The Inter-University Sociology Symposium
The Inter-University Sociology Symposium brings together undergraduate students from Middle Tennessee schools including Belmont, Vanderbilt, Fisk, and TSU. It provides an opportunity for students to showcase their research and meet other Sociology majors. Two highlights of the day include a keynote address by a nationally known sociologist, and for students who meet the criteria, an induction into Alpha Kappa Delta, the national honor society for sociology.
Belmont University will host the next Inter-University Sociology Symposium on Monday, March 27, 2006 from 9am until 6pm in Beeman Center rooms A/B.
Our Keynote Speaker this year is Pulitzer Prize nominee, Dr. Rodney Stark. Dr. Stark's talk is entitled 'Knock, Knock: The Benefits of 'Irrational' Missionizing.' Why do some religious groups persist in door-to-door missionizing when they know the odds of success are minute? In any given year, the odds are about 50 to 1 that a given Jehovah's Witness or Mormon missionary will NOT make a single convert. Put another way, knock on doors for 50 years and get one convert -- maybe. What are depressing odds for the individual missionary are, however, quite good odds for the group. On average a congregation of 100 missionaries will grow by two new members a year and that will rapidly add up to substantial group growth. So the trick is for the group to keep people's spirits up and keep them knocking despite the brutal odds against individual success. How is this accomplished? Dr. Stark will explore the rational reasons and satisfactions that sustain missionaries in their efforts.
Student Presentations from 2005
Jennifer NalbantyanFeminism and Women's Sexuality in Mass Media
This study is intended to examine factors contributing to dominant depictions of female sexuality in the mass media which have been largely overlooked. An analysis of third-wave feminism gives perspective to the intersection between the feminist value of sexual freedom for women and continuing emphases on women's bodies and sexuality in the mass media. This study also suggests that, in addition to the impact of feminism on changes in the portrayal of women's sexuality in the media, the rise in popularity and acceptance of pornography has affected current trends in mainstream media's depictions of women's sexuality. The study includes qualitative research through content analysis of popular women's and men's magazines and three top-ranking TV shows. A detailed analysis reveals major differences in themes between women's and men's magazines, with a focus on appearance and sexuality in women's magazines and a focus on hobbies and careers in men's magazines. In addition, detailed descriptions of three popular TV shows indicate elements of both third-wave feminism and pornographic themes in the ways that women's sexuality is portrayed.
Vanessa Avery Gender and Power in Art
( Abstract to come)
