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Maeve Mascarenhas

Hometown: Oak Park, IL
Major: sociology minor: politics

What was your motivation to major in sociology?

While taking Sociology 101, I realized that sociology combines the elements of history, politics, and psychology that most interested me in my high school and previous college classes. I also saw that sociology could enable me to understand the social structures that shape our lives and provide tools for figuring out how to make society more equitable.

Can you describe your working relationships with sociology professors? Any standout classes you’ve taken?

The professors in the sociology department are all incredibly supportive and make room for students to explore their interests. My advisor, Prof. Mora, has sent me many useful sources for research papers, helped talk through challenges in my senior comps project, written multiple letters of recommendation for me, and directed me towards career and academic development opportunities relevant to my goals. I appreciate the wide range of expertise professors bring to Oxy’s sociology department, which results in classes exploring many sub-fields of the discipline. Two of the most impactful classes I have taken are Contemporary Sociological Theory and Masculinities.

I hope to work in public interest law. The interdisciplinary conversations [in my sociology and politics classes] enabled by the liberal arts approach sparked my interest in this career path.

Have you taken part in any student research opportunities through Oxy? 

I participated in the URC’s Summer Research Program the summer after my junior year. This opportunity allowed me to conduct a research project I designed in my Sociological Inquiry class. With guidance from Prof. Mora, I conducted a content analysis of 2020 House Campaign ads to determine how far-right women candidates navigate the intersection of their gender and ideology. At the end of the summer, I presented my work at the Summer Research Conference and am now refining it for my senior comps project.

Did you study abroad? How did it complement your education?

I studied abroad in Granada, Spain, for the fall semester of my junior year. The experience was rewarding both personally and academically, as it exposed me to another culture and introduced me to new approaches to politics, education, and various social issues. The sociology course schedule and major requirements are structured to make it easy for students to study abroad.

I appreciate the wide range of expertise professors bring to Oxy’s sociology department, which results in classes exploring many sub-fields of the discipline.

What do you find most compelling about studying sociology?

I find sociology compelling because it combines high-level theory and empirical studies. Sociology enables me to think in terms of social forces and historical trends, but remain grounded by data. Additionally, it can be applied to virtually any topic, making it an incredibly useful tool. Its methods are also flexible, and the ability to collect numerous kinds of qualitative and quantitative data allows sociologists to form more comprehensive analyses and study relatively elusive subjects.

What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to put you on this path?

I hope to work in public interest law, initially in a supporting role (such as a paralegal) and eventually as a lawyer. The interdisciplinary conversations enabled by the liberal arts approach sparked my interest in this career path. For example, my politics classes consider how the law is shaped by and reinforces inequality, and my sociology classes examine how the state structures society. Additionally, my education at Oxy has helped prepare me for this path by strengthening my writing, analytical, and research skills as well as by enabling me to work closely with professors who are also practicing lawyers.

 

Jackson Lewellen

Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Major: sociology minors: history, GWSS

What was your motivation to major in sociology?

I was motivated to study sociology because I wanted an analytical toolkit that could give me the language to make sense of, understand, and explain the complicated social forces present in my own life. Taking Sociology 101 was so eye-opening to me because the course allowed me to put into words and articulate observations about the social world that I had been making for years but didn’t have the language to express.

Can you describe your working relationships with sociology professors? Any standout classes you’ve taken?

I have made so many wonderful connections with the professors in Oxy’s sociology department. I have specifically gone out of my way to take classes with as many of them as possible, and as a result I feel incredibly supported by the department. Each professor brings with them a unique expertise and understanding of sociology, making them all useful resources for different types of sociological questions. Two standout courses that I have enjoyed are Prof. Trevizo’s Classical Sociological Theory course and Prof. Mora’s course on Masculinities. 

The small size of Oxy’s academic departments has given me the rare opportunity to work closely with my faculty, all of whom have enthusiastically supported me in pursuing my future academic dreams.

Have you taken part in any student research opportunities through Oxy?

The summer after my junior year I was lucky enough to conduct original ethnographic research under the guidance of Prof. Weiss. Through the URC Summer Research Fellowship, I developed and implemented an original research project on the social influence of numbers in the college admissions process. I collected over 35 hours of ethnographic data and presented my findings at the URC summer conference. This semester, I have been converting this research into my senior comps project. Professor Weiss’ mentorship during this process has been incredible and he has pushed me towards creating a publishable sociology paper.

What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to put you on this path?

After Oxy, I will be pursuing a Ph.D. in sociology. I would not be on this track were it not for the support of Oxy’s sociology department. Their mentorship has been invaluable during the application process and I cannot imagine doing it without them. The small size of Oxy’s academic departments has given me the rare opportunity to work closely with my faculty, all of whom have enthusiastically supported me in pursuing my future academic dreams.

 

Julisa Menjivar

Hometown: South Central Los Angeles, CA
Major: sociology minors: education, kinesiology

Can you describe your working relationships with sociology professors? Any standout classes you’ve taken?
One of the standout classes I’ve taken is Gender and Society with Prof. Weiss. It’s been such a fun and engaging experience, I’ve learned so much, and he’s an incredible professor in the department. Beyond class discussions, office hours have been especially helpful, not only for clarifying material but also for getting to know more about professors’ own research and experiences from graduate school. It really adds another layer to the learning process.

An openness to multiple pathways has been one of the most valuable parts of a liberal arts education.

What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to put you on this path?
After Oxy, I plan to go to law school and study disability law with the goal of becoming a special education lawyer, which connects to my education minor. The liberal arts approach has allowed me to explore different interests and broaden my perspective. For example, I’ve also been considering a kinesiology minor. Through my work with children with cerebral palsy, I’ve become interested in occupational therapy as well, which I would pursue after practicing law. This openness to multiple pathways has been one of the most valuable parts of a liberal arts education.

 

Levi Medina

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: sociology

What was your motivation to major in sociology?

I pursued sociology in the hopes of challenging and expanding upon my worldviews. Growing up in Los Angeles, serving in the military, and being an nontraditional transfer student provided me with a diverse range of experiences and perspectives; however, I desired to learn more through a rigorous academic setting—and what better way to accomplish that than at 91ߣ����Ƶ College.

Can you describe your working relationships with sociology professors?

I have a great relationship with my professors and enjoyed each one of my classes. Their lecture and open discussion settings enabled me to confidently explore new or challenging sociological concepts in a variety of ways. Our sociology professors and student peers truly cultivate a space for intellectual curiosity and personal growth.

The liberal arts provided me with the ambition to help people and communities in whatever career I pursue.

What do you find most compelling about studying sociology?

I find that the relevance a sociological perspective offers to many contemporary social and political issues is the most compelling aspect of the discipline. Sociology highly compliments other social sciences and encourages productive questioning and reasoning through applied research.

What are your ambitions post-Oxy and how has the liberal arts approach helped to put you on this path?

I hope to pursue a graduate program in either public administration, policy, or business management to offer my skills, experience, and education to public service or civil affairs. The liberal arts provided me with the ambition to help people and communities in whatever career I pursue, recognizing that sustainable progress sometimes requires action through policy.

What is the vibe of the sociology department?

The sociology department is quite a relaxed environment. Our professors and student peers create a welcoming space in and out of the classroom. I would highly encourage visiting your sociology professor during office hours for guidance, mentorship, concept refinement, or just advice in general. They truly desire your best personal development possible.