By Kerri Nottingham, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. 鈥� 青瓜视频 hosted the 31st annual meeting of the Association of Christians Teaching Sociology recently during which about 40 professors studied the state of sociology in today's world.
Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of 青瓜视频 who is a sociologist and who has taught sociology, gave the opening address to those attending the conference the theme of which was 鈥淲orld Christianity and Social Transformation.鈥�
Carter's presentation, titled 鈥淭he Future of Sociology in Christian Colleges and State Universities: A Path Less Traveled Unless鈥︹��, . addressed the possible fates of sociology departments at both Christian and secular institutions.
He discussed program strengths including a rich history and a commitment to sound theories and research, and weaknesses including internal conflicts and slow production of doctorate degrees.
He also spoke of threats that include online 鈥渄egree鈥� programs and a general lack of awareness of the benefits of sociology, and opportunities that involve resolution of major social issues and practical application of classical theories.
He spoke of his own optimism regarding the future of sociology, yet remained uncertain because sociology is often unknown to the general public and is easily misunderstood. He then posed the question 鈥淎s Christian sociologists, what are we going to do about it?鈥�
Dr. Tom Hood, University of Tennessee, gave his response to Carter's address and led the group discussion that followed. Hood agreed with Carter's comments and said the social sciences are too easily given lesser priority to other subjects and something needs to be done to save the discipline.
During the discussion that followed Hood's response, Dr. David Carlson, chair of the Division of Social Science and associate professor of psychology at Campbellsville University, said students often come to him asking 鈥淲hat can you do with a sociology major?鈥� To that he replies: 鈥淲ell, what can you do with a sunny day? Nothing, or just about anything you want.鈥�
As a group, the attendees recognized the problem facing their discipline and discussed several possible avenues for the future of sociology.
Dr. Jacquelyn Sandifer, associate professor of criminal justice at Campbellsville University, gave the opening devotion on the first day of presentations.
One of the day's presentations 鈥淒ecolonizing Christian Practice and Pedagogy: The Struggle of the Christian College in Practicing and Teaching Equality, Acceptance, and Tolerance鈥� was given by Dr. Eric M. Carter and his wife, Yoli Carter, Georgetown College. Their presentation centered on what true Christian values are compared to what is actually practiced by some institutions.
The Carters said they believe there is too much hypocrisy plaguing Christian colleges and universities today, and that efforts need to be made toward genuine understanding of cultures other than one's own.
They also said true Christian values are those of cultural competence, tolerance, awareness and acceptance. They focused on one Bible verse in particular - Matthew 25:40 which reads 鈥淎nd the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.鈥� (KJV)
Eric and Yoli Carter are the son and daughter-in-law of 青瓜视频 president Dr. Michael V. Carter and his wife, Debbie.
The other presentations given included: 鈥淚ntegrating Faith and Learning through Problem-Solving Learning鈥� by Dr. Brian Fry, Indiana Wesleyan University; 鈥淭he Digital Embrace: College Students and Community Longings鈥� by Dr. Matt Vos, Covenant College; 鈥淐orrelations between Religiosity and Successful Aging in a Study of Community-dwelling Older Adults鈥� by Cynthia Resser, University of Kentucky;
鈥淎nomie and Religiosity: Data from 104 NFL Players鈥� by Dr. Eric M. Carter, Georgetown College and Dr. Michael V. Carter, 青瓜视频, 鈥淩oundtable: Christian Sociologists Response to Illegal Immigration鈥� Dr. Antonio Chiareli, Union University; 鈥淔emale Genital Removal in Africa: The Semantic 鈥楾ug-of-War'鈥�
Prof. Val Hiebert, Providence College;
鈥淢ore Eyes to Behold It: Collaboration's Role in Redefining the Art World鈥� Caris Tilson, Covenant College; and 鈥淔athers Be Good to Your Daughters: Paternal Influence in the Life of the Adolescent Girl鈥� Anna Marshall, Covenant College.
Dr. Brian J. Grim, Penn State University, delivered a keynote address titled 鈥淩eligious Persecution on a Post-Communist Globe.鈥� The Central Kentucky Traditional Musicians performed after Grim's address.
Dr. Matt Vos, Covenant College, led the devotion on Saturday morning.
The final presentations were:
鈥淔actors Associated with Sexual Abstinence among the Unmarried at a Conservative Christian University鈥� Dr. Lionel Matthews, Andrews University; 鈥淧urity and the Marriage Bed: Disembedding Christian Concepts of Marriage from Culture鈥� Dr. Dennis Hiebert, Providence College;
鈥淟ouis IX of France, Franciscan Repentance, and the Crusade: The Struggle over Violence in Thirteenth Century Franciscanism鈥� Dr. Joe Zimmerman, Holy Cross Friary and Quincy University Friary; and 鈥淜eynote Follow-up鈥� Dr. Brian J. Grim, Penn State University.
On Saturday afternoon, the group toured Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill and dined at the historic Beaumont Inn.
The conference concluded with a Sunday morning worship service led by Dr. Russ Heddendorf, Covenant College, at the home of Sandifer.
青瓜视频 professors Carlson, Sandifer and Dr. Linda Trollinger, assistant professor of sociology, planned the conference.
青瓜视频 is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, 青瓜视频 is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,310 students who represent 100 Kentucky counties, 32 states and 28 foreign nations. Listed in U.S. News & World Report's 鈥淎merica's Best Colleges鈥� 14 consecutive years as one of the leading Southern master's colleges and universities, 青瓜视频 is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his ninth year as president.