This call for proposals is for a plenary session at the Canadian Sociological Association meetings in Waterloo, Ontario from May 29 through to June 2 2012. The call for papers has been recently released through the following link: http://www.csa-scs.ca/call-for-papers
The session organizers, Rachel Langford (Ryerson University), Patrizia Albanese (Ryerson University and Susan Prentice (University of Manitoba) invite you to submit online an abstract between 100 and 200 words by January 30, 2012.
Topic Area: Social Movements
Session Code: PLEN3
Session Title: Social Movements and Professionalization: Critical Assessments
Session description:
What happens to a social movement when it "goes professional"?" Does its ability to bring about change improve? How do the social movement leaders or "social movement entrepreneurs" set the agenda and stay true to the original movement's aims? Social movement scholars claim that successful mobilization depends on large-scale political opportunities and cultural changes, organizational structures and resources, tactical strategies and processes for framing issues. Professionalization of these mobilization factors has advantages and disadvantages particularly during difficult social and political conditions. This session will explore how these issues have been addressed by scholars examining the professionalization of social movement organizations in many contexts, including the disability, women's rights, anti-poverty, environmental and child care movements. Researchers studying links between advocacy/social movements and professionalization from theoretical and empirical perspectives as well as those considering various socio-cultural and political contexts are encouraged to submit proposals.
Session Organizer:
Rachel Langford, Ryerson University
Email: rlangfor@ryerson.ca
Session Co-Organizers:
Patrizia Albanese, Ryerson University
Susan Prentice, University of Manitoba
