A Quarterly Publication of The American Sociological Association Comments from the Editor Volume 37, Number 1 - January 2009 Volume 37, Number 2 - April 2009 Volume 37, Number 3 - July 2009 Volume 37, Number 4 - October 2009 Volume 37, Number 1 January 2009 I AM DELIGHTED to start the new year with this special issue honoring C. Wright Mills and the publication of his classic work, The Sociological Imagination. As Stephen Scanlan notes in the Introduction to this issue, every sociologist can probably remember when she or he really “got” the sociological imagination. I can even remember exactly where I was sitting when it happened for me and at that moment, so much about the world made sense. I now had a framework for organizing and making sense of my perceptions about society and people around me. What an awakening! Even though I was just 17 years old at the time, I knew that I was a sociologist at heart and that I wanted to learn more about this amazing discipline. Not only has Mills helped countless students and learners make sense of the world, as teachers of sociology, we are constantly called upon to use our sociological imaginations to figure out how to teach better and to help students who are struggling, as evidenced in the articles in this issue. The sociological imagination is far more than a concept we teach, it is a pedagogical approach uniquely suited to and offered by sociology. My special thanks go to Stephen Scanlan for suggesting that a special issue of the journal be devoted to Mills and the 50th anniversary of his book and most importantly, making it a reality. May this issue encourage us all to think about different ways to teach and use the sociological imagination, and for some of us, to dust off our copy of The Sociological Imagination and relive that first moment when it all made sense. Volume 29, Number 2 April 2009 I AM HAPPY TO REPORT that the next editor of Teaching Sociology has been formally announced by the American Sociological Aassociation. Kathleen Lowney, Professor of Sociology at Valdosta State University, will be taking over the reins at the end of this year. Starting July 1, 2009, all manuscripts should be sent to: Kathleen Lowney Department of Sociology, Anthropology, & Criminal Justice Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA 31698-0060 e-mail: teachingsociology@valdosta.edu Volume 37, Number 3 July 2009 THIS ISSUE is partially devoted to the “sociology of the classroom.” I am indebted to Maxine Atkinson and her colleagues for articulating this construct and proposing that a special issue be devoted to it. I have long shared their concern that much sociological scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) is lacking theoretical depth and richness. The articles that appear here provide not only insight into the classroom as a social world but also a model for how sociological theory enhances SoTL. The issue is rounded out by three teaching notes—those by Obach, Mallinson, and Levine-Rasky—that contribute to our pedagogical toolkit. As of July 1, 2009, all new manuscripts should be sent to editor-elect Kathleen Lowney at: Kathleen Lowney Department of Sociology, Anthropology, & Criminal Justice Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA 31698-0060 e-mail: teachingsociology@valdosta.edu I will continue to receive revise and resubmits until August 8, 2009, after which time these also should be sent to the incoming editor. Volume 37, Number 4 October 2009 AS I WRITE THIS NOTE, my last after six years as editor, I am filled with mixed emotions. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to edit Teaching Sociology, a professional dream come true. To be able to help shape the discipline’s approach to teaching, and forge connections with people I would never have had the chance to meet otherwise, has been an incredible honor. But there’s also a grieving (although I suspect I will recover quickly) because the journal has been a constant in my life for six years, my “child,” and I feel the same kind of ambivalence as I do as I prepare to send my oldest daughter away to college next year. Have I done enough? Is it really time to let go? At least in the case of this journal, I know that the next home is a great one and I have no doubts that the new editor, Kathleen Lowney, will see that the journal continues to flourish and make an impact on the broader SoTL field. I am grateful to all those who have provided invaluable assistance along the way. It would not have been possible without the help of many talented and committed individuals. I am especially grateful to Pauline Pavlakos, who has served as typesetter and Web site coordinator, and who has an amazing knack for spotting errors after everyone else had “signed off.” Karen Edwards and Janine McKenna at ASA kept the administrative problems at a minimum and were always willing to help. I’ve had the pleasure of working with three graduate students who served as managing editors—Jori Sechrist, Monica Mendez, and Deborah Barr—and their ability to juggle their doctoral work along with the journal never ceased to amaze me. The editorial board members—too numerous to list—have been a constant source of guidance and assistance. Last, but certainly not least, are the many reviewers who have sacrificed valuable time to ensure that the manuscripts published here maintain the highest quality. These dedicated individuals who reviewed over the past year are listed in the appendix of this issue. I have learned more about the scholarship of teaching and learning, teaching, and the profession, from my experience as editor, than any other professional endeavor I’ve undertaken. It’s been a great ride! The Editor of Teaching Sociology is Liz Grauerholz. Beginning July 1, 2009, new submissions to Teaching Sociology should be sent to the incoming editor of the journal, Kathleen S. Lowney. Her address is: Kathleen S. Lowney Editor, Teaching Sociology Department of Sociology, Anthropology, & Criminal Justice Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA 31698-0060 For questions about manuscript processing, contact Deborah Barr, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Central Florida, Howard Phillips Hall 403, Orlando, FL 32816-1360. Phone: 407-823-2227, Fax: 407-823-3026. The Webmaster is Pauline H. Pavlakos. Observations on form and egregious spelling may be directed to Ms. Pavlakos. The Teaching Sociology Web Page is located at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Le Moyne College, the Jesuit College of Central New York. Page last updated: August 28, 2009