Small compared to other Big10 sociology programs (16 faculty), students engage with research focused on solving real-world problems. Faculty collaborate with each other and with people across disciplines, including computer science, psychology, anthropology, political science, criminology, biology, neuroscience, medicine, public health, art, marketing, and business. Our faculty also work with community stakeholders and community-based non-profit organizations.
These collaborations lead our faculty and students to ask and answer interesting questions. Check out our recent research, including open-access versions of faculty and student publications, to discover how sociology faculty are tackling issues in drug use; pornography addiction; social networks; homelessness; delinquency; domestic violence; survey questionnaire design and polling; minority health disparities; science identity; sexualities and LGBTQ+ rights; religion and politics; hate crime reporting; and sociology pedagogy among many others.
We are committed to equipping undergraduate students with the critical thinking and analytical skills that put them on the path to meaningful and rewarding careers. Alumni have launched their careers with community organizations such as Voice of Hope, Community Learning Centers, and Teach for America; government agencies like the Department of Agriculture, the state legislature, and law enforcement; and private sector businesses such as HUDL, Talent+, Gallup, NelNet, and insurance companies. Our undergraduate students also go on to law school, medical school and professional programs in the health fields, or to complete an MBA or graduate programs in sociology or related disciplines.
Our MA and PhD students can specialize in the sociology of health, families, social inequalities, or research methodology, benefiting from a small student-to-faculty ratio. We train graduate students for both traditional academic jobs at colleges and universities, as well as work in the public and private sector. We have a long tradition of training students for successful placements at non-academic positions, including think tanks, research organizations, government agencies, non-profit service organizations, and for-profit organizations.
2017
Science Possible Selves and the Desire to be a Scientist: Mindsets, Gender Bias, and Confidence during Early Adolescence, Patricia Wonch Hill, Julia McQuillan, Eli Talbert, Amy N. Spiegel, G. Robin Gauthier, and Judy Diamond
Trauma in Veterans with Substance Use Disorder: Similar Treatment Need among Urban and Rural Residents, Lance Brendan Young, Christine Timko, Kimberly A. Tyler, and Kathleen M. Grant
2016
Understanding differences in HIV/HCV prevalence according to differentiated risk behaviors in a sample of PWID in rural Puerto Rico, Roberto Abadie, Melissa L. Welch-Lazoritz, Camila Gelpi- Acosta, Juan Carlos Reyes, and Kirk Dombrowski
Predicting the Onset of Alcohol Use and the Development of Alcohol Use Disorder Among Indigenous Adolescents, Brian E. Armenta, Kelley J. Sittner, and Les B. Whitbeck
Interactive Effects within the Prototype Willingness Model: Predicting the Drinking Behavior of Indigenous Early Adolescents, Brian E. Armenta, Les B. Whitbeck, and Kari C. Gentzler
The Historical Loss Scale: Longitudinal Measurement Equivalence and Prospective Links to Anxiety Among North American Indigenous Adolescents, Brian E. Armenta, Les B. Whitbeck, and Patrick Habecker
God’s Case for Sex, Orit Avishai and Kelsy Burke
Gender in the Slasher Film Genre, Brandon Bosch
Sociology of Mass Media Syllabus, Brandon Bosch
“Why So Serious?” Threat, Authoritarianism, and Depictions of Crime, Law, and Order in Batman Films, Brandon Bosch
Christians under Covers: Evangelicals and Sexual Pleasure on the Internet, Kelsy Burke
Current Rural Drug Use in the US Midwest, Kirk Dombrowski, Devan M. Crawford, Bilal Khan, and Kimberly A. Tyler
Labrador Inuit Population Movements and Inequalities in the Land Claims Era, Kirk Dombrowski, Patrick Habecker, G. Robin Gauthier, Bilal Khan, and Joshua Moses
Relocation Redux: Labrador Inuit Population Movements and Inequalities in the Land Claims Era, Kirk Dombrowski, Patrick Habecker, G. Robin Gauthier, Bilal Khan, and Joshua Moses
Network Approaches to Substance Use and HIV/Hepatitis C Risk among Homeless Youth and Adult Women in the United States: A Review, Kirk Dombrowski, Kelley J. Sittner, Devan Crawford, Melissa L. Welch-Lazoritz, Patrick Habecker, and Bilal Khan
Age at migration and disability-free life expectancy among the elder Mexican-origin population, Marc A. Garcia and Chi-Tsun Chiu
Birth weight, Early Life Course BMI, and Body Size Change: Chains of Risk to Adult Inflammation?, Bridget J. Goosby, Jacob Cheadle, and Thomas McDade
Does fertility-specific distress vary by race/ethnicity among a probability sample of women in the United States?, Arthur L. Greil, Julia McQuillan, and Delida Sanchez
Decline in ethical concerns about reproductive technologies among a representative sample of US women, Arthur L. Greil, Kathleen S. Slauson-Blevins, Karina M. Shreffler, Katherine M. Johnson, Michele Lowry, Andrea R. Burch, and Julia McQuillan
A New Way to Estimate the Potential Unmet Need for Infertility Services Among Women in the United States, Arthur L. Greil, Kathleen S. Slauson-Blevins, Stacy Tiemeyer, Julia McQuillan, and Karina M. Shreffler
Review of Buttoned Up: Clothing, Conformity, and White-Collar Masculinity, by Erynn Masi de Casanova, Trenton M. Haltom
Prospective Childhood Risk Factors for Gang Involvement among North American Indigenous Adolescents, Dane S. Hautala, Kelley J. Sittner Hartshorn, and Les B. Whitbeck
The Space of Art, Michael R. Hill
Rural and Urban Communities, Emily Kazyak
Law and LGBQ-Parent Families, Emily Kazyak and Brandi Woodell
Content Analysis in the Study of Crime, Media, and Popular Culture, Lisa Kort-Butler
The Double Standard at Sexual Debut: Gender, Sexual Behavior and Adolescent Peer Acceptance, Derek A. Kreager, Jeremy Staff, G. Robin Gauthier, Eva S. Lefkowitz, and Mark E. Feinberg
An Inside Look at Homeless Youths’ Social Networks: Perceptions of Substance Use Norms, Lisa A. Melander, Kimberly A. Tyler, and Rachel M. Schmitz
Views of the Inland from Chicago to Detroit: ‘Gallery Guide’ with notes on ‘Regionalism in American Art', Tami Miller and Michael R. Hill
Functional Status in Older Women Diagnosed with Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Tatiana V.D. Sanses, Nicholas K. Schiltz, Bruna M. Couri, Sangeeta T. Mahajan, Holly E. Richter, David F. Warner, Jack Guralnik, and Siran M. Koroukian
Masculinities in Cyberspace: An Analysis of Portrayals of Manhood in Men’s Rights Activist Websites, Rachel M. Schmitz and Emily Kazyak
Growing Up before Their Time: The Early Adultification Experiences of Homeless Young People, Rachel M. Schmitz and Kimberly A. Tyler
Does Higher Education Cause Religious Decline? A Longitudinal Analysis of the Within- and Between-Person Effects of Higher Education on Religiosity, Philip Schwadel
Reasons for tubal sterilisation, regret and depressive symptoms, Karina M. Shreffler, Arthur L. Greil, Julia McQuillan, and Kami L. Gallus
Infertility and fertility intentions, desires, and outcomes among US women, Karina M. Shreffler, Stacy Tiemeyer, Cassandra Dorius, Tiffany Spierling, Arthur L. Greil, and Julia McQuillan
Effects of Smiley Face Scales on Visual Processing of Satisfaction Questions in Web Surveys, Mathew Stange, Amanda Barry, Jolene Smyth, and Kristen M. Olson
Pregnancy and Intimate Partner Violence in Canada: A Comparison of Victims Who Were and Were Not Abused during Pregnancy, Tamara L. Taillieu, Douglas A. Brownridge, Kimberly A. Tyler, Ko Ling Chan, Agnes Tiwari, and Susy C. Santos
Variation in Attitudes toward Being a Mother by Race/Ethnicity and Education among Women in the United States, Veronica Tichenor, Julia McQuillan, Arthur L. Greil, Andrew V. Bedrous, Amy Clark, and Karina M. Shreffler
Multi-Level Risk and Protective Factors for Substance Use among Zambian Street Youth, Kimberly A. Tyler, Ray Handema, Rachel M. Schmitz, Francis Phiri, Kourtney S. Kuyper, and Charles Wood
Risk Factors for HIV among Zambian Street Youth, Kimberly A. Tyler, Ray Handema, Rachel M. Schmitz, Francis Phiri, Charles Wood, and Kristen M. Olson
A Cautionary Tale: Examining the Interplay of Culturally Specific Risk and Resilience Factors in Indigenous Communities, Melissa L. Walls, Les B. Whitbeck, and Brian E. Armenta
Physical Disability and Increased Loneliness among Married Older Adults: The Role of Changing Social Relations, David F. Warner and Scott A. Adams
Creating a Community of Practice to Prevent Suicide Through Multiple Channels: Describing the Theoretical Foundations and Structured Learning of PC CARES, Lisa Wexler, Diane McEachern, Gloria DiFulvio, Cristine Smith, Louis F. Graham, and Kirk Dombrowski
Economic Hardship, Parents’ Depression, and Relationship Distress among Couples With Young Children, Deadric T. Williams and Jacob E. Cheadle
2015
Review of Edison Bicudo, Pharmaceutical Research, Democracy and Conspiracy: International Clinical Trials in Local Medical Institutions, Roberto Abadie
‘‘We can wipe an entire culture’’: Fears and promises of DNA biobanking among Native Americans, Roberto Abadie and Kathleen Heaney
The Utility of the Prototype/Willingness Model in Predicting Alcohol Use Among North American Indigenous Adolescents, Brian E. Armenta, Dane S. Hautala, and Les B. Whitbeck
The Recruitment Paradox: Network Recruitment, Structural Position, and East German Market Transition, Richard A. Benton, Steve McDonald, Anna Manzoni, and David F. Warner
Sexual Encounters and Manhood Acts: Evangelicals, Latter-Day Saints, and Religious Masculinities, Kelsy Burke and Amy Moff Hudec
Teen Alcohol Use and Social Networks: The Contributions of Friend Influence and Friendship Selection, Jacob E. Cheadle, Katrina M. Walsemann, and Bridget J. Goosby
Museum Monsters and Victorious Viruses: Improving Public Understanding of Emerging Biomedical Research, Judy Diamond, Benjamin Jee, Camilla Matuk, Julia McQuillan, Amy N. Spiegel, and David Uttal
Current Knowledge and Considerations Regarding Survey Refusals: Executive Summary of the AAPOR Task Force Report on Survey Refusals, David Dutwin, John D. Loft, Jill E. Darling, Allyson L. Holbrook, Timothy P. Johnson, Ronald E. Langley, Paul J. Lavrakas, Kristen Olson, Emilia Peytcheva, Jeffery A. Stec, Timothy Triplett, and Andrew Zukerberg
SRAM898 — Special Topics: Survey Informatics, UNL — Fall 2015 Course Syllabus, Adam Eck
Acculturation, Gender, and Active Life Expectancy in the Mexican-Origin Population, Marc A. Garcia, Jacqueline L. Angel, Ronald J. Angel, Chi-Tsun Chiu, and Jennifer Melvin
Perceived Discrimination and Markers of Cardiovascular Risk Among Low-Income African American Youth, Bridget J. Goosby, Sarah Malone, Elizabeth A. Richardson, Jacob Cheadle, and Deadric T. Williams
Improving the Network Scale-Up Estimator: Incorporating Means of Sums, Recursive Back Estimation, and Sampling Weights, Patrick Habecker, Kirk Dombrowski, and Bilal Khan
Predictors of Police Reporting Among Hispanic Immigrant Victims of Violence, Dane Hautala, Kirk Dombrowski, and Anthony Marcus
Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Dating Violence Among North American Indigenous Adolescents, Dane Hautala, Kelley J. Sittner Hartshorn, Brian E. Armenta, and Les B. Whitbeck
Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Adolescent Alcohol Use: The Mediating Role of Youth Depressive Symptoms, Mindy Herman-Stahl, Lissette M. Saavedra, Antoio A. Morgan-Lopez, Scott P. Novak, Tara D. Warner, and Diana H. Fishbein
"'The Law’s the Law, Right?' Sexual Minority Mothers Navigating Legal Inequities and Inconsistencies.”, Emily Kazyak
Attractor-Based Obstructions to Growth in Homogeneous Cyclic Boolean Automata, Bilal Khan, Yuri Cantor, and Kirk Dombrowski
Estimating Vertex Measures in Social Networks by Sampling Completions of RDS Trees, Bilal Khan, Kirk Dombrowski, Ric Curtis, and Travis Wendel
Escalating risk and the moderating effect of resistance to peer influence on the P200 and feedback-related negativity, John Kiat, Elizabeth Straley, and Jacob Cheadle
Health-Related Strains and Subsequent Delinquency and Marijuana Use, Lisa Kort-Butler
The Influence of High School Activity Portfolios on Risky Behaviors in Emerging Adulthood, Lisa A. Kort-Butler and David D. Martin
From Burlesque to Grand Theft Auto: An Historical Analysis of the Treatment of the Media-Crime Relationship in Criminology Texts, Lisa Kort-Butler and Michael Killingsworth
Citizen Volunteers in Prison: Bringing the Outside in, Taking the Inside out, Lisa Kort-Butler and Sarah E. Malone
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE RISK AMONG VICTIMS OF YOUTH VIOLENCE: ARE EARLY UNIONS BAD, BENEFICIAL, OR BENIGN?*, Danielle C. Kuhl, David F. Warner, and Tara D. Warner
HIV/AIDS In Puerto Rican People Who Inject Drugs: Policy Considerations, Luz M. López, Lisa de Saxe Zerden, Philippe Bourgois, Helena Hansen, Roberto Abadie, Kirk Dombrowski, and Ric Curtis
Exploring the Social Integration of Sexual Minority Youth Across High School Contexts, Alexa Martin-Storey, Jacob E. Cheadle, Julie Skalamera, and Robert Crosnoe
Erratum to: Sexual Mixing in Shanghai: Are Heterosexual Contact Patterns Compatible With an HIV/AIDS Epidemic?, M. Giovanna Merli, James Moody, Joshua Mendelsohn, and G. Robin Gauthier
Sexual Mixing in Shanghai: Are Heterosexual Contact Patterns Compatible With an HIV/AIDS Epidemic?, M. Giovanna Merli, James Moody, Joshua Mendelsohn, and G. Robin Gauthier
Methodological considerations for a new household panel survey, Kristen Olson and J. Michael Brick
The Effect of CATI Questions, Respondents, and Interviewers on Response Time, Kristen Olson and Jolene D. Smyth
A feasibility test of using smartphones to collect GPS information in face-to-face surveys, Kristen Olson and James Wagner
How Law Shapes Experiences of Parenthood for Same-Sex Couples, Nicholas K. Park, Emily Kazyak, and Kathleen S. Slauson-Blevins
Getting "Bi" in the Family: Bisexual People's Disclosure Experiences, Kristin S. Scherrer, Emily Kazyak, and Rachel M. Schmitz
Homeless Young People’s Experiences of Caregiver Rejection, Rachel M. Schmitz and Kimberly A. Tyler
Variation in Pregnancy Intendedness Across U.S. Women’s Pregnancies, Karina M. Shreffler, Arthur L. Greil, Katherine Stamps Mitchell, and Julia McQuillan
Surgical Sterilization, Regret, and Race: Contemporary Patterns, Karina M. Shreffler, Julia McQuillan, Arthur L. Greil, and David R. Johnson
Substance Use Disorders, Comorbidity, and Arrest among Indigenous Adolescents*, Kelley J. Sittner Hartshorn, Les B. Whitbeck, and Patricia Prentice
Global Network Inference from Ego Network Samples: Testing a Simulation Approach, Jeffrey A. Smith
Examining the Nuance in Public Opinion of Pro-LGB Policies in a "Red State.", Mathew Stange and Emily Kazyak
Using a Calendar and Explanatory Instructions to Aid Within-household Selection in Mail Surveys, Mathew Stange, Jolene D. Smyth, and Kristen Olson
Longitudinal Predictors of Homelessness: Findings from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-97, Brittany Sznajder-Murray
Child Abuse, Street Victimization, and Substance Use Among Homeless Young Adults, Kimberly A. Tyler and Lisa A. Melander
Effects of Abusive Parenting, Caretaker Arrests, and Deviant Behavior on Dating Violence among Homeless Young Adults., Kimberly A. Tyler and Rachel Schmitz
Alcohol Expectancy, Drinking Behavior, and Sexual Victimization Among Female and Male College Students, Kimberly A. Tyler, Rachel M. Schmitz, and Scott A. Adams
Adolescent Survival Expectations: Variations by Race, Ethnicity, and Nativity, Tara D. Warner and Raymond R. Swisher
Characteristics of Mothers Caring for Children During Episodes of Homelessness, Melissa L. Welch-Lazoritz, Les B. Whitbeck, and Brian E. Armenta
Characteristics of Mothers Caring for Children During Episodes of Homelessness, Melissa L. Welch-Lazoritz, Les B. Whitbeck, and Brian E. Armenta
Patterns of substance use initiation among Indigenous adolescents, Les B. Whitbeck and Brian E. Armenta
Borderline Personality Disorder and Axis I Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders among Women Experiencing Homelessness in Three U.S. Cities, Leslie B. Whitbeck, Brian E. Armenta, and Melissa L. Welch-Lazoritz
Hard Times and Heart Break: Linking Economic Hardship and Relationship Distress, Deadric T. Williams, Jacob Cheadle, and Bridget J. Goosby
Reconciling LGB and Christian Identities in the Rural South, Brandi Woodell, Emily Kazyak, and D'Lane Compton
Community-Level Barriers to Recovery for Substance-Dependent Rural Residents, Lance Brendan Young, Kathleen M. Grant, and Kimberly A. Tyler
2014
Consent for Nondiagnostic Research Biopsies: A Pilot Study of Participant Recall and Therapeutic Orientation, Roberto Abadie; Jonathan Kimmelman; Josiane Lafleur; and Trudo Lemmens,
A Longitudinal Examination of the Measurement Properties and Predictive Utility of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Among North American Indigenous Adolescents, Brian E. Armenta, Kelley J. Sittner Hartshorn, Les B. Whitbeck, Devan M. Crawford, and Dan R. Hoyt
Teaching About Organized Racism, Kathleen Blee and Kelsy Burke