Comparative Historical Sociology, ASA

Author: Sahan S. Karatasli

  • 44th Annual Conference on the Political Economy of the World-System (PEWS)

    Deadline Extended to Monday, October 7th
    Call for Papers: “World-Systems Analysis in a Critical Juncture”

    44th Annual Conference on the Political Economy of the World-System (PEWS)
    Department of Sociology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
    The Arrighi Center for Global Studies at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
    April 10-11, 2020

    The 44th Annual Conference on the Political Economy of the World-System takes place during a critical juncture for both the field of world-systems analysis and for the world-system itself. In this time of escalating systemic chaos, we seek papers that utilize a world-systems perspective to analyze the social, political, and economic challenges of the current juncture. To more effectively grapple with these challenges, this conference also aims to reconstruct the foundations of world-systems analysis and to develop useful synergies with other critical perspectives within the social sciences.

    1. Global Crisis and Systemic Chaos. A world-systems perspective can provide unique insights into the multiple system-level problems facing the world today—for example, xenophobic nationalism, militarism, neo-fascism, the refugee crisis, and environmental degradation. We seek papers that use the tools of world-systems analysis to shed light on the current global crisis.
    2. Reconstructing the Lineages of World-Systems Analysis. While some of the foundational contributions of world-systems analysis continue to be well-examined by its practitioners today, others have fallen outside the main corpus of the perspective. We seek papers that evaluate the contemporary relevance of contributions such as Terence K. Hopkins’ methodological essays in World-Systems Analysis: Theory and Methodology; Giovanni Arrighi’s Geometry of Imperialism; Walter Rodney’s How Europe Underdeveloped Africa; Ruy Mauro Marini’s Dialética da Dependência; Samir Amin’s Accumulation on a World Scale; and Janet Abu-Lughod’s Before European Hegemony.
    3. Epistemological Inclusion and Exclusion in World-Systems Analysis. In what ways has world-systems analysis succeeded (or failed) to incorporate major insights from other critical perspectives that share key epistemological premises? How can world-systems analysis develop new synergies with these other critical perspectives? Of particular interest are papers that enter into a dialogue with analyses focusing on race, gender, sexuality, and/or kinship.

    Submissions and Support: Please send paper proposals (less than 500 words) by Monday, October 7, 2019 to [pews-2020@umd.edu<mailto:pews-2020@umd.edu>]. Please include affiliations and contact information for all authors. Conference presenters will be provided lodging and meals during their stay. Papers selected for the conference will be considered for publication in a peer-reviewed edited book.

    Conference organization:
    Patricio Korzeniewicz, Department of Sociology, University of Maryland, College Park
    Beverly Silver, The Arrighi Center for Global Studies, Johns Hopkins University
    Corey Payne, The Arrighi Center for Global Studies, Johns Hopkins University

  • Job Opening at Wisconsin Madison

    The Department of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is conducting several job searches this fall. As we are recruiting both in specialized subfields and also at advanced rank, I fear that these ads may be missed by some of those on the market. If you would kindly distribute our advertisements to your ASA section members and to anyone else that may be interested, I would be very grateful.

    1. We are conducting an open area search at the assistant or associate professor level. The deadline for full consideration is October 15, 2019.https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/en-us/job/502698/assistant-or-associate-professor-of-sociology
    2. In conjunction with the School of Social Work, we are recruiting an assistant professor to lead a research program on the Societal Aspects of Sexual Violence cluster hire position.  The deadline for full consideration is October 1.https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/cw/en-us/job/502049/assistant-professor-societal-aspects-of-sexual-violence-cluster-hire
    3. With the Department of Gender and Women’s studies we are recruiting an assistant professor with a research agenda on the Social Causes and Consequences of Reproductive Health Inequities.  The deadline for full consideration is October 1.https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/en-us/job/502301/professor-causes-consequences-of-reproductive-health-inequities-cluster

  • Opening at UC Riverside

    The Department of Sociology at the University of California, Riverside invites applications for a tenured faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor in Organizations and Institutions. The Organizations and Institutions specialization at UC Riverside examines the development and contemporary structure of organizations and the institutional systems (e.g., economy, polity, law, education, kinship, and religion) in which they are embedded. The organizations component of the specialization focuses on research related to the theoretical traditions in the study of organizations, including but not limited to neo-institutional, ecological, resource dependence, network, and institutional economic approaches. It also focuses on the organizational influences on behavioral and distributional outcomes. The institutional component of the specialization focuses on the historical development of institutions, their inter-relations over time, as well as institutional effects on behavior, organizational structure, and distributional outcomes. Candidates for this position may work in the area of organizations, institutions, or both.

    Competitive candidates will engage in theoretically informed empirical research in Organizations and/or Institutions. The candidate selected for this position will contribute to the teaching mission of the university and be encouraged to establish cooperative research activities with other campus departments and/or professional schools, research centers and colleges. Candidates should demonstrate a strong record of publication and an established record of teaching excellence. Applicants must have a PhD in Sociology and have Organizations and/or Institutions as their primary research interest. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with education and experience. The appointment will be effective July 1, 2020.

    Applicants will be required to submit a cover letter of interest, an updated CV, a research statement, evidence of teaching excellence, two writing samples, a Statement of Past and/or Planned Future Contributions to Advancing Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, and three letters of reference.  Review of applications will begin on November 15, 2019 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications and supporting materials received by November 15, 2019 will receive full consideration.  Applications and materials will be submitted using UCR’s on-line application system located at https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF01184.

    Advancement through the faculty ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 years, each of which includes substantial peer input.

    UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.

    The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

    Department Contact Person: Tanya Nieri, PhD, Search Committee Chair, tanyan@ucr.edu

    ASA Job Bank #15882

  • IPE Subsection of the Sociology of Development

    The International Political Economy (IPE) subsection of the Sociology of Development seeks to bring together scholars who study the intersection of states and markets through a cross-national lens.  IPE scholars recognize the centrality of the political economy for studying international development.  Scholars in this subsection examine a range of issues, including economic growth, income inequality, poverty, health conditions, environmental degradation, institutions, and much more.  IPE emphasizes the significance of economic and political globalization, including the flow of goods, capital, and people, as well as the formation of international organizations and other multilateral institutions that exist in the world economy.  IPE scholars also investigate political economies within individual societies and how they influence race, class, gender, and other forms of stratification.  IPE embraces a wide variety of theoretical and methodological approaches that help advance our understanding of the political economy in a global context.  Ultimately, the subsection aims to facilitate the formation of scholarly networks comprised of those studying IPE in sociology and related disciplines, including international relations, political science, and economics.

    The IPE subsection operates a mailing list that enables members to have conversations and share information and resources related to IPE, including funding opportunities, job advertisements, calls for papers, conference announcements, teaching materials, and links to scholarly work.  To subscribe to the IPE mailing list (ipesocdev@googlegroups.com), contact Rob Clark (robclark@ou.edu).

    Founding Members

    Rob Clark (University of Oklahoma)

    Jeffrey Kentor (Wayne State University)

    Matthew Mahutga (University of California-Riverside)

  • Immanuel Wallerstein

    Immanuel Wallerstein

    It is with profound sorrow that we at the Fernand Braudel Center for the Study of Economies, Historical Systems, and Civilizations join the family, friends and colleagues of Immanuel Wallerstein, founding Director of the Center, in mourning his passing Saturday last, 31 August 2019.  Immanuel changed the way we see the world; indeed, he changed the world that we see.  He changed the way we understand what we experience and the forms of meaningful action we can take to transform our world into a more egalitarian and substantively rational one.  But we shall miss more than his intellectual leadership and scholarly example; we shall miss the man—his consideration, humor, and generosity.  He practiced his own dictum, “It is encouraged to encourage.”  For all who knew him, it was a supreme privilege.

    Richard E. Lee

    Director                                                      Bartle Professor
    Fernand Braudel Center                   Department of Sociology
    SUNY-Binghamton                               SUNY-Binghamton
    Binghamton, NY                                    Binghamton, NY
    13902-6000                                            13902-6000

  • MEMORIAL FOR ART STINCHCOMBE (1933-2018) AT ASA

    MEMORIAL FOR ART STINCHCOMBE (1933-2018) AT ASA

    Dear Friends,

    We can reflect on Art Stinchcombe’s contributions to our subfield by attending this thoughtful gathering organized by Northwestern. I still remember how enthusiastic he was about the Ottoman Empire when I met with him once – a clear change from the rest of the field… See you there!

    The Northwestern University Department of Sociology invites the colleagues, students, and friends of Art Stinchcombe, and all those influenced by his work—as well as the colleagues, students, and friends of his wife, Carol Heimer—to join us as we remember Art and pay tribute to the accomplishments of one of the leading sociologists of his day.

    (Art’s obituary appeared in ASA Foonotes, Volume 46, no.4,  http://www.asanet.org/sites/default/files/attach/footnotes/footnotes_sept-oct-18_0.pdf.)

    Saturday, August 10, 7:30 pm, in the Gramercy Room at the Sheraton-New York.

  • JOB OPENING: THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO

    About The American University in Cairo:

    Founded in 1919, AUC moved to a new 270-acre state-of-the-art campus in New Cairo in 2008. The University also operates in its historic downtown facilities, offering cultural events, graduate classes, and continuing education. Student housing is available in New Cairo. Among the premier universities in the region, AUC is Middle States accredited; its Engineering programs are accredited by ABET, its Chemistry program is accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry, and the School of Business is accredited by AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. The AUC Libraries contain the largest English-language research collection in the region and are an active and integral part of the University’s pursuit of excellence in all academic and scholarly programs.  AUC is an English-medium institution; eighty-five percent of the students are Egyptian and the rest include students from nearly ninety countries, principally from the Middle East, Africa and North America. Faculty salary and rank are based on qualifications and professional experience. According to AUC policies and procedures, all faculty are entitled to generous benefits.

    Job Description:

    The Department of Sociology, Egyptology and Anthropology (SEA) at the American University in Cairo (AUC) is seeking to recruit for a four-year position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of sociology beginning in the fall 2020.  The teaching load is three courses per semester. Candidates with any area of expertise in the global south are encouraged to apply.

    Requirements:

    A PhD in sociology or a related discipline with the ability to teach and publish within the discipline of sociology. Commitment to teaching and engagement of students, as well as service to the university, particularly the sociology program and the department, are necessary, as well as an active research agenda.

    Additional Information:

    Priority will be given to applications that are submitted by November 1, 2019. There may be possibilities for informational interviews during the Middle East Studies Association (MESA) meeting in New Orleans, LA USA between November 14-17. If interested in finding out more about possible informational interviews at MESA, please contact the SEA Department at sea@aucegypt.edu. Formal interviews will be held in early December.

    Application Instructions:

    All applicants must submit the following documents via the online system:

    (a) an updated CV; (b) a letter of interest detailing research and teaching experience; (c) a completed AUC Personnel Information Form (PIF); (d) names and contact information for at least three references familiar with the candidate’s academic professional background; (e) one page statement on teaching goals and philosophy, including courses that the candidate would like to teach/develop; (f) one page statement on the candidate’s research agenda and (g) a writing sample or publication. Letters of reference may be sent directly by the referees to sea@aucegypt.edu.  Inquiries can be submitted through the on-line application system or by e-mail at sea@aucegypt.edu.

    URL: www.aucegypt.edu/about/jobs/faculty-vacancies

    Faculty Vacancies | The American University in Cairo

    All persons seriously considered for appointment are interviewed by a senior university representative, normally a dean, departmental chair and/or members of the search committee either in person or by video-conference. However, decisions on faculty appointments are made in Cairo after careful review of the candidate’s qualifications and references with respect to the needs of the university.

    www.aucegypt.edu

  • JOB OPENING: BOSTON COLLEGE

    The Department of Sociology at Boston College invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position to begin in Fall 2020. A successful candidate is one whose research and teaching are relevant to the consideration of social problems, with priority given to the following substantive areas: crime and deviance, environment, health, poverty, race, and urban. The department offers both graduate (Ph.D. and M.A.) and undergraduate programs of study. A Sociology Ph.D. (or near completion) is required. Preference will be given to entry-level applicants, but excellent candidates at the advanced assistant professor level will also be considered.

    Applicants should apply at https://apply.interfolio.com/65204. Required documents include a cover letter describing relevant research and plans; a current CV; two pieces of recent scholarship; a teaching statement; and a list of three references who will provide letters of recommendation for applicants that are shortlisted. The screening committee will begin reviewing applications on September 16, 2019, and will continue to review them until the position is filled.

    Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university that strives to integrate research excellence with a foundational commitment to formative liberal arts education. We encourage applications from candidates who are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. Boston College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected category including disability and protected veteran status. To learn more about how BC supports diversity and inclusion throughout the university, please visit the Office for Institutional Diversity at http://www.bc.edu/offices/diversity.

  • NEW BOOKS: Holocaust and Human Rights Education

    NEW BOOKS: Holocaust and Human Rights Education

    Holocaust and Human Rights Education: Good Choices and Sociological Perspectives. 

    By Michael Polgar , Penn State University, USA

    Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited.  ISBN: 9781787544994

    https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/detail/Holocaust-and-Human-Rights-Education/?k=9781787544994

     This book explores the way in which we teach and learn about the Holocaust. The author, whose father, aunt, and grandparents survived the Holocaust, demonstrates how we can dignify memories of the Holocaust with three ‘Rs:’ respect, remembrance, and (recognition of) resilience in survivors.  The text shows how careful discussion and appropriate representations can link the Holocaust to human rights and international law. It also highlights that understanding the Holocaust serves as a catalyst for the expansion of human rights and for genocide prevention. Throughout, Polgar applies sociological concepts that can help all of us to understand how the Holocaust has become both a particular concern for Jewish and European groups and also a basis for laws and practices that support universal human rights. Advocating for the inclusion of the Holocaust in multicultural education, this text will inform and inspire students, researchers, and educators.

  • Gift Membership Drive

    31 July is the deadline. There are literally three days left so go for it! Please enroll as many of your students as your budget can afford!

    ASA members can gift an ASA membership for students or section memberships for any membership type at https://asa.enoah.com (Login required).

    To purchase a gift ASA membership for students, once logged into the member portal, please click “Purchase a gift membership for a student” under the Contribute/Give heading. Students can be searched by name through the online member database. A new contact record can be created by the member if the student is not found in the database.

    Your gift will be redeemable by the recipient for a ASA student membership (or a $51 discount on another membership type). Your gift recipient will receive their gift credit via email immediately after your purchase. Gift memberships are not refundable if unredeemed by the end of the 2019 membership year, September 30, 2019. Gift memberships are not tax deductible.

    The deadline for a 2019 gift ASA membership for students is July 31, 2019.

    To purchase a gift section membership
    Once logged into the member portal, please click “Purchase a gift section membership” under the Contribute/Give heading.

    Select the section and search for your recipient by name. Section membership requires 2019 ASA membership. Only 2019 ASA members who do not already have a membership in that section are eligible to receive a gift. Your recipient will receive an e-mail immediately after your payment notifying them of the section gift. (Your name will be included in this message). If the recipient declines the gift within 30 days of receipt, you will receive a refund by mail. Gifts are not tax deductible.

    The deadline for a 2019 gift section membership additions is July 31, 2019.