Spring 2008 Perspectives

Spring 2008

A Sociology student’s greatest challenge does not come from demanding professors, volumes of required readings, tedious literature reviews, or final exams. Rather, it stems from a single question that constantly nags throughout his or her academic career. “What are you going to do with a Sociology degree?” Surely a serious career is better sought through the avenue of a business, engineering, or medical degree. Is Sociology really just a wading pool for theories and ideas with no application beyond intellectual conversation at a cocktail party? No is the short answer, the longer one being contained within the applied research and practical thinking of journals like the present edition of Perspectives.

Welcome to the 13th edition of Perspectives, the University of New Hampshire’s undergraduate journal for Sociology. The following pieces demonstrate the incredible versatility being afforded to Sociology majors who have learned the skills necessary to transform seemingly abstract theories and thoughts into practical information and resources for any number of fields. Areas of interest include the balance of civil liberties and safety, the use of sex in marketing campaigns, how different drugs and drug related disorders are affecting society, homelessness, fashion, the “hyphy” movement, juvenile delinquency, and even a number of internationally focused affairs. Other topics are covered as well in the 26 submissions that are present before you.

After witnessing the powerful and practical scope of Sociology, a more fitting question is posed, “What can’t be done with a Sociology degree?” The following presentation from the bright minds of the University of New Hampshire’s Sociology Department demonstrates that the field is no wading pool, but rather a harbor; a harbor for theories, ideas, and reasoned structures with an unlimited amount of potential in the “real world” when navigated by the right minds.

I would like to thank all the student authors who submitted work to this edition of Perspectives and the professors that worked with them. Also, Lynn Beaver and Deena Peschke in the Department office for all their assistance in assembling the Journal. Thank you to Professor Karen VanGundy for overseeing the entire operation and to Skye Mackay, editor of last year’s journal, for answering all my questions about the publishing process. Finally, thank you to Professor John Cerullo for encouraging me to seek out publishing opportunities and, ultimately, become involved with the Perspectives journal. Please enjoy.

Simon Spadaro-Bliss
Perspectives Editor
E-mail: sjk5@unh.edu