Sociology & Anthropology Masters Papers

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    Enhancing Natural Capital to Improve Mental Health and Well-Being in Rural Communities in Minnesota
    (North Dakota State University, 2022) Zidon, Ashley
    This paper explores how green space can aid in improved mental health outcomes for individuals who live in rural communities in greater Minnesota. The mental health landscape across the state is complex and layered, complicated by access, insurance, broadband, and employment. At the local level, built and natural policy have the ability to directly impact physical and mental health outcomes for people; positively or negatively. Unfortunately, little literature exists in rural context; shadowed by its urban counterpart. By exploring how broader partnerships and policy can be strengthened, local and county government play a critical role in how communities can support broader mental health interventions. This paper seeks to understand how design, policy, and programming solutions can center parks and green space into the broader conversation of health, and divert away from green space as a “nice to have amenity,” and towards critical infrastructure.
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    Growing Green Finland: A Short-Term Study Abroad Program With a Sociological Focus
    (North Dakota State University, 2022) Cary-Waselk, Natasha Ann
    This paper is an example of theory-based practice in the field of international education through program and course design. Environmental sociology will be the focus of the class readings, discussions, and course work as well as on-ground programming. This topic ties specifically to the on-ground programming in Finland. Students will take the knowledge learned in the course surrounding sustainability, wellbeing practices, and sociology and learn more about these topics through immersion and community interaction. Through specific course design, students will not only learn about environmental sociology, but will have continuous learning experiences through course work, excursions, reflection, peer-to-peer learning, and first-hand experience. This paper also outlines two of the most prominent theories often used when developing short-term study abroad programs: transformative learning and experiential learning theories. These are educational theories that lay a theoretical foundation for how learning occurs in short-term abroad programming.
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    Up in Flames: Using Anthropology to Analyze the Increasing Cremation Rates in North Dakota
    (North Dakota State University, 2022) Basta, Natalie Anne
    Cremation rates within North Dakota, and the greater US, have been rapidly increasing over the recent decades. Funeral directors, coroners, and death investigators alike have noticed the increase; however, nobody has made a positive determination for why the increase was occurring. Using an anthropological lens, I evaluated the state of cremation with North Dakota and with the use of GIS analysis and interviews with local funeral directors, I was able to determine that there is not one specific reason for the rising cremation rates. Instead, there are multiple factors at play, one of which is cost.
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    Stable, Affordable Housing and Its Effects on Human Capital (Wealth, Health, and Education)
    (North Dakota State University, 2020) Sauceda, Marisa
    This paper was written with the intent to inform or persuade policymakers and state and local officials on the topic of affordable housing. The guiding question in the below research asks what the effect stable, affordable housing has on three categories of human capital; Health, Wealth, and Education. The introduction reviews the history of housing including housing policy, the housing market, and the housing gap minorities face in America. Following the introduction is a literature review detailing the effects stable, affordable housing, or lack thereof, has on a household financial stability and wealth, physical and mental health, and education. Housing may be used as a catalyst for community change. The conclusion discusses policy recommendations that can affect that change by increasing access to affordable housing, closing the housing gap, and allowing low-income and minority households to build wealth and pursue opportunities for success.
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    Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault That Impacts Women and Child Welfare
    (North Dakota State University, 2020) Ahadujjaman, FNU
    Domestic violence is a global problem of immense proportions. At least one in every three women globally has been beaten, coerced into sex, or abused in some other way; most often by someone she knows, including by her husband/wife or another male/female family member" (UNICEF; 2006. 14 p.). Domestic violence in America comes under many different names, including domestic violence, family violence, intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, and sexual assault. The paper's focus is to understand the individual-level experiences of domestic violence and the impacts on their personal and social life. I will start by examining Dorothy Smith's institutional ethnography and continues the discussion on Althusser's ideology state apparatus, feminist frameworks, and intersectionality.
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    Meaningful Materials: Revitalizing History and Heritage through Hands On Experiences
    (North Dakota State University, 2014) Nordick, Amanda Asselin
    The Fargo Theatre Material Heritage Mitigation and Preservation Project form the case study for this paper. This project used participant observation and interviews with the undergraduate anthropology students that worked on the Fargo Theatre project and interviews with local practitioners in the fields of public history, archival practice and anthropology. The results produced an understanding of how historical materials can affect participants. An increased trend of community involvement, renewed historical interest, and new identity within the community were some of the personal connections that that students made with the historical materials. Working with the Fargo Theatre materials not only presented an opportunity for some historically valuable materials to be discovered and maintained, but the students‘ involvement became more meaningful than anticipated. The strong personal connections students made with their community identity and their increased knowledge, and appreciation for the history of this area became a highlight throughout the project.