2018 Conference

Pacific Sociological Association’s 89th Annual Meetings/Conference was held Wednesday, March 28 to Saturday, March 31, 2018 in Long Beach, California, at the Long Beach Hyatt Regency

LB 2018

2018 Final Program

THEME: “Teaching Sociology: Innovations, Changes, and Challenges”

PRESIDENT: Amy J. Orr, Linfield College
VICE PRESIDENT: Wendy Ng, San Jose State University
PROGRAM CHAIR: Amy Leisenring, San Jose State University

ABOUT THE THEME: In addition to advancing “scholarly research on all social processes and areas of social life,” the mission of the Pacific Sociological Association is “to promote high quality teaching of sociological knowledge and to mentor the next generation of sociologists.” Teaching and mentoring are critical components of what many of us do, and both are essential in ensuring the longevity and strength of our discipline. Members of the Pacific Sociological Association understand the crucial role of teaching; therefore, it is not surprising that, when asked to identify their top interest areas within sociology (on the annual PSA survey), “teaching and learning” is regularly listed in the top 5 for faculty members.

While the presentation of scholarly research in our standard topic areas will continue to be a primary component of the 2018 program (of course!), the theme for 2018 is intended to provide an opportunity to delve more broadly and deeply into our roles as teachers, mentors, and even learners. The teaching of sociology will be highlighted throughout the conference, and thematic sessions will address a broad range of issues. These include, but are not limited to, innovations in teaching, numerous micro- and macro-level changes that affect teaching/learning, and the challenges faced as a result of those changes. Multiple perspectives on these issues are critical, so all members, regardless of status (faculty member, student, applied sociologists, …), are strongly encouraged to participate in making the 2018 conference a great success.


A Message from President Amy J. Orr & Program Chair Amy Leisenring

The 89th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Sociological Association is quickly approaching! We look forward to many things in March: seeing old and new faces; a program filled with a wide range of research sessions in the standard topical areas; a great set of undergraduate roundtable and poster sessions; a number of fantastic workshops, plenaries, and invited panels; some tours focused on the Long Beach area… and much more.

Of course, we especially look forward to an incredible range of sessions related to our theme, “Teaching Sociology: Innovations, Changes, and Challenges.” The list below contains just a sampling of sessions on teaching sociology and related topics; please see the final program for many others that are scheduled across a number of different topic areas!

Broad Challenges

Wednesday • 1:45 PM–3:15 PM Teaching and Learning in a Climate of Oppression and Surveillance, Sponsored by the Committee on Civil Rights & Civil Liberties

This session, organized by Desire Anastasia of Metropolitan State University of Denver, features the following presentations submitted through the open call for papers:

  • Panopticon and Data Brokers: Evolution of Control (Ralph Pioquinto, California State University Los Angeles)
  • Responsible Employees Question Title IX System: When Civil Rights Programs Adopt Legal Logics and Blend with Power Interests (Jessica Cabrera, University of California Irvine)
  • Diversity and Inclusion Development at Cal State, East Bay (Duke Austin, California State University East Bay; Deepika Mathur, California State University, East Bay)
  • Perceptions of Women`s Academic Leadership, Challenges and Opportunities for Change at a Predominantly Hispanic Serving Institution (Kara Dellacioppa, California State University Dominguez Hills; Anthony Normore, California State University Dominguez Hills)

Thursday • 12:00 PM–1:30 PM The New Era of Campus Politics: Struggles over Ideology and Identity in Four Battleground States

American university campuses are both the subject of, and home to, political contentiousness not seen since the 1960s. Both now and 50 years ago, students have been key mobilizing agents, staging protests and other events to advocate their political perspectives. Despite the commonalities, the current period is marked by additional forces. First, the Trump presidency has created opportunities for previously illegitimate political actors, such as white nationalists, to use university campuses as beachheads for their movement. Second, as recent polls have shown, student unrest is paired with a growing, overall public mistrust in the mission of higher education, as evidenced by critique on issues ranging from free speech to college debt. Third, large national organizations–thus far, particularly on the right–have underwritten student activism on campus in an unprecedented fashion. Expanding on themes each of us has developed in prior research on conservative activism, in this project, we study student activism across the political spectrum during academic year 2017-2018. Our research design is to focus on public flagship campuses in four battleground states–Arizona, Colorado, Virginia, and North Carolina–with a particular eye to how national organizations, university resources, and student groups intersect in the production of campus politics. In this session, we will present findings from two of our case study campuses.

Session Organizer: Amy J. Orr, Linfield College

Speakers: Amy Binder, UC San Diego; Jeffrey Kidder, Northern Illinois University

Thursday • 1:45 PM–3:15 PM Fighting Fake News with Project Censored: A Workshop for Educators, Students, and Concerned Citizens  

Are you an educator interested in adding media literacy to your courses? Are you a student who wants to study media, propaganda, and censorship? Are you a media consumer concerned about fake news? For over 40 years, Project Censored has been monitoring the state of our free press while exposing corporate media and government censorship and propaganda. The Project produces an annual book (published by Seven Stories Press in New York) that lauds intrepid independent journalists and promotes critical media literacy education. In their latest work, they discuss the importance of press freedoms and public education in a “post-truth” world of so-called alternative facts and fake news. The Project highlights the work of reporters who write about crucial issues for independent/alternative publications year around and remind the public why we need fearless investigative journalists now more than ever. Project Censored continues to critique the increase of Junk Food News and News Abuse (propaganda) in our infotainment culture, and through their college affiliate programs, they strongly promote critical media literacy education as the real antidote to our fake news culture– not big tech algorithms, blacklists, or censorship. Join the conversation in this informative presentation and workshop and learn more about what you can do help fight fake news and support a truly independent and free press both inside the classroom and out in the public sphere.

Session Organizer: Amy J. Orr, Linfield College

Facilitators: Mickey Huff and Andy Lee Roth, Project Censored

Teaching Sociology

Wednesday • 8:00AM–5:00 PM AKD Workshop on Teaching and Learning   

Are you looking for ways to increase student learning without exhausting yourself in the process? Join colleagues interested in teaching pedagogy, practical application, and the scholarship of teaching and learning from a variety of academic settings in a workshop designed to expose the inner workings of course design, student engagement, meaningful learning, and effective assessment. Participants will craft a unique workshop experience from a selection of roundtable discussions best suited to their individual interests and needs. Time will be allocated for networking with colleagues interested in sharing ideas, gaining support, and building collaboration, so participants are encouraged to bring business cards to share.

Register here:  http://www.cvent.com/events/akd-teaching-learning-workshop/event-summary-b8b0440642744a2389bf3ca4f75c4dfa.aspx

2018 AKD at PSA Agenda

Wednesday • 12:00 PM–1:30 PM Research on Teaching: Engaged Educators

Presentations in this session, which was organized by Program Committee member Susan Murray of San Jose State University, were submitted through the open call for papers. They include:

  • Applying Journalism and Sociological Theories on a Contemporary Problem To Facilitate Better Learning (Ralph Pioquinto, California State University Los Angeles)
  • Improving Outcomes: Coordinating Teaching Methods to Course Objectives (Christina Sanchez Volatier, Western New Mexico University)
  • Teaching U.S. Civics to Senior Adults: Social Relations, Solidarity and Collective Strength (Daisy Herrera, California State University Los Angeles)
  • Cultivating Quantitative Literacy in the Introductory Course: Assessing the Effectiveness of Instructional Videos (Dennis Downey, California State University Channel Islands; J. Brooke Ernest, CSU Channel Islands)

Wednesday • 12:00 PM–1:30 PM Rethinking Course Design and Effective Pedagogy

Presentations in this session, which was organized by Program Committee member Susan Murray of San Jose State University, were submitted through the open call for papers. They include:

  • Beyond Traditional Cultural Competencies in Teaching Sociology (Carol Minton-Ryan, California Baptist University)
  • Sociology of Neuroscience and The Emotional Process of Teaching (Corina Diaz, Cerritos College)
  • Designing Effective Experiential Learning Despite Time and Resource Constraints (Akiko Yasuike, California Lutheran University)
  • Faculty Experiences with Creating and Implementing Service Learning Courses (Leslie Abell, California State University Channel Islands)
  • My Journey with Openstax Tutor Beta (Deidre Tyler, Salt Lake Community College)

Wednesday • 3:30 PM–5:00 PM Teaching Ethnography   

Teaching, as Gary Alan Fine reminds us, is like ethnographic fieldwork, in that it is always “dirty work.” As a result, we must ask how does this dirty work get done inside and outside the classroom? In attempting to answer this question, this panel brings together a diverse group of ethnographers to discuss the multiple ways we engage in “teaching ethnography.” Four dominant themes will animate our discussion: teaching ethnography as scholarship in the classroom, teaching ethnography as craft/academic labor, teaching ethnography as a theory and method, and teaching ethnography as public engagement and as profession.

Session Organizer: Black Hawk Hancock, DePaul University

Invited Panelists: Andrew Deener, University of Connecticut; Susan Mannon, University of the Pacific; Daniel Morrison, Vanderbilt University; Melanie Gast, University of Louisville

Thursday • 8:30 AM–10:00 AM Teaching as Social Justice, Social Justice as Teaching  

Presentations in this session, which was organized by Program Committee member Susan Murray of San Jose State University, were submitted through the open call for papers. They include:

  • Teaching Social Welfare Policy through a Comparative Analysis (Nina Michalikova, University of Central Oklahoma)
  • Fighting Food Insecurity With Student Engagement (Amanda Studebaker, California State University Bakersfield)
  • Embodying Ethnographic Data: An Interactive Approach for Teaching Intersectionality (Jeffrey Gardner, Sam Houston State University; Ashleigh McKinzie, Middle Tennessee State University)
  • Understanding “Gobbledygook”: Sociology Students` Information Literacy in an Era of Fake News and Fake Science (Katy Pinto, California State University Dominguez Hills)

Thursday • 10:15 AM–11:45 AM Teaching Introduction to Sociology: Best Practices to Construct the Sociological Imagination, Sponsored by the Committee on Teaching    

The session was organized by Ting Jiang of Metropolitan State University of Denver. It features the following presentations that were submitted through the open call for papers:

  • Sociology Speaks: Sociology as a Multi-disciplinary Tool-kit (Timothy Larkin, Grand Canyon University)
  • Teaching Introduction to Sociology in a First Year Success Classroom (Ting Jiang, Metropolitan State University of Denver)
  • How to Teach Race and Ethnicity Effectively in Classrooms? (Huiying Hill, Weber State University)
  • Using Sociological Images to Develop the Sociological Imagination (Georgiana Bostean, Chapman University; Lisa Leitz, Chapman University)
  • Connecting the “Selfie” to the Sociological Imagination: A Description and Analysis of a Photo Class Activity (Jason Leiker, Utah State University; Julie Gast, Utah State University; Emma Earl, Utah State University; Lindsey Marchant, Utah State University)

Thursday • 12:00 PM–1:30 PM Teaching Race and Ethnic Relations: Challenges and Opportunities, Sponsored by the Committee on Teaching

This session, organized by Elvia Ramirez of California State University Sacramento, includes the following presentations that were submitted through the open call for papers:

  • A DisCrit Analysis of Special Education Teacher Beliefs about the Intersections of Disability and Race (Saili Kulkarni, California State University Dominguez Hills)
  • Are Our Pedagogical Practices Anti-Racist? (Rachael Neal, St. Edward`s University)
  • Making Black Life Matter on an Historically White Campus (Emily Drew, Willamette University)
  • Transracial Adoption in the U.S: What`s the Big Deal?! (Horizon Worden, Northern Arizona University)

Thursday • 12:00 PM–1:30 PM Going Open: A Critical Analysis of the Radical Open Education Revolution  

Open Education is a social movement that has addressed the rising costs of Higher Education by offering free or low cost textbooks to faculty and students.  This workshop will give an overview of the Open Education movement, honestly discuss the strengths and weaknesses that this approach has experienced and make a plan to ensure that this movement maintains academic rigor for our field. 

Session Organizer:  Zendina Mostert, Salt Lake Community College

Panelists: Dan Poole, Salt Lake Community College; Zendina Mostert, Salt Lake Community College; Ramona Pires, San Bernardino Valley College; T.L. Brink, Crafton Hills College

Thursday • 1:45 PM–3:15 PM Best Practices in Building Memorable and Meaningful Learning Experiences in “Introduction to Sociology”, Sponsored by the Committee on Teaching

This session, organized by Jimiliz Valiente-Neighbours of Point Loma Nazarene University, features the following presentations that were submitted through the open call for papers:

  • “Writing as Thinking” in the Introductory Sociology Classroom (Megan Alpine, University of California Santa Cruz)
  • Challenging the “US verse Them” Thinking in an Introduction to Sociology Course (Shanell Sanchez, Southern Oregon University; Nicholas Park)
  • Some Thoughts on Making Introduction to Sociology “Sociological” (Linda Henderson, St. Mary`s University, Calgary)
  • Teaching in the Iron Cage: Innovative Prison Education (Zendina Mostert, Salt Lake Community College)

Thursday • 3:30 PM–5:00 PM Teaching Sociology at Community College: Innovations, Changes, and Challenges I, Sponsored by the Committee on Community Colleges                         

Organized by Jackie Logg of Cabrillo College, this is the first of two sessions that address issues related to teaching sociology at community colleges. The presentations, which were submitted through the open call for papers, include:

  • Teaching Social Problems at a Community College: Incorporating Local Social Problems (Matthew Gougherty, Yakima Valley College)
  • Intersecting Social Problems: Rethinking Course Curriculum (Zendina Mostert, Salt Lake Community College)
  • CBL in Action: Community College Students Engaging in Community Outreach with Local Middle Schools (Heidi Esbensen, Portland State University)
  • How Sociological Theory Teaching Differs Internationally? A Survey on the Practice of Sociological Theory Teaching in Canada, France, and Germany (Elena Raevskikh, CNRS-Centre Norbert Elias; Maxime Jaffré, CNRS-Centre Norbert Elias)

Thursday • 5:15 PM–6:45 PM Teaching During Tough Times: Using Videos in the Classroom    

This session is about how to use media effectively to teach about difficult topics. A variety of film/ video clips will be shown to provide faculty sources for their own classroom use. The subject matter of the media will be discussed along with the various courses and theoretical concepts for which showing them would be appropriate.  All resources will be shared with participants. This session will also focus on how to facilitate discussions about content that is controversial and that may challenge students` perceptions of the world.

Session Organizer:  Marcia Marx, California State University, San Bernardino

Panelists:  Marcia Marx, California State University San Bernardino; Patricia Little, California State University, San Bernardino; Mary Texeira, California State University, San Bernardino, Elsa Valdez, California State University, San Bernardino

Friday • 10:15 AM–11:45 AM Teaching Up:  Teaching about Privilege as a Traditionally Marginalized Person, Sponsored by Committee on Teaching

A diverse panel of sociology faculty including veteran faculty, community college faculty, online and adjunct faculty who identify as being from a variety of groups traditionally marginalized due to race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion discuss their experiences teaching about privilege in their classes.  They will share personal anecdotes as well as techniques and best practices for teaching about privilege, and also allow time for an in-depth discussion and Q&A during the panel session. You are invited to come and share your experiences as we learn from each other.

Session Organizer:  Celeste Atkins, Cochise College

Invited Panelists: Celeste Atkins, Cochise College; Alondo (A.C.) Campbell, Santa Ana College; Elsa Valdez, California State University, San Bernardino; Lata Murti, Brandman University; Jean-Pierre Gatillon, Mt. San Antonio College

Friday • 12:00 PM–1:30 PM GIFTS: Great Ideas for Teaching Sociology, Sponsored by Emeritus and Retired Sociologists Committee 

Presenters will have around 10- 15 minutes to discuss/present an idea or technique or assignment, etc. that has worked for them in the classroom.  Any area or subject in sociology is welcomed. The purpose of the session is to have members of the audience leave with something they can use to improve learning and teaching; that is they will leave with a gift from the presenters.

Session Organizer:  Dean Dorn, California State University Sacramento

Panelists: Todd Migliaccio, California State University Sacramento; Aya Ida, California State University Sacramento; Patricia Morris, California State University Sacramento; Yusuke Tsukada, California State University Sacramento; Dylan Baker, California State University Sacramento; Linda Henderson, St. Mary`s University, Calgary; Dennis Downey, California State University Channel Islands; J. Brooke Ernest, CSU Channel Islands

Friday • 12:00 PM–1:30 PM How Dare You Teach That: The Gendered Classroom, Sponsored by the Committee on the Status of Women

This session, organized by Judy Hennessy of Central Washington University, features the following presentations that were submitted through the open call for papers:

  • Feminist Oceanic Pedagogy: Learning and Teaching Interflow (Penny-Bee Kapilialoha Bovard, University of Hawaii at Manoa)
  • Gendering Environmental Justice: Developing a Structural and Intersectional Analysis and Sense of Collective Agency in the Classroom (Lori Baralt, California State University Long Beach)
  • Impact of School-Based Sex Education on College Students` Rape Myth Acceptance: An Exploratory Analysis (Erika Carpenter, Portland State University)
  • Nobody Asked for It: Teaching about Sexual Assault and Violence in a Criminology Course, Challenges and Opportunities for the Feminist Scholar (Stacy McGoldrick, California State Polytechnic University Pomona; Erika DeJonghe, Cal Poly Pomona)

Friday • 1:45 PM–3:15 PM Engaged Pedagogies I

Presentations in this session, which was organized by Program Committee member Susan Murray of San Jose State University, were submitted through the open call for papers. They include:

  • A Knapsack for Student Engagement: Innovative Student Activities (Santos Torres, California State University Sacramento; Debra Welkley, California State University Sacramento)
  • Active Learning Strategies to Use in Online Classes (Patricia Hoffman, New Mexico State University)
  • The Pedagogical Power of the Post-It Note (Kathryn Hadley, Hanover College)
  • Using Documentary Photography in the Sociology Classroom (Susan Mannon, University of the Pacific)
  • The Sociology Style Assessment: A “Personality” Type Tool that Help Students Recognize the Core Areas of Sociological Theory They Already Resonate With (Daniel Davis, UC San Diego)

Saturday • 10:15 AM–11:45 AM Reflections on Teaching by Emeritus and Retired Faculty, Sponsored by Emeritus and Retired Sociologists Committee

This session dovetails on the theme of the PSA 89th annual meetings: “Teaching Sociology: Innovations, Changes, and Challenges.” Panelists will address pedagogical evolution over time; effective strategies and techniques for teaching sociology; teachable moments; and reflections and hindsight on teaching. The session will conclude with Q and A between panelists, followed by audience Q and A.

Session Organizer:  Anthony Cortese, Southern Methodist University

Invited Panelists: Gary Cretser, Cal Poly Pomona; Glenn Goodwin, University of La Verne; Jean Stockard, University of Oregon; J. Daniel McMillin, California State University, Bakersfield

Saturday • 10:15 AM–11:45 AM Engaged Pedagogies II

Presentations in this session, which was organized by Program Committee member Susan Murray of San Jose State University, were submitted through the open call for papers. They include:

  • Narrative Storytelling in Teaching Sociology (Chelsea Platt, Park University)
  • Teaching through Self-Disclosure (Amanda Brand, Northern Arizona University)
  • What Matters to You? Constructing Understanding and Finding Passion through Student-Created Podcasts: the Value of Digital Storytelling in the Classroom (Risa Garelick, Northern Arizona University)
  • Teaching Student Presentations: New Techniques for Effective Learning (Terri Anderson, University of California Los Angeles)
  • Research into Action: Raising the Racial Literacy of White-Identified Faculty (Susan Murray, San Jose State University)

Saturday • 12:00 PM–1:30 PM Teaching Sociology at Community College: Innovations, Changes, and Challenges II, Sponsored by the Committee on Community Colleges

Organized by Dan Poole of Salt Lake Community College, this is the second of two sessions that address issues related to teaching sociology at community colleges. Presentations, which were submitted through the open call for papers, include:

  • Barnga: Teaching Culture with a Silent Card Game (Dan Poole, Salt Lake Community College)
  • Colored Girls and Controlling Images: Using Multiracial Feminist Theory to Transform Pedagogy (Celeste Atkins, Cochise College)
  • Introducing the “Contingent Labor Conditions Score”: A Tool for Building Equity Among Contingent and Non-Contingent Faculty Across Institutions (Daniel Davis, UC San Diego)
  • Socio-Culture Adjustment of International Students in Ahmedabad City, Gujarat (Jhaver Patel, Gujarat University Ahmedabad India; Subhash Pandar, Gujarat Vidhyapith)

Sociology Programming/Curriculum

Thursday • 8:30 AM–10:00 AM Preparing for a Program Review

This session is a professional workshop lead by members of the American Sociological Association’s Department Resources Group, a part of the Academic and Professional Affairs Program of the ASA. DRG consultants are highly-trained individuals who are familiar with the latest developments in sociology curriculum, national standards and best practices including the 2017 ASA document The Sociology Major in the Changing Landscape of Higher Education: Curriculum, Careers and Online Learning (Pike et. al.). This workshop will help departments prepare for an upcoming program review.

Session Organizer/Facilitator: Jeff Chin, LeMoyne College

Thursday • 10:15 AM–11:45 AM Redesigning the Sociology Curriculum: Principles, Priorities, and Challenges

The Sociology Program at CSU Channel Islands is completing an extensive multi-year process to redesign its curriculum, guided by best practices and principles (primarily from the ASA “liberal learning” documents, but drawing on a range of sources from inside and outside the discipline). We will present a number of key components of our work in an attempt to distill the lessons that we have learned along the way — as well as to identify specific priorities (and how they were reached) and specific challenges (in terms of content, and in terms of buy-in) that have been addressed along the way. We believe that our experiences are timely, given the recent release of the newest ASA Liberal Learning document (LL3) which will encourage programs to update their curricula for the 21st century challenges that our students confront. We will leave plenty of time for Q&A from audience members who may be considering their own curricular revisions.

Session Organizer:  Dennis Downey, California State University Channel Islands

Panelists: Leslie Abell, California State University Channel Islands; Dennis Downey, California State University Channel Islands; Reha Kadakal, California State University Channel Islands; Sunghee Nam, California State University, Channel Islands; Luis Sanchez, California State University Channel Islands; Elizabeth Sowers, California State University Channel Islands; Lindsey Trimble-O’Connor, CSU – Channel Islands

Thursday • 10:15 AM–11:45 AM A Conversation about the Master’s Degree in Sociology   

This workshop will provide an extended and fully participatory conversation about the MA in sociology. Using the classic SWOT analysis frame work, workshop participants will be guided through a discussion of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for MA programs in today`s higher ed context. Particular focus will be given to identifying practical and positive short term, medium term, and long term responses to each element of the analysis.

Session Organizer:  Wendy Ng, San Jose State University

Presenter: Margaret Weigers Vitullo, American Sociological Association

Friday • 1:45 PM–3:15 PM The Sociology Major in the Changing Landscape of Higher Education    

This workshop builds on the American Sociological Association`s work in building undergraduate curriculum and connecting this to changing practices in higher education, including online education as well as career outcomes for the sociology major. We will discuss recommended practices for sustaining high quality and comprehensive sociology programs for undergraduates, best practices in development of curriculum, and how the sociology major is situated within the broader scope of higher education.

Session Organizer:  Wendy Ng, San Jose State University

Presenter: Margaret Weigers Vitullo, American Sociological Association

Saturday • 10:15 AM–11:45 AM Building Pathways for Student Success: Lessons from a Regional Partnership between 2-year and 4-year Institutions

The panel represents the primary partners in a Regional Sociology Council, sponsored through a grant to increase the transfer pipeline from 2-year institutions to the public regional 4-year university, and to increase student success once they have made the transfer. The panel includes faculty from both types of institutions, and will discuss lessons from our ongoing partnership to find specific initiatives that we can undertake to promote student transfer and success — including faculty and student exchanges across institutions, and curricular redesign and alignment. The panel will focus on our particular experiences, but will be designed to inform other potential partnerships between 2-year and 4-year institutions, as a crucial linkage in contemporary higher education.

Session Organizer:  Dennis Downey, California State University Channel Islands

Panelists: Dolores Ortiz, Oxnard College; Juan Pitones, Oxnard College; Lauri Moore, Ventura College; Reha Kadakal, California State University Channel Islands; Dennis Downey, California State University Channel Islands

Publishing Scholarship on Teaching and Learning

Thursday • 3:30 PM–5:00 PM Publishing Scholarship on Teaching and Learning: Teaching Resources and Innovations Library for Sociology (TRAILS) and Teaching Sociology, Sponsored by Committee on Teaching    

Do you want to learn how to contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning within the discipline of sociology? Are you presenting the results of an innovative pedagogical strategy at this year`s meeting? This interactive workshop, led by editorial leaders representing the Teaching Resources and Innovations Library for Sociology (TRAILS) and the journal Teaching Sociology (TS), will provide information on publication outlets for your work. Workshop participants will discuss the differences in submissions to TRAILS and TS, as well as ways that the two resources are creating bridges.  Discussions will illuminate expectations for research articles, research notes, conversation submissions, and book/video reviews in TS, and provide opportunities for attendees to craft a submission outline. The structure and content of TRAILS submissions will be presented. Various assessment strategies will be considered, as well as formulation of measurable learning goals. Strategies of strengthening submissions will be examined.  Additionally, under-examined areas of inquiry will be identified, along with guidance on ways to formulate projects to fit into unexplored domains. This workshop will be especially useful for meeting attendees who are presenting original work on pedagogy and curriculum design at the annual meeting.

Session Organizer:  Elvia Ramirez, California State University Sacramento

Invited Panelists: Stephen Sweet, Ithaca College; Michele Lee Kozimor-King, Elizabethtown College; Margaret Weigers Vitullo, American Sociological Association; Julie Pelton, University of Nebraska, Omaha

Mentoring

Wednesday • 3:30 PM–5:00 PM Student Mentoring and Support: Experiences, Strategies, and Innovations, Sponsored by the Endowment Committee

Organized by Amanda M. Shigihara of SUNY College at Old Westbury, this session features the following presentations submitted through the open call for papers:

  • Starting a URM Mentoring Program for Undergraduate Sociology Majors at a PWI in the Inland Northwest: Experiences of First Generation Latinx Graduate Students (Gina Castillo, Washington State University; Marisa Cervantes, Washington State University)
  • “I`m Not Supposed to Be Here.”: Mentoring First Generation Undergraduate and Graduate Students in the Cal State University System (Mary Robertson, California State University San Marcos)
  • “What is Your Research Question?” Motivating and Guiding Masters Students in an Applied Research Setting (Andrew Prelog, University of Northern Colorado)
  • Mentoring Students To and Through Publication (Amy Wilkins, University of Colorado, Boulder)
  • Cultivating Students` Academic Skills and Career Opportunities with the Sociology/Criminology Club (Amanda M. Shigihara, SUNY College at Old Westbury)

Thursday • 3:30 PM–5:00 PM How Can New Graduates Market Sociology as a Skill Set, Sponsored by Committee on Practice, Applied, and Clinical Sociology      

This invited session, organized by Robert E. Kettlitz of Hastings College, includes the following presentations:

  • Getting a Job with Sociology by taking SALT – Skills, Articulation, Language and Trends (Stephen Steele, Retired)
  • Community-Based Population Health: Sociology Students as Research Consultants (Sophie Nathenson, Oregon Institute of Technology)
  • “Career Readiness: How New Graduates Build A Career Route with Sociology Major” (Jacob Huang, Fresno Pacific University)
  • Translating Sociological Knowledge into Sellable Jobs Skill (Robert E. Kettlitz, Hastings College)

Thursday • 5:15 PM–6:45 PM Alpha Kappa Delta Chapter Representative Meeting     

The session will focus on the great opportunities that are available to AKD chapters and members, and will also provide an occasion to share ideas with, and ask questions of, other chapter representatives in the region (for example, what works? What does not? How do you…?).

Session Organizer: Amy J. Orr, Linfield College

Panelists: Amy J. Orr, Linfield College; Michele Lee Kozimor-King, Elizabethtown College; Jeff Chin, LeMoyne College

Friday • 8:30 AM–10:00 AM Brag Away! Preparing CVs and Resumes for Academia and the Workforce, Sponsored by Student Affairs Committee    

The objective of this workshop is to provide guidance for undergraduate and graduate students seeking to further their academic studies or gain employment. Our focus will be building a vita from the ground up. We will begin by differentiating resumés and vitas, basic formatting, what to include, and how to best highlight strengths without adding padding. We will follow with tailoring CVs to different career and academic goals. Finally, students will have an opportunity to participate in an interactive CV review with faculty members on the panel.

Session Organizer:  Danielle Duckett, California State University Sacramento

Invited Panelists: Danielle Duckett, California State University Sacramento; Meggan Jordan, California State University Stanislaus; Jennifer Whitmer, California State University Stanislaus; Sneha Dutta, California State University Stanislaus

Friday • 10:15 AM–11:45 AM Fostering Future Graduate Students in Community Colleges, Sponsored by the Committee on Community Colleges                   

Organized by Rebecca Romo of Santa Monica College and James McKeever of Los Angeles Pierce College, this session features the following presentations submitted through the open call for papers:

  • Creating an Academic Pipeline from the Community College to Graduate School (Rebecca Romo, Santa Monica College)
  • If You Really Want to Diversify the “Ivory Tower” You Need Community College Students! (James McKeever, Los Angeles Pierce College)
  • Formerly Incarcerated Students in Academia: Examining the Inclusion of Community Colleges Students as a Method of Creating a Culture of Continued Higher Education and Graduate Studies in Formerly Incarcerated Students (Kevin Gonzalez, California State University Los Angeles)
  • Disrupting the Status Quo: Equitizing Education through Pathways for Students (Pamela Williams-Paez, College of the Canyons)

Jobs in Academia

Thursday • 1:45 PM–3:15 PM Teaching as Latinx Faculty in Higher Education

This panel will focus on the experiences of Latinx faculty in the classroom and as professional academics.  The presenters will cover a range of topics that relate to faculty who teach in community colleges and at the university level, including working with a diverse student body, cultural taxation, mentorship, and the demands of contingent labor.

Session Organizer:  Michael Chavez, California State University Long Beach

Invited Panelists: Michael Chavez, California State University Long Beach; Juan Pitones, Oxnard College; Rebecca Romo, Santa Monica College; Shigueru Tsuha, Pierce College; Claudia Lopez, California State University Long Beach; Yanira Fuentes, Riverside City College

Friday • 10:15 AM–11:45 AM Preparing Graduate Students for Teaching Focused Colleges and Universities

The purpose of this session is to help prepare graduate students, many of whom attend R1 programs, for jobs and positions at teaching-oriented schools. This session was sparked by the idea that many graduate students who plan to apply to teaching-oriented schools are not exposed to them, and thus may not fully understand how these smaller schools may differ from R1 schools. Topics of this session may include how to prepare job application materials, the ways in which the work environment differs, the expectations placed on faculty in teaching-oriented schools, and other insights useful for students who are interested in pursuing teaching-oriented schools after graduate school.

Session Organizer:  Eric Allen, Washington State University

Invited Panelists: Jodi O`Brien, Seattle University; Lindsey Trimble-O`Connor, CSU – Channel Islands; John Stover, Santa Rosa Junior College – Petaluma; Marisol Clark-Ibáñez, CSU – San Marcos

Friday • 12:00 PM–1:30 PM Be The Change You Wish To See In The World:  Teaching Careers At The Community College Level, Sponsored by Committee on Community Colleges     

This panel will address the opportunities and rewards (as well as the challenges) presented by teaching at the community college level.  Panelists ranging from beginning to veteran instructors, who represent colleges in several different states, will share their experiences and have an in-depth Q&A regarding community college teaching as an academic career option.

Session Organizer:  Celeste Atkins, Cochise College

Invited Panelists: Celeste Atkins, Cochise College; Alondo (A.C.) Campbell, Santa Ana College; Linda Rillorta, Mt. San Antonio College; David Hyde, South Puget Sound Community College; Elizabeth Bennett, Central New Mexico Community College;

Friday • 1:45 PM–3:15 PM Applying for Jobs in Academia   

Panelists from different types of collegiate institutions discuss the issues and pitfalls of applying for jobs in academia, both in general and specific issues to the type of institution.

Session Organizer:  Todd Migliaccio, California State University Sacramento

Invited Panelists: Aya Ida, California State University Sacramento; Christy Glass, Utah State University; Amy J. Orr, Linfield College; Sally Raskoff, Los Angeles Valley College; Todd Migliaccio, California State University Sacramento

Friday • 3:30 PM–5:00 PM And Now For Something Completely Different:  How to Get a Job at a Community College, Sponsored by Committee on Community Colleges   

Getting a job at a community college is very different from landing employment at a four year institution.  This panel will examine the process of job acquisition at the community college level in four states (California, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona) and provide attendees with a number of hints and tips to assist in the job search and interview processes.

Session Organizer:  Harry Mersmann, San Joaquin Delta College

Invited Panelists: Sharon Yee, Chandler Gilbert Community College; Dan Poole, Salt Lake Community College; Ami Mezahav, Flathead Valley Community College; Elizabeth Bennett, Central New Mexico Community College; Harry Mersmann, San Joaquin Delta College


Receptions and Other Special Events

Wednesday, March 28

6:45-9:00 pm  Welcome Reception–All registrants welcome!

Thursday, March 29

6:45-9:00 pm  Sociological Perspectives Editors, Editorial Board, Special Issues, and More Reception–open to all registrants

Friday, March 30

8:30-10:00 am  PSA Business Meeting–come meet PSA leaders and learn more about PSA`s finances, membership, governance

5:15-6:45 pm  Presidential Address and Awards Ceremony

6:45-8:30 pm   Presidential Reception–open to all registrants!

8:30-10:00 pm  Student Reception–students–come play games, win prizes, eat, meet new friends, enjoy!


PSA Committee-sponsored Sessions

Wednesday, March 28

1:45-3:15 pm Teaching and Learning in a Climate of Oppression and Surveillance, sponsored by the Committee on Civil Rights & Civil Liberties

3:30-5:00 pm  Student Mentoring and Support: Experiences, Strategies, and Innovations, Sponsored by the Committee on Endowment

5:15-6:45 pm  Sociological Stars Distinguished Lecture, Sponsored by the Emeritus and Retired Committee: Routes to Roots: Immigrant Home-Making in the Era of Fortified Borders—Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo

Thursday, March 29

10:15-11:45 am  Teaching Introduction to Sociology: Best Practices to Construct the Sociological Imagination, sponsored by the Committee on Teaching

All My Friends Are Stressed:  Mental Health, Social Support, and Self-Care in Graduate School, Sponsored by Student Affairs Committee

Gendered Resistance to the Socio-political Landscape, Sponsored by the Committee on the Status of Women

Place Matters: Health Equity and Environmental Justice in Long Beach, Sponsored by Committee on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities (Followed by Toxic Tour—see Local Tours section for more information)

12:00-1:30 pm  Teaching Race and Ethnic Relations, sponsored by Committee on Teaching

You Belong Here: Overcoming the Imposter Syndrome, Sponsored by Student Affairs Committee

1:45-3:15 pm  Best Practices in Building Memorable and Meaningful Learning Experiences in “Introduction to Sociology”, sponsored by the Committee on Teaching

Student Scholar Activism in the Wake of Trump, Sponsored by Student Affairs Committee

3:30-5:00 pm  Teaching Sociology at Community College: Innovations, Changes, and Challenges I, sponsored by the Committee on Community Colleges

Publishing Scholarship on Teaching and Learning: Teaching Resources and Innovations Library for Sociology (TRAILS) and Teaching Sociology , Sponsored by Committee on Teaching

How Can New Graduates Market Sociology as a Skill Set, Sponsored by Committee on Practicing, Applied, and Clinical Sociology

5:15-6:45 pm  Baby, You are My Religion: Women, Gay Bars, and Theology Before Stonewall (Gender, Theology and Spirituality) with Author Marie Cartier, Sponsored by the Committee on the Status of LGBTQ Persons

How to Get Your Article Published, sponsored by the Publications Committee

Friday, March 30

8:30-10:15 am  Brag Away! Preparing CVs and Resumes for Academia and the Workforce, Sponsored by Student Affairs Committee, Sponsored by Student Affairs Committee

Immigration and Women, sponsored by the Committee on the Status of Women

10:15-11:45 am  Teaching Up:  Teaching about Privilege as a Traditionally Marginalized Person, Sponsored by Committee on Teaching

Fostering Future Graduate Students in Community College, sponsored by the Committee on Community Colleges

LGBTQ: Life Course, Aging, and Health, sponsored by the Committee on  the Status of LGBTQ Persons

12:00-1:30 pm  Exploring the Experiences of Student Mothers in Higher Education, Sponsored by Committee on the Status of Women

Be The Change You Wish To See In The World:  Teaching Careers At The Community College Level, Sponsored by Committee on Community Colleges

How Dare You Teach That: The Gendered Classroom, sponsored by the Committee on the Status of Women

GIFTS: Great Ideas for Teaching Sociology, Sponsored by Emeritus and Retired Sociologists Committee

1:45-3:15 pm  Racial Disparities in Women`s Health, sponsored by the Committee on Status of Women

3:30-5:00 pm  And Now For Something Completely Different:  How to Get a Job at a Community College, Sponsored by Committee on Community Colleges

Ethnic Studies Programs: Promises and Pitfalls, sponsored by the Committee on Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities

Saturday, March 31

10:15-11:45 am  Reflections on Teaching by Emeritus and Retired Faculty, Sponsored by Emeritus and Retired Sociologists Committee

12:00-1:30 pm  Teaching Sociology at Community College: Innovations, Changes, and Challenges II, sponsored by the Committee on Community Colleges


Author-Meets-Critics Sessions

Thursday, March 29

12:00-1:30 pm  Girls and Juvenile Justice: Power, Status, and the Social Construction of Delinquency/Carla P. Davis

Friday, March 30

12:00-1:30 pm  The Rise and Fall of An Urban Sexual Community: Malate (Dis)placed/Dana Collins


Film Sessions

Thursday, March 29

5:15-6:45 pm  Teaching During Tough Times: Using Videos in the Classroom

Friday, March 30

3:30-5:00 pm  Becoming Johanna (2016)


2018 Program Committee
Program Chair: Amy Leisenring, San Jose State University

Topical Area Name Affiliation
Applied, Clinical, & Public Sociology Darby Southgate Los Angeles Valley College
Asian/Asian American Sociology Vincent Laus CSU Stanislaus
Crime, Law, and Deviance Tanya Nieri UC Riverside
Art, Culture, and Popular Culture Rob Gardner Linfield College
Childhood and Youth Stephanie Anckle Claremont Grad. University
Education—Higher Education Sandra Way N. Mexico State University
Education (other than higher) Joe Johnston Gonzaga University
Environmental Sociology Laura Earles Lewis & Clark State College
Economic Sociology Elizabeth Sowers CSU Channel Islands
Ethnography Black Hawk Hancock DePaul University
Food and Society Black Hawk Hancock DePaul University
Life Course and Aging Deborah Thorne University of Idaho
Gender Marjukka Ollilainen Weber State University
Intimate Relationships, Families, and Reproductive Politics Laury Oaks UC Santa Barbara
Marxist Sociology/Critical Sociology Jake Wilson CSU Long Beach
Media and Communication Matt Rafalow Google
Medical Sociology and Health Amy Leisenring San Jose State
Methods Robert Obrien University of Oregon
Migration/Immigration Daniel Olmos University of Denver
Latinx Sociology Manuel Barajas CSU Sacramento
Labor and Labor Movements Jake Wilson CSU Long Beach
Politics & the State (Political Sociology) Christopher Chase Dunn UC Riverside
Population and Demography Robert Obrien University of Oregon
Peace, War, and the Military Kara Dellacioppa CSU Dominguez Hills
Race/Ethnicity Marcia Marx CSU San Bernardino
Race, Class and Gender Sabrina Alimahomed-Wilson CSU Long Beach
Religion Stacy George Whitworth University
Regional Studies, Transnationalism, Globalization, and Development Shweta Adur CSU Los Angeles
Science and Technology Yu Tao Stevens Inst. of Technology
Sexualities Jodi O’Brien Seattle University
Social Movements and Social Change Kelsy Kretschmer Oregon State University
Social Psychology, Identity, and Emotions Bill Rocque University of Redlands
Social Stratification, Inequality, Poverty Ranita Ray U. of Nevada Las Vegas
Sociology of Islam Sabrina Alimahomed-Wilson CSU Long Beach
Sport and Leisure Michelle Robertson St. Edwards University
Urban and Community Studies Carol Ward Brigham Young University
Theory Jason Wollschleger Whitworth University
Work and Organizations Preston Rudy San Jose State University
Teaching Sociology Susan Murray San Jose State University
Teaching Sociology: Community Colleges Jackie Logg Cabrillo College
Undergraduate Roundtables and Posters Robert Kettlitz Hastings College
Graduate Fair Kristy Shih

Sharon Elise

Central Michigan University

CSU San Marcos

Local Arrangements Gary Hytrek CSU Long Beach
Program Chair Amy Leisenring San Jose State University

Committee-Sponsored Sessions Included in the “Open Call”

Title Format Committee Organizer Name Affiliation
LGBTQ Research Undergraduate Roundtable Status of LGBTQ Persons Don Barrett CSU San Marcos
Research on Girls and Women Undergraduate Roundtable Status of Women Alicia Gonzales CSU San Marcos
Learning in a Climate of Oppression and Surveillance Undergraduate & Graduate Roundtable Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Desire Anastasia Cartwright MSU Denver
GIFTS Great Ideas for Teaching Sociology Formal Papers Emeritus & Retired Dean Dorn CSU Sacramento
Women of Color across the Life Course Formal Papers & Research in Progress Status of Women Alicia Gonzales CSU San Marcos
Racial Disparities in Women’s Health Formal Papers & Research in Progress Status of Women Alicia Bonaparte Pitzer College
Gendered Resistance to the Socio-political Landscape Formal Papers & Research in Progress Status of Women Michelle Robertson St. Edward’s University
How Dare You Teach That: The Gendered Classroom Formal Papers & Research in Progress Status of Women Judy Hennessy Central Washington University
Immigration and Women Formal Papers & Research in Progress Status of Women Richelle Swan CSU San Marcos
Teaching about Disability Formal Papers & Research in Progress Teaching Kristin Haltinner University of Idaho
Teaching Qualitative Research Methods Formal Papers & Research in Progress Teaching Kristin Haltinner University of Idaho
Teaching Race and Ethnic Relations: Challenges and Opportunities Formal Papers Teaching Elvia Ramirez CSU Sacramento
Teaching Latino/a Sociology: Innovations, Changes, and Challenges Formal Papers Teaching Elvia Ramirez CSU Sacramento
Teaching Introduction to Sociology: Best Practices to Construct the Sociological Imagination Formal Papers Teaching Ting Jiang MSU Denver
Sociology and Religion: Learning through a Lens of Faith Formal Papers Teaching Tracey Hoover Central Washington University
Teaching in a Climate of Oppression and Surveillance Formal Papers Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Desire Anastasia Cartwright MSU Denver
Ethnic Studies Programs: Promises and Pitfalls Formal Papers & Research in Progress Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities Nelson Pichardo Central Washington University
Fostering Future Graduate Students in Community Colleges Formal Papers& Research in Progress Community Colleges James McKeever
Rebecca Romo
Pierce College LA
Santa Monica College
Reflections on Community College Teaching and Learning Formal Papers & Research in Progress Community Colleges Steve Nava DeAnza College
Teaching Sociology at Community Colleges (Innovations, Changes, and Challenges) Formal Papers & Research in Progress Community Colleges Jackie Logg Cabrillo College
Active Learning Strategies in Community College Classrooms Formal Papers & Research in Progress Community Colleges Celene Fuller College of the Canyons
Building Community among Full Time and Adjunct Faculty Formal Papers & Research in Progress Community Colleges Jamee Kristen Portland Community College
Student Mentoring and Support: Experiences, Strategies, and Innovations Panel Endowment Amanda Shigihara SUNY College at Old Westbury
Best Practices in Building Memorable and Meaningful Learning Experiences in “Introduction to Sociology” Panel Teaching Jimiliz Valiente-Neighbours Point Loma Nazarene University
Transcending Gender Binary Panel Status of LGBTQ Persons Meredith Conover-Williams Humboldt State University
LGBTQ: Life Course, Aging, and Health Panel Status of LGBTQ Persons Griff Tester Central Washington University
Teaching by LGBTQ Panel Status of LGBTQ Persons Sean Davis Mira Costa College
Research on Teaching LGBTQ Panel Status of LGBTQ Persons Sean Davis Mira Costa College