human resources. able to earn a BA in Industrial Relations. basic economics (one course), employer- said, “our program is now encourag- According to the program handbook, In 1999, the name of the curriculum employee relations (three courses), ing and supporting our students in “graduates...are best suited for entry- changed to Management and Society, human resources and labor markets incorporating research, study abroad, level positions in any aspect of human and now the program is one of Chapel (two courses), and the social context of and internship experiences with their relations in business, industry, or public Hill’s largest for undergraduates. business (four courses). For example, Management and Society curriculum.” sector organizations.” According to sociologist Clinton Key, in order to partially fulfill the 10-course The program works closely with UNC’s For more information about the the Management and Society Advisor, core requirements, a student might University Career Services (UCS) to help Management and Society Program at the the primary goal of the program is to take Microeconomics, Social Relations students find internships that match University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, their career interests. In addition, about contact advisor Clinton Key at cckey@email. half of the majors are involved with unc.edu. Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline New Program to Increase Diversity Application Deadline: December 15, 2007 of Leadership in Health Policy An $18.5-million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to the The American Sociological Association (ASA) invites submissions for the University of New Mexico establishes an interdisciplinary program Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline (FAD) awards. FAD is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation with matching monies from ASA. The goal of this award is to nurture the development of scien- With an $18.5-million grant to the Foundation Senior Vice President John tific knowledge by funding small, groundbreaking research initiatives and University of New Mexico (UNM), the Lumpkin explained that UNM was the other important scientific research activities that will advance sociology as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) only university that fit the Foundation’s discipline. FAD awards provide scholars with “seed money” (no more than provided a significant boost to its aim of criteria for a university to house a $7,000) for innovative research that provides opportunities for substantive and seeing more academically trained Latinos pipeline program—that it be a federally methodological breakthroughs, and broadens the dissemination of scientific and Native Americans participate in the designated Hispanic Serving Institution, knowledge. national discourse on health policy. have a medical school, and doctoral-level The purpose of the financial award programs in sociology, economics, and Selection Criteria is to establish the Robert Wood Johnson political science. Proposals are reviewed for scientific merit and the importance of the pro- Center for Health Policy at UNM. “The Foundation liked our concept posed research project or a conference for sociology as a discipline. Specific Through its students, programs, fac- paper, and invited us submit a full pro- evaluation criteria include the following: ulty, and administrators, the Center posal to establish the Center,” Gonzales • Innovativeness and promise of the research idea; will contribute to the development and added. As the framework of the Center • Originality and significance of research goals; implementation of national health policies developed on campus, the need for • The potential of the study as a building block in the development of by increasing the number of Hispanic including attention to Native American future research; and Native American scholars who can health issues became readily apparent to • Appropriateness and significance of the research hypothesis; engage in the debate as leaders. A comple- participants and accepted by the Robert • Feasibility and adequacy of project design; mentary component involves the support Wood Johnson Foundation. • Plans for dissemination of results; and of social research that can inform minority Graduate students from various • Appropriateness of requested budget. policy issues such as health disparities. disciplines will receive different levels Awardees must have a PhD or equivalent. Preference is given to applicants In its programmatic thrust, the Center of support. The RWJF Center Fellow in who have not previously received a FAD award. is highly interdisciplinary, involving part- sociology, political science, and econom- nerships among programs from across ics will receive three years of full support Application Process the Health Sciences and the College of including tuition and a stipend. The RWJF Applications must be post marked by December 15. Applications should Arts and Sciences. The core focus is on Health Policy Center will be fully estab- include eight (8) copies of the following: A cover sheet with the title, name of the social sciences. Under-represented lished in the fall of 2007. “The sociology lead author and additional author(s), 100- to 200-word abstract, maximum PhD candidates who are designated as department is putting on a full-court press of five (5) single-spaced pages describing the project (excluding appendices), RWJF Fellows will come from the depart- to recruit strong minority applicants to detailed budget and time schedule, bibliography, statement of pending sup- ments of sociology, political science, and our PhD program under Center support,” port, and vita of the PI. economics. In addition, the grant includes Gonzales said. an $8-million endowment so that a faculty Center resources will strengthen the Contact Information specialist in health policy studies can be sociology department’s medical and Prior to submitting proposals, call or e-mail project director Roberta hired in each of these departments. One of health specialty area. The new faculty Spalter-Roth (202) 383-9005, ext. 317; [email protected]. Send complete these hires will also serve as the Center’s member will join Professor Philip May, application packets to: FAD awards, ASA/NSF Small Grant Program, 1307 executive director. a specialist on Native American health New York Avenue, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005-4107. For examples Felipe Gonzales, chair of UNM’s soci- issues, and UNM Distinguished Professor of recent FAD grants see this issue and for more information see www.asanet. ology department, participated in devel- Howard Waitzin, who has an MD in addi- org and click on “Funding.” oping the proposal. “The Foundation tion to a sociology PhD and has published came to us,” Gonzales said. At the extensively on the institution of medicine initial meeting, Robert Wood Johnson and health care delivery. May/June 2007 Footnotes
Sociologists Receive Homeless, from page 1 Homeless Outreach Population Estimate Manhattan were living in locations that (HOPE) to evaluate how well enumera- were defined as outside the field of obser- Guggenheim Fellowships tors counted visible unsheltered homeless vation (i.e., not part of the frame of “vis- people. In 2005, he placed live decoys ible on the street”) and therefore cannot In April, John Simon Guggenheim University. His current interests are (or plants) at 59 street and subway sites be estimated by statistical adjustments. Memorial Foundation’s 83rd annual focused on studies in economic sociol- that were slated to be canvassed by City Why has street homelessness in New United States and Canadian compe- ogy, new institutional analysis, stratifica- teams as they made their official count. York City remained a persistent prob- tition appointed three sociologists tion/inequality, and immigration/race. That year 30.5 percent of his decoys were lem? One major reason is that, despite among the 189 artists, scholars, and His most recent publication is The not counted by the City teams, leading the Bloomberg administration’s embrace scientists selected as fellows. The 2007 Economic Sociology of Capitalism (co-editor the City, after some negotiation over what of supportive housing and particularly Guggenheim Fellows were selected from and contributor with Richard Swedberg). should be counted as misses, to adjust its the “housing first” model—moving the almost 2,800 applicants on the basis of With his Guggenheim Fellowship, he estimate by 22 percent. Using the same street homeless directly into subsidized their distinguished achievement in the will research market transition and technique the next year, about 3,843 people apartments where they can obtain social past and exceptional promise for future politicized capitalism. were estimated to be living on the street services and treatment—investments in accomplishments. The fellowships are Pamela Barnhouse Walters, the in 2006, 13 percent fewer than the year supportive housing for the street home- for the advancement of professionals James H. Rudy Professor of Sociology at before. In 2007, the decoy method was less have fallen behind the ambitions, in the natural sciences, social sciences, Indiana University, teaches and conducts taken over by Professor Julian Teitler of and certainly well behind the need. humanities, and the creative arts so research on social inequality, with a the Columbia University School of Social So for those who visit this summer, they can undertake important research. particular focus on American education. Work, who found that more decoys were street homelessness will remain a fixture The Guggenheim awards, totaling $7.6 She also directs the Indiana University missed than the previous year. The 2007 of the City’s life. The question that can million, are based on recommendations Center for Education and Society, an City estimate claimed a 2 percent decline only be answered over time is whether from hundreds of expert advisors and innovative cross-field research center in street homelessness from the previ- Mayor Bloomberg’s commitment of are approved by the Foundation’s Board and graduate training program. She ous year but a significant increase in the resources has merely co-opted the rheto- of Trustees. The sociologists are: received her Fellowship for her research number of homeless people sleeping in the ric of a generation of scholars and activ- Lawrence Bobo is the Martin Luther focused on apartheid schooling in subway system. ists, or is in fact a true demonstration King Jr. Centennial professor at Stanford America. of a political will necessary to conquer University and director of Stanford’s The Foundation offers Fellowships The Invisible Homeless chronic homelessness. Center for Comparative Study in Race to further the development of scholars Advocates argued that the City’s HOPE Mitchell Duneier’s new ethnographic film, and Ethnicity and of the Program in and artists by assisting them to engage count significantly undercounts the street Sidewalk, will premier at the ASA meet- African and African American Studies. in research in any field of knowledge homelessness. They pointed to a report of His research concerns race, ethnicity, and creation in any of the arts, under the findings from interviews with homeless ings in New York City, with commentaries politics, and social inequality. His fel- freest possible conditions. To apply for people immediately after the 2005 count, by Cornel West, Kim Hopper, and Jeremy lowship will explore black and white the Guggenheim Fellowship or for more directed by Professor Marybeth Shinn, Waldron. Patrick Markee has edited three Americans’ views of the new law and information, see
creating an environment in which women can see options and alternatives, they Public Sociology learn that everyday skills, such as paying attention, decision-making, and acting Sociology translates to public action . . . confidently and decisively, are effective self-defense tools they already have. More influential than any lecture I have given on the cultural myths of power This occasional column highlights sociologists who successfully engage and privilege is a woman’s discovery that she has physical power, that she can protect herself, and that the tools she needs are as close as her own voice, sociology in the civic arena in service to organizations and communities. Over elbows, hands, knees, and feet. the years, members of ASA and sociologists as individual professionals and citizens have sought to make the knowledge we generate directly relevant Going Beyond Good Intentions to our communities, countries, and the world community. Many sociologists My experience with the positive consequences of self-defense was supported within the academy and in other sectors practice the translation of expert by numerous research studies in the 1990s (e.g., Martha McCaughey’s Real knowledge to numerous critical issues through consultation, advisement, Knockouts: The Physical Feminism of Women’s Self-Defense). I was mortified, how- testimony, commentary, writing, and participation in a variety of activities ever, to discover the results of a 1993 internal report on the demographics of the and venues. Readers are invited to submit contributions, but consult with women who had completed an IMPACT course in Chicago. We were primarily Managing Editor Johanna Olexy ([email protected], 202-383-9005 x312) prior serving highly educated, middle-class, white women. to submitting your draft (1,000 to 1,200 words maximum). As a mostly volunteer organization with a small budget, IMPACT Chicago has relied heavily on word-of-mouth. Not surprisingly, relying on personal contacts in a racially and economically segregated city like Chicago resulted in a skewed target audience. Influenced by sociological and feminist theory, particularly intersectional theory as developed by Maxine Baca Zinn, Patricia Enlarging the Target: Hill Collins, and others, I was determined to reach an educationally, economi- cally, and racially/ethnically diverse group of women and girls. My initial A Sociology of Self-Defense efforts included teaching IMPACT in African American and Latino/a neighbor- hoods, pushing for a larger scholarship fund, and developing shorter and less by Martha Thompson, Northeastern Illinois University expensive programs. More varied class locations somewhat increased racial and ethnic diversity, but—even when combined with scholarships and shorter For almost 20 years, I have taught the IMPACT self-defense system to women programming—this did little to increase the participation of teens or women and girls. In simulated scenarios with a padded attacker, women learn to stop with limited economic means. Frustrated with the limited results, but tenacious, an assailant by striking vulnerable targets on an attacker’s body (groin and I continued to urge IMPACT Chicago to seek out face) with strong parts of their bodies (heel of the more locations, add more scholarships, and offer palm, elbows, knees, and feet). a wider variety of programming. Not unlike the casual observer who sees a home- less person on the street but sees nothing beyond a Aiming for Social Change destitute individual, many people who observe or Things changed in 2000 when a board mem- experience a women’s self-defense course do not ber from a local family foundation encouraged see beyond strikes to the groin and face. Viewing me to apply for a grant. I seized the opportunity women’s self-defense through a feminist sociologi- to figure out a way to target a greater diversity cal lens, I see a larger target: social inequality. of women. My proposal shifted the focus from Resisting Social Inequality individuals to groups. The basic plan, which One Kick at a Time continues today, was to target organizations that directly or indirectly address domestic violence When I read Nancy Henley’s Body Politics: Power, and sexual assault, but do not offer self-defense. Sex, and Nonverbal Communication in the 1970s, By targeting groups rather than individuals, the my unformed thoughts were given shape. Once I self-defense training becomes part of a larger became attuned to the idea that our bodies are part vision and an integral part of programming in of power relationships, it was not hard to see how other organizations. subordination and privilege are reflected and rein- I had hardly begun these partnerships, when I forced in people’s gestures, postures, movements, realized that my monolingual skills would again and use of space. I understood Henley’s argument: skew the target unless I could recruit interpret- the powerless take up less space than the power- ers and translators. Bilingual staff members from ful. In the case of females, that means containing partnering organizations were willing to provide gestures, voices, and body size. their interpretive skills, but translating written I also knew from my reading and experience materials was a challenge because no one had that power and powerlessness did not represent a the time or resources. Clara Orban, Professor of simple gender divide. For instance, Brent Staples’ French and Italian at DePaul University, sug- essay “Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Ability to Alter Public Space” gested we work with DePaul where all students are required to complete a succinctly captures the intersection of race and gender in body movement and service-learning project. IMPACT Chicago now has translated materials (includ- the negative consequences for black men. ing Arabic and Spanish) and second language students have the opportunity to When I took an IMPACT self-defense course (aka Model Mugging) in the earn service-learning credit in their major while becoming more sophisticated late 1980s, I was drawn to becoming a self-defense instructor because I saw language users. the possibilities for physically targeting social inequalities. As an instructor, Over the last seven years, I have worked with organizations serving women my goal has been to create a learning environment in which women and girls and girls from wide-ranging economic circumstances and varied racial and eth- realize their strengths and speak and move in ways that challenge the either-or nic backgrounds (e.g., African American, Arab American, Asian American, Euro thinking underlying American, Jewish American, Latina) and immigrants and refugees from Africa, social inequality. I am Asia, Central and South America, and other underserved groups (e.g., LGBT, By creating an environment in which women committed to the idea teens). This more inclusive approach to teaching self-defense expands the pos- that females should not sibilities for challenging inequalities and working for social justice. These part- can see options and alternatives, they have to choose between learn that everyday skills, such as paying nerships make self-defense training more accessible to women and girls from freedom and safety or varied backgrounds and forge supportive relationships between organizations. attention, decision-making, and acting submission and aggres- As one staff member for a domestic violence shelter said: “I thought we had all confidently and decisively, are effective sion. I am working to the pieces for doing our work—legal, counseling, job training, housing—but did build a world where self-defense tools they already have. not realize how important physical empowerment is to making all the pieces women can choose work together so that women and girls are better able to live in the world.” confidence, calmness, In the future, I aim to create a broader public awareness of the importance and assertiveness. I seek to encourage women to take up fair space; that is, not of physical empowerment in social justice work by targeting activists, artists, only learning how to set and maintain their own limits, but also learning how foundations, media outlets, policy makers, and scholars. to honor the boundaries of others. Another goal is for women to assess their safety and danger based on the circumstances in which they find themselves Martha Thompson is a Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Women’s Studies at and the appropriateness of the behavior of others. Northeastern Illinois University and the Executive Director and Instructor of My teaching approach also emphasizes the importance of self-discovery. By IMPACT Chicago. 10 May/June 2007 Footnotes
2007 Regional Sociological Associations’ Award Winners
Eastern Sociological Society North Central Sociological Association California-Berkeley, for The Chosen: Southern Sociological Society • Candace Rogers Award: Becky • Aidah Tomeh Distinguished The Hidden History of Admission • Distinguished Lectureship Hsu, Princeton University, for Service Award: Barry V. Johnston, and Exclusion at Harvard, Yale, and Award: Larry Griffin, University of “Strong Relationships and Weak Indiana University-Northwest Princeton North Carolina-Chapel Hill Groups in Rural China” and Ryan • Scholarly Achievement Award: • Award for Distinguished • Roll of Honor: Ida Harper Light, Ohio State University, Mansoor Moaddel, Eastern Graduate Student Paper: David Simpson, Duke University for “Gender Stratification in Michigan University, for Islamic Orzechowicz, University of • Martin S. Levin Distinguished Science: Uncovering the ‘Quality Modernism, Nationalism, and California-Davis, for “Elite Service Award: Clifton Bryant, Quandary’ in American Sociology” Fundamentalism: Episode and Emotion Managers: The Case of Virginia Tech University • Rose Laub Coser Dissertation Discourse and Clifford Bob, Novice and Semi-Professional • Distinguished Contributions to Award: Danielle Bessett, New Duquesne University, for The Actors” Teaching Award: Gregory Weiss, York University, for “Defining the Marketing of Rebellion: Insurgents, • Award for Distinguished Roanoke College ‘Normal Pregnancy’: Women’s Media, and International Actiivism Contribution to Sociological • The Odum Award, Best Experiences of Stratified • John F. Schnabel Distinguished Perspectives: Jacqueline Adams, Undergraduate Paper: Meagan Reproduction in the Contemporary Contributions to Teaching Award: University of California-Berkeley, Elliott, Southwestern University, United States” Jay Weinstein, Eastern Michigan for “When Art Loses Its Sting: for “Locating Jewish Identity • Komarovsky Book Award: Robert University The Evolution of Protest Art in in Poland: Thoughts and Wuthnow, Princeton University, • Distinguished Lifelong Career Authoritarian Contexts” Photographs” for America and the Challenges of Award: J. Milton Yinger, Oberlin Southwestern Sociological Association • The Odum Award, Best Graduate Religious Diversity College Student Paper: Lydia Aletraris, • 2006-2007 Robin M. Williams, Jr. • Undergraduate Student Paper • Outstanding Doctoral-level University of Georgia, for “How Lectureship Acknowledgement: Winners: Alice Holohan, Saint Paper: Eric Liu and Edward Satisfied Is the Temporary Labor Michele Lamont, Harvard Mary’s College, for “The Catholic Clay Polson (co-authors), Force? A Study of Job Satisfaction, University Cross-Over: A Hisotrical Analysis Baylor University, for “Ethnic Job Characteristics, and Temporary • 2007-2008 Robin M. Williams, of St. Thomas More Parish, Heterogeneity and Fear of Agency Workers in Australia” and Jr. Lecturer: Margaret Andersen, 1950-2006” Crime: A Multilevel Analysis of Matthew Mahutga, University of Delaware University • Graduate Student Paper Winners: Neighborhoods in the Greater California-Irvine, “The Persistence • ESS Merit Award: Judith Lorber, Yasmiyn Irizarry, Indiana Houston Area” of Structural Inequality? A CUNY Graduate School University, for “When Teachers • Distinguished Masters-level Network Analysis of International Lose Their Say: How No Child Paper: Carrie Graf and Joseph Trade, 1965-2000” Midwest Sociological Society Left Behind Influences Teacher Baker (co-authors), Baylor • Jane Addams Outstanding Efficacy” University, for “Keeping Up Service Award Winner: Martha with the Joneses: The Effect of 2007 ASA Annual Meeting Thompson, Northeastern Illinois Pacific Sociological Association Community Referents on Income Reserve your room today Award for Distinguished Satisfaction” University. • The co-headquarter hotels are the • Student Paper Competition Contributions to Scholarship: • Norma Williams Distinguished Hilton New York and the Sheraton Winners Graduate Division: Jerome Kabel, University of Service Award: Hiram Friedsam, First Place: Shiri Noy, Indiana University of North Texas New York in downtown Manhattan. University, “A Comparative Analysis of Abortion and Divorce Attitudes in Latin America and Winners of the 2007 Community ent organizations. “This project…will the U.S.A.”; Second Place: Bruce C. bring sociological expertise to bear on Carruthers, University of Kansas, Action Research Initiative Awards community issues identified by associa- “Kansas Populist Newspaper tions active in poor communities,” said Editorial Response to the McCarthy and Walker. They will work Homestead and Pullman Strikes: by Jamie Panzarella, Health Partners Health Start Initiative, with the Neighborhood Funders Group An Application of Sewell’s Theory ASA Publications Department the Mississippi Delta Service Corps/ to “provide significant new knowledge of Structure”; Third Place: Paul Van AmeriCorps*Vistas Program, and the regarding effective organizing strategies, Auken, University of Wisconsin, The American Sociological Jamestown Community Development which will be used to assist in the devel- “Divide and Commodify: Association’s Spivack Program in Resource and Activity Center. opment of strategies for organizing to Viewscape Fetishism in American Applied Social Research and Social Donald P. Levy, West Virginia fight against poverty and homelessness, and Norwegian Amenity Areas” Policy announces the recipients of Wesleyan College, Mapping the Child and for quality schools and improved • Undergraduate Division: First the 2007 Community Action Research Advocacy System: Upshur County social services.” Place: Sarah Altman, Cornell Initiative (CARI) awards. Each applicant Upshur County, WV, has a child pov- Margaret Abraham, Gregory M. College, “The Impact of Social described a proposed project for pro bono erty rate twice the national average, with Maney, Hofstra University, Tuhina De Isolation and Deviant Social work with a community organization or 40 percent of seventh graders projected O’Connor, New York Asian Women’s Association on Criminal local public interest group. This year’s to fail to complete high school. Each year, Center, and Nadia Marin Molina, Deviance”; Second Place: Jason seven grantees will investigate a wide approximately 300 cases are referred to Workplace Project/Centro de Derechos Allen, Metropolitan State range of issues facing their communi- Child Protective Services. His project Laborales, Seen and Sheltered: Effective University, “The Heart of a ties, such as minority health, childhood will complete an in-depth analysis of Responses to NIMBYism (Not In My Back Community: Structure and poverty, disadvantaged community the current child advocacy system in Yard movements) Activities”; Third Place: Ellen residents, “Not in My Back Yard” move- Upshur County. Levy and his sociology Abraham and Maney will work with Bracken, Macalester College, ments, homelessness, and more. CARI class, Community, Social Change, and Tuhina De O’Connor and the New York “Off the Beaten Path: Rural provides up to $2,500 for each project to Development, will work with Mountain Asian Women’s Center and Nadia Marin Students and the Pursuit of Higher cover direct costs associated with doing CAP (Community Action Program) of Molina and Workplace Project/Centro Education” community action research. The seven West Virginia to collect data to “pro- de Derechos Laborales to help commu- • Social Action Awards: The 2007 proposals selected are: vide all members of the child advocacy nity based organizations respond to the Running Rebels of Milwaukee rep- John J. Green, Institute for system a description of how the system problems of the understudied “Not in resented by Victor Barnett and The Community-Based Research, Delta is supposed to work, how it does or does My Back Yard” movements (NIMBYism). Street Interventions Program of State University, Addressing Community not work, and where pathways either do The investigators will conduct a litera- Catholic Charities of Chicago rep- Challenges by Empowering Students and not function properly or do not exist.” ture review, collect NIMBY documenta- resented by Guadalupe J. Preston Staff in the Mississippi Delta John D McCarthy, Pennsylvania tion related to the work and experiences • Scholarship Development Green plans to work with commu- State University, and Edward T. Walker, of New York Asian Women’s Center Award: Lori Peek, Colorado State nity-based nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania State University, A Proposal and the Workplace Project/Centro de University; Elizabeth Hoffmann, the Mississippi Delta to improve the to Chronicle a Decade of Change in a Sample Derechos Laborales, and conduct focus Purdue University; Shu-Ju Ada health of its residents through the cre- of Neighborhood- and Community-Based groups with members of both organiza- Cheng, DePaul University; ation of a new program called ACCESS Organizations tions who have dealt with NIMBYism, and Mary Byrnes, Institute of (Addressing Community Challenges by McCarthy and Walker’s project takes among other activities. “The project can Gerontology Empowering Students and Staff). “The a look at the how the political and eco- assist advocacy groups in creating public program provides an opportunity for New England Sociological Association nomic changes of the past decade have space for marginalized and vulnerable both organization staff and students to affected neighborhood and community immigrant populations. Through les- • New England Sociologist of participate in action research through groups working to empower disadvan- sons learned from our research, orga- the Year Award: Helen Raisz, service learning,” stated Green in his taged residents. They will examine, what nizations can hone their strategies to University of Hartford and Trinity project proposal. Green will be work- the groups have accomplished over the reduce community tensions, transform College ing with several community organiza- past 15 years by examining membership, anti-immigrant/anti-minority attitudes tions, including, the Lower Mississippi economic development, funding sources, Service Corps, Tougaloo College/Delta staff, and issue focuses of the differ- See CARI Winners, page 11 May/June 2007 Footnotes 11
How Bellah’s Ideas assessment, Harvard is the top sociology department in the country, followed by Spread: The Diffusion of the University of Pennsylvania, New York a Scholar’s Influence Public Forum University, Princeton, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. While we can In February of this year, Robert Bellah ence is perhaps better measured another I repeated the process for this “second quibble about the merits of this or any turned 80, passing another milestone way—through his students. Several generation” of the Bellah family tree. other ranking, it offers a recent, empiri- in his long and distinguished career. years ago, Randall Collins published Eventually I identified 77 different cal assessment of sociology departments Now the Elliott Professor of Sociology The Sociology of Philosophies, a theory branches of Bellah’s intellectual network, as a yardstick to evaluate prestige within Emeritus at Berkeley, Bellah began his about intellectual change. Looking at with 212 active scholars who could trace Bellah’s intellectual legacy. work as a sociologist 50 years ago at philosophical thought in several contexts their intellectual lineage back to Robert Bellah was granted tenure at Harvard Harvard. In his most recent publica- (ancient Greece, China, India, as well as Bellah. I realize that there are branches just before moving to Berkeley. With tion, The Robert Bellah Reader, the octo- medieval and modern Europe), Collins missing, including a direct one from regard to the other top five departments, genarian compiled many of his ideas argued that intellectual networks—what Bellah himself—I could not persuade Bellah’s intellectual heirs are among in subjects ranging from civil society to he calls “master-pupil chains”—and the academic affairs office at Harvard current faculty members at all of them. comparative politics, from social theory the prestige afforded to certain network to assist me—but the intellectual family Collins’ notion of master-pupil chains can to theology (see March 2007 Footnotes, p. constellations explain how the contribu- tree yields some helpful information. For be seen even within this small universe. 3). Throughout his career, Bellah’s ideas tions of thinkers like Socrates, Confucius, one, Bellah’s influence extends not just Consider one branch of Bellah’s intel- have spread far and wide, and as anyone and Kant remain prominent within the around the country, but internationally lectual family tree: Swidler, his student, familiar with his work knows, he has crowded marketplace of ideas. too. His intellectual heirs have joined finished her PhD at Berkeley in 1975 and engaged a wide spectrum of scholarly faculties on almost every continent; went on to teach at Harvard at one point. Six Degrees to Bellah communities. they can be found teaching in places Her student, John Levi Martin, finished I put Collins’ theory to the test and like Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Israel, at Berkeley in 1997 and joined the faculty 7,000 and Counting examined the spread of Bellah’s ideas Nepal, Singapore, and Taiwan. Dozens of Rutgers (prior to joining the depart- Recently, I examined the extent to through his students. I traced his intel- more work in government, for nonprofit ment at Wisconsin). At Rutgers, Martin which Bellah’s thinking had reached lectual “family tree” and quickly learned organizations, and in the religious sector. supervised King-To Yeung, who this different parts of the academy. To why no one had yet undertaken such They are institutional administrators year joined the Princeton faculty. This is assess such influence, I consulted cita- an endeavor. Rather than contacting and Foreign Service officers, pastors and but one example of Bellah’s intellectual tion indexes maintained by ISI Web of Professor Bellah for assistance, I instead business executives. Indeed, the size and legacy. Indeed, Bellah’s academic heirs Science. I learned that more than 7,000 relied upon the help of his students and extent of Bellah’s intellectual legacy is populate the faculties of Yale, Indiana, scholarly articles cite Bellah’s work, plac- colleagues. Ann Swidler, Bellah’s long- impressive. Georgetown, Northwestern, Notre Dame, ing him just below fellow public sociolo- time collaborator and former student University of North Carolina-Chapel Theory in Practice gist C. Wright Mills and above William (he was a member of her dissertation Hill, and Middlebury, among others. Julius Wilson. Even more impressive committee), was the first to come to my However, Collins’ theory hypothesizes Within religious studies, Bellah’s heirs is the range of journals where citations rescue. She and a very helpful graduate about academic prestige. How extensive can be found at Andover Newton, Luther of Bellah’s work appear. Two hundred affairs office helped me secure the names is Bellah’s influence within the upper Seminary, and Westminster Theological journals in dozens of fields—anthropol- of Bellah’s graduate students at Berkeley reaches of academe? To evaluate this, Seminary. His intellectual influence is not ogy, theology, law, economics—reference since 1967 and encouraged me to do consider the top sociology departments only wide and deep; it also reaches the him. These include not only American the same for students at the Graduate in the United States. Earlier this year, The academic heights—a fitting legacy for publications, but also leading schol- Theological Union. From those two Chronicle of Higher Education published such a prolific and important figure in arly journals in Canada, Great Britain, lists, I then contacted as many former the Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index public sociology. Germany, France, Denmark, Russia, and students as I could. I asked them to pass (produced by the for-profit organization D. Michael Lindsay, Rice University Australia. along the names of any PhD students Academic Analytics). According to their These thousands of citations confirm that they had supervised, and not what The Robert Bellah Reader demon- surprisingly, they came from a range of strates: He has been a prolific scholar. disciplines: sociology, religious studies, I count more than 300 books, articles, international development, law, commu- ASA’s Teaching Enhancement Fund essays, and reviews over the half-century nications, American studies, and anthro- Bellah has been writing. Yet, his influ- pology. After compiling their replies, Supports Four New Projects Four awards designed to enrich the Kathleen McKinney (Illinois State CARI Winners, from page 10 quality of teaching of sociology have University) will conduct a longitudinal been awarded through the American study of a cohort of sociology majors and practices, and eliminate baseless interviews and focus groups. They will Sociological Association’s Teaching in order to research their development anxieties among some neighborhood work to identify the gaps in the current Enhancement Fund (TEF). The Fund of identities as sociologists, their ability residents.” health care programs and identify the supports innovative projects that are to use their sociological imaginations, Amy Stone, Trinity University, needs of minorities. McCallister and her transportable to other settings and will their engagement in the discipline of Bringing Homeless into the Circles of Care: students will also work with the NAACP have a lasting impact on teaching sociol- sociology, and their sense of being A Community-University Partnership in to develop and implement solutions ogy. The 2007 funded projects are as autonomous learners. Self-admin- San Antonio, TX to the identified needs of the minority follows: istered questionnaires, face-to-face Stone plans to work with sociology population. Wendy Cadge, David Cunningham, interviews, learning reflection essays, a students enrolled in three research meth- Peggy Petrzelka, Utah State and Sara Shostak (Brandeis University) sociological imagination essay question, ods classes at Trinity University to carry University, Environmental Justice through will pilot a program to integrate the and the Motivated Learning Strategies out a comprehensive study of homeless- Grassroots Activism: Supporting Popular teaching and learning of undergradu- Questionnaire will be used to assess ness in San Antonio, TX. By request, Epidemology in Monticello, UT ate and graduate research methods. the development of the given cohort of Stone and her students will work with Petrzelka plans to work with Victims Graduate students will be given the majors. the San Antonio Regional Alliance for the of Mill Tailings Exposure (VMTE). VMTE opportunity to serve as research con- Trina Rose and Sue Wortmann Homeless (SARAH). The students will works with residents and victims of sultants and project leaders in the (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) will collaborate with SARAH to “provide city the mill tailings in Monticello, UT, to undergraduate research class. The investigate the effects of using Personal and county agencies with information as fix holes they find in the reports by the undergraduate students will have the Response Systems (PRS), also known as to the approximate number, geographi- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease opportunity to work with the gradu- clickers, in large classrooms. Over the cal distribution, and determined needs Registry (ATSDR), a federal public ate students in small research project course of two years the devices will be for the sheltered and street homeless health agency of the U.S. Department of groups, enhancing the “learning by used in large lower-level sociology class- in San Antonio and Bexar County. The Health and Human Services. ATSDR is doing” nature of research. rooms, using an experimental design to research results will allow agencies to charged with assessing health hazards at Karl Kunkel (Missouri State determine their effects on attendance, enhance service outreach to the homeless Superfund sites, reducing and prevent- University) will conduct a focus group active learning, community, student in ways that they will find accessible and ing further exposure to illness, and assessment of a CD-ROM and active grades, and instructor evaluations. The effective. Another objective is to educate educating people affected by the sites learning teaching strategy for a course project should shed light on whether the homeless about services available of health risks. Petrzelka will help the on “Crime, Class, Race, and Justice.” these PRS devices are useful in sociology to them and to explore the best ways to VMTE conduct a health survey of resi- All course material that was previously classrooms and whether they enhance deliver those services.” dents living in Monticello. She will then delivered in lectures will be turned into student learning as an active pedagogy. Leslie McCallister, East Tennessee analyze the survey data and, if necessary, voice-over presentations on a CD-ROM, The next deadline for TEF applica- State University amend the Utah cancer registry with the which students could use and review tions is February 1, 2008. For additional McCallister will work with the survey results, as well as disseminate at their own pace. Students will view information, visit the ASA website at NAACP of Johnson City-Washington the results to relevant policy makers and specific presentations prior to class so
on an under-examined topic in the fields May 31-June 1, 2007. ISA Research of consumption. Visit
(202) 326-7080; fax (202) 842-1603; info@ conference is the leading annual forum materials needed to establish or improve justice, the amelioration of suffering, and 2007, Baltimore Examiner.com article. Their cpst.org;
tion for their Contexts article on who is Leslie Houts Picca, University of Day- running team heading for the Beijing Richard A. Dello Buono, SSSP Global getting tattoos. ton, was interviewed on CNN’s Paula Olympics. Transitions Division Chair, ed., Diálogo Sudamericano: Zahn Now February 13 to discuss her Otra integración es posible [South American Janet Lever, California State University- forthcoming book with Joe Feagin Two- Barry Wellman, University of Toronto, Anne Barrett and John Taylor, Florida Dialogue: Another Integration is Possible] Los Angeles, was quoted in an article Faced Racism: Whites in the Backstage and had his lecture on Connected Lives State University, were approved in (Editorial Universidad Bolivariana/PCS, on MSNBC.com on a new study that Frontstage. She was also interviewed by featured on a 30-minute special on TV January 2007 for promotion to the rank 2007). says female bosses who have childcare the Associated Press on January 31 for Ontario on March 10, 2007. He was also of Associate Professor with tenure, start- responsibilities face more interference her research with Joe Feagin on backstage interviewed with ing Fall 2007. Dean John Champion, Texas A&M In- in their work day than male bosses who and front stage racial relations. She was ternational University, Probation, Parole, have similar responsibilities. also interviewed along with Joe Feagin by Julie Amoroso, NetLab, for the Toronto Angela Cora Garcia joined the Sociol- and Community Corrections, 6th edition InsideHigherEd.com about their forthcom- Star on whether people say different ogy Department at Bentley College this (Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2008). Robert Manning, Rochester Institute of ing book. An article about their research things online than in-person. January. Technology, had his filmIn Debt We Trust was also on the front page of the Dayton Kay Deaux, CUNY-Graduate Center, To reviewed in the March 30, 2007, Democrat Daily News on February 2, 2007. Picca Charles V. Willie, Harvard Graduate George Luke was appointed Visiting Be An Immigrant (Russell Sage Founda- and Chronicle. He was quoted in a March was interviewed on www.PSIradio.com School of Education, received a U.S. Assistant in Sociology at Florida State tion, 2006). 30, 2007, CNN.com article on economic on March 13. Speaker and Specialist Grant Award University. implications in the United States of the from the U.S. State Department to lec- Mathieu Deflem, University of South subprime mortgage lending crisis. J. Steven Picou, University of South ture at the College of The Bahamas and Patricia Yancey Martin, Florida State Uni- Carolina, Sociologists in a Global Age: Bio- Alabama, was featured on the Alaska elsewhere in the Commonwealth of The versity, is retiring in December 2007. graphical Perspectives (Ashgate, 2007). Jack K. Martin, Indiana University, had Public Radio program Voice of Alaska on Bahamas during the celebration of Educa- his study, “The Construction of Fear: March 27. He was interviewed regarding tion Awareness Week and Black History Janice McCabe, Indiana University, has Donna Gaines, A Misfit’s Manifesto: The Americans’ Preferences for Social Dis- the Exxon Valdez oil spill litigation and Month 2007. joined the faculty of Florida State Univer- Sociological Memoir of a Rock & Roll Heart tance from Children and Adolescents responded to telephone inquires from sity as an assistant professor. with Mental Health Problems,” which Alaskan residents during the one-hour Peter Yeager, Boston University, wrote (Rutgers University Press, 2007). was published in the March issue of Jour- program. two op-eds in Metrowest Daily News Verna Keith, Arizona State University, nal of Health and Social Behavior, covered on May 14, 2006, on lax construction has joined Florida State University faculty Stephen Kalberg, Boston University, Max by Reuters, The New York Post, and Scientif- Barbara Risman, University of Illinois- oversight and in BU’s Daily Free Press on as a full professor. Weber: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of ic American on March 19, 2007 and March Chicago and the Council on Contem- February 6, 2006, on the literacy gap. Capitalism and the Rise of the West (Roxbury 20, 2007, respectively. porary Families, was quoted in a March Neil Weiner has been named Research Publishers, 2007). 21 New York Times article on outdoor Director of the Vera Institute of Justice. Patricia Yancey Martin, Florida State Uni- fireplaces and was quoted in a March Linda Kalof, Michigan State Univer- versity, was featured in the 2007 edition 10 New York Times op-ed on assortative Rhonda Zingraff will begin a position sity, and Amy Fitzgerald, University of of Florida State University’s College of Social mating. Awards as Associate Dean in the College of Inte- Windsor, Sciences Magazine, regarding her scholar- grated Science and Technology at James ship on gender and her book on organiza- David Shulman, Lafayette College, was Dean John Champion, Texas A&M Madison University in July 2007. The Animals Reader: The Essential Classic tions that deal with rape victims. interviewed and had his new book, From International University, received the and Contemporary Writings (Berg/Pal- Hire to Liar: The Role of Deception in the Outstanding Distance Educator for 2006 grave, 2007). Micki McGee, New York University, was Workplace, featured in many media outlets award from Texas A&M International interviewed and quoted in USA Today across the country, including NPR’s Morn- University. Ralph W. Larkin, Academic Research on January 11 and the New York Times on ing Edition on March 30, The Guardian on People Consulting Service and John Jay College January 25 about her book Self-Help, Inc: March 24, WCBS NewsRadio 880, The Lynn Chancer, Hunter College, received of Criminal Justice-CUNY, Comprehending Makeover Culture in American Life and new Associated Press Business Water Cooler the Distinguished Scholar of the Women James R. Bruce, Hendrix College, lec- Columbine (2007). trends in self-help literature and personal Column by Jackie Farwell on March 20, and Crime Division of the American tured to the Lublin Chapter of the Polish coaching. She also appeared on NPR’s WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show on March 15, Society of Criminology. Academy of Science on “A Key to the Un- David R. Maines, Oakland University, Talk of the Nation, on May 27 to discuss Chronicle of Higher Education on March 9, derstanding of Societies Secrets: Cultural and Michael J. McCallion, Transforming self-help culture. Miami Herald on February 19, The Chicago Jill A. Fisher and Torin Monahan, Values Revealed in Death and Dying” in Catholicism: Liturgical Change in the Vatican Tribune on February 19, and The Financial Arizona State University, were recently Lublin, Poland, February 7, 2007. II Church (Lexington Books, 2007). Gina Neff, University of Washington, Times (London) on October 2, 2006. awarded a grant from the National Sci- was quoted in The Christian Science Moni- ence Foundation to conduct empirical Lawrence D. Bobo, Center for Com- Kathleen McKinney, Illinois State Uni- tor on March 5 concerning her research on Pamela J. Smock, University of Michigan, research on the effects of radio frequency parative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, versity, Enhancing Learning through the unpaid internships in media and com- was quoted in a March 11 New York Times identification technologies on organiza- Stanford University, Victor Nee, Cornell Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: The munications industries. article about married couples who sleep tional dynamics in hospitals. University, and Pamela Barnhouse Wal- Challenges and Joys of Juggling (Anker, in separate bedrooms. ters, Indiana University, have been named 2007). Joane Nagel, University of Kansas, was Michael Jacobson, Vera Institute of Jus- 2007 Guggenheim Fellows. quoted in a March 18 New York Times ar- Steven Taylor, Syracuse University, was tice, was given the Roscoe Pound Award ticle on sexual harassment and assault in quoted in the Times of London on March 11 of the National Council on Crime and Tony Cortese was invited by the National the military during the Iraq War. in an article on Oscar Pistorius, a disabled Delinquency’s (NCCD) 2006 Centennial Academy of Sciences to evaluate Ford Fel- athlete whose prosthetic device is close Gala. The Roscoe Pound Award goes “to lowship proposals in Sociology, American BROOKINGS INSTITUTION to qualifying him for the South African a leader in the public or private sector Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies as PRESS who shows a significant and sustained part of a panel that met in Washington, commitment to promoting criminal D.C., March 1-3, 2007. justice reforms consistent with NCCD’s values.” Burke Grandjean, Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center (WYSAC), University Patricia Yancey Martin, Florida State of Wyoming, has been honored by Rice University, received the Feminist Activ- University for his accomplishments ism Award from Sociologists for Women subsequent to his academic and athletic 100 Years of ASA in Society in 2006, an award that required endeavors at Rice University. her to give lectures on two U. S. campuses about her research and meet with local Arch Haller received an Honorary “Doc- activists concerned with the welfare of tor of Social Science” Degree from Ohio women and girls. She was also selected State University at its winter commence- as one of seven Phi Beta Kappa members ment exercise. for the southeast region’s Phi Beta Kappa Fellows Lectureship Program for 2007. Eugene (Gene) Rosa, Washington State University, gave a keynote address “A Setsuko Matsunaga Nishi, has been Thousand Flowers, A Thousand Weeds: awarded the 2007 Lifetime Atonement New Challenges to the Rationality of Award for the Association for Asian Risk,” at the University of Cambridge, American Studies. United Kingdom, on March 30, 2007.
Deana Rohlinger was chosen as the Annette Schwabe was appointed an As- Is There a Florida State University Sociology De- sistant Professor of Sociology at Florida partment’s J. Michael Armer Faculty Best State University. Culture War? Teacher in 2006. A Dialogue on Values and American Public Life Benita Roth, Binghamton University, was awarded the Heller Bernard Fellowship James Davison Hunter and for the year 2006-2007 for her project, Members’ New “Anti-AIDS Activism in Los Angeles Alan Wolfe from the 1980s to the 2000s: From Streets Books ISBN 0-8157-9515-7 • 118pp • paper to Suits.” Nancy Ammerman, Boston University, ASA CENTENNIAL BANNERS Joel Samaha has been awarded the Everyday Religion: Observing Modern Re- Is America bitterly divided? Two Eleven commemorative banners (3 ft x 8 ft)— as displayed at 2006-07 Horace T. Morse-University of ligious Lives (Oxford University Press, leading authorities on political culture lead a provocative exami- the 2005 and 2006 ASA Annual Meeting—depict important ASA Minnesota Alumni Association Award 2006). for Outstanding Contributions to Under- nation of division and unity within historical events during each decade from 1905 to 2005. Available for graduate Education. Jacqueline L. Angel, LBJ School of Pubic America. short-term loan to institutions for the cost of shipping and insurance. Affairs, and Keith E. Whitifield, eds,, The David Yamane, Wake Forest University, Health of Aging Hispanics: The Mexican- Contact Lee Herring, (202) 383-9005 x320, [email protected]. received the Kulynych Family Omicron Origin Population (Springer, 2007). TO ORDER: Delta Kappa Award for Outstanding Phone: 800-537-5487 / 410-516-6956 Contribution to Student Life. Emily Barman, Boston University, Con- Fax: 410-516-6998 testing Communities: The Transformation www.brookings/edu/press of Workplace Charity (Stanford University Press, 2006). May/June 2007 Footnotes 15
Mary Pattillo, Northwestern University, Center in Brooklyn, NY (1962-1968), as Medical Sociology (2002) examined medi- as Department on Aging and membership status concerns and the difficulties in Black on the Block: The Politics of Race and well as his joint appointment as Professor cal sociology within the deep intellectual in the Advisory Council of the North Cen- building a life around this occupation. Class in the City (University of Chicago of Sociology at the City University of New context of the developing social sciences, tral Texas Council of Government’s Area The musicians obviously trusted Dave, Press, 2007). York (1968-1999) and Professor of Sociol- and looked at its broad roots in social Agency on Aging. In the Denton area, he and they freely told him about the more ogy and Community Medicine at Mount medicine and public health as they were advised on the origins of several aging painful and private aspects of the job. George Psathas, Boston University, and Sinai School of Medicine (1968-2006). shaped by changing values, economics, services programs including the Retired He showed how lucky we are that some G. Backhaus, The Sociology of Radical Com- Three areas of accomplishment stand and politics. The book adds importantly Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Good people follow this difficult artistic path. mitment: Kurt H. Wolff’s Existential Turn out as particularly noteworthy: Sam’s to the literature of medical sociology, the Samaritan Village, and Fairhaven where And he produced the first occupational (Lexington Press, 2006). work developing a series of lectures for sociology of work, and the sociology of he also served as a board member. study of the classical music profession. use in sociomedical contexts; his active knowledge. It provides an extraordinary Hiram received the President’s Award Dave’s first book was on the 60s student Richard Quinney, Tales from the Middle participation in the establishment of service to the Medical Sociology Section and Distinguished Teacher Award from revolution (Clouded Vision, 1976). He did Border (Borderland Books, 2007). medical sociology, both as an academic by bringing together understandings the University of North Texas and was a convincing job of relating this dissent discipline and organizationally in the that would otherwise remain fragmented named as an Honorary Alumnus by the to the disaccumulation process of recent Milton Seligman and Rosalyn Benjamin ASA; and his contributions as a historian recollections by disparate individuals. Alumni Association. His other awards capitalism, which resulted in numerous Darling, Indiana University of Pennsyl- of medical sociology. Recognized by the Section’s 2004 Eliot included a President’s Citation from the non-business, peripheral occupations. vania, Ordinary Families, Special Children: At Baylor College of Medicine, Sam Freidson Outstanding Publication Award, American Association of Homes and The American Journal of Sociology reviewer A Systems Approach to Childhood Disability, developed several volumes of lectures The Word as Scalpel is a historical source Services for the Aging, the Trailblazer called this “the most stimulating and per- 3rd edition (Guilford Publications, 2007). and reading materials for the teaching of unlikely to be surpassed. If a fault is to award from the Texas Joint Conference on suasive theory of the student movement sociocultural aspects of medicine to first- be found with the volume, it is that it did Aging, and Distinguished Service Award yet advanced.” year medical students, as part of a course not fully capture the significance of the from the Southwestern Social Science Dave’s most important book was The on “Human Growth and Development.” author’s own involvement in the genesis Association and from the Association for Growth of Sociological Theory (Prentice- New Programs Many of these teaching materials were of Medical Sociology. Gerontology in Higher Education. Dr. Hall, 1991). This was marketed as a text incorporated into his influential book Samuel W. Bloom mattered in so many Friedsam also received the Clark Tibbitts book of classical theory, but it was actually The Doctor and His Patient: A Sociological ways—to his family, his friends and col- Award for contributions to gerontology a highly original monograph. The relation Hofstra to offer MA in Applied Social Interpretation (1963). The book articulated leagues, his profession, and the causes for education for that organization. of the pre-sociological thinkers to the ma- Research and Policy Analysis. Hofstra how the transactions between doctor and good that he supported—and, so, all of us Hiram is survived by his wife, Reva jor theorists is unusually well developed. will offer a Master of Arts degree in Ap- patient, as well as patient outcomes, are will miss him greatly. Sykes Friedsam, daughter and son-in-law One sees the influence of Dave’s teachers, plied Social Research and Policy Analy- influenced by the sociological matrix in Karen F. and Tom Duncan, son S. Carl Hans Gerth, Don Martindale, and the Howard B. Kaplan, Texas A&M University, sis starting next fall for recent college which they occur. Friedsam and his wife Charlene, and elder Howard Becker, here. And Dave’s and David Mechanic, Rutgers University graduates and professionals who want During this same period, Sam applied grandchildren Stephen and Elizabeth lengthy treatments of the Marx, Weber, to improve their social research skills and his insights as a consultant to the Psy- Friedsam, his niece, Georgia Hepler Durkheim, Mead, etc. group are as good Hiram J. Friedsam become more proficient at data collec- chiatric Service of the Veterans Admin- (Bert), and cousin Sandra Mittica. as any I have ever seen. (1920–2007) tion and analysis. The program prepares istration Hospital and participated in a Gifts in memory of Dr. Hiram J. Dave’s later research was on the Swed- graduates for careers in organizations in range of research projects, publishing Dr. Hiram Johnson Friedsam, Dean and Friedsam may be made to the following ish peace movement, in which he devel- need of professionals with research and in such diverse areas as the sociology of Professor Emeritus at the University of scholarship funds: Friedsam Gradu- oped the key concept of “framing,” par- analysis skills; research organizations patient care and sociophysiology. Over North Texas, died from complications of ate Student Fund–Gerontology or the ticularly in relation to ideology. Another (evaluation, policy, polling, marketing); the ensuing years he pursued his passion pancreatic cancer in San Antonio, TX, in Friedsam Graduate Scholarship–Sociol- late contribution was on the history of federal, state, and local government agen- for enriching medical education through the early morning of March 24 with his ogy. Online donations may be made at anarchism. cies; not-for-profit organizations such as the inclusion of behavioral sciences in the family at his bedside. He was 87. Born
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