Sociology Commons^™

Spirits Of Liberty: The Contradictions Of An Intoxicating Inheritance, Elise T. Hasseltine

Honors Theses

This extensive historical analysis traces the complex, multifaceted roles of alcohol across American history, from the colonial era and early national period through the temperance movement culminating in national Prohibition during the early twentieth century. It explores the cultural, social, economic, and moral dimensions circumscribing societal attitudes and regulatory policies toward alcohol over time. The thesis examines how alcohol served as a tool of conquest and oppression during the colonial era, facilitating the subjugation of Native populations and fueling the transatlantic slave trade. It delves into the complex dynamics of alcohol consumption and regulation in the early republic, highlighting the …

Catching Up To Yesterday: An Argument For A Practical Application Of Creativity For Inspiring Change From A Content-Based Course Delivery To A 21st-Century Skills-Based Delivery, Darren Chapman

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

This project is a creative vision for how college-level courses could be changed to deliver the most important skills students need in the 21st century—moving toward an essential employability skills-based delivery process while training vocational (content) skills. Technology is outpacing humans' ability to adapt and adopt to it, making it increasingly difficult to keep pace with technological change. This has wide-ranging effects on each of us – productively, emotionally, and perhaps physically. Colleges are at the forefront of educating citizens about the working world to improve their productivity, incomes and their sense of intrinsic motivation. However, these same colleges are …

The Last Valley: A Fictional Story For Environment, Hikmat Yar, Nida Ayaz

Books

This fictional book is an outcome of the Climate Action Fellowship carried out by the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) and funded by the U.S. Mission in Pakistan.

Social Acceptance, Well-Being, And The Desire To Start A Family Of Lgbtq+ People In Thailand, Wirunphat Manitsorasak

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Despite Thailand’s image as a “living paradise” for LGBTQ+ individuals, empirical research on social acceptance and family formation remains limited. Public discourse has questioned whether the growing visibility of LGBTQ+ populations may contribute to the national fertility decline. Given this context, this study focuses on LGBTQ+ individuals and explores three dimensions: (1) societal tolerance toward LGBTIQAN+ individuals and sexual diversity, (2) public attitudes toward LGBTIQAN+ parenting, and (3) the well-being and family formation intentions of LGBTQ+ individuals. Employing a quantitative approach, the study draws on two data sources: (1) secondary data from three waves of the World Values Survey (2007, …

The Impacts Of Identity On Perceptions Of Safety On A Predominately White Campus, Rebecca Delrosso

Honors Theses

This quantitative study examines the relationship between students’ marginalized identities of race, gender, and sexuality and their perceptions of safety at a predominantly white institution (PWI). Survey data collected from undergraduates at a small liberal arts university reveal associations between minority identities and feelings of discomfort, insecurity, discrimination, and vulnerability on campus. The findings highlight the need for PWIs to prioritize secure and inclusive environments through policies, practices, and support systems.

State Politics And Stress Amongst Lgbtq+ Students At Florida’S Private Colleges: A Psychological And Normative Analysis, Alise Fortune

Honors Program Theses

The recent wave of anti-LGBTQ+ politics and policies in Florida pose potential risks to the mental health and well-being of Florida’s LGBTQ+ students. The present study surveyed LGBTQ+ students attending private colleges in Florida to measure their self-reported stress levels in comparison to non-LGBTQ+ students, the level at which they believed specific sources of stress contributed to their stress levels, their level of distress upon experiencing discrimination, their sense of sexual identity distress, and their awareness of and involvement in advocacy against Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Survey results suggested that anti-LGBTQ+ politics in Florida and the personal lives (social and family …

Examining Adolescent Sexual Patterns In Creek Town, Nigeria: Insights From A Cross-Sectional Survey And Implications For Tailored Interventions, Rowland Edet, Kabiru K. Salami

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

In the dynamic landscape of global health, the sexual behaviors of adolescents are of particular significance due to their profound implications for individual well-being and public health. This article focuses on Creek Town, a vibrant community in Nigeria, and aims to provide a nuanced exploration of the sexual behaviors of adolescents within the context of local culture and socioeconomic factors. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, involving a multi-stage sampling approach with 422 participants. A comprehensive 112-item questionnaire captured various aspects of adolescent sexual behaviors. Additionally, four focus group discussions, including both in-school and out-of-school adolescents, provided qualitative insights. The …

Animal Agriculture And Cellular Agriculture Futures Workshop Resources, Julia Mcquillan, Linda J. Pfeiffer, Charlotte Brockman, Meghan Leadabrand, Michael Sealy

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

The activity was supported by NIST Cooperative Agreement 70NANB22H047T under the project titled, "Manufacturing USA Technology Roadmap for Cellular Agriculture: Initiative for Convergent Manufacturing of Agriculture and Food for Equity (I-CAFE).”

Sharing Your Success: Using Photovoice To Document And Communicate The Impact Of Independent Living Services, Lillie Greiman, Rayna Sage

Independent Living and Community Participation

In this brief guide, you will learn about strategies for documenting and communicating the impact of your independent living work. Specifically, this guide will give you a tool for using “Photovoice”, along with some examples of how to share your organization’s outcomes with the communities you serve.

Understanding The Educator-Coach And Student-Athlete Relationship: A Descriptive-Interpretative Study, Thomas J. Saleh

College of Education Theses and Dissertations

A changing landscape in youth sports and educational institutions has resulted in a growing number of high school student-athletes being coached by adults who do not work in the schools they attend. This study provides a foundational understanding of the relationship between in-building coaches, hereafter referred to as educator-coaches, and their student-athletes. Using a generic descriptive-interpretive qualitative research (GDI-QR) approach, this study examines the unique relationship within schools and what benefits and challenges this model may provide for the mentors and mentees involved. Framed around the concepts of natural mentorship and social-emotional learning (SEL), this study highlights how the educator-coaches …

Shaping College Habitus: An Exploration Of The Effect Of The Social/Spatial Construction Of First-Year Classes On The Habitus Of Low-Income, Working-Class Rural Students, Joshua R. Mcconnell Parsons

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

Low-income, working-class (LI/WC) students entering spaces of higher education often face completely new social and cultural fields that do not match their prior experiences, requiring them to construct new conceptualizations of their habitus within those spaces—the way they internalize and interact with the world. However, a dearth of research exists on how these students’ conceptualizations of the social and physical spaces that make up their actual classroom and academic experiences play a role in how they come to form their new identities or habitus. This in-depth qualitative analysis of students’ habitus formation leverages Doreen Massey’s theoretical framework of critical spatiality …

De Aquí, Y De Allá: Education, Culture, And Identity Development Of Transnational Latinas, Elizabeth Harris-Medina

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

De Aquí, y De Allá: Education, Culture, and Identity Development of Transnational Latinas This ethnographic case study examines the experiences of three transnational Latina women, descendants of families from Degollado, Jalisco, Mexico, exploring how their migration history and educational backgrounds influence their life trajectories. Focusing on these three women, the study aims to better understand their challenges and inform the development of resources to support their success in the U.S. education system. Using ethnographic interviews and Ecological Systems Theory, the research highlights how places and social systems shape views and life paths, offering insights into how best to support these …

Increasing Expectations For Entry: Analyzing Changes In Labor Market Entry-Level Education Requirements Over Time With Potential Implications For Credential Or Degree Inflation And Returns-To-Education, William Nicholas Grinstead

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation

The dissertation asks the following question: Have occupations increased academic degree requirements over time?

The literature review provides background on the origin and criticisms of the concept of a “knowledge economy.” It addresses economic “signaling theory” and sociologic “credentialism.”

The methodology relies on a trend analysis using the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook and the occupations’ Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system and its predecessor the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT). In order to address whether occupations have increased academic degree requirements over time, this dissertation will compare entry-level education requirements for BLS SOC occupations that today are …

Examining The Multifaceted Impacts Of Drug Decriminalization On Public Safety, Law Enforcement, And Prosecutorial Discretion, Kelsey S. Henderson, Christopher M. Campbell, Brian C. Renauer

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications and Presentations

This final report provides the findings of a multi-year project to understand the effects of successive drug policy efforts in Oregon. Since 2013, Oregon has implemented three changes that reclassified and lowered the seriousness of low-level drug possession offenses, with multiple years between each policy change: Justice Reinvestment in 2013, defelonization in 2017, and decriminalization in 2021. This project parses out the individual impacts of these unique events on law enforcement, prosecution, courts and sentencing, and public safety & health.

Families At The Center: Leading For Home Visiting Systems Change, Callie H. Lambarth, Beth L. Green, Center For Coordinating Oregon Home Visiting Systems

Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services Publications

The Center for Coordinating Oregon Home Visiting Systems (CCOHVS) launched in February 2024 at the Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services at Portland State University. The CCOHVS functions as a program-neutral backbone organization for a coordinated system of prenatal and early childhood home visiting services. Its work will move the state closer to the vision described in the Raise Up Oregon 2.0 (RUO) strategic plan1 for early childhood systems, namely to create “equitable, integrated, accessible, inclusive, anti-racist and family-centered” early learning services, with a focus on ensuring this system meets the needs of pregnant people and families with …

Sharing Stories Of Hope And Transformation In U.S. Higher Education: An Ereader By Portland State University Students, Óscar Fernández, David Peterson Del Mar

PDXOpen: Open Educational Resources

This eReader showcases stories of hope and transformation written by diverse students enrolled in University Studies courses at Portland State University. The goal is to motivate first-year and transfer students to see that, in higher education, they are not alone in their personal, familial, and academic struggles—and personal, familial, and educational achievements.

American Indian Census Rolls: An Underutilized Source Of Historical Demographic Information On Tribal Populations, David Swanson, Jeff Tayman

Publications, Reports and Presentations

Historical information on tribal populations in the United States is incomplete. American Indians and Alaska Natives were not enumerated with the general population until the 1940 decennial census. However, Indian Census Rolls were produced for the period 1885 – 1940 under the auspices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the U.S. The information given in the Indian Census Rolls varies but usually includes the roll number, age, gender, tribal identity, and relationship to the head of the family. In this paper, we present background information on Indian Census Rolls and demonstrate how the digitized microfiche census roll schedules can …

Targeted, Harassed, And Displaced: The Role Of Discrimination In Oregon Evictions, Alex Farrington, Natalie J. Cholula, Lisa K. Bates

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

Drawing on focus groups with 101 Oregon tenants who have experienced an eviction since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this report examines the role that discrimination plays in Oregon evictions. As this is not a legal investigation, we do not focus solely on legally-actionable or provable claims. Rather, we include a wide range of tenants’ descriptions of their experiences with unfair, malicious, or prejudicial treatment. We find that many tenants are specifically targeted for eviction or experience prejudicial treatment during the eviction process because of their identity or background. This includes being treated unfairly based on tenants’ race, language, …

Looking At The Past To Change The Future: Showcasing Featured Collections, Building Communities, And Co-Creating, Sherry Buchanan

Library Faculty and Staff Publications and Presentations

Academic libraries have the opportunity and the responsibility to promote and advance content that creates transformative and iterative learning opportunities. To that end, and in an effort to build communities and facilitate co-creation, Portland State University showcases three main Featured Collections in our open access repository, PDXScholar: Climate Justice, COVID-19, and Racial and Gender Equity, with a fourth pilot collection—Student Work: An Open Showcase of Outstanding Student-Created Research & Creative Work—under development. The collections include a broad range of audiovisual materials, such as podcasts and webinar series, as well as sustainability and equity work, student-created content, and numerous future-focused multidisciplinary …

Characterizing The Beneficial Uses Of The Arcata Marsh Constructed Wetland Treatment System And Wildlife Sanctuary, Andrew S. Wolff

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The Arcata Marsh Constructed Wetland Treatment System and Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Arcata California, has been in operation since 1986. Not only has it served as the wastewater treatment facility for the city, it has also provided other beneficial uses such as acting as a sanctuary for bird, mammal, amphibian, and macroinvertebrate species. With facility upgrades currently underway, it has become important to revisit the beneficial uses of the Arcata Marsh. This project aimed to identify and characterize these beneficial uses. Literature review was conducted, and eleven beneficial uses were identified. Existing and newly obtained data were analyzed to characterize …

Alternative Shelter Evaluation Report, Jacen Greene, Todd Ferry, Emily Leickly, Franklin H. Spurbeck

Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative Publications and Presentations

This report summarizes research by Portland State University’s Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative for the Joint Office of Homeless Services on the cost, participant experiences, and client outcomes in village-style and motel shelters as compared to each other and to traditional, congregate shelters.

Exploring The Realities Of Queer/Trans, Black, Indigenous, And/Or People Of Color Students At Humboldt State University, Kat Hồng Nguyễn

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

In this thesis, I use participant interviews with 12 queer student activists at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) and participant observation from 2019-2021 to provide a qualitative analysis of Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTBIPOC) student knowledge. While student activism is not a primary site of analysis in this paper, all of the participants of this study identify as student activists which has implications on their overall experience. Participants in this study note the institutional efforts to disrupt institutional memory between student leaders and activists. This study was specifically designed to combat this issue by …

Adoption Of Holistic Education Practices: A Survey Of California K-12 Educator Experiences, Arianne M. Nova

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, the federal government must explicitly consider holistic approaches to education as essential for the well-being and future of students in public schools. Holistic education, which extends beyond traditional academics to nurture the 'whole child,' has garnered substantial support in the literature for its positive impact on academic performance, behavior, and student well-being. This research explores educator perspectives on holistic education in a K-12 California school district. By surveying teachers, counselors, school social workers, and principals within this district, I assess their awareness concerning structural levels, available resources, and implementation capabilities related to holistic education. …

Salvation And Sweet Rolls: An Examination Of Mormon Diet Books, Rachel Noorda

English Faculty Publications and Presentations

Religious diet books highlight the overlap between religious and diet cultures. This article examines the intersection of Mormonism, diet culture, and fatphobia through an analysis of Mormon diet books published between 1990 and 2015. The study explores how Mormon diet books leverage the Word of Wisdom (the LDS health code) to promote weight loss and reinforce religious obedience. By framing dietary compliance as a spiritual mandate, these texts link physical health and body size to moral and spiritual worthiness. This conflation of body and spirit, rooted in Mormon theology, amplifies fatphobia by promoting thinness as a sign of obedience and …

Support For Girls’ Education And Keeping Them In School, Population Council, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

SWEDD Series: Best Practice Guide no. 2

This Guide is one of a series that retrospectively documents the process of implementing the interventions of the SWEDD project, and documents good practices, challenges and lessons learned. The “Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend” (SWEDD) project was launched in November 2015 with financial support from the World Bank, and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). The research informing this Guide was led by the Population Council.

Le Développement Curriculaire Pour Les Espaces Sûrs, Population Council, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

Série SWEDD: Guide de Bonnes Pratiques no. 3

Ce Guide fait partie d’une série qui documente d’une manière rétrospective le processus de mise en œuvre des interventions du projet SWEDD, et décrit les bonnes pratiques, les défis et les leçons apprises. Le projet “Autonomisation des Femmes et Dividende Démographique au Sahel” (SWEDD) a été lancé en novembre 2015 avec le soutien financier de la Banque mondiale, et l’appui technique du Fonds des Nations Unies pour la population (UNFPA) et de l’Organisation Ouest -Africaine pour la Santé (OOAS). Les recherches menant à ce Guide ont été dirigées par le Population …

Curriculum Development For Safe Spaces, Population Council, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

SWEDD Series: Best Practice Guide no. 3

This Guide is one of a series that retrospectively documents the process of implementing the interventions of the SWEDD project, and documents good practices, challenges and lessons learned. The “Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend” (SWEDD) project was launched in November 2015 with financial support from the World Bank, and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). The research informing this Guide was led by the Population Council.

Safe Spaces, Population Council, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

SWEDD Series: Best Practice Guide no. 4

This Guide is one of a series that retrospectively documents the process of implementing the interventions of the SWEDD project, and documents good practices, challenges and lessons learned. The “Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend” (SWEDD) project was launched in November 2015 with financial support from the World Bank, and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). The research informing this Guide was led by the Population Council.

Le Soutien À La Scolarisation Des Filles Et Leur Maintien À L’École, Population Council, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

Série SWEDD: Guide de Bonnes Pratiques no. 2

Ce Guide fait partie d’une série qui documente d’une manière rétrospective le processus de mise en œuvre des interventions du projet SWEDD, et décrit les bonnes pratiques, les défis et les leçons apprises. Le projet “Autonomisation des Femmes et Dividende Démographique au Sahel” (SWEDD) a été lancé en novembre 2015 avec le soutien financier de la Banque mondiale, et l’appui technique du Fonds des Nations Unies pour la population (UNFPA) et de l’Organisation Ouest -Africaine pour la Santé (OOAS). Les recherches menant à ce Guide ont été dirigées par le Population …

The Role Of Group Leaders In Safe Spaces And Clubs For Husbands/Future Husbands, Population Council, Equimundo, Swedd

Adolescents and Young People

SWEDD Series: Best Practice Guide no. 6

This Guide is one of a series that retrospectively documents the process of implementing the interventions of the SWEDD project, and documents good practices, challenges and lessons learned. The “Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend” (SWEDD) project was launched in November 2015 with financial support from the World Bank, and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). The research informing this Guide was led by the Population Council and Equimundo.