Date of Award

Spring 5-20-2026

Document Type

Thesis (Undergraduate)

Department

Sociology

First Advisor

Professor Janice McCabe

Second Advisor

Professor Shaonta Allen

Abstract

Friendship is often thought of as a byproduct of activism. People naturally get close and form bonds as they become involved and participate in collective action with others. While scholars have focused on how social networks influence mobilization, there has been a lack of research on the other direction of this relationship, the already commonly held assumption. Using the case of student networks at a liberal arts college, this leads to the following questions: “To what extent do variations in social movement mobilization explain patterns and outcomes of friendship network types? How does activism impact a respondent’s understanding of friendship networks within college settings?” Critically analyzing the structure of friendship networks through social network analysis and the functions and meanings of these relationships helps better understand the mindset behind students invested in the political and activist scenes at their institution. The dynamics at play in organizing in a collegiate setting are crucial and necessary to better understand the tenacity of social movements and future  movements can be more effective in affecting social change.

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