Our graduate students address a broad spectrum of sociological questions and methodological perspectives in their research. This breadth of interests is evident in the list below of the department’s recent MA theses and papers.

2016

E. Dorshorst, Polarization of Abortion Attitudes in the United States: Political Identity, Religious Conservatism, and Gender Attitudes
G. Goldman, New Economy, New Racism? Comparing Black and White Demand for Redistribution, 1978 to 2014
K. James, Public Perceptions of Feminism and Other Social Justice Movements in the Contemporary US
H. Marahrens, The Public Perception of Biologists as Cultural Authorities on Human Origins
D. Post, Socio-Political Production of Liberal Attitudes in India

2015

M. BlomWillis, What Role do Parental Culture and Structure Play in the Adoption Process
A. Bryan, Science Literacy and Cultural Capital: Intergenerational Factors in the Production of Science Knowledge
E. Callahan, Electronic Patient/Provider Communication: Exploring Access, Use and Benefits
K. Fredricks, Racialized Representation in Preschool Television Programming
E. Schulz, Visual and Rhetorical Representations of Victimization and Perpetration: A Content Analysis of Current Anti-Trafficking Campaigns in the US
R. Verde, Feminist Discourses in the Critical and Popular Receptions of Fifty Shades of Grey and Story of O

2014

M. Alvelo-Rivera, Sequencing Success: The InterPlay of Opportunities, Resources, Tactics, and Framing in the Triumph of the Villas Del Sol Squatter Movement
K. Brown, Concerted Cultivation, Invisible Disability and Achievement
L. Chang, An Exploration of how Student Gender, Generational Status, and perceptions Influence parental Aspirations and Educational Achievement
D. Lashua, Extremism and Democracy: How Ideology Affects Forms of Political Participation
M. Salzman, The Nonprofit Middleman

2013

R. Cusatis, Self-Reports of Physical Activity: Do Different Methods of Data Collection Tell a Different Story?
A. Duran Lopez, Where Voting Intersects with Unconventional Political Participation: Types of Participants in the European Union
B. Gilberston, Finding Its Place: The Effect of Race on Drug Court Outcomes
B. Held, Family Formations and Modern Costs: Does Parental Structure Influence Student Debt?
E. Klainot-Hess, Comparing Mobilization in the Wisconsin and Ohio 2011 Anti-Collective Bargaining Bills Protests
E. Nebel, The Communicative Body: An Examination of Body Consciousness Among the Deaf
T. Petrovic, Psychological Wellbeing in Older Adults: The Effects of Perceived Support and Negative Interaction with the Religious Congregation
K. Ritchhart, Is Chivalry Still Present within the Sentencing of Female Offenders?
J. Schopp, Social Network Diversity and the Educational Experiences of Biracial/Multicultural Students

2012

K. Anderson-Lamb, Gender as a Social Determinant of Food Insecurity Among Women in Malawi
B. Nimke, The Employability of Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans: An Examination of the Benefits of Veteran Service Utilization
C. Hawley, Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Competence: An Analysis of a Medical Textbook
C. Bentley, Young Adults, Parents and Religiosity: An Examination of Prolonged Dependence and parental Influence over Religious Beliefs, Behaviors, and Affiliations of Young Adult Children
T. Calkins, The Wild Hunt for Omnivores: Socioeconomic Stratification and Taste in Music
A. Coleman, Intervention and Outcomes: The Impact of Upward Bound and Talent Search on Occupational Prestige
C. Mathes, Spousal Strain and Caregiver Depression: Does the Marital Relationship influence the Association between Caregiving and Depression?
M. McCarthy, Anonymous’ and Wikileaks’ War Against Information Asymmetry
M. McDonald, Can Social or Cultural Capital explain a Connection between Performing Arts Extracurricular Activities and Enhanced Student Outcomes?
K. Smith, The Effect of Racial Mismatch and Teacher Perceptions and Expectations on African American Male Student Achievement
B. Schreiber, The Effect of Studying Abroad on Racial/Ethnic Attitudes and Tolerance

2011

B. Johnson, Does Work-Related Information and Communication Technology Use Influence Employee Perceptions of Productivity and Distress?
J. Austin, Grandparent to the Rescue? Maternal Depression, Pre-School Aged Children, and the Co-Residence of a Grandparent
M. Caldwell, Finding Hidden Wells on Food Desert Islands: Racial Segregation, Poverty Concentration and Provisional Food Options
J. Coutley, The Continuing Class Politics Debate: Three Models of Class Voting in the 2008 Presidential Election
D. Wolover, A New Media Fueled Revolution:” U.S. Embassy Cables, Wikileaks, and the Tunisian Revolution
P. Lee, Interracial Dating and the Hmong Community: Internal Conflict and the “good” Hmong Woman
N. Merrill, Assessing Identity Formation among Black-White Biracial People