The roots of the Canadian Sociological Association are found in the Anthropology and Sociology Chapter of the Canadian Political Science Association, which was established in 1955. By the early 1960s, Chapter members were discussing the possibility of establishing a journal and a separate association. The first issue of the Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology was published in February 1964 as the Official Journal of the Anthropology and Sociology Chapter, for it would be 1965 before the separate Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association (CSAA) was established, with headquarters at what is now Concordia University in Montreal. By 2007, sociologists and anthropologists had gone their separate ways: the association and journal were reconstituted as the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) and the Canadian Review of Sociology.
The first time the CSAA met at the Learneds – now the CSA at Congress – its membership came from universities, government departments, the National Museum of Canada, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Francophones and graduate students were represented as well. The first meetings of the independent CSAA were small by today’s standards: furthermore, the departure in 2007 of our anthropologists had consequences for participation in annual meetings of the CSA. Over the past few years, the CSA has experienced growth in membership and in Congress participation. We expect to have more than 700 delegates with us in Ottawa to celebrate our 50th Congress – compared to 325 in 2011.
The CSA has changed a great deal in the last few years. We now have 24 Research Clusters– the largest being Political Sociology and Social Movements with close to 80 members – generating a great deal of energy and shaping our offerings at Congress. Over the past year, the association succeeded in its efforts to attract more francophones and applied sociologists (academic and non-academic): this year’s program – which includes 200 sessions – boasts 40 bilingual or French sessions and roughly ten that are associated with our Applied Sociology and Demography clusters.
In effect, the Canadian Sociological Association is ready to celebrate its 50th Congress with energy and enthusiasm. Join us in celebrating our legacy by exploring our programming—we hope to see you at Congress!
Monday, June 1:
Tuesday, June 2:
Taking stock of corporatization of Canada's universities (open to the general public)
Promising directions in education research: Invited panel discussion
Outstanding Contribution Lecture
Wednesday, June 3:
Working bodies: Remembering the scholarship of Dr. Sharon Dale Stone
Thursday, June 4:
Immigration research and policy developments: What do we know and where are we headed?