ESA News of the Day / ESA 10th Conference / Social Relations in Turbulent Times no 3 / Septembre 9th / 2011 ESA News of the Day

Gender question? An interview with Lorena Parini ccb: What are your expectactions for to take into account this sexual cate- Editorial: the workshop ”gender meets sociology”? gory. Studying popular culture lp: It is to promote gender studies ccb: Does this title implicitly mean in turbulent times: an and gender perspectives in sociology. that there is a gender sociology ? And it’s a great opportunity, because lp: Yes, but gender is not a speciality. useless luxury? the book, “Sous les sciences sociales, The gender goes through social cate- le genre” was just been published, and gories. It’s present in all our society some of its editors will be there. It’s and all sociological themes. It took a while, but an interesting book, because it goes ccb: Do you use a gender and socio- it is now taken for back to famous sociological or anthro- logical approach in you research work. granted, in Geneva pologic authors like Durkheim, Mauss, lp: It’s clear that the gender cate- as well as in Europe: and Parsons. It thoroughly analyzes gory is essential in my research work. media are a legiti- their works from a gender perspecti- What you have to keep in mind is that mate ob-ject for so- ve. The question is what can a gender the consideration of gender’s category cial sciences in gene- perspective bring. is recent for many reasons. Before, ral, and for sociology ccb: Then, gender and sociology can being a man or a woman was a natu- in particular. be interconnected. If we look at the ral condition. But, this was a social Nevertheless, a workshop’s title, why “gender meets construction. But, if you want to un- part of these media sociology” and not “sociology meets derstand the social world and social productions is still understudied in a large gender”? are they equivalent? relations, you have to consider it. The number of Academies. Popular culture, or lp: Yes, they can be. When we’re loo- book “Sous les sciences sociales, le media culture (whatever we call it) remains king titles for such events, we don’t genre”, reading again some classic indeed a problematic object for many scho- really take all these aspects into ac- with a gender perspective, shows you lars: insignificant at best, suspect at worst... count. I think we can say that gender what these authors may have meant This is especially true in european French- meets sociology, because previously or forgotten in terms of gender. For speaking nations, but also beyond, with the sociology doesn’t consider gender. instance, in the sociology of work, the notable exception of the English-speaking Nowadays, increasingly, some authors themes labour market or employment field and its Cultural Studies. even think that it is impossible to carry are gendered. Men and women don’t Turbulent time brings us back to the neces- out sociology without a gender pers- do the same work, their identities the- sity of taking popular culture seriously. Again pective. So, the gender category drew re are different. If you don’t notice that, and again, “insignificant” or negligible attention from the beginning, but much you are mislead and will misunder- objects remember their importance and their more today. The social world is gende- stand the work’s organisation. At the significance to us. Some provocative exam- red, so, without it, you will miss a cer- University, women’s presence decre- ples: is it possible to measure the evolution tain level of social relations, social struc- ases greatly as you ascend in the hie- of the of politicians’ status in Western so- tures. We could say that whatever the rarchy. So, this gender factor structu- cieties without studying the sordid Strauss- title we choose, sociology has to meet res the power relations. Kahn affair in a comparative way? gender. How can we understand the com-memo- ccb: Gender, is it then an explanatory rations of 9.11. and the decline of USA’s lea- category ? dership without taking into consideration the lp: It can be. But at the very root, the multiplication of emotional life stories and world is gendered. Consequently, we fictions about it? cannot only consider the individual as On the same subject, is it possible to deco- such. We have to think that individuals de the coverage of Ben Laden’s death without are gendered, that they all also be- comparing it to the narrative structures of long to a social class or ethnic group. videogames? However, being a man or a woman It appears that social relations could (and was considered as natural for a long should?) be studied also through the way time. It was impossible to question contemporary societies are storytelling that fact. From the moment the male through the media... and female categories were decon- Annik Dubied structed, we noticed that belonging Professor in sociology and communication to a sexual category generates some University of Geneva social effects. That’s why sociology has Lorena Parini, photo: UniGe

/ 1 ESA News of the Day / ESA 10th Conference / Social Relations in Turbulent Times no 3 / Septembre 9th / 2011 Congress Evening and Party The congress party will be a theatre and musical event with the participation of Sandra Amodio / Carré Rouge Cie and “Norient meets Motherland”. Food and drinks can be bought during the evening

sc Two events will mark the Con- living modern authors. Sensible to Amodio equally pursues her work as gress Partyu this Friday evening. San- painting and sculpture, these shows a theater teaching in Geneva. A first- dra Amodio and Sébastien Grosset / are conceived like moving portraits, ever performance in English of this Carré Rouge Cie presents “Jennifer which juxtapose physical action, theatre piece. Or The Rotation Of Navigating Per- music, video, light and text. Sandra sonnel”. Clichés on the woman- object, the phantasmal woman, the model woman, or the prostitute of Amsterdam, these Jennifers are not only a social and feminist critique : absorbed in their strange voyage, cut off from what’s real and from time itself, they evolve in an imaginary and poetic space. With the “Red Square Company” that she created in 1998 at Geneva, Sandra Amodio chooses to translate for the stage Jennifer Or The Rotation Of Navigating Personnel, Hélène Göhring, 2010

At / 9 pm and antil 1 am / the real Norient and the Motherland Sound- Funk, Hip Hop, Coupé Decalé, Party starts. system present a party with global Dancehall, Hiplife, Afro-Bass, Arabic Norient meets Motherland. For all sounds out of metropolises in Afri- Pop, Bongo Flava, Afrogrime, Rai, Reg- those who’ve signed-up for the con- ca, South America, Middle East, Euro- gaeton, 3ball, Mombathon, Shangaan, gress party during registration we pe and Asia. The immense diversity Pop Shaabi, “New Wave” Dabké. have invited one of the best acts in of creation in urban centers all over If you haven’t bought your ticket du- Switzerland to give a musical and the world will be musically and vi- ring registration, you can buy it onsite cultural performance that will blow sually highlighted. Genres: Kuduro, for CHF 10.- (including one free drink). your mind. A group of 4 DJs and one Cumbia, Kwaito, Balkan Beats, Baile VJ will present WORLD MUSIC 2.0: World Music 2.0 uses the possibili- ties of the growing digitalized mu- sic market for a more independent and manifold production of music. World Music 2.0 musicians aim to create individual musical identities, apart from self-exoticism, commer- cialization and propaganda. On the one hand these musicians construct confident post-colonial positions, and form (finally and distinctly) a worldwide multi-local avant-garde for the 21st century. On the other hand, these musicians are still cau- ght in the old post-colonial structu- res and dependencies, especially whenever they aim to reach inter- national platforms. This is particu- larly clear in their dialectical treat- ment of violence and war, and their ironic renderings of exotica. Uni Mail transformed in Disco, UniGe, Jacques Erard, 2010

2 / ESA News of the Day / ESA 10th Conference / Social Relations in Turbulent Times no 3 / Septembre 9th / 2011 Rive, Jonction and the old Town We continue today our tour in Geneva’s Neighbourhoods

Rive dle-Age it was a port. There, you will sterie and its Temple also deserve to see a tower which was used for pro- be visited. Besides, today there is a ccb Once upon a time…the Lake Ge- tecting the port and bears traces of market where you can find second- neva extended itself until Rive area. the Protestant Reform. The Place Fu- hand bookers. Something that nowadays seems unimaginable. Indeed, you always see people crossing the streets, get- ting on and off the bus or train. Rive is also famous for its market place: the Halles de Rive. Inside you can buy dairy products, meat, fish and also Italian food. Particulary appreciated among students from the two neighbouring colleges, Cal- vin and Candolle. From here, you can distinguish a long and right street where only public, commercial tran- sports and also bikes can go. This street, Les Rues Basses, is considered as the commercial centre of the city. Crossing Rues Basses do not hesitate to stop at Place Molard. During Mid- Rive, photo: ccb

La Jonction Vieille-Ville (Old Town in Geneva) lc Do you like mysterious atmo- ground depicting Caesar’s arrival in ccb If you keep on going straight, spheres. Forward, march ! Walking the city. Walking down, the Treille Pro- you will arrive at Jonction. Cross the through the small street you will gra- menade offers beautiful views of the bridge and you will feel like in natu- dually discover Geneva’s rich history. city from the towns last remaining re and be able to swim in the Rhône Geneva ’s ancient Old Town is a maze rampart wall. You can finally enjoy fre- river. To understand the signification of sloping cobblestone streets. Du- shness in the Bastions Park, where of the term Jonction, it is necessary ring your visit you have to go to the there is the historical university buil- to go to Pointe de la Jonction. Inde- Cathedral Sain-Pierre. There you can ding, and learn more about protestan- ed, it’s where the two local rivers – walk up the tower and admire beau- tism watching at the Reformation the Arve and the Rhône- one is clea- tiful view over the town. You can vi- Wall (100 m). rer than the other, met, forming fi- sit the Maison Tavel, the oldest hou- nally one river, the Rhône. It is very se in the city. nice to see how their different co- A former Roman marketplace, the lours mix. Bourg-de- Four which faces Geneva’s Close to Jonction area, and for pe- law court is the oldest public squa- rople who want to go out on Friday re in Geneva and remains very a busy Night, the Mad Club could be conve- place. It is indeed the ancien heart nient for you, it is a cool place. It is of the city. The 15th century Hotel De on 25 Rue du Stand. Tonight, this club Ville located serves as the seat of receives the producer and DJ Krush. government in Geneva. Across the The Mad opens at 23h30 and the con- street, you can notice the Old Arse- cert costs 28 francs. nal with a mosaic picture as back- Vieille-Ville, photo: lc

Impressum Editor: Sandro Cattacin (sc), Patricia Naegeli (pn), Morgan Piguet (mp) and Toni Ricciardi (tr) Texts: Corinne Chao Blanco (ccb), Corra Boushel (cb), Lisa Codeluppi (lc) Franziska Meinherz (fm), Erik Verkooyen (ev), We Came in Peace (wcp) Photo: sc, Jiri Benovsky (ip), Jacques Erard

Printed by Repromail, University of Geneva, 2001 La Jonction, photo: ccb

3 / ESA News of the Day / ESA 10th Conference / Social Relations in Turbulent Times no 3 / Septembre 9th / 2011 Why Sociologist? From Grison Maria José, Brazil to Geneva Why did you come to the ESA Conference? fm The Grisons and Geneva are Flash- interviews : It’s the first time, I had never been both popular with foreigners. Ge- to European Sociological Conferen- neva has the reputation to be a ces before. My presentation is about truly international city and an at- biodiversity, social science’s biodi- Raul, Spain versity. tractive working place. The inter- Why did you come to the ESA Conference ? Why did you become a sociologist? national organisations draw in a I try to go to as many European and It’s difficult to answer. I like studying lot of people from the whole wor- International Sociology Association people, social relations and pover- ld. The Grisons are known as a be- events as possible. They are great ty. autiful coulisse for peaceful holi- places to make contacts, support days or as the right place to ski all networks. I worked previously in Pedro, Portugal day and party all night long. Har- Geneva and knew the University and Why did you come to the ESA Conference? dly any people come to the Gri- city were welcoming places. Because my research team is having sons to look for a job, unless they Why did you become a sociologist? a presentation about environment. are deceived by urban society and It was my vocation. I want to know Why did you become a sociologist? more about what happens in so- intend to build up an organic farm. I am not a sociologist, I am an an- People wanting to study have to ciety. By working as academics I thropologist. I am interested in the leave the Grisons, because there think we can contrbute, we can sup- culture of societies. port individuals and society. Are Sociology and Anthropolgy linked? is no university. Scared by the lar- Certainly. And they should be much ge horizon, the unknown people, Malin, Sweden more interconnected. For example, the many possibilities and the fact Why did you come to the ESA Conference? they share some methods and have to be one of a million, the studen- Because I had been to previous ESA common interests in different cul- ts tend to stick together and form Conferences, and a friend dragged tures. Grison communities. me along to this one too! In Geneva, there is no Grison Why did you become a sociologist? Einat, Israel community. It’s too far away and too I heard people talking about empi- Why did you come to the ESA Conference? French. So, when I arrived, I felt very rical data on youth in the 60s, saying It’s the first time that I come. It’s a isolated. The view of the nearby they were not so revolutionnary af- good place to present papers. My Valais with its snowy mountains ter all, and I was surprised. The papers deal with women’s poverty. data challenged the stereotype. So Why did you become a sociologist? comforted me slightly, and very I realised that sociology could be a Wow, I will need more than a few soon I noticed that instead of the democratic voice, tell us about how minutes. Well, sociology gives you homesick and lost fellow grison- people really were and not just a macroperspective. ners there are a lot of homesick and what the media were saying. lost people from Burundi, Russia, Esther, Spain Viet Nam, Madagascar etc. So I joi- Judith, Mexico Why did you become a sociologist? ned forces with them. In the begin- Why did you become a sociologist? As member of CREA, I use to partici- ning, this used to be very exciting, I use to come to ESA Conferences pate in different international Con- because in the Grisons, the few fo- since 2003 or 2004. I don’t remem- gress. Our papers deal with educa- ber well. tion, gender, migration. reign people I knew were Europe- Why did you become a sociologist? Why did you become a sociologist? ans born in Switzerland. In Gene- Sociology offers you theories and I want to contribute to transform the va, it took me half a year to meet methods to make research work. world. Sociology and my membership the first people originally from Ge- Many people consider sociologists as of CREA make it possible. neva. In the Grisons, if you don’t leftists is it possible to be a right-wing Many people consider sociologists as lef- join the village’s activities, life isn’t sociologist? tists is it possible to be a right-wing so- easy. Every little thing gets compli- So , more people should study so- ciologist? cated. You won’t be granted any fa- ciology… No, sociologists have dif- Sociologists can have different posi- vour. Your children will suffer at ferent positions. You can also have tions. You can not generalize. And I school and people won’t greet you reactionary sociologists. think that sociology has to be useful. on the street. Eventually you will leave the village to live elsewhe- re. In Geneva, it’s even easier to Last changes stay on your own than to interact Friday Septembre 9th 2011 with other people. You feel invisi- Room Changes ble, because nobody ever watches RN20: Sessions 5a in Room B112 RN27: Session 4a + 5a in Room B109 you, even if you are naked and pain- RN34: Sessions 4a in Room M6093 RS03: Sessions 4a + 5a in Room M3389 ted green. Geneva is not a melting Session 5a in Room U600 Sessions 4b + 5b in Room M4020 RS19:Session 5a in Room M6093 pot, because there is no melting together. Geneva is much more like Special Session 10 (Wallace) at 11.00 in Room MR380 a Birchermüesli. Even if they are Meet the Author (Favell) at 15.15 in Room MR 290 mixed up, the different ingredien- Party this evening. If you need tickets, you find them at the registration desk! ts don’t stick together. Read the Presidetial adress on the ESA web site. … to be continued

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