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Rural Sociology as Public Sociology: Past, Present, Future

Rural sociology has always been a public sociology. From its beginning in the United States, the field has engaged with many kinds of groups and institutions, from farmers and communities to governments and non-governmental organizations. Early rural sociologists in this country were usually situated within colleges of agriculture or the federal government and thus explicitly served public or policy functions. They had an applied mission to work with rural citizens, a mission that soon extended beyond the borders of the U. S. Most of us today became sociologists in order to foment social change and better rural society. Reform is in our bones as well as our history. Let's talk it up!

The theme of the 2008 RSS annual meeting is "Rural Sociology as Public Sociology." Public sociology is about being in dialogue with groups in civil society, including conversation over goals and values. We want to recognize, celebrate, and interrogate the rural-sociological engagement with diverse publics over the years and currently. This theme is a way of focusing on rural sociology's roots and wings - where we've been and where we're heading.

Public sociology has many faces. Addressing non-academic audiences has a long history in rural sociology; we possess a nourishing tradition to drink from. Moreover, the notion of public sociology has recently provoked deep debate in the broader sociological community. We seek to encourage such a discussion within the Rural Sociological Society. What roles has rural sociology played over the decades - as professional science, in government policy, and as social criticism? How do we presently fulfill our public mission? Should rural sociology become more or less public-regarding?

At our 2008 meeting, we hope to feature such issues as:

  • Is good social science compatible with public involvement?
  • How does Extension sociology differ from public sociology?
  • What can we learn from public sociologists in different regions of the world?
  • What can other social scientists contribute to our conversation?
  • What tensions do new professionals face in academic and other job settings while practicing public sociology?
  • Does participatory action research jibe with public sociology, or does it offer a radical alternative?

We shall highlight the history, current practices, and future prospects of Rural Sociology as Public Sociology. Come and join us in the dialogue!

Abstracts for individual papers or posters and proposals for sessions, workshops, roundtables, or panels are due February 1, 2008. You may wish to submit your individual paper for the 2nd Annual RSS Juried Paper Competition.

To submit your abstract or juried paper visit allacademic.com

Jess Gilbert
President
Dept. of Rural Sociology
1450 Linden Dr.
University of Wisconsin--Madison
Madison, WI 53706
Ph.: (608) 262-9530
Fax: (608) 262-6022
Email: gilbert@ssc.wisc.edu

Karen O'Neill
2008 Program Chair
Human Ecology Dept.
55 Dudley Rd.
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Ph.: (732) 932-9153, ext. 316
Fax: (732) 932-6667
Email: rss2008@aesop.rutgers.edu