Independent Study Research Course

What is an Independent Study? 

An independent study allows you to design and complete a research project on a topic of your choice under the guidance of a faculty mentor. This one-on-one study opportunity will allow you to examine the research steps of a focused one-semester project. 

This option is typically completed over one semester and focuses on learning and applying the key steps of conducting a research project. To earn course credit, you must complete an independent study contract with a faculty mentor who agrees to supervise your work.

What Are the Benefits?

An independent study can help you:
  • Develop research skills and work closely with a faculty mentor
  • Prepare for graduate school, professional programs, or research-focused careers
  • Explore a topic in greater depth than is possible in a regular course
  • Receive academic credit when a relevant course is not available

In some cases, independent study credits may count as unrestricted major elective credit. Students should confirm credit applicability with their department or advisor.

Independent Study Research Process:  

  1. Communicate interest in an independent study to a prospective faculty advisor the semester before the start of the independent study.
  2. Complete with your faculty advisor a semester learning contract PDF. 
  3. Submit a copy of the completed and signed contract to the Sociology Department main office.
  4. Depending on your major and topic of interest, register for SOC4000 or CRM4000
  5. Arrange a meeting with your faculty advisor during the first week of the semester for which you registered.

For more information and assistance, contact your academic faculty advisor or Dr. Gabriele Plickert at gplickert@cpp.edu.  

Independent Study Projects


The projects listed below showcase independent studies completed by students in prior semesters. After completing your independent study, you may choose to share your work more broadly by submitting your final research paper to an academic conference or to CPP Bronco Scholar for publication.

2025-2026

  • Berry, Shaylen. “Injustice in Food Production." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • Chavez, Nathaniel. "State Crime and Genocide." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Duhart.
  • Ephrem, Nathan. "Analyzing Hindu Nationalist Podcasts: Social Media, Gender, and Nationalism." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan. 
  • Guzman, MJ. “Sociology of Gaming." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Daniels.
  • Lopez, Danny. "Psychosis in Aging Adults." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Daniels. 
  • Michel, Jacquline. "Politicization of Latina & LGBTQIA+ Identities." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gerstenberger.
  • Ottley, Jaylen. "Crime, Criminal Justice System, Media, and Family/Cultural Dynamics." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ocampo. 
  • Palumbo, Kevin. “How colorism ideology shapes dating perceptions and preferences among Mexicans." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Zermeno. 
  • Palumbo, Kevin. “Mexican American experiences with Americanness and parent’s national identity." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Zermeno.
  • Quiroz, Samantha. “Differences in gender ideologies across the political spectrum." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Wilf.
  • Rios, Evan. "Data, Photography and Crime Opportunities - Case Study Pomona." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert. Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium in 2026.
  • Rios, Evan. “Domestic Terrorism Database." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Duhart.
  • Yousef, Mariam. “Intersectionality." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Wilf. 

2024-2025

  • "Growing up is Tough: Anxiety, Anger, and Confidence in Adolescence." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "The Impact of Support Programs on Adolescent Academic Outcomes and Well-Being." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert 

2023-2024

  • “Sociolegal Analysis of Juvenile Courts.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Hanink.

2022-2023

  • “Online Misogyny Directed at Female Social Media Producers.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Hanink.
  • “Sexual Self and Sexual Behavior.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Hanink.

2021-2022

  • "An Analysis of the Andrew Cuomo Case: How Does the Media Portray Victims of Sexual Assault?”  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Barragan. Student research received Outstanding Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium.
  • "Criminology, Juvenile Delinquency Internship Program." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "Mapping Crime Trends during COVID-19 in Southern California." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert. 

2020-2021

  • "The Determinants of the Rise in Crime: The Impact of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter Protests." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Duhart.
  • "Extent and Development of Crime in Germany and the U.S. since 1990." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "Juvenile Delinquency in an International Comparison." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "Deterrence, Rehabilitation, and Restorative Justice: A Comparative Approach." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "Social Work Internship Program." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.

2019-2020

  • “Determinations of Maturity and Culpability of Black Youth.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Hanink.
  • “Spatial Boundaries and Social Interactions in Queer Women’s Spaces: An Ethnographic Snapshot.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert. Paper published under Bronco Scholar Spatial Boundaries
  • “Mapping the Emergence of Hate Groups across the United States from 2008 to 2018: Investigating the Relationship between Electoral Votes and Hate.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • “Cultivating Acceptance: Transfer Students and the Challenges of Seeking a Sense of Belonging.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • “Depressive Symptoms and Female Delinquency: Exploring Perspectives of Differential and Cumulative Risk.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • “Assessing the Impact of Land and Language on Sense of Belonging Between International and American Students: A Comparative Approach.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • “When Women Fight Back: Differential Approaches of Intimate Partner Violence and Punishment.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • “Gay Men & Self-Perception Based on Grindr Use.” Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert. Paper published under Bronco Scholar 
  • "The Challenges of Being a School Social Worker." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan. 
  • "The Perception of Black Women in America, Past and Present." Faculty Advisors: Dr. Narayan and Dr. Plickert. Student research received Outstanding Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium.
  • "Transnationalism, Diaspora, and Identity: Experiences of Ukrainian Immigrants." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.

2018-2019

  • "The California Lifers: A Model for Rehabilitation." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Plickert.
  • "Presentation of Self in a Police Department: An Ethnographic Study." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "A Sociological Perspective on the Relationship between Humans and Animals." Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan. Student research received Outstanding Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium.

2015-2017

  • "An Examination of Cultural Capital, Silence and Discipline in a High School Environment." 2017. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "Insider-Outsider Dilemmas - Doing Research with Student Veterans." 2017. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "Effectiveness of Inner-City Arts." 2017. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "Veteran Students: An Investigation." 2016. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "The Wicca Community of Los Angeles." 2016.  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "Veteran Women and Misrepresentation in Media News." 2016. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.
  • "Going Beyond Teaching: A More Humanizing Education." 2016. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan. Student research received Outstanding Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium.
  • "Ethnographic Observations of a Prison Tour." 2015. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan. Student research received Outstanding Presentation Award at the Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium.
  • "Ethnographic Study on Parental Involvement in Youth Soccer." 2015. Faculty Advisor: Dr.  Narayan.
  • "Ethnographic Study on Alcoholic Anonymous Meetings." 2015. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.

2010 - 2011

  • "The role of men in the violence prevention movement to examine constructions of hegemonic masculinity." 2011. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan. 
  • "Jehovah’s Witnesses organizations in the U.S. and virtual religious identities." 2010. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan. 

2007 - 2009

  • "Transnational Ethnic Identities in Bollywood Films." 2007. Faculty Advisor: Dr. Narayan.