Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 15:30:52 -0700 (MST) From: Martha Gimenez To: psn-seminars@csf.colorado.edu Subject: academic lives and meaning (fwd) I am forwarding this on behalf of Gary marx ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 13:37:31 -0800 (PST) From: gary marx To: psn-seminars@csf.colorado.edu Subject: academic lives and meaning Dear Seminar Participants: I will be please to respond to any questions regarding the three posted articles but I am as well interested in your answers to the issues they deal with? These questions are directed to those just beginnning as well as those further along in their careers. what are your goals? why do you study sociology? beyond the obvious questions such as, "will I find a job" or be able to change jobs?", what are the major concerns you have about work life? waht the major tensions or unresolved issues that you think most about? do you know the difference between the disipline and the profession? where do you think you will be in your career five years from now? ten? have you identified types of work, questions or persons that you would like t, or do, emulate in your research and life? if you were independently wealthy would you still be seeking, or continue a career in sociology? what if you knew you had only ten years to left to live? five? one? what upsets you most about being a graduate student or a begining assistant professor? what gives you the most plealsure? what three or four (or more?) ideas do you feel it is most important to pass on to those just starting in the field? What would you recommend that students and colleagues read to help deal with these questions? if you are established in your career what do you know now that you wish you knew when you were starting out? at least some of the 37 imperatives can be seen as controversial do you agree with all of them (e.g., write books don't read them; take short cuts; don't be scriptocentric; don't stay a specialist; don't join the thought police; being a scientist and a political actor; not basing a research agenda around your identity, have fun). I would be disappointed if no one challenges at least some of those. It is ok to disagree and ask probing questions! Gary T. Marx