Executive Committee

President: Wayne Thompson, Carthage

President Elect: Carol Miller, UW-La Crosse

Treasurer: Leda Nath, UW-Whitewater

Secretary: Tim Thornton, UW-La Crosse

Sociological Imagination Editor: Tricia Davis, UW-River Falls Spring/Summer 2008 Newsletter

Past President: Greg Peter, UW-Fox Valley Fall WSA Meeting at Rockford College: “Sociologists Making a Difference” Important Dates: This year’s fall conference is The WSA/ISA is having an Nath, UW-Whitewater, by jointly sponsored by the Illi- Undergraduate Student Pa- September 15, 2008. Stu- • Fall WSA Meeting at Rockford, IL October 23 - nois Sociological Association per Competition. Students dent Travel Grant and Ses- October 24th, 2008 and the Sociologi- are strongly encouraged to sion Organizer Forms for cal Association. The theme present their projects and the 2008 meeting at Rock- • Paper Proposal Deadline: for this year’s conference submit papers for considera- ford College are enclosed September 15, 2008 “Sociologists Making a Dif- tion. The WSA/ISA meeting with this newsletter. The • Nominations for Student ference,” which will be held is an excellent place for stu- WSA membership form is Paper Competition at Rockford College in Rock- dents to network with fellow included on page three of Awards: September 15, ford, IL, reflects the contri- students and faculty, ex- the newsletter. Please con- 2008 butions of Jane Addams, who change ideas, learn about sider joining or renewing • Student Travel Grant graduated from Rockford in recent activities in the region your membership today by Application Deadline: 1881. Upon completing her and gain valuable experience completing and returning the September 15, 2008 bachelor’s degree, Addams presenting research. form. went on to become a pio- neer social worker, founder To help support student Your attendance and involve- of the Settlement House attendance at the meeting, ment is appreciated and will Inside this issue: Movement, vice-president of WSA is offering four student help keep WSA on track for the National American travel grants up to $100 what should be a great con- Women Suffrage Associa- each. Just return the com- ference this fall and in the tion, organizer of the pleted travel grant form to coming years! Sociologists Mak- 1 Women’s Peace party, a the WSA treasurer, Leda ing a Difference devote labor reformer, and First American woman to President’s 2 win the Nobel Peace Prize. Message

Membership Form 3 The WSA/ISA conference will feature a plenary address Feeling Wisconsin 4 by Louise Knight, whose 2005 book “Citizen” focuses 2007 WSA Con- on the life and work of Jane ference Summary Addams. Additionally, we want to showcase faculty and A Future for the 5 student research that dem- WSA onstrates the impact they have on their campus and Sociological surrounding communities. Imaginations Call See the call for sessions and for Submissions papers enclosed with the newsletter or at the WSA website (www.uwrf.edu/wsa) Poster session at the 2007 WSA Conference held at in Kenosha, WI Page 2 

President’s Message By Wayne Thompson-WSA President

Consider getting more involved bright future even though re- and financial records for WSA. in the WSA. In my case it only sources are always strained. As Past-President of WSA, took a personal request to get Greg Peter (UW-Fox Valley) is both myself and my students There are many things that a civic minded environmental more involved. The WSA has compete for attention in our sociologist who wants WSA to made a positive difference for very full lives. Ours is a world be the best state association it me and my students, enriching where folks are often far too can be. Kevin Schanning us in ways that have easily occupied and time is the most (Northland College) can be made our efforts worthwhile valuable thing we do or do not found schlepping the highways for ourselves and for friends have. Please consider the with his students in search of we have made through this benefits of involvement in the WSA and other sociology con- wonderful association. Wisconsin Sociological Associa- ferences. These and other tion in the context of activities members have remained loyal A few years ago I was milling competing for our time and and committed to WSA around the WSA registration energy. As Robert Putnam through tough times and table at Alverno College in emphasizes in his book Bowling tougher times. They also make when then WSA Alone and the French diplomat for encouraging colleagues and President Greg Peter Alexis de Tocqueville pointed provide a dependable informal ( of Wisconsin – Fox out in the 1830s in Democracy support network of sociolo- Valley) asked me if I would be in America, members of our gists at other campuses. interested in being a candidate society must choose which for President of WSA. With involvements are worthwhile I look forward to seeing faculty, some trepidation I indicated an and many choose not to join students and all those who find interest at the suggestion but voluntary associations at all. sociological perspectives and “Ours is a world was not at all sure what to So, why should you get in- research to be useful in their expect. Prior to Greg’s invita- volved in the Wisconsin Socio- work and life journeys at the where folks are tion my involvement with the logical Association? joint Wisconsin and Illinois Wisconsin Sociological Associa- Sociological Associations con- often far too tion was restricted to trekking Consider just a sampling of the ference at Rockford College on with students to present pa- “what and who” that make the October 23 and 24, 2008. occupied and time pers at a few previous WSA WSA worth joining and sup- Think about presenting a paper conferences. Over the years I porting. For one thing, WSA and attending sessions at this is the most had attended some WSA con- has a quality peer-reviewed conference which will be held ferences where I had bumped journal, Sociological Imagination. at the college where Jane Ad- valuable thing we into old friends, made some Carol Miller (UW-La Crosse) is dams received her degree in new ones, heard about some the past editor who ensured sociology. Why attend the do or do not have.” cutting edge research and sat quality and relevant articles conference? Because you will through some really cool ple- covering research and teaching contribute to and learn about nary speeches. Those confer- sociology while providing solid research and viewpoints on ences and the one at Alverno book reviews. Tricia Davis how sociologists are making a hatched a few of my students (UW-River Falls) has done a difference as we look back at into budding sociologists on great job editing the journal the past, at our current world, their way to graduate school or this past year which featured an and into the future. provided a capstone experi- edition jointly produced by ence for their sociology or WSA and the Illinois Sociologi- Peace, criminal justice undergraduate cal Association. Tricia also majors. moved the website to UW- River Falls and has improved its Wayne Luther Thompson I started attending WSA execu- usefulness and accessibility. Carthage College tive committee meetings over Carol Miller and Tim Thornton, the next two years and learned also from UW-La Crosse, have of the struggles, frailties and produced this very readable successes of the association. and lively association newslet- Some folks come once or for a ter. Leda Nath (UW- few years and then drop away Whitewater) has been steadfast while others remain committed in managing and keeping mem- to forging ahead, hoping for a bership, conference attendance Spring/Summer 2008 Page 3

Membership in WSA includes a subscription to the semiannual journal Sociological Imagination, informative WSA Newsletters, and the Roster of Wisconsin Sociologists. Also, please consider making a donation to the WSA Endowment Fund (any amount), which serves as a critical resource for funding student awards, student travel grants, and for meeting rising costs of the publication of Sociological Imagination.

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Phone: E-mail (for newsletters): Membership Fees Total $ Sustaining (supports reduced student $60.00 fees) Regular $30.00 Student $10.00 Retired/Emeritus $25.00 Annual Conference Fees Total (Held October 23/24 at Rockford College) $ Sustaining or Regular Registration $30.00 Retired/Emeritus Registration $25.00 Student Registration $10.00 Thursday Dinner $TBD Friday Lunch $TBD Institutional Journal Subscription Only (e.g., Library) National $40.00 International $50.00 Grand WSA Total: (Make check payable to WSA) $

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Mail your check(s) and this completed form to: Leda Nath, WSA Treasurer; Soc, Anthro & CJ Dept; UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI 53190

Page 4

Feeling Wisconsin By Carol Miller-WSA President Elect

When you turer in Neillsville an- can help them understand think about nounced it’s moving 120 why and, better yet, how to Wisconsin, jobs to Mexico and China, a cope. As sociologists we what comes to lighting manufacturer in have a lot of work to do mind? Cheese Boscobel is moving its 188 here in our own backyard and beer, right? What? You jobs to Jaurez, Mexico, and and getting together at the weren’t thinking sociology? Harley Davidson in Milwau- WSA annual meetings al- It’s true that UW-Madison kee says they’re going to lows us to discuss all the has established a legacy as lay-off workers as well. We great ideas each of us uses one of the centers for so- don’t just need to analyze in our teaching and re- ciological research and and understand social search. I look forward to training, but there are a lot changes in Wisconsin be- seeing everyone in October. Visit us on the web at: more sociological aspects to cause that’s what sociolo- Wisconsin sociologists http://www.uwrf.edu/wsa/ Wisconsin. For example, gists do, but because all unite!! just look around the state, these social changes are and you’ll see a lot of com- happening in the communi- munities going through ma- ties where our students live. jor social change. Just since Their families are struggling President Wayne Thompson, February, a motor manufac- with the changes and we Carthage College [email protected] The 2007 WSA Conference at Carthage College— It Really Is Cooler by the Lake!

On October 11 and 12, session gave exposure to Ashland to participate in the 2007, the WSA meetings undergraduate research, conference. Traveling from Important Dates were held at Carthage Col- followed by an engaging UW-Whitewater, Leda Reminder: lege on the beautiful shores plenary address by Profes- Nath and some students of Lake Michigan in sor Larry Neuman (UW- organized an excellent ses- • Fall WSA Meeting at Rockford, IL Kenosha. The conference Whitewater). There were sion on immigration issues. October 24 - October 25th, 2008 theme was “The Shape of several other highlights to Students and faculty from • Paper Proposal Deadline: Septem- Sociology to Come.” Over that conference. Kevin UW-Parkside participated ber 15, 2008 150 people attended the Schanning and his students along with professors and conference. drove the length of the state students from Carthage, • Nominations for Student Paper from Northland College in UW-Oshkosh and else- Competition Awards: September At Carthage, attendees 15, 2008 where. could sample panel sessions • Student Travel Grant Application on student internships, Deadline: September 15, 2008 completing senior projects and diversity in higher edu- cation. Paper sessions on teaching and learning sociol- ogy, immigration, commu- nity based research and crime and justice indicate the broad scope of research presented by professors and both graduate and under- graduate students. A poster View of Lake Michigan from the Carthage campus Page 5

A Future for the Wisconsin Sociological Association

The way ahead for the WSA is to venue for professional involvement 2009, WSA will meet jointly with offer high quality conferences with where gemeinschaft-style commu- Sociologists of Minnesota in Roch- vibrant student paper competi- nity is easier to build and sustain. ester, Minnesota. tions, effective networking with Furthermore, WSA conferences other sociological associations and emphasize undergraduate research Other partnering organizations are nurturing loyalty and growth but are also appropriate for pres- part of the support system for through committed members. entation of professor and graduate state associations like WSA. The Regional, national and international student research. WSA confer- Midwest Sociological Society and associations, large-scale student ences are affordable, convenient the American Sociological Associa- research conferences and other and accessible to most areas in tion have expressed support for opportunities complement WSA Wisconsin and nearby states. Our state associations like the WSA, but also compete with it for con- intimate conferences and networks providing resources like webpage ference attendance and member- encourage greater cross- links, access to newsletter space in ship. WSA members who perceive fertilization of ideas and research The MSS and Footnotes and break- their involvement as adding value through face-to-face interaction, fast meetings at regional and na- to their sociological knowledge especially for undergraduate stu- tional conferences for state direc- base, experiences, and networks dents who might feel intimidated at tors and associations to network will come back across the years their first professional conference. problems and strategies. How- and will recommend our associa- WSA meetings are also a greater ever, the best that could be said tion to others. catalyst to networking across the about state sociological associa- subdisciplines of sociology than the tions is that their niches are evolv- We also need to encourage rigor- compartmentalized big-box confer- ing even as their futures are uncer- ous scholarship for submission to ences at the regional, national and tain. A little creativity, good net- Sociological Imagination, including international levels. working and a dedicated core of articles, research notes and book membership keeps WSA going but reviews. As goes the reputation One way to get beyond mere sur- one or two lean years could and quality of our sponsored jour- vival and offer well-attended, at- threaten ours and other state as- nal, so will go the reputation of tractive conferences is to meet sociations as they struggle to find a WSA which affects the willingness with other associations in sustainable niche. Recruitment and of people to join the association neighboring states. In past years, retention of new members and the and participate in our conferences. the WSA has tried to meet alter- vitality and resources they bring nately with the Minnesota and are the routes to success for vol- In contrast to the alienation and Illinois state associations. At least untary associations like the WSA. anomie of the big-box conferences every third year, WSA meets by In fast changing higher education WSA meetings have that “Cheers” itself. In 2008, WSA will meet and professional conference envi- effect where everybody knows jointly with the Illinois Sociological ronments survival cannot be just your name. WSA membership is a Association in Rockford, Illinois. In assumed.

Call for Submissions! Sociological Imagination wants your interesting sociological research or theory article. Get valuable feedback on your manuscript and get your article published in WSA’s official peer-reviewed journal.

For submission guidelines go to: http://www.uwrf.edu/wsa/journal.htm

Send submissions to: Tricia Davis, Editor Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice UW-River Falls 410 S. Third Street River Falls, WI 54022 Phone: 715-425-3260 Email: [email protected]