Tennessee Undergraduate
Social Science Symposium

Migrations is the theme for the 16th Annual Tennessee Undergraduate Social Science Symposium to be held Thursday and Friday, November 15-16,2007 in the James Union Building at Middle Tennessee State University. All events are open to the public and free of charge.

Since 1993 the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at MTSU has continued the tradition begun thirty years ago by Dr. Rodger Bates at Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee. The symposium seeks to encourage student interest in the scientific study of human interaction and to foster professional growth, while providing opportunities for the intellectual and social exchange of ideas. Given the important relevance of this year's theme the event is expected to draw from 800-1,000 students and educators from MTSU and across the state.

The symposium will open Thursday, Nov. 15 with student research paper presentations and paper presentations will continue throughout the two-day symposium. Although Migrations is the central symposium theme, papers are accepted on any social topic. Papers presented by students will include a variety of topics, e.g., immigration, social problems, social and cultural theory, hate crimes, race and ethnicity, Appalachian studies, health, family, and work, and experiential learning in archaeological studies and study abroad. Student paper submissions are due by November 1, and this year a paper award competition will include a first, second, and third-place award and prize for outstanding papers. Student paper titles for presentation can be submitted to professors Ida Fadzillah at ifadzill@mtsu.edu or Vicky MacLean at vmaclean@mtsu.edu. To enter the paper competition please submit complete papers to professor Shannon Hodge at shodge@mtsu.edu no later than November 8.

The event also will include an engaging thematic panel discussion on Thursday at 1:00 in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building entitled Immigration in the American South. Professor Will Leggett of Anthropology indicates that "the goal of the forum is to bring together local representatives of immigrant groups living in the area to explore the impact of various forms of migration on the traveling populations and local communities in both the host country, and the countries of origin."

Following the panel discussion a documentary film screening will be hosted by the Middle Tennessee Anthropological Society and the Sociology Club in the Keathley University Center Theater from 4:15-6:00. The film, God Grew Tired of Us is narrated by Nicole Kidman and explores the indomitable spirit of three "Lost Boys" from the Sudan who are forced to leave their homeland due to civil war. No tickets are required and students and any other interested persons in the community are invited to attend.

Another exciting highlight of the symposium includes the keynote address on November 15 at 7:00 in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building. The lecture Changing Faces, Changing Places: The Emergence of New Immigrant Gateways in the United States will be given this year by Katharine Donato, Professor of Sociology at Vanderbilt University and Research Fellow at Vanderbilt's Center for Nashville Studies. Given recent debates on immigration policy and the growing diversity of ethnic communities in the middle Tennessee region the lecture is expected to be of interest to a large audience of participants.

The symposium will conclude on Friday, November 16 with additional paper presentations, culminating with a brown-bag luncheon discussion on Careers in the Social Sciences at 12:30 in the Hazelwood of the James Union Building. The career panel moderated by Sociology Professor Craig Carter, will feature various alumni, faculty and practicing social scientists and will explore potential career paths for students.

Current and past funding and sponsorship for the symposium include John McDaniel, the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Dr. Ronald Aday; the Distinguished Lecture Committee; and Student Activity Fees. For information please contact Connie Huddleston (chudd@mtsu.edu), Coordinator for the College of Liberal Arts or 494-7628 or the Co-directors of this year's program Ida Fadzillah or Vicky MacLean, Department of Sociology and Anthropology.