sociology thesis philippines

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Filipiniana Theses and Dissertations from ProQuest

Planning for your thesis or wanting to have some more studies for your RRL? You can check Filipiniana theses and dissertations from leading institutions abroad by accessing our ProQuest Dissertations and Theses terminal.

To see the list of theses, check out  http://bit.ly/updpqdt  by clicking the image below. Visit the computer kiosk at the General Reference Section to have a full-text dose of this valuable multi-disciplinary collection. You may also access online by searching for the thesis on iLib to get the Google Drive download (UP Mail login required), or sending an email to the Reference Librarians at  [email protected]  for the full text.

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Making Public Sociology Work in the Philippines

by Phoebe Zoe Maria U. Sanchez

June 26, 2020

Piles of dead bodies have mounted under the current Duterte regime ( Rappler , December 2018). More concretely, this regime has embarked on an impressive political settlement scheme with a network of feudal political families and compradors in public office backing him up as a bold mouthpiece, along with the Philippine police and military state bureaucracy. This is shown in how Duterte mustered an enormous majority of the members of the Philippine House of Representatives and ousted a Chief Justice in 2018.

Scholars dub this “authoritarian populism” given that, partly, it was said to be interspersed with popular and developmentally progressive programs, despite its open call for “murder” as a strategy in its anti-crime policies. But the regime enthrones a kind of political dynamics that is an outright and naked form of authoritarianism. It has recently increased police, military, and para-military interdiction in Philippine communities as it entrenches dirty politics through election fraud, graft, and corruption and engages in a drastic rampage of killings with baiting à la McCarthy as justification to murder social activists, religious persons, human rights advocates, lawyers, teachers, university professors, peasants, youths and others.

A substantial practice in Philippine sociology since the first dictatorship of the Marcos regime is the employment of public sociology as a necessary response to the perceived invisibility of sociology to the Philippine public. This derives from the viewpoint that Philippine society is confronted with a crisis of permanent dictatorship, from the Marcos to the Duterte regime. It brings to the fore questions about the nature of the first so-called EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 that toppled the Marcos dictatorship and whether it had truly paved the way for a democratic transition to take place. Unfortunately, it now seems a foregone conclusion that the first EDSA People Power Revolution was short of the tools for genuine democratization given the establishment of a fascistic order 33 years later. This suggests a crisis of permanent authoritarianism, challenging Filipino Cebuano Sociology to rethink whether the years following EDSA 1 were truly years of honing a full democratic transition, or years of girding for the form of dictatorship revived today. For how else could the previous authoritarian practice become alive in its current form and with even more lethal effect? For, compared to Marcos’ killings at a little over 3,000, the volume of deaths in recent times has been an average of 33 persons murdered daily, that is, over 30,000 in the first three years of the Duterte administration ( Rappler , December 2018).

Public sociology as practiced in the University of the Philippines Cebu links: a) Professional Sociology, b) Critical Sociology, and c) Sociology of Public Policy. This resonates with Burawoy’s (2004) public sociology that stood on the four divisions of sociological labor, namely: a) professional sociology, b) critical sociology, c) public sociology (the multiple publics), and d) policy sociology. Professional sociology provides mechanisms for the craft of sociology in proper research design and employment of the appropriate methods and techniques, i.e., case studies, sociographies, ethnographies, participant-observation, basic mass integration, etc. This enables sociologists and students alike to test their theses and engage in conversations concerning social and public policies, social institutions, cultures, groups, organizations, and processes of interaction among people working together. In the same manner, it invites social scientists to reimagine social problems beyond social constructionism, extending Filipino public conversation to the streets, and providing mechanisms to record and publish patterns of public interest articulation. This is standing on the indigenous or local political practice of governance, where critical sociology enables the understanding of the struggle for power between and among groups engaged in conflict over certain limited resources. Critical Sociology weighs structures – whether dominant or dominated, who controls and who is being controlled. Its end point is the creation of a Filipino critical mass that can be mobilized into actual public demonstrations organized to create a social movement. This social movement in turn becomes the necessary prime mover to the final link which is assessing and evaluating the content and context of public policies in the form of policy sociology.

The intricate weaving of the aforementioned links makes the concrete amalgam of techniques that enables public sociology to work as a scientific field. Public sociology takes place when dynamics of democratization are enabled for marginalized sectors to have access to resources and play an important role in civil society and within the state. It first takes the form of an academic exercise in sociological imagination, as a point of conversation among students and professors. Then it extends beyond the four walls of the classroom, to serve as a social tool and enabling mechanism to unlock cultures of silence among oppressed communities via extensive discussions, theorizing, and social engineering by supporting organizations among poor, deprived, oppressed, and violated individuals and communities. A sociologist’s ability to muster a sheer force or volume of people is a means to unmask the ways the state has straightforwardly and violently served as an instrument for the protection and preservation of ruling class interests.

Most especially in the Philippines today, public sociologistshave to be emboldened as harbingers of the process of democratization because the Philippines is confronted with an entrenched level of democratic deficit and absence of the rule of law. This time, like in the Marcos era, the Philippines needs civil society formations that are self-organized, voluntary, self-generating, genuinely autonomous from the state, and able to articulate the public interest, bound by a legal order or a set of shared rules. Hence, public sociology’s end point may be called the sociology of public demonstration . This sociology of public demonstration consists of proofs, persuasion tools, transactional and coordination mechanisms, cognitive and rational apparatuses in the form of collective erudite communicators on issues or advocacies, and/or mobilization and competition social apparatuses in the form of a mass of people, or vote banks. This sociology of public demonstrationmeasures how efficient and effective is the public sociologythat is being engaged. And the public in demonstrations is a cue for public policy instrumentation as it provides a venue for assessing and accounting for the effectiveness or failure of a government’s public policy.

A major end of public sociology is summing up and theorizing the relationship between the government and the governed (Lascoumes and Le Galès, 2007; The American Sociologist , 2005). From a Global South perspective, comes actual governing in the framework of a native logic or of community collective sharing and relationship in solidarity. This framework is then incorporated in the means-making, regulating, tax-generating and mass-communicating of government institutions subject to actual public scrutiny of civil society and its public demonstration.

Phoebe Zoe Maria U. Sanchez , SMAG/CriDIS, UC Louvain, Belgium, and University of the Philippines Cebu, Philippines and member of ISA Research Committee on Political Sociology (RC18) < [email protected] >

Read more about Sociology from the Philippines

Mainstreaming Mindanao in Philippine Sociology

by Mario Joyo Aguja

Dissonant Narratives of the Philippine War on Drugs

by Filomin C. Gutierrez

Navigating Conflicts through a Queer Lens

by John Andrew G. Evangelista

Urban Studies in the Philippines: Sociology as an Anchor

by Louie Benedict R. Ignacio

Doing Sociology in the Philippines

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Philippine Sociological Society

Table of Contents

History of Philippine Sociological Society (PSS)

The Philippine Sociological Society started in 1953 as a non-profit professional association with Securities and Exchange Commission registration. Society debuted with the support of social science professors and researchers from various Philippine educational institutions to advance human welfare and knowledge by fostering and spreading research in sociology and related fields. The PSS also aspires to revitalize, assist, and enhance sociological education and teaching across all social science disciplines by applying the interdisciplinary approach.

Mission and aim of Philippine Sociological Society

• The primary objective of the Philippine Sociological Society is to serve, develop, and advance its participants’ sociological interests.
• PSS seeks to advance sociology as a social science field in the Philippines.
• PSS facilitates professional sociological teaching, seeks to enhance it, and works to provide guidelines for sociology-related academic curricula.
• By fostering scientific research techniques and statistical tools in research studies, sociological research can be developed and nurtured via PSS.
• PSS publishes the Philippine Sociological Review and other academic publications to promote research and advance sociological knowledge of society.
• For sociologists to better comprehend society, PSS often sponsors forums, workshops, lectures, and conferences.

By engaging with numerous international and sociological organizations from other nations, PSS aims to develop networking with sociologists across the globe .

International collaborations of PSS

The Philippine Social Science Centre, the  International Sociological Association , and the Asia Pacific Sociological Association all designate PSS as a member.

Philippine Sociological Society National Conference/Assembly

Every year, in collaboration with several Philippine higher education institutions, PSS hosts its  National Conference . The General Assembly is convened during the conference. The title of the 2021 conference is “The Sociology of Vulnerabilities and Resistance: New and Emerging Challenges on Lives, Communities, and Places.”

PSS Grants/Awards/Honours

In honor of Dr. Gelia Tagumpay Castillo, the society offers research awards, including the Research in Community Engagements Grant, better known as the RICE Grant. Former PSS President Gelia is known for her work in Philippine rural sociology research.

PSS Journals/Publication

Philippine sociological review.

The Philippine Sociological Review, published annually since 1953, is the organization’s official journal. PSR has written empirical papers on the Filipino community and the Philippines.

The PSR is acknowledged as a research journal accredited by the Commission on Higher Education. The Philippine Sociological Review has an ISSN number filed with the National Library of the Philippines’ Bibliographic Services Division.

PSS E-news provides the most recent information regarding sociological events.

PSS Membership

Undergraduate and regular membership are both categories included in PSS membership. Benefits of PSS membership include

• a free subscription to the Philippine Sociological Review,
• access to PSS E-news,
• eligibility for research funds, and
• exclusive admission to PSS events.

Socio-Caravan

The Philippine Sociological Society sponsors the yearly Socio-Caravan to introduce sociology to young people and encourage them to pursue the field. Every year in October, Socio-Caravan is put together before the National Annual Conference.

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Masters in Sociology (thesis and non-thesis) Silliman University Dumaguete City

Program details, minimum cost of living, requirements.

About Silliman University:

Silliman University is a private research university located in Dumaguete City, Philippines. It was founded in 1901 by American Presbyterian missionaries and is the oldest university in the Philippines. Silliman University is known for its strong programs in the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences, as well as its commitment to sustainability and community engagement.

The university has a diverse student body and a strong faculty, and it has produced many notable alumni who have gone on to make significant contributions in their fields. Silliman University is committed to providing a high-quality education to its students, and it offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of study.

Silliman University is also known for its beautiful campus, which is situated on a hill overlooking the city of Dumaguete. The campus features several buildings, including the Silliman Hall, the Bautista Hall, and the Forestry Building, as well as several sports facilities and green spaces.

Overall, Silliman University is a highly respected institution of higher education in the Philippines, known for its academic excellence, commitment to sustainability, and contributions to the country's intellectual and cultural life.

About Philippines:

The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. It is situated in the Western Pacific Ocean, and consists of about 7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from North to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

About the city:

Dumaguete City is a city located in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. It is the capital city of the province and is known for its beautiful beaches, lush forests, and rich cultural heritage. Dumaguete City is also a center for education, with several universities and colleges located in the city.

The city is known for its laid-back atmosphere and friendly people, and it is a popular destination for tourists and students alike. Dumaguete City offers a range of attractions and activities, including visits to the Rizal Park, the Silliman University Museum, and the Negros Oriental Folk Arts Center. The city is also home to several festivals, including the Kadayawan Festival, which celebrates the city's rich cultural heritage.

In addition to its cultural and recreational attractions, Dumaguete City is also a center for trade and commerce in the region. The city is home to several shopping centers, markets, and business districts, and it is a hub for transportation and logistics in the area.

Overall, Dumaguete City is a charming and vibrant city that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and modern amenities.

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Home > Sociology > Sociology theses

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Sociology theses, dissertations, & student research.

A Case for Friendship: A Mixed Methods Investigation of Close Friendships in Adulthood , Grace Kelly

Coverage Error Properties of Smartphone and Smartphone Operating System Ownership on Web Surveys: A Total Survey Error Perspective , Angelica Phillips

Settler colonial origins of intimate partner violence in Indigenous communities , Maia C. Behrendt

The Burden of Giving: Race, SES, and Nativity Differences in Providing Informal Financial Assistance , Nestor Hernandez

Factors Associated with Racial Differences in Health Care Access , Memory Manda

Effects of Victimization and Community Characteristics on Health Outcomes , Katie Meyer

Cover Guys: Masculinity, Sexuality, and Representations of Men's Bodies in Popular Magazines for Men , Trenton M. Haltom

MEASURING SOCIAL INTEGRATION: LINKING PERSONAL AND ASSOCIATIONAL TIES IN EGO NETWORKS , Sela Harcey

Protective Factors against Dating Violence Perpetration and Victimization , Meagan Kunitzer

Housework: Socialization Influences on Individual Performance, Couple Division of Labor and Mental Health , Jaala Robinson

The Relationship between Quality of Life, Extreme Climatological Conditions and Social Unrest in India , Daniel Schaefer

Twitch.tv and its LGBTQIA+ Tag: A Digital Ethnography Investigating How LGBTQIA+-affirming Video Game Streamers and Viewers Interact and Build LGBTQIA+ Spaces Online , Cadyn Alexander Williamson

How Does the Social World Shape the Experience of a Rare Disease? Social Position and the Development, Progression, and Medical Care for People With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis , Jennifer A. Andersen

‘Do Unto Others’: Religiosity and Bullying in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood , Joseph Jochman

The Consequences and Correlates of Racial Identity Discordance: An Explication of the Social Construction of Race , Eli X. Ornelas

Examining the Association Between Interviewer and Respondent Speaking Pace in Telephone Interviews , Angelica Nicole Phillips

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STATE-LEVEL DYNAMICS, FIREARM POLICIES, AND COUNTY-LEVEL HOMICIDES , Shawn M. Ratcliff

Relationship Quality in Kin and Chosen Kin Familial Networks , Eliza Thor

Drinking Behaviors, Relationships And Recovery: A Relational Sociological Examination Of Addiction , Maia C. Behrendt

Interpersonal Discrimination and Mental Health among Minority Students at Predominantly White Institutions: Does Racial Identity Matter? , Marissa Lynn Cardwell

The Perfect Match? Correlates of Job Placement Among PhD Earners , Andrea Johnson

Social Networks and Science Identity: Does Peer Commitment Matter? , Grace Maridyth Kelly

Disabled and Out? Social Interaction Barriers and Mental Health among Older Adults with Physical Disabilities , Raeda Anderson

Disentangling the Roles of Modernization and Secularization on Fertility: the Case of Turkey , Dogan Hatun

Understanding Mental and Behavioral Health of American Indian Youth: An Application of the Social Convoy Model , Jerreed D. Ivanich

Birds of a Feather? Friendship Utilization by Sexual Minority Students During the Transition to College , Jessica Morrow

How State-Level Dynamics Shape Individual-Level Welfare Payments , Jamy Rentschler

Examining Retrospective Measurement of Ambivalence About First Births and Psychological Well-Being Using A Hybrid Cross-Survey Multiple Imputation Approach , Stacy Tiemeyer

Assessing Risks and Potential Protective Factors of Dating Violence Perpetration and Victimization , Brian Ermon Tussey

Not Infertile, Can’t Have Children: Non-Reproductive Health Barriers to a Wanted Child , Jennifer A. Andersen

WHO DO YOU KNOW: IMPROVING AND EXPLORING THE NETWORK SCALE-UP METHOD , Patrick Habecker

Protests in the Post-Cold War Era: World Systems Dynamics and Hardship Effects in Post-Colonial Countries , Shawn M. Ratcliff

Changing Public Opinion Towards LGB Rights: An Analysis of Data from the American National Election Studies, 1992-2012 , Jacob Paul Absalon

Examining the Interplay Between Spousal and Non-Spousal Social Support and Strain on Trajectories of Functional Limitations among Married Older Adults , Scott A. Adams

Fear and Loitering in Los Angeles: Contextualizing Fear in the Efficacy Framework , Benjamin J. Forthun

Three Studies Examining the Mechanisms Linking Stress Exposure to Delinquency and Substance Use among North American Indigenous Adolescents , Dane Steven Hautala

Understanding Transgender Community: Locating Support and Resiliency Using the Minority Stress Model , Rosalind D. Kichler

On The Street and On Campus: A Comparison of Life Course Trajectories Among Homeless and College Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Young Adults , Rachel M. Schmitz

A Mediational Analysis of the Influence of Negative Coping Behaviors on Health Outcomes Associated with Adolescent School Bullying , Joseph C. Jochman

NETWORK SUPPORT VARIATION FOR BLACK WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES: A MOBILITY STUDY OF IMMIGRANT AND NON-IMMIGRANT BLACK WOMEN , Lesa Annette Johnson

Capturing the Gendiverse: A Test of the Gender Self-Perception Scale, with Implications for Survey Data and Labor Market Measures , Alian Kasabian

A Model for Understanding Structure Versus Agency in the Participation of Minors in the Commercial Sex Market , Courtney Thrash

Faculty Parental Status: An Investigation of Network Homophily, Marginalization, and Supportive Work-Family Academic Culture , Megumi Watanabe

WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CAN HURT YOU: EARLY LIFE COURSE RACIAL HEALTH DISPARITIES IN UNDIAGNOSED DIABETES , Anna C. Bellatorre

A Stress Process Model of Arrest among Homeless Women: Exploring Risk and Protective Factors , Kari C. Gentzler

Is Gaining, Losing or Keeping a Self-Identified Fertility Problem Associated with Changes in Self-Esteem? , Elizabeth A. Richardson

CONTEXTUALIZING COUPLES: THREE ESSAYS ON INEQUALITY, STRESS, AND DYADIC FUNCTIONING AS A LONGITUDINAL AND RECIPROCAL PROCESS , Deadric T. Williams

The Dynamics of Network-Religion Autocorrelation in Adolescent Friendship Networks , J Benjamin Cook

Sins of our Fathers (and Mothers): Impact of Parental Incarceration upon Education Outcomes , Patrick Habecker

Adolescent Depressive Symptoms and Substance Use: The Mediating Influence of Health Service Utilization , Sarah E. Malone

Does Exclusion From Normative Peer Groups in Early Adolescence Predict the Development of Substance Use Problems in Early Adulthood? , Cody R. Meyer

Multiple Motherhoods: An Examination of Mother Status on Life Satisfaction and Psychological Distress , Kayla M. Pritchard

Witnessing Inter-Parental Violence at Home: Adolescents and School Achievement , Renita Dawn Robinson-Tyrance

Tentative Transitions and Gendered Pathways: Exploring the Revolving Door of Young Adult Homelessness , Rachel M. Schmitz

Exploring Educational Pathways: Reintegration of the Formerly Incarcerated through the Academy , Grant E. Tietjen

A Phenomenology of the Meaning of Motherhood for African American and Hispanic Women Who Do Not Have Children in the United States , Amy M. Clark

PERCEIVED STIGMA AND STIGMA MANAGEMENT OF MIDWEST SECULARS , Christopher R. H. Garneau

The Sociology of Harriet Martineau in EASTERN LIFE, PRESENT AND PAST: The Foundations of the Islamic Sociology of Religion , Deborah A. Ruigh

Hard Work, Overcoming, and Masculinity: An Ethnographic Account of High School Wrestlers' Bodies and Cultural Worlds , Bryan Snyder

Abortion and Distress: The Role of State-Level Restrictive Policies Regarding Reproduction , Elizabeth Straley

Influences of Farming Background on Farm Women’s Employment Motivations , Alexis Swendener

Motherhood Situation and Life Satisfaction: Are Reasons for Having No Children Important? , Kari C. Gentzler

AVERSIVE RACISM AND IMPLICIT BIASES IN CIVIL RIGHTS WORKERS , Anne NM Hobbs

Religious Affiliation and Attendance as Predictors of Immigration Attitudes in Nebraska , Courtney Lyons Breitkreutz

Race and Gender Differences and the Role of Sexual Attitudes in Adolescent Sexual Behavior , Laura E. Simon

Infertility Help Seeking and Social Support: Do Conventional Theories Explain Internet Behaviors and Outcomes , Kathleen S. Slauson-Blevins

The Effect of Caretaker Separations on Indigenous Adolescents , Melissa L. Welch

Service Utilization Patterns of Homeless Youth , Sarah L. Akinyemi

Comparing Individual- and National- Level explanations of Environmental Attitudes , Andrew V. Bedrous

Variations in Social Support and Mental Health Among Black Women by Socioeconomic Status , Lesa A. Johnson

Learned Workers: Predicting Adult Education in the Labor Force , Alian S. Kasabian

Explaining College Partner Violence in the Digital Age: An Instrumental Design Mixed Methods Study , Lisa Melander

He Said, She Said: (Dis)agreement about the Occurrence of Intimate Partner Violence among Young Adult Couples , HarmoniJoie Noel

Marital Satisfaction Across the Transition to Parenthood , Kayla M. Sanders

Gender and Race Differences in Job Satisfaction and Commitment among STEM Faculty: The Influence of Network Integration and Work-Family Balance , Megumi Watanabe

The Relationship Between Breastfeeding and Child Care for Working Mothers in the United States , Patricia Wonch Hill

PREDICTORS OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM USAGE WITHIN UNITED STATES PRISONS , Grant E. Tietjen

Roscoe Pound and American Sociology: A Study in Archival Frame Analysis, Sociobiography and Sociological Jurisprudence , Michael R. Hill

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Thesis (Plan A)

The thesis is an important milestone in the Masters’ program, demonstrating your ability to perform independent  original  research.  While a Comprehensive Exam provides an alternative to finishing the program, the thesis provides the opportunity to develop your research skills and writing, as well as to plan and execute of an independent study.

Be aware of the deadlines and schedule your work accordingly.   In order to guarantee graduation in a given semester, students must complete the thesis, defense and revisions and submit the thesis to the university thesis reviewer before the “no risk” deadline.  Submitting the thesis before the last day of the semester allows the student to submit formatting changes the following semester and graduate the following semester without reenrolling in any classes.  The student will only need to pay the graduation fee (again) for the semester in which they actually graduate.  The graduation fee is due early on in the semester you plan to graduate.

The Graduate Dean provides an  outline of the steps for completing a master's degree . We give some guidelines on each step in the process below:

Also look at  Montezuma Publishing materials   for thesis formatting and review.

Master's Thesis Overview

A master's thesis is an essential component of the master's degree.  The purpose of the thesis is to demonstrate your ability to execute a professional-level sociological study.

The skills required include:

• familiarity with previously published literature on the problem
• formulation of a hypothesis or research question.
• specification of appropriate procedures or research design
• collecting or accessing relevant information or data
• appropriate analysis of materials
• appropriate interpretation of the results, conclusions and the implications of your study.
• effective written communication of this information in an appropriate style (ASA, Chicago, APA, or MLA C see Slade,  Form & Style , 11th Edition).
• satisfactory oral defense of the work

Collection (or accessing) and assessment of thesis information or data can begin only after the thesis proposal has been approved in writing by the thesis chair, and Human Subjects clearance has been obtained if required.

The thesis chair and committee will ensure that:

• the student develops a clear hypothesis or research question and a study design.
• the student identifies the appropriate parameters, collects or accesses firsthand the study database, and conducts the necessary analysis.
• when an existing database is used, the student independently identifies the dependent/independent variables and sample criteria before collecting the necessary sample data from the larger database.
• for quantitative studies the variables must be operationally defined and the data must be collected systematically using acceptable sociological procedures.
• Qualitative theses follow an appropriate qualitative methodology.

The student, the Thesis Chair, and Thesis Committee members shall ensure that master's theses comply with Department policies.

Selecting a Topic

How?  The following are some methods for narrowing your choices:

• What area interests you?
• What sort of research is currently being conducted in the Department? See the listing of faculty research interests available in this brochure.
• What topic is currently exciting the field?
• What faculty project can you attach yourself to?

Survey the relevant literature in  Sociofile  by looking up key words. Often a computer search via JSTOR, PROQUEST, or other databases available through SDSU Library is very useful.  Read articles in the current issues of the journals that show up most frequently in your search.  Besides, browsing in these journals can give you new ideas.

Look over past theses. Ask staff in the Sociology office for access to these.

Selecting a Thesis Chair and Committee

• Make an appointment to talk with your prospective thesis chair. Choose a faculty member based on: their area of interest and their familiarity with the methods you will be using. Feel free to consult with the Graduate Adviser in selecting a chair. Describe your ideas and ask if s/he will supervise you and, if so, what the general outlines and requirements of the project might include.
• You must also have a second from the Sociology Department and a third member from outside the department. Description of the thesis committee and who is eligible to serve on it is detailed in the SDSU Thesis and Dissertation Manual available in the Aztec Shops Bookstore. Seek advice from your prospective thesis chair regarding who the other committee members might be. Final authority for approval of committee members rests with the Dean of the Graduate Division and Research.
• Make certain you understand what the expectations are for all three of your committee members. You need to clarify these matters with your thesis chair and the other committee members. Often the chair will want to see your thesis chapter by chapter as you finish, whereas the other two may just want to see the entire draft once you have incorporated the feedback from your chair.

Note: You are strongly encouraged to meet together with all your committee members to discuss your thesis proposal after your chair has accepted it.  Discuss this matter with your chair.

Thesis Proposal - General Considerations

Proposals are written in the future tense ("will") rather than the past tense ("was").  Write the proposal in journal article format, following the style of the current   ASA Publication Manual   (the Graduate Adviser has a supply of these) or Slade’s   Form and Style, 11th Edition .  If there are some details or procedures you are uncertain about, include a discussion of the various ways you might proceed, indicating the pros and cons of each possible way.

• Abstract:   The Abstract is a brief comprehensive summary of the project in approximately 150 to 200 words. State the problem, in one sentence if possible. Describe the subjects, specifying pertinent characteristics such as number or gender. Next describe the research procedure(s), including the data gathering procedures and the names of the tests or data gathering scales to be used, if relevant.  Describe the statistical tests to be used, the interpretation of the various possible outcomes, and the implications. You will find it very difficult at first to condense your magnum opus in this manner. However, it is good practice, since submissions to most professional meetings and journals require such brief abstracts. In addition, it will help you to emphasize and clarify those basic elements that are at the core of your research.
• Chapter 1: Introduction : Describe the general purpose of the study. What is the significance of your proposed research to the field of sociology and the world at large? Include anything else the reader needs to know to understand why the study is being done.
• Research Question : What is the specific question (thesis, hypothesis) you propose to answer by your Master's Thesis research?
• Background : You may need to give the reader some background on your topic to understand the full significance of the phenomenon you are investigating. (Could be a separate chapter if needed.)
• Chapter 2: Literature Review : Describe the history of the topic, why it is of interest, and prior research findings. What are the major theoretical issues generating this line of work? What do you plan to do to extend the research in this area?
• Theory : Which sociological theory or theories do you plan to use to help guide your research toward answering the research question you have posed?
• Chapter 3: Method and Procedure : Describe exactly how you plan to do the project in as much detail as is currently practical. Include type and number of subjects, research design, materials and apparatus, details of procedure and anything else appropriate to how your particular research is to be done. Include a draft of any questionnaires or other such materials to be used as well as the formal feedback to be given to human subjects. If uncertain about exactly how you think some particular problem should be handled, include a discussion of the pros and cons of the various alternatives.  How will you handle the data, and what statistical tests will you use, if appropriate? Which comparisons will be of particular interest?  How will you analyze qualitative data?
• Chapter 4: Discussion : How might the study turn out? What would it mean if it turned out as expected? What would each of the other ways it could turn out tell you?  In what way could it make an important contribution to knowledge? What are the theoretical implications of the findings for each of the potential outcomes?  (For a qualitative study a discussion prior to research may be inappropriate, please consult with your chair).  
• References : Include here the bibliography you have accumulated, following the ASA citation style.

NOTE: Developing a proposal is a critical step in your process through your program. Your chair and committee members may require numerous changes and modifications before approving it.

Thesis Drafts and Revisions

The thesis reviewer strongly suggests that you purchase and use the latest version of the  SDSU Master’s Thesis and Project Manual  during the research and writing of the thesis proposal.  It is also an excellent idea to attend a thesis formatting workshop at Aztec Shops.   Use  the formatting template so that you do not need to redo all the formatting at the end.

In preparing your thesis, select  ONE  style guide, APA, or ASA.  If these ASA resources leave particular questions unanswered, use the Chicago manual as backup for style and formatting questions.

The thesis will generally have all sections listed above in proposal and in addition will be prefaced by an abstract and have a Discussion section, a conclusion :  The Abstract is read first and may be the only part of your work that our department faculty as a whole will see, so make sure the project is well described here. The Abstract is a brief comprehensive summary of the project in approximately 150 to 200 words. State the problem, in one sentence if possible. Describe the subjects, specifying pertinent characteristics such as number or gender. Next describe the research procedure(s), including the data‑gathering procedures and the names of the tests or data gathering scales to be used, if relevant.  Describe the statistical tests to be used, the interpretation of the various possible outcomes, and the implications. You will find it very difficult at first to condense your magnum opus in this manner. However, it is good practice, since submissions to most professional meetings and journals require such brief abstracts. In addition, it will help you to emphasize and clarify those basic elements that are at the core of your research.

Various drafts of the thesis may be required by the thesis chair and/or committee members.  The student must allow  at least two weeks  for faculty responses to drafts.  Note also that committee members may well respond to a draft with requests for significant revisions and alterations.  Several drafts and revisions of the thesis may well precede the completion of an acceptable final draft of the thesis.  In order to minimize problems and disappointments, know your deadlines, plan ahead for sufficient draft reviews and revisions, and keep your committee members advised of your desired schedule.

It is advised that students set up a schedule with their chair, working backwards from the final university deadlines.

Thesis Defense

After each member of your thesis committee is satisfied that your thesis is in good enough shape for the final oral exam you should:

• Consult the committee and then schedule a room and time for the exam with the Department of Sociology Administrative Support Coordinator.  The Department's conference room is traditionally used for this purpose.  You must reserve this room  at least one week in advance  of the defense of your thesis.  Remember also to schedule your oral defense of the thesis at least two weeks before the Graduate Division's "at risk" deadline (see below) if you want to be certain you graduate in that semester.
• Thesis defenses are to be scheduled on campus at reasonable times during regular working hours.
• The thesis is not to be signed by the committee prior to the defense.
• All thesis committee members are expected to be present for the thesis defense of the candidate.  If any member is on leave and unavailable, a substitute may be selected by the chair and the candidate.
• Waiver of the thesis defense will be granted only in rare cases of extreme hardship and only with the approval of the Graduate Committee.
• Passage of the thesis defense is determined by unanimous vote of the thesis committee. 
• After you have passed the oral defense, your thesis chair will make a copy of the signed signature page.  The signature page may be signed at the defense or later if there are still changes to be made. Be sure to give a copy of this page (signed by all members) to the Graduate Adviser to be placed in your folder.

Thesis Review

Next, your thesis should be typed in just-about-final form, incorporating all changes suggested by your committee during the oral exam.  If you decide to use a professional formatter, we strongly recommend one who is familiar with the SDSU Sociology Thesis format.  From the beginning use the template provided by Montezuma Publishing.    There is an online thesis template workshops, and periodic in person workshops .  Please visit the  Dissertation and Thesis Review  page for more information.

Deadlines are considerably earlier than the end of the semester so plan accordingly.  The deadlines for filing for graduation, and for filing the thesis manuscript, change each semester.  The dates are published in each semester's Class Schedule and the Graduate Bulletin.

If you submit your thesis to the Thesis Review Service during the "at risk" period (call for specific dates), the critiquing/printing procedures may not be done in time for the desired graduation period.  However, as long as your thesis has gone to the Thesis Review Service, the Graduate Division considers it complete, and it will not be necessary for you to re‑enroll in the subsequent semester.  However, you may not graduate until the following period.  If you do not graduate until the following semester you need to re-pay the graduation fee.

Note: It is an academic tradition for the student to make an extra copy of the thesis for the Department of Sociology library.

Sample Alumni Theses

Sean Paul Jones A punk public sphere: the politicization of punk rock

Denise Aseyadet Hernandez “My childhood ended with my mom’s incarceration”: adolescent children of incarcerated parents

Aimee Elizabeth Imlay Class consciousness: the significance of Nietzsche

Ian R. Larson Physical gaming spaces

Dan Frumer Times they are a changin', or not: marijuana legalization in California as a case study

Elizabeta Shifrin "So what if I was a stripper": stigma management among recreational pole dancers in San Diego

Madison Gabriella Pope All religions believe in justice: social justice framing in faith communities

Haroutun Bursalyan Using chess as a tool for progressive education

Kathryn M. Durant The maker movement and 3D printing : a critique

Joseph Douglas Sly Understanding terminology: how race and ethnicity are used and conceptualized

Jarrett Robert Rose Blowback : the American military empire, “free-market” globalization, the Iraq Wars, and the rise of Islamic State

Lisa Marie Riccardi The last sprinkle of magic : the staging of a real illusion of Disney theme park performers

Ankit Ahlawat GIS tool showing cultural impacts on the United States from immigration

Program At-a-Glance

• Program Brochure
• Graduate Handbook

Important Links

• Class Schedule
• SDSU Catalog
• Academic Calendar
• TA/GA/ISA Application
• Thesis Proposal Form
• Comprehensive Exam Agreement Form

Graduate Advising

Dr. Jung Min Choi Graduate Advisor Office: NH-204 Email: [email protected]

Griffin Cassell Graduate Program Coordinator Office: NH-224 Email: [email protected]

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An thesis examples on sociology statement is a prosaic composition of a small volume and free composition, expressing individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue and obviously not claiming a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.

Some signs of sociology statement thesis:

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The goal of an thesis in sociology statement is to develop such skills as independent creative thinking and writing out your own thoughts.

Writing an thesis is extremely useful, because it allows the author to learn to clearly and correctly formulate thoughts, structure information, use basic concepts, highlight causal relationships, illustrate experience with relevant examples, and substantiate his conclusions.

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