Sociology Commons^™

When College Is Not Working Out: Obstacles To Community College Completion, Elisabeth Lackner

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

My dissertation investigates what contributes to low community college completion rates, what college interventions may be working to support students, what are the experiences of the students, and how did the COVID-19 pandemic impact these dynamics. I am guided by the assumption that multi-dimensional inequalities including low level of social capital constitute a cumulative disadvantage for many students to be able to persist and to graduate. The dissertation includes quantitative and qualitative data types measuring inequalities outside and inside of college with two large student record data sets from one minority-serving open-access public community college and data from a student …

The Material Folklore Of Occult Zines, Jacqueline G. Coffey

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This capstone is a paper on and catalog of contemporary occult zines. Through the collecting, arranging, and analyzing of about one hundred zines, I stipulate that these zines draw from the rich and rebellious histories of both the occult and zines. With the dominating influence of multi-industry corporations on our lives, these often independently produced and handmade texts are evidence of the mystical and mysterious forces with which we still grapple. Not only do zines showcase the breadth of spiritual possibility, they can also be used to integrate new metaphysical awareness into mundane reality.

The catalog is also intended to …

The Perspectives Of Play Advocates On Children’S Unstructured Play In Turkey, Bengi Sullu

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The Convention on the Rights of the Child has established children’s rights to non- discrimination, development, participation and the observance of their best interests. With this recognition, there has been a growing global interest in acknowledging play as a right. Yet unstructured play, in which children can choose when, where and how to play, with control over their play, has not received the same attention, support and investment as organized, structured play (UNCRC General Comment 17, 2013). The way adults perceive and support play shapes the play opportunities that are available to children (Bianquin, 2018; Göl-Güven, 2017). Additionally, institutions and …

A Meta-Analysis Of Intimate Partner Violence Treatment Programs: The Role Of Risk-Need-Responsivity In Treatment Effectiveness, Irina Fanarraga

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Nationally, it is estimated that over 17 million people experience victimization by an intimate partner every year. Additionally, individuals who perpetuate intimate partner violence (IPV) often have high rates of re-offending, potentially as high as 60%. IPV Treatment Programs (ITPs) are interventions designed to reduce recidivism among intimate partner violent individuals by changing their thinking and behaviors, ultimately leading to increased victim safety. Although there is significant evidence to suggest that correctional treatment programs can reduce re-offending, the literature on ITPs is less clear about their effectiveness in reducing recidivism among participants. Furthermore, while other correctional interventions have taken more …

Deuce Redemption: Grindhouse Cinema, Moral Panic, And Urban Renewal, Robert Brenner

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

If you consult standard histories of the “redevelopment” of 42^nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenue, AKA “the Deuce,” you will read that it was filled with nothing but criminals and pornographers, that decent people avoided it at all costs, and the only way the block could be “saved” was by seizing it via eminent domain, evicting all the current tenants, and replacing them with Disney and its fellow entertainment corporations.

The purpose of this thesis is to offer a more nuanced alternative to these standard histories. I will argue that the Deuce was a lower-class, multiracial, queer entertainment …

Minor Role Iii: Youth Under Age 18 And New York City Violence, Jeffrey A. Butts, Gina Moreno

Publications and Research

Researchers at the John Jay College Research and Evaluation Center analyzed NYPD arrest data from 2006 to 2024 to assess trends in felony assault, felony robbery, and felony weapon offenses across age groups. The study examined whether New York’s “Raise the Age” law, which shifted most youth under 18 out of adult court, influenced violent crime patterns. Although arrests rose across all age groups following the COVID-19 pandemic, trends among youth under 18 generally mirrored those of older age groups. The findings suggest no clear evidence that the law caused a youth-specific increase in violent crime.

Using Spatial Network Analysis To Explore Migration Of Extended Families In Historical Research, Rock Miller

Theses and Dissertations

This project proposes a geoinformatics approach for understanding the migration of extended families in historical contexts. It uses full-count longitudinal census data (developed by the Minnesota Population Center) and graph methods to define multi-generational extended family relationships and to model the locational structures of these families as a spatial network. Graph algorithms and mapping methods are used to interrogate these structures as reflections of the patterns of family outmigration and extension over time. The study is based on a set of extended families resident in a 15-county study area in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky in 1870, and their evolution …

Identifying Intangible And Biocultural Heritage Elements Toward Environmental Understanding: Engaging Stakeholders Through Art, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Grounded in a case study in Barbuda in the Caribbean, this research examines sustainability from the perspective of what arts and heritage can contribute to community engagement and local and broader understandings about the environment. This article documents a growing body of literature recognizing the role of arts and culture, including local knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), in climate change endeavors. Art and TEK present expansive world views. Contextual information situates research done on the island of Barbuda pre- and post-Hurricane Irma. Visual arts workshops engaged community members in mixed methods research. Results documented cultural elements, particularly intangible and …

Cuny ’69 – Students In Social Movements. A Global Perspective, Despina Lalaki

Open Educational Resources

This teaching material was developed as a result of the CUNY 1969 Teach-in that took place in Summer 2025. Prof. Lalaki has developed a course that situates CUNY ’69 within a broader historical and global framework of student movements, and invites students to engage with sociological theory, protest texts, oral histories, news coverage, activist media, archival materials, and film.

"Expert" Versus "Subjugated" Knowledge In Political Sociology, Marisa Tramontano

Open Educational Resources

In this assignment, created for a 2025 seminar on OER-based Active Learning, Dr. Marisa Tramontano made an open, "low-tech" active learning module comparing excerpts from the book, "Poverty of Philosophy" by Karl Marx with the song of the same name by Immortal Technique. The assignment uses a remixable Google doc to guide students' analyses and comparisons of these texts. The assignment can easily be adapted to other courses or disciplines.

“Democracy,” Usa, Marc Edelman

Publications and Research

What does it mean to be an effective citizen in a democracy? Answering this question requires unpacking “democracy” and an analysis of institutions that systematically disempower and alienate citizens. This paper briefly examines the contributions of psychoanalysis to understanding democracy and authoritarianism. It scrutinizes U.S. governance institutions and points to democratic deficits and backsliding present even before Trump 1.0 and 2.0. These range from the Electoral College, the Senate, and the Supreme Court to the Federal Communications Commission. All contributed to institutionalizing minority rule and elite capture. Governance institutions failed to deliver what the American people tell opinion pollsters they …

Climate Change And Parenthood: Impact On Family Size Decision-Making, Minha Hossain, Jennifer Lai, Mindy Engle-Friedman

Publications and Research

This study explores how parental status relates to childbearing decisions in the context of climate change and builds on prior research linking climate anxiety to reduced family size intentions. A survey of 114 participants revealed that non-parents were significantly more likely than parents to plan to have fewer children and to express concerns about climate change. These findings underscore differences in how parents and non-parents approach future reproductive decisions and highlight the role of climate-related concerns in shaping family planning intentions.

Soc 37 Syllabus, Gilbert Marzan

Open Educational Resources

The SOC 37 syllabus contains a course description, learning objectives, course readings divided by week and a link to the course's OER textbook.

Assessing The Predictive Validity Of The Network Inventory Of Risk, Victories, And Needs Assessment (Nirvana) For Youth Receiving Prevention Services., Michael T. Baglivio, Kevin T. Wolff, Katherine Jackowski

Publications and Research

The current study assesses the predictive validity of a newly-developed holistic risk/needs assessment for youth receiving prevention services. Employing a multiyear statewide sample of over 17,000 prevention youth, multivariate and Area Under Curve techniques are used to examine predictive validity in predicting future formal juvenile justice system involvement (new law violations) across sex, race/ethnicity, and multiple youth age ranges. Furthermore, predictive validity across the severity of the subsequent offense type (misdemeanor, non-violent felony, violent felony) was examined. Findings demonstrate large effect sizes for static risk only, dynamic risk only, and total risk plus protective scores on future offending. Sex and …

Understanding Violence In Juvenile Correctional Facilities: A National Study Of Victim-Offender Overlap In The United States, Tzu-Ying Lo, Yu-Hsuan Liu, Amy Adamczyk

Publications and Research

The phenomenon of victim-offender overlap within juvenile correctional facilities is an underexplored area in criminological research. This study examines the prevalence and correlates of victim-offender overlap using data from two collections of the National Survey of Youth in Custody conducted in 2008–2009 and 2012. Our findings reveal that the victim-offender overlap group constitutes a significant proportion of incarcerated youth. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicates that institutional factors, such as correctional officer legitimacy, in-facility gang membership, fear of inmate assault, experience of filing complaints against staff, and time served, significantly differentiate victim-offenders from the three other groups: victims-only, offenders-only, and those …

Victim-Offender Overlap Among Incarcerated Youth In The United States: A Bivariate Probit Analysis Using National Data, Tzu-Ying Lo, Yu-Hsuan Liu, Amy Adamczyk

Publications and Research

For many crimes, people who are the perpetrators may also be the victims. While several studies have investigated the victim-offender overlap, very few have examined the relationship for incarcerated youth where institutional conditions can exacerbate the overlap. Drawing on ideas from routine activities theory, this study explores the victim-offender overlap among incarcerated American youth using data from the 2008–2009 National Survey of Youth in Custody (NSYC-1, N = 8,625) and the 2012 National Survey of Youth in Custody (NSYC-2, N = 8,125). Findings from a bivariate probit regression indicate that younger age, higher facility populations, negative perceptions of officer legitimacy, …

"The Revolutionary Act Of Love": How Black Women In Interracial Marriages Are Reshaping America, Whytni H. Kernodle

Capstones

This capstone explores the transformative power of interracial marriages between Black women and white men, examining how these unions challenge entrenched systems of racial and gender oppression while fostering spaces of equity, kinship, and resilience. Anchored by historical milestones such as Loving v. Virginia, the work situates these relationships within broader struggles for autonomy and freedom. Through the stories of contemporary couples, it highlights the complex dynamics of love, allyship, and identity in the face of systemic biases. The narrative emphasizes that these partnerships are not merely personal choices but deliberate acts of resistance and reimagination, inspiring societal transformation. …

Falling Victim To The Beauty Algorithm, Niti Majethia

Capstones

As life on the internet becomes the new normal, the impact of social media becomes more pervasive and relentless. This story delves into how platforms like Instagram and TikTok can amplify the societal pressures on women to live up to an impossible beauty standard. Various experts weigh in on how this pressure affects women of all ages — from little girls to grown-up, established influencers. This timely narrative underscores the steep cost of society’s obsession with beauty as a measure of value and whether there is an escape to it at all.

Drogas, Basura Y Crimen: Los Vecinos De East Harlem Se Unen Para Mejorar El Barrio, Jacqueline Zamora

Capstones

En octubre de 2023 una nueva operación denominada “operación 4 esquinas” inició con el fin de mejorar la calidad de vida en East Harlem, pero el vecindario no ha cambiado mucho, dejando a residentes que formen una comunidad que se ayude mutuamente para marcar la diferencia en el barrio.

Enlace: https://medium.com/@jzamora2211/drogas-basura-y-crimen-los-vecinos-de-east-harlem-se-unen-para-mejorar-el-barrio-39455477522b

Is Sexyy Red Minstrelsy, Or Are We Overreacting?, Malik Brizan-Reed

Capstones

This criticism piece explores the controversial female rapper Sexyy Red. It challenges negative perspectives about her persona, primarily based on respectability politics. It highlights Sexyy Red's ability to capitalize on a moment and business savviness. The article has themes of racial double standards and classism. Sexyy Red is more than the "ghetto Black girl," aesthetic. She's a mother and entrepreneur who is authentic to herself.

¿Qué Futuro Les Espera A Los Trabajadores Latinos? El Calor Extremo, Las Promesas Vacías Y La Incertidumbre Política, Yunior Rivas Garcia

Capstones

Este artículo explora las condiciones mortales que enfrentan los trabajadores latinos en Estados Unidos debido al estrés por calor, un riesgo creciente en sectores esenciales como la construcción, la agricultura y el almacenamiento. A pesar de representar una proporción significativa de las muertes laborales, las protecciones contra el calor son insuficientes, y la falta de regulación federal agrava la vulnerabilidad de estos trabajadores, muchos de los cuales son indocumentados. A través de casos específicos, como la muerte de Esvin Cruz Mateo, y un análisis de las políticas laborales actuales, el texto examina las fallas estructurales que perpetúan la inseguridad laboral …

Más Que Pedalear: Mujeres Deliveristas En Nueva York Equilibran Cuidado, Trabajo Y Sus Cuerpos, Mariana Navarrete Villegas

Capstones

In New York City, immigrant women delivery workers face unique challenges as they juggle the care duties of their families and the demands of a grueling job. They endure harassment, navigate unsafe conditions, and adapt their work routines to their menstrual cycles—all while confronting limited support networks. This article profiles the experiences of four women who rely on delivery work for its flexibility but remain largely excluded from male-dominated labor activism. These women’s stories reveal the systemic inequities in the gig economy, from the lack of gender-specific protections to the marginalization of women’s voices in advocacy efforts. Amidst these struggles, …

Puerto Ricans In New Jersey 2023, Center For Puerto Rican Studies

CUNY Centro, The Center for Puerto Rican Studies

Centro’s Infographics are visual representation of the most-up-to-date socio-demographic information about the Puerto Rican population in the United States. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau is summarized through a series of charts, tables and maps to illustrate major points and changes within the Puerto Rican population. The infographics below use U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-year and 5-year estimates data.

Centro’s infographics are recurrent projects that are released by our Data Hub in response to the release of data by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Puerto Ricans In Wisconsin 2023, Center For Puerto Rican Studies

CUNY Centro, The Center for Puerto Rican Studies

Centro’s Infographics are visual representation of the most-up-to-date socio-demographic information about the Puerto Rican population in the United States. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau is summarized through a series of charts, tables and maps to illustrate major points and changes within the Puerto Rican population. The infographics below use U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-year and 5-year estimates data.

Centro’s infographics are recurrent projects that are released by our Data Hub in response to the release of data by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Puerto Ricans In Chicago 2023, Center For Puerto Rican Studies

CUNY Centro, The Center for Puerto Rican Studies

Centro’s Infographics are visual representation of the most-up-to-date socio-demographic information about the Puerto Rican population in the United States. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau is summarized through a series of charts, tables and maps to illustrate major points and changes within the Puerto Rican population. The infographics below use U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-year and 5-year estimates data.

Centro’s infographics are recurrent projects that are released by our Data Hub in response to the release of data by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Puerto Ricans In Massachusetts 2023, Center For Puerto Rican Studies

CUNY Centro, The Center for Puerto Rican Studies

Centro’s Infographics are visual representation of the most-up-to-date socio-demographic information about the Puerto Rican population in the United States. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau is summarized through a series of charts, tables and maps to illustrate major points and changes within the Puerto Rican population. The infographics below use U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-year and 5-year estimates data.

Centro’s infographics are recurrent projects that are released by our Data Hub in response to the release of data by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Puerto Ricans In Philadelphia 2023, Center For Puerto Rican Studies

CUNY Centro, The Center for Puerto Rican Studies

Centro’s Infographics are visual representation of the most-up-to-date socio-demographic information about the Puerto Rican population in the United States. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau is summarized through a series of charts, tables and maps to illustrate major points and changes within the Puerto Rican population. The infographics below use U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-year and 5-year estimates data.

Centro’s infographics are recurrent projects that are released by our Data Hub in response to the release of data by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Puerto Ricans In Florida 2023, Center For Puerto Rican Studies

CUNY Centro, The Center for Puerto Rican Studies

Centro’s Infographics are visual representation of the most-up-to-date socio-demographic information about the Puerto Rican population in the United States. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau is summarized through a series of charts, tables and maps to illustrate major points and changes within the Puerto Rican population. The infographics below use U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-year and 5-year estimates data.

Centro’s infographics are recurrent projects that are released by our Data Hub in response to the release of data by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Puerto Ricans In North Carolina 2023, Center For Puerto Rican Studies

CUNY Centro, The Center for Puerto Rican Studies

Centro’s Infographics are visual representation of the most-up-to-date socio-demographic information about the Puerto Rican population in the United States. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau is summarized through a series of charts, tables and maps to illustrate major points and changes within the Puerto Rican population. The infographics below use U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-year and 5-year estimates data.

Centro’s infographics are recurrent projects that are released by our Data Hub in response to the release of data by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Puerto Ricans In The United States 2023, Center For Puerto Rican Studies

CUNY Centro, The Center for Puerto Rican Studies

Centro’s Infographics are visual representation of the most-up-to-date socio-demographic information about the Puerto Rican population in the United States. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau is summarized through a series of charts, tables and maps to illustrate major points and changes within the Puerto Rican population. The infographics below use U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-year and 5-year estimates data.

Centro’s infographics are recurrent projects that are released by our Data Hub in response to the release of data by the U.S. Census Bureau.