Graduate
Sociology Brown Bag Archive
2007
April 5, 2007, 11-12:30 pm, BUR 231. Public Sociology, Or, What is the (political) point of our work?
Please note the change in day, time and room.
Presenters: Drs Ben Carrington, Ari Adut, Gloria Gonzalez-Lopez, Bryan Roberts, and Christine Williams
In this seminar we will discuss the nature of the sociological enterprise as it has come to be understood within contemporary US sociology. Using Michael Burawoy’s provocative 2004 ASA presidential address - which called for a critical, reflexive and public sociology that is aligned with the progressive social movements within civil society and against an overly instrumentalist approach to sociology premised on apolitical disengagement - this seminar provides an opportunity for graduate students to consider the (methodological) nature and (political) purpose of their work within sociology.
This seminar is open to all sociology graduate students. To participate in this seminar it is necessary to complete the following reading: Burawoy, M (2005). 'For public sociology'. American Sociological Review, 70, February, 4-28. Contact Matt Flynn (mbf239@mail.utexas.edu) or Elyshia Aseltine (elyshia5@yahoo.com) to collect the readings and reserve your place.
April 2, 2007. Comparative and historical scholarship as one of the oldest, most varied and distinguished traditions in sociology
Presenters: Dr Ari Adut, Chris Pieper, Daniel Ritter, Umut Bespinar-Ekici, and Rita Stephan
Comparative-historical sociology encompasses a wide variety of theoretical positions, methodological styles, and substantive topics. Come hear Dr Ari Adut, Chris Pieper, Daniel Ritter, Umut Bespinar-Ekici and Rita Stephan discuss how they use comparative and/or historical methods in their research.
2006
March 5, 2007. Has sociology entered its twilight? A graduate student led discussion of sociology’s present and future
In light of current events, Pierre Bourdieu’s call for a "sociology of sociology" seems more relevant than ever. A recent article on the Wall Street Journal editorial page argues that American sociology is in its "twilight." How should aspiring and established sociologists respond to such rhetoric? Is there indeed a "crisis" afflicting our craft? What are the social and historical conditions that have led to this crisis? Agree or disagree with the premise of the Wall Street Journal article, let’s not let its analysis of our discipline be the final word. Come participate in a no-holds barred discussion of the economic, political, and cultural contexts of American sociology. Ample time for discussion will follow short opening statements by co-mediators and graduate students, Matt Bradshaw and Mark Whipple.
Nov 29, 2006. Race and Sport after Empire: Rethinking the politics of sporting multiculturalism after 7/7
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Presenter: Dr Ben Carrington In this short talk Dr Carrington will map some of the changes within racial discourse in Britain over the past two decades. More specifically, he will examine how questions of national identity and multiculturalism have significantly altered since the terrorist attacks on London on July 7th 2005: '7/7'—and how sport has been one of the modalities through which Britain, and more specifically England, has come to terms with its post-Empire world position. Sport continues to act as a signifier that simultaneously includes and excludes Britain's racialized minorities, demonstrating both the success and limits to what some have labeled 'Britain's convivial multiculturalism'. |
Nov 14, 2006. Does Inequality Increase Productivity? Revisiting the Debate Between Functionalism and Conflict Theory
Presenter: Dr Arthur Sakamoto
Dr Sakamoto investigates data on wage inequality from the Current Population Survey combined with data on industrial productivity from the Center for Economic Studies of the US Census Bureau. The research objective is to estimate the net effect of wage inequality on productivity in US manufacturing industries from 1979 to 1996.
Oct 24, 2006. Neoliberal Entanglements: Black-Indigenous Land Rights and Activist Scholarship in Central America
Presenter: Dr Charles Hale (Department of Anthropology)
This lecture explores black and indigenous land rights struggles in Central America, focusing especially on the contradictions produced and deepened by strategies of neoliberal governance. The second part of the lecture reflects critically on recent attempts to understand these problems, through the practice of politically engaged anthropological scholarship. Following Dr Hale’s talk there will be a chance for questions and comments from the audience.
Oct 10, 2006. Research in the Sociology of Economics and Inequality: Selling Inequality, Democratization and Economic Action
Presenter: Mark Whipple, Faculty Discussant: Kelly Raley, Student Discussant: Javier Rojas
The sociology of economics represents one of the key contributions of American sociology in the last few decades. More immediately, 'economics' broadly conceived is an area of study that cuts across many boundaries in our own sociology department. The study of economics offers a chance for dialogue or even collaboration among a diverse group of sociology students and faculty. In this panel, Mark Whipple will summarize and respond to some of the recent programmatic statements in the sociology of economics, and argue that at the center of economic investigation must be a sociological analysis of "capitalist restructuring" - historical shifts in the structural character of capital and capitalism in the final decades of the twentieth century. These structural shifts in the economy occur as new social problems emerge in the areas of development, work, stratification, the state, gender and race, to name just a few.
Whatever your interests, come participate in this paper presentation and discussion of how we already do - and in the future should - use the sociological perspective to analyze economic matters.
Oct 4, 2006. Student Action Committee Meeting
Many have voiced a desire for an actual group or committee of sociology graduate students who would work collectively to make their experience as students in the Sociology Department more positive and more enriching. This will be an informal meeting to discuss the formation of this group. It is important that every student who has an interest in how this group should be formed have the opportunity to be a part of the group's formation.
Sep 26, 2006. Establishing a Research Agenda
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Presentation led by Dr Angel Harris Dr Angel Harris will talk about the importance of establishing a research agenda and give strategies for putting one together. He will also discuss techniques grad students can employ to deal with challenges including: bundling papers and articles with a view toward the dissertation, taking a professional approach to the graduate experience and how to reinforce success and finish what you start. Please bring your lunch and prepare to be inspired by his energizing and practical advice. |
Sep 19, 2006. Back from the Field: Recent Experiences with Overseas Data Collection
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Presentation led by Nicole Angotti Panel includes Todd Harvey, Tricia Ryan and Hirotoshi Yoshioka This panel is designed to address a series of questions about conducting overseas field research. Guest panelists are graduate students who recently returned from the field. They will share their experiences with securing funding, designing and conducting field research, and handling practicalities, challenges and opportunities in the field. The regions represented on the panel include Latin America, Central Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. We invite all those interested in fieldwork to join us, and extend a special welcome to those scholars who employ fieldwork methodology to share some of their own experiences and knowledge with us. |
Mar 8, 2006. Politics, Peace and Conflict in a Globalizing World
Presentation led by Aun Ali, includes Dr Maya Charrad, Dr Lester Kurtz, and Daniel Ritter and Chris Peiper
An interactive panel of faculty and graduate students on Political Sociology, Peace and Conflict, and Globalization and Development-related issues. The panelists will discuss the dynamics and scope of research in these sub-disciplines in the context of their own research experience.
Jan 25 and Feb 1. International Student Panels
Studying in a graduate program requires hard work and effort, but that could be even harder for international students. Using a different language can be one thing, but adjusting to different culture and finding resources can be another thing. And these things may take years to become comfortable with. The goal of this panel is to share our experiences and discuss what we have done, what could have been better, what should be done to be successful in this program. The panel will have two sessions; the first session (Jan 25) will be for surviving in this program and the second session (Feb 1) will be focused on how to develop an academic career as a professional. The panel will consist of faculty members, graduate coordinator and graduate students.
Summary and resources (doc), funding advice by Dr Cindy Buckley (ppt)
Feb 8, 2006. The Study of Religion: Bridging Our Sub-specializations
The purpose of this session is to gather as sociologists who specialize in the study of religion and share our experiences, resources and knowledge about each of our sub-specializations. Within our department alone we have people interested in the associations between religion and family, health, peace/conflict, adolescents, elderly, SES, and community and we are applying these theories to a variety of local and distant cultures. We invite all religion specialists to help tighten our network by discussing some of the obstacles we meet (and overcome) in terms of data collection/analysis, publications, and job searches.
Summary and resources (doc)
2005
Sep 14, 2005. Going on the Job Market: How to Apply, What to Say on Interviews, and Other Important Insights
Many students are gearing up for the job market this fall. A panel of four faculty members will discuss their experiences and give their advice on how to successfully navigate the job market. Ari Adut and Ben Carrington joined our faculty last year and so they clearly know how to land a good job. They will provide advice from the applicant's perspective. In the same year Ari and Ben were hired, Christine Williams served as search committee chair for two successful assistant professor searches. She'll tell you what the search committee is looking for. Every applicant meets with the chair and Deb Umberson will tell us what goes on in that meeting as well as other insights about how interviewing and negotiating an offer works. All students, but especially those going on the job market in the next year or two, should plan on attending.
Sep 21, 2005. Faculty Mentoring/Proseminar: More than Just Brains - What It Takes to Successfully Navigate Graduate School
Matthew Flynn, Javier Rojas, and Sarah Crissey; Kelly Raley
If you made it into the sociology graduate program at the University of Texas you must be smart enough to get a PhD. But getting through graduate school takes more than just brains. It's about learning to become a researcher, about self discovery, about jumping through hoops, and about taking initiative. Three students will lead the discussion about their experiences in graduate school, what they wished someone had told them before they had to learn it the hard way, and how they made (or started to make) the transformation from student to junior colleague. Kelly Raley, the Graduate Advisor, will discuss the process and answer questions from a faculty perspective.
Oct 12, 2005. Quantitative and Qualitative Research
Ben Carrington - qualitative, and Bob Woodberry - quantitative; student panelists - Sara Yeatman, Cati Connell and Stephen Cherry
Quantitative and qualitative researchers are often viewed as opposing camps, and many sociology departments divide along these lines. Each side has critiques of what they think is wrong with the other approach. We will discuss strengths and weaknesses of each approach, which criticisms have merit and which are misunderstandings, and ways scholars can mitigate problems either within their own tradition or by combining quantitative and qualitative research.
Nov 2, 2005. Publishing in the Social Sciences
Although graduate students are increasingly expected to publish their work, for many, the process may seem vague and mysterious. The goal of this panel is to provide a forum for graduate students to discuss various issues concerning publishing in the social sciences. The panel is intended for graduate students who would like to learn (more) about publishing from the perspectives of other graduate students. The panel will consist of graduate students with outstanding publication records.
Nov 9, 2005. Reviewing Manuscripts for Scholarly Journals
Graduate students are publishing and reviewing articles more and more these days. Students may collaborate with professors when publishing, but where do they turn when asked to review manuscripts? The goal of this panel is to provide a forum for professors to talk about their own reviewing process. The panel will consist of three professors: Dr Christopher Ellison, Dr Mark Regnerus and Dr Thomas Pullum.