Other Sociology Commons^™

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Sociology: An Introduction, Marcia Morrison

Open Educational Resources

This document introduces the reader to basic sociological concepts including the origins of sociology as a discipline, including its progression into a formidable science. It explores the role of its founding fathers as well as the field's emergence from the various reformations and revolutions to being a stand-alone discipline.

"You Know The Rules": A Dramatic Experiment In Aromantic Literary Theory, April Chronowski

English

This paper proposes a new literary theory framework based on the zine "an aromantic manifesto" by yingchen and yingtong, as well as the work of Erving Goffman, using theater as a device to examine romantic relationships. Blending English and sociology, I focus each chapter on a different literary period and examine two plays each: early modern (Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus and William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing), modern (Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Djuna Barnes' "To The Dogs"), and contemporary (Caryl Churchill's Cloud 9 and Margaret Edson's W;t). In tandem with analysis of formal elements---like …

“Cry Harder!”: How Parents Traffic Their Children Through Forced Child Begging And Child Labor, Abigail K. Bellocchio

Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines the complex intersection of socioeconomic and cultural factors influencing forced child begging, a form of human trafficking, across different global regions. Through comprehensive literature analysis and examination of data from the Global K-anonymized Dataset from Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative (2021), this research reveals a critical gap in human trafficking discourse: the absence of a unified definition and understanding of forced child begging. Despite affecting millions of children worldwide, forced child begging remains fragmented in academic literature, scattered across disciplines including child welfare, anthropology, and media studies rather than being centrally addressed in anti-trafficking frameworks. The research identifies that …

Accounting For The Gift: Theology And Ethics In Accounting, Daniel Sebastian

Religious Studies Theses and Dissertations

Accounting is often assumed to be a neutral presentation of the facts of economic activities and actions. Its double-entry system means that it is always in balance and comports to the rigor of mathematical formulas, and it is taken to be a matter of empirical counting that lends it certainty as well. The dissertation argues that this description of accounting is inadequate. Accounting is better seen as a political tool and technology for producing trust that can help resolve social conflicts. As such, accounting is not value-neutral but carries within it a particular sociality that has moral implications. These moral …

Implications Of Extremity: The Digital Nexus Between Black Metal Subculture And Right-Wing Extremism, Samuel G. Crawford

Theses and Dissertations

This study seeks to examine and offer potential explanatory frameworks for the apparent phenomenon of right-wing and similar extreme ideologies in the context of the musical subgenre of black metal and its corresponding subculture. Using Robinson’s (2007) analysis of classical symbolic interactionist theorists (Goffman, Cooley, Mead) in the context of digital spaces, this study conducted digital ethnography and discourse analysis of various online forums dealing with black metal and its subculture. In addition to this qualitative work, descriptive quantitative analysis of frequencies and proportions of thematic variables coded for extremity indicate that black metal does appear to have high instances …

Belaytionships Before Bros: Qualitative Analysis Of Gender Identity And Climbing, Samuel G. Crawford

Graduate Research Posters

Background. Sociological study of queer representation in sports has historically focused on gender within team sports, but less is known about these dynamics in more individual-oriented sports like climbing. Sociological scholarship on these dynamics in climbing has been relatively sparse. More mainstream analyses of queer issues in sports generally could potentially help examine these concepts. However, my experiences as a climber and former industry professional led me to believe that a more targeted qualitative sociological approach would provide valuable insight and perspective, particularly regarding this sports comparison.

Methods. This analysis draws upon ethnographic observation of a climbing gym in the …

The Subaltern Magazine, Rebecca Fox, Riese Nichols

Social Sciences

The Subaltern intends to reach Cal Poly students who do not feel as if their voices are heard and allow them the platform to share their stories. Our focus is on unheard stories from our campus - whether this involves race, class, gender identity, mental health, ethnicity, culture, or any unique part of one’s identity or experience. We hope that these stories will begin to shed light on what we usually consider “taboo” topics and allow students to feel as if they aren’t alone.

Being a very homogeneous campus, it is important for us to realize that privileged voices are …

"We Missed Our Youth": The Identity Formation Of Child Migrants, Refugees, And Jewish Children In France From 1940 To 1942, Michaela Maria Gouge Watson

Honors Theses

From 1940 – 1942, hundreds of Jewish children from Germany, Austria, Russia, and France were hidden from Nazi and Vichy French authorities in children’s homes in France. These homes were administered by the Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants, a Jewish aid organization that assisted children in need during World War II. This study employs a quantitative content analysis of the testimonies of twenty Holocaust survivors who were hidden children in France between 1940 and 1942 to investigate to what extent the experience of outsider status and trauma affected these children’s personal and religious identity formation. The analysis finds that the …

The Army National Guard: Recruitment, Retention, And The Balance Of Life, Stephanie N. Ashwell

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

The National Guard is an institution with a history older than the United States. Members are drawn to Guard service for a variety of reasons, and they face a range of difficulties as they manage their experiences in the Guard and in their civilian lives. This project offers a small case study, based on semi-structured, in-depth interviews, with six current or former Guard members. Findings highlight that these members experienced a range of frustrations that clustered around issues of recruitment, retention, and the balance of life. The purpose of this study was to gain a better idea of what are …

Immigration And Underbanking: An Analysis Of The Financial Integration Of Immigrant Populations, James Baugh

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Underbanking, or use of alternative financial services such as payday lenders rather than traditional banks, is a practice that has substantial financial and social harm. Given that literature and prior research shows that immigrants face unique cultural barriers to financial assimilation, the current study examines how immigrant status influences one’s odds of being underbanked. Using the June 2015 Underbanking Supplement to the Current Population Survey, immigrants are delineated by first- and second-generation status, as well by the development status of their country of origin, and their relationship to underbanking is examined through a series of logistic regression analyses. Results indicate …

Straining To Prevent The Rohingya Genocide: A Sociology Of Law Perspective, Katherine Southwick

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

This paper analyzes the generally muted international response to the protracted plight of the Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority in Myanmar, from the perspective of sociology of law. The first part provides background on the Rohingya crisis and discusses relevant international legal frameworks relating to crimes against humanity and genocide. The second part adapts analytical frameworks developed by Felstiner, Abel, and Sarat on the emergence and transformation of disputes, in order to examine some of the factors that frustrate the processes of naming crimes, blaming perpetrators, and claiming rights and protection for the Rohingya minority in the international context. Work …

The Social Construction Of Understanding & Neoliberal Multiculturalism: Analysis And Critique Of The Peruvian Moratorium Gmos, T. W. Dondanville

Student Research – Stevenson Center

No abstract provided.

Individual And Society: Sociological Social Psychology, Lizabeth A. Crawford, Katherine B. Novak

Scholarship and Professional Work - LAS

"Unlike the few other texts for undergraduate sociological social psychology courses that present 3 distinct traditions (or "faces") ... Symbolic Interactionist (SI), Social Structure and Personality (SSP), and Group Processes and Structure (GPS) by topic alone, this text initially discusses these "faces" by research tradition, and emphasizes the different theoretical frameworks within which social psychological analyses are conducted. With this approach, the authors make clear the link between "face" of sociological social psychology, theory, and methodology. And students gain an appreciably better understanding of the field of sociological social psychology; how and why social psychologists trained in sociology ask particular …

Who’S In Charge Here? Exercising Authority In The Organization-Volunteer Relationship, Patricia A. Groble

ETD Archive

One facet of being a volunteer is the freedom to choose one’s work and schedule. When this ability to choose conflicts with the organization’s need to ensure that volunteers’ work activities fulfill its mission, it creates tension between staff members and volunteers and presents a challenge to the organization’s ability to exercise authority over its volunteers.

Existing research on volunteerism studies volunteer engagement, motivations, and best practices for managing volunteers, as well as how volunteers can be considered a sustainable resource. The volunteer management literature pays little attention, however, to authority’s role in the relationship between organizations and their volunteers. …

Dogs & Society: Anglo-American Sociological Perspectives (1865-1934), Michael R. Hill, Mary Jo Deegan

Zea E-Books Collection

HUMANS AND DOGS have a long, wonderful and sometimes problematic association. At a personal level, dogs have been integral to our lives, and our parents’ lives, for as long as the two of us can remember. As sociologists, we also recognize that dogs are important at the macro level. Here, we introduce a selection of early sociological arguments about dogs and their social relationships with humankind. Our interest in developing this book began when we encountered the delightful essays on dogs by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Annie Marion MacLean — two insightful Anglo-American sociologists who present opposing sympathies regarding the …

The Bureau Of Sociological Research At The University Of Nebraska–Lincoln: A Brief History 1964–2014, Michael R. Hill

Zea E-Books Collection

This volume is a provisional account of the origins and subsequent work of the Bureau of Sociological Research (BOSR) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL). This study was prepared at the request of Julia McQuillan, Chair of the UNL Department of Sociology and a past BOSR Director, for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Bureau in April 2014.

This study falls within the field known generally as “the sociology of sociology” and this accounts for the devising of a typology of sociologies that delineates the intellectual field of play historically occupied by the Bureau of Sociological Research at the University …

Television In Ireland: A History From The Mediated Centre, Edward Brennan

Conference Papers

This paper identifies and critiques a dominant narrative in the history of Irish television, which is too often passed off for, or accepted as, the history of television in Ireland. The his- tory of television in Ireland has been written within an institutional framework and depends on the cultural binary of tradition and modernity, ‘old Ireland’ and ‘new Ireland’. This dom- inant narrative fails to interrogate television as a medium. It provides an account of the Irish broadcaster RTÉ rather than an account of the arrival of a new medium. Ironically this nar- rative which hinges on the role of …

Meta-Analysis Of The Book: "Privilege, Power And Difference" -- A Review Of The Dimensions Of Institutional Segregation As Psychological Paradox, Alexej Savreux

Sociology Student Papers and Presentations

This paper analyzes and synthesizes concepts and alternative perspectives of sociologist and author Allan G. Johnson’s book “Privilege, Power and Difference” through the lens of the sociological imagination. The first phase of the review addresses the different chapter dimensions of the concept (or purported abstraction) of ‘inequality’ as social, economic and historical concretion. The model is later elaborated upon and the work extrapolated into a meta-theoretical analysis of the first seven chapters of the textbook. By identifying and reviewing the principal points within the book, we present a multitude of vantage points by which continuation and assimilation of material in …

Factors That Influence Helping Behaviors: Does Race And Socioeconomic Status Of A Victim Influence Whether Others Help?, M’Keba Barksdale

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Personal Factors that Influence Helping Behaviors The murder of Kitty Genovese played an historic role in promoting research on helping behavior (Manning, Levine & Collins, 2007). For many years research articles, psychology books, and other references about the murder of Kitty Genovese informed people that she was stabbed to death in front of her home while 37 witnesses watched and did not help. However, more recent research has shown that this research was not accurate (Manning, Levine & Collins 2007). There were actually 38 witnesses and some who testified at the murder trial, that at a first glimpse it did …

Heroes: A Realistic Depiction Of Heroism, Cheryl’Lynn Joost

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

In the world we live in, heroes are traditionally thought of as perfect individuals who always save the world. Perfection, however, is unrealistic in the real world. The television series Heroes is a form of text that provides viewers with heroes that are more realistic to the real world and easier to relate to. Heroes, which debuted in September of 2006, follows various people around the world who have recently discovered that they have extraordinary abilities. With their newly discovered talents, the characters now have to decide how to use them. This study critically analyzes particular characters that illustrate the …

Systems Of Distribution And A Sense Of Equity: A Multilevel Analysis Of Meritocratic Attitudes In Post-Industrial Societies, Sheri L. Kunovich, Kazimierz M. Slomczynski

Sociology Research

Meritocratic attitudes are defined as general beliefs that education and its correlates should determine personal economic outcomes. Using the International Social Survey Project (ISSP): Social Inequality Module (1992), we examine both individual-level and country-level determinants of pro-meritocratic attitudes. According to self-interest and rational-action theories, individuals with high educational attainment and high personal income are expected to have strong meritocratic beliefs because meritocracy is in their best interest—they would gain under such a system. At the same time, both modernization and post-industrial theories imply that persons living in countries with a high degree of societal meritocracy hold stronger meritocratic beliefs than …