Digital Commons Network^™

The Architecture Of Movement, Emma Gregory

Honors Theses

The process of drawing parallels between styles of ballet pedagogy and eras of art history unfolded quite unexpectedly through a few specific moments of brief inspiration, fueled largely by my personal experiences as a dancer and artist. Through my dance experience, which began at the age of three, I spent many years in front of a mirror considering how certain physical movements appear aesthetically, learning to manipulate my body to create a desired visual, and internalizing established rules for moving. One of these moments of inspiration occurred in a ballet class one afternoon when my instructor gave the class the …

A Bag Of Marbles, Cora Saddler

Honors Theses

A short story collection that takes inspiration from the magical mundanities of everyday life.

The Hidden Voices: Peggy Gilbert And The International Sweethearts Of Rhythm, Katelyn Still

Honors Theses

Women throughout history have had to contend with sexism and racism. A woman's voice was restricted and viewed as inferior in the south. This treatment was magnified in the world of jazz. Jazz was viewed as a boisterous male art form where a demure woman did not belong. A woman's musical voice, her form of expression, was often discredited by the public. Since women's talents were discredited, their musical voices were often hidden from history. This paper shines a light on the suppression of the female voice while uncovering the successful women of Peggy Gilbert and The International Sweethearts of …

Memory And Memoirs: A Study Of Civil War Soldiers' Perspectives On The Battle Of Shiloh, Brianna Taylor

Honors Theses

The most acceptable answer in today's political climate is that the Civil War was fought over slavery. Even in the rural South where I grew up, academics cast a wary eye when it is suggested that the Civil War was fought for any other reason. Historical writing is often careful to mention that other causes of the war are still interrelated with slavery, thus adding nuance. Yet still, slavery was the central cause of the Civil War, as there would have not been a war without the presence of institutionalized slavery in America. What history may remember as the spirit …

The Artistic Mother Tongue, Hannah Perkins

Honors Theses

Art is the mother tongue of culture. William Cameron Townsend, pioneer missionary and founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators, said “The greatest missionary is the Bible in the mother tongue.” But the mother tongue of any people of any culture is more than just the spoken and written word. It is found in every artistic and visual expression of that people. How is the Bible, the everlasting truth of God, to be expressed through artistic expression in the ‘mother tongue’ of a people?

Often, Christianity is painted as the Westerner’s religion. Christianity is very ingrained into specifically America’s cultural identity. In …

The Elements Of Onstage Lighting And How It Could Impact The Emotion Of An Audience, Kailee Morehart

Honors Theses

Lighting, combined with other aspects of performance, can either make an experience extremely impactful for an audience or it can be completely unnoticed. Lighting is versatile in its ability to be manipulated in different ways to get the desired effect. In addition to having color, lights also have direction, shape, intensity, distribution, quality, movement, and may be changed over time. The combination of these elements can evoke certain emotions in an audience. Opportunities for creativity in this outlet should be explored in order to discover to what extent lighting can impact the emotions of an audience, if at all. In …

"But The Spirit Himself Intercedes": An Exegetical On Romans 8:26-27, Carmen Alide Scott

Honors Theses

In two short verses, Paul communicates the deep dependency a believer must have on the Holy Spirit to be sustained through this age, specifically on the topic of prayer. The aim of this thesis is to give a fuller approach to the interpretation of Romans 8:26-27. Many sources have contributed to the interpretation of this passage and the purpose of this thesis is to bring together many of those contributions to shed light on the meaning of Paul’s words and produce an insightful and cohesive reading of the passage. The thesis will explore an array of material, including an analysis …

Hello, Olive, Bec Braly

Honors Theses

Mia Bailey is forced to live as someone she’s not. Fighting her way back to her own life, she unearths some dark secrets about her family.

Sexual Ethics From A Biblical Perspective, Braylon Pilant

Honors Theses

This honors thesis paper is over the ethics of sexual conduct from a Biblical perspective. This paper aims to be theological, as it will examine God’s view, creation, and design of sex; anthropological, as it will view the human role in sexual conduct and ethics from a Biblical perspective; and Christological, as it will examine how Christ redeems the breaching of said ethics. With this goal in mind, the research for this paper will be twofold.

First, there will be an examination of sexual ethics through a Biblical, and particularly Old Testament, lens. This will be done through a reading …

When Is God And What Is Time?, Zack Tomlinson

Honors Theses

The philosophy of time has deep impacts on the study of God's foreknowledge and our free will. This discussion dates back to the early church fathers, but unfortunately the Bible is somewhat quiet on the issue of divine foreknowledge and free will. Therefore much work needs to be done in philosophical circles to help us understand these topics. This paper found that there is a way to reconcile God's foreknowledge with our free will by opting for a view of time called "eternalism" and holding to the idea that God is outside of time.

The Not-So-Great Apostasy?: A Response To The Mormon Argument Of The Great Apostasy, Rylie Slone

Honors Theses

The research question to be presented is this: did the Great Apostasy claimed by the Latter-Day Saint church really happen? The hypothesis, to be tested by research using church history, church doctrine, and textual criticism, is that the Great Apostasy never happened. The hypothesis is that the loving, omniscient God of the universe would not allow his truth to be clouded and flawed by men and would instead preserve it. Jesus told Peter in Matthew 16:18, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not …

Generative Art, Caleb Harmon

Honors Theses

Generative Art is systems that produce complex structures and visuals through computation.

Providing Windows, Mirrors, And Sliding Glass Doors: Incorporating Diverse Short Fiction In The High School English Classroom, Emily Koonce

Honors Theses

My thesis serves as a starting point for English educators wishing to incorporate diverse fiction into their classrooms. This guide, which includes an introduction, notes on cultural responsiveness, background on each author, discussion guides, and standards-aligned activities using short stories. My thesis is not meant to be an end-all-be-all for inclusion but rather a starting place for helping students feel seen, heard, and connected.

Alexander Hamilton: Underdog Or Overrated?, Caity Hatchett

Honors Theses

This thesis uses the conflicting information about Alexander Hamilton as seen in Ron Chernow's biography "Alexander Hamilton" and Jessie Serfilippi's essay "As Odious and Immoral a Thing" as a case study showing why the analysis and evaluation of historical claims is important for building the most complete historical picture.

I Believe A Man Can Fly: Three Essays On The Themes Of Superheroes, Trayton N. Armstrong

Honors Theses

An analysis of the three most well-known and popular superheroes, examining important themes that each revolves around. "Superman: The Hero in All of Us" examines heroism and how the Man of Steel defines and redefines what is a hero. "Batman: The Redemption of Tragedy" examines what makes the Dark Knight a compelling character and why he pursues his war on crime. "Spider-Man: Power and Responsibility" looks at how the titular themes define Spider-Man's career and why they are important.

One Creation: Examining Creation Myths Across Time And Culture, Scarlett Castleberry

Honors Theses

By looking at creation myths across various time, cultures, and languages, I was able to track similarities and find common threads between cultures that might not otherwise seem connected. What is remarkable is that these ancient texts often make connections before archeology or linguistics can.

Making The Bible Modern: How I Created A Retelling Of The Good Samaritan, Laura Beth Warner

Honors Theses

This thesis includes the process and methods employed in creating a modern-day retelling of the parable of The Good Samaritan for a first-grade audience and the final product of a children's picture book.

Meditation In Buddhism, Mbsr, And The Bible: Examining The Implications For Christian Counselors, Kara Delaune

Honors Theses

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has become a popular treatment in clinical settings for a variety of conditions. The term mindfulness was first used in relation to the Satipaffhana Sutta. 1 This passage from the Buddhist texts contains instructions regarding sati, which roughly translates from the Pali language to English as mindfulness. Mindfulness is a key component of the Buddhist religion, finding its place in both the Threefold Way and the Seven Factors of Awakening, or Enlightenment. Mindfulness falls under the umbrella of meditation. 2 Meditation takes several forms. Meditation is extremely useful for Christians, but not every type of meditation …

The Good Fight Guide: A Theological Guide To C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, Sara Patterson

Honors Theses

This resource exists to help believers discover theological truths presented in C.S. Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters" by defining unfamiliar terms, explaining theological principles, and providing application options. It is my prayer that each reader finds this resource helpful as they fight the good fight (Ephesians 6:12).

Sexual Abuse In The Protestant Church, Madeline Grace Knight

Honors Theses

Sexual abuse is a tragic reality of living in a fallen world. Though abuse of any kind is inexcusable, Christians know that it is the product of the evil, sinful hearts of mankind. Unfortunately, churches have not escaped the grasp of this evil; sexual abuse is as much a reality for God’s people as it is for the rest of the world. No one is untouchable, and everyone must be aware of the truth; however, I will caution readers that this paper discusses dark, horrible practices that can bother anyone, especially survivors and others with firsthand experiences of abuse. I …

Benefits Of Music Therapy When Used Collaboratively With Language Therapy, Rebekah Grace Oliver

Honors Theses

Music is a large aspect of every culture. Music can calm a child in distress, create friendships, give people a way to express themselves, and even define the differences between generations and cultures. Famous Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen once said, “Where words fail, music speaks.” Researchers have studied how music can influence a person’s ability to absorb knowledge, as well as induce fluent speech for a stutterer. However, the effects of music therapy in combination with language therapy for children with language delays have not been studied to their fullest extent. For the past year and a half, I …

Inside Jobs: Historical Conspiracies And Their Effects On The Discipline Of History, Emily Mcgee

Honors Theses

Conspiracy theories have been a captivating facet of American culture for decades, grasping at the tail end of any horrifying or momentous event in order to make sense of mindboggling circumstances or loss of power. However, these theories seem to have grown intensely in popularity even in the last decade. Some credit this unprecedented growth to the internet and social media sites, and some even blame particular political leaders. But researchers, political scientists, psychologists, and historians have come to the same consensus: conspiracy theories have been gaining more traction among the public, to the point where these ideas cannot be …

Beyond Stereotypical Picture Books: An Inquiry Of Hidden Life Lessons From Patricia Polacco, Ruthie Lenards

Honors Theses

By applying a historical study of the author, Patricia Polacco, the thematic perspective is evident in her books. Many do not see those hidden life lessons due to the stereotypical norms of picture books. The reader will learn how Patricia Polacco's life lessons may not be hidden to the viewer.

Visual Arts Education For Grades 6-12 In Arkansas And Its Changes Since The Twentieth Century, Callie Anna Dunlap Oxner

Honors Theses

The field of education in the United States has changed greatly in many ways since its foundation. No longer do students meet in small log cabins with all ages together to learn the basics of a few practical subjects before returning to regular life. The federal government seeks to provide consistently updated standards for how children of all ages should be instructed and have frequently modernized the education system. From creating mandated subjects of learning, such as math, science, reading, writing, foreign languages, and art, raising teacher salaries, and instigating assessments to ensure complete subject literacy, America has shown in …

Spiders In A Window: How Dangerous Stories Lead To Dangerous Women, Mattie Mae Motl

Honors Theses

Christian women have been marginalized, suppressed, and forgotten by Christian men for centuries. In many cases, these actions are polite when compared to the horrors which self-proclaimed Christ-followers have afflicted on women. Countless sexual abuse cases have been discovered within the walls of the Southern Baptist Church, and the headlines have not stopped printing. Articles from major news outlets such as the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News have revealed that Southern Baptist pastors, youth leaders, and deacons have assaulted hundreds of women over the past twenty years—and those numbers only include the women who are confident enough to bring …

A Young Adult Scrutinizes The Michael L. Printz Award, Claire Elaine Seale

Honors Theses

In a century peppered in controversy, adolescents between the ages and twelve to eighteen are turning to young adult literature to find hope in their lives. These books with headlining titles like The Hunger Games and Harry Potter are no longer just in print, but their narratives centered around teenage protagonists are being brought to life on screen. In fact, the source of much of our twenty first century culture derives from the ingenuity of young adult authors. Although the young adult empire continues to grow in modern times, many advocates for young adult literature, including the American Library Association …

Not Exceptions: Historic Views Of Women In Art And The Impact On Contemporary Women Artists, Abby Leal

Honors Theses

The misconception that artists of centuries past were almost exclusively men is no accident. It is a direct result of institutional inequity that kept women artists, though they lacked neither the talent nor the initiative of their counterparts, in a less advantageous position. They were denied the same opportunities for education and employment as men, and many women artists, even those with successful careers, have been lost to history. With this essay, I hope to give women artists the credit they deserve for their diversity. Not all women experienced their position in the art world the same way. Some sought …

Daniel's Journey In First Grade / El Viaje De Daniel En Primer Grado, Hannah Gallagher

Honors Theses

After growing up in a city where I was privileged to observe a combination of cultures, I felt especially drawn to how children grow up in these environments, especially as it pertains to education. With this in mind, my thesis easily became a place for me to write and illustrate a bilingual children’s picture book. This picture book is for children between the ages of five and eight years old and is written in the English and Spanish languages. I have focused the book specifically on circumstances that immigrant children from Central or South America might encounter, as they adjust …

Cracking The Case On Age-Appropriate Literature, Sara Neumann

Honors Theses

Reading is a vital part of education and life, therefore a necessary skill to learn. There are many debated methods as to teaching a child to read, but sometimes overlooked is another important component of the reading process—what a child reads. Books come in a hoard of different styles, genres, and formats, and their contents can be limitlessly varied. While it can be argued that all books are good to read in an appropriate time and place, as far as learning to read is concerned, there are some books that are more appropriate to children than others. Divided into age-level …

The Healing Potential Of Online, Art-Dbt: Developing A Program For Rumination And Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Reduction, Lesley Howard

Honors Theses

I developed and tested the effectiveness of an online, 6-week art-DBT (combination of Art Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) program aimed at reducing rumination and, if present, non-suicidal self-injury.