Volume 43 • Number 2 • February 2015
Back to Sweet Home Chicago William T. Bielby, Vegas.) The Great Recession took suburbs. Gentrification continues inside University of Illinois, Chicago a toll on Chicago in the years since apace in every direction from the Come on we last met there. It is smaller, Loop, while leap frogging African Oh baby don’t you want to go experiencing a population loss of American communities. New immi- 3 COSSA Modernizes its Come on 200,000 between 2000 and 2010, grant gateways in the suburbs pro- Governance System Oh baby don’t you want to go and the recovery has been less vide new avenues for social mobility Back to that same old place robust than in other large cities. It for some, but poverty is growing The revision of the bylaws Sweet home Chicago is also more unequal than it was 13 faster in Chicago suburbs than in seeks to comply, streamline, years ago. Tremendous wealth has any other region of the state. and simplify. he Annual been generated Mayor Emanuel and the TMeeting was in the booming Neo-Liberal Turn 5 Connecting Students first held in technology and with Careers Chicago in 1919, professional and In 2011 Rahm Emanuel suc- and we’ve met at ceeded Richard Daley as mayor. That SUNY Potsdam professor financial services “that same old may or may not have been the end provides tips, suggestions, sectors, with pre- place” a total of of the Chicago machine domina- and resources to integrate dictable impacts 14 times, most tion of city politics, but it certainly into your sociology on wealth recently in 2002. marked a neoliberal turn. Rahm has department. concentra- (Chicago was tion, economic the well-earned nickname of “Mayor to have been the site of the 2011 vitality, and conspicuous con- 1%.” He grew up in the affluent Choosing ASA’s Slate of 5 meeting until labor issues at the sumption in the city’s affluent North Shore suburb of Wilmette and Candidates Hilton resulted in a move to Las neighborhoods and North Shore Continued on Page 8 Before names end up on the ballot there is a rigorous selection process. 7 Updating the U.S. Reflections on the Recipients Constitution as a Class Activity Charlie Hebdo Massacre of 2015 ASA Want to insert human rights Erik Olin Wright, University of killed 12 people. “What terrible Awards lessons into your classroom? Wisconsin-Madison events,” I wrote in my travel journal. Have students tackle he American Sociological n the second week of January 2015, I had heard of Charlie Hebdo, but updating the constitution. had not been aware of its place in TAssociation proudly announces II traveled to Paris to give a lecture the recipients of the major awards at a research institute and partici- France as a real political-cultural Get to Know ASA Staff institution: biting, irreverent satire, for 2015. These outstanding scholars 9 pate in a meeting of the scientific will be recognized at the 2015 Find out who is behind criticism through mockery. Some council of the International Panel Annual Meeting Awards Ceremony those e-mails and answering of the senior editors who were on Social Progress, a new orga- on Sunday, August 23, at 4:30 your questions. nization roughly modeled on the murdered were icons in the world of intellectuals in Paris. France, more p.m. The Awards Ceremony will Intergovernmental Panel on Climate immediately precede the formal Change. Its goal is to produce a than almost any other place I know of, reveres its serious intellectu- address of the ASA President Paula massive report on the global status England. All registrants are invited of progress on the many dimensions als. In addition to being a terrible loss, the political ramifications are to attend an Honorary Reception of social justice by 2017. The council immediately following the address consists of social scientists from also unsettling. In France right- wing forces have been gaining to congratulate President England around the world, including many and the award recipients. economists as well as some sociolo- strength around hyper-nationalist ideologies, and one of the ideologi- The ASA awards are conferred on From the Executive Officer...... 2 gists. I had anticipated a typical, sociologists for outstanding publica- interesting academic trip; it turned cal anchors of this political current Science Policy...... 3 is Islamophobia intertwined with tions and achievements in the schol- out to be much more intense than I arship, teaching, and the practice ASA Forum...... 10 racism. These killings, and the imagined. of sociology. Award recipients are Announcements...... 10 I arrived in Paris the day after subsequent hostage situation that occurred while I was in Paris, are selected by committees appointed Obituaries...... 14 two masked gunmen armed with likely to intensify this. by the ASA Committee on assault rifles forced their way into Committees and the ASA Council. the offices of the French satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, and Continued on Page 6 Continued on Page 4 footnotes • February 2015 To view the online version, visit
from the executive officer Communicating Social Science Let me tell you a story…
few weeks ago, an ASA staff will be. We see this today in the triggers neurons in the brain that tists as social workers who are not Amember was telling me about debate surrounding the vaccination revive past experiences. A child scientists and not equal in stature to his recent trip to visit his in-laws. of children. reading the Harry Potter series is physical and life science researchers. They are semi-retired not merely reading about wizards However, even without overcoming What’s a scientist to snow birds who spend the going to school, rather they are the basic identity problem, once do? winter in the California reflecting on and learning about social science research is presented desert—basking in the Appealing to people’s good overcoming evil through reli- to the public beginning with a blue skies and warmth. His father emotions has been used ance on friendship, education, and metaphor or story the acceptance in-law is a successful entrepreneur to bludgeon political opponents— perseverance. Using Mar’s analysis level changes. with an advanced degree in the Presidents Reagan and George W. as a foundation, scientists should Sociological research can lead to physical sciences. While sitting on Bush were masters at this. (See consider “showing instead of telling” a better understanding of the world his porch, enjoying a drink, he told Drew Weston’s The Political Brain: when initiating a presentation based in which we live and the social my colleague about the ways of The Role of Emotion in Deciding the on their expertise. ramifications of human behavior. the world and defended as truths Fate of the Nation). Policies rooted This does not mean scientists It often leads scientists to argue numerous myths that have been in emotion, like mandatory mini- should consult with the university’s for social change. Arguing for debunked by scientists related to mum sentencing or drug testing Creative Writing Department prior social change, however, generates poverty, vaccines, climate change, welfare recipients, have become the to releasing research to the public. an emotional response from those etc. My colleague attempted to law across the country even though Ummm, well, maybe we should. many people in the society who fear refute his father in-law’s claims with scientific experts state that they are According to the FrameWorks change. As a result we often feel like research but this further strength- ineffective. Institute--a we are pulling an obstinate mule ened the father in-law’s insistence (You add to Washington, down a path. and only made the conversation this list.) scientists should consider DC, com- Moving forward more awkward. As his brief story Scientists “showing instead of telling” when munication in our nation’s Let’s consider new ways we can concluded, my colleague asked me, initiating a presentation based on think tank “Why is it that when I tried to use capitol often that designs, use our research and that commu- scientific fact to refute a myth, my lament that their expertise. conducts, and nicate scientific knowledge to the father in-law’s opinion became more there is a “war publishes com- public—incorporating narratives entrenched?” on science” and munications (i.e., stories!) or metaphors is likely that scientists research to further public under- to be just a start. Science isn’t accu- Been there, done that, you’ll (social scientists included) and their standing of social issues—simply mulated stories, but stories can help say expertise is not being heard. I would incorporating a metaphor into the frame scientific facts in meaningful We’ve all been there, and we argue that scientists are not losing description of one’s research can ways. If we do this we can be better know the answer (from research): a “war on science” rather they are help it be received better by the prepared for those conversations confirmation bias. In 1979, losing a communications war. public. For example, instead of on a desert porch, at a backyard Stanford University psycholo- So, how should scientists com- saying “recent research identifies barbeque, and at a holiday din- gists Charles Lord, Lee Ross, and municate? Scientists need to do why there is an increased recidivism ner, or for those policy discussions Mark Lepper (psycnet.apa.org/ a better job of separating their rate among felons in urban areas”, in the local government centers, psycinfo/1981-05421-001) showed professional identity from an issue a scientist might say “like the last state capital buildings, and during empirically that our beliefs shape they want to discuss. For instance, piece completing a puzzle, recent a Capitol Hill hearing. And maybe the information we receive. Our when a scientist states that it is just social science research completes someone who actually makes social brains have been evolutionary wired plain wrong scientifically to assume our understanding of why felons change happen will be listening (i.e., to flee or fight perceived attacks and vaccines lead to autism, parents who returning to urban areas have an hearing). my colleague’s father-in-law’s brain made the choice not to vaccinate increased recidivism rate.” References reacted to the scientific facts pre- their children feel this as a per- The FrameWorks Institute has Nyhan, Brendan and Jason Reifler. 2010 sented to him as an attack. Another sonal attack, that is, they are being been collaborating with a com- way to say it is that emotion tends to perceived as bad parents. Instead, “When Corrections Fail: The Persistence mittee of the National Academy of of Political Misperceptions.” Political trump fact. scientists should think about some Science’s National Research Council, Behavior 32(2) 303-330. Two political scientists, Jason other strategies that do not trigger chaired by past ASA President Western, Drew. 2008. The Political Brain: Reifler and Brendan Nyhan, further an emotional response. Douglas Massey. The Committee is The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of examined this phenomenon and Consider Tested investigating a multitude of issues the Nation. New York: Public Affairs. identified “backfire effect” in their Communication Strategies including better ways to commu- paper When Corrections Fail: The nicate social science research. One Raymond Mar argues that listen- Sally T. Hillsman is persistence of political mispercep- question that has arisen is: In what ing to a story or reading fiction the Executive Officer tions. According to Reifler and framework does the public perceive generates empathy. (See www. of ASA. She can be Nyhan, the more emotion-based social science research? According yorku.ca/mar/mar%202004_neu- reached by email at or ideological a belief is, the more to FrameWorks’ research many in ropsychology%20of%20narrative. executive.office@ ineffective any contrary evidence the public initially view social scien- pdf) It seems that reading stories asanet.org.
2 footnotes • February 2015 footnotes.asanet.org American Sociological Association
science policy
Criminologist Appointed and Criminal Justice. She was the University of Illinois at Urbana- NSF’s award abstracts, which states Director of NIJ named Associate Dean for Student Champaign, conclude that women that: “Should a proposal be recom- Nancy Rodriguez was sworn Engagement in ASU’s College of and minorities often are under- mended for award, the PI (Principal in as the Director of the National Public Programs in 2012. represented in certain STEM fields Investigator) may be contacted by because of a mix of oversimplified, the NSF Program Officer for assis- Institute of Justice (NIJ) Belief in “Raw stereotyped images of brilliance and tance in preparation of the public on February 9, 2015. Brilliance” May field-specific beliefs concerning per- award abstract and its title. An NSF She was appointed by Decrease Academic formance expectations. Women are award abstract, with its title, is an President Barack Obama Diversity in October 2014 to head not underrepresented in all STEM NSF document that describes the A study supported up NIJ, the scientific disciplines; and the problem is not project and justifies the expenditure by the National Science research arm of the U.S. unique to STEM fields. They argue of Federal funds.” It goes on to say Foundation finds that messages Department of Justice. Rodriguez’s that when practitioners believe raw, that “NSF would like to share the about hard work rather than research expertise covers a wide innate talent is the main require- Foundation’s guidelines [with PIs] innate skill could level out gender range of criminal justice issues ment for success and women are about NSF award abstracts with the representation in academia. When from the collateral consequences of stereotyped as not possessing such science, engineering and education academic communities send the imprisonment; the intersection of talent, the field will be less welcom- communities to help improve com- message that raw brilliance, or a race, ethnicity, crime, and justice; ing to women. munication about the nature of the high level of innate intellectual to evaluations of drug courts and award to the public.” The nontechni- aptitude, is required for success, New Steps to Enhance restorative justice programs. Her cal component of the NSF award these messages combine with Transparency and most recent work includes a longi- abstract must: explain the project’s cultural stereotypes to decrease that Accountability at NSF tudinal study of families affected by significance and importance; and community’s diversity. Published Over the last year, the National maternal and paternal incarceration. serve as a public justification for in the journal Science, Sarah-Jane Science Foundation (NSF) has taken From 1998–2012, Dr. Rodriguez NSF funding by articulating how the Leslie, philosophy professor at new steps to enhance transparency was a professor in Arizona project serves the national interest, Princeton University, and Andrei and accountability. The Foundation State University’s (ASU) highly as stated by NSF’s mission. Cimpian, a psychology professor at recently sent out a notice regarding respected School of Criminology
New Bylaws to Modernize COSSA’s Governance Structure Wendy Naus, Consortium of Social of the bylaws in order to ensure New Governance Structure the executive director, president, or Science Associations (COSSA) compliance with the DC Nonprofit Under the previous bylaws, the another member, so long as the rep- he Consortium of Social Science Corporation Act of 2010, which was COSSA Board of Directors was resentative is aware of the responsi- TAssociations (COSSA) embarked enacted into law in February 2011 comprised of two representatives bilities, including fiduciary, he/she on a comprehensive review and revi- and took effect on January 1, 2012. from each of the 18 Governing holds on behalf of the association. sion of its bylaws in 2014, which were The law made a number of changes Member associations (including They serve until replaced by their ultimately enacted by the COSSA to the DC Nonprofit Code—such ASA) plus up to 7 at-large direc- association. ASA Executive Officer Board of Directors in November as definitions of membership tors. Under this configuration, the Sally Hillsman serves as the ASA 2014 and took effect January 1, 2015. organizations and structures of Board could include as many as 43 representative to the COSSA Board A primary goal of the revision was to governing boards—and applies to members. of Directors. streamline and modernize COSSA’s nonprofit organizations incor- Under the new bylaws, the The revision also changed the governance structure to put into porated under DC law. The legal number of Board representatives position of the “COSSA President” a place an infrastructure that will review found that COSSA’s bylaws was reduced from two from each to the “Board Chair;” the other provide COSSA with the flexibility were in need of modernization Governing Member association officers—Secretary, Treasurer, and and the leadership needed to pursue in order to comply fully with the to one, plus a mandatory three Executive Director (ex officio)— future goals. COSSA’s bylaws were Code; this finding also provided at-large directors to ensure that remain unchanged. last revised in 2004. an opportunity for COSSA to take COSSA’s broader constituency is Elections for COSSA officers The revision sought to do three a closer look at the bylaws to see represented. Under this structure, and at-large directors were held in things: if other changes—such as struc- the Board immediately shrank from December 2014. A list of the 2015 • Ensure compliance with DC tural changes—might be desirable 43 members to 21 members, while COSSA Board of Directors—the Nonprofit Code, to streamline the organization’s remaining representative of the first under the new structure—can • Streamline COSSA’s governance governance. The COSSA Executive COSSA community. A nominations be viewed on the COSSA website: structure, and Committee and full Board of committee was formally created www.cossa.org/about/board/. Directors spent about 10 months • Simplify the bylaws, where to make recommendations to the Increased Flexibility discussing if and how to amend Board for at-large directors, who appropriate, giving COSSA more Finally, the revision addresses the bylaws to simplify the structure serve three-year staggered terms. flexibility to conduct its business. other ways to simplify the bylaws, while still providing COSSA with Governing Member associations Upon joining COSSA as the allow for greater flexibility, and the leadership it needs to thrive as have the flexibility to determine the new Executive Director in January clarify roles and responsibilities of 2014, I called for a legal review the advocate for social and behav- appropriate Board representative ioral science research. for their association, whether it is Continued on Page 4 footnotes • February 2015 3 American Sociological Association footnotes.asanet.org
Awards This annual award is given ogy, which improve the quality of The Award for Excellence in the From Page 1 for a single book or monograph teaching. Reporting of Social Issues honors published in the three preceding individuals for their promotion of Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award The officers of the Association calendar years. sociological findings and a broader extend heartfelt congratulations to Howard Winant (University of vision of sociology. The ASA Distinguished Career Award for the following honorees: California-Santa Barbara) would like to recognize the con- the Practice of Sociology The Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award W.E.B. DuBois Career of tributions of those who have been Eleanor Lyon (University of honors the intellectual traditions especially effective in disseminat- Distinguished Scholarship Connecticut) and contributions of Oliver Cox, Award ing sociological perspectives and This annual award honors out- Charles S. Johnson, and E. Franklin research. The ASA is cognizant of John W. Meyer (Stanford University) standing contributions to sociological Frazier. The award is given either the fact that there are many profes- The W.E.B. DuBois Career of practice. The award recognizes work to a sociologist for a lifetime of sionals (e.g., journalists, filmmak- Distinguished Scholarship Award that has facilitated or served as a research, teaching, and service to ers) whose job it is to translate honors scholars who have shown model for the work of others, work the community or to an academic and interpret a wide range of outstanding commitment to the that has significantly advanced the institution for its work in assisting information, including sociological profession of sociology and whose utility of one or more specialty areas the development of scholarly efforts perspectives and research, for the cumulative work has contributed in sociology and, by so doing, has in this tradition. general public. in important ways to the advance- elevated the professional status or Jessie Bernard Award ment of the discipline. The body public image of the field as whole, or Public Understanding of of lifetime work may include work that has been honored or widely Nancy Naples (University of Sociology Award theoretical and/or methodological recognized outside the discipline for Connecticut) Katherine Shelley Newman (Johns contributions. The award selection its significant impacts, particularly in The Jessie Bernard Award is given Hopkins University) committee looked for work that advancing human welfare. annually in recognition of scholarly This award is given annually substantially reorients the field in work that has enlarged the horizons to a person or persons who have Distinguished Contributions to general or in a particular subfield. of sociology to encompass fully made exemplary contributions to Teaching Award the role of women in society. The advance the public understanding Distinguished Scholarly Gwen Sharpe (Nevada State College) contribution may be in empirical Publication Award of sociology, sociological research, and Lisa Wade (Occidental College) research, theory, or methodology. and scholarship among the general Elizabeth A. Armstrong (University for “Sociological Images” Excellence in the Reporting of public. of Michigan) and Laura T. Hamilton This award is given annually to Social Issues Award (University of California-Merced) honor outstanding contributions to Dissertation Award for Paying for the Party: How College the undergraduate and/or graduate Bill Moyers (Journalist, Moyers & To be announced at a later Maintains Inequality teaching and learning of sociol- Co.) date.
COSSA legislative calendar. For more on the 2015 ASA Annual Meeting Film From Page 3 COSSA meeting, see www.cossa. Screening org/event/annual-meeting/. The Academic and Professional Affairs Program is accepting the Board. For instance, the bylaws Thanks to the hard work of the no longer include specific reference Executive Committee and Board of new submissions for the 110th Annual Meeting to be held in to categories of “affiliate” members Directors in 2014, COSSA now has Chicago. ASA will show 14 films over the course of the meeting. (e.g. non-Governing Member asso- a structure in place to more effec- The film titles, times and room locations will be printed in the ciations). This will allow COSSA tively and nimbly carry social and annual meeting program and will be available via the online pro- to add and/or amend membership behavioral science advocacy into the gram directory. The program traditionally features short documen- 1 categories as needed, without hav- future. tary films that illustrate sociological concepts that are applicable as ing to revise the bylaws. The new References teaching resources. governing document also removed a requirement that the COSSA 1 COSSA membership currently includes Submission Criteria annual meeting occur in the fourth the following categories: Governing Members, Membership Organizations, ASA Members, filmmakers and distributors who wish to propose a film quarter of the fiscal year; tradition- Centers and Institutes, and Colleges and for inclusion in the 2015 screening series may submit a copy of the ally held in the fall, the COSSA Universities. Only Governing Members film/video and a brief description of the work that notes its relevance Annual Meeting will now occur in have representation on the Board; March starting in 2015 in order to however, non-governing organizations to sociological instruction and research. Film/video nominations (in more strategically align with the could be represented through the at-large DVD format) should be post marked by March 30, 2015 to: director seats. Jaime Hecht Academic Professional Affairs Program Send Us Your News American Sociological Association Were you recently promoted? Have a book published? 1430 K Street NW, Suite 600 Or were you quoted in the news? Did you win an award? Washington, DC 20005 Or maybe you know about a funding opportunity or For more information, visit www.asanet.org/AM2015/film_video. want to promote your meeting to other sociologists? Send your cfm. Contact: [email protected] announcements to Footnotes at [email protected].
4 footnotes • February 2015 footnotes.asanet.org American Sociological Association Choosing the Slate of Candidates for ASA Elections
ach spring the American process conducted by the members plate of responsibilities, are unable Council Members-at-Large, under ESociological Association holds of the Committee on Nominations to run for office. For this reason the guidance of the Vice President- the national and section elections (CON). Behind closed doors, with the ranked list of nominees always Elect, provide nominations for in which ASA members decide on absolute confidentiality and no contains twice the number of vacancies on the Committee on a President-Elect, Vice President- records being kept—these members candidates needed for each opening Nominations. Elect, and Secretary-Elect as well spend an entire day endeavoring among Council Members-at-Large, It’s Important to Vote as elect members to Council, the to determine which ASA members the Committee on Committees, and Committee on Nominations, they feel are most deserving of the Committee on Publications—a It is important to vote in the elec- Committee on Publications, and nomination to ASA national office. list long enough so as not to run tion each year because as members Committee on Committees. ASA’s At the end of a long day of out of names. Those members who of ASA, you are voting for the peo- national election is noted for voter discussions during the ASA Annual accept their nominations are added ple who will direct ASA policy and participation that consistently has Meeting, coffee, pastry items, and to the ballot. the Annual Meeting. If you disagree high rates of participation. And the occasional paper airplane After all necessary slots are filled with a bylaw or how a bylaw is being each year some of the best and flying by someone’s ear, the CON for each position in the national implemented, then you as an ASA brightest of ASA’s members run for ends with a list of quality names. election, the nomination process is member have the power to vote one of the national election’s coveted These are individuals that they then closed for that election year. for someone who you feel will best offices. believe would best exemplify ASA’s The nomination process starts represent your sentiments and this commitments to the sociological long before the committees enter includes the members of Council, There Are No Records discipline. the meeting room, with calls to all representatives on ASA committees, The members who are nominated The nominees are then contacted members to submit suggestions of and section officers. You are voting for officer positions, such as the and asked if they will accept the possible candidates. for the Association you want to be a ASA President, the ASA Vice- nomination. Sometimes nominated How are the Committee on part of. To be eligible to vote, mem- President, the ASA Secretary, must members, already carrying a full Nominations members selected? bers must have joined or renewed first go through a rigorous selection no later than March 31.
Helping Students Make the Connection Between Sociology and Careers Heather Sullivan-Catlin, SUNY Potsdam, Curricular Activities personal statements and cover let- ously enabling students to see the [email protected] Attention to careers in the ters, and more. However, this final career possibilities of our discipline. ver the years I have had the sociology major can begin as early course is often too late for much In a recent reflection on an experi- Opleasure of meeting sociology as the introductory course. Many important information such as the ence mentoring in an after-school students from numerous colleges textbooks provide sidebars or end- graduate school application process. program as part of a course on while serving on their depart- of-chapter information on applying Departments might want to con- juvenile delinquency, one student ments’ program review teams. sociology and “real-world” applica- sider adding a junior-year profes- commented: “I did not know what Diverse in backgrounds and inter- tions of sociological concepts and sional-development course. Though I wanted to do when I attended ests, they expressed a common methods. Departments might con- my own department does not yet SUNY Potsdam. Towards the end desire for greater career prepara- sider distributing the ASA’s booklet do this, an excellent model on my of my senior year I took Troubled tion. This is consistent with ASA 21st Century Careers with an campus is the Professionalism in Youth for ‘credits’ [which] helped research showing a dramatic gap Undergraduate Degree in Sociology Anthropology course required of me with my future in the long run. between undergraduate students’ as an investment in major recruit- juniors in that major. The catalog I enjoyed every minute of it. It was overall program satisfaction (78%) ment as well as embedding career description reads: “This course a hands-on experience that made and satisfaction with career advis- preparation across the curriculum. covers both practical and theoreti- me realize what I wanted to do for ing (18%) and graduate school A valuable resource with potential cal aspects of the discipline. Topics a career.” advising (13%) (Spalter-Roth, application in multiple courses is include ethics, careers, and prepara- The ultimate curricular career et.al. 2010). It is also understand- the ASA’s Launching Majors into tion of resumes, graduate school preparation is the credit-bearing able given rising student debt and Satisfying Careers: A Faculty Manual and grant proposal applications.” internship. Ideally, the intern- a challenging job market. Apart with a Student Data Set (Spalter- Students moan about the rigorous ship will have a strong academic from student demand, external Roth et al 2010) requirements and rave about the component with either a seminar social forces are increasingly driv- The most logical course for helpfulness of this course for their or close supervision by a faculty ing departments to enhance career career preparation is the capstone own development. member with expertise in the area. advising and preparation (Vitullo or senior seminar. Activities or Courses at all levels can include Internships can play an important 2014). Below I offer ideas for both skill development could include guest speakers (alumni are of role in career exploration, helping curricular and extracurricular exploring graduate school, résumé particular interest to students), field students test the waters and discover activities and suggest a variety of and CV development, job shad- trips, and applied activities such as whether their intended career path resources for integrating career owing, informational and mock service-learning projects. Service is a good fit. In the best of circum- preparation into departmental interviewing, grant-writing, learning can be especially fruitful stances internships lead to offers of programs. portfolio development, crafting for bringing sociological concepts to life (Howery 1999) while simultane- Continued on Page 7 footnotes • February 2015 5 American Sociological Association footnotes.asanet.org
Charlie Hebdo an affirmation not just of freedom transforma- From Page 1 of speech, but also of tolerance and tions in values, pluralism. And yet, there was also norms, and Solidarity March something disquieting in the dem- culture. This Sunday, January 11 was the day onstration. There were almost no was the least of the manifestation in solidarity identifiable Muslims in the crowd, coherent part over the killings at Charlie Hebdo. indeed almost no one who was not of the planned A crowd of over a million was white. There was no recognition of project. We had expected. All public transport in the cultural exclusion and poverty an extensive Paris was free that day because of the that fuel the disaffection and anger discussion of need for people to get to the solidar- reflected in the attacks. the idea of ity rally. The march began at the There was also clearly a nation- solidarity and Place de la Republique at 3:00 p.m. alistic undercurrent. Occasionally whether it and was to go from there to Nation. people sang Le Marseillese. At one could anchor culture, education, and media and After visiting the strange and fantas- point I overheard a conversation this section. What is social progress how to deal with these issues, and tic Fondation Louis Vuitton Gehry among some people about my age with respect to “solidarity”? Some another about where health should building in the Bois de Bologne, I discussing the rally. One of them intensification of solidarity becomes be placed in the report. We also took the metro from l’Étoile towards objected strongly to singing the very exclusionary—like solidar- meandered around the problem Nation. Marseillese with its talk of aux ity against Muslim immigrants in of religion and world views, again L’Étoile was at the beginning of armes and sang impur (impure some European countries. There salient issues because of Charlie the line, so there weren’t very many blood). That is not the message are regressive and emancipatory Hebdo. How should we think about people in the station, but by the we need in France now, she said. solidarities, dangerous solidarities, religion in terms of social progress? third station the train was packed And then there was the gathering and benign solidarities. This led to Is the issue here tolerance or religion and by the fifth it was packed like of world leaders at the head of the an interesting discussion of cosmo- as such? Is the problem understand- the Tokyo subway at rush hour— demonstration, some of whom are politanism and universalism—an ing how belief systems that give literally impossible to squeeze in hardly defenders of free speech. idea of a solidarity that also allows people meaning can become fanati- a single additional person. Each Hypocrisy and posturing by pow- for diversity and difference and cal and intolerant rather than just station we came to was also more erful people in moments like this is reciprocal tolerance. This was a bit constitute groundings for action? and more packed with people, until always especially galling. slippery, but interesting. It was also Perhaps we need a specific discus- by central Paris the platforms were Slowly I squeezed forward and very loaded because of the Charlie sion of fanaticism? These and many filled to capacity. This of course is managed to actually get to the Hebdo massacre. other issues were left on the table not surprising: how do you move center of the square near the statue Another interesting issue ran as the meeting wrapped up and we over a million people to the Place de symbolizing the French Republic. throughout the discussion: the prob- went our separate ways. La Republique without having utterly People had climbed up the pedestal, lem of geographical scale. The theme Social Progress and some higher. I was tempted to was introduced by Saskia Sassen, packed metro cars? Almost everyone We live in a time of urgency, join them, if just to get a better view who proposed that the idea that got off at the Belleville station, per- where pressing, devastating prob- of the crowd. But my back was a bit “new geographies” be an organiz- haps a kilometer from la Republique, lems threaten prospects for any sore from travels, and I certainly ing principle for the whole volume. so I did as well. I had no idea where sense of advance in social justice didn’t want it to go out on me in that While unlikely, she was right that to go, but it wasn’t a problem as I and human flourishing. It is easy scene, so in the end I remained in this theme implicitly runs through flowed with the crowd. There were in such times to slide into fear and the crowd. There was no indica- many of the topics: new geographies thousands of people streaming down despair with a turn to authoritarian tion of an actual march, just people of the economic, of the state, of side streets to Republique. Soon repression of problems rather than standing around plastered to each identity. What is especially interest- the streets were filled completely more emancipatory solutions. The other. So I did the same, soaking up ing are the disjunctures in the geo- from side to side. As we approached coincidence of the Charlie Hebdo the scene. graphical scales at which problems Republique, all movement stopped. massacre, the massive demonstra- are generated and problem-solving We were packed like sardines. Meeting Time tion in favor of pluralism and toler- institutions are located. The cultural There were periodic chants: je suis ance, and the two days of intensive On Monday and Tuesday, I diversity and heterogeneity that Charlie! je suis Charlie! je suis discussion on the dilemmas and attended the meeting of the IPSP characterizes cities is because of Charlie! I saw no overt signs of possibilities of social progress scientific council. Our task was to go flows of people globally, and since Islamaphobia. One of the symbols of brought all of this into sharp relief, through the proposed topics for the they bring their identities with sympathy for freedom of speech in both intellectually and emotion- final report one by one, discuss the them there is a “new geography” of Paris right now is the pencil. Some ally. Social Progress is, of course, a content, clarify the normative issues, identity. There is the conventional people had pencils in their hair. fraught expression much criticized propose changes in the 17 chapters, geographical demarcations of local/ Others had made large pencil mock- for implying some kind of unitary and generally get things lined up for regional/national/global and also ups and held them like banners, vision of human betterment. Yet, the massive task of recruiting people various notions of networks that and others simply held up handfuls it is crucial to sustain some sense to actually do the work of writing. transect these scales. These create of pencils. People carried placards, of hope for progress, and for this Monday was devoted to the ambiguous borders and contested mostly the white on black Je Suis sociologists have a vital role to economic and political themes, rule. The discussion was engrossing, Charlie signs. One read: “Je suis play in diagnosing the problems of anchored in normative concerns sophisticated, and productive. musulman, je suis juif, je suis athée, the world as it is, pointing the way with fairness and democracy. We were clearly running out of je suis Charlie.” (I am Muslim, I am forward to a better world that could Tuesday, we continued the discus- steam by the afternoon. We had a Jewish, I am atheist, I am Charlie). be, and understanding the nature of This was the main spirit of the day: sion focusing on part three of fairly scattered discussion about the proposed report dealing with the obstacles we face to get there.
6 footnotes • February 2015 footnotes.asanet.org American Sociological Association Class Activity: Learning Sociology by Updating the U.S. Constitution Judith Blau, University of North Carolina is unlikely to be the case. While political rights that protect individual suffrage to blacks.) Nowhere does at Chapel Hill, [email protected] the U.S. Constitution was pioneer- rights vis-à-vis the state, it does not the U.S. Constitution mention that s many of us have experienced, ing when it came to formalizing embrace “human rights.” These rights corporations have rights, although Aour students often have bound- individual freedoms, it did not, and are a more comprehensive and holistic such rights were recognized by the less enthusiasm when we challenge does not, encompass positive rights concept which refers to the broader Supreme Court in 1886, and have them to think of ways that would (human rights) and provisions for rights of humans—as corporal beings, been upheld ever since. make the world a better place. For peoples’ wellbeing. with varied cultural orientations; as The U.S. Constitution has never most students their lives stretch out In the fall of 2014 I posted invita- members of groups and collectivi- been updated, while in contrast, other before them, and they are aware of tions to instructors on various listservs ties; as personalities in their gendered constitutions have been comprehen- perils the planet will face. A sociology to join an initiative of Sociologists roles; and in various roles as parents, sively revised to incorporate aspects class is the perfect setting for getting without Borders to give students in workers, immigrants, citizens, and so of the 1948 Universal Declaration of students to consider social justice Spring 2015 classes the opportunity forth. Indeed, this is a gold mine for Human Rights and to take emergent issues because they are bound to to “update the U.S. Constitution by sociologists! global realities into account. The 1948 think about how their own commu- including human rights.” To be more historically precise, Declaration reconfigures individual the 1787 U.S. Constitution and the negative rights (e.g., “Congress nities and society can be better places. Sociology and Civics Chances are that class discussions 1789 French Déclaration des droits shall make no law … “) as positive More than 20 faculty and graduate de l’homme et du citoyen were the rights (e.g., “all are equal before the will encompass topics such as peace, instructors signed on. One question global warming, women’s rights, first in the world to comprehensively law… ”), emphasizing that rights are that I was occasionally asked is: “What defend the rights of citizens. The U.S. collectively shared and encompass the rights of minorities, education, could sociologists possibly offer since housing, economic inequalities, and Constitution was amended in 1791 economic, social, and cultural rights. the constitution is a legal document?” to include the 10 Bill of Rights, and indigenous Americans. While it is true that lawyers have Contributing to Society In another country, besides the over the years 17 more amendments played a key role in interpreting and have been added. Probably the most Most constitutions, through their United States, the discussions would applying U.S. constitutional laws, these human rights provisions, lay out the no doubt be peppered with refer- significant are the 13th (abolishing laws are grounded in 18th century slavery), the 19th (assuring women dimensions of what we might call, “the ences to that particular country’s legal doctrine. Besides, while the constitution. Here in America that the right to vote), and the 24th 1791 Bill of Rights lays out civil and (prohibition of the poll tax to expand Continued on Page 9
Students excellent resource and includes a Sociology” and “Employment.” Both Resources long list of such activities includ- have extensive links and data. The From Page 5 Howery, Carla. 1999. “Sociology, Service, ing career nights, guest speak- ASA’s ongoing longitudinal survey, and Learning, For a Stronger Discipline.” employment and a seamless transi- ers, colloquia, field trips, and an “What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s Pp.151-155 in Cultivating the Sociological tion from college to career. alumni group. Degree in Sociology?” is a useful Imagination: Concepts and Models for Student handbooks, listservs, and tool, and there are numerous reports Service-Learning in Sociology edited by Extracurricular Activities Ostrow, Hesser, and Enos. Washington, webpages all offer important oppor- and briefs that can be shared with Outside of the classroom there are DC.: American Association for Higher tunities to provide students with students (as I do in my research Education. a variety of possible mechanisms for career information, such as lists of methods and senior seminar classes) career exploration and preparation Jiggetts and Havrilla, eds. 2010. The Sociology recent alumni placements, links to or used to develop programming Club Guide: Ideas for Generating Student including advising, student organi- campus career resources, links to within the department. For the lat- Involvement in Departments of Sociology. zations, and department resources. the ASA’s student resource sites, and ter, I recommend the research brief Washington, DC: American Sociological The context for advising varies with publications described below. These Social Capital for Sociology Majors Association. regard to who students see (faculty are also useful to have on hand at (Spalter-Roth, et.al. 2013), which Lambert, Stephen. 2008. Great Jobs for vs. staff) and the extent to which they open house and major fair events. In includes an appendix, with a sample Sociology Majors. New York: McGraw Hill. must do so (required vs. optional). my department we have an “advis- of sociology departments’ websites Spalter-Roth, Roberta, Mary Senter, and On my campus students are required ing center” area in the main office promoting career information com- Nicole Van Vooren. 2010. Launching Majors into Satisfying Careers: A Faculty Manual to meet with a faculty member in with advising checklists for each plete with links. their declared major each semester with a Student Data Set. Washington, DC: major/minor, and a resource library There are several books devoted American Sociological Association. before registering for classes. This is of books on sociology careers, ASA to careers in sociology. Though an important opportunity to encour- Spalter-Roth, Nicole Van Vooren, and Mary graduate school directories, and becoming dated, I have found Senter 2013. Social Capital for Sociology age students to consider and plan other materials like the ASA Style Lambert (2008), Stephens (2003), Majors: Applied Activities and Peer Networks. for internships, access departmental Guide. and Wall and Vollmer (2007) useful Washington, DC: American Sociological Association. resources as described below, and with internship and senior seminar Additional Resources pursue other resources such as a students. They provide information Stephens, Jr., W. Richard. 2003. Careers in Sociology. Allyn and Bacon. campus career center or job fair. The ASA is a treasure trove of on career paths, graduate school, Sociology clubs and Alpha resources on careers in sociol- job searching, and job profiles. Vitullo, Margaret Weigers. 2014. “National Trends Push Departments to Focus on Kappa Delta chapters also have ogy, many of which are useful for With greater attention to our stu- great potential for providing undergraduate students. In addi- Career Advising: ASA Can Help.” Footnotes. dents’ career preparation, we can 42(3): 7-10. career development for their peers. tion to those mentioned above, help them achieve greater success The ASA’s Sociology Club Guide I recommend the sections of the Wall, Jay and Lisa Vollmer. 2007. What to Do applying what they’ve learned in With Your Psychology or Sociology Degree. (Jiggetts and Havrilla 2010) is an ASA website labeled “Research on the wider world. The Princeton Review.
footnotes • February 2015 7 American Sociological Association footnotes.asanet.org
Annual Meeting city, with commentary by the always highlights the From Page 1 provocative Sudhir Venkatesh. role Chicago Also in the works is a session played in the is the first mayor in over a century on “Schooling in Chicago in the underground who was not raised in one of the Neoliberal Age,” which will feature railroad and city’s neighborhoods. No fan of both social scientists and individu- the fight against organized labor and facing a daunt- als who have been involved in the slavery. ing fiscal crisis, Rahm cut pensions day-to-day struggles over school The Pilsen and took on the Chicago Teachers closures and the future of Chicago neighborhood Union, closing 49 schools, mostly Public Schools, the third largest on Chicago’s in impoverished neighborhoods school district in the United States. Lower West in Chicago’s South and West Sides. Andrew Baer, a historian who Side, origi- Unlike his counterpart in New York, studies the police torture scandal is nally home to so far the mayor has had been able organizing “Policing De-Industrial German and Brewers. Word on the street is that to maintain a working relationship Chicago: Racial Violence and the Irish immigrants and later to Czechs the home team is going to have bet- with the city’s police unions. Struggle for Police Accountability.” and other Eastern Europeans, ter luck this year. Like most big cities, violent crime Finally, urban ethnographer David became a significant immigrant On Monday August 24, music is lower now in Chicago than it has Grazian, whose subject matter has gateway and home to immigrants fans will have an opportunity to been in decades, though the mayor ranged from urban nightlife to zoos, from Mexico in the early 1960s. experience firsthand Chicago’s has been on the defensive regarding is organizing a session on “Public Chicago activist José Guerrero jazz and blues traditions, with an the uneven distribution of crime Life in the City.” will offer a tour of public murals evening at the world-famous Jazz across the city. It’s an extraordinarily in Pilsen, which will also include Showcase, a fixture on the city’s jazz Tours Highlight a Vibrant City safe city so long as one lives among a tour of the National Museum scene since 1947. Performing at with Rich Connections to Our the one percent (not unlike New of Mexican Art. Up at Lincoln the Showcase will be the Newport Discipline York). Unlike his predecessor, who Park Zoo, sociologist Christena Jazz/Funk Allstars, musicians from refused to pursue allegations of Sociology’s connection to Nippert-Eng will guide first-hand Chicago’s South Side with musi- police torture when he was State’s Chicago dates back to 1889, when observation of human-primate cal roots in the city that go back Attorney, Mayor Emanuel has Jane Adams co-founded Hull House interaction at the Regenstein Center 50 years. Finally, if you have been made a commitment to address and with her partner Ellen Gates Starr. for African Apes, one of the world’s looking for a venue to display your resolve the damage done by notori- One of the first U.S. facilities of leading centers for primate research. own musical talents, come to the ous police commander Jon Burge the settlement house movement, Almost everyone with a connection Welcoming Reception, Friday, and his subordinates, who used Hull House served as both a center to Chicago has strong feelings one August 21 from 9:00-10:30 p.m. torture to elicit confessions from for sociological research on urban way or another about the Chicago (immediately following Opening over 100 African American men poverty and a social service agency Cubs (not the ones at the zoo). Plenary Session at 7:00 p.m.) at the in the 70s and 80s. While activists committed to addressing the chal- That’s especially true about residents Hilton Chicago. My band Thin Vitae continue to press for reparations lenges of daily life faced by impover- of Lakeview, one of the city’s most is hosting open mic, and we’re look- to be paid to the victims of abuse ished working women. Heartland vibrant neighborhoods and home ing for ASA members to perform during the Burge era, the mayor has Alliance, Chicago’s largest social to Wrigley Field, where the Cubs in a broad range of musical genres. been, as they say, “non-committal” justice organization, has a relation- have pursued their dream with scant We’ll provide the stage, the musical on that topic. ship with Hull House dating back success since 1916. James Gramlich instruments, the sound system, and to 1908. We are fortunate to have even the backup band if you need it. Regional Spotlight Sessions will take a group to the stadium to Amy Terpstra of Heartland’s Social see the Cubs host the Milwaukee See you in August! on Chicago’s Challenges in the IMPACT Research Center leading Neoliberal Age a tour of the Hull House museum. At the 2015 ASA Annual Of course, over the years Chicago Review for Contemporary Sociology Meeting, the Regional Spotlight ses- has been the site of scores of path- sions will focus on some of the most breaking sociological studies, rang- Contemporary Sociology reviews over 400 books each serious challenges facing Chicago ing from the Polish neighborhoods year. Given this volume of books, the journal is always on today. Robert Sampson and Jackelyn studied by Thomas and Znaniecki, the lookout for qualified reviewers. If you hold a doctor- Hwang have organized a panel titled to Bronzeville, where Clayton ate and are interested in reviewing for Contemporary “City on the Remake? Gentrification and Drake did research they later and Urban Change in Chicago,” developed into Black Metropolis, to Sociology, please send us an email at
8 footnotes • February 2015 footnotes.asanet.org American Sociological Association New ASA Executive Office Staff here are 28 employees on staff ASA MOST (Minority Opportunity working with ASA members and Brandon Tat the ASA Executive Office in Summer Training) Fellow in other sociologists in many different McCain is the Washington, DC. Here are three of 1992, and has a master’s degree in settings, including participation in membership and our newest staff members. Communications from American regional and aligned society meet- customer service Redante University. In his free time he likes to ings.” While at ASA, he intends to representative for Asuncion-Reed play and improve his guitar skills and continue his earlier work on gender ASA working in worked previ- enjoys quality family time with his equity and contingent employment in the Membership ously at ASA wife and four-year old daughter. academia, turning his focus to sociol- Department. as Publications John Curtis ogy but with an eye for comparisons “I am the first Brandon McCain Assistant from became Director across disciplines. Prior to joining point of contact 1998-2000 of Research on the ASA staff he served for 12 years for our members handling anything and again as the Discipline as Director of Research and Public from answering questions regarding Production Redante Asuncion-Reed and Profession Policy for the American Association membership to maintaining member Manager from in July 2014. of University Professors (AAUP), as accounts to placing bookstore orders.” 2002-06. Proving that the third time “As a long-time an institutional researcher and assess- He is originally from Norfolk, VA, is the charm, he returned to ASA as ASA member, ment coordinator at community col- where he attended Old Dominion the Webmaster in mid-2014. In this I’m very pleased John Curtis leges in Montana and Virginia, and University and received his BA in position, Redante is responsible for to have joined as research fellow at the University of criminal justice. While in college he maintenance and improvements to the staff of my disciplinary society. Bayreuth in Germany. He com- worked at the Boys and Girls Club the current website and will be a key It’s been a fast-paced introduction pleted his PhD in sociology at Johns of America as a Youth Program player in the planned redesign of as I get up to speed on a number Hopkins University, with a disserta- Counselor. Upon graduation he was the ASA website. A veteran of four of research projects already under tion on social networks in Kenya, offered a Public Policy Fellow posi- web redesigns and content migra- way and work with my colleagues to and recently had the opportunity to tion at Cavarocchi, Ruscio, Dennis tions, Redante previously worked develop new projects for the coming return to Kenya and revisit some of Associates, which led to his relocation for several Washington, DC, area year,” said Curtis. “Our continuing this earlier work, which he hopes to to Washington, DC. When he is not nonprofit associations in web and focus will be on sociology careers continue. He is the proud father of working for the Association he enjoys social media positions prior to work- both within and outside academia two adult children, a librarian and site seeing around DC and exploring ing once again for ASA. Redante has and on the structure of sociology a wildlife conservationist, and sings his adventurous side, including horse- a bachelors degree in sociology from departments at colleges and universi- in one of Washington’s fine choral back riding, indoor rock-climbing, the University of Vermont, was an ties of all types. I look forward to ensembles in his spare time. and travelling.
Class Activity expression; 183 grant people reli- that earlier were exceedingly difficult. conference. Beth Latshaw, then a From Page 7 gious freedom; 181 grant freedom In addition to the U.S. graduate student, wrote about her of assembly; 160 protect freedom Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and experience for Footnotes, published good society.” They do so by clarifying of opinion; 152 protect freedom of the web page for the constitutions, in the March 2008 issue. She wrote, rights that are inclusive—and thereby the press; and 102 have protections I recommended to my colleagues a “As the forces of globalization have of social significance—as well as the from self-incrimination. Yet only five number of resources that they might created an increased reliance on duties of citizens to their communi- constitutions, besides the U.S. consti- share with their students: Universal other countries and cultures, soci- ties, government, and society. All tution, give people the right to carry Declaration of Human Rights; core ologists are in a unique position to have provisions for civil and political guns, whereas 53 give conscientious international human rights treaties, foster national attention to the topic rights, as well as positive rights. Let objectors the right to be exempt from links for the International Labour of human rights.” I encourage other me give a few examples. Out of 194 military service. Organization and UNESCO . instructors to use this project. national constitutions, 182 mention I have greatly enjoyed teaching How our Constitution Update Works References the importance of pursuing peace; 153 classes in which students “revised include provisions about protecting Each instructor teaches inde- the U.S. Constitution.” In the fall 1 This online resource, funded by the National Science Foundation and Google, the environment or environmental pendently of one another, having semester of 2007, students from designed their own course syllabus, facilitates analyses and comparisons of rights; 136 have provisions to protect each of my classes at Chapel Hill constitutions. It includes 194 country con- the right to work and 97 the right to requirements, etc. We have a listserv (“Social and Economic Justice” and stitutions in force as of September 2013; has strike; 134 provide for universal suf- and post syllabi and other materi- “Sociology of Work”) engaged in this searchable features; and is both in English frage; 134 guarantee healthcare; 132 als on the webpage. That way, we project and then held a joint one-day and Arabic. have provisions for free education; 126 have a collective identity while each have provisions for the disabled; 121 instructor pursues his or her own for the elderly, 71 state that housing goals. (Having retired in 2013, I give is a fundamental right; 43 address the workshops on revising the constitu- rights of indigenous peoples; and 8 tion at the local library.) prohibit discrimination on the basis of What has made this semester so gender orientation. much easier compared with my earlier Virtually all constitutions include research on constitutions is the avail- the rights laid out in the 1791 U.S. ability of a new online resource—con- Bill of Rights. Out of the 194, 184 stituteproject1, which makes possible constitutions protect freedom of searches and analyses of constitutions footnotes • February 2015 9 American Sociological Association footnotes.asanet.org
Commentary on the Paris opposing value orientation—that with reference to the Paris events Searching 2014, there are only Killings at Charlie Hebdo ridicule of Mohammed is blas- is that, while it may be acceptable 34,400 results. Better, but still In the January 7, 2015, attack phemy—is of no merit. to satirize and otherwise belittle too many. The next step is to use on the office of the French satirical Durkheim’s theory of religion, profane things, it is unacceptable quotation marks around one or weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo presented in his The Elementary to satirize sacred things. To secular more additional terms that interest (Weekly Charlie), Forms of the Religious Life, should modern Europeans the Prophet you in connection with stigma. For two Islamist remind sociologists Mohammed is not sacred, and is example, “stigma, shame” brings gunmen killed of an important, therefore as open to satire as any the total down to 244 for 2014, a 12 people, and and quite differ- politician or celebrity. But when we manageable amount. I could get a wounded 11 others. ent, interpretation recognize the sacred character of still smaller group by inserting a The magazine has of these events the Prophet to devout Muslims, we third term, such as crime or mental for years featured than the mass should understand from Durkheim illness. irreverent and media’s version. that the attitude we have toward the There are a number of further stridently non-conformist car- Let me briefly point out Durkheim’s Prophet ought to be one of respect. tricks available on Scholar itself that toons, polemics, and jokes, which relevance. The value that enjoins us to respect require either some instruction or repeatedly lampooned the Prophet Durkheim defined religion as other people’s religion requires that exploration time for the new user; Mohammed. In 2006 it published an integrated system of beliefs and understanding “freedom of expres- for example, searching a single year a Danish cartoon linking Muslims practices relative to sacred things. sion” and liberty are not values that other than the current one. Please with Muslim terrorists, showing All religious beliefs presuppose sweep all competing values aside. email me if you find you need help. Mohammed with a bomb in his a division of all things into two Robert M. Marsh, Brown University Ngrams are based on an turban. The November 3, 2011, absolutely heterogeneous and incredible adventure by Google in Google Offers Free Research issue defied the Muslim prohibi- opposed categories-- the sacred and which they searched millions of Assistance tion against showing the face of the profane. The only property com- digitalized books in 28 languages. the Prophet by printing a cartoon mon to all sacred things is sacred- For many years I have been using I used them in a recent article to showing Mohammed’s lampooned ness, which lies not in the intrinsic Google Scholar and Google Ngrams test the idea that the use of the face. Muslims found Charlie Hebdo’s property of things, but rather, in in my work; the two together are word shame has been decreas- “mocking tone toward Islam” very the particular attitude people take like having a full-time but free ing for the last 200 years in five objectionable. toward them. This attitude is one of Research Assistant. To my surprise, modern societies. An appendix The media have constructed a “respect.” Durkheim’s most funda- I find that many of my friends and to the article explains Ngrams version of this story that almost mental substantive proposition in acquaintances use only Scholar at greater length. See “Toward exclusively centers on the “global his theory of religion is that there is or, more likely, neither. Here are Defining Basic Emotions” in chorus of outrage” and rallies an identity in the attitude of respect some tricks I have learned to make Qualitative Inquiry. The article can around the world in support of people have to (1) religious ideas Scholar easy and extremely helpful. be accessed at
announcements
.pdf) and follow ASA format. Deadline: data” in the social sciences. This special Conferences Call for Papers May 15, 2015. Contact: [email protected]. issue will include methodological and Association for Humanist Sociology For more information, visit www.gvsu. empirical papers that generate insights Publications (AHS) Annual Meeting, October 21-25, edu/msr/. into how social scientists can make the 2015, Portland, OR. Theme: “Locavore American Journal of Cultural Sociol- most of big data to advance research Social Currents, the official journal of Sociology: Challenging Globalization, ogy is planning a special issue devoted and theory. Deadline: April 1, 2015. For the Southern Sociological Society, is a Embracing the Local.” The HS announces to inequality. Inequality has come more information, visit www.journals. broad ranging social science journal its call for participation for its upcoming roaring back onto the public agenda, elsevier.com/social-science-research/ that focuses on cutting-edge research conference. Submit your complete ab- punctuated by Barack Obama’s Decem- call-for-papers/big-data-in-the-social- from all methodological and theoreti- stract related to the conference theme ber 2013 claim that income inequality sciences/. is “a defining challenge of our time”. cal orientations with implications for or more broadly to the AHS mission of Deadline: September 1, 2015. Contact: national and international sociological The Turkish Journal of Sociology equality and social justice. Deadline: [email protected]. For more information, communities. Social Currents consists of invites submission for a special issue May 31, 2015. Contact: Anthony E. visit www.palgrave-journals.com/ajcs/ a front end devoted to short, theoreti- on military sociology. Manuscripts Ladd at [email protected] or Kathleen J. author_instructions.html. cal agenda-setting contributions and that use a variety of levels of analysis Fitzgerald at [email protected]. short empirical and policy-related and methodologies, apply different Fragile Families Summer Data The Michigan Sociological Review pieces, and the back end is standard theoretical orientations, and explore Workshop, June 17-19, 2015. New York, (MSR) encourages submissions for its journal article, ranging anywhere from diverse sociodemographic foci related NY. The Columbia Population Research Fall 2015 issue. The MSR is the official, 1,500 to 4,000 words. For more informa- to the military institution, military Center is now accepting applications peer-reviewed publication of the tion, visit www.sagepub.com/journals/ service, and/or civil-military relations for its summer workshop; designed to Michigan Sociological Association. Journal202241/boards#tabview=manu are welcomed. Deadline: March 31, familiarize participants with the data The MSR publishes research articles, scriptSubmission. 2015. Contact: Ryan Kelty at rkelty2@ available in the Fragile Families and research reports, commentaries, and washcoll.edu. For more information, Social Science Research is inviting Child Wellbeing Study. About 25-30 book reviews on a range of topics. All visit www.palgrave-journals.com/ajcs/ submissions for a special issue on “big applicants will be selected. Deadline: files should be in .doc or .rtf format (not ajcs_cfp_inequality.pdf.
10 footnotes • February 2015 footnotes.asanet.org American Sociological Association announcements
March 1, 2015. For more informa- will explore many aspects of racial Science, Helsinki, Finland. Theme: hancing Diversity in Biomedical Data tion, visit www.cupop.columbia.edu/ justice/injustice on multiple levels as it No given. For more information, visit Science.” The goals of the program are research/signature-research-areas/ intersects in all areas of society. It will www.iccss2015.eu/. to complement and enhance the train- fragile-families-data-workshops. raise questions, stimulate discussion, June 25-27, 2015.International ing of a workforce to meet the nation’s 13th International Conference on Sta- and encourage positive interactions. Conference on Identity and Nation- biomedical, behavioral, and clinical tistical Sciences, March 16-18, 2015, Deadline: March 1, 2015. Contact: Rob- hood. Dublin, Ireland. Theme: “Pulling research needs; enhance the diversity Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Theme: ert Grantham at JSA.papercall.2015@ Together or Pulling Apart.” For more of this workforce; and assist in recruit- “Statistics: Future Risks, Challenges and gmail.com. For more information, visit information, visit www.tcd.ie/Hispan- ing individuals with specific specialty Developments.” The Islamic Countries www.justicestudies.org. ic_Studies/PTPA-conference/. or disciplinary backgrounds to careers Society of Statistical Sciences (ISOSS) is in these sciences. Deadline: March 19, August 21-23, 2015. The Society for 2015. For more information, visit www. holding the 13th International Confer- Meetings the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) ence on Statistical Sciences. Seeking smrb.od.nih.gov/documents/reports/ March 19-21, 2015. Political Econo- 65th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. PEBS_12152014.pdf. papers and abstracts on topics related my of the World-System 39th Annual Theme: “Removing the Mask, Lifting to statistics. Deadline: Not available. Conference, Freie Universität in Berlin, the Veil: Race, Class, and Gender in National Endowment for the Hu- Contact: Munir Ahmad at ceditor@ Germany. Theme: “Global Inequali- the 21st Century.” For more informa- manities (NEH) has announced a new pakjs.com. For more information, visit ties: Hegemonic Shifts and Regional tion, visit www.sssp1.org. grant opportunity, the Public Scholar www.isoss.net. Differentiation.” For more information, Program, intended to support well- Journal of Interdisciplinary Stud- visit www.desigualdades.net/News/ Funding researched books in the humanities ies Symposium, August 6-9, 2015, cfp_world_systems_conference0151. that have been conceived and written Pasadena, CA. Theme: “Freedom & html. Disability Determination Process to reach a broad readership. Books sup- Virtue: Re-Inventing Free Institution in Small Grant Program awards $10,000 ported through the Public Scholar Pro- March 26-29, 2015. 2015 Annual stipends for graduate-level research gram might present a narrative history, an Era of Globalization.” The Journal of Meeting of the Midwest Sociologi- Interdisciplinary Studies endeavors to on improving disability determina- tell the stories of important individuals, cal Society, Kansas City, KS. Theme: tion processes. This is a one-year analyze significant texts, provide a bring together scholars from a wide “Sociology and Its Publics: The range of disciplines and denominations stipend program that allows graduate synthesis of ideas, revive interest in a Next Generation.” Contact: Douglas students, both full-time and part-time, neglected subject, or examine the lat- for an exciting international confer- Hartmann at [email protected]. For ence that takes both scholarship and to conduct supervised independent est thinking on a topic. Deadline: March more information, visit www.themss. research on improving the efficiency 3, 2015. For more information, visit faith seriously. Deadline: April 15, 2015. org. Contact: Oscar Gruenwald at go@jjis3. and reducing the complexity of disabil- www.neh.gov/grants/research/public- org. For more information, visit www. April 1-4, 2015. Pacific Sociological ity determination processes. Contact: scholar-program. th JIS3.org/symposium2015.htm. Association 86 Annual Meeting, [email protected]. For more Long Beach, CA. Theme: “People, information, visit www.ddp.policyre- Fellowships Justice Studies Association (JSA) 17th Place and Power.” For more informa- searchinc.org/. Annual Meeting, May 28-30, 2015, tion, visit www.pacificsoc.org. Brandeis University Israel Studies Boston, MA. Theme: “Justice/Injustice, National Institute of Health (NIH) is is offering both a doctoral and post- Complexities of Race.” JSA invite sub- June 8-11, 2015. International offering a new funding opportunity doctoral fellowship. Candidates must missions for abstracts. This conference Conference on Computational Social on “Big Data to Knowledge” and “En- be accepted in Brandeis University
footnotes • February 2015 11 American Sociological Association footnotes.asanet.org announcements graduate school programs. Full and For more information, visit www.psc. letters of inquiry and project proposals Morten Ender, West Point, contributed partial fellowships of up to $24,000 isr.umich.edu. are oriented around the Foundation’s to a December 30 Washington Post are renewable, after review, for up to regularly-scheduled Board meet- article that highlights the controversy five years. The post-doctoral fellows Competitions ings. All Project Awards with budget and online collective action against a teach one course per semester, give requests greater than $35,000 must be children’s book and the authors that one or more public lectures, and ASA Medical Sociology Section. approved by the Foundation’s Board attempted to re-label and rebrand actively participate in the intellectual Nominations are being accepted for of Trustees; all budget requests up to children of American military person- life of the Schusterman Center. Sti- the 2015 Roberta G. Simmons Out- $35,000 are treated as Presidential Au- nel from “Brats” to “C.H.A.M.Ps” (Child pend of $52,500 plus research fund. standing Dissertation in Medical Soci- thority Awards and may be approved Heroes Attached to Military Personnel). For more information, visit www. ology Award. The award is given each without prior Board review. Deadline: year by the Medical Sociology section. Amitai Etzioni, George Washington brandeis.edu/israelcenter/support/ June 1, 2015. For more information, University, was mentioned in a De- gradStudent.html and www.brandeis. The awardee will receive a $750 travel visit www.russellsage.org/how-to- grant to attend the ASA meetings cember 16 New York Times article, “In- edu/israelcenter/support/postdoc- apply. novators of Intelligence Look to Past” toral.html. and an award certificate, as well as, attend the Reeder dinner as a guest SAGE Publications and more than 20 and was quoted in a December 11 Bremen International Graduate of the Medical Sociology section. Self- SAGE authors are sponsoring the SAGE AMNewYork article, “Some New Yorkers School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS) nominations are acceptable. Deadline: Teaching Innovations & Professional Pass on the Christmas Tree Tradition.” invites applications to its PhD pro- March 1, 2015. Contact: Bridget Gor- Development Award. Awards up to William Helmreich, Graduate Center gram. BIGSSS is an inter-university man at [email protected]. For more $600 are intended to cover expenses and City College of New York,-CUNY, institute of the University of Bremen information, visit www2.asanet.org/ for ASA’s Section on Teaching and was featured in a December 28 (New and Jacobs University Bremen and medicalsociology/awards.html. Learning Workshop. This award is York) Daily News article and video is funded by the German Excellence meant to prepare a new generation National Science Foundation’s (NSF) about his book, The New York Nobody Initiative. The program provides close of leaders in the sociology teaching Knows: Walking 6,000 Miles in the City. supervision of dissertation work Science, Behavioral and Economic movement. The 20-25 awards are to within a demand-tailored education Sciences (SBE) competition for NSF’s cover expenses and not to exceed Thomas Janoski, University of Ken- and research framework. Fellows are Cyberinfrastructure Framework for $600. Deadline: March, 1, 2015. tucky, was quoted in a November 19 st expected to choose Bremen as their 21 Century Science and Engineering Contact: Keith Roberts at robertsk@ Washington Post article, “The Strange place of residence. Deadline: February (CIF21) to produce a new large-scale hanover.edu. For more information, Case of the Anti-Union Union at Volk- 15, 2015. For more information, visit database with analytic tools that visit www.sagepub.com/asa.sp. swagen’s Plant in Tennessee.” www.bigsss-bremen.de. would serve to enhance the database use to address significant research Guillermina (Willie) Jasso, New York Population Studies Center is questions with the SBE sciences. In the News University, was interviewed on CNN searching to fill several postdoctoral Deadline: February 23, 2015. Contact: David Baronov, St. John Fisher Col- TV and quoted in articles in a number positions sponsored by the National [email protected] and (703) 292-7827. lege, was quoted in a December 11 of media outlets including CNN, the Institute on Aging and The Eunice Ken- For more information, visit www.nsf. Democrat and Chronicle article, “Social Associated Press, Fox, and the New York nedy Shriver National Institute of Child gov/pubs/2015/nsf15523/nsf15523. Segregation Still an Issue Among Post on December 25 and 26 about the Health and Human Development. Ap- htm#toc. Youths.” screening of the film, The Interview. pointments will begin on September Russell Sage Foundation Project Howard Becker was profiled in a Erin L. Kelly, University of Minnesota, 2, 2015. Fellows devote most of their was quoted in a December 12 USA time to independent research. There Awards. The Foundation’s awards January 12, 2015, New Yorker article, are restricted to support for basic “The Outside Game,” about his work on Today article, “Working Parents Juggle are many opportunities for collabora- Jobs, Seasonal Illnesses.” tion with ongoing projects, including social science research within our deviance and his lifetime of research. the Health and Retirement Study and announced programs, which are: Jennifer Dawn Carlson, University Jerry Lembcke, College of the Holy Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Ap- social inequality; behavioral econom- of Toronto, wrote a December 13 Los Cross, was quoted in the November 9 plicants must have completed the PhD ics; future of work; immigration; and Angeles Times op-ed, “Body Cameras Stars and Stripes article, “The Lingering before fellowship support can begin. cultural contact. Deadlines for both Aren’t Going to Fix Policing.” She was Stigma of the ‘Troubled Vet,’” which also quoted in a December 16 BBC referenced his book, The Spitting Im- News article, “What’s Behind Growing age: Myth, Memory, and the Legacy of Gun Rights Support in the US?” Vietnam. Prudence Carter, Stanford University, James M. Loewen, Catholic Univer- was quoted in a December 17 Christian sity of America, was mentioned in a Science Monitor article, “Race in School December 11 Newsweek article, “Notre Discipline: Study Looks at Silence Dame Will Offer ‘White Privilege’ Semi- Published monthly with combined issues in May/June, July/August, and September/ Among Educators.” nar in 2015.” October. Mailed to all ASA members. Andrew Cherlin, Johns Hopkins Uni- Silvia Pedraza, University of Michigan, Editor: Sally T. Hillsman Associate Editor: Margaret Weigers Vitullo versity, was quoted in a December 14 was featured in a televised debate about the U.S. restoring ties with Cuba Managing Editor: Johanna Olexy Secretary: Mary Romero New York Times op-ed, “The Imitation of Marriage.” The op-ed also appeared in on December 21 on Fox News Detroit’s Article submissions are limited to 1,000 words and must have journalistic value (e.g., The Seattle Times on December 15 and program, “Let it Rip.” She argued that the timeliness, significant impact, general interest) rather than be research oriented or The Columbus Dispatch on December restoration of ties was positive, for both scholarly in nature. Submissions will be reviewed by the editorial board for pos- 16. countries. Pedraza was also quoted in sible publication. “ASA Forum” (including letters to the editor) contributions are December 22 LatinPost.com article on Philip Cohen, University of Maryland, the demographic divides in attitudes limited to 400–600 words; “Obituaries,” 500–700 words; and “Announcements,” 200 was quoted in a December 11 Deseret regarding U.S.-Cuba relations within the words. All submissions should include a contact name and, if possible, an e-mail News article, “What’s in a Name? Why Cuban American community. address. ASA reserves the right to edit all material published for style and length. ‘Mary’ Is Disappearing.” The deadline for all material is the first of the month preceding publication (e.g., Daniel Ritter, The University of Not- Sarah Damaske, Pennsylvania State tingham, had his book The Iron Cage February 1 for March issue). University, was quoted and Elaine of Liberalism: International Politics and Send communications on material, subscriptions, and advertising to: American Howard Ecklund, Rice University, was Unarmed Revolutions in the Middle mentioned in a December 4 Science Sociological Association, 1430 K Street, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 383- East and North Africa reviewed by the article, “Paradigms and Prejudice.” 9005; fax (202) 638-0882; email [email protected];
12 footnotes • February 2015 footnotes.asanet.org American Sociological Association announcements
Martin Ruef, Duke University, was Roland Robertson, University of conferences addressing critical issues mentioned in a December 14 Quartz People Pittsburgh and University of Aberdeen, facing our aging population: Mini- article, “A Better Formula for Calculat- Guillermina Jasso, New York Univer- European Glocalization in Global Con- Medical School for Social Scientists; ing Startup Equity.” sity, was elected to serve a four-year text (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014). Workshop on the Demography, term on the Executive Committee of Thomas Shapiro, Brandeis University, Sandro Segre, University of Genoa Economics, Psychology, and Epidemiol- the International Sociological Asso- ogy of Aging. Interested researchers was quoted in a December 10 Atlantic ciation, from July 2014 to July 2018. (Italy), Contemporary Sociological Think- article, “The Minister Who Went to Jail ers and Theories (Ashgate Publishing, can apply for financial support covering for Financial-Aid Fraud.” Joseph A. Kotarba, Texas State 2014). travel and accommodations. For more University, will deliver the annual information, visit www.rand.org/labor/ John Skrentny, University of Califor- Peter Hall Lecture at the Midwest Gay Young, American University, Gen- aging/rsi.html. nia-San Diego, wrote an August 29 Sociological Society meetings in dering Globalization on the Ground: The TIME.com op-ed, “Equal Opportunity Kansas City, MO, on March 28, 2015. Limits of Feminized Work for Mexican Deaths Is Over. It’s Time for ‘Racial Realism,’” His lecture is “From Basic to Applied Women’s Empowerment (Routledge, and was quoted in October 20 and 2015). Joseph Gusfield, University of Cali- to Policy: Teaming in Symbolic Inter- fornia-San Diego, founding Chair of November 4 Deutsche Welle articles, “AI actionism.” Decries Exploitation of Migrant Work- Other the University of California-San Diego ers in South Korea” and “No Country Sociology Department, passed away for Refugees? Japan and South Korea’s New Books Organizations on January 5, 2015. Among his major works are Symbolic Crusade: Status Tough Asylum Policies.” Christopher Bail, Duke University, Ter- Midwest Sociological Society seeks rified: How Anti-Muslim Fringe Organiza- Politics and the American Temperance Pamela Stone, Hunter College,-CUNY, an individual with a distinguished Movement and The Culture of Public was quoted in a December 14 New York tions Became Mainstream (Princeton scholarly record and editorial experi- University Press, 2014). Problems: Drinking-Driving and the Times article, “The Flexibility Gap.” ence to be the next editor of The Socio- Symbolic Order. Brian Barrett, SUNY-Cortland, and logical Quarterly (TSQ). Since 1960, TSQ’s Sudhir Venkatesh, Columbia Univer- Elizabeth (Liz) Markson died on sity, was mentioned in a December 10 Elizabeth Rata, University of Auckland, contributors, peer-reviewers, advisory Knowledge and the Future of the Cur- editors, and readers have made it one January 1, 2015 at age 80 after a Vice News article, “How Selling Crack is difficult struggle with cancer. Since Like Working at Walmart.” riculum: International Studies in Social of the leading generalist journals in Realism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014). the field. Editing TSQ is a unique and 2009, Liz was Resident Scholar at the Y. Claire Yang, University of North rewarding professional responsibility Women’s Studies Research Center, Henning Best, University Würzburg, Carolina, was mentioned in a Decem- that brings visibility and distinction to Brandeis University and for 20 years Christof Wolf, University Mannheim, ber 7 Washington Post op-ed, “The a department and university. Contact: served as the Director of the Boston Eds., Handbook of Regression Analysis Happiness Curve.” [email protected] or (319) University Gerontology Center. and Causal Inference (Russell Sage, 338-5247. For more information, visit Viviana Zelizer, Princeton University, 2015). Eugene S. Uyeki, Case Western Reserve was quoted in a December 10 Chicago www.TheMss.org. University, who was Professor Emeritus, Tribune article, “‘All Joy and No Fun’ Melanie E. L. Bush, Adelphi University, former chair of the Department of Soci- Author Jennifer Senior Talks Modern Roderick Bush, St. John’s University, ology, and Provost for Social and Behav- Tensions in the American Dream: Rheto- Summer Programs Parenting.” Summer Institute for Israel Studies ioral Sciences during a 44-year career, ric, Reverie, or Reality (Temple University died on September 5, 2014 at the age of Press, 2015). is offering a three-week fellowship Awards preparing faculty in any discipline to 88. Professor Uyeki was born in Seattle, Arnold Dashefsky, University of Con- teach about Israel. The 2015 program Washington, and graduated from high Archibald Haller, University of Wis- necticut, and Ira Sheskin, University of school in a Japanese-American intern- consin, was recognized by the Brazilian opens with an intensive seminar at Miami, Eds., American Jewish Year Book Brandeis from June 15 -29, followed by ment camp. He served in the U.S. Army Sociological Society for his contribu- 2014 (Springer, 2015). for 22 months during 1954-1955. Dur- tions to understanding the stratifica- a study tour of Israel from June 30 to July 9, 2015. The stipend is up to $2,500; ing 1985, he was a Fulbright Scholar at tion system of Brazil. Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo, Uni- Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan. versity of Southern California, Paradise travel, accommodations, and meals are Young-Il Kim, Baylor University, was Transplanted: Migration and the Making included. For more information, visit Hernán Vera, University of Florida, awarded a $100,000 research grant of California Gardens (University of www.brandeis.edu/israelcenter/SIIS/. Emeritus Professor of Sociology, passed from the Fatherhood Research and California Press, 2014). 22nd Annual RAND Summer Institute, away on November 26, 2014, after a Practice Network, a national project long illness. of Temple University and the Center Louis Kriesberg, Syracuse University, July 6-9, 2015, Santa Monica, CA. Two for Policy Research, funded by the U.S. Realizing Peace: A Constructive Conflict Department of Health and Human Approach (Oxford University Press, Services, for his randomized controlled 2015). save the date study of a fatherhood program oper- Roslyn Arlin Mickelson, University ated by the Ridge Project, Inc. in Ohio. of North Carolina-Charlotte, Stephen Samuel Smith, Winthrop University, 110th ASA Annual Transitions and Amy Hawn Nelson, University of George W. Dowdall, St Joseph’s North Carolina-Charlotte, Yesterday, Meeting Today, and Tomorrow. School Desegre- University, has been appointed August 22-25, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at gation and Resegregation in Charlotte St Joseph’s University, and serves as (Harvard Education Press, 2015). 2015 Adjunct Fellow at the Center for Public Robert Perinbanayagam, Hunter Col- Health Initiatives at the University of lege–CUNY, The Varieties of the Gaming Hilton Chicago Pennsylvania. Experience (Transaction Publishers, Hilton Palmer Roslyn Arlin Mickelson, University 2014). of North Carolina-Charlotte, has been Robert Perinbanayagam, Hunter House awarded the designation of University College–CUNY, Murder, Most Academic Chicago, IL Professor. (Trafford Publishing, 2014). Keith M. Moore, Virginia Polytechnic Daniel P. Ritter, University of Not- Institute, has been appointed Interim tingham, The Iron Cage of Liberalism: Executive Director of the Office of International Politics and Unarmed International Research, Education and Revolutions in the Middle East and Development at Virginia Polytechnic North Africa (Oxford University Press, Institute and State University. 2015).
footnotes • February 2015 13 American Sociological Association footnotes.asanet.org announcements
Al served as President of the Society Al Cohen (University of Connecticut), inclined. Scott was known for his wicked Obituaries for the Study of Social Problems, Vice- Gerianne Cohen, Arnold Dashefsky sense of humor, which he often used Albert K. Cohen President of the American Society (University of Connecticut), Jim DeFronzo to defuse tense situations. At times his 1918-2014 of Criminology (ASC), and actively (University of Connecticut) and Jungyun humor would sneak out against his Albert K. Cohen, the noted crimi- involved in the American Sociological Gill (Stonehill College) better judgment. In trying to explain to Association. In 1993, Al received the nologist whose work and life enlight- Scott R. Eliason his undergraduate students that there is ASC’s Sutherland Award. ened and inspired scholars and law 1959-2015 nothing magical about the Greek letters enforcement practitioners around the Al and Nati moved for the sake of used to represent parameters in statisti- world, passed away on November 25 her health first to Arizona and then to Scott Eliason, Associate Professor of cal models, Scott exclaimed, “There’s no in Chelsea, MA. Al was born in Boston San Diego. Nati passed away there in Sociology at the University of Arizona, mu-ness to mu and no pee-ness to p!” on June 15, 1918. He graduated from 2003. Al moved back to Storrs, where passed away peacefully at his home The students laughed so uncontrollably, the Boston Public Latin School in 1935 his friends greatly enjoyed having in Sarasota, FL, on January 7, 2015, Scott had to end the class early. While and from Harvard University in 1939 dinners with him. Al was always in surrounded by family and close friends. Scott was not exactly known for his pa- with high honors. At Harvard Al took great physical shape. As a teenager Scott was known for his path-breaking tience when dealing with bureaucrats courses from Pitrim Sorokin, Talcott in Boston he was adept at the art of work in quantitative methodology and or bureaucratic requirements, he had Parsons, and Robert Merton. running alongside a truck, hopping statistics, focusing in particular on mod- seemingly endless patience for students els for discrete outcomes and causality. and colleagues who genuinely wanted Despite his outstanding academic on to catch a ride, and jumping off as He worked in a number of substan- to understand statistics. Well, maybe record, Al was denied admission to the truck slowed down anywhere near tive areas including stratification, the not quite endless. He was famous for most graduate programs to which he his destination. In Storrs he enjoyed sociology of work, economic sociology, responding to student requests to ex- applied. One department explained walking many miles and, despite the the life course, the comparative welfare plain a statistical concept in a different they were not allowed to admit Jews. distress of friends and family, kept state and recently, the sociology of law. way with “the only other way I can say However, just as Al was preparing for a hitchhiking into his 90s. it is louder.” career in journalism, he was accepted Amazingly, Al assisted in an FBI in- After completing a PhD at Pennsylva- by Indiana University. The sociology vestigation. The FBI informed Al that a nia State University under the tutelage Scott was a mentor to a number of chair was Edwin H. Sutherland, whom financial planner he was working with of Clifford Clogg, Scott began his career successful graduate students from Iowa, Al described as another powerful was suspected of stealing from him at the University of Iowa in 1989. In Minnesota, and Arizona. Two of his early influence on his intellectual develop- and others. Al consented to having 2000 he moved with Robin Stryker to graduate students, Teri Fritsma and Me- ment. Al received his MA in 1942 and his Storrs condominium bugged and the University of Minnesota and then to lissa Bonstead, once gave Scott a tissue worked for nine months at the Indiana the FBI gathered important evidence the University of Arizona in 2008. Early box labeled “Graduate Student Tool Kit,” Boys School, a state institution for that, with Al’s testimony, led to the in his career, Scott developed a fruitful with a series of detailed instructions of juvenile delinquents. perpetrator’s conviction. Ever the collaboration with Clogg on statistical when to bring out the tissues and what models for categorical data and their to say to graduate students who cried Al then served as a lieutenant in criminologist, Al wanted to interview the incarcerated con man. applications to sociological questions. in his office, including “It will be okay; the Army until June 1946, including He quickly developed a reputation as Anyone who met Al soon realized there are many things you can do with one year in the Philippines, where he one of the leading experts on categori- he had a tremendous love of life, your life.” Scott taught his students not met and “instantly” fell in love with cal models, developing and maintaining enormous compassion, and an incred- only sociology and statistics, but also his future wife, Natividad Barrameda one of the early computer programs for ible wit and sense of humor. He kept the importance of maintaining a sense Manguerra (Nati), who worked at the such analyses, teaching short courses everybody laughing at his jokes even of humor in difficult times. Army’s Office of Information and Edu- at the ASA meetings and publishing while lying in a hospital bed. He loved Scott fell ill with esophageal cancer cation. Al returned to Harvard spend- methodological papers on log-linear to take pictures of flowers on his in 2011 and was presented with a grim ing one year in residence before leav- models, models for adjustment of rates, ing ABD to teach at Indiana University walks and enjoyed crafting all sorts of prognosis. Ever the statistician, he and models for labor force outcomes. pointed out that someone had to be in 1947. Nati joined Al in 1948 and they household items into pendants and Of particular note was his very popular were married in December. Al com- other works of art. H also wrote many in the tail of the distribution. Scott lost Sage book on maximum likelihood, his his battle with cancer far too early. His pleted his thesis, Juvenile Delinquency amusing poems. Al was enormously endogenous switching model of labor and the Social Structure, and received kind and helpful to everyone he knew. many friends, colleagues, and students markets and his latent class approach as well as his family already miss his wry his PhD in 1951. His most famous work, He was a strong supporter of the to characterizing the life course as role Delinquent Boys: the Culture of the Gang, ACLU and contributed to many chari- sense of humor and his unique blend of configurations and pathways. More re- cynicism and kindness. considered an instant classic explana- ties and to the universities where he cently he worked to combine fuzzy set tion of delinquency and gangs and a studied and taught. qualitative comparative analysis with Bill Bielby, University of Illinois, Chicago major breakthrough in criminological Al is survived by his loving niece causal inference with Stryker. and University of Arizona; Laurie theory, was published in 1955. Al later Gerianne, who took great care of her Edelman, University of California- wrote Deviance and Control, a textbook Scott worked with many collabora- beloved Uncle Al after he could no tors and was valued for his capacity to Berkeley; Ross Matsueda, University of on the sociology of deviance, and longer live independently, and by his Washington; Robin Stryker, University of published many scholarly papers in develop innovative statistical tech- nephews Richard Segal, Philip Segal, niques to capture and test the nuances Arizona journals or as book chapters. and Marc Cohen, his niece Cindy Pe- of theoretical arguments. In recent years Linda Majka terson, and Al and Nati’s niece Therese In 1965, Al moved from Indiana to he worked with Lauren Edelman, Linda 1947-2014 become University Professor of Sociol- Eckel. Krieger, Catherine Albiston, and Virginia Linda Majka, Professor of Sociology ogy at the University of Connecticut, Of all the attributes that we could Mellema to develop a statistical model at the University of Dayton, died on where he taught until retiring in ascribe to Al, that he was a distin- of legal endogeneity theory, which pos- November 17, 2014. She was 67. 1988. Al and Nati’s home in Storrs was guished sociologist and criminolo- its that judges defer to organizational always a warm and welcoming gather- gist as well as a caring individual, forms of compliance with law, and with She earned a BA in economics from ing place for faculty members, gradu- the greatest accolade that we could Rachel Best, Edelman, and Krieger on an the College of William and Mary in ate students, and visiting scholars. bestow upon him was that he was empirical test of intersectionality theory 1969, and a MA and PhD in sociology Al was a Fellow at the Center for a “mentsh” (or “mensch”). This is an in civil rights litigation. He also worked from the University of California-Santa Advanced Study in the Behavioral English loan word borrowed from with Erin Leahey and Sondra Barringer Barbara in 1973 and 1978. Linda joined Sciences at Palo Alto and a Visiting Yiddish and German, which, as noted on complex issues on causal inference University of Dayton (UD) in 1981 with Professor or Visiting Scholar at the in Wikipedia, means a person of “char- and with Stryker and Eric Tranby on the her husband University of Dayton University of California-Berkeley, the acter, dignity, a sense of what is right, comparative welfare state. Sociology Professor Theo Majka, both having previously taught at Portland University of California-Santa Cruz, the responsible.…a high compliment, Scott was an amazing teacher with State University. John Jay College of Criminal Justice, expressing the rarity and value of that an uncanny ability to explain complex Arizona State University, the Institute individual’s qualities.” Surely, this is a statistical concepts not just through In her more than 30 year career at UD, of Criminology (Cambridge, England), term that Al would have recognized mathematical formulas, but also Linda authored three books and more Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland), the and one that we lovingly offer as a through intuitive analogies for those than 20 scholarly contributions on University of Haifa, the University of posthumous tribute. who were not so mathematically human rights, economic policies, farm the Philippines, and Kansai University. We all love you and miss you, Al. labor movements, and immigration.
14 footnotes • February 2015 footnotes.asanet.org American Sociological Association announcements
Her most recent book, Children’s Human ter Alison, son David, and grandson “to what extent do cinematic images Social Problems, the official journal Rights (2005), was co-edited with UD Noah. Liz also leaves behind a small reflect persistent or time-bound ageist of the Society for the Study of Social professor Mark Ensalaco. Linda played army of colleagues for whom she was a and gender stereotypes?” as she sought Problems (SSSP) and as co-Editor, an active role in various programs at cherished friend. to identify the messages the celluloid from 2001-2005 (with Robert Per- the University of Dayton, especially It was a pleasure to be her friend and American dream created of older rucci), of Contemporary Sociology. In Human Rights Studies and Women and colleague. Liz was a person of impres- women. 2008, she was named Professor of Gender Studies, serving as director of sive intellect, sharp insight, warmth, and Liz’s research also covered other —use Sociology and appointed Associate the Women’s Studies Program from a great sense of humor. She was always of long-term care among members Dean for Interdisciplinary Studies and 1995-99. a careful listener, problem solver, and a of the Framingham cohort; decision Engagement for the College of Liberal With her spouse, Linda received the woman full of creative ideas. making to live in elder housing; views Arts. In 2009-2010, she served as College of Arts & Sciences 2011-12 Since 2009 Liz was a Resident Scholar of clergy concerning the needs of older Interim Head, for the Department of Award for Outstanding Service. Both at the Women’s Studies Research Center, parishioners; and sexuality in later life. Sociology, stepping back temporarily have engaged in extensive service to Brandeis University. From 1985 to 2005 She will be missed by all who were from the dean’s office in a moment of the University and the broader Dayton she served as the Director of the Boston fortunate to know her. departmental need. Then, after years community, particularly around issues University Gerontology Center where of noteworthy scholarship and invalu- Peter Stein, University of North Carolina- involving immigration and social justice. she developed a multidisciplinary able national service, she was elected Chapel Hill Institute on Aging For example, they were involved in the pre- and postdoctoral training program President (2009-2010) of the Society creation of the city’s Welcome Dayton: funded by the National Institute on JoAnn L. Miller for the SSSP. Most recently, she Immigrant-Friendly City initiative and Ageing and an annual summer institute 1949 –2014 became head of the newly created have engaged in activities that facilitate School for Interdisciplinary Studies at on gerontology. For 15 years Liz was On Christmas Day 2014 JoAnn Miller, the initiative’s goals, such researching also a Psychotherapist and family coun- Purdue, in April 2014. challenges immigrants and refugees age 65, lost her battle against primary Her published works includes six selor with a focus on life transitions. peritoneal cancer. She joined the experience in becoming better inte- Liz had received her BA from Bryn books. These include two edited grated into their new communities and Department of Sociology at Purdue collections (1984 and 1986) for Re- Mawr College and her PhD in sociology University in 1984, after receiving her organizing three local conference on from Yale University. She taught at Bos- search in Social Problems and Public immigration. PhD in sociology from the University Policy (volumes III and IV), two books ton University, Northeastern University, of Massachusetts-Amherst. Earlier, Linda had a reputation for being a SUNY-Albany, Wellesley College, and (1991 and 2007) on child abuse and she had earned an Associate of Arts family violence (with Dean Knud- dedicated teacher and mentor, both was a visiting scholar in gerontology degree from the Merrimack Val- to students and other faculty. A recent at the University of Auckland. She was sen), and two books (2009 and 2011) ley Branch of the University of New on “Problem Solving Courts” (with UD graduate wrote, “Getting to know a fellow of the Gerontological Society Hampshire in 1976, a bachelor of arts and work with Dr. Linda was one of of America (GSA), the Association the honorable D.C. Johnson). This degree from Keene College in New last project epitomizes her effort to the greatest blessings of my under- for Gerontology in Higher Education Hampshire in 1978, and a master’s graduate experience. Her class on the (AGHE) and a clinical member of the bring academics and community from the College of William and Mary leaders together in developing Sociology of Human Rights awakened American Association of Marriage and in Virginia in 1980. a passion in me and has led me to Family Therapy. Liz was the author and better ways to serve the noble goal pursue a research career dedicated From the moment that she arrived in of social justice within the context co-author of 10 books and over 70 West Lafayette as an Assistant Profes- to social justice, thanks entirely to the journal articles. of civil and criminal law. Her scores sincere passion with which Dr. Linda sor of Sociology, Miller has served Pur- of shorter papers include numerous Liz published extensively in the area due and Greater Lafayette, bringing publications coauthored with her taught.” Former department chair of social gerontology including four Sister Laura Leming noted, “I knew together academics and community many students. editions of Growing Old in America leaders to address social problems of Linda’s work on immigration long (with Beth Hess), Aging and Old Age JoAnn was born July 12, 1949, in before I joined the department as a and implement solutions. Her life Manchester, NH, the second of five (with Beth Hess), Social Gerontology embodies scholarship in pursuit of colleague through one of my Marianist Today, Intersections of Aging, and Social children born to John Rogers Langley Sisters who worked with Linda and social justice. and Rita Violet Langley (née Carrier), Gerontology: Issues and Prospects (with As part of her contribution to build- Theo on local migrant communities. Peter Stein). Her book Older Women, both deceased. She is survived by four Linda was a welcoming and supportive ing the Law and Society program in siblings, Donna Lee Leinsing, Debra one of the first in the field to focus on the Department of Sociology at Pur- presence when I became a sociologist, women in later life, received the Book Lou Fuchs, Ruby Margaret Stevens, and her engagement in Women’s Stud- due, she worked with the local pros- and John Richard Langley. She was of the Year Award from the American ecutor’s office, obtaining a substantial ies and in writing for justice helped Journal of Nursing. With Hess and Stein, the loving wife and partner of Scott encourage me to forge my own path as ($121,000) grant from the National Frankenberger, devoted mother to Liz also co-authored five editions of Institute of Justice in 1988. Later she a scholar engaged in local and global Sociology. Jonathan Miller, and his wife, Maura communities.” Mark Ensalaco of UD’s turned to more general community Smale, and was especially devoted Human Rights Studies Program com- Liz was active in various professional development efforts, building on a to their son, her grandson, August mented that “Linda represented what organizations: she was President of the series of relatively small grants to (“Gus”). JoAnn was also a warm step- is best about higher education. She Northeastern Gerontological Society, develop the “Downtown Lafayette mother to Jennifer (Frankenberger) had a fierce devotion to freedom of chair of the Aging and Life Course Divi- Weed and Seed Program” (2007-2008), Segovia and Casey Frankenberger. She inquiry and education. She was com- sion and the Family Division of the So- which brought in over a half million will be sorely missed by her family, mitted to the pursuit of the truth and ciety for the Study of Social Problems, a dollars in funding for a five-year her colleagues, and her many friends she devoted her marvelous talents as a member of the Publications Committee program. At the same time (2007), she locally and nationally. sociologist to the cause of justice.” of GSA, and on the Executive Commit- developed a two-year program study- tee of AGHE. She was also very active A memorial scholarship fund will be Linda is survived by her husband of 44 ing sex offenders returning from state established in the College of Liberal in American Association of University prison ($168,136) and another project years, Theo Majka, with whom she co- Women (AAUW) and served as program Arts in her name. The exact nature of authored Farm Workers, Agribusiness and focused on “Affordable Housing: A the scholarship is still to be deter- chair for the Bedford-Lexington Mas- Tool for a Successful Re-entry Problem the State (1982) and numerous articles. sachusetts Chapter of AAUW. mined, but if you wish to contribute to Solving Court” ($256,485). Even in this fund, contact Lori Sparger in the Leslie Picca, University of Dayton Liz’s media appearances included failing health she managed to secure CLA Development office at lsparger@ Elizabeth Warren Markson CNN, PBS, WHDH, WBZ and Pacific a grant to study rental assistance to prf.org or 765-494-9314. Checks to 1934-2015 Radio (NZ). Her research on women complement the affordable housing the Purdue Foundation can be mailed and film has been featured in various project as another aspect of the “Re- Elizabeth Warren Markson passed to the CLA Development Office, 100 publications. Liz’s long-term interests entry Court.” N. University St., West Lafayette, away on January 1, 2015, at the age of focused on gender, aging, family, and Meanwhile, back at Purdue, Miller 80, after a struggle with cancer. Liz was IN 47907 with “JoAnn Miller” in the film. Her research, including a number rose through the academic ranks, memo line. known for her work in social gerontol- of published papers and book chapters, achieving national and international ogy and especially the experiences of focused on the persistence and change distinction, as Associate Editor, from Richard Hogan and Carolyn Cummings women as they age. She is survived by in culturally constructed cinematic ver- 1994-1996 (with Robert Perrucci), of Perrucci, Purdue University her husband of 50 years, Ralph, daugh- sions of older women’s lives. Liz asked, footnotes • February 2015 15 American Sociological Association NON-PROFIT ORG. 1430 K Street NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20005 U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALBANY, NY PERMIT NO. 364
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