B.A.: Critical Carceral Studies

Indicate any other major, minor, certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation record:

• Certificate in Spanish Studies
• Honors College

Degree Mentors

• Dr. Michael Casiano, Assistant Professor of American Studies
• Dr. Jodi Kelber-kaye, Associate Director of the Honors College
• Carrie Sauter, Assistant Director of the Individualized Study Program

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

During my first two years at UMBC, I was mostly taking Political Science, Africana Studies, and Gender & Women's Studies classes. I enjoyed most of my classes, but I found myself wanting to study something more specialized while integrating each of those disciplines. I was encouraged to learn more about INDS, where I met Ms. Sauter, and felt that the support of the program, in addition to the freedom I had to incorporate my social justice interests into my academic pursuits, made it the right major for me!

What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?

After graduation, I'll be more involved in labor and anti-imperialist organizing in the DMV. Although it was mostly within the context of jails and prisons, my INDS degree allowed to study the systematic nature in which capitalism, imperialism, white supremacy, and other forms of oppression interact to keep various peoples marginalized. My degree has also supported the development of my organizing and problem-solving skills, and will enable me to navigate different organizing situations. From an abolitionist standpoint, I understand that the way the carceral system functions is also reflected in everyday life, and that resolving issues of mass incarceration and over-policing will require a broad restructuring of society which I hope to help advance through my organizing work.

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program
• Honors College Student
• Women's Center Student Staff
• Queer People of Color Community Vice-President (2021-2022), President (2022-2023), Treasurer (2023-2024)
• Writing Center Tutor
• DC Peace Team Social Media Intern
• Maryland Justice Project Intern
• National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens Intern

For more information on Sara's INDS journey please click here:

The Department of Psychology is pleased to announce that Huiguang Ren successfully passed his dissertation defense on April 5^th 2024.

Huiguang’s dissertation title was “Antecedents and outcomes of parental socialization in response to different stressors in families of Chinese background: multi-sample and mixed-methods approaches.”

Thanks to Huiguang’s committee members:

Chair:

Charissa Cheah, UMBC Department of Psychology

Committee Members:

Susan Sonnenschein, UMBC Department of Psychology

Karrie Godwin, UMBC Department of Psychology

Linda Juang, University of Potsdam, Germany

Stephen Chen, Wellesley College Department of Psychology

On this episode, Dr. Anson speaks with Dr. Jason Loviglio, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Media and Communication Studies at UMBC. Dr. Loviglio is the co-editor of The Routledge Companion to Radio and Podcasting Studies, and recently published a piece about podcasting entitled “From Radio to Podcasting: Intimacy and Massification” that echoes many of the themes in our discussion. Dr. Loviglio is also co-editor of Radio Journal: International Studies in Broadcast and Audio Media, among many other professional activities related to audio media. He is also a board member at Wide Angle Youth Media, non-profit organization that provides Baltimore youth with media education to tell their own stories and become engaged with their communities.

On this Campus Connection, we hear about a recent book from UMBC Media and Communication Studies Associate Professor Elizabeth Patton. Dr. Patton’s book is entitled Easy Living: The Rise of the Home Office, and explains key recent trends in work and society–both with great relevance to the rise of podcasting!

Check out the following links for more information on UMBC, CS3, and our host:

• The UMBC Center for the Social Sciences Scholarship
• The University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• Ian G. Anson, Ph.D.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon!

Retrieving the Social Sciences is a production of the UMBC Center for Social Science Scholarship.  Our podcast host is Dr. Ian Anson, our director is Dr. Christine Mallinson, our associate director is Dr. Felipe Filomeno, and our production intern is Jean Kim.   Our theme music was composed and recorded by D'Juan Moreland.  Special thanks to Amy Barnes and Myriam Ralston for production assistance.  Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where you can find full video recordings of recent UMBC events.