Think Ahead to 2010!
Session Proposals Are Invited for the 105th Annual Meeting Program!
The substantive program for the 2010 Annual Meeting is now taking shape under the leadership of President-elect Evelyn Nakano Glenn and the 2010 Program Committee. The theme of "Toward a Sociology of Citizenship" invites participation across the discipline and provides many opportunities to bring together a variety of sociological work in diverse formats.
The spectrum of sessions on the Annual Meeting program reflects the ASA’s commitment to facilitate intellectual communication and the transmission of knowledge, information, and skills relevant to the field of sociology and aligned social sciences.
Members are encouraged to submit session proposals now for the components of the program where participation is by invitation only. Those who wish to volunteer to serve as organizers for Regular Session topics, which are open to paper submissions, should watch for an announcement in mid-December 2008. Proposals of invited panels are solicited for the following components:
Thematic Sessions are specially designed and planned by the Program Committee to further examine the meeting theme. These sessions are broad in scope and endeavor to make the theme of the meeting come alive.
Special Sessions focus on new areas of sociological work or other timely topics which may or may not relate to the theme. They generally address sociological issues, whether in research or its application, of importance to the discipline or of interest beyond, and participation is by invitation. Proposals for sessions co-sponsored with sister sociological associations are usually accommodated under this component.
Regional Spotlight Sessions provide opportunities to look at issues pertinent to the host site for the Annual Meeting. With Atlanta as the site of the 2010 Annual Meeting, there are many opportunities to develop interesting session topics with invited panelists, as well as ideas for local tours and site visits.
Author Meets Critic Sessions are designed to bring authors of recent books deemed to be important contributions to the discipline together with discussants chosen to provide different viewpoints. Books published during 2007-2009 are eligible for nomination. Only ASA members may submit nominations; self-nominations are not acceptable.
Workshops provide the opportunity to learn about developments in research, theory, teaching, and practice. Topics focus on careers and professional growth, academic department strategies, research skills and major datasets, teaching challenges, publishing advice and tips, grant opportunities and grant writing skills, enhanced teaching of standard courses, ethical issues, and more. If you have tried a pedagogical approach that has been effective, developed insightful career advice, or have wisdom to share about using sociology in applied and research settings, please volunteer to organize and lead a workshop. Workshops are open to all attendees; no fees are involved.
Didactic Seminars are designed to keep sociologists abreast of recent scholarly trends and developments. These intensive sessions are led by expert instructors who are considered to be at the forefront of a given field. Seminar instructors are urged to prepare reading lists, teaching materials (e.g., handouts, etc.), and to use the same sort of techniques they would use in advanced graduate seminars. If you have cutting-edge methodological or theoretical knowledge in an important area, or know a colleague who has such expertise, please submit a proposal for a seminar.
The ASA meeting is a program of the members, by the members, for the members. But a meeting of this size and scope requires advance planning. Think ahead for 2010 and propose session topics and organizers now. With the collective input of ASA members, the 2010 Annual Meeting program will achieve a high mark of excellence.
Guidelines for Session Proposals
Proposals for Thematic Sessions, Special Sessions, and Regional Spotlight Sessions should provide:
- Designation of the session type:
- Thematic Session (invited panel closely related to the meeting theme);
- Special Session (invited panel on any topic); or
- Regional Spotlight Session (invited panel on topic pertinent to Atlanta and/or the South);
- Working title for the session;
- Brief description of the substantive focus;
- Rationale for inclusion of the topic on the 2010 program;
- Recommendation(s) for session organizer, including address, telephone, and e-mail information; and
- A list of potential participants.
Author Meets Critics Session proposals must include:
- Name and affiliation of book author(s);
- Complete title of the book;
- Publication date and name of publisher;
- Brief statement about the book’s importance to the discipline of sociology;
- Rationale for inclusion on the 2010 program; and
- Suggestions for critics and session organizer.
Workshop proposals must include:
- Working title for the session;
- Brief description of the focus, goals, and intended audience for the workshop;
- Rationale for inclusion of the topic on the 2010 program;
- Recommendation for workshop organizer/leader, including address, telephone, and e-mail information; and
- A list of potential co-leaders or panelists, if desired.
Seminar proposals must include:
- Working title for the seminar;
- Brief description of the focus and content;
- Rationale for inclusion of the topic on the 2010 program; and
- Recommendation for seminar instructor, including address, telephone, and e-mail information.
Format. All session proposals are limited to two pages in length. Submission of electronic documents via e-mail is preferred.
Organizer Eligibility. All session organizers must be members of ASA. Students are not eligible to serve as sole organizers.
Deadlines. Proposals for Thematic Sessions are due by November 14, 2008. Proposals for other sessions are due by February 5, 2009.
Submission. Send proposals to Kareem Jenkins, American Sociological Association, 1430 K St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005-2529, USA; meetings@asanet.org; fax (202) 638-0882. 
