Digital Commons Network^™

An Evaluation Of City Hall Departmental Complaints In Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1993 And 1994, Monique R. Moore

Masters Theses

My research will evaluate the citizen complaints made to various departments in the Kalamazoo, Michigan's City Hall for the years of 1993 and 1994. The complaints were compiled on a monthly basis by the Citizen Action Center for the various departments. The number and types of complaints received and significant differences in the frequency and content of complaints or patterns of change from one year to the other were analyzed.

There was a consistent pattern in the content or types of complaints concerning the Public Works department from 1993 to 1994, but no consistent pattern for any of the other …

The International Criminal Court: A Sociological History, Dawn Rothe

Masters Theses

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been touted as a new international response to the worst atrocities of mankind: crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression. Indeed, the implementation of a permanent international court is a historical tum. However, the course to which an international criminal court transpired dates back to the late 1800's. One hundred years of political, economic, and social contradictions have aided and abated the process of what is now the International Criminal Court. However, the dialectics between actors and institutions has been neglected in historical and legal analysis. The purpose of this thesis is …

Low Self-Esteem As It Relates To Anxiety And Depression, Joel B. Makowski

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the relationship between low self-esteem and anxiety and/or depression. Participants were selected based on their subjective experience of having high or low self-esteem. Low self-esteem participants were then selected on the basis of their subjective assessment of attributing anxiety/and or depression to their low self-esteem experience. Two high self-esteem and two low self-esteem participants were interviewed.

High self-esteem participants were found to base their self-worth and respect on an internal locus of evaluation. They did not identify any notable anxiety or depression. Low self-esteem participants were found to base their worth …

The Battle For The University: The Vietnam-Era Student Movement At Universities In Central Illinois, David Bell

Masters Theses

America in the 1960s ran the gamut of social, economic, and political changes, from the assassination of political leaders to the apocalyptic potential of the Cuban Missile Crisis; from President Lyndon B. Johnson's promises of a Great Society, to the paralyzing effects of the Vietnam War. At the center of these domestic and international battles lay the "baby boomers," the largest-ever generation of Americans, and, not coincidentally, the largest generation of college students to enter the "ivory towers" of higher education. Raised in an era defined by cries for civil rights and "participatory democracy," these youths entered higher education determined …

Do Caucasian And African American Students Have Different Learning Styles?, Robin J. Black-Vannoy

Masters Theses

This study explored whether African American and Caucasian students have different learning styles. It specifically examined differences in preferred modes of information processing and instruction. Participants in the study completed the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Inventory and the Kolb Learning Style Inventory. Subsequent analyses revealed that there were no significant differences in how African American and Caucasian students choose to process information for learning. However, there were some significant differences in preferred modes of instruction. African American students were more likely to prefer noisier and warmer learning environments, to snack while learning, and to learn in the late morning. …

Sibling Interaction: Sisters' Use Of Advice Episodes In The Construction Of Relational Identities, Melissa R. Gornick

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine how sisters collaboratively construct advice episodes in naturally-occurring conversation and how they used these advice episodes in their negotiation of relational identities. Thus, two research questions were addressed: 1) How do sisters collaboratively construct advice episodes in naturally occurring conversation, and 2) How do sisters use advice episodes in their negotiation of relational identities. The database for the study consisted of four sister sets who audio taped naturally occurring conversation. Jefferson's (1984b) transcript notation system was used to transcribe sibling conversations which contained advice episodes and the transcripts were analyzed using the …

Implications Of Personal Recovery History For Training And Development Of Addiction Treatment Workers, Bruce K. Barnard

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to identify and compare competencies perceived as most important by addiction treatment workers with, and without, a personal history of recovery. A survey was developed and administered to 94 workers in three community-based addiction treatment agencies. The study found broad support for the competencies published by the Addiction Technology Transfer Center, National Curriculum Committee (1998). There were no significant differences in perceptions of competencies by workers with a personal recovery history and those without such history. Results indicate that factors such as workplace culture may be more powerful than recovery history in influencing worker …

Technology And Time, Jon Vanwieren

Masters Theses

This thesis sets out to further reveal the technology and time interrelationship in human society. It is through an investigation of an array of sociological, theoretical, philosophical, historical and artistic responses to modernity that this relationship is explored. Primary analytic focus is placed on two contemporary authors who have addressed the technology and time relationship. These authors are Manuel Castells and Paul Virilio. Castells and Virilio offer two distinct portraits of the modem-technological world. By contrasting these authors' projects, methods and intellectual heritage, the question of technology and time is further scrutinized. Advanced here is an argument that time is …

The Qualitative Investigation Of The Social Construction Of Female Sexuality Within A Sexualized Work Environment, Christi L. Young

Masters Theses

This qualitative investigation seeks to identify the sociocultural determinants and psychoemotional ramifications of essentialist gender role socialization on female employees in a sexualized work environment (SWE). Sexualized work environments incorporate work and sexuality and exist on a continuum according to the frequency and intensity of the sexual economic exchange that takes place within them. In this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten female employees at a comedy club to explore the social construction of female sexuality in such an environment. Subjects commented on the various advantages and disadvantages of working in a SWE as well as on general issues …

African American Single Mother - An In-Depth Study, Donna Jean Russau

Masters Theses

This thesis investigates the life and role of the African American Single Mother (AASM) in America as the topic of this study. The AASM in this study will voice her experiences. The point of view of this thesis is that the AASM is in the unique position of being the only person able to convey facts about her life from her personal perspective. Through the voice of the AASM, this researcher will develop a written document which describes her life experiences and roles in which she operates in her family. This study will give the view of life of AASM's …

In-Group Disparaging Humor: Conditions Of Amusement And Consequences For Social Identity, Mark Allen Ferguson

Masters Theses

The present research develops and empirically tests a theoretical model of ingroup disparaging humor. In an experiment, one hundred and seventy-five undergraduates were exposed to a comedy routine that disparaged an in- group, an outgroup, or did not contain disparaging content. Subjects then completed measures of amusement and social identity. Results suggest that in-group disparaging humor can simultaneously elicit amusement and threaten social identity. The implications of these results for understanding the effects of in-group disparaging humor on amusement and social identity are discussed.

The Politics Of Exclusion And Paranoia: The Know Nothing Party As A Case Study In Frustration-Aggression Analysis, Elton W. Weintz

Masters Theses

Historically, American democracy has been based on a policy of exclusion where the empowered have enjoyed the luxury of deciding which groups would be eligible to participate fully in the great American experiment--a flawed system based upon discriminatory notions of class, racism, sexism, and nativism. Richard Hofstadter's paranoia interpretation--that irrational beliefs in conspiracies led to civic participation in exclusionary movements--provides some rationale for this exclusionary behavior.

Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this paper applies the social psychological theory of frustration-aggression analysis in conjunction with Hofstadter's paranoia interpretation in an attempt to further understand exclusionary behavior in American history. In particular, this …

The Nonprofit Sector In Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Study, Abdulrahman Al-Othaimeen

Masters Theses

As Saudi Arabia's economic and social environments have become more complex, the role of the nonprofit sector has grown in importance. At the same time, the sector faces the challenges of technology changes, shifting demographics, global influences, and increasing connectedness to the private and government sectors. In past decades, charitable services depended on individuals. It has, however, moved from individual services to charitable organizations. This study describes the work of hundreds of private and community organizations and agencies that practice the charitable work. They provide similar service and programs: human service, childcare, education, health care, and consulting. Philanthropic agencies influence …

Style, Ethnicity, Technology, And Practice: Analysis Of A Material Culture Assemblage From The Paleoindian-Archaic Cultural Transition In The Northwestern Great Lakes, Matthew R. Laidler

Masters Theses

This study examines issues concerning the theoretical basis of style and ethnicity in archaeology through analysis of a material culture (lithic) assemblage from the Late Paleoindian-Archaic cultural transition period In the Northwestern Great Lakes region of the United States. A theoretical framework utilizing practice theory as expounded by Pierre Bourdieu is applied to an interpretation of both the theoretical and concrete issues involved in this analysis. Using the context of an interpreted ritual/mortuary site, a social archaeology concerned with the social, political, and organizational context of production, use, and deposition of technological objects is developed to address style and ethnicity …

Assessing The Acceptance Of The New Environmental Paradigm In Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Jaclyn Rose Burke

Masters Theses

Since the first Earth Day in 1970, there has been an expanding popular movement to protect the environment and a growing consciousness that humans are an integral part of nature. The New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) is a worldview that emphasizes the relationship that exists between humans and the environment. The purpose of this Master's Thesis is to assess Kalamazoo County, Michigan residents' attitudes on the environment based on their acceptance of the NEP. The acceptance of the NEP by Kalamazoo County residents was evaluated by residents' responses on a survey developed to measure their environmental attitudes. Kalamazoo County was found …

Crimes On College Campuses, Angela M. Turner

Masters Theses

A college or university is not a place where crime is expected. Crime was not recognized as a discrete campus problem until recently. Information on this topic is limited and difficult to obtain. The purpose of my research is to measure the amount of crime on the campus of Western Michigan University (WMU). My research is focused on the crimes of rape, sexual assault and theft. The victims I study are students and resident hall assistants. My research method includes a self-report survey from a sample of 300 students and resident hall assistants enrolled at WMU.

I provide statistics from …

Self-Reported Factors Influencing The Retention Of Non-Traditional Female Students At Lake Michigan College, Nancy Lynn Johnson

Masters Theses

Many non-traditional female students enter post-secondary education by attending a community college. The vast majority of these adult women must simultaneously balance work, family, and educational priorities. Maintaining this tenuous balance is pivotal to persistence. This descriptive study discusses the reasons for delayed entry into post-secondary education by non-traditional female students at Lake Michigan College. It examines how life transitions later influence the decision to attend. Common barriers to persistence and factors supporting persistence are heard through the self-reported experiences of non-traditional female students attending this community college. Recommendations for programming and service delivery are made. Suggestions for further study …

Lacunae: Narrative "Lacks, Holes Or Gaps" In Faulkner's And Morrison's Novels, Phyllis Ann Karpus

Masters Theses

The moment a reader opens a book, turns to the opening lines and begins to read, a circular relationship immediately develops with the author and the text. An implied alliance is formed wherein the author, most often through a narrator, omniscient or otherwise, proposes to the reader that he/she accept a degree of responsibility for understanding the plot, theme, and the underlying meaning in the work.

Retrospectively the theory sounds simple and, with many authors, it is effective. William Faulkner and Toni Morrison, however, not only command but also demand, the reader's absolute attention in, and responsibility to, many of …

Apples, Oranges, And Grapefruit: A Comparative Analysis Of Private Enterprises, Nonprofit Organizations, And Local Government Agencies, James W. Arndt

Masters Theses

The debate between the differences and similarities of public and private sector organizations has been waged over the last half of the century. A majority of these scholarly works target the comparison of large corporations and federal government agencies. Through these comparisons, three different approaches emerge. The generic approach argues that organizational sector differences are moot and this approach promotes a generic form of management. The publicness approach argues differences have become blurred to a point of degrees and that all organizations are public to an extent. The core differences approach argues that the differences between organizational sectors are significant. …

Does Television Impact Attendance At Eastern Illinois University Sporting Events, Gregory N. Powers

Masters Theses

This study tested the relationship between Eastern Illinois University home football and basketball games on television and attendance at these events. Attendance during a ten-year period for both EIU football and basketball games was recorded and dates of these contests were researched to determine if the games were telecast. After categorizing the figures into eight groups, the four pairs were compared using a T-test. The study found televising EIU home football games had no significant impact on attendance at these contests. However, a significant difference was noted between EIU home basketball games televised and those not aired. Attendance actually increased …

The Social Roles Of The Early Irish Monastery Of Kildare And Its Paruchia Within The Kingdom Of Leinster, Bridgette K. Slavin

Masters Theses

Monastic settlements in early medieval Ireland were active: politically, socially, economically, and spiritually. While an ascetic life was ideal, these communities were in fact often lively participants in the secular affairs around them. Yet, detailed studies of ecclesiastical social structure and its economic and political influence on early Irish society have been, for the most part, not attempted while disagreements concerning organization continue to haunt scholars of the early Irish church. Moreover, as Colman Etchingham aptly points out in his recent publication, Church Organisation in Ireland, AD 650 to 1000, detailed studies of individual religious communities will bring to …

They're Getting Away With Murder: The Social Account Ability Of Collegiate Athletes, Justina Ixcia Phillips

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research is to study deviant behavior among collegiate student athletes. This study involves institutions in the Midwest region of the United States, particularly the Mid-American Conference (MAC). This study took on a sociological approach by interviewing specialized athletic officials, and examining different levels of social control by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), along with its interaction with the Mid-American Conference. Various variables that affect social control such as gender, race, and economic conditions were also examined to get an understanding of how these factors influence behavior.

Lifecourse Of A Community Survey, Craig Tollini

Masters Theses

This paper seeks to uncover the factors that may have impacted how the officials of a medium sized, Midwestern city used the results of a survey of city residents, which had been conducted by the same university-based research center for sixteen years, in their budget and policy decision-making process. The researchers who directed the survey project and the officials who designed the survey and/or were in a position to use its results were interviewed, and various written materials related to the survey project, from memos between the city manager and the researcher to the final report the researcher provided to …

Tales Of Forbidden Love: A Sociological Analysis Of Interracial Intimacy, Candice L. Bryant

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore the constructions of race, marriage, and love insofar as these components promote the exclusion of interracial intimacy and marriage from the dominant discourse. The study focuses on the ways in which the social sciences have polarized "blacks" and "whites" (linguistically, socially, and economically) thus, making it difficult for persons living in black and white skin to experience social affirmation through literature, media, and agents in everyday life.

A qualitative content analysis of historical and contemporary literature regarding interracial marriage and intimacy were conducted in conjunction with an auto ethnography of the author's …

The Social Construction Of Personal Protection Orders: Gendered Differences?, Kristen E. Devall

Masters Theses

Personal Protection Orders (PPOs) were enacted as one method of responding to the issue of domestic violence that was thought to be escalating in epidemic proportions across the United States. This research was grounded in social constructionist theory and sought to examine the perspectives of judges who authorize/deny PPOs and the implications these perspectives have for the legal process as well as the larger criminal justice system. Through my examination of the petitioning process, I gained insights about the relationships that exist between petitioners and respondents as well as the reasons petitioners cite for why s/he is seeking a PPO. …

Lincoln Savings And Loan Scandal: A Case Study Of State-Corporate Crime, Ronald B. Coleman

Masters Theses

This thesis elaborates on the nature and scale of state-corporate crime in the Lincoln Savings & Loan Scandal. It provides an account of a political history of the savings and loan industry, the effect of economic deregulation, and the Garn-St. Germain deregulation legislation in the 1980s, which produced the criminogenic (conducive to crime) environment in the savings and loan industry.

This case study supports the hypothesis that criminal behavior at the organizational level results from a coincidence of pressure for goal attainment, availability and perceived attractiveness of illegitimate means, and an absence of effective social control. Therefore, the Lincoln …

Adolescent Drinking And Driving: A Descriptive And Intervention Study, Emalee M. Fields

Masters Theses

Given the high rates of alcohol use and abuse among adolescents in our society, it is not surprising that drinking and driving is also relatively common. This paper starts with a summary of national statistics, which is followed by a critical review of previous interventions. The purpose of this project was to attempt to find an effective drinking and driving intervention for high school students which was relatively inexpensive, less time intensive than past interventions and required little or no training for the facilitator to present. Two related intervention conditions (a video only intervention and a slightly more extensive package …

Powwows As An Arena For Pan-Indian Identity Formation, Megan L. Macdonald

Masters Theses

This study investigates the powwow and its role in pan-Indian identity formation. Powwows are regional gatherings that simultaneously employ sacred and secular rituals, and as such, they provide one arena for the negotiation of American Indian identity in the modern world. Through a discussion of the history and general format of the powwow, I will demonstrate that the powwow is a dynamic locus of cultural transmission through which both reservation and non-reservation Indians are able to construct and maintain identity on tribal as well as inter-tribal (pan-Indian) levels.

To illuminate the process of identity formation within the powwow, this study …

The Outcomes Of Trauma For Older Adults, Shaun M. Mcmillan

Masters Theses

Previous sociological and public health studies were analyzed to determine the effects of age, gender, mechanism of injury (fall or motor vehicle crash accident), severity of the injury, length of stay and injuries sustained on three binary response variables of discharge disposition ( discharged home, expired, or transferred to a rehabilitation facility) of older adult trauma patients. Three multiple logistic regression models were analyzed to handle the multiple predictors for the three binary response variables of discharge disposition. Over one-half (56%) of respondents were discharged home, whereas one in four patients were transferred to a rehabilitative facility, while the remaining …

Earning The Right: Exploring The Communication Strategies Of European Americans In Interracial Relationships, Angela L. Putman

Masters Theses

In a societal context, European Americans are the dominant majority group. However, when European Americans are involved in interracial relationships, they may often find themselves in the minority (numerically speaking) when they interact with their partner's friends and/or family members. This research explores lived experiences of European Americans involved in interracial relationships with African Americans. Specifically, the general question addressed was, "What communication strategies and behaviors do European Americans exhibit when they communicate with their African American partner's friends and/or family members?" The acculturation process and Communication Accommodation Theory were explored in order to provide initial insight into this relatively …