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James Maples

My Master's thesis, entitled "Industrial Concentration and Quality of Life", is a quantitative examination of the effects of industrial concentration on quality of life.  Further research led me to expand on industrial concentration and coin the term Single Industry Employment Concentration when referring to my field of research.  I am now nurturing this provocative subject into a research agenda, with two manuscripts in preparation for submission to journals, and others in development. I am also actively pursuing inter-departmental research opportunities for further potential publications. 

In addition to my thesis topic, my current focus is on inequality, community sociology, and political economy, with a growing interest in statistical methods. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D in Sociology with a minor in Statistics at The University of Tennessee.  I am also on track to receive professional certification in Statistics from The University of Tennessee in 2010.

In my spare time, I am also an accomplished folk musician, electric banjoist, and published songwriter.

Degrees Received

  • MA in Sociology, The University of Tennessee 2008 (Magna Cum Laude)
  • BA in Philosophy, The University of Tennessee 2006 (Magna Cum Laude)
  • BA in Sociology, The University of Tennessee 2006 (Magna Cum Laude)

Service to the Profession

  • Electronic Communications Coordinator and Webmaster, Southern Sociological Society, 2007-2011.
  • Computer Liaison, Sociology Department at The University of Tennessee, 2006-2008.
  • Paper Award Committee, Southern Demographic Association, 2010.
  • Sociology Representative on the Arts and Sciences Dean’s Student Advisory Council, University of Tennessee, 2006.

Research Grants and Scholarships

  • Research Association Position, Southern Sociological Society. 2006-2011.
  • Summer Undergraduate Research Internship, The University of Tennessee, 2006.
    Research Topic: "Schumpeterian Economics and Creative Destruction, with a Focus on the Television and Restaurant Industries."  Research supervised by Dr. Harry F Dahms (The University of Tennessee) and Associate Vice Chancellor of Research Dr. W.F. Harris (The University of Tennessee)
  • Conference Scholarship, Appalachian Studies Association, 2007.

Awards

  • Sociology Student Special Mention Award, Sociology Department at The University of Tennessee, 2006.

Papers in Progress

Maples, James N. and Joongbaek Kim. “Single Industry Employment Concentrations and Infant Mortality.”

Hendricks, Sarah E, Stephanie A. Bohon, James N. Maples, and Ian R. Orr. "Racial Differences in Carpooling in the South.”

Maples, James N. and Joongbaek Kim. “Single Industry Employment Concentration in Appalachian History: A Comparative Historical Analysis.”

Presentations

2010 (Scheduled)

Maples, James N. and Joongbaek Kim. “Single Industry Employment Concentrations and Infant Mortality.” Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of Southern Sociological Society, April 21-25, 2010.  Atlanta, GA.

Maples, James N. and Joongbaek Kim.  ”Single Industry Employment Concentrations in Appalachia.” Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of Appalachian Studies Association. March 19-21, 2010. Dahlonega, GA.

2009
Maples, James N. "Geographic Concentration of Workers and Quality of Life." Paper presented at the annual meeting of Southern Sociological Society. April 2, 2009. New Orleans, LA.

Hendricks, Sarah E, Stephanie A. Bohon, James N. Maples, and Ian R. Orr. "Transportation Limitations and Ethno-racial Change in Tennessee."  Paper presented at the annual meetings of the Southern Rural Sociological Association.  February 1.  Atlanta, GA.

Hendricks, Sarah E, Stephanie A. Bohon, James N. Maples, and Ian R. Orr. "We're All in This Together?  Race and Class among Tennessee's Carpoolers."  Colloquium, Department of Sociology, University of Tennessee.  February 4.  Knoxville, TN. 

2008
“The Impact of Industrial Concentration On Quality of Life.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of Southern Sociological Society. April 2008; Richmond, Virginia.

2007
“The Role of Erich Fromm in Political Economy.” Paper presented at the annual Middle Tennessee State University Symposium, November 2007; Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

 “Tourism and Industrial Concentration.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Appalachian Studies Association. April 2007; Maryville, Tennessee.

“For Rent: A Political Economy Review of the New River Gorge.” Paper presented at annual meeting of Southern Sociological Society, April 2007; Atlanta, Georgia.

2006
“The Effects of Resource Exhaustion in the New River Gorge.” Paper presented at annual Middle Tennessee State University Symposium, November 2006; Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Conference Sessions Presided

2009
Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting. Paper Session 57: Quality of Life

2008
Southern Sociological Society Annual Meeting. Paper Session 128: Quality of Life.

James Maples

Contact Information

James Maples
Department of Sociology
Po Box 16239
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996

Phone: 865-974-2620
Email: jmaple11@utk.edu