Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper examines how journalists reported about rape victims in Darfur. The findings reveal how rape victims were reduced to symbolic representations of a conflict between Arab and Black Sudanese men. Furthermore, inclusion of graphic details about the acts of rape, reinforces the rape victims’ humiliation through public disclosure of their experiences.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: It can be argued that many of the New York Irish immigrants who entered military service, during the Civil War, did so to pursue a variety of interests, and were not motivated mainly to become assimilated into the main-stream of American society, which was predominantly the white, Protestant, middle class. The theory that military service, during the Civil War, led to advancement for the New York Irish can be disputed, as it can be proven that those who joined the Union Army where not interested in necessarily proving their loyalty to America, but were interested in making America a place of safety for future Irish immigrants.

There are four main arguments that are put forth in this paper as to why many New York Irish joined the military on the side of the Union : that the Irish mainly joined the Union force for the pay they received during service, the Irish wanted to save the Union for future generations of Irish immigrants, to develop military skills that they would bring back to Ireland to help promulgate a revolution with Britain who was the occupier of Ireland at the time, and to prove as victims of nativist prejudice, the value of the Irish in the greater society in America. Anti-Irish and anti-Catholic prejudice was evident throughout the nineteenth century, showing that the New York Irish did not gain respect do to their participation in the military during the Civil War. Any advancement made in society was due to the Irish becoming politically active, their entering the Democratic Party, and their loyalty to the Catholic Church.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: A common obstacle in evaluation is selection bias between the treatment and comparison samples. There are many routine fixes to this problem, but none of those solutions are particularly satisfying when working with a small to moderate sized comparison group. The presentation will focus on these methodological challenges involved in conducting a sound impact analysis with a moderately sized comparison sample coupled with the challenge of relatively significant selection bias. Using Suffolk Juvenile as a case study, the presentation will lead the group through several methods that were employed to reduce the selection bias and still achieve a significant impact.

Results, including a recidivism analysis, will also be presented from the in-depth evaluation of the Suffolk County Juvenile Treatment Court, New York State’s largest juvenile drug court. The program opened in 2002, has accumulated over 350 participants, and spread to three court parts and Judges. The court works with drug-involved juveniles between the ages of 11 and 18 who are formally charged in the Suffolk County Family Court with Juvenile Delinquency, Person in Need of Supervision (PINS), or a Family Offense. Drug use must appear to be a significant factor in the negative behavior of the juvenile.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Based on a recent survey of NY maple syrup producers (n=266; response rate 69%), we study forest management and enterprise development behaviors. Multivariate statistical analysis allows us to test a series of hypothesis regarding the potential for development of multifunctional landscapes, the role of small natural resource-based enterprises in such territorial development schemes, and opportunities to catalyze service production among populations of very small producers. Results indicate that the NY maple syrup industry remains largely uncoordinated. The level of public goods production is currently quite modest, as represented by investments in forest stewardship and value-added service production. Enhanced knowledge, access to information and formal affiliation with other producers are positively related to production of public goods. These results suggest that advancement of the ongoing effort to professionalize the sector may contribute toward public policy objectives.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study analyzes popular Internet humor about gender, based on a content analysis of 150 verbal and visual comic texts, carefully selected using a novel sampling method. Results suggest, on the one hand, that men and women are targeted equally and that in new humor genres (e.g., lists and dictionaries) that are gaining Web popularity, men are scorned even more. On the other hand however, stereotypical representations of men and women still prevail. Moreover, whereas the essentialist theme of gender differences is central in many texts, humor about gender inequalities is marginal. The discussion contextualizes these findings to a backlash interpretation of postfeminism.