ASia Pacific Sociological Association Conference

this is from Ravi Palat. please do not send queries to chriscd

Call for Papers

4th Conference of the
Asia Pacific Sociological Association
(APSA)



Transitions in Asia Pacific Societies





14th - 16th of September, 2000
Place: Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU) in Nishinomiya
Japan

Transitions in Asia Pacific Societies:
4th Conference of the Asia Pacific Sociological Association
14th - 16th of September, 2000
Place: Kwansei Gakuin University (KGU) in Nishinomiya
Japan

 The Asia Pacific Sociological Association (APSA) is a relatively new
association which focuses on social issues that concern the Asia Pacific

Region. The theme for the fourth conference is "Transitions in Asia
Pacific Societies". This theme will be explored through the various
thematic sessions listed below. Persons interested in participating in
the conference are invited to contact directly the conveners of the
thematic sessions. Members of APSA come from a number of different
disciplines and thus all those with an interest in the topics to be
discussed are invited to participate. The language of the conference is
English.
 Deadline for: Abstracts  End of March 2000
            Full papers (approximately 10-15 pages in length)   15 July,

2000.
  The coming conference will also include a Plenary Session (open to the

public) which will discuss the topic "Where do Asian Youth Go?
ムAsian
Values on Trialム".

 Any other inquiries regarding the conference or plenary session should
be directed to the President : Kenji Kosaka, Kwansei Gakuin University,
Nishinomiya-shi, JAPAN 662-8501, E-mail : kkosaka@kwansei.ac.jp.
OR to the Secretary: Pauline Kent, Ryukoku University, Shiga, Otsu,
Seta, Oecho, Yokotani 1-5, Japan 520-2194. E-mail:
pauline@world.ryukoku.ac.jp

Further details concerning the conference such as accommodation, etc.
will be announced in the next circular early in 2000.

**********
Thematic Sessions


Family in Asian Society
Convener: Professor Santhat Sermsri
Mahidol University

The last decade of modern development in Asia has seen rapid change in
family formation and structure. Along with these changes, social malaise

in the region is steadily increasing. Many people call for improvements
in the traditional family system. However, are these calls appropriate
in the face of the change in the family structure and do the actual
changes in family differ throughout the societies of the region? What
other forms of family are capable of coping with the rapid social
changes in the region? And what is the role of sociologists in
generating family research against the background of this rapid social
change?

Interested persons please contact:
Professor Santhat Sermsri
International Forum for Social Sciences in Health
Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand
Fax:+66-24419738


*****

Gender Relations
Convener : Corazon B. Lamug, Ph.D.
 University of the Philippines

 The increasing recognition of the centrality of gender as an organizing

principle in all social systems has brought about a rise in studies on
gender relations in the family, work, health, religion, politics and a
host of other social domains. It has also led to the emergence of
innovative research methods on aspects of gender relations which have
otherwise been relatively inaccessible such as feelings and emotions.
The session aims to showcase scholarship on gender relations in the
empirical, theoretical and methodological realms taking into account the

changing social, cultural, economic, and political milieu in the Asia
Pacific Region.

Interested persons please contact:
Corazon B. Lamug, Ph.D.
College of Arts and Sciences
University of the Philippines Los Banos
College, Laguna 4031
Philippines
Fax # : 6349-536-2402
e-mail : cbl@mudspring.uplb.edy.ph

*****

Citizenship and Education
Convener: Dr Pahmi Winter

This is a new thematic stream within the APSA Conference. It provides a
forum for empirical and theoretical explorations of educational issues
associated with the development, and reconceptualization, of social
citizenship as nation-states undergo major structural change.

Interested persons please contact:
Dr Pahmi Winter
Sociology Programme
Department of Sociology and Social Policy,
University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton
NEW ZEALAND
Ph: +64 (7) 8562889 extn 8556
Email: soci2188@waikato.ac.nz
Fax: +64 (7) 8384840

*****


Media, Culture and Identity
Convener: Dr Pahmi Winter

The impact of global cultural flows upon cultures and identities is one
of the most important subjects in contemporary sociological research.
This thematic session explores questions of identity formation, cultural

practices and communication issues arising in contemporary
post-traditional media cultures of Asia-Pacific societies.

Interested persons please contact:
Dr Pahmi Winter
Sociology Programme
Department of Sociology and Social Policy,
University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton
NEW ZEALAND
Ph: +64 (7) 8562889 extn 8556
Email: soci2188@waikato.ac.nz
Fax: +64 (7) 8384840

*****

Theory Formation
Convener: Professor Yoshio Sugimoto
La Trobe University

 This session will be open to potential contributors who are interested
in addressing theoretical issues of a general nature which are relevant
to sociological studies in the Asia-Pacific region. In the last two
conferences, indigenization, post colonialism and cultural relativism
were among the key areas of debate.
 We would like to maintain our focus on the potentialities and pitfalls
of sociological concepts and propositions derived from experiences of
the region and explore how these notions and theories may affect the
current status of the discipline at the global level. We are
particularly interested in receiving papers which examine the
theoretical implications of the rapid expansion of electronic means of
communication, the extensive process of globalization and the explosion
of ethnic conflicts in the region.
 Furthermore, if some proposed papers do not fall into any other
workshop of the conference, we are prepared to incorporate them into
this session as long as they address theoretical issues which are of
general interest to sociologists in the Asia-Pacific area.

Interested persons please contact:
Professor Yoshio Sugimoto
La Trobe University
Australia
E-mail: Y.Sugimoto@Latrobe.edu.au

*****

Globalisation
Convener: Dr Ruchira Ganguly-Scrase
Charles Sturt University

 The process of globalisation has engendered profound changes within the

Asia Pacific region. The sociology of globalisation explores the
increasing social, political and economic interconnectedness across the
globe. Focussing on the ways in which the modern world is characterised
by time and space compression, it also emphasises the increasing
commodification of daily life and the mediation of social relationships
through the market. A number of Asian states have liberalised their
economies and are now more fully integrated with the global economy. In
recent years the immediate impacts of these linkages were dramatically
highlighted in the Asian economic crisis. There have been intensified
flow of images and ideas into Asian societies as a result of the growth
of transnational communication and media technologies. More recently the

growing global discourse of morality and politics were felt in Timor.
This panel aims to draw scholars researching the social and cultural
impact of these processes on nations and communities. The major focus of

this panel is to explore the implications of globalisation for everyday
life in Asia.
 Papers are sought that address these and a range of other related
issues. It is hoped that up-to-date evidence and data examining the
problems and issues can be provided to support their, or existing,
theoretical explanations. Among the questions which can be addressed by
participants are:
キ the significance of the emergence of a growing middle class
together
with a consumer-oriented culture
キ effects of these changes for women and for gender relations
more
generally
キ tourism and travel in the construction of identities
キ relationships between Asian Disaporas and their cultures of
origin
キ responses of specific groups to intensified cultural flows and
influences engendered by media technologies
キ role of the major lending institutions played in promoting
marketisation and privatisation of the economies
キ the deterioration of living standards and increasing
indebtedness
for
those who are socially marginalised
キ growth of large scale labour migrations across Asian nations
and
their
implications cultural construction of identities
キ reductions in public sector employment and welfare measures as
governments privatise the public service and redirect funds to debt
repayment
キ expanding role of NGOs in addressing ヤglobal
problemsユ such as AIDS
and environmental concerns
キ significance of human rights discourses and globalisation

Interested persons please contact:
Dr Ruchira Ganguly-Scrase
Charles Sturt University, Australia
Fax: +61-2-60516973 or + 31 20 525 3686 (until 14 January, 2000)
E-mail rgscrase@csu.edu.au
*****

Formalization of Sociological Concepts and Theories
Convener:Kenji Kosaka
Kwansei Gakuin University

This theme concerns itself with formalization, mathematical sociology,
or formal theory, NOT with theory formation. APSA has put emphasis upon
substantial themes rather than formal so far, which we find are
important sociological issues to be explored in Asia Pacific societies.
However, one of the purposes of APSA says that it aims to
メadvance
sociological knowledgeモ no matter what its knowledge is about and

no
matter what methods it employs. It is known that formal method is
essential for theoretical sociology in its strict sense. Formal theory
in sociology and mathematical sociology has developed to a considerable
degree during the past twenty years in Japan. They deserve attention
among sociologists in Asia Pacific region and should be developed
further with many possible applications in Asia Pacific scene. Any paper

which is committed to formalization of sociological concepts and
theories are welcomed, whatever substantial themes and social problems
may be pursued. Scholars well-versed in this field of research are
welcomed to join this section, but those who are dubious of
effectiveness of formal approach are also welcomed.

Interested persons please contact:
Kenji Kosaka
Department of Sociology
Kwansei Gakuin University
Nishinomiya-shi, JAPAN 662-8501
E-mail : kkosaka@kwansei.ac.jp

*****

GROWTH IN CITIES: Problems and prospects in the Asia Pacific
Convener:Andrea Lanyon
Queensland University of Technology

 Managing urban growth has become an increasingly complex task. City and

regional management must now take into account environmental, social,
cultural, economic and political (local, regional, state, national and
international) dimensions when planning and implementing development
strategies. It is now recognised that the provision of urban basic
services and facilities such as water, sanitation, health and education,

is not sufficient to meet the needs of all residents within an area.
 Throughout the Asia Pacific region city and regional management is
characterised by differing contexts and capacities. This has lead to the

development of a variety of approaches to management of growth in cities

(and regions) with varying outcomes, both at the level of process and at

the level of outcome.
 Successes in increasing the quality of life (QOL) for city and regional

residents have most often been achieved where inter-sectoral management
has been effectively negotiated and implemented. These strategies allow
for the strengths, skills and needs of all key stockholders to be taken
into account and to inform management strategies. Such approaches are
show-cased in, for example, the implementation of the Urban Basic
Services Program in Cebu in the Philippines (UNICEF funded). Innovation
and success in such management strategies frequently hinge upon the way
in which communities are effectively involved in the management process.

 Papers are invited for presentation during this theme which address any

of the following issues or areas:
* The implementation of inter-sectoral approaches to city and regional
management of urban growth. Case studies of strategies which involve
both the private and non-government sector would be welcomed,
particularly where innovative inter-sectoral partnerships and management

structures have been developed
* Community involvement in the planning and management process
* Monitoring and evaluation of management strategies
* Poverty alleviation and the empowerment of the community
* Cross-cultural or intra-national comparisons of management strategies
and their outcomes, particularly where the different effect that culture

and/or unique aspects of particular regions / cities have had upon the
strategies developed and the outcomes produced

Papers dealing with other aspects of growth are also welcomed.

Abstracts should be no longer than 500 words and should be submitted in
Microsoft Word Version 7.0 or below where possible to
<a.lanyon@qut.edu.au>. Contact details of the authors, including
institutional affiliation should be included in the abstract. If it is
not possible to submit the abstract electronically, a hard copy can be
faxed to 61 + 7 + 3864 1827 or sent by normal mail to:

Interested persons please contact:
Andrea Lanyon
Growth in Cities Session
2000 Asia Pacific Regional Conference of Sociology
C/- Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute
Queensland University of Technology
GPO Box 2434
BRISBANE QLD 4001
E-mail: Andrea Lanyon <a.lanyon@qut.edu.au>

*****

Class Analysis in Comparative Perspective
Convener: John Western
The University of Queensland

 Social inequality is ubiquitous. It is as characteristic of western
industrial society as it is of the industrialising societies of Asia.
Social inequalities are found in the first world, the second world and
the third world. However they are not all of a kind, and it is important

to note that the conditions giving rise to them differ from society to
society and within a particular society over time.
 Arguably there are four major bases of social inequality found in the
countries of the world. These are: social class and social
stratification; ethnicity; gender and caste. Not only are these
important bases of social inequality, but they are also equally
important bases of group formation.
 The present section which has been called class analysis in comparative

perspective is seeking papers which examine the relative significance of

class based inequalities in a comparative perspective.
 The type of questions which might be addressed are the following:
Is class still a significant basis for social inequality or can we
appropriately talk about the death of class? Is caste more important
than class as a basis of social inequality?
How important are ethnicity and gender as bases of social inequality?
What do comparative analyses reveal?
Has there been a change over time in the relative significance of the
different structural bases as determinants of social inequality?
In focussing on class,ethnicity, gender and caste are we ignoring other
more important structural bases of social inequality particularly when
our focus is on Asia?
 Papers in this section can address any of the questions posed above,
although contributions need not be restricted to these issues.

Interested persons please contact:
John Western
Emeritus Professor of Sociology
Director, Social and Economic Research Centre
The University of Queensland
E-mail: John Western <J.Western@mailbox.uq.edu.au>
 (p) 07 3365 3236
 (f) 07 3365 1544


--

    ***************************
               Pauline Kent
  Faculty of Intercultural Communications
            Ryukoku University
   Shiga, Otsu, Seta, Oecho, Yokotani 1-5
            Japan, 520-2194
         Ph/Fax: 077-543-7856
      pauline@world.ryukoku.ac.jp
  ****************************




Dr Pahmi Winter
Sociology Programme
Department of Sociology and Social Policy
Faculty of Arts and Social Science
Te Kura Kete Aronui
The University Of Waikato
Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand

Telephone: +64 07 8562889 ext 8556
Fax:  +64 07 8384840