MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
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“Fun,” but “scary”: An analysis of the gendered nature of alcohol culture
No full textMany social traditions involve alcohol consumption whether it be through a glass of wine with dinner in an upper-class home, or a pint of beer in a tavern for a working-class man. In both cases, social norms indicating which drinking habits are acceptable, and which are not, are dictated by gender and social class. This qualitative research project uses a triangulation of methods to analyze the way gender dynamics operate in public drinking establishments in Edmonton, AB. The themes of gendered safety, visual culture, and hook-up culture are explored through this analysis.
Faculty Mentor: Fiona Angus
Department: Sociology (Honours)
 
Religious Rehabilitation in Corrections
No full textRe-offending is one of the primary problems faced by offenders exiting the correctional system in America today. High rates of re-offending, otherwise known as recidivism, contribute to the effects of churning wherein offenders become entrenched in their criminal lifestyles and cycle in and out of incarceration. Rehabilitation and re-entry programs offer a certain degree of promise in reducing recidivism among program participants. Religious programs in particular possess a vast number of resources that allow them to deliver a high standard programming. This presentation outlines the use of multivariate statistics to measure correlations between religious rehabilitation and re-incarceration to identify whether these programs are effective in reducing recidivism. Additionally, religious programs are also compared to non-religious rehabilitation programs to determine if there are specific aspects of these religious programs that have unique or differing effects in their ability to reduce recidivism.
Faculty Mentor: Michael Seredycz
Department: Sociology (Honours
Stolen Sisters
No full text“Stolen Sisters” is a powerful digital story which outlines the colonial impacts on Indigenous people which has contributed to the contemporary issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). “Stolen Sisters” provides information about current colonial perspectives of Indigenous women and how they need to be addressed, reflected upon, and challenged. Through Indigenous Knowledge surrounding the traditional roles of women, the meaning of the word ‘woman’ in the Cree language, and telling the stories of Indigenous women, “Stolen Sisters” aim is to provide education to the collegial public. A research poster will also be presented. This research poster, as a part of the Bachelor of Social Work Program, will yield the results of a qualitative study which utilized a critical science approach to gain data regarding 3rd year undergraduate social work student’s knowledge surrounding MMIWG campaigns. The data gathered will be used to critique structural barriers that exist in providing adequate knowledge surrounding Indigenous issues such as MMIWG campaigns. The research poster will compliment our digital story as we will be able to provide data that acknowledges our hypothesis that structural barriers do exist in our institutions which prevent adequate knowledge of MMIWG campaigns. We will combat this barrier by providing an educational digital story and calling individuals to action.
Faculty Mentor: Leslie Dawson
Department: Anthropolog
Educational Responses to Socioeconomic Inequality
No full textSocioeconomic inequality continues to be a major concern both internationally and within Canada. Educational outcomes for children are one of the key areas affected by this reality. Schools are considered institutions responsible for promoting the social mobility of children. However, due to increasing social, political, and economic disparities among families, schools have redesigned themselves to ensure this idea persists. This paper examines how parental inconsistencies, lack of supportive home environments, and financial burdens associated with low socioeconomic status families have a negative influence on children’s educational outcomes. It investigates why schools have become concerned with implementing programs to help alleviate the effects of socioeconomic inequalities on children and their families. A discussion of the various strategies schools have put in place to integrate struggling children, families, and communities is included. Issues arise in regard to how these programs will be funded, who is responsible for these children within schools, and recommendations going forward. School boards need to be allocated more funding and support from macro level institutions such as the government and health boards if they hope to find a solution
How Does Hegemonic Society Perpetuate LGBTQ+ Discrimination Through the Institutions and Ideologies of Law, Education, and Religion?
No full textResearch has shown that the institutions and ideologies behind hegemonic society’s laws, educational system, and religions, have been integral to the discrimination of LGBTQ+ youth. To better understand the specific aspects of each institution, and how they directly affect LGBTQ+ youth, this paper critically examines these institutions using both the traditional heteronormative lens, as well as the more recent LGBTQ+ friendly lens. Issues such as the role of homophobic political leaders, and the laws they pass, are considered. As the majority of youth spend their formative years in an educational setting, the role of teachers, peers, and parents are all considered when discussions of ‘coming out’ or sexual education is brought to light. Furthermore, in an attempt to understand the coexistence of LGBTQ+ youth and religious education, comparisons between different school settings are taken into consideration. Following the review, different avenues are suggested to further study this topic in order to create a more inclusive, safe, and accepting society for all sexualities and gender identities
No Country for Old Men Typography Poster
No full textA poster designed for a mock play based off of the Coen Brothers movie No Country for Old Men.
Faculty Mentor: Constanza Pacher
Department: Design Studies
 
Depositional record of seagrass epiphytes and their link to differing physiochemical conditions
No full textThe Cayman Islands are small islands in the Caribbean, prone to damage from tropical storms. Barrier reefs and large sediment loads help protect human settlements from the waves these storms generate. The coastal sediment budget is mainly governed by natural processes, such as erosion, but also added to by calcareous shells and siliceous tests of marine organisms. In the Cayman Islands, much of the contributing biota are epiphytes that form a crust on the leaves of marine seagrass (Thalassia testudinum). These organisms include coralline algae and gastropods as well as microorganisms such as foraminifera. This study examines sediment samples from cores in two lagoons on Grand Cayman, North Sound and South Sound. North Sound is very large, has thick vegetation and is lined with mangroves along much of the shore. South Sound is relatively small, has only minimal mangrove contact, and is regularly swept through by strong ocean currents. Water circulation patterns are significantly different between the two sounds, with much of North Sound’s waters recirculating rather than being refreshed. In this project, sediment core samples from both sounds are analyzed and biota identified. The genera between the cores are compared to determine if the biota is different. The relative abundances of epiphyte genera are documented to determine their distribution along a 50 cm vertical sediment profile in each lagoon. The results will be analyzed to determine whether the dissimilar physiochemical conditions between the two sounds can be linked to the presence of differing biota through each sediment core.
Faculty Mentor: Hilary Corlett
Department: Earth and Planetary Science
Perception of Gender in Video Games
No full textThrough a combination of a focus group and interview, participants expressed their thoughts and opinions on the gender and violence in video games. My results found that when games allow for players to create their own character and avatar, then the actions both males and females can take are exactly the same and non-gendered. In non-avatar creation games, female characters make up a vast minority with less powerful attacks.
Faculty Mentor: Kalyani Thurairajah
Department: Sociolog
Trichomonas Vaginalis: The Most Common STI Gets Even Scarier
No full textReviewing the evolution of genetic variation in Trichomonas vaginalis with regard to how they develop and maintain their drug resistance. Discussion will include future implications of the STI and potential target areas for future research.
Faculty Mentor: Mrinal Das
Department: Biological Scienc
Playing the Blame Game: Indigenous Status and Culpability in Ambiguous Sexual Assaults
No full textGiven the current social and political climate of emphasis on sexual violence awareness, as well as attempts to rectify past injustices that were committed in the ‘name of race’, so to speak, the current study was designed to assess bias within these two relevant areas. Studies concerning racial biases that may be more relevant to Canadian jurors (such as those involving Indigenous persons) are relatively lacking. While there is much statistical and anecdotal evidence to suggest that Indigenous persons are treated differently in the criminal justice system (i.e., prison over-representation, sentencing disparity), there is little evidence specifically focused on biases that may affect jurors in Canadian courtrooms. As a result, the present study was designed to examine whether race and age factors influence decisions concerning criminal culpability. This study was conducted on a University population and consisted of 711 participants. Participants read a transcript of a sexual assault court case that has been adapted from Canadian court records that is an ambiguous case (i.e., unclear whether victim or perpetrator is responsible). Our manipulated variables involve differing descriptions of the complainant (both age and race variations) and defendant (race variations), such that we can examine how these “extralegal” factors may introduce bias in whose testimony is given more weight or deemed more believable. Preliminary analysis shows significant differences in believably, consent, and punishments lengths for false reporting between Caucasian and Indigenous victims. These findings support the idea that racial biases may be relevant to Canadian juries.
Faculty Mentor: Kristine Peace
Department: Psychology (Honours