Sociology - Student Works
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Item Exploring social isolation among Black parents who have children with autism: research proposal(2024) Boateng, Josephine; Thuranjah, KalyaniAccording to Dis/ability critical race studies (DisCrit), inequalities based on disability do not exist separately from those in other domains of life, such as race. Instead, they intersect, building upon our identity in ways that amplify one's discrimination and the discrimination of those with disabled adjacent identities (e.g., parents) (Annamma et al., 2013; Pearson et al., 2023). This literature allowed me to marry my interests in race and health to explore the (social) implications that autism has in the parenting community. As such, through my partnership with Autism Edmonton, I explored how inequalities (i.e., ableism and racism) present within Canada exist in a multitude of ways that impact the lived experiences of those with disabled adjacent identities, specifically Black parents of children with autism. This presentation summarizes a research proposal that was developed for Autism Edmonton as a community partner for a fourth-year independent study course. Which explores the subjective experience of parenthood and how it becomes impacted by social factors such as race and disability. In order to study this topic, we propose future research that uses phenomenology and vignettes to center the voices of Black parents of children with autism (Creswell, 2014; Creswell, 2018; Starks & Trinidad, 2018). This will give researchers and community organizations such as Autism Edmonton a deep understanding of the experiences of Black parents of children with autism.Item A critical discourse analysis of Canadian news media coverage of immigration and multiculturalism during the first wave of the 2019 global pandemic (COVID-19)(2024) Arroyo, Angelika; Thurairajah, KalyaniThis paper aims to examine how Canadian news media framed immigration and multiculturalism during the first wave of the pandemic, between January and July of the year 2020, focusing on determining and identifying patterns in the media coverage of three different major Canadian news outlets (CBC, the National Post, and the Globe and Mail). This study utilized critical discourse analysis (CDA), employing media framing as one of its theoretical frameworks, to deconstruct underlying meanings in the selected articles, conceptualize thematic descriptions, and better understand the representation of ethnic and racial minorities in Canada within the construction of the text.Item “Being without restriction”: contemporary sociological theory and the gender anti-binary(2023) Richards, Ezra; Pope, AnnalieseCanada and the US have seen recent increases in transphobic attitudes and policies, under the guise of “parental rights” or adherence to tradition. Trans people are often painted as predators attempting to indoctrinate children into “gender ideology,” and any deviance from the cisgender, male-female binary are seen as inherently dangerous or inappropriate, misconstruing and preventing trans liberation. Using sociological theories from Maurice Merleau-Ponty, the Frankfurt School, and Judith Butler, I propose a path beyond this transphobic discourse: redefine gender devoid of any and all labels and categories. This anti-binary attitude puts the emphasis on embodied experience, such that gender is centred around personal joy and self-awareness rather than external, societal criteria. With this anti-binary in place, gender liberation will extend not only to trans individuals, but to all individuals facing pressure from the gender culture industry.Item “Being without restriction”: contemporary sociological theory and the gender anti-binary(2024) Richards, Ezra; Pope, AnnalieseCanada and the US have seen recent increases in transphobic attitudes and policies, under the guise of “parental rights” or adherence to tradition. Trans people are often painted as predators attempting to indoctrinate children into “gender ideology,” and any deviance from the cisgender, male-female binary are seen as inherently dangerous or inappropriate, misconstruing and preventing trans liberation. Using sociological theories from Maurice Merleau-Ponty, the Frankfurt School, and Judith Butler, I propose a path beyond this transphobic discourse: redefine gender devoid of any and all labels and categories. This anti-binary attitude puts the emphasis on embodied experience, such that gender is centred around personal joy and self-awareness rather than external, societal criteria. With this anti-binary in place, gender liberation will extend not only to trans individuals, but to all individuals facing pressure from the gender culture industry.Item The control and coercion of disabled individuals: the injustice of legal violence of medical and pharmaceutical interventions(2023) De Vera, PatriciaSince early asylums, people with disabilities and psychiatric disorders were disproportionately institutionalized and coerced to harmful treatment. Today, the same people are disproportionately incarcerated, sharing similar values once held by asylums. Ableist and disablist practices must be accounted for to address the injustice faced by disabled people and people with psychiatric disorders. Using criminological frameworks, this paper studies the surveillance and loss of autonomy disabled people and people with psychiatric disorders face in favour of government power and control.Item Investigation into the implementation of rehabilitation in the penal system(2023) Simmons, Ethan; Kito, Ashu; Thind, Kirpal; Kuzmuk, KaterynaThe implementation of rehabilitation programs in the penal system has garnered significant attention to address the root causes of criminal behaviour and facilitate the successful reintegration of offenders into society. However, the effectiveness of rehabilitation in prisons remains a subject of debate. Specifically, it is disputed what factors influence rehabilitation effectiveness, with particular attention given to psychological and educational rehabilitation approaches, as well as factors affecting socio-demographic groups like age, race, and gender. The project conducted in-depth interviews with Ukrainian and Canadian university students to explore this issue further. Studies on rehabilitation effectiveness have produced varying results, with some indicating positive changes in inmates' psychological well-being and easier societal reintegration. In contrast, others have shown limited or no significant improvements. Their insight highlighted the need for improvements in the rehabilitation process to ensure public safety and reduce recidivism rates. By addressing these concerns, society can have greater confidence in the rehabilitative efforts undertaken in correctional facilities, ultimately fostering a safer environment for all.Item The effect of Russian colonialism on Ukrainian cultural identity(2023) Boychuk, Yuliana; Dumelier, Rory; Fau, Yevheniya; Mysiv, Khrystyna; Sereda, Anastasiya; Toews, Alison; White, CourageUkraine is currently engaged with Russia in an all-out war. Due to this aggression, our research set out to determine if Russian colonialism has impacted Ukraine’s cultural identity, given how Russia has been involved with Ukraine for over a century. The research investigated whether Russian colonialist practices impacted Ukraine’s cultural identity by examining Russian-based propaganda, corrupt policies and institutions, and food. Based on a review of the literature, semi-structured interviews were conducted with student respondents. Analysis of the responses demonstrated that Russian colonialist practices affected Ukraine in both negative and positive ways. The results indicate that Russian colonialist practices have impacted Ukrainian cultural identity. Further research is needed to identify other factors that affect Ukrainian cultural identity.Item From science to scandal: the impact of the Wakefield studies on MMR vaccine acceptance(2023) Gagnon, AlexandraVaccine hesitancy threatens the efficacy of immunization and public health. This paper provides an overview of the history and success of vaccine development, and the recent increase in vaccination conspiracies. Although vaccines have been proven effective, vaccine hesitancy is a complex phenomenon. The Wakefield studies is an example of how misinformation can cause lasting damage to public trust in vaccines and healthcare institutions. We can ensure that future generations remain protected from preventable diseases by approaching this issue with empathy and dispelling misinformation.Item Distorted perceptions of corporate harm in comparison to crime: a critical analysis of the Workers Compensation Act(2023) Ostapovich, SarahThis paper poses a critical analysis of the Worker’s Compensation Act, providing a foundation for the argument that crime is a social construct and therefore, is incapable of considering various aspects of corporate harm. Worker’s Compensation Board Appeals are examined to demonstrate the limits of the current state of the Worker’s Compensation Act, pointing specifically to harms that originate from workplace fatalities, long-term illnesses, and threats to mental health. The overall argument contends that we should move away from the narrow scope of the current definition of crime and seek a harm-based approach that allows for the consideration of multiple harms, which are often obscured by the criminal justice system.Item Student experience of and reactions to online learning on Facebook: a content analysis of remote learning issues during COVID-19(2023) Vallee, KasandraThis study examined the complications of remote learning experienced by MacEwan University students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Content analyses of 125 comments to a Facebook post about remote learning revealed 5 key themes including: work overload, professor issues, disorganized system, burnout, and a concern with fees. The most prevalent themes were work overload (35.2% of comments) and professor issues (28.0%). Further analyses showed that students were most challenged by weekly assignments and readings occurring in all of their classes simultaneously. This study sheds insight into student experiences with at-home learning and suggests instructors need to modify their approaches to remote learning practices to ensure the workload is not beyond the capacities of what students would typically experience in person.Item The crime of crimes: genocide as criminology's blind spot(2023) Mamo, NatalieGenocide is a topic that is almost universally ignored by criminology. While it is frequently referred to as “the crime of crimes,” there is virtually no criminological coverage of genocide. The following analysis is a review of existing criminological literature in genocide studies, situating mainstream criminology’s ignorance of genocide in a socio-historical context in order to determine the reason(s) for this disregard. This analysis proposes that the mainstream criminological ignorance of genocide is a calculated and intentional act. Such willful blindness avoids and deflects from disciplinary accountability because of criminology’s historical complacency in genocide. Most of the existing mainstream criminological literature on genocide is criticized because of its hyperfocus on definitional arguments, the redemptive nature of such academic coverage, and the quantification of such atrocities. Thus, an argument for a critical criminological approach to genocide studies is desperately needed for criminology to interpret genocidal acts adequately.Item Surrogate memory: a leadership remembering a revolution for Egyptians(2023) El-hakim, YaseenEgypt’s revolution in 2011 has been remembered collectively as an integral event that combines with several uprisings in other Arab states in what is known as the Arab Spring. While the event may have marked a reprieve for Egyptians from the history of persecution that past generations had been subjected to by Egyptian governments, the revolution was unsuccessful in founding a new political era for Egypt. Of the wealth of factors resulting in these circumstances, the military government’s remembering of the event has served a new authoritarian administration well as it has secured their political supremacy and altered what the revolution symbolizes for the nation. Utilizing terms and ideas from collective memory theorists and analyzing crucial events from the aftermath of the revolution, it becomes clearer how challenging it is for a revolution to be commemorated in its original form. Initially, the revolution was seen as a political rebirth for Egypt. Instead, it represented a swift reclamation of the army’s seat of power in government and subsequent self-characterization as heroes of the revolution. Amongst other things, this analysis reveals how easily interpretations of collective memory can affect, and be affected by, macro-level events in the future.Item The Iranian movement, women, life, and freedom: a content analysis of reactions to the protests on Facebook(2023) Adnan, SumblinaThis study looked at public reactions by analyzing comments posted to Facebook regarding the movement for freedom in Iran and the protests that erupted after the death of an Iranian woman. A content analysis of 60 comments revealed that between November 9 to November 16 of 2022, four prevalent themes emerged. These themes included: fear, women, support, and arguments. The most frequently mentioned theme was the arguments category, making up 30% of the sample. Supportive comments were 28%, while women made up 27%, and the fear category was 15% of the total sum of comments. The results showed overall support for the movement and women. At the same time, a level of concern was expressed, and users engaged in conversation and arguments to indicate their opinions.Item Body image and social media sharing: a content analysis of public reactions to a body positive post on TikTok(2023) Strach, ShannanThis study explored the public reactions of society to a post on TikTok created by Nessa May. In this video, Nessa May confidently shows her body, which does not fit the stereotypical beauty standards of society. She explains to viewers that it is okay not to fit beauty standards and to have a body type similar to her own. A content analysis of the 100 most recent comments reacting to Nessa May’s video identified five main themes including: love, thankfulness, emotions (happiness), beauty, and insecurities. The predominant theme seen was that of love towards Nessa May herself, as well as self-love and increased confidence in the commenters themselves (this made up 35% of all comments). Overall findings showed both support for the body-positive post, as well as an emphasis on the effect normative beauty standards have on women.Item Perceptions of dairy farms on the environment: a content analysis of comments on TikTok(2023) Ostapovich, SarahThis study examined the public perceptions of dairy farms on the environment by viewing comments to a TikTok video, which presented a claim that the dairy industry has had a decrease in its environmental impact. A content analysis was conducted with initial and secondary evaluations, finding five broad categories, which included positive and negative perceptions of the dairy industry, as well as a further six themes, including informative, clarification, blaming humans, veganism, critical, and education. The most common theme was informative, encompassing 38% of the relevant comments. The findings indicated proficient use of scientific research, critical considerations of the video, and reflected the biases and influences found in social media and popular culture.Item Covid-19 and its impact on hospitals: a content analysis of the effects on emergency department wait times due to Covid-19(2023) Dhunna, RiyaThis qualitative study explored the extent to which the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted Canadian hospitals and emergency department (ED) wait times. A purposive sampling procedure was used for this study to conduct a content analysis on a sample of 50 of the most recent and relevant comments that included reactions, personal experiences, and possible solutions towards ED wait times from a CBC News article. A coding procedure examined any frequent themes and subcategories in the comments. Results showed six consistently present categorical themes: Wait Times, Shortage of Workers, Underfunded Healthcare System, Unrelated Covid-19 Symptoms, Avoidance, and Solutions. Furthermore, additional subcategories were determined from the themes. This study analyzes the intense backlogs of surgical cases and waiting rooms, resulting in adverse patient outcomes. Additionally, this study explores the underfunded and understaffed healthcare system, the stresses healthcare workers face daily, and possible solutions to mend this broken healthcare system.Item War trauma effects on civilians: a content analysis of reactions of civilians with PTSD on YouTube(2023) Ahmad, QamarThis qualitative study explored the effect of war trauma on Iraqi civilians by examining YouTube videos that contained interviews with civilians, doctors, and military personnel giving their reactions and experience with war trauma and PTSD. This study examined 12 videos of civilians in Iraq and refugee camps, psychiatrists, and veterans who served in the Iraq war, and it identified the following themes: killing or death of family members due to war violence, fear, PTSD, nightmares, and anger. This study identifies the emotional responses to war trauma, and it demonstrates that most civilians have also developed other mental disorders due to exposure to war and life-threatening conditions.Item Masked reactions: a content analysis of reactions on Twitter to masking update by the premier of Alberta(2023) Wall, NaomiThis qualitative study was conducted to explore attitudes and reactions toward a tweet released by Danielle Smith on October 29th, 2022. The data was collected by creating a sample of the 100 most recent comments on the post. From there, the comments were coded to identify common themes and messages. Two sides emerged; those in support of Smith and those opposed. For those in support, four main subcategories emerged. For those opposed, six categories were developed. This study demonstrated that individuals were generally displeased with this announcement and the mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic by Alberta’s UCP government.Item Fighting for women, life, freedom across borders: a content analysis of Internet activism displayed in TikTok videos and public protests concerning the Iranian protests(2023) Dowdeswell, MaysonThis study examined internet activism displayed in TikTok videos and the sharing forms of public protest using TikTok videos regarding the 2022 Iranian protests. A content analysis of the 50 most liked videos using the advanced search “Iran protest 2022” identified eight general themes, including educational awareness, public marches/gatherings, cutting hair, miscellaneous, sports demonstrations, hacking Iranian media/ technologies, purposeful modesty law violations, and burning hijabs. The most prevalent theme of the eight was educational awareness, accounting for 50% of the total videos used in the sample. All videos included in the sample supported the protests and the symbolism provided, and no videos were found to be pro-Islamic regime.Item Long-term effect of Donald Trump’s usage of white supremacist rhetoric on public discourse: a content analysis of comments to a tweet about Donald Trump’s dinner with Nick Fuentes on Twitter(2023) Simmons, EthanThis qualitative study performed a content analysis of the top 50 comments on a tweet about Donald Trump and his dinner with white supremacist Nick Fuentes. This study aimed to see if any long-lasting effects were caused by Trump's utilization of white supremacist dogmatic rhetoric. The comments were coded for relationships with each other and prevalent themes; five were apparent 1) Criticism of the media, 2) Mention of Trump's base, 3) Use of the term white supremacist, 4) Use of term antisemitism, 5) and Criticism of Trump or Republican Party. The most pervasive themes explored were the sentiment that Trump is associated with white supremacy, a notion that tarnished him and his base, according to the findings of this analysis.