 |
SOCIATION TODAY |
| The Bulletin of the North Carolina Sociological
Association Volume 28, Number 2 Spring 2002 |
| SOCIATION
TODAY is a publication of the North Carolina Sociological Association. The NCSA is open to
any person engaged in teaching or research in sociology, or in a field of applied
sociology, as well as to any student whose major interest is sociology. Members receive
SOCIATION TODAY and are invited to attend the annual meeting of the association in late
winter or early spring. Dues for one calendar year are $11 (professional) and $3
(student). For more information about the NCSA, please visit its main page.Click here to return to SOCIATION TODAY home page.
Virginia Foxx Recognized for "Contributions" Dr. Virginia Foxx received the 2002 Contributions to Sociology in North Carolina Award. Foxx was recognized for her public service and her work in government and academia. In November 2000, Dr. Virginia Foxx was re-elected by a large margin to a fourth term in the North Carolina Senate to represent the 12th district. In her first three terms, she successfully sponsored several statewide and local bills. She is currently serving on Appropriations Base Budget and as ranking minority member of Information Technology Appropriations as well as on Commerce, Education/Higher Education, Finance, and Children and Human Resources. She also serves on the Administration Procedures Oversight Committee, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, and the Legislative Services Commission. Prior to her election to the Senate in 1994, she served as President and consultant at Mayland Community College from 1987-1994. Dr. Foxx is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received her A.B. degree in English and M.A.C.T. in Sociology. In 1985 she earned her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching/Higher Education at UNC-Greensboro. Dr. Foxx began her career as a secretary and research assistant at UNC-Chapel Hill. She taught at Caldwell Community College, was a sociology instructor at Appalachian State University and held several administrative positions at ASU, including Assistant Dean of the General College. Foxx also served as Deputy Secretary for Management in the N.C. Department of Administration before being selected as President of Mayland. Dr. Foxx has been active in civic and business affairs, serving on many state and national committees. She served on the executive committee of North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry and was elected to three four-year terms on the Watauga County Board of Education. She also served on the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Advisory Panel and was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the National Advisory Council for Women's Educational Programs. Other current or former service on boards includes the Board of Directors of the N.C. Center for Public Research, the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Visitors, National Conference of State Legislatures' Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Child Care and the Foscoe-Grandfather Community Center Board. In 1994, Dr. Foxx received the N.C. Carpathian Award; in 1993, she was awarded the Distinguished Fundraising Award by the YMCA of the USA/South Field and became one of 16 people appointed by Governor Hunt to the N.C. Partnership for Children. In 1990, she received the N.C. Distinguished Women's Award and the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year Award. In 1988, Dr. Foxx was the recipient of the Watauga County League of Women Voters Award for Outstanding Citizenship for Exceptional Public Service. In 1979, she received the Award for Distinguished Service from the ASU Center for Developmental Education. At Mayland Community College, Dr. Foxx implemented several nationally recognized programs including a curriculum evaluation program which has been adopted by major universities. Another major success was that she raised over $1 million in private funds for an on-campus, state-of-the-art child development center built by prison inmates. At ASU she implemented a model orientation/academic advising program which is still in existence. Dr. Foxx is married to Tom Foxx. They own and operate Grandfather Mountain Nursery with their daughter and son-in-law; she also does consulting for nonprofits. Dr. Foxx's hobbies are reading, gardening and being a grandparent to two children. |
"Whither
Sociology?" NCSA President Rick Dixon highlighted the possibilities of technology and suggested new directions for sociological research into the social and interactional impact of that technology. Describing himself as "smitten by microchip technology," Dixon questioned why so few sociologists seem to be investigating how technology is changing interaction, exchange and group formation. "We may lose what is legitimately our turf before we even realize what it is," he told an audience of over ninety people attending the meeting. "People use microtechnology to contact and interact with other people. This is not just an information revolution, it is a relationship revolution." Microtechnology offer new ways for people to relate to each other, Dixon noted, yet few sociological journals are publishing research documenting and investigating these changes. Dixon encouraged the students and sociologists at the meeting to explore the new patterns of interaction and communication now being shaped by microtechnology.
Rick Dixon discusses the impact of microtechnology on social relationships. Publishers Offer Perspectives on New Technology Representatives from four major publishers offered their perspectives on the directions in which technology for pedagogy is heading. Lisa Ciambella (Allyn & Bacon and Longman), Mary Ann Parrott (Thomson, Harcourt, Wadsworth), Warren J. Mays (Prentice Hall), Rob Brown and David Yelton (both with McGraw Hill and Dushkin) shared their views of how microtechnology has shaped the publishing industry. Among the topics they discussed were web-access materials, presentation materials, computerized testing, and on-line courses. They discussed the available internet course formats including Blackboard and Web CT as well as some proprietary ones such as PageOut and Primus. Parrott described publishers as "information deliverers," while both Mays and Brown noted that students stil want books in hand. Ciambella, who is presently pursuing graduate study, added, "Books won't go away because not everybody is comfortable with technology. Students learn differently. It's still about good study habits." She noted that the trends in publishing today are "not about replacing books. It's about delivering information in different formats." Yelton said that publishers can deliver books on line more cheaply than printed book.s. Parrott added that, given a choice, publishers want to sell more of traditional books. Brown noted that there is a definite "digital divide" among professors. There are the gung-ho types who want all the technology publishers can provide. Then there are those who will use technology only if someone makes them. Finally, there are those who say, "Computers scare me."
Panelists in the session "Publishers' Perspectives on Technology" included (from left) Lisa Ciambella, Mary Ann Parrott, Warren J. Mays, Rob Brown, and David Yelton. How to Create a Digital Library Dick Ward and Ron Vetter shared their work on he Natioanl Steme Digital Library (NSDL). UNCW has partnered with Eduprise, Virigina Tech, the College of New Jersey, Georgia State University, and Grand VAlley State University to develop a digital library in the natural sciences. This work has been sponsored by the National Science Foundation through a number of grants. As Ward discussed the process of creating the framework for the NSDL, he offered some suggestions for social scientists who might be interested in applying this approach. The first step is to create a standard taxonomy or way of classifying and organizaing the materials about the discipline. Ward noted that this step may be the most difficult. He also noted the procedures for reviewing data submitted to the NSDL. Various reviews are included: a technical review, a review of content, and an evaluation of the quality of the resources listed.
The Perils and Pitfalls of Graduate School: The Total Institution by Giselle Santiago Teresa Scheid’s presentation titled "The Perils and Pitfalls of Graduate School: The Total Institution," was aimed at dispelling common myths held by aspiring undergraduates as well as informing students of strategies that can help maximize their experiences throughout graduate school. Dr. Scheid emphasized the reality of graduate life as an overwhelming "total new role." One myth she addressed is that there is no one correct package for everyone in a graduate program. Students should feel confident to structure the completion of their degree as they best see fit. The myth of a master’s thesis as being the magnum opus was also addressed. Dr. Scheid clarified this myth saying, "It’s a ticket, it gets you through." In addition, she discussed the myth of place. She advised students to spend time outside of the university connecting their research to the community. The presenter also reviewed several guiding principles that can help eliminate some chaos during the graduate journey. For example, always present yourself as a "wunderkid" when interacting with professors. How graduate students present themselves to faculty is very important. Dr. Scheid also advised students to keep moving forward by focusing on the next objective. This strategy will also help students adhere to a timeline so they finish on time. Of the tribulations experienced with a mentor, Dr. Scheid takes the stance that mentors have a profound impact on your life, but that boundaries should be drawn by students. While mentors provide positive motivation and enlightenment such a person can also "…seal your fate." Dr. Scheid included many examples from her own experiences in graduate school throughout her presentation. The presentation was especially valuable for undergraduates considering a graduate program. Session Explores the "McDonaldization of Sociology" Angela Lewellyn Jones, graham Spann and Johnny Underwood explored the implications of "McDonaldization" (rationalization in Weber's sense) for the teaching and discipline of sociology. They discussed four trends: efficiency, calculability, predictability and control. In a far-ranging discussion, presenters touched on e-learning, distance learning, on-line sites, computerized instruional material, and the "de-humanization of education." "Technology is only a tool," Underwood told the group. He urged instructors not to panic just because they are not using the latest tool. Many instructors still do a fine job of "chalking and talking." New technologies have increased faculty burnout and raised the issue of appropriate work load. Spann and Jones pointed out the hidden costs of McDonaldization. Electronic means of preparing and delivering courses may result in greater prepration time for faculty, loss of face-to-face time with students, and loss of depth of inquiry. While e-learning may reach more students, the use of common istructional materials may lead to the "de-humanization" of eduation. Underwood raised related questions. Does demand mean that this is the baest way to take the course? What about training and faculty development? He also raised issue of advising and assessment: Do students have the tools to be on-line learners? Underwood was especially concerned about techniques for group-building on-line. He pointed out that learning styles must interact with on-line strategies and that there are marketing problems with new technologies.
Johnny Underwood discusses the "McDonaldization of Sociology." 2002 NCSA Membership Application/Renewal Form The North Carolina Sociological Association is open to any person engaged in teaching or research in sociology, or in a field of applied sociology, as well as to any student whose major interest is sociology. Members receive SOCIATION TODAY, the Bulletin of the NCSA, and are invited to attend the annual meeting of the association in the spring. Dues are for one calendar year. Please take a moment to update your information. Be sure to include you most current information.
Name:_________________________________________________ Institutional Affiliation:_______________________________________ Institutional Address:____________________________________________ Office Telephone (including area code):_____________________________ Office FAX: ________________________________________ Office e-mail address: _________________________________ Permanent Home Address:_____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Home phone: _______________________________________ Home FAX: _______________________________________ Home e-mail address: ________________________________ I prefer to have SOCIATION TODAY mailed to me _____Please include me on the listserv. Type of membership: _____student (dues $3 per year) _____professional (dues $11 per year) Voluntary Contribution to the Himes Award Fund: _____$4.00 suggested donation Total amount enclosed: __________ I give the NCSA permission to list the following personal information on its web site: (Check all that apply): _____name _____institution _____e-mail _____phone Please enclose a check for your 2002 dues in the amount indicated above. Make all checks payable to the North Carolina Sociological Association. Mail this form and your check to: Dr. Sue Pauley Questions about membership and dues should be directed to Dr. Pauley. If you have any difficulties concerning the receipt of SOCIATION TODAY (incomplete address, misspelled name, new apartment number, etc.), please contact its editor, Lee Dodson, Rockingham Community College, P.O. Box 38, Wentworth, NC 27375-0038 (336-342-4261, ext. 2155; e-mail: dodsonl@rockinghamcc.edu). |
Contact Information: The editor of SOCIATION TODAY is Lee Dodson, Professor of
Humanities and Social Sciences at Rockingham Community College, P.O. Box 38, Wentworth, NC
27375-0038 The secretary/treasurer of the NCSA is Sue Pauley, Professor of Sociology at Wingate University, Campus Box 5007, Wingate, NC 28174. Questions about membership shoud be directed to Dr. Pauley. Help Your Students Beat the Hiring Freeze!Although there is a hiring freeze on state jobs and many county and city jobs, there is a waiver procedure that can be used to fill some vacancies. The job situation is not as bleak as it might appear to be. Norman Layne of UNC-Pembroke encourages faculty who are assisting graduating seniors and graduate students in their job search to become familiar with job opportunities and waiver procedures in their local area and advocate for filling social sciences/human services vacancies; jobs that remain unfilled too long have a way of disappearing. If you know of any graduating seniors or Masters level graduates who may be interested in a research assistant position in the Charlotte area, have them send their resume to: norman.layne@uncp.edu
Tim Kennery, a student at Wake Forest University, won the Underegraduate Himes Award for his paper on "Conflict, Alienation and the National Basketball Association Lockout of 1998: A Labor Relations Perspective."
New members of the NCSA Executive Council include (from left) Graham Spann of Lees-McRae College, Miles Simpson of NCCU, Jammie Price of UNC-W, and president-elect Beth Davision of ASU. NCSA Business Meeting At the annual business meeting, members of the NCSA approved the minutes and fianacial report prepared by Secretary/Treasurer Sue Pauley. She reported a total attendance at the 2002 meeting of 93 registered members. Kathy Zimmer reported that the NCSA is now incorporated and will apply for nonprofit status. Michelle Cotton noted progress with changes in state job descriptions. She found that sociology is now listed as an appropriate field for listing in a variety of state agencies. Mike Wise and Catherine Harris reported that the NCSA and the Southern Sociological Society will collaboration on a session about state associations at the upcoming SSS meeting. Steve McNamee and Caroline Whitehead discussed the issue of transferring courses from NC community colleges to state universities. they identified five courses which are routinely taught by community colleges (family, social psychology, social diversity, social problems and introductory sociology). McNamee encouraged universities to develop working relations with regional community colleges to insure that these courses transfer smoothly and easily. Rick Dixon and Robert Wortham shared plans for a proposed electronic journal. Shannon Davis invited NCSA membes to atend a symposium at NCSU on "Teaching about Inequality" on May 15. George Conklin urged members to become involved with the UNC Faculty Assembly concerning TLT issues. |
