Doan, L., Loehr, A., & Miller, L. (2014).  Formal Rights and Informal Privileges for Same-Sex Couples:  Evidence from a National Survey Experiment.  American Sociological Review, Vol. 79(6), 1172-1195.

This article uses data from a national representative survey to examine whether or not people distinguish between formal rights and informal privileges in their attitudes towards same sex couples.

Questions to Consider:

1. There are 4 types of groups that were included in this survey.  Why were there more lesbian and gays in each group compared to the number of heterosexuals?

 

1. How did the results of the survey tie into the hypothesis that was made?

 

1. What were some of the limitations of the study?

 

Kury, H., & Smartt, U. (2002). Prisoner-on-prisoner violence: Victimization of young offenders in prison. Some German findings. Criminology and Criminal Justice, Vol. 2(4), 411-437.

This article discusses new findings on the prisoner to prisoner violence from Germany.  This study focuses on non-consensual sexual assaults.

Questions to Consider:

1. If you were to analyze this study utilizing the 4 theoretical perspectives what would  each theory state about the results of this study?

 

1. How would one use the sociological imagination to analyze the issue of prisoners as victims?

 

1.  After reading the results of this survey what are some questions researchers might have that would lead to further studies on this topic?

 

Atkinson, R., & Smith, O. (2012). An economy of false securities? An analysis of murders inside gated residential developments in the United States. Crime, Media, Culture, 8(2), 161-172.

This article examines news reports and media narratives regarding murders that take place within gated communities and how the level of fear inside these communities is still high.

Questions to Consider:

1. How would one, using the sociological imagination, analyze the narratives and reports referenced in this article?

 

1. How would the objective and subjective reality of the reports and narratives referenced in this article differ?

 

1. Using a globalized perspective how might one analyze the narratives and reports covered in this article?