Digital Commons Network^™

Producing Godspell: An Exploration Of The Concept Musical, Dana Joanne Clark

Honors Theses

In this thesis I will explore my direction of the production of Godspell produced January 16 through 18,2009, in the Johnson Commons Ballroom on The University of Mississippi campus. Godspell is a concept musical based on the Book of Matthew from The Bible. This paper explores the use of different methods of directing, the use of integrated choreography, and the means it takes to produce a musical. In it I will discover which methods were successful and which failed to meet my expectations. It will conclude with a detailed analysis of methods explored, problems encountered, and goals accomphshed, ultimately resulting …

What Walt Disney Never Tod You: Social, Political, And Religious Interpretations Of The Brothers Grimm Literature, Haley Alison Crum

Honors Theses

Much research has been done on the lives and works of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, the German literary scholars of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Most of this research has pertained to the psychological and sociohistorical interpretations of their tales. Little work has been done, however, to directly relate their stories to events that happened during the time in which they lived. Also, the Brothers’ lives are oJften misunderstood as they thought widely to have only copied the stories they heard onto paper, which would have required little literary skill. On the contrary, the Brothers shaped the stories …

The Emergence Of Biotechnology In The State Of Mississippi: A Review, Whitman Scott Dowlen

Honors Theses

This publication was written with the intention of performing an analysis of the present in-state bioscience initiative and subsequent Mississippi industry incumbents. Hopefully, this publication will be employed as an informative tool to Mississippi residents, universities, policy makers and private corporations considering investment in research and development in the state of Mississippi.

Christian Society Is Not Yet Ready For This: Fyodor Dostoevsky's Christianity, Mark Douglas Gregory

Honors Theses

By investigating the characters of these three novels as well as their beliefs and disbeliefs, my desire is to gain a greater knowledge of Dostoevsky’s personal religious views. As a child, Dostoevsky grew up in the Orthodox Church at the behest of his parents, but as a result of his time in prison and other tragedies, we see a noticeable movement towards an emphasis on Christ, as well as the selfless love he exemplified. In this thesis, we will examine Dostoevsky’s conviction that, in spite of the depravity of men and their inclination towards baseness, it is not only possible, …

Hadwiger's Conjecture Applied To Mycielski And Kneser Graphs, Anne Marie Nicholas

Honors Theses

Graph theory is the study of graphs that represent a specific relation between pairs of objects from a collection. The objects are represented by vertices that are connected by edges defining the existence of such relation ship. A crucial result in graph theory, the Four Color Theorem, was first proposed in 1852 by Francis Guthrie but was not proven until 1976 by Ken neth Appel and Wolfgang Haken. The Four Color Theorem says that any graph on a plane is four colorable. Then in 1943 Hugo Hadwiger presented generalization of the Four Color Theorem which is still an important and …

Testing A Model: Ca2+ Induced Exposure Of Tryptophan In Neural-Cadherins, Chinelo Udemgba

Honors Theses

Cadherins are transmembrane cell adhesion proteins that are critical for tissue formation and maintenance. Cell adhesion by cadherin requires binding of 3 calcium ions at the interfaces between the ectodomain modules. Recent data suggest a model in which calcium induces a relatively large conformational change in the first ectodomain module, domain 1, by causing the detachment of the A-strand from the core of domain 1 and exposure of a tryptophan in the second position, W2. The exposure of W2 is crucial for formation of a strand-crossover structure that is believed to be the adhesive dimer interface. In order to establish …

Influence Of Particle Size On Mixed Culture Bacterial Biofilms, Kaleb James Page

Honors Theses

Little research has investigated particle size as a structuring factor of microbial communities in aquatic environments. One study focused on the influence of particle size on microbial community structure as observed in nature, and the study described here tested those findings in vivo. Stream water was collected and used to inoculate samples containing glass beads of various sizes, fine (106 pm), medium (500 pm), and (1000 pm), and a mixture of all particle sizes; each sample had the same total surface area. Half of the samples were left standing, and half were rotated to simulate the movement of a stream …

Finding Humanity In Dystopia: Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale And Oryx And Crake, Emily Thrash Peters

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the relationship of humanity and literature in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid's Tale and Oryx and Crake. Through personal narration, Offred tells the story of being a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian government in which language is forbidden. She struggles to remain human in a world that treats her as a reproductive machine. Offred’s experiences lead her to forbidden games with the Commander, an affair with the Commander’s guardian, and escape because of love and trust in a world void of emotion. In Oryx and Crake. Jimmy/Snowman thinks he is the last genuine human being …

Sincerely Yours: An Analysis Of The Nature And Strengths Of Epistolary Fiction, Elizabeth Anne Taylor

Honors Theses

This thesis focuses on the accomplishments of epistolary fiction and what it offers writers. The thesis begins with a study of the history and evolution of the form to develop a base for ideas presented in the following sections. It addresses the challenges posed by the epistolary foi*m as well as the form’s possibilities. The thesis investigates specific possibilities writing techniques used in epistolary form and their effects on both the characters and readers. The concentration is on six different epistolary novels written between the mid 1600’s and today. The central argument of this thesis offers an assessment of the …

Theory And Practice: Translating The Arsamatoria, Ellen Bowden

Honors Theses

In this paper, I have translated the Ars Amatoria by Ovid. I have examined the cultural and political context and history of the Ars and its author, and I have researched translation theory, as well as examined criticisms ofthe poem. I have integrated these elements as best I can into my translation and the paper. I have also attempted to present the Ars in a way that is appealing and interesting to academic and non-academic readers alike.

Acoustics In Highly Concentrated Wormlike Micellar Materials, Najat Ahmad Al-Sherri

Honors Theses

The purpose of this project is to verify the results of a previous study (Gladden and Mobley, 2008) conducted to determine the acoustical parameters, attenuation and sound speed, in the viscoelastic material of wormlike micelles. In this experiment, narrowband acoustic waves at ultrasonic frequencies were propagated through worm-like micellar solutions of varying concentrations (50 mM, 75 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM) across a range of temperatures. The measurements were performed using a pulse-echo technique and the echoes (representing wavelets that have traversed the sample twice) were then analyzed for signal loss and sound speed utilizing the Hilbert transform. The resulting …

Capturing The Banner Of Batlissmo: The Frente Amplio And The End Of Uruguay's Two-Party System, Kelly Ann Usher

Honors Theses

This paper looks at the 2004 presidential victory of the Frente Amplio in Uruguay, as well as the party’s development since 1971 to explain how it became victorious. The paper will also investigate what changes the two traditionally dominant political parties have undergone in response to the Frente Amplio’s rise. Uruguayan political science magazines and documents from the political parties themselves form the foundation of this work, supplemented by research from books and academic writings. Research showed that although the Frente Amplio started out as a radical leftist group, it was able to become moderate and use political means of …

Assessment Of Eating Disorder Knowledge Among College Students & The Effectiveness Of A Primary Prevention Program, Patricia Eileen Edwards

Honors Theses

Objective: To assess the current knowledge of eating disorders among college students and to determine the effectiveness of a prevention program in increasing eating disorder knowledge. Participants: College students enrolled in the University of Mississippi and in a Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) 311 Nutrition course. Methods: Participants in attendance of an FCS 311 Nutrition course were administered a 21 question survey to assess a baseline knowledge level of eating disorders. Participants were later educated on eating disorders through a primary prevention program “Eating Disorders 101”. The previous survey was administered again to assess the knowledge gained and the effectiveness …

The Ontology Of Number, Garrett Michael Strickland

Honors Theses

In this thesis, I hope to offer a historical summary of the discussion of the ontology of number. I will begin with the origins of the argument, focusing primarily on the first two major players, Plato and Aristotle, and I will continue to the major players and positions of the debate as it stands today. This done, I will give some of my own insights and impressions on the subject, and I will discuss which, if any, of the positions seem acceptable and why.

Corporate Sports Sponsorship: An Analysis Of Fan/Consumer Attitude And Purchase Behavior`, Jaime Marie Weaver

Honors Theses

Despite the increasing popularity of sponsorship of sports, there remains a lack of understanding of its effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to examine the growing business practice of corporate sponsorship, and ultimately the effects of spots sponsorship, specifically intercollegiate sports at the University of Mississippi, to determine the effects on consumer attitude and behavior. In depth interviews with key informants in the sponsorship process and fan surveys were conducted to gather information regarding current sponsorships. Results suggest that sports properties and corporate sponsors agree on objectives of sponsorship; however, consistent effectiveness tracking methods cease to exist. In addition, …

Calcium Binding Affinity Properties Of Neural Cadherin Domains 1 And 2, Thomas Thayer Wood

Honors Theses

Cadherins are a family of cell adhesion receptors that are crucial for binding of mutual vertebrate cells. Cadherins are calcium-dependent, homophilic, cell-adhesive molecules that are found in varying types of cell-cell contacts. Cell-cell contacts that contain cadherins include adherens junctions, desmosomes, and synapses. Cadherins play an Important role in regulating maintenance of adult tissue structural design and integrity. tissue morphogenesis and synaptogenesis, and embryogenesis. Cadherins have an intracellular, cytoplasmic, region, a transmembrane region, and an extracellular region where calcium binding occurs. In classical cadherins, the extracellular region has five modular P-barrel domains and calcium binds to the interfaces between domains. …

Internal Controls And Regulation Of The Not-For-Profit Sector: Increasing Transparency For Churches, Sarah Catherine White

Honors Theses

Reaulation of for-profit organizations and fraud within them are commonly researched areas; however, many overlook the need for adequate internal controls and reaiilation of the not-for-profit sector, particularly religious not-for-profit organizations. Fraud has been a problem in this sector for a while, but it is frequently neglected due to the false sense of security that people have when dealing with not-for-profits. The notfor- profit sector is much less regulated than the for-profit sector, and religious not-for profit organizations are not subject to any of the regulations that other not-for-profit organizations face. In order to gather appropriate data for determining ways …

On The Metaphysics Ofphenomenal Mental States: An Inquiry Into The Mind-Body Problem From Ordinary Intuition Ofthe Mental, Brian Kyle Ferriss

Honors Theses

Brian Kyle Ferriss-On the Metaphysics of Phenomenal Mental States: An Inquiry into the Mind-Body Problem from Ordinary Intuition ofthe Mental (Under the direction of Dr. Robert Barnard)

The purpose ofthis thesis is to explore certain metaphysical issues central to the mind-body problem. This thesis approaches the debate by first addressing ordinary intuitions about the mind arguing that such an approach is appropriate and a necessary starting point for any insightful discussion on the mind. This essay, then, applies what it claims to be ordinary beliefs about the mind to a number of philosophical and psychological theories. It investigates these theories …

Crowning Glory: A Sociological Study Of Gender In The Beauty Pageant System, Lee Taylor

Honors Theses

This thesis provides a sociological examination of the personal experiences of beauty pageant participants in the South. By deconstructing the ideal view of women in beauty pageants, I attempted to answer how pageant contestants view their individual participation in the oppressive framework of the beauty pageant contest. In order to provide an in-depth analysis on the role of gender in beauty pageants, I conducted personal interviews and field study observations. Additionally, I researched current online sources and scholarly publications concerning gender and beauty pageants. The beauty pageant system demands that young women alter their bodies and personalities in order to …

The Butterflies: An Original Film Produced Throught The University Of Mississippi In August 2008, Winsor Yu-Liang Yuan

Honors Theses

This paper is an account of a student’s original short film from the first stages of its artistic intention to its completion. The film is entitled The Butterflies. The paper provides a close inspection of the evolution of the film’s artistic intention, how that intention was realized, and how it was not realized. It describes the hardships, stresses. triumphs, and victories of the filmmaker during months of preparation and production.

The Last Drinking Drys: The Repeal Of Prohibition In Mississippi, Joseph Stone Green

Honors Theses

The repeal of prohibition in Mississippi is a topic that has attracted little scholarly attention, and even existing attention consists of a scattered and often conflicting account of events. The purpose of this thesis is to examine and re-examine the events and players involved in the repeal of alcohol prohibition in Mississippi in 1966. While broader issues such as faith, society, and even race helped shape the context within which a movement to repeal prohibition both began and succeeded, this paper will not delve into these larger concerns any more than is necessary to understanding the significance of specific events …

Defending The Rorschach Blot, Mary Reagan Lightsey

Honors Theses

Like paint thrown on a page, folded and smooshed, DEFENDING THE RORSCHACH BLOT is a different image of my life every time I look at it. It was my goal to present a portrait of myself that is a raw portrayal. While we fight the idea of being malleable, there is something to be said for realizing that no one is made of steel; we are all molded by people, circumstances and experiences. DEFENDING THE RORSCHACH BLOT embodies themes of ambition, perfectionism and moderation while exploring many encounters with failure, imperfection and excess. It is conglomeration of color blotted out …

Political Polarization And Networking In The Modern Internet Campaign, Alan Michael Pate

Honors Theses

For this study, the methods and techniques employed by internet campaign managers and major online interest groups from 1996 to 2008 were studied. Additionally, for the 60 days leading up to the 2008 presidential election, e-mail and online newsletter communication disseminated to supporters from the major presidential parties, candidates, and interest groups were tracked and analyzed. Since the 1996 presidential election, presidential candidates have increasingly used the internet to interact with supporters. This study examines the evolution of this relatively recent phenomenon and theorizes about its potential effects on democratic participation. Specifically, this paper argues that although the modem internet …

Whose Right Is It? The Supreme Court And The Second Amendment Right To Bear Arms, Mary Mitchell Purvis

Honors Theses

In this thesis, I describe the history of debate surrounding the interpretation of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, leading up to the United States Supreme Court weighing in on the issue in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller (2009). To find information for my study I examined many scholarly historical and legal journals Second Amendment interpretation. I chose to use as my sources journals which I felt were most representative of the oppposing sides in the debate. I also gained information from newspaper articles on the Heller case as it evolved, both to learn about …

The Motivational Forces Behind China's Foreign Policy In Africa: A Historical Comparison Between The 1960s And Today, Tatiana Claire Sarasin

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Guztien Gogora Egitea, Da Gauza Nekea, Pleasing Everyone Is Tiresome: A Theory Of How Domestic Policy Affects Foreign Policy, Ashton Mclean Seip

Honors Theses

The goal of this thesis is to provide an adequate answer to the question of how domestic politics affect foreign policy, specifically examining Spain’s refusal to recognize Kosovo as an independent nation because of the Basque independence movement within its own borders. By examining the various aspects of domestic politics, including the election of officials, as well as the historical context of the political situation in both Spain and Kosovo, the question is answered. Foreign policy decisions are made based on the process of domestic politics. Spain refused to acknowledge Kosovo’s independence for fear that the Basques might separate in …

The Olympics As A Catalyst For Chinese Environmental Regulation: A Theory With Three Case Studies From Beijing, Alecia Anne Waite

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Change In The European Court Of Human Rights: Accession Of Eastern And Central European Member States, Rachel Morgan West

Honors Theses

The research idea originated as a result of interest in Russian human rights which then expanded to include all of Eastern and Central Europe. This work seeks to explore the effects of the Council of Europe’s (COE) Eastern and Central European member states on the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR or the “Court”). The in-depth publishings of ECHR itself provided the greatest source of information for this work. Part I provides a brief history of the ECHR up to 1989 when expansion to Eastern and Central European states first became possible. Parts II, III, and IV focus on three …

Harry Potter: Magic Or Illusion?, Douglas Fugate Caldwell Williams

Honors Theses

When first introduced, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series rocked the world of children’s books. It quickly topped bestseller lists and became the talk of the elementary world. But then something strange happened: grown-ups began reading the series. By the time that the last couple of books debuted, crowds of all ages fonued around bookstores to gather the latest editions. The series was all over the news, with notable critics giving their opinions and censorship debates arising in various regions. The cultural phenomenon had begun. Such a massive reception begs one question: will the Harry Potter series be a literary classic? …

An Exploration Of Factors Increasing Male Involvement In Couples' Hiv Testing In Malawi, Mary Margaret Peterson

Honors Theses

Each year HIV is responsible for approximately 75,000 deaths in Malawi and for creating 550,000 (75%) of Malawi's orphans (UNdata, 2006). UNAJDS and the World Healtli Organization recommend HIV testing as an important measure in preventing transmission to future sexual partners and children. However, only 20% of Malawians aged 15 years and above had ever participated in HIV testing (Machinjili, 2006, p.l3). Heterosexual contact is the primary' mode of HIV transmission and is responsible for 90% of Malawi’s HIV infections, making couples an important target for testing (Zanera & Miteka, 2004, p.l85). In Malawi, 93% of pregnant women receive antenatal …