Sociology Commons^™

Experiential Learning Applied To A Residential Life Training Program, Bobbie J. Coons-Boettcher

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to describe and justify a course project for a resident assistant course. Specifically, the project addresses the important role Resident Assistants play in developing community. To develop a project that was both practical and intellectually stimulating to students, as well as beneficial to the department, Kolb's (1981, 1984) experiential learning model was used as a conceptual framework.

Kolb's theory proposes that students learn at their optimal level when they can experience learning in many different ways. Based on this theory, the project is designed to engage each student in active learning while developing the …

The Expectations And Perceptions Of Incoming Freshmen At Uni, Kristin Michael

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

As colleges and universities have become increasingly competitive in their recruitment and retention of students, they have placed greater emphasis on the quality of the freshman experience. The nature of this experience serves as the focus of this study. This paper draws upon qualitative data about the perceptions and expectations of students beginning their first year of enrollment at the University of Northern Iowa. In doing so, it examines students' expectations and perceptions regarding their (1) prospective academic workload, (2) relationships with faculty, (3) relationships with peers, and ( 4) co-curricular involvements. While this study examines only the University of …

Gangs, Drugs, And Delinquency, Tina Renea Engstrom

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The main objective of this thesis is to study the link between gangs, drug use, and delinquency. Previous literature suggests that social learning and social control theories commonly provide theoretical contexts for explaining deviant behavior. The present research applies the principles of Sutherland's (1949) theory of differential association and Hirschi' s (1969) theory of social control to the delinquent behavior of gang members and their drug involvement. The present study does not attempt to explain why youths become gang members. Rather, this research uses an integration of social learning and social control theories to explain why gang members become involved …

A Review Of The Research On Social Withdrawal In Children And Adolescents, Ryan Lee Channel

Graduate Research Papers

Recent research on peer relations has differentiated two groups of socially isolated children, one due to social withdrawal and the other because of aggressive behavior. Aggression has seen more research and more conclusive evidence of the development of later problems while much of the peer relations literature has previously regarded the socially withdrawn child as questionable in terms of risk. Developmental theorists, however, maintain that interpersonal experiences enable children to gain a sense of other's perspective and relate to peers in social settings. Lack of, or continuously negative interactions will affect development of social cognition, limiting the learning gained through …

Developing A Community Service Program For High School Students, Ellen M. Hoefer

Graduate Research Papers

Youth leadership development within community service allows teenagers to serve others, to lead, and to contribute to society in ways that support positive roles, personal values, and communal beliefs in justice and equality. Ideally, community service learning builds supportive structures for youth leaders, encourages positive dialog around new relationships, and empowers others as competent and purposeful individuals.

Learning is not merely answering a teacher's questions to get a grade, but asking oneself questions to understand and to know what to do. When learning is from real life, and the consequences are real, one may have to question the surface appearance, …

The Social History Of A Moral Vision : A Qualitative Study Of The Ulster Project In Decorah, Iowa, Mark Murray Mccrory

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the beliefs, feelings, and experiences of 10 people involved with the Ulster Project in Decorah, Iowa. In addition, the study sought to assess the merits and consequences of the Project and to evaluate the validity of the contact hypothesis. The Ulster Project is a non-profit organization, which sponsors an ecumenical summer visit of Northern Irish youth to the United States. By exposing its visitors to people of the opposite religion, the Project's long range goal is to heal the many scars which have been built up through years of violence and …

Barriers To Effective Programming Of Rural Gifted And Talented Students, Linda K. Moehring

Graduate Research Papers

Gifted and talented students in rural areas have barriers that are specific to them. Through a review of literature on gifted and talented students in rural schools this writer has determined five barriers to effective educational programming: (1) Anti-intellectualism as a societal attitude; (2) isolation of rural gifted students; (3) the all-encompassing role of the gifted and talented teacher; (4) inadequate curricular or programming opportunities; and (5) lack of funding.

The review and analysis of literature on the rural gifted and talented include the recommendation that much more research needs to be conducted in the area of service to rural …