The Impact of a Teaching Focus on Participation in Professional Meetings.

interest in evaluating and strengthening the teaching of sociology has become manifest in a variety of ways, ranging from the creation of a journal devoted to the topic, to efforts by the A SA. Yet professional meetings, which constitute major forums by which sociologists communicate with each other, have not been structured sufficiently to accommodate the widening professional interest in teaching and related matters. An exception to this was the 1977 annual program of the North Carolina Sociological Association. A survey conducted after the meetings indicates that (1) the undergraduate teaching focus had a great deal to do with the record attendance; (2) there is a preference for an emphasis on teaching in future meetings; (3) the presence of ASA representatives was defined as a positive contribution; and (4) the participants perceived positive, professional payoff from the meetings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]