Research Post #4

Research Proposal

Brenden Siegel

Writing 201 College

3/1/16

Research Proposal Assignment

1.      Working Topic

Hazing: Tradition or Not?

2.      Topic

My goal is to explore the reasons for hazing in Athletics, Bands, Greek Life, and any other association, team, or group that has been associated with hazing in the past.  The controversy on the topic is that it is widely perceived that hazing is an act of pure tradition, without much rhyme or reason.  What I have seen in my research and personal experience with peers in these organizations is that pure tradition is not always the case, but different categories of organizations or Greek life seem to have strong correlation within their own groupings.  I am interested in this topic because I am both on a sports team and in Greek life and not many people have had the experience of both of them at the same time during their years at Rutgers or any University for that matter.

3.      Research Question

What are the reasons for hazing in Greek Life, Athletics, and other organizations and how are they justified?

4.      Theoretical Frame or Approach

My Theory is that each of these different types of organizations different reasons for hazing.  Believe it or not, research suggests that Greek Life hazing is the least correlated to tradition out of any major social group in a college setting.  Athletics and bands take the cake when it comes to tradition and hazing.

5.      Research Plan, Case, or Additional Questions

Additional Questions:  Do people being hazed feel inclined to do so based on which type of organization they are in?

When the hazing is over do they believe that it should continue for the next group coming in?

Do they believe that the hazing should be worse, equal to, or less than what they endured?

Research Plan:  I plan to look for cases of hazing in all three of the aforementioned social groups at college.  Many websites contain anonymous interviews with those members first hand that give a great insight as to what is going on and why.

6.      Bibliography

"Views Of College Greek Life, From Inside And Out." Weekend Edition Sunday 8 Feb. 2015.Literature Resource Center. Web. 16 Feb. 2016

FLANAGAN, CAITLIN. "The Dark Power Of Fraternities." Atlantic 313.2 (2014): 72-91. Literary Reference Center. Web. 16 Feb. 2016.

Diamond, Alex B., et al. "Qualitative Review Of Hazing In Collegiate And School Sports: Consequences From A Lack Of Culture, Knowledge And Responsiveness." British Journal Of Sports Medicine 50.3 (2016): 149-153. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Feb. 2016

"Why Fraternities Are Shut Down For Misconduct While College Sports Teams Go Unpunished." Total Frat Move. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2016.

Nuwer, Hank. "Hazing Deaths." Hanknuwer.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2016.

Nuwer, Hank. “Hazing: Schools, Military, Job Related.” Hanknuwer.com. NP, n.d. Web. 1 Mar 2016.