Couch-Stone Symposium: “Symbolic Interactionist Takes on Music”
March 27-29, 2014
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
The Center for Social Inquiry and the Department of Sociology at Texas State University are hosting an intimate symposium focused specifically on music. There is a long history of symbolic interactionist interest in music, ranging from Howard Becker’s seminal work on jazz musicians to contemporary studies of music festivals, music scenes, and other exciting topics. With the generous support of the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction, the Couch Family Foundation and local sources, our symposium will be both intellectually and musically exciting.
Session Topics (tentative)
- music scenes
- music and self-identity: audience and artist
- interdisciplinary study of music
- music festivals
- the social organization of music
- mundane music experience in everyday life
The symposium will be conducted on the beautiful campus of Texas State University, in San Marcos, Texas. Texas State is located in the beautiful Hill Country of Central Texas, approximately 25 miles south of Austin and 45 miles north of San Antonio.
Schedule of Events (tentative)
Thursday afternoon: Attendees arrive at Austin airport in the afternoon, to be lodged at the Country Inn Hotel in San Marcos.
Thursday evening: The bus picks up everyone and takes them to dinner (TBA), then a local music landmark, The Cheatham Street Warehouse, home of George Strait and Stevie Ray Vaughan, for a beer, some great live music—and a possible SI jam (bring your instruments!).
Friday: After breakfast at the hotel, the bus will take all to TxSt for three sessions/panels before box lunch and one session and keynote address after lunch.
Friday evening: The bus will take all to the hotel for an evening trip to Gruene, Texas for dinner on the banks of the scenic Guadalupe River, then to the historic Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall, for a beer and some live music, y’all.
Saturday: After breakfast at the hotel and check out, bus to campus for two paper sessions and an open discussion on directions for our future study of music. The bus will take all to the airport for afternoon return flights.
Attendance for the symposium will be limited to 35 participating scholars. If you are interested in attending, please send me the following information BY OCTOBER 14, 2013
(jk54@txstate.edu):
- The title and 100 word abstract for your proposed presentation
- The topic in which your presentation would fit
- Your on-going work in the interactionist study of music
Registration fee: Paid membership in SSSI for 2014 and $25 (for senior scholars) to help defer student travel expenses.
Please email this information to:
Dr. Joseph A. Kotarba
Professor of Sociology and
Director, Center for Social Inquiry
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas 78666
E: jk54@txstate.edu
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