2021 ANNUAL MEETING

Friday, February 12 - Saturday, February 13, 2021

Hickory Knob State Park and Resort

Convention Center

1591 Resort Dr., McCormick, SC 29835

Theme

"Private Troubles and Public Issues in South Carolina"

Many South Carolinians face personal challenges including family violence, fear and/or distrust of law enforcement, debt, illness, food insecurity, unemployment, social stigma, and numerous other troubles. Since these troubles extend beyond a few people, it seems reasonable to think of them as public issues and not just personal situations. Using a well-recognized framework for understanding that C. Wright Mills presented in The Sociological Imagination (1959), the theme of the South Carolina Sociological Association's (SCSA) annual meeting for 2021 will be connecting personal difficulties to the way in which the broader society functions. Both theoretical and empirical presentations are welcome.

This annual meeting invites participants to submit proposals for the following components of the program:

Thematic Papers explore the meeting theme. These papers are broad in scope with the goal of illustrating the theme of the meeting.

Research Papers focus on new areas of sociological work that may or may not relate to the theme.

Panel Session on “Teaching and Learning During a Pandemic: Personal Circumstances and Institutional Responses.” This session will be devoted to the challenges facing educators and students as colleges and universities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Poster Session highlights the research and creative activity among both faculty and students in graduate programs. Graduate students are encouraged to participate even if they are only in the beginning stages of their studies. Graduate students who present posters will be eligible for first or second place awards.

Author Meets Critic Sessions bring authors of recent books contributing to the discipline of sociology together with discussants to provide different viewpoints.

Guidelines and Deadline for Submitting Proposals

Email proposals to Dr. Russell (Rusty) Ward at scsociology@protonmail.com. Preference will be given to proposals received before December 31, 2020. Please use the following guidelines when submitting proposals:

Thematic Papers or Research Papers

Designation of the paper type: Thematic Paper or Research Paper
Working title for the paper [15 words or fewer]
Brief description of the substantive focus [150 words or fewer]
Author(s) [include full name(s) and institutional affiliation(s)]

Panel Session

Session organizer(s) [include full name(s) and institutional affiliation(s)]
A list of potential participants [include full names and institutional affiliations]

Poster Session

Working title for the poster presentation [15 words or fewer]
Brief description of the substantive focus [150 words or fewer]
Author(s) [include full name(s) and institutional affiliation(s)]
Academic status: Graduate student or Faculty member

Author Meets Critic Sessions

Title of book [include publisher and publication date]
Brief statement about the book’s relevance to the discipline of sociology
Session organizer(s) [The book author(s) organizes the session, although a moderator may be appointed]
A list of potential critics for the panel

Lodging Information and Conference Fee

Lodging is available at Hickory Knob State Park and Resort just a few feet from their Convention Center, outside McCormick, South Carolina. Directions are available if you scroll near the top of their website.

Rooms are available at a special rate of $80.61 per night, including taxes, for Friday 2/12 and Saturday 2/13. Please notify the resort of your participation in the conference when booking reservations to qualify for the special rate (use the guest account # 1200217, or mention that you are with the South Carolina Sociological Association). Rooms must be reserved by Friday, October 16 to qualify for the special rate. Reservations may be made by calling (864) 391-2450. A reception will be held at 6 PM Friday 2/12 in the lodge great room, with the conference sessions to follow on Saturday 2/13. A program will be posted here once it is finalized. Registration includes conference attendance and a one-year membership in SCSA, and costs $50.00.