While the Western press often targets religious groups for their roles in handling the African AIDS crisis, these groups tend to play positive -- and critical -- roles in fighting the epidemic, according to sociologists. "There's no doubt that religions have done some good and some bad confronting AIDS in Africa," said Jenny Trinitapoli, assistant professor of sociology, religious studies and demography. "But the negative side is often exaggerated, while the good that religious groups do is often overlooked."

A road trip across the U.S. to gather information for a book on religious faith steered two Penn State researchers through a spiritual landscape that was as diverse and vibrant as America's scenery. The researchers -- Roger Finke, professor of sociology and religious studies, and Christopher Scheitle, a doctoral candidate in sociology -- documented their journey in "Places of Faith, a Road Trip Across America's Religious Landscape" (2012, Oxford University Press). They experienced a few surprises during the trip that added a fresh perspective to their research.

Leif Jensen, professor of rural sociology and demography in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has been named a distinguished professor by Penn State. The title of distinguished professor was established by the Office of the President to recognize a select group of professors with exceptional accomplishments in teaching, research and service.

The first signs of spring mark the return to downtown State College of Research Unplugged, a non-traditional lecture series where experts from varying fields lead conversations with community members. All six Research Unplugged talks will be held Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m., at the Penn State Downtown Theatre on Allen Street. On March 23, join sociology professor Sam Richards and colleague Danna Jayne Seballos of the "World in Conversation Project" to find out "Why Race Still Matters: Creating Conversations in 21st Century Classrooms."

People who leave strict religious groups are more likely to say their health is worse than members who remain in the group, according to a Penn State researcher. The percentage of people who left a strict religious group and reported they were in excellent health was about half that of people who stayed in the group, said Christopher Scheitle, senior research assistant in sociology.

Children of immigrants often must overcome obstacles in order to achieve academic success. But research conducted by Suet-ling Pong, professor of educational theory & policy and sociology in the College of Education, reveals that in some regions of the world immigrant children actually perform better than their native classmates.