Digital Commons Network^™

How The European Legal System Works - And Does Not Work: Override, Non-Compliance, And Majoritarian Activism In International Regimes, Alec Stone Sweet

Alec Stone Sweet

No abstract provided.

Tax The Rich, Michael I. Niman Ph.D.

Michael I Niman Ph.D.

No abstract provided.

Who Volunteers? Constructing A Hybrid Theory, Susan M. Chambre, Christopher J. Einolf

Christopher J Einolf

This paper is an effort to initiate the development of a hybrid theory of volunteering. It describes three major theoretical perspectives: sociological theories which stress the importance of social context, social integration and social networks; prosocial and value orientations which emphasize the impact of individuals’ attitudes and beliefs regarding the importance of altruistic behavior and a sense of social responsibility; and resource theories that focus on the human capital and economic factors which both allow individuals to volunteer in meaningful ways and make them attractive to organizations.

Using the Midlife in the United States dataset, we operationalized the three theories …

Education, Labor Markets, And The Retreat From Marriage, Kristen Harknett, Arielle Kuperberg

Kristen Harknett

Transborder Membership Politics In Germany And Korea, Rogers Brubaker, Jaeeun Kim

Rogers Brubaker

This paper examines changing German and Korean policies towards transborder coethnics (Germans in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, and Koreans in Japan and China) during the high Cold War and post-Cold War eras. The paper contributes to the emerging literature on transborder forms of membership and belonging by highlighting and explaining the selective, variable, contingent, contested, and revocable nature of states’ embrace of transborder coethnics. The explanation highlights the relationship of transborder populations to predecessor polities; changing geopolitical contexts and domestic political conjunctures; the constitutive, group-making – and group-unmaking – power of state categorization practices; and the enduring …

A Matter Of Diversity, Equity And Necessity: The Tension Between Maryland's Higher Education System And Its Historically Black Institutions Over The Ocr Agreement, Robert T. Palmer, Phd, Ryan J. Davis, Marybeth Gasman, Phd

Marybeth Gasman

Eighteen years after the Supreme Court rendered its decision in Fordice, many states have complied somewhat or not at all to its mandates. This has been particularly evident in Maryland, where the presidents of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are pressuring the state to fulfill its commitment with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), stemming from Fordice, to make HBCUs comparable to their White peers. While Maryland has declared that it has complied with its OCR agreement by preventing unnecessary program duplication between HBCUs and White institutions, investing more money into HBCUs, and increasing racial diversity on all of …

White College Students' Explanations Of White (And Black) Athletic Performance: A Qualitative Investigation Of White College Students, Harrison

Dr. C. Keith Harrison

No abstract provided.

Who Lacks Support? An Examination Of Mothers’ Personal Safety Nets, Kristen Harknett, Caroline Sten Hartnett

Kristen Harknett

We use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 12,140 person–waves) to identify characteristics associated with mothers’ having or lacking “personal safety net” support from family and friends. We focus on characteristics that are likely to increase the importance of having support available but may also interfere with the maintenance of supportive ties: poverty, poor physical and mental health, and challenging child rearing responsibilities. By capitalizing on distinctions among these types of personal disadvantages and among types of personal safety nets (financial, housing, child care, and emotional), we help to explain why personal disadvantages are associated …

“School Is So Boring”: High-Stakes Testing And Boredom At An Urban Middle School, Richard Mora

Richard Mora

Existing evidence suggests that high stakes exams result in little increased learning among students (Amrein & Berliner, 2002; Klein, Hamilton, McCaffrey, & Stetcher, 2000; Koretz, Mitchell, & Stetcher, 1996). Yet, given the federal mandates for greater accountability, such as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation and Race to the Top policies, and the “pervasive testing culture” (Moses & Nanna, 2007, p. 55), the use of high-stakes tests is presently an accepted practice. The importance ascribed to standardized tests within public education has significant impact on pedagogical practices. The majority of teachers surveyed in two large school districts reported placing “greater …

Beauty And The Labor Market: Accounting For The Additional Effects Of Personality And Grooming, Michael T. French, Philip K. Robins, Jenny F. Homer

Michael T. French

This paper examines the influence of three non-cognitive personal traits — beauty, personality, and grooming — on the labor market earnings of young adults. It extends the analyses of Hamermesh and Biddle [1994, American Economic Review 84(5): 1174–1194] and others who focus primarily on the effects of beauty on labor market earnings. We find that personality and grooming significantly affect wages, and their inclusion in a model of wage determination reduces somewhat the effects of beauty. We also find some evidence of employer discrimination based on these traits in the setting of wages.

A Conceptual Model Of Academic Success For Student-Athletes, Keith Harrison

Dr. C. Keith Harrison

Concern over the academic talent development of Division I student–athletes has led to increased research to explain variations in their academic performance. Although a substantial amount of attention has been given to the relationship between student–athletes and their levels of academic success, there remain critical theoretical and analytical gaps. The purpose of this article is to develop a conceptual model to understand and explain the cumulative processes and characteristics—as a whole and in stages—that influence academic success for Division I student–athletes. Research on student–athletes and academic success is reviewed and synthesized to provide a rationale for the basic elements of …

The Timing Of Generative Concern: Evidence From A Longitudinal Survey, Christopher J. Einolf

Christopher J Einolf

Longitudinal data taken at a ten year interval from a large, nationally representative sample were used to examine whether generative concern, as measured by a reduced form of the Loyola Generativity Scale (LGS), changed through the life course. Men aged 25-30 in 1995 scored significantly higher on the LGS in 2005 (p < .05), and women aged 41-50 and 61-74 in 1995 experienced slight but statistically significant (p < .05) decreases. With these exceptions, mean levels of generative concern remained constant, suggesting that generative concern may be a stable personality trait, not associated with a particular life stage.

The Effects Of Alcohol Use On Academic Achievement In High School, Michael T. French, Ana Balsa, Laura M. Giuliano

Michael T. French

This paper examines the effects of alcohol use on high school students’ quality of learning. We estimate fixed-effects models using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Our primary measure of academic achievement is the student's grade point average (GPA) abstracted from official school transcripts. We find that increases in alcohol consumption result in small yet statistically significant reductions in GPA for male students and in statistically non-significant changes for females. For females, however, higher levels of drinking result in self-reported academic difficulty. The fixed-effects results are substantially smaller than OLS estimates, underscoring the importance of addressing unobserved …

This Recession Is Wearing Me Out! Health-Related Quality Of Life And Economic Downturns, Michael T. French, Maria E. Davalos

Michael T. French

Previous research on the relationships between macroeconomic conditions and health status reveal improvements in physical health during economic downturns. However, few studies have examined whether mental health status improves or declines during tough economic times. This paper estimates the effect of a key macroeconomic indicator, the state-level unemployment rate, on health-related quality of life. Analyzing recent data from Waves 1 and 2 of the NESARC and controlling for individual heterogeneity with fixed-effects models, our study suggests that health-related quality of life, both physical and mental, worsens with increases in the unemployment rate. Although the effect sizes are relatively small in …

Alcohol Use And Popularity: Social Payoffs From Conforming To Peers' Behavior, Michael T. French, Ana Balsa, Jenny Homer, Edward Norton

Michael T. French

Although many economic analyses of adolescents have examined the costs of risky behaviors, few have investigated the gains that young people derive from such actions, particularly in terms of social payoffs for complying with peer behavior. This paper studies the relationship between adolescents' use of alcohol (relative to that of their peers) and popularity at school. We use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a rich and nationally representative survey with detailed information on social networks. Our findings suggest that adolescents are socially rewarded for conforming to their peers' alcohol use and penalized (to a lesser degree) …

Perceptions Of Family Support Among Students Of Color At A Predominantly White University, Dina C. Maramba, Robert T. Palmer

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

The challenge of facilitating the retention and persistence of students of color in higher education continues. While research has focused on internal factors of the college environment important to the success of students of color at predominantly White institutions (PWIs), this qualitative study examines an external factor—family support and its interconnectedness with the success and persistence of students of color. More specifically, the findings emphasize the importance of family support for this population attending PWIs. Implications for practice and future research are offered.

Disseminating Quality Improvement: Study Protocol For A Large Cluster-Randomized Trial, Michael T. French, Andrew R. Quanbeck, David H. Gustafson, James H. Ford Ii, Alice Pulvermacher, K John Mcconnell, Dennis M. Mccarty

Michael T. French

Background: Dissemination is a critical facet of implementing quality improvement in organizations. As a field, addiction treatment has produced effective interventions but disseminated them slowly and reached only a fraction of people needing treatment. This study investigates four methods of disseminating quality improvement (QI) to addiction treatment programs in the U.S. It is, to our knowledge, the largest study of organizational change ever conducted in healthcare. The trial seeks to determine the most cost-effective method of disseminating quality improvement in addiction treatment. Methods: The study is evaluating the costs and effectiveness of different QI approaches by randomizing 201 addiction-treatment programs …

Fostering Resilience In Dementia Through Narratives: Contributions Of Multimedia Technology, B. Purves, Marie Y. Savundranayagam, E. Kelson, A. Astell, A. Phinney

Marie Y. Savundranayagam

No abstract provided.

Learning To Labour In Post-Soviet Russia: Vocational Youth In Transition, Charlie Walker

Charlie Walker, Ph.D

No abstract provided.

Artículo Político Campaña Electoral 2011, Pablo Rosser

pablo rosser

Artículo de opinión del autor, como miembro del PSOE en Alicante.

Radicalization Of Islamist Terrorists In The Western World, Daniel H. Heinke, Ryan Hunter

Dr. Daniel H. Heinke

Unified simplified model of the radicalization process of homegrown Islamist terrorists.

Divorce Trends In Asia, Premchand Dommaraju, Gavin Jones

Premchand Dommaraju

This paper presents and discusses recent trends in divorce for countries in Asia, highlighting both wide variations in divorce patterns and recent changes in divorce trends for countries in the region. Three broad regional patterns are evident: an East Asian pattern characterised by increasing divorce rates, though there are signs of stabilisation in some countries in the last few years; an Islamic Southeast Asian pattern characterised by declining divorce rates until recently; and a South Asian pattern with relatively stable and low divorce rates. The paper also discusses divorce in international marriages in some East Asian countries and Singapore.

Three Decades Of Social Changes In China, 1978-2008, Xiaogang Wu

Xiaogang Wu

No abstract provided.

Belly Dancing Mommas: Challenging Cultural Discourses Of Maternity, Angela M. Moe

Angela M. Moe

I’m waiting backstage. The last minute checks… Shoes? I can’t bend down far enough to reach them. Hip scarf? I can’t reach across far enough across myself to adjust it. Veil? If I turn around to ensure it’s draped correctly, I’ll bump into and move the stage curtains. Warm up hip shimmy? No need. I’m always warm nowadays. My time is close, in more ways than one. The music, and the flutter in my belly, serve as reminders… I’m 26 weeks along and I’m still dancing. I’m proud of myself. I enter the stage feeling voluptuous and ripe...what as odd …

Review: Working From Within: Chicana And Chicano Activist Educators In Whitestream Schools By Luis Urrieta, Jr., Nolan L. Cabrera

Nolan L. Cabrera

No abstract provided.

That Instrument Is Lousy! In Search Of Agreement When Using Instrumental Variables Estimation In Substance Use Research, Michael T. French, Ioana Popovici

Michael T. French

The primary statistical challenge that must be addressed when using cross-sectional data to estimate the consequences of consuming addictive substances is the likely endogeneity of substance use. While economists are in agreement on the need to consider potential endogeneity bias and the value of instrumental variables estimation, the selection of credible instruments is a topic of heated debate in the field. Rather than attempt to resolve this debate, our paper highlights the diversity of judgments about what constitutes appropriate instruments for substance use based on a comprehensive review of the economics literature since 1990. We then offer recommendations related to …

From Innovative Democracy To Warfare State: Ancient Athens As A Model Of Hegemonic Decline, Athina Karatzogianni Dr

Athina Karatzogianni

This chapter focuses on less popularised aspects of Athenian hegemony and decline, starting from the capture of hegemony after the Persian wars, exploring specific strengths and weaknesses of the Athenian system, and debating the causes and the effects of that violent architect of hegemonic decline, the Peloponnesian war. The chapter sheds light on the disastrous effects of the hunt for regional hegemony and power for Ancient Greek city states, the role of political innovation through the establishment of knowledge networks in Ancient Athens, both as an enabling force to capture hegemony, but also as a factor for inciting fear and …

Social Dialogue And Worker Representation In Eu2020: Underappreciated And Underplayed, Aline Conchon, Stefan Clauwaert, Romuald Jagodzinski, Isabelle Schömann, Michael Stollt, Kurt Vandaele, Sigurt Vitols

Kurt Vandaele

No abstract provided.

Gender Performance In Qualitative Studies Of Masculinities, Margaret W. Sallee, Frank Harris Iii

Frank Harris III

The influence of gender in qualitative research studies of masculinities is considered in this article. The findings are based on two separate studies of masculinities involving men who participated in semi-structured individual interviews while enrolled at a private research university. Using West and Zimmerman’s theory of gender performance, the authors argue that participants expressed themselves as men and offered responses to interview questions in ways that were aligned with traditional assumptions about gender roles and expectations. Data from the two studies are juxtaposed to illuminate the influence researchers’ gender may have had on data collection and rapport building with male …

“Cool Posing” On Campus: A Qualitative Study Of Masculinities And Gender Expression Among Black Men At A Private Research Institution., Frank Harris Iii, Robert T. Palmer, Laura E. Struve

Frank Harris III

Using theories and concepts relating to the social construction of Black masculinity and male gender role conflict, the authors explored contextualized meanings of masculinities and corresponding behavioral expressions among 22 Black men enrolled at a private research university. The concepts of toughness, aggressiveness, material wealth, restrictive emotionality, and responsibility underscored the meanings the participants ascribed to masculinities. Participants expressed these concepts behaviorally through their pursuit of leadership and academic success, homophobia, and the fear of femininity, and through the sexist and constrained relationships they experienced with women. Based on the findings, practical implications for supporting the gender identity development and …