SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS TEACHING SOCIAL PROBLEMS DIVISION SUMMER 2011 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR Greetings from Lancaster County, PA! I suspect that many of you, like me, had a very busy academic year. I also suspect that many of us were stretched more than usual in these interesting economic times. In my case, not only did my class size and advising load increase significantly, I was also additionally assigned administrative duties. All this is by way of offering an apology that I have not been able to get to producing our division newsletter until this late in the year. As we look ahead to the next academic year and beyond, it is imperative that we consistently emphasize the importance of teaching and the importance of preserving higher education. We need to let people know why what we do is important. As colleges and universities begin to cut low-enrolled and “unnecessary” programs, we – as teachers and sociologists – need to be actively involved in these discussions. I’ve learned a lot in my first year as section chair – in particular, the need for a newsletter editor, so let me know if you’d be interested in helping out! I’m also grateful for the support and help I’ve received from many division members – especially the division’s previous chair, Kathe Lowney. Elisha Cuthbert, Daina Harvey and Shirley Jackson worked hard and put together four outstanding sessions for our annual meeting (see pg. 3-5) and Lauren Ross and her committee decided on a winner for the section’s outstanding graduate student paper. In my second year of chair, I’m focusing on finding and implementing ways in which we can better network and share resources – from more consistent editions of the newsletter to creative use of social media. I hope to see many of you in Las Vegas, NV. I am not looking forward to August weather in Las Vegas, but am very much looking forward to the SSSP annual meeting and to connecting with friends and colleagues. Please put our division’s business meeting (see pg. 5) and reception on your calendar (see pg. 7), and please do come up to me and introduce yourself if you see me wandering around. If you cannot make it to Las Vegas, please also feel free to get in touch with me and share your ideas for the section. And of course, we love volunteers! So, don’t be shy, if you have a great idea and would like to contribute to the section, please let me know. See you in Las Vegas! Carrie Lee Smith Millersville University of Pennsylvania Lancaster County, PA TEACHING SOCIAL PROBLEMS SESSIONS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING Friday August 19, 2011 (12:30pm-2:10pm) THEMATIC SESSION Session 19: Integrating Teaching, Research, and Service Room: Tonopah Organizer, Presider & Discussant: Shirley A. Jackson Southern Connecticut State University Description: This panel consists of individuals who have a variety of experiences based on their seasoned or novice status as scholars. The purpose of the panel is to bring together scholars who are able to share their experiences and provide tips on how to integrate teaching, research and service, especially as they relate to the goal of doing ‘service sociology.’ Papers: “Cultivating Justice: Teaching, Research, and Community Engagement Through Urban Gardens,” Monica M. White, Wayne State University “The Challenges and Promise of Public Sociology,” Leslie Hossfeld, University of North Carolina, Wilmington “A Bride is not a Metaphor: An Experiment in Integrating Research into Service Learning,” Charlotte Ryan, University of Massachusetts, Lowell “Sociology Is Action: The Social Justice Intersections of Research, Teaching, and Activism,” Jonathan M. White, Bridgewater State University Friday August 19, 2011 (2:30pm-4:10pm) Session 29: New Directions and Cutting Edge Approaches to Teaching Social Problems Room: Tonopah Organizer & Presider: Daina Cheyenne Harvey Rutgers University Papers: “Clearing a Path for the Sociological Imagination: Why We Must Challenge the Blame Narrative,” Jeffrey K. Dowd, Rutgers University “Teaching Social Problems in the Mission of Promoting the Interdisciplinary Study of TEACHING SOCIAL PROBLEMS SESSIONS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING Complex Society,” Nir Ressissi, Oranim Academic College of Education “Social Problems with a Global Perspective: A Framework for Teaching,” Deenesh Sohoni, College of William and Mary and Misha Petrovic, National University of Singapore “Student Reflections on Race: A Content Analysis of Reflection Papers in a Race and Ethnic Relations Course,” Dana S. Prewitt, Indiana University – Bloomington “Globalization as a Social Problem: Creating International Student Networks for Awareness and Activism,” Rodney D. Coates, Miami University and Bridget M. Costello, King’s College Saturday August 20, 2011 (8:00am-9:40am) THEMATIC SESSION Session 47: Service Learning and Teaching: Experiences, Observations, and Reflections Room: Ely Organizer & Presider: Elisha M. Marr Calvin College Papers: “The Challenges of Community Engaged Research,” Lara J. Foley, University of Tulsa “ ‘How Do You Teach Creativity, Flexibility, and Equality?’: Lessons from a Distance Mentoring Initiative,” Belisa Gonzales, Ithaca College “Creating Innovative Research in the Undergraduate Classroom to Assess the Needs of Undergraduate Student Parents: A Service Learning Approach,” Bonnie Wright, Ferris State University “Service-Learning in a Gender & Sexuality Course,” Lynette Osborne, The George Washington University Sunday August 21, 2011 (10:30am-12:10pm) THEMATIC SESSION Session 111: Service Learning and Teaching: A More Macro-Level Perspective Room: Studio 2 Organizer: Elisha M. Marr, Calvin College TEACHING SOCIAL PROBLEMS SESSIONS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING Presider: Lissa Schwander, Calvin College Papers: “Asset-Based Service Learning Placements: A Tool to Emphasize Social Justice Instead of Charity,” Tamara GJ Leech, IUPUI “Gender & Sexuality Civic Engagement Projects,” Lisa A. Leitz, Hendrix College “Learning from Serving: How Philanthropy Enriches Service Learning for Students,” Clare L. Stacey, Kent State University, J. Zach Schiller, Kent State University-Stark and Meghan A. Novisky, Kent State University “Mapping Service Learning for Sociology: Is There an Urban/Rural Divide?” Jean C. Karlen, Wayne State College and Zoann K. Snyder, Western Michigan University “The Impact of International Service Learning on Student Understanding of Global Social Problems,” Lissa Schwander, Calvin College MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING FRIDAY AUGUST 19, 2011 4:30PM-6:10PM ROOM: LAKE TAHOE * Interested in organizing a session? * Have great ideas for the division? * Want to contribute to the division? * Want to meet other division members? JOIN US AT THE DIVISION BUSINESS MEETING!! MEMBER NEWS, ACTIVITIES AND PUBLICATIONS Corey Dolgon and Chris Brown have published Social Problems: A Service-Learning Approach (Pine Forge Press). Information on the book can be found at: http://www.pineforge.com/booksProdDesc.nav?contribId=528221&prodId=Book226144 Scott R. Harris has published What is Constructionism? Navigating Its Use in Sociology (Lynne Reinner Publications). In addition, Scott is also the recipient of the Midwest Sociological Society’s “Early Career Scholarship Award.” Congratulations, Scott! Social Problems: A Down-to-Earth Approach (Allyn and Bacon) is now in its 10th edition. If you use the book in your courses, author Jim Henslin would love to hear from you! Allison M. Hicks has begun a new position as Assistant Professor (Sociology and Criminal Justice) at Alfred University. Sociologists in Action: Sociology, Social Change, and Social Justice Edited by Kathleen Odell Korgen, Jonathan White, and Shelley K. White, Pine Forge, December 2011 Sociologists in Action: Sociology, Social Change and Social Justice provides 49 vivid examples of how sociologists are using sociological tools to make a positive impact on our society.  Each of the 14 chapters, closely aligned with key topics in sociology courses, is filled with real-life examples written by sociologists describing how they have used sociology to understand and influence the world around them.  Sociologists in Action: Sociology, Social Change, and Social Justice helps to bring the subject matter of sociology to life for students, giving them clear examples of the power and usefulness of sociology in working toward social change and social justice.  These exciting examples of sociologists applying their skills to the greater society will help students to better understand how their sociology studies can be put to good use.   Discussion questions and suggested additional readings and resources at the end of every chapter provide students the opportunity to delve further into the topics covered and carry out full and nuanced discussions, grounded in the “real world” work of public sociologists. Wonderfully suited for a wide variety of courses, such as Social Problems, Principles of Sociology, Public Sociology, Social Inequality, Senior Seminar, and Social Movements, Sociologists in Action: Sociology, Social Change, and Social Justice is an invaluable tool to connect the classroom to the community. You can see the extended Table of Contents and order an examination copy by going to http://www.pineforge.com/textbooksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book234766#tabview=title Debbie Sonu, new faculty in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Hunter College, City University of New York, was awarded the 2010 Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award by the American Educational Research Association, Division B Curriculum Studies. Her work, entitled “…(in)Justice For All?: Brooklyn Youth and the Question of Social Justice” presents youth narratives and performances as they work with and against a social justice- oriented high school nested within neoliberal ideologies and practices. Her more recent work focuses on the immigrant imagination of home and homeland and educational systems designed for incarcerated youth in New York City. Also, check out the new webzine: www.thisweekinsociology.com Moved to a new job? Published an article or a book? Let us know your news! DIVISION- SPONSORED RECEPTION FRIDAY AUGUST 19, 2011 6:30PM-7:30PM ROOM: RENO Come out and mingle with other division members! Connect with old friends and meet new ones! 3 5