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Clearing Up Counterfactuals: The Decades-Long Historiographical Debate, Adam Ide

Honors Theses

Do some historians truly know what is best when staying away from counterfactuals, or are other historians right in using them with confidence? I will be uncovering the origin of this disagreement, exploring both sides of the debate, and explaining historians’ approaches and attitudes toward counterfactuals in order to reveal the pitfalls and potentials of the technique.

Telling A Story Through Posters: A Comparison Of Nazi And Soviet Propaganda Posters During World War Ii, Kolbe Bell

Honors Theses

The time around World War II saw an increase of countries using propaganda to spread their message, the result of which can be seen even today with modern advertising. During the war these countries had to convince their populations to support their militaries in both victories and defeats. Despite the differences between the fascism in Nazi Germany and the communism in the Soviet Union, many of these propaganda posters have some overarching similarities that can be connected. Some of which can be seen in their depictions of the enemy and with their call back to nationalism. To gain a better …

Architecture In Berlin: Developing A New German Identity During The Weimar Republic, Samuel Roy

Honors Theses

In my honors thesis project, I will be analyzing architectural developments in Berlin from the late nineteenth century and up until the end of the Weimar Republic. I will analyze why such developments occurred and will explain the historical background of German society to better explain to uninformed readers. Some of the new architectural styles and forms I will be discussing include expressionism and naturalism, and the prominent architects whose works will be most thoroughly analyzed include Erich Mendelsohn, Bruno Taut, and Walter Gropius, all who helped to lead the search in finding new architectural styles. I’ve chosen these three …

How Progressive Was The New Deal? The Civilian Conservation Corps As A Case Study, Olivia Burke

Honors Theses

The definitive objective of the New Deal was the survival of the American people and economy, but did it go a step further to address the social justice goals of the Progressive Era that preceded it? Did it carry on progressive ideals, or did the New Deal morph into something different? Above all, did the New Deal empower disenfranchised groups such as African Americans or did it mainly benefit white working and middle class citizens, perpetuating traditional hierarchies of social and political power in the United States?

To analyze these questions, I will examine the writings of several historians that …

Doctors Without Orders: American Reactions To The Influenza Pandemic Of 1918-1919, James Watson

Honors Theses

This project focuses on the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 in specific reference to America and the chief organizations that responded to the pandemic. In this paper, two organizations are discussed in great detail: the American Red Cross and the United States Military. The purpose of this paper is to explain how American organizations responded to the pandemic as well as illuminating how their relationship was altered by war and previous interactions. By discussing how these two groups reacted to the pandemic, and ultimately each other, this paper sheds light on how America as a whole survived the pandemic as well …

The Meridian House Speech And Academic Influence On U.S. Policy In The Middle East, Shant Eghian

Honors Theses

This paper will examine United States foreign policy in the Middle East Post Cold War through the lens of the Meridian House Speech, an influential speech given in 1992 that has shaped the United States’ foreign policy framework for the past twenty-five years. It will examine the work of Edward Said and John Esposito, two influential academics whose work heavily influenced the content of the speech. Finally, this paper will give a critical analysis of the speech and the implications it has had for our foreign policy in the Middle East.

The Function Of Liturgical Music Within The History Of The Catholic Church, Christopher Cuzzupe

Honors Theses

Within the Catholic Church, there has always been a need and a strong presence for music. The need for music has changed from being simply something listened to by all and sung by a few to involving everyone to sing together and participate in liturgical celebrations. There is great richness to be gained from an increased awareness of music in the Church, and many important lessons can be learned from the historical progression of liturgical music. The effect music has had on the liturgy has directly affected the congregation based upon their needs. The central questions addressed within this thesis …