“ … Janet Anderson, the Florence B. Sherwood Professor of … … remain globally engaged. Led by sociology Professor Janet Grigsby and Residence Life Director Molly MacElroy, 19 … ”
“ … Department of Sociology. March 2014. ADVISORS: Professor Janet Grigsby and Professor Timothy Stablein One significant … ”
Abstract
One significant feature of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in 2009 is the mandate for providers to constructively utilize electronic health records (EHRs). EHR systems in hospitals typically incorporate the medical record, clinical decision support systems, patient portals, and computerized physician order entry systems. The intended purposes of EHR systems are to reduce excessive paperwork, decrease administrative costs, and to also provide better quality of care through provider and patient coordination. Preliminary research has indicated EHR systems cause disruptions within health care organizations by creating an increased work burden for providers. However, as a new technology, not much is known about the impact of the increased work burden on the roles of physicians, nurses, and coders. The purpose of my research is to discover how the training, transition, and system implementation of EHRs has influenced the workflow of providers and coders and consequently changed their roles within their respective organization. A research team conducted interviews at an academic hospital in the northeastern United States. Through analysis of their data, I discovered that during the implementation phase of EHRs, the training for providers and coders was not helpful; the transition period was chaotic; and the workflow of providers and coders was notably impaired.
Throughout their history, the United States and Mexico have had a close yet problematic relationship. Since 9/11, attitudes toward foreigners in general have deteriorated in the United States. Attitudes toward Mexico and Mexicans have been affected by continuing concerns about undocumented immigration and border violence. Popular media play a significant role in fostering these stigmatized and stereotyped beliefs and attitudes. This study examines the relationship between media portrayals of Mexico and Mexicans and the stereotyped and stigmatized beliefs of U.S. citizens. The image of Mexico in the United States is important because of Mexico's close geographical proximity and because more immigrants have come from Mexico than from any other country. Mexico is also our third largest trading partner. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of students in General-Education and Introductory courses at Union College. Survey items explored students’ knowledge, education, and beliefs about Mexico and its people. Analysis of these data produces a better understanding of how people’s opinions on these issues are formed, why Mexico has become such a target, and the accuracy of the public’s perceptions. Such understanding is necessary if we are to improve relations between the two countries.
“ … study. Department of Sociology, April 2009. ADVISOR: Janet Grigsby . There were many health activist organizations … to give a very special thanks to my advisors Professor Janet Grigsby and Professor Melinda Goldner of the Union … ”
Abstract
There were many health activist organizations formed as a result of the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the central question of whether they
constitute a social movement remains unanswered. They are advocating for justice in
the realm of health care that is due to the residents of lower Manhattan, the students
who went to school there during and after 9/11, and those who worked there. Many
of these constituents have been overlooked in the provision of health care by the
government, despite their very real symptoms due to toxic dust inhalation. The
organizations in this area are having an increasingly important impact on society, so it
is important to answer this and other questions.
In this study, the leaders and members of certain key groups as well as other
influential players were interviewed. In addition, a meeting was attended and
observed as a representative example of what is typically discussed and how these
types of coalitions operate. Information was also gathered prior to the interviews
from the groups’ websites and other literature. The interviews revealed important
information regarding the goals, priorities, tactics, motivations, and accomplishments
of the activists and the groups. This was very helpful in considering whether this
upsurge of 9/11 health activism may be considered a social movement and how it has
and will impact society.
Interracial relationships have been a historically painful issue in America. Even
today, interracial relationships are still not accepted into mainstream society, and couples
involved in these relationships usually report discomfort attributable to the racial nature
of their relationship.
Although much research has examined interracial relationships among
heterosexual couples, little research has looked at the experiences and comfort of
homosexual interracial couples. This study hypothesizes that homosexual relationships
experience a relatively higher level of comfort in their gay community because
homosexuals may empathize more strongly with other stigmatized relationships.
In-depth interviews were conducted with 5 gay and 4 straight black men involved
in interracial relationships with white partners. The results were qualitatively analyzed to
determine which group experienced more comfort and less harassment during their
relationship.
Results indicated that both groups experienced a similar level of harassment. It
was also found that gay black men tended to prefer dating interracially, while straight
black men tended to prefer dating within the same race. It was also discovered that sexual
orientation of the community has less of an effect on experiences of comfort for
individuals involved in interracial relationships than originally predicted. The racial
community that the individual is more closely associated with had a significant impact on
comfort level. Subjects who had close friends of the same race as their partner reported
more comfort than those who had close friends of their own race.
This study investigates whether or not bullying continues during the college years. While there is an extensive amount of research on bullying in middle school and high school, research on bullying in college is extremely limited. To date, only one study has addressed college bullying.
This study expands on the aforementioned study and explores whether or not bullying exists in college. To explore bullying in college, a short questionnaire was distributed to 82 students and in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 students on one college campus.
The collected data reveals that bullying on this campus does exist. The questionnaire reported that 82% of the respondents had witnessed bullying. Those interviewed unanimously experienced a higher rate of bullying in college than they had in high school. Even though this study explored bullying on only one campus, the overwhelmingly response emphasizes the need for additional research on college bullying at campuses across the country.
“ … Friendships. Department of Sociology, March 2013. ADVISOR: Janet Grigsby Sociologists argue that new communicative … and foremost, I want to thank my thesis advisor Professor Janet Grigsby for all of her help, support, and guidance … ”
Abstract
Sociologists argue that new communicative technologies have changed the way in which Americans interact, relate, and connect with one another. Studies show that as a result of people's dependency on new technologies like Facebook, friendships in the United States are rapidly declining. While there is already research addressing how younger individuals use Facebook, this study adds to the literature by examining how both younger and older individuals use Facebook. Additionally, this study examines how younger and older individuals define friendships, why they use Facebook, and whether or not they believe Facebook has affected the dynamics of friendships. Since the Union College students who were surveyed grew up on Facebook, it was hypothesized that the student's conception of friendship, as well as their views of Facebook, would be different from the faculty member's views. Faculty members were expected to hold more negative views of Facebook and the effects it has had on friendships. Findings suggest that students have different views of friendships than faculty members do, and hold more positive views of Facebook and the effects it has had on friendships.
“ … Portillo portillk@union.edu (617) 767-1342 Advisor: Janet Grigsby Lippman 205, Union College 807 Union St. … ”
Abstract
Gentrification has been at the forefront of dialogue within major social science research fields, as it is a crucial urban phenomenon that prompts fascinating interchange regarding changing definitions of community. Traditional interpretations of this process have highlighted a dynamic in poor urban areas when residential shifts, urban planning, and other forces significantly alter the spatial, social, and cultural configuration of a particular city. Furthermore, much of the gentrification literature focuses on the displacement of poor pre-gentrification residents living in declining "broken" cities. The city of Somerville, MA, provides an interesting and refreshingly different context in which to observe the impact of gentrification. Somerville is unique not only in its ethnic and racial composition, but in its economic profile and the ways in which different populations in the city come to define their "Somerville identity". This study expands on previous research by exploring the impact of gentrification on the socialization and acquiring of social capital for inner-city youth. Gentrification research has largely ignored the adolescent and youth population. The few studies that have considered them have done so only in the context of deviance. Using analyses of in-depth interviews, surveys, and focus group sessions with adolescent residents of Somerville, MA, this study shed light on the ways in which youth think about their changing urban realities, but also how youth themselves can be positive forces in the preservation, promotion, and revolutionizing of a community identity that is constantly being redefined.
“ … Mothers. Department of Sociology, March 2016. ADVISOR: Janet Grigsby Through my research, I analyzed prison nursery … I would like to thank my thesis advisor, Professor Grigsby, for her endless patience, creative thinking and … ”
Abstract
Through my research, I analyzed prison nursery programs in the United States. Prison nurseries are programs that exist in nine states that allow mothers who are pregnant when they are incarcerated to keep their infants with them in prison for a finite amount of time. Previous scholarship on the topic has shown that prison nurseries are effective in reducing rates of recidivism and fostering a bond between mother and infant. My research explored the question of why these programs are so rare given their success. I assessed Union College student and professor attitudes about maternal incarceration to better understand how perceptions about mothers in prison might impact the funding that these programs receive. I screened the film, "Mothers of Bedford," that follows five mothers throughout their imprisonment at Bedford Hills Women's Prison. I administered a survey before and after the documentary to the audience to assess how opinions about mothers in prison are altered through the process of humanizing the population through film. Through this data, I analyzed opinions about mothers in prison and prison nursery programs. My analysis shows that participants became more supportive of prison nursery programs after watching the documentary. My research demonstrates the importance in humanizing and raising awareness of the marginalized population that is mother prisoners.
“ … Protection through Policy By Samantha Guidon Advisor: Janet P. Grigsby Submitted in partial fulfillment of the … ”
Abstract
History demonstrates the dangers of ignoring the environmental risks that correspond to resource extraction, especially in precarious locations. This project analyzed three cases: (1) the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, (2) the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and (3) the current question of hydraulic fracturing in New York's Marcellus Shale. The case studies assessed whether policies for protecting the environment from the risks of human activity have improved and whether such policies can be made both economically efficient and environmentally less risky. While the Exxon Valdez case demonstrated the dangers of not planning for disaster, it did result in the 1990 Oil Pollution Act [OPA]. Although OPA is requiring BP to fund cleanup of the Deepwater Horizon spill, OPA alone did little to prevent this event from happening. Using these historical examples, New York now has a chance to put better policies in place for the risk-laden technique of hydraulic fracturing. Economic pressures mean hydraulic fracturing is almost a certainty. This project argues that the State must require that extremely precautionary policies and strict regulations be implemented before drilling.
“ … Instability. Department of Sociology, March 2012. ADVISOR: Janet Grigsby . The positive association between poverty and … ”
Abstract
The positive association between poverty and ill health is one that is supported by a number of variables. More specifically, the association between poverty and the contraction of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is one that sticks out in recent literature but frequently goes unacknowledged within mainstream society as a result of heavy stigmatization. After interning at a local HIV/AIDS community outreach center for several months, I have witnessed this stigmatization firsthand and recognize the value of educating others about this crucial topic.
In my thesis, I explore the personal struggles of clients and employees at this local HIV/AIDS community outreach center. Through face-to-face interviews with all of the employees at the Center, I have been able to provide a more in-depth analysis of what it takes to run a community outreach program of this nature and the types of resources that they provide to their impoverished clients on a regular basis. The resources that the clients rely on in the absence of outside support and the community that has been built at the Center emphasize the degree to which community reliance in the face of financial instability holds true with these programs. The purpose of this research is to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS virus, promote the importance of community outreach programs, and hopefully combat some of the associated stigmatization.
Technology and its impacts on society are the subject of constant debate. Technology has been influential in creating a global economy, which has given people more time for leisure activities. However, technology has also produced unintended by-products, including issues such as a dependence on foreign nations for commodities like food. Analyzing both the positive and negative consequences of technology can help people better understand both its regional and global impacts. In turn, this knowledge can help us make more beneficial choices regarding how we use technology moving forward. This thesis explores how technology positively and negatively affects society, and will also examine how people use technology, as well as the things that impact how people perceive technology. The technologies being examined include smartphones, household technology (appliances), genetically modified crops (GMOs), and other technologies such as the Internet and social media. These technologies will be contextualized in several different aspects of life, (such as connectivity, personal privacy, work-family conflict, education and quality of health) to illustrate the extent to which technology has both improved and hindered society, as well as to show that these effects often impact how people view these technologies.
“ … iii Abstract: ADVISORS: Dr. Janet Grigsby and Dr. Robert Samet Environmental injustice … in the Lower Ninth? ! ! 6! *** The Summer of 2016, Dr. JanetGrigsby, … ”
Abstract
Environmental injustice has exacerbated in the Lower Ninth Ward after Hurricane Katrina. Eleven years after Katrina and the Lower Ninth community is struggling to fully recover, regardless the amount of aid it has received from different types of charitable organizations. An understanding of how residents and organizations within the Lower Ninth Ward view environmental justice issues may help explain why this community's revival is so delayed. Through the application of the snowball method, I obtained three case studies within this research that each present three dissimilar interpretations of the environmental justice issues and state of Lower Ninth. These views differ from each other and were represented as cynical, realistic, or optimistic. These perspectives addressed the community and organizations' efforts towards bringing the Lower Ninth back to its vibrant nature before Katina. This research may further answer the question-what should be done next for the Lower Ninth Ward?
“ … thesis in Sociology under the direction of Professor Janet Grigsby . Involvement in the study is voluntary, so you … ”
Abstract
Music is a primary source of entertainment for American adolescents. Hip hop culture and rap music, in particular, have become the dominant genre of music among American youth. Hip hop rose primarily from the disadvantaged African American neighborhoods of New York City. Perhaps not surprisingly, though, it is White, middle class, suburban adolescents who drive the rap music industry with their disposable income and desire to resist the cultural norms of their parents' generation. While sophisticated analyses of hip hop itself are appearing, the connection to white youth has not been well-studied. This project begins to fill this void, specifically exploring how contemporary rap music affects White middle-class American adolescents. Interviews and surveys were conducted with a sample of students from a small selective northeastern liberal arts college. These interviews and surveys focused on the presence of rap music and hip hop culture in their daily lives, assessing the ways music has penetrated youth culture and influenced their perspectives on race, gender, class-consciousness, and other pressing social issues that affect America's youth.
This thesis explored the role of religion as a social variable affecting end of life decisions in the NICU. The existing literature has studied many factors that are a part of the tough ethical decisions made in the NICU with some reference to religion. However, there is not adequate attention given to religion specifically.
In order to further expand upon religion, various members composing the medical
teams of two hospitals were interviewed. The interviewees included neonatologists,
nurses, chaplains, and a social worker. This thesis found that religion is a variable that
matters more than the existing literature has claimed. Often, it is the undercurrent of
religion, or a religious persuasion, that does not get put in the forefront but most
definitely has strong and undeniable effects. It would be most effective to conduct further
research on this topic, notably the concept of miracle seeking parents. Also, adding
interviews with parents would be an integral component, which analyzes religion from
the perspective of the parents as opposed to solely the medical team.
“ … of the way. My special thanks are extended to Professor Janet Grigsby who kindly agreed to participate in my oral … ”
Abstract
Law Enforcement Officers experience stress for a variety of reasons that are related to both the nature and the organization of police work. Consequences of stress are felt by the police department, the individual, as well as their family. Building on previous research in this area, this project describes thirteen in-depth interviews with officers and their significant others in an effort to understand the impact of police stress on work and family life and vice versa. Officers were found to struggle between balancing their police role and home life. The family serves as both a coping resource for the officer but also a source of stress. Interactions among the officers also served as a way to cope with stress (as a way to learn skills related to their job, to relieve stress, and to talk about work) but varied depending on work shift. Each of these factors are discussed to understand how these officers manage the interrelated aspects of police work, family life, and stress.
