Blog Post 15

Abstract:

The topic that is of interest is the role fraternities play in college culture and more importantly, the effects they have on a individual’s personal development. Currently, there is a per-conceived notion that members in a fraternity simply party and get drunk; a stereotype that has been perpetuated by the media. In addition to this, there is always the negative concept regarding hazing that comes into play. However, there are many underlying aspects regarding a fraternity that not everyone is aware of. The process one experiences during their initiation into the brotherhood can have positive life changing effects on their character, values, and future; ultimately bettering themselves as a person. The question that comes into play here is “what is the value of joining a fraternity?”

Boschini, Vic. “The Future of the Greek Experience: Greeks and Diversity.” New Directions for Student Services 81 (1998): 19-27.

Cokley, Kevin. “Developing an Instrument to Assess College Students’ attitudes toward pledging and Hazing in Greek Letter Organizations.” College Student Journal 35 (2001) 451-457.

Campo, Shelly. “Prevalence and Profiling: Hazing Among College Students and Points of Intervention.” American Journal Health Behavior 29 (2005) 137-149.

Finkel, Michelle. “Traumatic Injuries Caused by Hazing Practices.” American Journal of Emergency Medicine 20 (2002): 228-233

Hebert, Thomas. “Gifted University Males in a Greek Fraternity: Creating a Culture of Achievement.” Gifted Child Quarterly 50 (2006): 26-39.

Keating, Caroline. “Going to College and Unpacking Hazing: A Functional Approach to Decrypting Initiation Practices Among Undergraduates.” Group Dynamics Theory, Research and Practice.” 9 (2005) 104-126.

Portes, Alejandro. "Social Capital: It’s Origins and Applications in Modern Sociology.” Annual Review Sociology 24 (1998): 1-24

Severtis, Ronald. “Greek-Letter Membership and College Graduation: Does Race Matter?” Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare 34 (2007) 95-117.

Stannard, Charles. “The College Fraternity as an Opportunity Structure for Meeting Academic Demands.” Hein Online 17 (1970): 371-389

Workman, Thomas. “Finding the Meanings of College Drinking: An Analysis of Fraternity Drinking Stories.” Health Communication 13 (2001): 427-447.

Blog Post 14

My project has evolved immensely over this semester. I started with a vague idea barely knowing what direction I wanted to go in. I knew i wanted to write something on Greek Culture and Fraternities, mainly because I was pledging during this time as well. I figured the research and first hand experience would give me a deeper insight into the overall process. What influenced me the most was actually experiencing everything first hand. It was as if i was living the articles I was reading. That in itself was very motivating. I wanted to push further and become as knowledgeable as I could about my topic, mainly because the experience itself meant a lot to me personally.

I learned that the research process is a very empirical one. Initially, I was intimidated by such large assignments, thinking that I would never be able to come up with 10 pages of legitimate information. However, after taking this course, I realized that if you put the time and effort into properly understanding the material, then the ideas and direction of the paper will flow so much easily.

I had never thought of myself as a good writer. I always had thought writing was one of my weaker areas. however, after doing this paper, and putting proper dedication and effort into everything, i realize that writing is something I can definitely improve on with practice.

Blog Post 13

This image is significant to my topic because it represents the hard work and discipline that is neccessary to succed in life. The man in this picture is essentially paving his road to success. This is relatable to fraternities in the sense that it represents te hardships and trials that an individual must experience before he becomes a brother. It also represents the potential success that one can achieve through Greek affiliation.

Blog Post 12 Outline

I. My argument is that fraternities aid immensely in positively developing an individual's character and potential. There are many implications regarding this, mainly because fraternities are always portrayed in a negative light. However, this is because the negative incidents generate much more attention that the positive benefits. Many people are unaware of what truly goes on behind those doors, and i am writing to give the readers a greater insight into the overall Greek Experience.

II. My first paragraph consists of the social capital and benefits gained from joining a fraternity. I tie this into the second paragraph by discussing the academic support and achievement gained from the process as well.

III. I plan on defending hazing and alcohol consumption by using two sources i found. One being that hazing in a sense is a test to see how physically and mentally strong you are. Alcohol consumption being that it is a college experience that should be enacted or lost forever. There are many social implications regarding this as well.

IV. Lastly, I will discuss the various leaders that have benefited greatly, and whom owe much of their success to the support and motivation that the fraternities provide. I still need to find more research on this area.

Blog Post 11

My current case is writing about Greek Fraternities in a positive light. I plan on placing emphasis on the character development one experiences throughout the whole pledging process, and how it will greatly benefit their future. In addition, I will write about the resources that Fraternities can offer individuals in succeeding in life. For example, the networking available through well established alumni, and the increased ease of landing a job due to the shared solidarity amongst members. Also, the fact that current members within the fraternity can serve as role models for the younger generation.

I plan on further supporting this viewpoint by researching various powerful individuals within history, and how the fraternity has contributed to their success. Some examples would include George Bush, John Kerry, and many Fortune 500 CEOs. However, I need to do further research in this area.

Also, There is much negative controversy regarding fraternities when it comes to hazing, and excessive drinking. I plan on using one of my articles I found on Academic Search Premier as a counterpoint to the drinking argument. One defense would be that college drinking is a ritual that must be experienced, or it will be lost forever. Basically, it is a social act with many underlying implications, which i will go further into detail later. I still need to find a trong defense for the hazing implications, however my emerging defense has to do with humility and building a strong character.

Blog Post 10

My current debate is over the benefits of joining a Greek Organization. There are many issues regarding the positive and negative aspects of fraternity involvement. The positive being academic achievement, cultural awareness, righteousness, friendship and loyalty, and character improvement. The negative aspects being, stress, time sacrifice, hazing, excessive drinking. However I truly believe that the benefits outweigh the negatives in the grand scheme. The author that currently provides my greatest support is Thomas Hebert. He goes into great depth over individual development one experiences throughout their process. He offers a lot of insight into the who experience through interviews with the participants throughout the span of their college years. I have only managed to compile research on the positive aspects of my debate.

Blog Post 9

Currently, I have a good idea of where my paper is heading. However, I do need more sources focusing on the underlying reasons behind hazing, and articles discussing the impact of fraternity involvement on successful individuals.

Blog Post 8

My research question is what is the value of joining a fraternity. There are many reasons one may have for associating with Greek life. Whatever they may be, there are profound effects on one's character throughout the process; for better or worse. My paper is going to be based on the process one experiences during pledging. The articles discussing hazing gives me a better understanding to the insight into why fraternities would partake in these rituals. Furthermore, I intend to explore the deeper meaning behind hazing. Also, i want to study the before and after effects on an individual's character once they finish the process. The article discussing moral character will serve as a useful source in supporting this point. Also, I intend to explore the social aspects regarding a Fraternity. From how they communicate and work with each other, to their drinking habits. Finally, I plan on researching successful individuals who owe part of their success to Fraternities. Some individuals being former president George Bush, who was part of the Skull and Bones Society.

Annotate Two Sources

Mathiasen, Robert. "Moral Development in Fraternity Members: A Case Study."
College Student Journal Volume 39.2 (2005):
242-252. Print. The authors of this article conducted research regarding the positive moral development fraternity membership had on an individual. Going against preconceived notion, they discovered that one specific fraternity was concerned with “recruiting quality students,” upholding house tradition and reputation,” “emphasizing moral development,” and “encouraging community service.”

Drout, Cheryl. Corsoro Christine. "Attitudes Toward Fraternity Hazing Among Fraternity Members, Sorority Members, and Non-Greek Students."
Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal Volume 31.6 (2003): 535-544. Print. This article studies the perceptions of hazing between greek, and non-greek students. Subjects read the conditions regarding a hazing incident and were asked to give their opinion. This shows the disparity between the perceptions of the two group’s views.

Research Questions

What does one gain from joining a Fraternity?

What do the rituals and functions teach you?

How do Fraternities benefit Society?

Five Scholarly Sources

Mathiasen, Robert. "Moral Developtment in Fraternity Members: A Case Study."
College Student Journal Volume 39.2 (2005):
242-252. Print.

Drout, Cheryl. Corsoro Christine. "Attitudes Toward Fraternity Hazing Among Fraternity Members, Sorority Members, and Non-Greek Students."
Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal Volume 31.6 (2003):
535-544. Print

Kiesling, Scott. "Men's Identities and Sociolinguistic Variation: The Case of Fraternity Men."
Journal of Sociolinguistics Volume 2.1 (1998):
69-99. Print

Caudil, Barry. "High-Risk Drinking Among College Fraternity Members: A National Perspective." Journal of American College Health. 55.6 (2006):
141-155. Print

Heterosexism and Homophobia on Fraternity Row: A Case Study of College Fraternity Community." Journal of LGBT Youth 6.4 (2009):
395-415. Print.

Rutgers RIOT

The Rutgers RIOT site is extremely useful to help in getting started on your research paper. It basically assists you from the very beginning in helping you determine a topic. In addition, it also gives help in finding reliable sources, checking the reliability of sources, and properly citing sources. Overall, it is a very useful tool when it comes to any research project.

Questions for the Librarian

1. Where would I be able to find out about the statistics of college students who join a Fraternity?

2. Where would I be able to find out about the pledging process?

3. How can I find out about the controversies surrounding Fraternities?

Scouting the Territory

Currently I am still not completely certain on what my topic idea is going to be. I am interested in the idea of "college culture" after reading the Moffatt and Nathan articles. To take another angle on the idea, i would like to research more on the greek aspect of college life such as the Fraternitys and Sororitys. From all the elements to their traditions, social life, and the effects on the students who join.

Google News was a very useful since it proved more current articles on my topic. However, google scholar was more useful for finding articles on statistics and research.

The first link was useful because it gave some insight into the processes that one goes through when joining a frat. The second link talked more about the effects of fraternity life on the individual in terms of academics and attitude.

http://www.oudaily.com/news/2010/feb/03/fraternities-cleaning-duties-rush-and-quest-brothe/

http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/1988-02843-001

Controversies on my topic ranged from excessive drinking to hazing and gang rape. The two sides being that Fraternity life is morally unsound. An interesting case was

http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=oDuBvb3oT6wC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=frat&ots=dSz2mx0Y_N&sig=a9YLkcJC6-XxyI1HNjkZfORYGb8#v=onepage&q=frat&f=false

I'm only scratching the surface so far with this idea, but i feel it has much potential to be developed into a well written research paper.

Thoughts on the Final Project

As of now, i am still uncertain as to what direction I will be taking with the final project. I may choose to research the college drop out rate and the reasons behind it.