Perceptions of Brockton: Emily Anderson ’14, Morghan Farnsworth ’14, Katelyn Heintz ’14, Lauren Montano ’14, Lauren Moore ’14, Elizabeth Shelley ’13, and Lindsay Toma ’14

The goal of our project was to design and implement sociological research to investigate perceptions of Brockton. We partnered with the Stonehill Community Based Learning office to conduct a study of Stonehill students’ and faculty’s perceptions of Brockton. This study can potentially provide the college with an opportunity to enhance school-community relations. Two surveys were developed, one for faculty members and the other for students. We... Read More

Local Legal Culture and the District Court Case Processing By: Kathleen Currul-Dykeman, J.D., Ph.D.

When you enter the doors of a busy district court you may be greeted by the smiles of friendly security guards.  Alternatively, you may be surprised by the snarls of an angry security guard commanding you to remove your belt.  Which treatment will you endure depends, in part, on the local legal culture of the particular court you enter!  Eisenstein, Flemming, and Nardulli (1988) first discussed how different courts can have vastly different cultures. ... Read More

A Discussion of Effective & Ineffective Youth Preventive Program Strategies Relating to Brockton’s Promise By: Kelly Sullivan ’11

In our present society, the well being of our youth is declining dramatically. Many youth are experiencing a lack of support, encouragement and beneficial relationships from both their family and their community. In simple terms, our culture today is raising youth who are experiencing an overabundance of negative assets and a serious deficit of positive assets (Benson, 2006, 2). In our current juvenile justice system, it has become the norm to only... Read More

Environmental Justice as Applied to Sustainability and Recycling Practices at Stonehill College By: Julia Crane ’13

Introduction The recycling program at Stonehill College is so poor that “The College Sustainability Report Card” gave the institution an overall D+ in sustainability (Sustainable Endowment Institute, 2010).  Moreover, the lack of recycling opportunities on the campus of Stonehill College creates a problem of environmental justice that connects to the nearby city of Brockton.  In investigating the reasons for such a designation, it proves to... Read More