Nonviolence and Social Justice

Five faculty members represented the University of Hartford at the 30th annual meeting of the Association for Humanist Sociology (AHS) in Tampa, Fla.

The conference theme, “Nonviolence and the Struggle for Social Justice,” attracted researchers and scholars from across the nation.

Wick Griswold, assistant professor of sociology, Hillyer, served as discussant for the session “Toward Economic Justice.” Griswold is currently president-elect of AHS and will be sworn is as president in November 2006.

Woody Doane, professor of sociology and associate dean, Hillyer, was a panelist for the session “Combating Color-Blindness: From Progressive Discourse on Race to Antiracist Action.” Doane is a past president of AHS and now serves as the association’s vice president for publications.

Tim Black, associate professor of sociology, A&S, and director of the University’s Center for Social Research, delivered a paper titled “God and Work: Drug Rehabilitation at the Salvation Army” in the session “Humanist Perspectives on Social Services.”

Karen Lucas Breda, associate professor of nursing, ENHP, presented the paper “Unhealthy Bedfellows: Neoliberal Reform and the Discipline of Nursing” in the session “Toward Economic Justice.”

Helen Raisz, adjunct faculty member in the All-University Curriculum, discussed “Dennis Kucinich’s Department of Peace” in the session “Nonviolence and Peacemaking.”

The AHS was founded in 1976, and brings together sociologists who share “a common concern for the real life problems of equality, peace, and social justice.” They serve as a “support network for sociologists and other scholars committed to humanist values."