Digital Commons Network^™

Laozi’S "Daodejing": A New Translation With Environmentalist Commentary, Steve Hallett

Purdue University Press Books

Laozi’s “Daodejing”: A New Translation With Environmentalist Commentary offers a new translation and fresh interpretation of the eighty-one-verse Daodejing, one of the central texts of Eastern philosophy. Likely written during the late Zhou Dynasty between 600–400 BCE, this foundational work is generally attributed to an individual named Laozi, although it is unlikely that any such person actually existed. Here, author Steve Hallett employs contemporary poetic form when translating the document’s approximately 5,000 Chinese characters and provides short analytical essays that illuminate the verses with a specific focus on the teachings they offer about social and environmental sustainability. His examination of …

Book Review: O’Connor, P. (2024) A ‘Proper’ Woman? One Woman’S Story Of Success And Failure In Academia. Oxford, Berlin, Bruxelles, Chennai, Lausanne, New York: Peter Lang., Lisa Moran

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

This short article presents a review of Professor Pat O’Connor’s recent book, A ‘Proper’ Woman? One Woman’s Story of Success and Failure in Academia (Oxford, Berlin, Bruxelles, Chennai, Lausanne, New York: Peter Lang.

Navigating The Terrain: Sense Of Belonging In Geology Field Camps, Ezra J. Hammersfeld

Master's Theses

Social success and feelings of belonging within academic settings play critical roles in students’ continued engagement. Students who feel like they belong are more likely to perform better academically, create feelings of academic self-efficacy, and be more satisfied with their educational experiences (Aelenei et al. 2020; Baker 2013; Chen et al. 2020; Hoffman et al. 2021; Rosenthal et al. 2013; Smerdon 2002; Walton et al. 2012). I examine sense of belonging through analysis of secondary data focused on college student experiences in geology field camps. I approached the study using modified grounded theory (Charmaz 2014) in order to best capture …

Taming The Chaos: Strategies For Streamlining Library Work In An Interruption-Driven World, Melanie S. Brasher, Amanda K. Izenstark

Public Services Faculty Presentations

Library workers often can’t follow the typical productivity advice doled out by productivity experts. In a job that is essentially managing ongoing interruptions with the added bonus of needing to describe what you’ve accomplished to numerous stakeholders, how can you keep track of what you do, what you need to do, and what you need to know? Join this session for some examples of frameworks and connect with others to tame the chaos that is modern library work. Due to the size of this topic, we will poll attendees live in order to choose the topics of greatest interest to …

Estabilización Estructural Y Desigualdad Financiera: La Proliferación Del Crédito Al Consumo Y La Bancarización Estratificada En El Área Metropolitana De Buenos Aires Entre 1983 Y 2001, Elias Mceaneney

Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights

This study analyzes how the neoliberal reforms implemented in Argentina between 1983 and 2001 transformed household access to credit and reconfigured financial inequality in the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires. Through a mixed-methods strategy that combines long-run quantitative analysis of macroeconomic, labor, and economic indicators with a qualitative reconstruction of institutional and sociopolitical change, the research demonstrates that the stabilization achieved under the Convertibility Plan enabled a rapid expansion of the banking system and consumer credit. However, this growth did not generate broad financial inclusion; access to accounts, loans, and credit cards remained strongly conditioned by labor formality, income level, …

Introduction To Sociology: Groups And Organizations, Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract:

This comprehensive analysis explores the dynamics of social groups and bureaucratic organizations, drawing on foundational theories and empirical studies to illuminate how structure, identity, and informal culture shape collective behavior. The paper examines the essential elements of group dynamics—regular interaction, defined roles, shared norms, and collective identity—alongside the four stages of group decision-making that guide consensus and effectiveness. It distinguishes between primary and secondary groups, emphasizing their respective influences on personal identity and social cohesion, and discusses the pivotal role of reference groups in identity formation.

Further, the discussion extends to the mechanisms of group survival, analyzing concepts such …

Item 2: Identifying Local Nonprofit Organizations & Volunteer Opportunities Activity, Fatima Sattar

Fatima Sattar, Soc 1100 - Introduction to Sociology with a Civic Engagement Emphasis

In this small group/paired activity, students will use the internet to identify a local nonprofit organization, its mission, its work/services (what it does and why), volunteer opportunities, populations served, and the social issues/problems it seeks to address. They will use this information to create a visual about the nonprofit organization. Next, they will present their findings to the class by taking the position of the organization to discuss the significance of their work and try to recruit volunteers. Students will then vote on which organization they would like to (potentially) volunteer with as a class!

Item 5: Immigration Story Project, Fatima Sattar

Fatima Sattar, Soc 1100 - Introduction to Sociology with a Civic Engagement Emphasis

The United States has a long history of migration. Immigrants and refugees have experienced unique challenges throughout their migration trajectory from origin to settlement in a new society. The purpose of this assignment is an opportunity to practice civic engagement by learning about an immigrant’s challenges from an immigrant themself. Students will be interviewing an immigrant and creating an MS PowerPoint recorded audio presentation about their story. Presentations will be shared with classmates.

Item 6: Sociological Imagination And Civic Problems Essay Assignment, Fatima Sattar

Fatima Sattar, Soc 1100 - Introduction to Sociology with a Civic Engagement Emphasis

In this assignment, a short-written essay, students will be using the concept of the “sociological imagination” (introduced by sociologist C. Wright Mills) to examine a local civic problem reported in the news. Mills introduces this idea of “personal troubles” versus “public issues” by explaining that although individuals tend to perceive their problems as being “personal troubles,” these problems are “public issues,” stemming from the structures and culture of society. To effectively engage in civic engagement, we must understand how societal structures, culture, and practices impact our everyday lives and problems we experience. This can then help us work collectively on …

Item 1: Soc 1100 - Introduction To Sociology (Civic Engagement Emphasis) Syllabus, Fatima Sattar

Fatima Sattar, Soc 1100 - Introduction to Sociology with a Civic Engagement Emphasis

This is an Introduction to Sociology course syllabus with a civic engagement emphasis. Sociology is one of the most well-suited disciplines to address civic issues and civic engagement. Sociology examines social life, social problems, and civic issues from “private troubles” to “public issues” and how these are interconnected (see C. Wright Mills). Social activism, which is a form of civic engagement, is one of sociology’s core commitments.

Item 4: Diverse Conversations - Unify America Challenge Assignment, Fatima Sattar

Fatima Sattar, Soc 1100 - Introduction to Sociology with a Civic Engagement Emphasis

The purpose of this assignment is to build civic-communication skills through a one-on-one, paired conversation on important societal issues (e.g., economy, health, immigration and more) and written reflection. These are also important topics examined by the social sciences and humanities. To productively work toward civic engagement, it is important to learn to have a civil conversation and dialogue about issues affecting our society with someone who has a different perspective than your own The purpose of the Unify Challenge, run by Unify America, is “to spark conversation with other college students across the country who might be politically and socially …

Book Review: Max Weber's Sociology Of Civilizations: A Reconstruction, Stephen T. Satkiewicz

Comparative Civilizations Review

Max Weber (1864-1920) remains one of the most seminal figures in the social sciences, and his influence continues well over a century since his death. His explanation for the connections between the rise of capitalism and the Protestant Reformation still remains his most famous and most highly debated thesis. In spite of his prominence in the social sciences, Weber’s status within the civilizational field can be more ambiguous. He is not seen as a foundational figure at least when compared to others such as Pitirim Sorokin, Arnold J. Toynbee, or Oswald Spengler. That is not to say Weber is never …

Sociohydrodynamics: Data-Driven Modeling Of Social Behavior, Daniel S. Seara, Jonathan Colen, Michel Fruchart, Yael Avni, David G. Martin, Vincenzo Vitelli

Data Science Faculty Publications

Living systems display complex behaviors driven by physical forces as well as decision-making. Hydrodynamic theories hold promise for simplified universal descriptions of socially generated collective behaviors. However, the construction of such theories is often divorced from the data they should describe. Here, we develop and apply a data-driven pipeline that links micromotives to macrobehavior by augmenting hydrodynamics with individual preferences that guide motion. We illustrate this pipeline on a case study of residential dynamics in the United States, for which census and sociological data are available. Guided by Census data, sociological surveys, and neural network analysis, we systematically assess standard …

Teaching Inside: Pedagogical Strategies And Innovations Within Carceral Settings, Tennille Nicole Allen, Michelle Clifton, Scott Moore, Alex Negrón, Michael Simmons, Devon Terrell

Sociology Department Faculty Conferences

Under the recently expanded Second Chance Pell Initiative, an increasing number of individuals under carceral control in the United States can enroll in higher education programs with Pell grant funding. In 2022, Lewis University, a mid-sized teaching institution in suburban Chicago, became the second ‘Second Chance Pell Experimental Site' in Illinois and began offering undergraduate degrees to people incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections system. Lewis’ program is especially innovative in that faculty members partner with incarcerated teaching fellows, all of whom earned Master of Arts degrees while incarcerated. This partnership entails deeply intentionally and fully collaborative course development …

Changing The Channel: How Queer Representation In Mainstream Media Influences Social Perceptions In Young Adult Viewers, Lillian Joy Myers

Master's Theses

This thesis investigates the impact of queer representation in mainstream film and television on young adult viewers, with particular attention to how these media portrayals influence social perceptions and cultural understandings of queerness and LGBTQ+ identities. While queer visibility in mainstream media has increased over the past two decades, the quality and complexity of that representation remain generally inconsistent and infrequent. Drawing on sociological theories of representation and cultivation, along with GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)’s Vito Russo Test as a guiding framework, this study explores both the quality and impacts of LGBTQ+ media visibility. The purpose of …

Producing A Map Of Political Advocacy – Locational Difference And Interconnectedness In West Michigan Lgbt Advocacy, Samuel J. Darnell

Masters Theses

This study examines, through a qualitative lens, the influence of a local environment upon the operations, messaging, and perspectives of individuals within LGBT advocacy organizations and broader LGBT advocacy efforts. This was achieved via analysis of in-person and verbal interviews with individuals involved in the operation of these advocacy organizations. Interviews were analyzed with a focus on political perception, organization structure and history, funding sources, and challenges faced in operation such as political conflicts or harassment. Initially focusing on a comparison of the advocacy environment of Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, the study expanded to several neighboring towns that hosted advocacy …

Digital Parenting In Early Childhood: A Mixed-Methods Study On A Sample Of Mothers In Saudi Society, Basmah Saad Almutairi Mrs, Rabab Awn Al-Sulam Mrs., Rajaa Alqahtan Dr.

Journal of Arabic Sciences and Humanities

This study aims to identify the factors affecting digital parenting in early childhood and reveal the strategies mothers use to guide their children’s use of smart devices. The research was conducted with a sample of 272 Saudi mothers whose children, aged 6 years or younger, use smart devices. A mixed interpretive approach was employed, utilizing both a questionnaire and interviews with 7 respondents. The study found that children use smart devices more frequently at home than outside, and that mothers often choose the content, with some involvement from the child. It also identified the separation of social, educational, and financial …

Introduction To Sociology: Research, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract:

This chapter explores the profound influence of sociology on understanding community dynamics and its crucial role in societal planning. It reviews how sociological research methods, ranging from qualitative interviews and ethnographic studies to quantitative data analysis, enable researchers to interpret social phenomena, predict trends, and inform policy decisions. Emphasizing the significance of data collection, analysis, and ethical considerations, the chapter highlights the importance of integrating multiple research methods, such as surveys, interviews, experiments, ethnography, and historical analysis, to capture the complexity of human behavior. Through a case study investigating poverty among Black individuals in the United States, the narrative …

مستوى مقروئية نصوص مقرر (الفلسفة والعلوم الإنسانية) للصف الثالث الثانوي في الجمهورية العربية السورية. Readability Level Of Texts In The (Philosophy And Humanities) Curriculum For The Third Secondary Grade In The Syrian Arab Republic, أمين شيخ محمد

Association of Arab Universities Journal for Education and Psychology

هدف البحث إلى تحديد مستوى مقروئية نصوص مقرر (الفلسفة والعلوم الإنسانية) للصف الثالث الثانوي في الجمهورية العربية السورية، ومعرفـة الفـروق المعنوية بين درجات تطبيقهم تبعاً لمتغيرات النوع الاجتماعي، والمحافظة، ونوع الموضوع. اعتمد البحث المنهج الوصفي التحليلي، وتكونت عينة البحث من (274) طالباً وطالبة من مدارس مديريتي تربية دمشق وريفها، واستخدم اختبار كلوز مقروئية نصوص عينة البحث التي تكونت من (7) نصوص موزعة على موضوعات الفلسفة وعلم النفس وعلم الاجتماع.

وقد أظهرت نتائج البحث: أن مستوى مقروئية نصوص مقرر (الفلسفة والعلوم الإنسانية) للصف الثالث الثانوي في الجمهورية العربية السورية كان ضمن المستوى الإحباطي، كما أظهرت نتائج البحث وجود فرق دال إحصائياً …

Introduction To Sociology: Sociology - An Introduction, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

This comprehensive overview explores the foundational concepts, historical evolution, and seminal theorists of sociology, tracing its origins from the transformative revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries to its modern-day significance. Central themes include the sociological imagination of C. Wright Mills, the complex interplay between individual experience and societal structure, and the pivotal roles of social structure, action, functional integration, power, and culture in shaping human relations. The discussion highlights the lasting contributions of early sociologists such as Auguste Comte, Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, and George Herbert Mead, examining how their theories continue to inform contemporary …

Introduction To Sociology: Interaction And Social Structure, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

This paper explores the intricate interplay between micro- and macro-sociological perspectives on social interaction, identity, and structure. Through an examination of theoretical approaches such as symbolic interactionism, dramaturgy, and social exchange, it highlights how individuals construct and perform identities within complex webs of social expectations—particularly shaped by factors like race, status, and role dynamics. The discussion extends to the function of social networks in influencing opportunities, notably in the context of employment, underscoring the nuanced role of weak ties. The analysis further delves into the significance of social status, distinguishing between ascribed, achieved, master, and salient statuses, and examines …

Introduction To Sociology: Culture, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

A Synthesis of Sociological Perspectives on Culture and Social Evolution This paper provides an in-depth exploration of culture as a foundational element in the study of sociology, dissecting its central components—knowledge, language, symbols, values, norms, and material objects—and their profound impact on society. Through the examination of cultural integration and diversity, the analysis foregrounds the dynamic tensions between assimilation and the preservation of subcultures, illustrating how these forces shape identities, relationships, and social cohesion in contemporary contexts. The discussion offers nuanced insights into the processes by which dominant and minority cultures interact, negotiate power, and navigate the challenges of …

Introduction To Sociology: Class And Stratification, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

This paper explores the intricate dynamics of class, stratification, and social inequality, emphasizing the interplay of wealth, power, and prestige in shaping individual opportunities and societal outcomes. Drawing on foundational theories from Marxist and functionalist perspectives, it examines the mechanisms by which economic and social structures reinforce or challenge class divisions. The analysis extends to the evolution of American economic disparity, particularly during the transformative 1980s, and examines policies aimed at addressing poverty, such as those articulated by Sar Levitan and the implementation of the Social Security Act. Through a nuanced discussion of cultural capital, the role of …

State Policy & Politics Database (Sppd), Jennifer Karas Montez

Center For Aging and Policy Studies

The State Policy & Politics Database (SPPD) is a compilation of annual data on state policies and politics that are particularly relevant for population health. The SPPD includes several categories of policies, including labor and economic policies (e.g., minimum wage levels, right to work laws), social safety net policies (e.g., earned income tax credits, SNAP), behavior-related policies (e.g., tobacco taxes, opioid prescribing), as well as the political ideology of the states’ government and citizens. Most measures are available annually from 1980 to 2023 or 2024.

State Policy & Politics Database (Sppd), Jennifer Karas Montez

Center For Aging and Policy Studies

The State Policy & Politics Database (SPPD) is a compilation of annual data on state policies and politics that are particularly relevant for population health. The SPPD includes several categories of policies, including labor and economic policies (e.g., minimum wage levels, right to work laws), social safety net policies (e.g., earned income tax credits, SNAP), behavior-related policies (e.g., tobacco taxes, opioid prescribing), as well as the political ideology of the states’ government and citizens. Most measures are available annually from 1980 to 2023 or 2024.

Experiences Of Ba Sociology Students From A Philippine State University: Recruitment, Retention, And Future Aspirations, Mark Anthony M. Quintos, Minami O. Iwayama

Social Sciences and Development Review

Sociology as an undergraduate program in the Philippines has expanded significantly. A total of 49 higher educational institutions offer an undergraduate degree in Sociology; 20 of which are in Luzon and 8 are in Metro Manila. Despite this growth, Sociology departments face challenges in recruiting and retaining students amidst a competitive academic landscape. This study was conducted with students from a Philippine state university, exploring their motivations for enrolling, reasons for staying, perceived strengths and weaknesses of the program, and their post-graduation plans. The insights gained from this research could guide future improvements to Sociology programs to better meet the …

Research Proposal: Complex Relationship Of Religious Community, Psychological Health, And Socioeconomic Status Of Spanish Speaking Residents Ages 18-50 In Lynchburg, Va, Faith Park

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

Previous research has shown a clear quantitative correlation between socioeconomic status and religious gatherings as well as psychological health and religious gatherings. However, there have been few studies on the interconnectedness of mental health, socioeconomic stability, and religious identity and gathering. Research thus has not addressed the personal implications and the benefits of individual perspectives that can be offered through a qualitative methodology. Thus, this research proposes an ethnographic methodology which may provide insights that do not limit the subjectivity of mental health, religious experiences, and socioeconomic struggles.Through an integration of psychology, anthropology, and sociology, the proposed research hopes to …

Adoption, Friendships, And Social Skills, Alexis M. Chelle

Sociology Undergraduate Senior Theses

Adoption functions as both an identity status and a source of unique social benefits and challenges for teenagers, informing their experience of friendship. While prior research primarily focuses on individual outcomes and difficulties that adoptees face, such as trauma-related disorders and social skill deficits, it often overlooks how adoptees and their parents perceive these impacts on peer relationships. This study draws on twenty-one in-depth interviews with adoptees ages thirteen to twenty-one and their adoptive parents to explore the role that adoption and adverse childhood experiences have on an adopted teen’s experience of friendships. Findings reveal that despite facing significant social …

Vol. 48 No. 1 (2025): Pacific Studies Front Matter, The Jonathan Napela Center For Hawaiian And Pacific Islands Studies

Pacific Studies

Front Matter for the Vol. 48, No 1-Jun 2025 edition of the Pacific Studies Journal.

Sociology: Culture, Marcia Morrison

Open Educational Resources

This work examine culture. It begins by examining the foundations of culture to include norms, values, language, symbols and knowledge. In looking at each, it breaks down the implication of each to the development of ourselves as well as the person in the environment. It moves on to look at contexts of culture such as dominant cultures juxtapose to competing cultural systems, and how the various elements of culture can serve to either promote or minimize the various cultural constructs within society.