Current Search: Undergraduate Honors Theses (x) » Department of Sociology (x)
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(1 - 7 of 7)
- Title
- ESL and the Acquisition of Capital: A Portrait of CIES Students.
- Creator
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Burris, Cameron, Department of Sociology
- Abstract/Description
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My research is on motivations to study English as a Second Language. Specifically, I wanted to see if English learning motivations were patterned by demographic variables and attitudes about English learners. Previous research suggests that men have more instrumental motivations while women have more integrative and personal motivations. Using Bourdieu's concepts of habitus and field, I roughly stratified English learning motivations into three types of capital: social, economic and cultural....
Show moreMy research is on motivations to study English as a Second Language. Specifically, I wanted to see if English learning motivations were patterned by demographic variables and attitudes about English learners. Previous research suggests that men have more instrumental motivations while women have more integrative and personal motivations. Using Bourdieu's concepts of habitus and field, I roughly stratified English learning motivations into three types of capital: social, economic and cultural. I then conducted interviews with eight participants of the CIES program using a respondent-driven, open-ended interview survey. After transcribing and coding all of the interviews, my analysis showed that while overall men and women seek economic capital more than anything, between groups, men made more references to economic capital while women made more references to social and cultural capital. English learning motivations also seemed to be influenced by socioeconomic status, with participants in the lowest SES group making the most references to economic capital and participants in the middle SES range making the most references to cultural capital. I also found marginal gender differences on attitudes toward participants' perceived English skills, with women making more references to the less pleasurable attitudes of English learning like constraint and anxiety compared to men. Based on these findings I made two models describing the relationships between social, economic, and cultural capital; temporal changes and accumulation in English learning motivations; and the iterative relationship between types of capital and English skills.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_uhm-0413
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Factors Leading Some Post-Foster Youth to Successfully Enter College.
- Creator
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Riddle, Annette, Department of Sociology
- Abstract/Description
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In this paper, I attempt to identify the factors that lead some post-foster youth to successfully enter college. I decided to conduct this research in an effort to understand how to create educational equality for post-foster youth, who so often get left behind in the academic sphere. To research this subject, I conducted four interviews with current Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College who have come out of the foster care system. After transcribing my interviews, I...
Show moreIn this paper, I attempt to identify the factors that lead some post-foster youth to successfully enter college. I decided to conduct this research in an effort to understand how to create educational equality for post-foster youth, who so often get left behind in the academic sphere. To research this subject, I conducted four interviews with current Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College who have come out of the foster care system. After transcribing my interviews, I coded them for keywords related to my hypotheses to decide which factors are most important to college entry. I found importance in each factor that I coded for, which were a supportive adult presence, stability, academic readiness, and access to resources during childhood. I also discovered the important role that college exposure has on college entry for post-foster youth.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_uhm-0493
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Food and Agriculture Education: A Framework for the Tallahassee Community.
- Creator
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Allegra, Jacqueline, Department of Sociology
- Abstract/Description
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This project is focused on improving Environmental Education in Tallahassee, specifically in regards to the Food and Agriculture System. This paper draws on research about environmental education practices as well as issues within the agriculture system to develop an understanding about not only the need for Food and Agriculture Education, but also the ideal ways to engage students, teachers, and the community. The conclusions from this paper can be useful to educators and teachers who are...
Show moreThis project is focused on improving Environmental Education in Tallahassee, specifically in regards to the Food and Agriculture System. This paper draws on research about environmental education practices as well as issues within the agriculture system to develop an understanding about not only the need for Food and Agriculture Education, but also the ideal ways to engage students, teachers, and the community. The conclusions from this paper can be useful to educators and teachers who are interested in starting or improving environmental education programs in their communities and schools. The primary research in this study involved qualitative interviews with local community members and educators who are involved in Environmental Education. Themes and issues of the interviews were discussed as a foundation for an educational framework proposal. The framework involves four key elements 1) an online website of relevant content and lessons 2) a networking initiative to connect farmers and community organizations with teachers and students 3) educational opportunities for teachers and other educators 4) a connection between student's community engagement and classroom success. The creation of such would allow for healthier students, stronger community ties, and the promotion of food production practices that are environmentally sustainable.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_uhm-0382
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Fraternity Involvement and Academic Success: The Role of Cultural, Human and Social Capital.
- Creator
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Green, Kelly, Department of Sociology
- Abstract/Description
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Very little research exists that examines the relationship between fraternity involvement and academic success. The research that does exist looks at the relationship between fraternity membership and grade point average. This research expands the concept of academic success to include college experience, self-rated success and outlook toward the future. I will quantitatively measure the relationship between Interfraternity Council membership and academic success in seniors at Florida State...
Show moreVery little research exists that examines the relationship between fraternity involvement and academic success. The research that does exist looks at the relationship between fraternity membership and grade point average. This research expands the concept of academic success to include college experience, self-rated success and outlook toward the future. I will quantitatively measure the relationship between Interfraternity Council membership and academic success in seniors at Florida State University by surveying 30 fraternity members and 30 non-fraternity members. I will also measure cultural, human and social capital in order to gauge whether or not they have a mediating effect on any uncovered relationships.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_uhm-0173
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Interactions with the Outside: Exploring Non-Profit Resource Mobilization for Hispanic Immigrants in the Washington D.C. Metro Area.
- Creator
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Olsen, Alexandra, Department of Sociology
- Abstract/Description
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Past research indicates that the quantity and quality of resources available for immigrants in a destination city have serious implications for an immigrant's overall success. Previous research though, has failed to look at resources for immigrants in the context of a currently growing urban setting. It also fails to look at resources through the lens of the non-profit and their relationship to the community. Consequently, this research looks at the interaction between a non-profit that...
Show morePast research indicates that the quantity and quality of resources available for immigrants in a destination city have serious implications for an immigrant's overall success. Previous research though, has failed to look at resources for immigrants in the context of a currently growing urban setting. It also fails to look at resources through the lens of the non-profit and their relationship to the community. Consequently, this research looks at the interaction between a non-profit that serves low-income immigrants, the community, current immigration policy, and the immigrant population to understand the impact of this system on the growing Hispanic immigrant population in the DC metropolitan area. Over a period of 3 months the external and internal dynamics of the non-profit were observed through participant observation and through qualitative interviews. From this, the effectiveness of the current resource framework is assessed and the underlying processes involved in resource mobilization are analyzed. Drawing elements from the social movements framework, the major resources utilized and the processes of mobilization will be examined within the non-profit context. These resources and strategies propose a model of resource mobilization within the non-profit where cultural and human resources are emphasized to offset fundamental changes in how material resources are utilized. In addition, socio-organizational and human resources are also used to try and offset the impact of unfavorable policy towards immigrants. The implications of this system for the Hispanic immigrant population are discussed along with areas for future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_uhm-0258
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage: Does Wage Difference Lead to Differences in Happiness.
- Creator
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Weller, Bridget, Department of Sociology
- Abstract/Description
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This thesis compares the living conditions and coping mechanisms of four single mothers making minimum wage and four single mothers making above minimum wage in Tallahassee, FL. The study examines kin support networks, adjustments of needs and wants, perceptions about the well-being of self and children and the future of their families. The data shows optimistic views of self and future particularly from single mothers earning a living wage. A result in line with the data suggesting that...
Show moreThis thesis compares the living conditions and coping mechanisms of four single mothers making minimum wage and four single mothers making above minimum wage in Tallahassee, FL. The study examines kin support networks, adjustments of needs and wants, perceptions about the well-being of self and children and the future of their families. The data shows optimistic views of self and future particularly from single mothers earning a living wage. A result in line with the data suggesting that earning a higher wage has the potential of avoiding the stigma of poverty and increasing self-esteem
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_uhm-0379
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Stress: Perceptions, Exposures, Resources, Responses and Coping A Comparison of Soldiers and Civilians.
- Creator
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Guy, Ashley, Department of Sociology
- Abstract/Description
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My primary research aims to examine whether there are differences between soldiers in the United States Army and the civilian population (non-military) in how they define and cope with stress. In particular, my first research question is: Are there differences between members of the military and civilians in how they perceive stress? I will explore differences in their perceptions of stress in general and how they view stress in their own lives. Second, are there differences between the...
Show moreMy primary research aims to examine whether there are differences between soldiers in the United States Army and the civilian population (non-military) in how they define and cope with stress. In particular, my first research question is: Are there differences between members of the military and civilians in how they perceive stress? I will explore differences in their perceptions of stress in general and how they view stress in their own lives. Second, are there differences between the populations in the factors that they think cause stress? Third, are there differences in how civilians and military personnel respond to stress? Specifically, I am interested in identifying whether there are differences in the types and numbers of coping functions used by each population when they experience or perceive stress. Fourth, since coping strategies are partly determined by the availability of coping resources, I am interested in finding out whether there are differences in the availability of structural coping resources between the two populations. Fifth, I am examining if there appears to be a difference in stress exposures between the two populations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_uhm-0160
- Format
- Thesis
