I also like this direction, and particularly the session title "Technology-Based Utopias?" This is broad enough to leave room for a diverse range of papers, yet allows a focus on questions about the possibilities and challenges of technology in creating utopias. Sara Schoonmaker, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology Department of Sociology and Anthropology University of Redlands Redlands, CA USA 92373 (909) 748-8712 ________________________________________ From: citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org [citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org] On Behalf Of Shelia Cotten [cotten@uab.edu] Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 9:08 AM To: Ron Anderson; citasa@list.citasa.org Subject: Re: [CITASA] Proposals for 2012 Thematic Sessions on Utopian Communities I agree with both Noelle and Ron. I think this would be a great fit with the theme and with moving our discipline forward. Shelia Cotten From: citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org [mailto:citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org] On Behalf Of Ron Anderson Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 11:02 AM To: citasa@list.citasa.org Subject: [CITASA] Proposals for 2012 Thematic Sessions on Utopian Communities I very much support Noelle's suggestion for shifting the focus of proposed, thematic sessions. It seems to me about time to evaluate "the web as good societies?" Sociological thinking about utopias should be applied to the reality and the potential of the web and specific types of web sites. Such analysis or evaluation should encompass topics such as social solidarity, close ties, caring and uncaring actions, cyber-bullying, discrimination, digital gaps, social control, and any other element of ideal societies. An alternate title might be "Contributions of the Web to Ideal Societies." Ron Anderson At 09:06 AM 11/12/2010, Noelle Chesley wrote: Dear Rebecca - I think gaming worlds is too narrow a topic for one of our thematic sessions. I would propose something more inclusive, along the lines of "Technology-Based Utopias?" This could include gaming, but could also include the use of technology in specific social domains (e.g. family life, social movements, employment). The question mark allows for utopian visions, but also for critique of the prospect of technology in the creation of utopia. Like Aneesh, I am involved in activities with a job candidate today, but can try to help more with the development of this session. Best, Noelle Chesley On 11/12/2010 8:06 AM, david.louden@l-3com.com<mailto:david.louden@l-3com.com> wrote: Professor Adams; I like the context of an “achievable utopia” theme. There is much that can be accomplished to develop and operationalize tangible communities through creative practices, critical thinking, problem solving and risk taking by applying a holistic or systemic approach that does not allow for co-opting of the overall vision or sub-optimization by elements at the expense of the whole. I wish you good luck. Regards, David From: citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org<mailto:citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org> [ mailto:citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org] On Behalf Of Rebecca Adams R_ADAMS Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 8:44 AM To: citasa@list.citasa.org<mailto:citasa@list.citasa.org> Subject: [CITASA] Need Suggestions TODAY!: Deadline for Submission of Proposals for 2012 Thematic Sessions on Utopian Communities is TODAY (Virtual Utopias? Gaming in Utopia?) Importance: High I am very sorry for the short notice, but one of the duties of new members of the CITASA Section Council is to propose two thematic sessions for the ASA meetings that take place a year from August (i.e., August 2012), and I just discovered the proposals are due today! A. Aneesh, the other new Section Council member, bears no responsibility for this short notice--he tried to jump start this process over a month ago and I convinced him that my misunderstanding of the calendar was accurate. So that being said, assuming I do not hear to the contrary from Aneesh, my intention is to check my email at the end of the day to see what responses I have received in response to this posting and to do the best I can in pulling together proposals in time to submit them this evening. It is possible Aneesh will follow up with another email offering other suggestions. I thought it best to get this message out quickly without hearing from him in case he was not available today. So that being said, I suggest that we do one proposal on gaming worlds and one on virtual communities. Below I have cut and pasted the theme and the information we need to provide. I will need help with recommendations for organizers (including contact information) and participants and would welcome suggestions for verbiage to include in the description and rationale. If Aneesh or someone has an idea for a different topic and is willing to develop a proposal today, please let me know. Otherwise I will forge ahead as best I can and develop these two proposals. I do know from previous experience that if the Program Committee likes a proposal, they work with the organizer to refine it, so the important thing is to submit something, no matter how preliminary. Thanks! The theme is as follows: MEETING THEME: “Real Utopias” seems like an oxymoron: Utopia means “nowhere”­a fantasy world of perfect harmony and social justice. To describe a proposal for social transformation as “utopian” is to dismiss it as an impractical dream outside the limits of possibility. Realists reject such fantasies as a distraction from the serious business of making practical improvements in existing institutions. The idea of real utopias embraces this tension between dreams and practice: “utopia” implies developing clear-headed visions of alternatives to existing institutions that embody our deepest aspirations for a world in which all people have access to the conditions to live flourishing lives; “real” means taking seriously the problem of the viability of the institutions that could move us in the direction of that world. The goal is to elaborate utopian ideals that are grounded in the real potentials of humanity, utopian destinations that have accessible way stations, utopian designs of viable institutions that can inform our practical tasks of navigating a world of imperfect conditions for social change. Proposals for Thematic Sessions, Special Sessions, and Regional Spotlight Sessions should provide: Type of Session: Thematic Working Title for the Session: Virtual Utopias and/or Gaming in Utopia? Brief description of the substantive focus; Rationale for inclusion of the topic on the 2012 program; Recommendation(s) for session organizer, including address, telephone, and e-mail information A list of potential participants. Rebecca G. Adams Associate Provost for Planning & Assessment University of North Carolina at Greensboro P.O. Box 26170 Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 Email: Rebecca_Adams@uncg.edu<mailto:Rebecca_Adams@uncg.edu> Voice: 336-334-3578 FAX: 336-334-4342 _______________________________________________ CITASA mailing list CITASA@list.citasa.org<mailto:CITASA@list.citasa.org> <http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org> http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org -- Noelle Chesley, Assistant Professor Department of Sociology University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Bolton Hall Milwaukee, WI 53201 414.229.2398 Fax: 414.229.4266 chesley@uwm.edu<mailto:chesley@uwm.edu> _______________________________________________ CITASA mailing list CITASA@list.citasa.org http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org Ron Anderson, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota, 952-473-5910 Websites: http://umn.edu/home/rea and http://www.CompassionateSocieties.org<http://www.compassionatesocieties.org/>

This is a late comment, so apologies all. To me, the utopia topic sounds very retro but not necessarily is a very good way. Two trends that are quite interesting, need better analysis, and could yield fascinating (future) sessions: - the rise/demise/reconfiguration of the individual: comparatively analyzing Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Ebay, et al., and -money/commerce online. When cmc started just a few decades ago, it had no commercial aspect. Now, online retail threatens local businesses, and as recent events have demonstrated, a few mis-keystrokes from one person can derail entire stockmarkets. IOW it's an emergent structural force that warrants considerable study. I have enjoyed the conversation a lot! Brenda Brasher On Nov 12, 2010, at 4:51 PM, <ms111@illinois.edu> wrote: > Dear Colleagues, > wonderful collaborative thread, let me add now my 5ct to the pie before of > have to run to meetings and the commencing weekend, i.e. a bit from > intersection with sociological futures research. > Greetings, > Markus > > Working Title: New Media Utopias for Virtual and Real Worlds > > Brief description of the substantive focus: > > The rapid spread of innovative new media technologies has inspired utopian > hopes as well dystopian fears. Sociologists have explored the (more or less) > contentious processes that shape these new technologies as well as their > emerging appropriations and uses. They have found tremendous > opportunities for global trade and production, efficiency enhancement, > leapfrogging development, unleashed communicative networks, and an > incipient global civil society. They witnessed encouraging efforts by users, > citizen initiatives, and social movements to use media technologies to create > new utopias, and renew older ones, in virtual and real worlds. But they also > uncovered great risks looming in exacerbated inequalities and dystopian > specters of inescapable surveillance and control. Imaginative new media > research addresses the possible, probable, and preferable futures that can be > discerned in current trends, projects, values, and aspirations. > > > > > ---- Original message ---- >> Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:49:23 -0500 >> From: Rebecca Adams R_ADAMS <r_adams@uncg.edu> >> Subject: Re: [CITASA] Proposals for 2012 Thematic Sessions on > UtopianCommunities >> To: Andrea Tapia <atapia@ist.psu.edu> >> Cc: citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org, citasa@list.citasa.org >> >> Keep working. Two is the goal, but there is no limit >> to what we can submit. >> >> Rebecca G. Adams >> Associate Provost for Planning & Assessment >> University of North Carolina at Greensboro >> P.O. Box 26170 >> Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 >> >> Email: Rebecca_Adams@uncg.edu >> Voice: 336-334-3578 >> FAX: 336-334-4342 >> >> Andrea Tapia To <chesley@uwm.edu>, >> <atapia@ist.psu.edu> <citasa@list.citasa.org> >> Sent by: cc >> citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org Subject Re: [CITASA] Proposals >> for 2012 Thematic >> 11/12/2010 02:32 PM Sessions on >> UtopianCommunities >> >> >> Hello CITASA folks. >> Are we only allowed to submit one thematic session >> proposal from CITASA? >> I have been working on one following the `Virtual >> Utopias' idea from earlier and wondering if this was >> still viable or if I should just go back to grading >> my students papers (grin). >> >> Andrea H. Tapia, Ph.D. >> Associate Professor of Information Sciences and >> Technology >> Affiliate Associate Professor of (1) Labor and >> Industrial Relations, (2) Sociology and (3) Science >> and Technology Studies >> Penn State University >> >> Check out my pages! >> http://andreatapia.net >> http://cohort.ist.psu.edu >> http://evosta.ist.psu.edu >> http://emerse.ist.psu.edu >> http://ist.psu.edu >> >> On 11/12/10 3:27 PM, "Noelle Chesley" >> <chesley@uwm.edu> wrote: >> Hello all : >> >> I had about twenty minutes between meetings to throw >> this together. Ron, I stole some of your words from >> your previous email--hope you don't mind and good to >> (virtually) meet you. Note that I included Sheila, >> Ron, and Cassidy as potential participants in the >> session (simply based on their list serve comments). >> Note also that I tried to keep our conception of >> technology broad--Ron, you mentioned the web, but I >> don't want to exclude mobile communications here, >> either, so I have substituted the ubiquitous ICT >> terminology in the description. Here is my quick >> shot at this: >> >> >> >> Working Title: Technologically-Facilitated Utopias? >> >> Brief description of the substantive focus: >> >> Sociological thinking about utopias should be >> applied to the reality and the potential of >> contemporary applications of technology. >> Sociologists disagree both about the ways in which >> information and communication technologies are being >> shaped by, and shaping, social life and its >> institutions, as well as whether those changes we >> agree upon reflect a utopian or disutopian social >> vision. Analyses for this session can be broadly >> construed and may encompass topics such as social >> solidarity, close ties, caring and uncaring actions, >> divisions in paid and unpaid labor, time use, >> cyber-bullying, discrimination, digital gaps, social >> control, and any other element of ideal societies. >> In addition, these broad social processes can be >> critically examined across a variety of social >> contexts. Projects might consider, for example, how >> technology facilitates or discourages close ties >> across generations, races/ethnicities, or gender or >> how technological applications can reinforce or >> dismantle broad processes, like social >> stratification, that influence our ability to build >> utopian societies. >> >> Session Organizer: >> Noelle Chesley, >> Assistant Professor >> Department of Sociology >> University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee >> Bolton Hall >> Milwaukee, WI 53201 >> 414.229.2398 >> Fax: 414.229.4266 >> chesley@uwm.edu <mailto:chesley@uwm.edu> >> >> Potential Participants: Noelle Chesley (University >> of Wisconsin-Milwaukee); Shelia Cotton (University >> of Alabama at Birmingham); Ron Anderson >> (University?); Cassidy Puckett (Northwestern); >> Gustavo Mensch (??? I have not asked him--Gustavo >> you want your name on here?); >> >> On 11/12/2010 11:08 AM, Shelia Cotten wrote: >> >> >> I agree with both Noelle and Ron. I think this would >> be a great fit with the theme and with moving our >> discipline forward. >> >> >> >> Shelia Cotten >> >> >> >> >> >> From: citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org >> [mailto:citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org] On Behalf Of >> Ron Anderson >> Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 11:02 AM >> To: citasa@list.citasa.org >> Subject: [CITASA] Proposals for 2012 Thematic >> Sessions on Utopian Communities >> >> >> >> I very much support Noelle's suggestion for shifting >> the focus of proposed, thematic sessions. >> It seems to me about time to evaluate "the web as >> good societies?" Sociological thinking about utopias >> should be applied to the reality and the potential >> of the web and specific types of web sites. Such >> analysis or evaluation should encompass topics such >> as social solidarity, close ties, caring and >> uncaring actions, cyber-bullying, discrimination, >> digital gaps, social control, and any other element >> of ideal societies. An alternate title might be >> "Contributions of the Web to Ideal Societies." >> Ron Anderson >> >> At 09:06 AM 11/12/2010, Noelle Chesley wrote: >> >> Dear Rebecca - >> >> I think gaming worlds is too narrow a topic for one >> of our thematic sessions. I would propose something >> more inclusive, along the lines of "Technology-Based >> Utopias?" This could include gaming, but could also >> include the use of technology in specific social >> domains (e.g. family life, social movements, >> employment). The question mark allows for utopian >> visions, but also for critique of the prospect of >> technology in the creation of utopia. >> >> Like Aneesh, I am involved in activities with a job >> candidate today, but can try to help more with the >> development of this session. >> >> Best, >> Noelle Chesley >> >> On 11/12/2010 8:06 AM, david.louden@l-3com.com >> wrote: >> >> Professor Adams; >> >> I like the context of an "achievable utopia" theme. >> There is much that can be accomplished to develop >> and operationalize tangible communities through >> creative practices, critical thinking, problem >> solving and risk taking by applying a holistic or >> systemic approach that does not allow for co-opting >> of the overall vision or sub-optimization by >> elements at the expense of the whole. >> >> >> >> I wish you good luck. >> >> >> >> Regards, David >> >> >> >> From: citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org [ >> mailto:citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org >> <mailto:citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org> ] On Behalf >> Of Rebecca Adams R_ADAMS >> Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 8:44 AM >> To: citasa@list.citasa.org >> Subject: [CITASA] Need Suggestions TODAY!: Deadline >> for Submission of Proposals for 2012 Thematic >> Sessions on Utopian Communities is TODAY (Virtual >> Utopias? Gaming in Utopia?) >> Importance: High >> >> >> >> I am very sorry for the short notice, but one of the >> duties of new members of the CITASA Section Council >> is to propose two thematic sessions for the ASA >> meetings that take place a year from August (i.e., >> August 2012), and I just discovered the proposals >> are due today! A. Aneesh, the other new Section >> Council member, bears no responsibility for this >> short notice--he tried to jump start this process >> over a month ago and I convinced him that my >> misunderstanding of the calendar was accurate. So >> that being said, assuming I do not hear to the >> contrary from Aneesh, my intention is to check my >> email at the end of the day to see what responses I >> have received in response to this posting and to do >> the best I can in pulling together proposals in time >> to submit them this evening. It is possible Aneesh >> will follow up with another email offering other >> suggestions. I thought it best to get this message >> out quickly without hearing from him in case he was >> not available today. >> >> So that being said, I suggest that we do one >> proposal on gaming worlds and one on virtual >> communities. Below I have cut and pasted the theme >> and the information we need to provide. I will need >> help with recommendations for organizers (including >> contact information) and participants and would >> welcome suggestions for verbiage to include in the >> description and rationale. If Aneesh or someone has >> an idea for a different topic and is willing to >> develop a proposal today, please let me know. >> Otherwise I will forge ahead as best I can and >> develop these two proposals. I do know from >> previous experience that if the Program Committee >> likes a proposal, they work with the organizer to >> refine it, so the important thing is to submit >> something, no matter how preliminary. >> >> Thanks! >> >> The theme is as follows: >> >> MEETING THEME: "Real Utopias" seems like an >> oxymoron: Utopia means "nowhere" a fantasy world of >> perfect harmony and social justice. To describe a >> proposal for social transformation as "utopian" is >> to dismiss it as an impractical dream outside the >> limits of possibility. Realists reject such >> fantasies as a distraction from the serious business >> of making practical improvements in existing >> institutions. The idea of real utopias embraces this >> tension between dreams and practice: "utopia" >> implies developing clear-headed visions of >> alternatives to existing institutions that embody >> our deepest aspirations for a world in which all >> people have access to the conditions to live >> flourishing lives; "real" means taking seriously the >> problem of the viability of the institutions that >> could move us in the direction of that world. The >> goal is to elaborate utopian ideals that are >> grounded in the real potentials of humanity, utopian >> destinations that have accessible way stations, >> utopian designs of viable institutions that can >> inform our practical tasks of navigating a world of >> imperfect conditions for social change. >> >> Proposals for Thematic Sessions, Special Sessions, >> and Regional Spotlight Sessions should provide: >> >> Type of Session: Thematic >> >> Working Title for the Session: Virtual Utopias >> and/or Gaming in Utopia? >> >> Brief description of the substantive focus; >> >> Rationale for inclusion of the topic on the 2012 >> program; >> >> Recommendation(s) for session organizer, including >> address, telephone, and e-mail information >> >> A list of potential participants. >> >> Rebecca G. Adams >> Associate Provost for Planning & Assessment >> University of North Carolina at Greensboro >> P.O. Box 26170 >> Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 >> >> Email: Rebecca_Adams@uncg.edu >> Voice: 336-334-3578 >> FAX: 336-334-4342 >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> CITASA mailing list >> CITASA@list.citasa.org >> >> >> <http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org> >> http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org >> >> >> -- >> >> >> >> >> >> Noelle Chesley, >> >> Assistant Professor >> >> Department of Sociology >> >> University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee >> >> Bolton Hall >> >> Milwaukee, WI 53201 >> >> 414.229.2398 >> >> Fax: 414.229.4266 >> chesley@uwm.edu >> >> _______________________________________________ >> CITASA mailing list >> CITASA@list.citasa.org >> http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org >> >> Ron Anderson, Professor Emeritus, University of >> Minnesota, 952-473-5910 >> Websites: http://umn.edu/home/rea and >> http://www.CompassionateSocieties.org >> <http://www.compassionatesocieties.org/> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> CITASA mailing list >> CITASA@list.citasa.org >> http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> CITASA mailing list >> CITASA@list.citasa.org >> http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org >> ________________ >> _______________________________________________ >> CITASA mailing list >> CITASA@list.citasa.org >> http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org > ************************************************************** > Markus S. Schulz, PhD > Asst. Professor, Social Theory, Media, and Global Processes > University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign > Department of Sociology > CAB, MC 454 > 605 E Springfield > Champaign, Il 61820, USA > Phone: +217.244-9470 > Email: <ms111@uiuc.edu> > ************************************************************** > > > > _______________________________________________ > CITASA mailing list > CITASA@list.citasa.org > http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org

Sorry. The proposals were due on Friday but I agree it was a great collaborative thread. Of course if ASA asks anyone to organize one of these sessions, the organizer will have an opportunity to rework the abstract and participant list. They are not, by the way, bound by our suggestions. Rebecca G. Adams Associate Provost for Planning & Assessment University of North Carolina at Greensboro P.O. Box 26170 Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 Email: Rebecca_Adams@uncg.edu Voice: 336-334-3578 FAX: 336-334-4342 <ms111@illinois.edu> Sent by: citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org 11/14/2010 09:13 AM To "Rebecca Adams R_ADAMS" <r_adams@uncg.edu>, "Andrea Tapia" <atapia@ist.psu.edu> cc citasa@list.citasa.org, citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org Subject Re: [CITASA] Proposals for 2012 Thematic Sessions on UtopianCommunities Dear Colleagues, wonderful collaborative thread, let me add now my 5ct to the pie before of have to run to meetings and the commencing weekend, i.e. a bit from intersection with sociological futures research. Greetings, Markus Working Title: New Media Utopias for Virtual and Real Worlds Brief description of the substantive focus: The rapid spread of innovative new media technologies has inspired utopian hopes as well dystopian fears. Sociologists have explored the (more or less) contentious processes that shape these new technologies as well as their emerging appropriations and uses. They have found tremendous opportunities for global trade and production, efficiency enhancement, leapfrogging development, unleashed communicative networks, and an incipient global civil society. They witnessed encouraging efforts by users, citizen initiatives, and social movements to use media technologies to create new utopias, and renew older ones, in virtual and real worlds. But they also uncovered great risks looming in exacerbated inequalities and dystopian specters of inescapable surveillance and control. Imaginative new media research addresses the possible, probable, and preferable futures that can be discerned in current trends, projects, values, and aspirations. ---- Original message ---- >Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:49:23 -0500 >From: Rebecca Adams R_ADAMS <r_adams@uncg.edu> >Subject: Re: [CITASA] Proposals for 2012 Thematic Sessions on UtopianCommunities >To: Andrea Tapia <atapia@ist.psu.edu> >Cc: citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org, citasa@list.citasa.org > > Keep working. Two is the goal, but there is no limit > to what we can submit. > > Rebecca G. Adams > Associate Provost for Planning & Assessment > University of North Carolina at Greensboro > P.O. Box 26170 > Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 > > Email: Rebecca_Adams@uncg.edu > Voice: 336-334-3578 > FAX: 336-334-4342 > >Andrea Tapia To <chesley@uwm.edu>, ><atapia@ist.psu.edu> <citasa@list.citasa.org> >Sent by: cc >citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org Subject Re: [CITASA] Proposals > for 2012 Thematic >11/12/2010 02:32 PM Sessions on > UtopianCommunities > > > Hello CITASA folks. > Are we only allowed to submit one thematic session > proposal from CITASA? > I have been working on one following the `Virtual > Utopias' idea from earlier and wondering if this was > still viable or if I should just go back to grading > my students papers (grin). > > Andrea H. Tapia, Ph.D. > Associate Professor of Information Sciences and > Technology > Affiliate Associate Professor of (1) Labor and > Industrial Relations, (2) Sociology and (3) Science > and Technology Studies > Penn State University > > Check out my pages! > http://andreatapia.net > http://cohort.ist.psu.edu > http://evosta.ist.psu.edu > http://emerse.ist.psu.edu > http://ist.psu.edu > > On 11/12/10 3:27 PM, "Noelle Chesley" > <chesley@uwm.edu> wrote: > Hello all : > > I had about twenty minutes between meetings to throw > this together. Ron, I stole some of your words from > your previous email--hope you don't mind and good to > (virtually) meet you. Note that I included Sheila, > Ron, and Cassidy as potential participants in the > session (simply based on their list serve comments). > Note also that I tried to keep our conception of > technology broad--Ron, you mentioned the web, but I > don't want to exclude mobile communications here, > either, so I have substituted the ubiquitous ICT > terminology in the description. Here is my quick > shot at this: > > > > Working Title: Technologically-Facilitated Utopias? > > Brief description of the substantive focus: > > Sociological thinking about utopias should be > applied to the reality and the potential of > contemporary applications of technology. > Sociologists disagree both about the ways in which > information and communication technologies are being > shaped by, and shaping, social life and its > institutions, as well as whether those changes we > agree upon reflect a utopian or disutopian social > vision. Analyses for this session can be broadly > construed and may encompass topics such as social > solidarity, close ties, caring and uncaring actions, > divisions in paid and unpaid labor, time use, > cyber-bullying, discrimination, digital gaps, social > control, and any other element of ideal societies. > In addition, these broad social processes can be > critically examined across a variety of social > contexts. Projects might consider, for example, how > technology facilitates or discourages close ties > across generations, races/ethnicities, or gender or > how technological applications can reinforce or > dismantle broad processes, like social > stratification, that influence our ability to build > utopian societies. > > Session Organizer: > Noelle Chesley, > Assistant Professor > Department of Sociology > University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee > Bolton Hall > Milwaukee, WI 53201 > 414.229.2398 > Fax: 414.229.4266 > chesley@uwm.edu <mailto:chesley@uwm.edu> > > Potential Participants: Noelle Chesley (University > of Wisconsin-Milwaukee); Shelia Cotton (University > of Alabama at Birmingham); Ron Anderson > (University?); Cassidy Puckett (Northwestern); > Gustavo Mensch (??? I have not asked him--Gustavo > you want your name on here?); > > On 11/12/2010 11:08 AM, Shelia Cotten wrote: > > > I agree with both Noelle and Ron. I think this would > be a great fit with the theme and with moving our > discipline forward. > > > > Shelia Cotten > > > > > > From: citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org > [mailto:citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org] On Behalf Of > Ron Anderson > Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 11:02 AM > To: citasa@list.citasa.org > Subject: [CITASA] Proposals for 2012 Thematic > Sessions on Utopian Communities > > > > I very much support Noelle's suggestion for shifting > the focus of proposed, thematic sessions. > It seems to me about time to evaluate "the web as > good societies?" Sociological thinking about utopias > should be applied to the reality and the potential > of the web and specific types of web sites. Such > analysis or evaluation should encompass topics such > as social solidarity, close ties, caring and > uncaring actions, cyber-bullying, discrimination, > digital gaps, social control, and any other element > of ideal societies. An alternate title might be > "Contributions of the Web to Ideal Societies." > Ron Anderson > > At 09:06 AM 11/12/2010, Noelle Chesley wrote: > > Dear Rebecca - > > I think gaming worlds is too narrow a topic for one > of our thematic sessions. I would propose something > more inclusive, along the lines of "Technology-Based > Utopias?" This could include gaming, but could also > include the use of technology in specific social > domains (e.g. family life, social movements, > employment). The question mark allows for utopian > visions, but also for critique of the prospect of > technology in the creation of utopia. > > Like Aneesh, I am involved in activities with a job > candidate today, but can try to help more with the > development of this session. > > Best, > Noelle Chesley > > On 11/12/2010 8:06 AM, david.louden@l-3com.com > wrote: > > Professor Adams; > > I like the context of an "achievable utopia" theme. > There is much that can be accomplished to develop > and operationalize tangible communities through > creative practices, critical thinking, problem > solving and risk taking by applying a holistic or > systemic approach that does not allow for co-opting > of the overall vision or sub-optimization by > elements at the expense of the whole. > > > > I wish you good luck. > > > > Regards, David > > > > From: citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org [ > mailto:citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org > <mailto:citasa-bounces@list.citasa.org> ] On Behalf > Of Rebecca Adams R_ADAMS > Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 8:44 AM > To: citasa@list.citasa.org > Subject: [CITASA] Need Suggestions TODAY!: Deadline > for Submission of Proposals for 2012 Thematic > Sessions on Utopian Communities is TODAY (Virtual > Utopias? Gaming in Utopia?) > Importance: High > > > > I am very sorry for the short notice, but one of the > duties of new members of the CITASA Section Council > is to propose two thematic sessions for the ASA > meetings that take place a year from August (i.e., > August 2012), and I just discovered the proposals > are due today! A. Aneesh, the other new Section > Council member, bears no responsibility for this > short notice--he tried to jump start this process > over a month ago and I convinced him that my > misunderstanding of the calendar was accurate. So > that being said, assuming I do not hear to the > contrary from Aneesh, my intention is to check my > email at the end of the day to see what responses I > have received in response to this posting and to do > the best I can in pulling together proposals in time > to submit them this evening. It is possible Aneesh > will follow up with another email offering other > suggestions. I thought it best to get this message > out quickly without hearing from him in case he was > not available today. > > So that being said, I suggest that we do one > proposal on gaming worlds and one on virtual > communities. Below I have cut and pasted the theme > and the information we need to provide. I will need > help with recommendations for organizers (including > contact information) and participants and would > welcome suggestions for verbiage to include in the > description and rationale. If Aneesh or someone has > an idea for a different topic and is willing to > develop a proposal today, please let me know. > Otherwise I will forge ahead as best I can and > develop these two proposals. I do know from > previous experience that if the Program Committee > likes a proposal, they work with the organizer to > refine it, so the important thing is to submit > something, no matter how preliminary. > > Thanks! > > The theme is as follows: > > MEETING THEME: "Real Utopias" seems like an > oxymoron: Utopia means "nowhere"­a fantasy world of > perfect harmony and social justice. To describe a > proposal for social transformation as "utopian" is > to dismiss it as an impractical dream outside the > limits of possibility. Realists reject such > fantasies as a distraction from the serious business > of making practical improvements in existing > institutions. The idea of real utopias embraces this > tension between dreams and practice: "utopia" > implies developing clear-headed visions of > alternatives to existing institutions that embody > our deepest aspirations for a world in which all > people have access to the conditions to live > flourishing lives; "real" means taking seriously the > problem of the viability of the institutions that > could move us in the direction of that world. The > goal is to elaborate utopian ideals that are > grounded in the real potentials of humanity, utopian > destinations that have accessible way stations, > utopian designs of viable institutions that can > inform our practical tasks of navigating a world of > imperfect conditions for social change. > > Proposals for Thematic Sessions, Special Sessions, > and Regional Spotlight Sessions should provide: > > Type of Session: Thematic > > Working Title for the Session: Virtual Utopias > and/or Gaming in Utopia? > > Brief description of the substantive focus; > > Rationale for inclusion of the topic on the 2012 > program; > > Recommendation(s) for session organizer, including > address, telephone, and e-mail information > > A list of potential participants. > > Rebecca G. Adams > Associate Provost for Planning & Assessment > University of North Carolina at Greensboro > P.O. Box 26170 > Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 > > Email: Rebecca_Adams@uncg.edu > Voice: 336-334-3578 > FAX: 336-334-4342 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > CITASA mailing list > CITASA@list.citasa.org > > > <http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org> > http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org > > > -- > > > > > > Noelle Chesley, > > Assistant Professor > > Department of Sociology > > University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee > > Bolton Hall > > Milwaukee, WI 53201 > > 414.229.2398 > > Fax: 414.229.4266 > chesley@uwm.edu > > _______________________________________________ > CITASA mailing list > CITASA@list.citasa.org > http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org > > Ron Anderson, Professor Emeritus, University of > Minnesota, 952-473-5910 > Websites: http://umn.edu/home/rea and > http://www.CompassionateSocieties.org > <http://www.compassionatesocieties.org/> > > _______________________________________________ > CITASA mailing list > CITASA@list.citasa.org > http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org > > _______________________________________________ > CITASA mailing list > CITASA@list.citasa.org > http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org >________________ >_______________________________________________ >CITASA mailing list >CITASA@list.citasa.org >http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org ************************************************************** Markus S. Schulz, PhD Asst. Professor, Social Theory, Media, and Global Processes University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Sociology CAB, MC 454 605 E Springfield Champaign, Il 61820, USA Phone: +217.244-9470 Email: <ms111@uiuc.edu> ************************************************************** _______________________________________________ CITASA mailing list CITASA@list.citasa.org http://list.citasa.org/mailman/listinfo/citasa_list.citasa.org