This blog has been pretty slow lately–even for me.

One of the reasons for this, though, is I’ve been involved creating and maintaining a blog and website for my university’s Graduate Student Sociological Association.

I recently made an attempt at A Guide to the Sociological Blogosphere on that site, which may be of interest to visitors here. Take a look and feel free to put me in my place if I’ve made any glaring omissions.

But my time away was certainly productive. A partial list:

• Applied/am applying to half a dozen sociology Ph.D. programs around the country, which will remain nameless until such time as I’m able to write a gloating/despondent post about how my future has been arbitrarily decided by a smattering of committees.

• Collected data for my thesis. Going well so far. I’m now in the process of organizing and decoding everything. And then. The Writing.

• Got hired to teach a summer class at my current institution after I graduate: Sociology of Deviant Behavior. I’m very excited about this–this will be my first class at the university level in which I’m the primary instructor. Any lurkers with experience/suggestions? (Any lurkers at all?)

• Conducted a neat little ethnographic study of behaviors in academic libraries. I can’t publish it, because of an agreement with the human subjects committee, but it made a nifty writing sample to those Ph.D. programs who lean qualitative. The basic research question was, “If technology has rendered the library’s function as a central location of information obsolete, why do people still go there?” and my basic answer was, “To insulate themselves from that same ubiquitous technology, which is perceived as a threat to their productivity.” Fun exercise, except for the endless note-taking.

• Decided to get a certificate in university teaching, which I didn’t even know was offered until the beginning of this semester. This led to me taking an educational psychology class and attending an array of workshops and conferences. Next semester I have to keep a weekly response log and get observed as I do my TA thing. If you say so…

Anyways, I’ll likely be around a bit more, as I’m on break for another month and then ABT + TA next semester. I already have a few ideas that I’m looking to delve into during the next few weeks…

This fall, I’ll be taking a methods class and an educational psychology class, along with the usual TA load. But the main projects will be applying to PhD programs and beginning my thesis. IRB is in just two weeks…

Abstract: Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital posits that parental educational attainment and parental income are major determinants of future outcomes and behavior. Cultural capital inherited early in life impacts acquired educational capital and taste preferences, and perpetuates class divisions. Researchers such as danah boyd have hypothesized that class divisions are being reflected in behavior on social network sites (SNSs) like MySpace and Facebook.

This study will use random sampling methods to acquire results from two data sources: subjects’ responses to an electronic questionnaire, and content analysis of the subjects’ SNS profile(s). The purpose of the study is to evaluate the theoretical model depicted below, derived from a combination of Bourdieu’s theories and existing research on SNSs.

Effects of Community Violence on a Population of Young Adults

In the spring of 2008, I participated in a research project examining the effects of hearing about, witnessing, and being victimized by community violence. A population of low-risk college students (ages 18-25) was sampled and assessed for PTSD, depression, delinquency, and academic achievement. Social support and perceived safety were also considered. The results of this study are currently being prepared for publication.

High-Achieving Students (Literature Review)

This summer, I’m conducting an independent study on high-achieving students. Details to follow.

Effects of Cultural Capital on Selection and Frequency of Use of Social Network Websites (Thesis Proposal)

In the fall of 2008, I’ll be composing a thesis on the effects of cultural capital on the selection and frequency of use of social network websites.

Abstract: Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu‘s theory of cultural capital posits that parental educational attainment and parental income are major determinants of future outcomes and behavior. Cultural capital inherited early in life impacts acquired educational capital and taste preferences, and perpetuates class divisions. Researchers such as danah boyd have hypothesized that class divisions are being reflected in behavior on social network sites (SNSs) like MySpace and Facebook.

The study will use random sampling methods to acquire results from two data sources: subjects’ responses to an electronic questionnaire, and content analysis of the subjects’ SNS profile(s). The purpose of the study is to evaluate the theoretical model depicted below, derived from a combination of Bourdieu’s theories and existing research on SNSs.

Welcome to potatochipping.com.

I’m a white male second-year graduate student, en route to receiving my Master’s and PhD in sociology. My primary interests are youth, education, technology, deviance, and social control, particularly the ways in which these aspects of society interact with one another.

Although school currently takes up most of my time, I have many interests, such as skydiving, biking, reading vociferously, spending way too much time online, and having a life every now and then.

This website will serve as a host for my academic work, ranging from published articles or presentations to cursory literature reviews and preliminary sketches or proposals. You can access these products via the Writings link in the top menubar.

This site will also host my informal thoughts on a variety of issues related to my sociological interests. These posts include previews of upcoming academic projects and musings on topics I’m currently too lazy, busy, or underqualified to address more substantively. My goal at all times is to provide a sociological perspective and scientific outlook without slipping into the familiar Internet fallacies of hyperbole, diatribe, and selection bias.

Although I may be distracted for a week or two at a time, I hope to write at least semi-regularly. You can subscribe to the RSS feed via the Subscribe link in the top menubar.

In addition, there are a number of features in the sidebars that you may find useful.

• The Recent Posts and Archives sections provide easy access to previous entries.

• The Blogroll lists the links of blogs I follow regularly. Although a few aren’t relevant to the content of this site, I believe strongly in rewarding exceptional blogs with paltry shoutouts whenever possible, so I hope you’ll visit all of them and revel in their excellent products.

• The Articles section contains my most recent shared links from Google Reader. As mentioned, I read vociferously and subscribe to more than 50 RSS feeds. They include all of the sites listed in the blogroll, as well as some mainstream news sources (CNN, NYT, etc.), the social news sites (Digg, Reddit, etc.), and a few other miscellaneous places. Of the hundreds of articles I skim daily, I usually share between 5-15. Clicking on the Read More… link will take you to my full Shared Links page.

• The Find Me section provides links to my profiles in various social network sites, if you’re inclined to inflate your friend totals and/or stalk me.

Finally, you can contact me using the Contact link in the top menubar. I welcome comments or questions about anything not spam-related, whether in the Comments or via e-mail.