2025 ANNUAL MEETING
Friday, February 21 - Sunday, February 23
University Center of Greenville
225 S. Pleasantburg Dr.
Greenville, SC
The meeting is co-sponsored by Furman University and USC-Upstate.
Program Chairs: Dr. Alison Mc Letchie & Dr. Geniece Mondé
Conference registration fee covers attendance, the reception on Friday, February 21, lunch on Saturday, February 22, and a continental breakfast on Sunday, February 23.
Conference Theme:
Tomorrow's Sociology, Today: Forging Our Future Together
Higher education is undergoing significant changes. Among these developments are the initial years of the enrollment cliff, raising concerns about the sustainability of specific programs and whole colleges. Additionally, state legislatures and governing boards are taking steps to control classroom content through new laws and funding restrictions, undermining academic freedom. Advancements in artificial intelligence and media technology are also pushing educational methods in largely uncharted territories. The recent pandemic, and subsequent great resignation, has added layers of complexity to the workplace, and the last of the baby boomers is nearing retirement. Amidst these challenges, a much-needed reassessment has sparked new creativity and advocacy, such as the American Sociological Association's Value of Sociology Initiative, paving the way for new directions in higher education. Whether this leads to a long-awaited renaissance, or a decline remains to be seen. We invite you to look into the future and explore these questions and more at the 2025 South Carolina Sociological Association annual meeting.
Deadline for Proposals: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Participants may submit proposals for these categories
Thematic Papers
- Explore the meeting theme pertaining to the future of sociology and the value of sociology in changing times. These papers may be thought pieces broad in scope or research-based studies.
Research Papers
- Focus on any area of sociological work that may or may not relate to the conference theme.
Panel Sessions or Workshops
- May be thematic or address an array of issues sociologists face in the course of their work (e.g. teaching, service, research, applied). Panels or workshops addressing other faculty or student-related concerns (such as career preparation or internships) will also be considered. Individual submissions or entire panel proposals are welcomed.
Poster Sessions
- Highlights the research and creative activity among faculty and graduate students. 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 on the book(s).
Guidelines & Deadline for Submitting Proposals
Email proposals to Dr. Alison Mc Letchie (amcletch@scsu.edu). Please include “SCSA Proposal” in the subject line. Submissions are now being accepted, with preference given to proposals received by Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Please use the following guidelines when submitting proposals:
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), email address(es) and institutional affiliation(s) (if any)]
- Designation of the paper type: Thematic Paper or Research Paper
Panel Session or Workshop
- Working title for the panel session or workshop [15 words or fewer]
- Brief description of the substantive focus [150 words or fewer]
- Session organizer(s) [include full name(s), email address(es) and institutional affiliation(s) (if
- any)]
- A list of potential participants [include full names and institutional affiliations (if any)]
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), email address(es) and institutional affiliation(s) (if any)]
- Academic status: Graduate student or faculty member
Author Meets Critics
- Title and author 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; include full name(s), email address(es) and institutional affiliation(s) (if any)]
- A list of potential discussants for the panel