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A tribute to Vince Jeffries’ scholarship and as a best friend I first met Vince at UCLA. We were beginning graduate students in the Ph.D program in Sociology in the early 60s. We hit it off right away taking the same classes, and laughing and talking together in the hallways and informal gatherings of students and faculty. I felt Vince was a good guy , a friend and someone I could trust. After completing the basic course work, we faced qualifying exams that allowed graduate students to proceed on for the Ph. D. degree. Quals in sociology were really tough in the early 60s with exams in about 8 specialty areas. Our friendship anchored our commitment to each other as we became study partners for a tough exam. Vince and I divided the labor each being responsible for certain readings and meeting frequently to pool our information. We both made it !! what a relief. Thank God. From this collaborative experience, I experienced Vince as determined, with a strong work ethic, committed to holding on to key concepts and perspectives that he believed and in interpersonal relations with others, kind and sweet. This was the time of civil rights demonstrations across the country and the Watts riot of 1965. Social justice issues were everywhere present. We were both motivated to conduct solid empirical research on race and class inequality to better understand the mood of the 60s. Vince established himself as a solid researcher at this time in the social inequality field. Our collegial connection deepened leading to scholarly projects of importance to each of us. Vine and I co-authored two journal articles and wrote a book on social inequality. One article dealt with White reactions to the Watts riot and specifically the importance of past social contact with Blacks as a key explanatory variable as to how Whites interpreted the Watts disorder. We found that Whites who lacked friendly egalitarian contacts with Blacks prior to the riot were more fearful of Blacks, evidenced more feelings of increased social distance toward Blacks, cited more outside agitator explanations for the riot and voiced more punitive responses toward the participants than those who had had prior interracial contact. In the book we co-wrote (1980s) we developed a paradigm of four hierarchies –social class, race, gender, and age—each affecting the distribution of power, social status, and wealth. The interactions across these four hierarchies (as in multiple advantage vs. multiple disadvantage in getting good health care) became a fascinating project. We felt this was a major contribution to the inequality field expanding the stratification literature from the usual single focus on social class to four stratification hierarchies in dynamic interaction. Unlike many co-authored books we each wrote single authored chapters on inequality topics in which we were especially interested. Vince wrote a terrific chapter on the ideologies or belief systems that surround and maintain stratification hierarchies. For example, the belief, held by many, is that the system is open and opportunity abounds and the poor have only themselves to blame for their lower socioeconomic position or their poverty. The book got good reviews and was adopted in upper division stratification classes. In writing our projects together we frequently met at Vince’s house, the two of us plus his large German shepherd dog. It was a great work environment. When we disagreed on some point we usually argued for our position passionately while Rex the dog would growl. Hitting an impasse we would retreat to Vince’s back small house and bat around his large punching bag. (Vince used to be a Second or Cornerman in boxing matches) We always reconciled or compromised on our positions after returning to the house. Following these collaborations, Vince and I went in different directions. Vince moved increasingly toward writings on the concepts of love, altruism, and that which brings people together in solidarity, ( sociology of good). He was fascinated with the writings of big classical theorists ( like Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle in their writings on the virtues, and more contemporary sociology theorists like Emile Durkheim, Randall Collins, and Pitirim Sorokin and their writings on morality and social solidarity.) For example, Sorokin notes the importance of altruistic love, the giving of the self for the welfare of the other, as manifested in various forms such as volunteering, benefitting oppressed groups, gratitude , apology and forgiveness. Aristotle’s virtues were key origins in much of Vince’s. later research (the four noteworthy virtues of Aristotle are prudence, justice, temperance and courage). According to Aristotle, the possession of these virtues makes a person good, happy and flourishing. Vince wrote several articles on family cohesion based on the virtues. Given all these interests, Vince was increasingly driven to found a new recognized area in the sociology of good, an officially recognized area of sociology with altruism, morality and solidarity in the title. Getting a new area launched with the ASA is no easy task . The American Sociological Association(ASA) demands a list of 200 or so supporters who support a new area, will contribute to it in scholarship and are willing to pay a membership fee for this new section. Vince’s dogged determination as a key founder of the new area was exceptional. He was absolutely determined to get the area off the ground and accepted, and he did. An important note: I was struck by his love for his wife Ceja and how it deepened and expanded his sense of kindness, gratitude, and care for others. He was a friend and scholar, a social justice advocate and a wonderful human being. I will miss him dearly.
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In 2012, Vince served as the inaugural Chair of the American Sociological Association's Section on Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity. I worked closely with Vince in the early years of the formation of this Section and I can state with certainty that it would not exist without his tireless, behind-the-scenes efforts that unfolded over at least three years. In fact, our first bid for Section status failed and we needed help from the ASA President at the time in order to have a second chance. This resulted in "Morality" being added to the Section's name. Vince's field-building vision -- and he led a group of esteemed authors on an article about the need for a new, coherent field that was published in The American Sociologist in 2006 -- inspired others like me to help with the effort to launch a Section-in-Formation, which eventually became a regular Section. Vince was the heart and soul of the effort. He anonymously subsidized graduate student memberships to help increase our numbers to meet the ASA's requirements, he co-edited the Section newsletter with me when I needed help, and he received the Section's Outstanding Published Book Award in 2015 for his field-building book, The Palgrave Handbook of Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity.
The common theme in all of this activity was Vince's heart of a servant, which traced back to his life-long interest in the virtues and how social contexts might better cultivate them. Vince genuinely cared about the field, the section, the discipline of sociology, and especially the people who benefitted, and continued to benefit, from the creation of a new space to share our understanding of topics that connect to virtue. There are of course downsides to (in-group) expressions of altruism, (unskillful) moralities, and (unhealthy) solidarities. Vince did not turn a blind eye to the negative, which was why he opposed the rebranding of the Section as "Positive Sociology." But he maintained an optimistic outlook that promoted the thoughtful practice of the virtues and held that social groups could always become more understanding, caring, and ultimately forces for the greater good. I am grateful for the time I spent with Vince and for the generativity of his life, which continues on through the work of the students he taught, his scholarship, the ASA Section, and especially his friends. We welcome your feedback and suggestions. All the best, Matt Listen to our AMSS podcast episode with Netta Kahana, Doctoral Candidate of Sociology at , where she talks about her work with volunteer tourism and the article: Kahana N. The road worth taking, the life worth living, and the person worth being: Morality, authenticity and personhood in volunteer tourism and beyond. Tourist Studies. 2021;21(4):509-525. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/14687976211019910
For the inaugural edition of the AMSS section podcast and series of interviews. Current Chair Dr. David Melamed had a conversation with future section Chair Dr. Penny Edgell to discuss, among other things, her work, '“I Believe in Taking Care of People”: Pushing Back against Rationalized Institutions with a Logic of Care' which is now available in the February 2022 Volume of Poetics (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poetic.2021.101593)
 Open Call for Fellowships
Application open: March 15, 2022 Application closed: May 15, 2022 PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute) is seeking applicants whose research agendas align with one of four principal vectors of PRRI's ongoing work: 1) religious, racial and ethnic pluralism; 2) racial justice and white supremacy; 3) immigration and migration studies; and 4) LGBTQ rights. In each area of scholarship, PRRI will select four fellows. The ideal candidates are mid-career scholars (three to twelve years since earning terminal degree) who have an aptitude and track record of socially engaged or public scholarship. PRRI is seeking a diverse cohort in terms of academic disciplines (both humanities and the social sciences), types of institutions (college, university, seminary, or research institute), and geographic location. Additional details: https://www.prri.org/about/careers-and-fellowships/ For questions, please contact Amber Cooper at [email protected]. The Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity Section is pleased to announce the following calls for 2022 award nominationsDistinguished Career Award
Deadline: March 1, 2022 Contact: Pamela Paxton, University of Texas – Austin The Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity Section of the ASA is seeking nominations for the 2022 Distinguished Career Award. This award is given annually to a person who has made a number of significant contributions to the study of altruism, morality, and/or social solidarity over an extended period of time. It is intended to recognize a senior scholar’s cumulative achievements. Nominations should include a brief description of the career contributions that make the candidate deserving of the award. Self-nominations are welcome. Please send nominations, with the subject line AMSS 2022 Distinguished Career Award Nomination, by March 1, 2022 to the Committee Chair: Pamela Paxton, [email protected] Outstanding Published Book Award Deadline: March 1, 2022 Contact: Deniz Yucel, William Patterson University The Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity Section of the ASA is seeking nominations for the 2022 Outstanding Published Book Award. This award is given annually to the author(s) of a theoretical analysis, research monograph, or reader published in the last five years (2017-2021) that increases knowledge and understanding of altruism, morality, and/or social solidarity. Nominations must include the book itself and a brief statement regarding the merits of the book. Self-nominations are welcome. A single author or one of the coauthors must be a current AMSS section member. Send the nomination letter and a PDF of the book, with the subject line AMSS 2022 Book Award Nomination, by March 1, 2022 to the Committee Chair: Deniz Yucel, [email protected] If a digital copy of the book is unavailable, please mail copies of the book to the committee: James Cavendish 11304 Marjory Ave. Tampa, FL 33612 Landon Schnabel 323 Uris Hall Cornell University Department of Sociology Ithica, NY 14853 Deniz Yucel William Patterson University Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice 300 Pompton Rd, 457 Raubinger Hall Wayne, NJ 07470 Outstanding Published Article Award Deadline: March 1, 2022 Contact: Steve Benard, Indiana University The Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity Section of the ASA is seeking nominations for the 2022 Outstanding Published Article Award. This award is given annually to the author(s) of a peer-reviewed research or theoretical journal article published in the last three years (2019 - present) that increases knowledge and understanding of altruism, morality, and/or social solidarity. Nominations must include a PDF copy of the article and a brief statement regarding the merits of the article. Self-nominations are welcome. Multiple authored papers are eligible for the award. Co-author teams involving graduate students are eligible if the paper is not also under review for the Outstanding Graduate Student Paper Award. A single author or one of the coauthors must be a current AMSS section member. send nominations, with the subject line AMSS 2022 Article Award Nomination, by March 1, 2022 to the Committee Chair: Steve Benard, [email protected] Outstanding Graduate Student Paper Award Deadline: March 1, 2022 Contact: Bin Xu, Emory University The Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity Section of the ASA is seeking nominations for the 2022 Outstanding Graduate Student Paper Award. This award is given annually to the author(s) of a research or theoretical paper that increases knowledge and understanding of altruism, morality, and/or social solidarity and that has been (a) presented at a regional, national, or international professional meeting, or (b) published, or submitted for publication, in a journal during the two preceding calendar years (2020-2021). Authors of eligible papers must be graduate students at the time of the paper submission. Multiple authored papers are eligible for the award if all authors are graduate students. Self-nominations are welcome. A single author or one of the coauthors must be a current AMSS section member. Please send nominations, with the subject line AMSS 2022 Graduate Paper Award Nomination, by March 1, 2022 to the Committee Chair: Bin Xu, [email protected]  The Department of Sociology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for two full-time, tenure-track positions at the rank of Assistant Professor. We seek scholars whose primary expertise is in social inequalities, such as race, class, gender, sexuality, and their interactions, and whose qualifications and interests build upon existing departmental strengths. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to conduct independent research with the potential to develop a strong record of scholarship, to obtain extramural funding for research, and teach at the graduate and undergraduate level. Applicants must also demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a multicultural student population through training, teaching, and other comparable experience. The successful candidate will (a) teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the sociology of race, class, gender, or sexuality, other related specialty areas, and quantitative methods or qualitative methods, (b) supervise masters and doctoral students, and (c) seek extramural research funding.
QUALIFICATIONS This position requires a PhD in Sociology from a regionally accredited college or university and demonstrate the achievement or strong promise of scholarly success, as well as the ability to acquire extramural research funding. Credentials must be obtained prior to the start of employment. SALARY RANGE Salary competitive with those at similarly situated institutions. Position is contingent upon funding. APPLICATION DETAILS Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based. Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates’ materials will begin on November 1, 2021 and best consideration will be gained for materials submitted prior to that date. Materials should be addressed to Dr. Michael Borer, Search Committee Chair, and are to be submitted online as we do not accept emailed materials. For assistance with the application process, please contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or [email protected]. Here's the long url: https://nshe.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UNLV-External/job/UNLV1-Maryland-Campus/Sociology--Assistant-Professor--College-of-Liberal-Arts--R0126783-_R0126783 Job announcement: University of California, Irvine The Department of Sociology at the University of California, Irvine, announces recruitment for two tenure-track positions at the assistant professor level. We welcome applicants in all sub-fields, especially those with expertise in gender/sexuality and race/ethnicity. We seek candidates with strong publication profiles and well-defined research agendas, who will also contribute to the university’s mission of excellence in teaching, mentoring, and inclusive excellence. This position requires a Ph.D. Priority will be given to applications completed by October 1, 2021, but the position will remain open until filled. Please upload materials at recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF07032. For more information on the department, see www.sociology.uci.edu.
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