Page 32 - The ISA Handbook in Contemporary Sociology

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Introduction

Ann Denis and Devorah Kalekin-Fishman 1

This book is an outcome of the mid-term Anthropology Association and l’ Association
Research Council Conference of the canadienne de sociologues et anthropologues
International Sociological Association (ISA), de langue française, the national associations
which Ann Denis, as Vice-President for which were co-sponsoring the conference,
Research of the ISA (2002–2006) organized we invited participants to discuss how spe-
at the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada cialized fields of sociology contribute
in May 2004. Some of the local members to the description, interpretation and expla-
of the Scientific (Program) Committee (Ann nation of conflict, competition and coopera-
Denis, Victor Armony, Karen March, Joseph-Yvon tion as contemporary processes of social and
Thériault) developed the conference theme, societal relations. The conference and this
in consultation with its international members Handbook provide an unparalleled opportu-
(Ari Sitas, ISA Vice-President for Program, nity to share, identify commonalities among,
2002–2006 and Piotr Sztompka, ISA and establish links between different fields
President, 2002–2006). Our challenge was to of research. At the same time it has allowed
provide an opportunity for representatives of us to document and extend our analyses –
the Research Committees, Working Groups, both theoretical and empirical – of these
and Thematic Groups of the ISA (who col- social processes in societies throughout the
lectively make up its Research Council), to world.
discuss contributions/approaches of their In our elaboration on the theme, both in
respective specialized branches of sociology the call for conference papers and in the sub-
in a collective reflection around a common sequent invitation to submit revised papers
theme. Our chosen theme was Conflict, for publication, we provided the following
Competition, Cooperation: Contemporary guidelines to participants.
Sociological Theory and Research in the Conflict, competition, cooperation: these classical
XXIst Century. notions within sociology remain very pertinent for
In our call for papers, addressed both to the analysis of the aspirations and realities within
representatives from the ISA Research and among contemporary societies in our globaliz-
ing world. Equally, these are notions which can
Council (as well as the ISA Officers and
have distinctive meanings, depending on the
members of the ISA Executive Committee’s field of sociology, the theoretical approach,
Research Coordinating (sub)-Committee) and/or the cultural context, both within and
and to members of the Canadian Sociology and across societies.