Sociology Commons^™

Why Community: The Potentials And Limitations Of Community Engagement In Restorative Justice, Emily P. Chauhan

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the role of community in restorative justice through both the criminologist and practitioner perspectives. Through investigating the limitations of the U.S. penal system, which ranks highest globally in incarceration rates yet fails to ensure public safety, the research investigates restorative justice as a victim-cantered, harm-driven alternative. It emphasizes how restorative justice redefines crime by focusing on healing and accountability rather than punishment of the criminals/harm-doers. This thesis examines how communities are essential to restorative processes and how restorative justice, in turn, helps to build communities. Drawing from case studies, models, and interviews this thesis questions the assumptions …

A Long Way Home: Postcolonial Migration Between Cameroon And France, Elizabeth Greenberg

Honors Theses

This project grew from an observation that despite exhibiting strong national pride, most young Cameroonians express a fervent desire to emigrate. Through a combination of interviews and a review of past literature, I discovered a unique narrative among upper middle class Cameroonian migrants whose stories are generally underrepresented in migration literature. This study investigates how history and sociocultural dynamics help explain the Cameroonian decision to choose France (specifically the Île de France region) as a migration destination. France is particularly relevant because it previously held control of many parts of Cameroon and is one of the most popular migration destinations …

2024 Oregon Statewide Homelessness Estimates, Franklin H. Spurbeck, Jacen Greene, Marisa Zapata

Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative Publications and Presentations

The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a census of people experiencing both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness on a single night in January. The federal government requires this at least every other year as a condition of funding it distributes to Continuums of Care (CoCs), networks of government agencies and service providers that manage homelessness services and funding in specific regions. The unsheltered PIT Count is only required during odd-numbered years. Because of the cost and complexity involved, not all CoCs conduct an unsheltered count in even-numbered years. In 2024, all Oregon CoCs submitted sheltered PIT Count data. Only some conducted an …

Holistic Support For College Students Navigating Food Allergies & Food Insecurity At Higher Education Institutions, Chloe Milliron

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Both food allergies and food insecurity are public health concerns that are becoming increasingly prevalent. However, there has been limited discussion on how to support individuals who experience these two challenges concurrently, particularly at higher education institutions. In this study, I examined the intersection of food allergies and food insecurity among students at the University of Central Florida (UCF). There is a focus on the disparities in access to safe foods, financial responsibility, healthcare, and overall well-being. A total of 221 UCF students completed the survey distributed, which assessed food security status using the USDA’s Household Food Security Survey Module, …

Small Town Voices And Stories: Rural Older Populations And Health Narratives, Wyatt K. Zumbahlen

Masters Theses

Stories play a vital role in our humanity; they help us understand the world around us. As we age, our experiences, along with those of the people around us, shape our perceptions of health and influence our healthcare choices. For older adults, narratives become an essential resource in making healthcare decisions. In rural communities like Coles County, Illinois, these stories are especially important for older adults who are navigating the limited care and services available in the area. This reliance on narratives impacts their willingness to seek care, highlighting the need to recognize the power of stories in empowering older …

Housing Quality For Whom? Housing Quality As A Form Of Housing Insecurity And Housing Inequality For Black Women Renters, Jenee Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Housing quality is an often overlooked but critical aspect of housing insecurity that often impacts one’s well-being physically, mentally, and socially. As a compromise for affordable housing, some individuals reside in substandard conditions, often lacking essential safety measures and amenities needed for a comfortable and secure living environment. Consistent with broader patterns of housing disparities, Black women renters are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity and more likely to live in substandard housing. Although previous literature has explored the impact of poor-quality housing and its characteristics, there is a gap in understanding how Black women renters uniquely perceive and experience housing …

The Geography Of Care: Rural Versus Urban Caregiver Perspectives On Community Resources For Parkinson’S Disease Management, Rebecca Jones

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study investigated the experiences and perceptions of caregivers for individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) in rural versus urban settings, with particular emphasis on their access to and utilization of community resources. Through semi-structured interviews with 30 caregivers, the research explored how geographical location impacts caregiving challenges, support systems, and resource accessibility. Using Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use as a theoretical framework, the study revealed both universal caregiving challenges and location-specific barriers. While all caregivers reported significant emotional burden and healthcare system navigation difficulties, rural caregivers faced distinct challenges related to resource accessibility and specialized care availability. …

Black Love, Media Portrayals, And Social Identity, Nigel M. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

This dissertation explores how media stereotypes about Black relationships influence Black individuals' perceptions, shaping their understanding and expectations of love. Using social identity theory as a foundation, a mixed-methods approach integrates both qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the impact of media portrayals on self-concept and relationship expectations. The quantitative findings investigate connections between media exposure, self-esteem, and partner preferences, revealing how media shapes ideas about ideal relationships and internalized racial dynamics. The qualitative analysis identifies seven themes that define Black Love and seven themes that depict media stereotypes of Black relationships. The study shows that while media often reinforce …

I Roll To Attack The King: An Examination Of Far-Right Dissent And Ttrpgs In The Contemporary Age, Jenna C. Johnston

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Far-right ideologies have become more prevalent, both in the political sphere as well as fictional and fantasy spaces. This project analyzes the rise of far-right ideology within tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) and offers potential reasons as to why this shift is occurring. Through the analysis of three Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) campaigns from TTRPG show Dimension 20, combined with psychological and sociological research, this work highlights the importance of actions within TTRPGs and their impact on our actual reality. Many may act within the confines of fantastical worlds such as TTRPGs in a way that aligns with far-right ideology because …

Tackling Paradoxes And Double Binds For A Healthier Workplace: Insights From The Early Covid-19 Responses In Quebec And Ontario, Daniel Côté, Amelia León, Ai-Thuy Huynh, Jessica Dubé, Ellen Maceachen, Pamela Hopwood, Marie Laberge, Samantha Meyer, Meghan K. Crouch, Joyceline Amoako

Études primaires

The urgency of managing the COVID-19 health crisis in workplaces led to tensions, work overload, and confusion about preventive measures. This study presents a secondary analysis of qualitative data on paradoxes and double binds (PDBs) experienced by precarious essential workers in Canada who interacted with the public and their supervisors. Based on 13 interviews from a larger qualitative dataset, we examine how workers navigated public health recommendations and organisational demands during the pandemic. Findings reveal multiple organisational and managerial PDBs—both COVID-19-related and pre-existing—that contributed to psychological distress and compromised well-being. We argue that PDBs represent a significant occupational health hazard …

Tax Education For Financial Empowerment, Job Buenrostro-Diaz

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

Research Question: In what ways can understanding tax concepts help with financial literacy in improving money management decisions for lower income individuals?

This proposal outlines a strategy to increase quality education in middle to low income communities.

Victim-Offender Relationships And Their Influence On Crime Brutality And Sentencing Outcomes In Capital Homicide Cases, Samantha Jane Trowbridge

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study examines capital murder cases in Missouri from 1976 to 2022 to explore how victim-offender relationships relate to both the brutality of homicides and sentencing outcomes. It addresses three main questions: What are the different types of victim-offender relationships in these cases, and how frequently does each type occur? How do these relationships influence sentencing outcomes, particularly the likelihood of receiving the death penalty versus life without parole? And which types of relationships are associated with the highest and lowest levels of brutality? The study uses official court records and applies a coding process to analyze relationship type, sentencing …

Culturally Responsive Ai Module In Early Childhood Teacher Education: An Action Research, Xin Li, Seongryeong Yu

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Recently, the focus on emerging AI in early childhood education has predominantly centered around the technological aspects of AI integration. However, it is critical to support all children from diverse backgrounds while applying AI in early childhood settings. A substantial body of literature emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive pedagogy, especially for children from diverse backgrounds. Despite the necessity for culturally responsive pedagogy among educators, most of the AI studies focus on users’ attitudes toward AI and its impact on task performance, but studies and concerns regarding the incorporation of AI remain less unexplored. This study endeavors to address this …

Exploring Physics Teacher Identity: Pathways Toward Equitable Instruction Among Teachers, Clausell Mathis, Jomo Mutegi, Turhan Carroll, Maya Patel, Andrea Wooley

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Physics teacher identity encompasses teachers' beliefs and views toward being a physics teacher. Physics teacher identity is influenced by teachers' perspectives on physics teaching and learning. Previous studies on teacher identity in general suggest that the construct is complex and malleable. Studies further suggest that it influences instructional methods, student engagement, and classroom environment. However, within physics education, there has yet to be an examination of how physics teacher identity influences "equitable" teaching approaches. This qualitative study sought to identify various dimensions of physics teacher identity and its implications for physics education research. We interviewed secondary and postsecondary physics teachers …

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 …

Recreational Activity Handbook, Aisha Naz Ansari, Sadia Muzaffar Bhutta

Institute for Educational Development Pakistan (IED-PK) Archives

A thoughtfully designed resource for children in areas where attending school in person has become more challenging.

The Black-Market Commodification Of Human Organs And Bones: A Marxist Perspective, Erik Schulz

Nebraska Anthropologist

The trade and treatment of human remains, while seemingly straightforward, have increasingly become subjects of ethical and moral debate. Over time and in light of recent events, questions have emerged regarding the appropriateness of how human remains are handled and exchanged. This paper examines these issues through the lens of Marxist framework and the perspective of forensic anthropology. The objective is to provide contextual understanding and encourage a reevaluation of current practices, particularly within academic settings, to ensure that human morals, dignity and ethical standards are upheld.

In Search Of A Sea-Life Balance In An Adverse Environment : Understanding Seafarers' Life, Work And Turnover, Bikram Singh Bhatia, Raphael Baumler, Maria Carrera-Arce

Reports

The Officers’ Union of International Seamen (OUIS) commissioned the World Maritime University (WMU) to conduct the Work & Health Balance at Sea (WHEAB) project to examine some dimensions of seafarers’ working lives.

Building on exploratory interviews, a survey was designed and administered. The current report presents findings on work patterns (onboard and home periods), working hours, work-related stress, safety management system, shore leave, mental well-being, and career intention.

The survey gathered responses from 4,372 seafarers, mainly from India (n=1,098; 25.1%), the Philippines (n=690; 15.8%), the United States (U.S.) (n=501; 11.5%), and other worldwide regions (n=2,083; 47.6%). The overrepresentation of U.S. …

สำนักงบประมาณ ของรัฐสภา (Pbo) กับการปรับดุลอำนาจงบประมาณในประเทศไทย, จรัส สุวรรณมาลา, วีระศักดิ์ เครือเทพ, อุมาพร บึงมุม

Journal of Social Sciences

ประเทศประชาธิปไตยทั้งหลายถือว่า บทบาทของรัฐสภาในการจัดทำและควบคุมงบประมาณของรัฐเป็นเรื่องสำคัญและไม่อาจทดแทนด้วยกลไกอื่นได้ แต่ในช่วงกว่าหนึ่งศตวรรษที่ผ่านมา ฝ่ายบริหารมีบทบาทนำในการจัดทำงบประมาณของรัฐ เมื่อไม่นานมานี้เองที่รัฐสภาในประเทศต่าง ๆ รวมทั้งรัฐสภาไทย เริ่มตื่นตัว และปรับปรุงกระบวนการงบประมาณของรัฐสภา เพื่อกระชับอำนาจของรัฐสภาในการควบคุมงบประมาณให้มากขึ้น หนึ่งในเครื่องมือที่ฝ่ายนิติบัญญัติในประเทศต่าง ๆ นำมาใช้ในการเสริมสร้างความเข้มแข็งในทำหน้าที่ควบคุมงบประมาณของรัฐ คือ การจัดตั้งสำนักงบประมาณของรัฐสภาขึ้น บทความวิจัยนี้ต้องการศึกษาบทบาทของสำนักงบประมาณของรัฐสภาไทย ตลอดจนถึงผลสืบเนื่องที่เกิดจากการจัดตั้งสำนักงบประมาณของรัฐสภาต่อการกระชับอำนาจในการควบคุมงบประมาณของรัฐสภา ผู้วิจัยได้สำรวจเอกสารสัมภาษณ์ บุคลากรของสำนักงบประมาณของรัฐสภา สมาชิกสภาผู้แทนราษฎร ข้าราชการฝ่ายบริหาร และจัดประชุมเชิงปฏิบัติการและการสัมมนา เพื่อสอบทานข้อมูลและแปลความหมายข้อมูลร่วมกับผู้ให้ข้อมูลหลักที่เกี่ยวข้องกับกระบวนการงบประมาณของรัฐสภา บทความวิจัยนี้บ่งชี้ว่า สำนักงบประมาณของรัฐสภามีส่วนสนับสนุนให้กระบวนการงบประมาณของฝ่ายนิติบัญญัติมีความเข้มแข็งมากขึ้น และมีส่วนช่วยให้รัฐสภาควบคุมงบประมาณของรัฐได้เพิ่มขึ้นระดับหนึ่ง น่าสังเกตว่า สำนักงบประมาณของรัฐสภาได้ใช้ความสามารถของหน่วยงานในการทำหน้าที่จนถึงขีดจำกัดสูงสุดที่สามารถทำได้ แต่ก็ยังไม่สามารถทำหน้าที่ที่ได้รับมอบหมายได้ครอบคลุมครบถ้วนทุกด้าน รัฐสภาจึงควรแสวงหาแนวทางในการพัฒนาขีดความสามารถของสำนักงบประมาณของรัฐสภาให้เพิ่มขึ้น

การศึกษาภาพลักษณ์ของประเทศจีนผ่านอีสปอร์ต : การสื่อสาร กลยุทธ์การทูต และการตลาดเชิงเนื้อหา ผ่าน Honor Of Kings และ Arena Of Valor, ธีรติร์ บรรเทิง, พร้อมพรรณ แจ้งการดี

Journal of Social Sciences

การศึกษานี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อ (1) ศึกษาภาพลักษณ์รูปแบบการสื่อสารกลยุทธ์การทูตของจีน และศึกษาการตลาดเชิงเนื้อหาผ่านเกม Arena of Valor และ Honor of Kings (2) เปรียบเทียบความสอดคล้อง และความแตกต่างของทั้ง 2 เกม และ (3) เสนอแนะแนวทางในการพัฒนาเนื้อหา รูปแบบการสื่อสาร และกลยุทธ์การทูตผ่านอีสปอร์ตให้หน่วยงานที่เกี่ยวข้องทั้งภาครัฐและเอกชน ด้วยระเบียบวิธีการวิจัยเชิงคุณภาพโดย การวิจัยเอกสาร (documentary research) และการวิเคราะห์เนื้อหาที่ถูกนำเสนอบนเฟซบุ๊ก 4 เพจ ได้แก่ Honor of Kings, HoK Global Esports, Garena RoV Thailand, และ KingSauce Legends รวบรวมได้ ทั้งหมด 5,300 โพสต์  ผลการศึกษาพบว่า (1) รูปแบบการสื่อสารและการนำเสนอเนื้อหาของเกม Honor of Kings และ Arena of Valor มีความแตกต่างกันตามวัตถุประสงค์ของแต่ละเพจเกม Honor of Kings เน้นการนำเสนอให้เห็นถึงรูปแบบการเล่น การประกาศเปิดให้บริการในต่างประเทศ โดยใช้ตัวละครภายในเกมเป็นตัวนำเสนอผ่านรูปแบบวิดีโอความยาวประมาณ 1-3 นาที ด้านกิจกรรมการแข่งขันอีสปอร์ตและเงื่อนไขการแข่งขันของเกม Honor of Kings นำเสนอโดยการใช้ภาพนิ่งของนักกีฬาและภาพอินโฟกราฟิก (Infographic) ในขณะที่เกม Arena of Valor เน้นการนำเสนอเพื่อโฆษณาสินค้าและบริการของเกม รวมถึงการสร้างชุมชนผู้เล่น (communities) ผ่านการใช้ภาพนิ่งและผู้ทรงอิทธิพลออนไลน์ (influencer) (2) การนำเสนอเกม Honor of Kings สามารถสะท้อนภาพของวัฒนธรรมและความสร้างสรรค์ (creativity) เนื่องจากผู้ให้บริการเกมเป็นบริษัทภายในประเทศจีนที่ดำเนินนโยบายของบริษัทตามนโยบายของกระทรวงวัฒนธรรม (Ministry of Cultural) ของประเทศจีน ในขณะที่การนำเสนอเนื้อหาของเกม Arena of Valor ดำเนินการจากผู้ให้บริการภายนอกประเทศจีน จึงไม่ได้ดำเนินนโยบายของบริษัทตามทิศทางของกระทรวงวัฒนธรรม (Ministry of Cultural) …

Neighborliness Vs. Car Culture: Traffic Violence, Pedestrian Deaths In Philadelphia, And Vision Zero's Concept Of Equity, Regina Austin

Journal of Law and Mobility

Vision Zero (VZ) is a transportation policy adopted by major cities like Philadelphia that aims to reduce or eliminate traffic violence, primarily through improvements in the transportation infrastructure. VZ prioritizes engineering (over enforcement), community engagement, and perhaps most importantly, equity. In the battle for superiority among users of land-based travel modes in America, automobile drivers have benefited from arterial highways that speed traffic flows around and through urban enclaves to reach center city business districts and from a car culture that encourages dominant behavior behind the wheel. Pedestrians have been among the losers.

In Philadelphia, as elsewhere, pedestrians who are …

Reparative Research Practices: Addressing Epistemic Inequity In University Research, Gabriel Bruguier, Scout Calvert

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: Presentations

The main argument regarding the ‘repair’ in reparative practices: University research is a social good, subjects are entitled to be included in knowledge production, and subjects ought to have fair access to epistemic goods.

Therefore, a subject’s being prevented from making a contribution to the pool of resources utilized to create knowledge is an injustice. Knowledge produced by an entity that excludes community participation is perspectival and incomplete.

Our definition: Reparative research practices (RRP) are those that can intervene and replace other practices across the research life cycle to address epistemic harms and injustices, incomplete knowledge production, shared knowledge, and …

Student Retention And Persistence At Jccc, Eve Blobaum

Sabbatical Projects

Community colleges enroll diverse student populations with varied academic preparation, socioeconomic backgrounds, and personal circumstances. These factors contribute to lower retention and persistence rates compared to four-year institutions. This work adds to the research on community college retention and persistence by attempting to identify factors related to student retention and persistence at Johnson County Community College, a large suburban community college in the American Midwest. Using 21 variables drawn from Community College Survey of Student Engagement data collected online in Spring 2021, a sample of 289 students was analyzed to identify variables with a statistically significant (p < 0.05) association with next-term retention, fall-to-fall retention, or persistence. The findings reveal that only credit hours completed is consistently associated with retention and persistence. While credential-seeking and financial aid are associated with next-term retention (p = .002 and p < .001, respectively), neither was associated with long-term outcomes. Age group was associated with fall-to-fall retention (p = .043) and persistence (p = .031) but not with next-term retention. Additionally, while being married and living with dependent children were associated with persistence (p = .005 and p = .002, respectively), neither was related to either of the retention measures. These results underscore the complexity of retention dynamics and highlight the need for further research to validate the utility of the CCSSE instrument at the institutional level and explore whether these results are anomalous.

Adolescents’ Advanced Stem Course Intentions: Predictors And Reasoning, Jacqueline Cerda-Smith, Emine Ozturk, Angelina Joy, Kelly Lynn Mulvey

Faculty Publications – Psychology

Taking advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses in high school can support persistence in STEM. Given gender enrollment inequities in many advanced STEM courses, the current study explored potential gender differences in predictors of and reasoning about advanced STEM course intentions in a sample of high school students. Participants (N = 750, M_age = 15.10 years, SD = 0.83, 50.5% boys) attending five public high schools in the southeastern United States responded to online questionnaires regarding their current STEM classes and advanced course intentions as well as an open-ended item to capture their STEM intention reasoning. …

A Geospatial Analysis Of Simple Assaults In Missoula: Temporal And Land Use Category Trends, Madison A. Headrick

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

This study observes and analyzes the time and geographic locations where simple assault was reported to occur most frequently inside Missoula city limits from 2015 to 2023. Secondary data was sourced and collected from the Missoula City Police Department using their local records system, Law Enforcement Records Management System (LERMS). The neighborhood data were broken down into eight land use categories that exhibited a high frequency of assault: homeless/mission shelters, schools, retail establishments, alcohol serving venues, medical centers, government/public buildings, residential, and hospitality. Results found distinct temporal patterns between land use categories with specific hour blocks seen to have more …

North Carolina A&T: Perfect Storms, Charles Euchner

GHEA21 Open Educational Resources

If the problem of race is the “American dilemma,” as the Swedish sociologist Gunnar Myrdal argued in a classic 1944 study, North Carolina’s response to this dilemma presents a complex puzzle. Unlike other states of the old Confederacy, North Carolina has a long tradition of reform in education, labor, business, and voting rights. North Carolina also has robust competition between Republicans and Democrats. Because of this competition, both parties have battled intensely over voting rights.

Prairie View: Fighting To Belong, Charles Euchner

GHEA21 Open Educational Resources

What happens when twin revolutions—civil rights and student rights—come together in a community with a deep and abiding history of racism and segregation? What tools can voting-rights advocates use to extend the franchise to all voting-age people in the community? What are the possibilities and limitations of university leadership and student activism in the struggle? This case study explores the pivotal role of Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University (PVAMU) in the historic struggles over voter registration, polling places, and other voting-rights issues in Texas. The case is a part of a larger project on student voting rights that focuses …

Bard College: The Battle For Youth Voting Rights, Charles Euchner

GHEA21 Open Educational Resources

When the U.S. ratified the 26th Amendment, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18, supporters predicted a surge of voting among young people. But in fact, voting rates are lower for young people than for other age groups. The standard explanation is that young people are transient, distracted by college and other activities, and have not yet embraced civic habits and responsibilities. However, another reason deserves consideration: state and local election officials create barriers to voting, purposefully or otherwise, especially in college towns. The case is a part of a larger project on student voting rights that focuses on …

The Woman Question And State Feminism: Gender, Power, And Modernity In Pahlavi Iran, Maire Claire Dubard

Scripps Senior Theses

In 20th century Pahlavi Iran, Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Shah instrumentalized the ‘woman question’ — women’s political, economic, and professional roles in a changing society — to consolidate their power and promote a modern state. Reza Shah utilized top-down and coercive reforms, including veiling and education, to strengthen his power, weaken religious influence, and create a visible national identity. In contrast, his son, Mohammad Reza Shah, instrumentalized gender issues and tied women’s rights to his personal image of progressivism. Though it can be argued that all of their reforms supported gender equality, they were implemented, in fact, with the …

Crafting Cultural Power: Artistic Interventions As Tools For Political Organizing Among Los Angeles Street Vendors, Corina M. Silverstein

Scripps Senior Theses

This thesis focuses on the intersections of collaborative and artistic interventions (such as collective songwriting and poetry) within the ongoing fight to legalize and decriminalize street vending in Los Angeles. Through the close partnership with Community Power Collective (CPC), this thesis analyzes the use of narrative in artistic collaborations and oral traditions throughout the political mobilization of street vendors in Los Angeles. Through an interdisciplinary approach, this investigation explores the use of early influences of street theater, to collective songwriting workshops, as well as artistic collaborations with local artists. Ultimately, suggesting CPC’s use of artistic practices and collaborations are essential …