Sociology

Independent Study Research

What is an independent study? In an independent study, you essentially develop a topic of your choice, working in concert with a faculty member who will guide you in your research. This one-on-one study opportunity will allow you to examine the research steps of a focused one-semester project. To receive course credits for your research project, you will complete a study contract with a faculty mentor who is available and has knowledge of your topic to effectively guide you in the research process. 

What are the benefits? An independent study can be a great way to strengthen your college application, prepare you for future jobs, or advance your personal interest in research and your selected topic. Also, if the department does not offer the course you like, but you still need a course, you can explore the independent study option and count the credit(s) for an unrestricted major elective.

Independent study research step by step:
  1. Communicate interest in an independent study to a prospective faculty advisor the semester before the start of the independent study.
  2. Complete with your faculty advisor a semester learning contract pdf. 
  3. Submit a copy of the completed and signed contract to the sociology department main office.
  4. Depending on your major and topic of interest, register for SOC4000 or CRM4000
  5. Arrange a meeting with your faculty advisor during the first week of the semester for which you registered.

Previous Independent Study Projects: The list below provides information on independent study projects students have explored in the past. After you complete your independent study, you also have the option to submit your final research paper to be presented at a conference or to CPP Bronco Scholar for publication. 

For more information and assistance, contact your faculty advisor or the Chair of Undergraduate Research, Dr. Gabriele Plickert at gplickert@cpp.edu. 

2023-2024

  • “Sociolegal Analysis of Juvenile Courts.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Hanink.

2022-2023

  • “Online Misogyny Directed at Female Social Media Producers.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Hanink.
  • “Sexual Self and Sexual Behavior.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Hanink.

2021-2022

  • "An Analysis of the Andrew Cuomo Case: How Does the Media Portray Victims of Sexual Assault?”  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Barragan.
    • Student research received Outstanding Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium.
  • "Criminology, Juvenile Delinquency Internship Program." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "Mapping Crime Trends during Covid-19 in Southern California." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert. 

2020-2021

  • "The Determinants of the Rise in Crime: The Impact of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter  Protests." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Duhart.
  • "Extent and Development of Crime in Germany and the USA since 1990." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "Juvenile Delinquency in an International Comparison." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "Deterrence, Rehabilitation, and Restorative Justice: A Comparative Approach." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "Social Work Internship Program." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.

2019-2020

  • “Determinations of Maturity and Culpability of Black Youth.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Hanink.
  • “Spatial Boundaries and Social Interactions in Queer Women’s Spaces: An Ethnographic Snapshot.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • “Mapping the Emergence of Hate Groups across the United States from 2008 to 2018: Investigating the Relationship between Electoral Votes and Hate.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • “Cultivating Acceptance: Transfer Students and the Challenges of Seeking A Sense of Belonging.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • “Depressive Symptoms and Female Delinquency: Exploring Perspectives of Differential and Cumulative Risk.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • “Assessing the Impact of Land and Language on Sense of Belonging Between International and American Students: A Comparative Approach.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • “When Women Fight Back: Differential Approaches of Intimate Partner Violence and Punishment.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • “Gay Men & Self-Perception Based on Grindr Use.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "The Challenges of Being a School Social Worker." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan. 
  • "The Perception of Black Women in America, Past and Present." Faculty Advisors: Dr. Narayan and Dr. Plickert.
    • Student research received Outstanding Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium.
  • "Transnationalism, Diaspora, and Identity: Experiences of Ukrainian Immigrants." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.

2018-2019

  • "The Califonia Lifers: A Model for Rehabilitation." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "Presentation of Self in a Police Department: An Ethnographic Study. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "A Sociological Perspective on the Relationship between Humans and Animals." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan. 
    • Student research received Outstanding Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium.

2015-2017

  • "An Examination of Cultural Capital, Silence and Discipline in a High School Environment." 2017. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "Insider-Outsider Dilemmas- Doing Research with Student Veterans." 2017. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "Effectiveness of Inner-City Arts." 2017. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "Veteran Students: An Investigation." 2016. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "The Wicca Community of Los Angeles." 2016.  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "Veteran Women and Misrepresentation in Media News." 2016. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "Going Beyond Teaching: A More Humanizing Education." 2016. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
    • Student research received Outstanding Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium.
  • "Ethnographic Observations of a Prison Tour." 2015. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
    • Student research received Outstanding Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium.
  • "Ethnographic Study on Parental Involvement in Youth Soccer." 2015. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "Ethnographic Study on Alcoholic Anonymous Meetings." 2015. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
2010 - 2011
  • "The role of men in the violence prevention movement to examine constructions of hegemonic masculinity. 2011. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan. 
  • "Jehovah’s Witnesses organizations in the U.S and virtual religious identities." 2010. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan. 
2007 - 2009
  • "Transnational Ethnic Identities in Bollywood Films." 2007. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.