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Sociology

General Information

Sociology/Criminology & Justice Studies: Student Research Symposium – March 18, 2020

Submission Information

Abstract submissions due by 9pm on March 4, 2020.

There are four options for presenting: 

  • Panel sessions involve a panel of 3-5 students who present a paper on a research project for about 10 minutes each, followed by questions/comments from the audience.  This is the form research presentations frequently take at formal research conferences.
  • Poster sessions involve students who have creatively organized research projects into poster form for presentation.  Students engage symposium attendees (your audience) checking out the posters by offering additional insights into the posters.  This is a great way to do a first research presentation as it is more informal.
  • Spoken Word/Storytelling sessions involve students sharing their creative works through performance of spoken word.  
  • Art 

Who Can Participate?

Currently or recently enrolled Sociology, Criminology & Justice Studies students at the undergraduate or graduate level.  Other currently enrolled social science students welcome to participate.  

Our main goal is for students to showcase the important work of Sociology, Criminology & Justice Studies.  Students need to signal an understanding of the research process – inquiry, theory, methodology, and significance of results – but do not need to engage all aspects of a “full” research project in their presentations.  Students should be prepared to speak to all aspects of research (inquiry/theory/lit review/methodology/results/big picture concerns) even though your project may not include all aspects of a “full” research project.

Students, for example, may develop an original research inquiry, inform us about what the literature tells us about the topic, and propose ways to go about the work of getting at their research inquiry (similar to a thesis proposal in graduate school).

Another example would be students who theorize about their own community-based work, and make sense of it using sociological/critCrim/Justice Studies “lenses” towards social justice action in their community. 

Students with more developed projects, for instance from a Research Methods course using quantitative data, may have “full” research projects and are encouraged to present on them.

All presentations should emphasize the social justice importance of the research.

Abstract Criteria for Paper Panel, Poster, or Spoken Word/Storytelling Sessions and Art

Students should submit a 1-2 paragraph abstract about their presentation and clearly indicate whether you plan to present a paper in a panel session or a poster in the poster session or share spoken word/storytelling. 

The abstract for panels/posters should include:

  1. A title of proposed project
  2. A clear, brief statement of your original research inquiry
  3. A brief discussion of what aspects of the research process you have completed (ex. original inquiry, theory, and literature review)
  4. Your brief insights on aspects of the research that is yet to be done (if not a completed research project); and
  5. Why the research is sociologically/Criminologically/Justice Studies important.  
    Make your abstract sociological and keep in mind the “so what?” question (why is your research important for social justice?). 

Abstracts for spoken word/storytelling and art need to briefly describe a general theme and the “sociology/Crim/Justice Studies” ground of the work.

Submission abstracts may be emailed to soc.studentresearch@csusm.edu by 9pm on March 4, 2020.  Please include “research submission” in the subject line of the email. You will receive a confirmation of receipt of the email within 24-48 hours.
The symposium is Wednesday, March 18, from approximately 9 am – 6 pm, please be flexible with availability.  

If you have questions or comments, please email us at soc.studentresearch@csusm.edu or email Dr. Glover directly at kglover@csusm.edu.

The CSUSM Office of Graduate Studies and Research has useful information about how to create research presentation posters please visit them at Showcase Resources

PLEASE NOTE: Two informational sessions are planned for the end of Fall 2019 – please keep your eye out for notices about dates, times, and locations.

 

Please contact Dr. Glover if you have questions on these prep meetings:  kglover@csusm.edu.