Document Type
Article
Abstract
Between 1990 and 2009 a wave of student riots washed across 52 college campuses and communities in the United States. Over 100 riots erupted from student festivities and sporting events. On a cursory level, today’s student riots in contrast to past Vietnam War Era campus riots that had a specific goal (i.e., ending the war), seem to have no particular aim nor objective other than the consumption of alcohol. This has led researchers to presume that excessive student drinking is a significant causal factor to these events; however, findings from initial student riot studies indicate that alcohol is neither a causal nor predictive factor of today’s student riots. As such, the objective of this study is twofold. First, it seeks to ascertain what if any student riot patterns, processes and/or situational conditions may be causal or predictive to contemporary student riots. Second, this examination endeavors to determine if student riots are in fact issueless, not motivated by any purposeful goal or will to bring about social change.
Recommended Citation
Marker, Sandra
(2011)
"The Ritual of Riots: An Examination of University and College Riots, 1990 – 2009,"
Great Plains Sociologist: Vol. 22:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/greatplainssociologist/vol22/iss1/2