Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Roadways On Seasonal Movement Strategies And Mate Location Success In An Imperiled Pit Viper (Crotalus Horridus), Elizabeth J. Noble

Graduate Research Showcase

A detailed understanding of animal movement behavior is fundamental to effective conservation and management. Within populations, a diversity of movement strategies can be displayed in search of critical resources, and these strategies are influenced by multiple interacting factors related to individuals and the environment. Mating partners are one critical resource that often serves as a prominent selective force shaping movement during mating seasons. For many large-bodied snakes, such as pit vipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae), male mate- searching movements are the primary determinant of mate location success. During this time, males incur significant risks associated with elevated movement. In an increasingly human- …

The Efficacy Of Direct Reading Instruction On Reading Comprehension, Latania Pasley-Moody

Graduate Research Showcase

Examining the Efficacy of Direct Reading Instruction in Improving Reading Comprehension Skills Among Struggling Secondary Readers

This researcher in this study researched the effectiveness of direct reading instruction in improving comprehension skills among struggling secondary readers. There are many students on a secondary level that is unable to read on grade level. As a result, educators have been tasked with closing large gaps in a short period of time. This study used a mixed method research design, to determine the effectiveness of direct reading instruction for struggling readers and their perceptions regarding the implemented reading intervention. The following questions were …

The Benefits Of Singing And Audiation For Beginning Musicians, Elissa Harris

Graduate Research Showcase

This literature review explores the impact of audiation and singing on the aural sensitivity of novice musicians, shedding light on the fundamental role of these processes in music education. Audiation, the cognitive ability to internally hear and understand music, and singing, as an active manifestation of audiation, are integral components of musical development. However, their precise influence on the development of aural sensitivity in beginners remains understudied.

Through a comprehensive review of existing literature and empirical investigation, this review seeks to uncover the relationship between audiation, singing, and the enhancement of aural skills among novice musicians. Furthermore, the literature review …

Letter From The Editor, Claire Kosobud

The Corinthian

A letter from this volume's editor, Claire Kosobud

Audre Lorde, Feminism, And Love, Emee Port

The Corinthian

This paper attempts to connect the topics of feminism and intersectionality in Audre Lorde’s Sister Outsider to love. Feminists should look at race and class as well as gender in order to create a more accepting and inclusive movement. Lorde reasons that many women of color are wary of feminist movements because it pushes racial differences to the side only to focus on gendered oppression. It is important for feminists to recognize racial and class differences on top of gender so that more people feel welcomed to get involved. Love for one another is a driving force for inclusivity and …

The Use And Effectiveness Of Diet And Physical Activity As Interventions For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. A Review., Caroline C. Jones, Jinkyung Park

The Corinthian

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that is common among women who are of reproductive age, most commonly in ages between 15 and 44 years of age (Moran et al., 2010). While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, it is widely believed by many experts that genetic factors including excess levels of insulin and excess androgen are attributing factors (Moran et al., 2010) . Women with PCOS experience several different signs and symptoms including; infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods leading to infertility and the development of cysts (Iatrakis et al., 2006). Some other common symptoms of PCOS …

An Existentialist Love, Garrett T. Harrison

The Corinthian

This paper seeks to establish an existentialist concept of virtuous Love by discussing the works of famous modern Existentialist thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Albert Camus within the realm of Love as discussed by Bell Hooks and Skye Cleary. It also seeks to express the significance of this Love within modern society. Our notion of Existentialist Love is built upon Sartre’s concept of authenticity, and branches into the inter-personal through Beauvoir’s notion of reciprocal, virtuous love. It is then expounded into the greater collective through a discussion of fear as the breeder of inauthenticity and is …

Drowned Maidens And Mother Earth: The Roots Of Sexism In Russian Folklore Studies, Juniper Guthrie

The Corinthian

During the mid-nineteenth century, the Russian intelligentsia began to lean towards Slavophilic studies in their pursuit of Russian nationalism. The driving thesis of the Slavophilic movement sought to embrace Slavic (and for Russian nationalists, specifically Russian) culture and roots, pushing back against the Petrine and Catherine movements towards Westernization. A crucial element of this mythic Slavic culture that often went unquestioned was the strict code of its gender norms. Significant folklore collectors brought their class and gender biases along with them. They held very specific beliefs regarding “real” folklore and “proper” performances of tales, imposing their intellectual structure onto a …

Effects Of High-Intensity Interval Training On Body Composition In Individuals With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Allyson A. Wahus, Kensi L. Tenhouse, Rachel K. Drucker, Autumn R. Tucker, Gilberto G. Buitrago, Isabella G. Empoliti, Lauren M. Lipscomb

The Corinthian

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on body composition between individuals with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS patients have a difficult time maintaining healthy body composition. With time being a significant factor determining exercise adherence, it is vital to observe short-term training programs for any possible effect on health measures. Four participants with PCOS (21.3y ± 1.05) and six participants without PCOS (21.2y ± 1.34) volunteered to participate. All participants performed a three-week HIIT program consisting of three HIIT workouts per week. The participants submitted a 24-hour dietary recall and …

A Panoptic System And Social Control’S Influence On The Children In Henry James’S 'The Turn Of The Screw', Taylor Whittington

The Corinthian

This paper’s purpose is to offer a new reading of the children in Henry James’s novella The Turn of The Screw (1898). The paper argues that the characters are subjects of Foucault’s panopticon and social control, which results in Flora’s loss of social status and Miles’s death due to their lack of adherence to the social control. I also argue that the social control and the panoptic system integrate themselves into the Bly household and work alongside one another to reinforce the hierarchy. A panoptic system represents a type of surveillance based on Bentham’s architectural design that subject prisoners to …

Evaluation Of Breastfeeding Interventions To Improve Duration In Women At Risk For Breastfeeding Attrition, Anthonia Anukam

The Corinthian

Children that are optimally breastfed have the healthiest start in life. The World Health Organization and the CDC recommend that mothers optimally breastfeed. Benefits of breastfeeding to children include the receipt of antibodies, reduction of ear, respiratory, and gastrointestinal infections, decreased sudden infant death syndrome, allergies, diabetes, and childhood leukemia. Several research studies have reported a strong positive correlation between breastfeeding and reduced infant morbidity and mortality. Evidence illustrates that the health benefits from breastfeeding are dose-dependent, thus the longer the breastfeeding duration the greater the acquisition of the enumerated benefits. However, premature cessation of breastfeeding less than the WHO …

Atrial Fibrillation, Julianna G. Perritt, Jennifer Goldsberry

The Corinthian

Atrial fibrillation, also known as A-Fib or AF, is a cardiovascular abnormality that is characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm or muscle contractions in the atria. These abnormalities are a result of disorganized electrical impulses. AF has various causes including, but not limited to, hypertension (HTN), heart surgery, thyroid disorders, heart defects, and acute alcohol ingestion. Persons with AF are often asymptomatic; however, some patients report heart palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. A review of literature was conducted in order to determine the availability of risk factors, patient education, and treatment of AF.

El Movimiento Romántico En España: El Costumbrismo, Lo Gótico Y Su Recepción, Charlotte Parker

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This essay explores the history and development of the Romantic movement within Spain. Considering the historical context of the 18th century, topics such as the influences of the monarchy and the Catholic Church, the authors Mariano José de Larra and José Zorrilla and the literary works produced in this era are investigated. The presentation reveals unique aspects of romanticism within Spain. Additionally, it investigates how these themes were reflected in popular culture values. Finally, it examines the perception of a Spanish national identity, as well as the relationship between Spain and the rest of Europe.

Le Dix-Neuvième Siècle : Les Mouvements Littéraires Français Et La Classe Ouvrière, Grace Horton

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This presentation is an analysis of the connections between the different literary movements of 19th century France, such as romanticism, realism, and modernism, and how they were initiated by the French revolutions of 1830 and 1848. It covers the impacts of these revolutions on different prolific 19th century French writers such as Alphonse de Lamartine, Victor Hugo, Honoré de Balzac, and Charles Baudelaire, and how each writer prompted their respective movements.

Le Proto-Féminisme De George Sand, Jasmine Harrison

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

George Sand, the pen name of Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, was a radical and revolutionary writer. Through her writing, she challenged social norms and incorporated gender equality into her novels. This presentation examines Sand's four works: Indiana, Valentine, Lélia, and La Mare au diable. The question of Sand's status as a feminist writer, or even as an early feminist writer, is explored through women's roles in society through the analysis of nineteenth-century literature.

Manque De Réussite : Le Préjudice Dans Le Football Français, Will Bedell

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

Despite being called The Beautiful Game, soccer in France has a few issues that take away from its beauty. This presentation aims to identify the causes and reasons behind the issues of racism, homophobia, and sexism which plague the French soccer scene. By looking at the causes of these from within French culture, history, and their society we can hope to understand why they exist as well as to establish the sources from which these issues arise.

Quemando Leña En Guatemala: Salud, Sostenibilidad Y Costumbres, Sydney Underhill

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

In the Central American country of Guatemala, firewood is an important fuel source. Eighty-eight percent of households in rural areas use wood stoves and open fires to cook and heat their homes. This tradition has fundamental roots in the culture and customs of Guatemala. Unfortunately, these methods contribute to air pollution. Consequently, it also results in smoke inhalation, which causes health problems. Additionally, the massive agriculture of other crops decreases the amount of firewood available to these households, affecting the sustainability of the resource. Some communities resist changing their use of firewood due to the profound nature that firewood holds …

L’Évolution Du Libéralisme Dans La Littérature Au Xixe Siècle, Sophie Hardy

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This presentation is a dissection of a quote made by Victor Hugo during the preface of his work Hernani (1830), where he wrote that, “romanticism is just liberalism in literature". This presentation strives to contradict this statement by analyzing Hugo’s early works before the revolution of 1830 to prove that not all of his works discussed liberalism. This presentation will also analyze the works of Alphonse de Lamartine and Alfred de Musset during this romantic era and compares Hugo’s earlier statement to their works.

Los Intérpretes Médicos Son Un Derecho, No Un Privilegio, Morgan Uesseler

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This essay explores medical interpretation as a right, not a privilege. It argues that medical interpretation is a vital service that should be required in all healthcare settings, not just in those that are funded by the government. Themes addressed include the difference between interpretation and translation, face-to-face interpretation versus telecommunication, liabilities and risks associated with untrained and uncertified medical interpreters, and the federal law Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Challenges experienced during any medical session are underscored, while giving special focus to limited English proficient Hispanic patients whose healthcare literacy is in Spanish, not English.

Identifying Phytoremediation Performing Plant Species That Can Be Utilized In The Improvement Of Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils, Ashley Clark*, Samuel Mutiti

Graduate Research Showcase

Heavy metal pollution is a problem associated with industrialization and development. Two major metals that are commonly mined and can enter the environment, which can jeopardize communities’ health, are copper (Cu) and lead (Pb). There are different options for reducing heavy metal pollution in the environment via remediation efforts, including physical, chemical, and biological methods. However, physical and chemical remediation can be costly and labor-intensive, making them unsuitable for regions that do not have the funds to utilize these practices. Biological remediation is a more cost-conservative practice that has been shown in many studies to be effective in the gradual …

Los Grupos Paramilitares Como Desafío Al Modelo Estado-Nación En La Región Andina, Alexandra Furney

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

Paramilitary groups in Colombia and Bolivia reflect a fallout of the Western nation-state model that was mapped over former Incan spaces at the beginning of the 19th century. Somewhere between plurinational and unformed states, these Andean nations face challenges in forming a coherent governing structure, at times challenged by geography and at others culture.

In The Woods, Aron Liebig

Fiction MFA Theses

The anthology of 11 short stories delves deep into the intricacies of identity and the enigmatic landscape of the American South. Each narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the region, exploring the tangled webs of relationships, the weight of tradition, and the enduring struggle for self-discovery. In rural Mississippi, Kerry navigates the minefield of personal insecurities amidst simmering familial tensions, while Chris confronts the ghosts of his past, testing the resilience of their bond. Meanwhile, tensions escalate in a casino encounter between Javi and a predatory figure, unearthing deeper layers of trauma and prejudice, challenging societal norms and personal beliefs. …

Quality, Meaningful Educational Experiences: An Autobiographical Study Of Teaching And Learning Algebra 1, Marya Ray

Curriculum and Instruction (Ed.D.) Dissertations

This autobiographical study of teaching and learning Algebra 1 was developed to examine classroom experiences through the lens of the researcher and to explore the perceptions of teachers and students involved in the study. The goal was to identify the quality, meaningful educational experiences in the classroom which led to the development of algebraic thinking and self-efficacy among students who previously demonstrated a struggle to learn mathematics. The inspiration for this study was my personal experience as a student, as I also struggled to develop algebraic thinking as a high school student. The school district in which this study was …

Impact Of Professional Development On Primary School Teachers' Practices And Student Engagement, Tracy Hartley Clark

Curriculum and Instruction (Ed.D.) Dissertations

Prioritizing student engagement in the classroom, where students want to learn more and be challenged, can lead to future success. This study investigated the effectiveness of providing teachers with professional development focusing on student engagement. The study utilized a mixed-method methodology that examined the effects of professional development on student engagement levels. The participants were 19 teachers who attended professional development at ABC Primary School. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to test the study's hypotheses. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through observations before and after the professional development sessions. The data collected was used to determine whether …

Engaging Every Student In American Government: A Vertical Learning Approach, Tatiana Schumacher

Graduate Research Showcase

This project is a research-based creative endeavor that aims to design an innovative high school course on American government. The course, titled “American Government: Thinking Classrooms,” has several unique and effective features. It promotes equity in the political science classroom by focusing on student assets, such as their cultural backgrounds, personal experiences, and interests. The course also incorporates social-emotional learning, helping students develop skills such as self-awareness, empathy, and collaboration. Culturally responsive teaching methods are utilized, connecting the content to the students’ lives, using diverse sources and perspectives, and fostering critical thinking. The course adopts Peter Liljedahl’s “building thinking classroom” …

How To Spark Bio Curiosity: An Innovative High School Biology Curriculum, Audrie Charles

Graduate Research Showcase

This project is a researched creative endeavor focused around the creation of an exemplary high school biology course. This presentation will showcase an original high school biology curriculum designed to ignite students’ innate curiosity and empower meaningful learning of core concepts like cell structure, genetics, evolution and ecology. Students revisit key ideas through a spiral curriculum that builds complexity, tackling open-ended problems and collaborating on hands-on inquiries like formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, collecting data and drawing evidence-based conclusions. Tangible projects allow students to demonstrate content knowledge in addition to critical thinking abilities like synthesizing concepts, evaluating claims and applying learning …

Strategic Plan For The Flannery O'Connor Institute For The Humanities, Dan Lavery

Graduate Research Showcase

Mary Flannery O’Connor (1925-1963) is the most prestigious alumna of Georgia College and State University (GCSU). On March 25, 2025, GCSU will celebrate the Centenary of her birth. In the period leading up to that time there are many activities and events to commemorate this significant occasion. One of the most significant is the renaming of the now Andalusia Institute at GCSU to the Flannery O’Connor Institute for the Humanities with a new mission, vision and goals. My proposed Capstone Project is to create a new strategic plan for the rebranded Flannery O’Connor Institute for the Humanities so that it …

Quantifying Costs And Benefits Of Alternative Overwintering Strategies In A Southeastern Population Of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Horridus), John Powers, Amber Stubbs, Alfred J. Mead, Dominic L. Desantis

Graduate Research Showcase

Temperate reptile populations are under strong selective pressure to minimize the costs of extreme winter temperatures. For high latitude and high elevation snake populations, this has often favored communal overwintering behavior, wherein large numbers of conspecifics aggregate at optimal sites given the limited availability of such features in the environment. Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) are distributed across a wide latitudinal gradient in North America, and therefore represent ideal models for exploring how variable winter selective regimes might favor different strategies. Here, we leverage a unique intermediate population of C. horridus from central Georgia, USA, that exhibits both communal …

The Thinking Classroom: High School Physics Reimagined, Donovan Baker

Graduate Research Showcase

This project is a research-based creative endeavor that reimagines high school physics education. It proposes “The Thinking Classroom: High School Physics Reimagined”, a novel course design that fosters equity, engagement, and learning in the physics classroom. The course design draws on various principles and practices, such as student assets, social-emotional learning, culturally responsive teaching, Peter Liljedahl’s “building thinking classroom” approach, project-based learning, formative feedback, brain-based learning, and AI personalization. The project shows how this course design can transform physics education and prepare students for the 21st century.

1) Comprehensive Body Composition Assessments In College Aged Students, Erica Chapman, Marshuna Dalton, Natalie Izevbigie, Maddison Wilkes

Graduate Research Showcase

Introduction: According to the spring 2023 American College Health Association health survey, 5.5%, 22.8%, and 16% of college students self-reported being underweight, overweight, and obese, respectively. These statistics align with CDC figures suggesting 35-40% of college students are overweight and/or obese. Unfortunately, the vast majority of college students are not meeting national physical activity or nutritional standards. This trend towards unhealthy body composition, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor dietary habits has the potential to promote the development of chronic health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis. These risk-factors are avoidable and hold substantial physical, social, and economic …