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Sociology Professor Recognized for Outstanding Journal Article

Lisa LeitzDr. Lisa Leitz

CONWAY, Ark. (June 8, 2012) - Hendrix College sociology professor Dr. Lisa Leitz was recently honored with the Outstanding Article Award from the Peace, War, and Social Conflict Section of the American Sociological Association.

Leitz received the honor for her paper titled "Oppositional Identities: The Military Peace Movement's Challenge to Pro-Iraq War Frames" which was published in Social Problems.

From the abstract:

In the United States, rhetoric in support of the Iraq War often focuses on discourses of patriotism and supporting the troops. These discourses hold enormous sway over the American public because of the discursive legacies of the Vietnam War and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In response, members of the peace movement who are veterans, soldiers, and military families stress their military identities during activism. These individuals have organized as an important branch of the U.S. antiwar movement that challenges the pro-war framing of patriotism and troop support by strategically deploying "oppositional identities." The oppositional identity strategy involves highlighting the activism of individuals who many would assume would be part of the movement's opposition. In an effort to assert credibility and support their frames, activists assert this novel and seemingly contradictory identity through organizational affiliation, rhetoric, clothing, mannerisms, and symbols.

The full article can be read here.

Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is a national leader in engaged liberal arts and sciences education. Hendrix was named the country's #1 "Up and Coming" liberal arts college for the third consecutive year by U.S. News and World Report. Hendrix is featured in the 2011 edition of the Princeton Review as one of the country's best 376 colleges and is listed in the 2012 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges as one of 25 "Best Buy" private colleges included. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. For more information, visit www.hendrix.edu.