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A Sociological Study Of Atheism And Naturalism As Minority Identities In Appalachia., Kelly E. Church-Hearl

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study aims to provide a sociological understanding of people who hold minority beliefs about spirituality and religion and to improve our sociological and social-psychological understanding of a-religious and alternatively religious people. Data were collected through indepth interviews with 10 atheist and 11 naturalist respondents. The study examines the religious histories of the respondents, how they left mainstream religion, how they adopted a minority identity with regard to religion/spirituality, and their personal experiences living in a predominately Christian area. I hypothesized that atheists and naturalists would hold minority identities and feel subordinated or oppressed by the dominant group: Christians. …

Heroes: A Realistic Depiction Of Heroism, Cheryl’Lynn Joost

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

In the world we live in, heroes are traditionally thought of as perfect individuals who always save the world. Perfection, however, is unrealistic in the real world. The television series Heroes is a form of text that provides viewers with heroes that are more realistic to the real world and easier to relate to. Heroes, which debuted in September of 2006, follows various people around the world who have recently discovered that they have extraordinary abilities. With their newly discovered talents, the characters now have to decide how to use them. This study critically analyzes particular characters that illustrate the …

Powers And Abilities Far Behind Those Of Mortal Men: An Examination Of The Comic Book Industry And Subculture Through A Feminist Sociological Perspective, James H. Frail Jr.

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Comic books are a medium which should be able to reach readers, whether male or female. Yet, the overwhelming majority of comic book readers are male. The feminist sociological perspective asks what the role of women is in a given situation, why that had come to be, and how can it be changed for the betterment of society. The realm of comic books is cyclical between fans and the publishing companies. As such, both the content of the comics themselves, and the opinions and reading habits of the fans must be studied to determine where this disparity begins, and how …

An Integration Of 'Social Environment' Into The Symbolic Interactionist Paradigm, Tom Riley

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Sociology by Tom Riley on May 1, 1998.

The White Extremist Movement: A Metatheoretical Analysis, Suzanne Vanweelde

Masters Theses

This study is a metatheoretical analysis of the white extremist movement in the United States. Five separate major and several smaller white extremist organizations were examined with respect to updated information as to the organizational levels, membership profiles and activities of: (1) the Ku Klux Klan, (2) the Militia, (3) Skinheads, (4) Aryan Nations, (5) the Neo-Nazi and (6) other organizations.

Several theories developed by foundational, developmental and contemporary sociologists were analyzed for their individual concepts. Pertinent and significant concepts were noted as being applicable to a theory of white extremism. Specific examples of the concepts' usage within the extremist …

The Michigan Juvenile Waiver Package: An Analysis Of Its Use In Wayne County, Michigan, Kenneth C. Jackson

Masters Theses

On October 1, 1988, the Michigan Juvenile Waiver Package took effect in Michigan. One of the results of this was the implementation of prosecutorial waiver method in Michigan. Whereas previously juveniles could only be waived and tried in the adult court via a judicial waiver, now it was possible for the prosecutor to waive juveniles aged 15 or 16 if charged with one or more of seven specified Class 1A felonies. Data were collected for all youth subject to prosecutorial waiver in Wayne County over a five year period, from October 1, 1988 through October 1, 1993. Data included: date …

A Study Of Children's Drawing Types And Factors Influencing Choice Of Subject Matter, Stella Clark

Theses : Honours

The main purpose of this study was to determine what children draw when given a free choice of subject in the context of the classroom. The social Influences believed to affect children's drawings were also investigated. Another research interest related to Whether or not gender was a significant factor in the production of different drawing types. The significance of this study is connected with the desirability for teachers to have an understanding of children's perceptions of the world and the factors which influence them, as it is accepted that awareness of children's interests and influences may lead to more relevant …

A Pilot Study Of A Sex Education Program In A Sheltered Workshop Using A Cognitive-Behavioral Model Based On Rational Emotive Therapy, Jacqueline A. Rieck, Thomas E. Frederick

Masters Theses

This pilot study was developed to teach people with mental retardation about their own sexuality, appropriate community behaviors, and to develop within them a basic sense of responsibility for their own actions. Problems in social/sexual behaviors have been consistently quoted as reasons for high recidivism rates, as well as difficulties in community living, vocational placement, and other generalized stereotypes about mental retardation. Often the public remains uninformed about, does not recognize, and/or feels that sexual rights for people with any mental differences should not exist. Additionally, when any form of sexuality was expressed by such people it resulted in shock …

The Stereotype Of The Indian In The New Mexico Press, Robert L. Brizee

Sociology ETDs

The purposes of this study were an attempt to determine by empirical procedures whether or not stereotypes of the Indian are present in the newspapers of Albuquerque, Gallup, and Taos, New Mexico, and to describe any stereotypes that are found in these newspapers.

The Study Of The Stereotype Of The American Indian, George A. Agogino

Sociology ETDs

The object of this investigation is to test two widely accepted hypotheses concerning the stereotype concept of sociology and social psychology by analysis of the American Indian as depicted in comic books, magazines, and motion pictures. From a total of sixty stories about Indians taken from a sampling of these sources a relatively complete stereotype has been abstracted.