Digital Commons Network^™

On The Basis Of Gender: Discrimination Against Transgender People In The Hiring Process, Aaron N. Baillargeon

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

The study investigated the effect of a job applicant’s gender identity (male or female) and gender history (cisgender or transgender) on the evaluated quality of the applicant and the likelihood of the applicant being hired for a vacant software engineer position. Participants from the worker pool of Amazon’s Mechanical Turk evaluated the quality of a fictitious job applicant based on a mock resume and background check created for the purposes of this study, then completed the Social Dominance Orientation. There was no significant effect of gender identity or gender history on the evaluated quality of the job applicant or on …

The Grace And Leigh Oral History Project, Spencer Law

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

At a critical time in examining the bias of our institutions, the Grace and Leigh Oral History Project is collecting and archiving stories of three educational institutions in Richmond, Virginia. These oral history interviews share personal experiences with race and privilege in Richmond Public Schools, the experiment of the Virginia Governor's School initiative, and the legacy of Maggie Lena Walker. An accompanying contextual essay provides background on the author’s personal connection to the project, relevant historical information, and detailed plans for the future of the project. Currently, the project includes a total of 24 oral history interviews, roughly an hour …

What Methods Can The Health Care Industry Implement To Reduce Energy Consumption And Waste Production From Patient Care To Limit Greenhouse Gas Emissions?, Danielle H. S. Good

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Purpose: Climate change is a growing issue all around the world and has negative impacts on the environment and human health. The health care industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions amplifying climate change. Health care establishments are in place to improve health but are inadvertently harming it at the same time. Methods:A review of the literature was conducted to determine the impact the health care industry has on climate change and what can be done to limit the impacts on the environment. Resources were collected from trusted organizations databases such as Healthcare Without Harm, …

My Own Distinguished People: An Analysis Of Carpatho-Rusyn Autonomy Movements, Alexandra S. Benc

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

What factors must a stateless nation possess in order to gain political autonomy? This question is explored through the perspective of Carpatho-Rusyns, an East Slavic stateless nation with a largely unknown, yet rich and distinct, history and culture. Throughout modern history, the Rusyns have made three significant attempts to gain political autonomy and become a semi-independent entity. I argue that stateless nations that possess high levels of the elements of political opportunity structure, cultural maintenance, and economic functioning are more likely to succeed in their efforts to gain political autonomy than those stateless nations who do not. Each of these …

The Political Theory Of The Latin American Independence Movement, Sarah H. Welsch

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

This project explores the historical context from which four Latin American political theorists emerged in the 19th century and analyzes the extent to which they promoted the liberal ideal of equality in the governments they worked to establish. Mariano Moreno, José de San Martín, Simón Bolívar, and Agustín de Iturbide played central roles in the Latin American independence movement and the establishment of government institutions in the years that followed. I demonstrate that each theorist neglected to include large swaths of society in their discussions of equality while advocating for systems of governance from which they would personally benefit.

Influence Of Testosterone On Male-Male Competition In The Red-Sided Garter Snake, Thamnophis Sirtalis Parietalis, Isabella M. G. Bukovich

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Female mimicry in the red-sided garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis, is described in several well-studied evolutionary advantages, but an aspect that remains elusive is how reproductive traits are linked to the 3-fold higher circulating androgens in males with this phenotype. In this study, we implanted male garter snakes (n=15 per group) with either a blank implant (SHAM; control) or a T implant, the latter simulating the female mimic phenotype. Following simulated low-temperature dormancy, males were scored for courtship intensity over three days of behavioral trials with females housed in the same facility. Males were sacrificed, and sperm were collected …

Women's Representation In European Parliament Committees, Reagan E. Harrison

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Increasing globalization and growing importance of the European Union has facilitated an important discussion about who makes policy decisions within the EU, specifically within the European Parliament. This thesis aims to discuss women’s representation within the EP at the committee level. By compiling a database of MEPs from 1^st July 2014 to 18^th January 2017, it looks into the question of whether or not committees are gendered. It argues that committees have gendered patterns, with women disproportionately focused within certain committees, that left parties have less gender discrepancies than right parties, and less women have committee leadership positions …

Exploring The Effect Of Cultural Sensitivity In Public Relations Campaigns, Amanda N. Christian

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

This study examines the importance of perceived cultural sensitivity on consumer attitudes and intent to support. Participants were randomly assigned to campaign messaging with a perceived high level of cultural sensitivity or a perceived low level of cultural sensitivity. Findings reveal that higher perceived levels of culturally sensitive messages generate more positive attitudes and increase the willingness of consumers to demonstrate supportive communication and intent to purchase. Other hypotheses comparing the response between two groups—self-identifying Hispanic and non-Hispanic respondents— aimed to distinguish the role origin plays in determining how important cultural sensitivity is to the perception of the organization. These …

El Peligro De Contar Historias: Un Análisis De ​Tu Rostro Mañana​, De Javier Marías, Madison Morgan

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Tu rostro mañana ( 2002-2007), una novela en tres partes de Javier Marías (Madrid, 1951), mira el mundo a través de los ojos cautelosos del protagonista Jacques Deza, un agente de observación, encubierto, que trabaja bajo una presión insuperable para mantener el silencio mientras escribe la historia y las consecuencias de no hacerlo. La extensión de la novela sola es un apunte irónico a la incapacidad humana de mantener el silencio que uno pretende establecer. Con más de mil páginas, divididas entre los tres libros, Marías utiliza su técnica de escritura de flujo de conciencia para comprometerse con el lector …

The Effect Of Map Orientation On Wayfinding, Danielle A. Cabiran

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Wayfinding is a term used to describe navigational problem solving. There are a number of factors on a map that can effect wayfinding ability. This experiment studied three variables; the complexity of the map, the orientation of the map, and certain cartographical features of the map on wayfinding ability. We predicted that there would be a significant main effect for all three variables, and a significant interaction effect between all three. Participants were given a map with a starting point and destination, they were asked to look at the map until they planned a route from their starting point to …

Using The Alliant Intercultural Competency Scale To Develop Behavioral Scenarios For Assessing Sociocultural Awareness, Catherine R. Fisher

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

The current study used and developed situational scenarios based on the questions in the Alliant Intercultural Competency Scale (AICS) as a step toward developing a direct measure of James Madison University (JMU) psychology’s sociocultural awareness course requirement. Participants were first semester psychology students, who have yet to take the sociocultural course requirement, and seniors, who have fulfilled the requirement. The participants responded to the behavioral scenarios survey as well as an ethnocultural empathy survey, and other self-report measures of sociocultural awareness. I compared underclassmen and seniors’ responses in order to assess the feasibility of this type of behavioral measure. Results …

Correlation Between Victim-Blaming Attitudes And Victim Gender In Non-Sexual Crime Scenarios, Caroline Whitlow

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Sex crime victims often experience victim-blaming from third parties. Literature does not discuss whether this pattern comes from gender bias or stigma surrounding certain types of crime. This mixed methods study assesses correlation between gender of non-sexual crime victims and third-party blame assignment. Quantitative research found higher levels of blame towards male victims, with a t-statistic of 5.865. Qualitative research found gendered perceptions of responsibility that invoke female victims’ sex and instruct women to adjust lifestyle choices. Social work practitioners can use this data to improve practice with crime victims and encourage dialogues surrounding victim-blaming in education and practice.

Comparative Analysis Of State Policies For Former Foster Youth, Erin A. Watkins

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

This research is a comparative analysis of state policies aiding former foster youth in their transition into adulthood. This research looks at policies in the areas of housing, education, and employment. The objective of this research is to see what state policies are effective in aiding their former foster youth in their transition into adulthood. Effectiveness is evaluated by the National Youth in Transition Database data and Annie E. Casey Foundation data, looking specifically at rates of homelessness, rates of enrollment or attendance in school, and rates of part-time or full-time employment. Results found that the three states analyzed (Illinois, …

Balance And Motivic Unity In The Finale Of Robert Schumann's Piano Sonata, Op. 11, Robert B. Carlson

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Robert Schumann’s first piano sonata, op. 11, is of great importance within his compositional output, but it is faced with undue neglect in performance and in-depth analytical study. Though he has been criticized for his inability to handle large forms, this sonata exemplifies a thorough sense of design, unity, and intricacy in his writing. There exists a considerable dearth of analysis that focuses specifically on the voice-leading structure of this sonata. Such an approach would shed light on the way Schumann engages with larger structures.

The first three movements of this work set a precedent of organic self-awareness in the …

Less-Java, More Type Safety: Type Inference And Static Analysis In Less-Java, Charles D. Hines

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Less-Java is an object-oriented programming language whose primary goal is to help new programmers learn programming. Some of the features of Less-Java that might make it better for beginners are static typing, implicit typing, low verbosity, and built-in support for unit testing. The primary focus of this project is on improving type inference (especially with regards to object-oriented programming) and adding static analysis in the Less-Java compiler.

A Pilot Study On The Impact Of Teaching Assistant Led Cs1 Study Sessions Using Peer Instruction, Megan E. Gilbert

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

James Madison University’s Computer Science program strives to be a student-centered learning environment with a focus on creating a community for undergraduate success. National data reveals computer science has the lowest student retention rate compared to other STEM majors. The National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) has compiled a list of ways to retain students in Computer Science. In particular, NCWIT calls for collaboration indicate that “a sense of belonging, or a feeling of fit, is important for supporting student interest and persistence.” One aspect of creating community is the department’s longstanding commitment to provide undergraduate teaching assistants …

The Health Literacy Knowledge And Skills Among Undergraduate Students, Madelaine Grygo

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Health literacy is defined as the knowledge and skills individuals need to acquire and understand related to health information and services in order to create the best health outcomes for themselves. Those with low health literacy struggle to successfully follow medical instructions, obtain and comprehend health information, and communicate health complications. Low health literacy is correlated with preventable negative health outcomes, such as sexually transmitted infections, obesity, diabetes, lung cancer, and heart disease, which are conditions experienced by a majority of the U.S. population. The most recent estimates suggest that over 75 million U.S. adults are health illiterate, which indicates …

A Pilot Study On A Mindfulness Intervention For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Meredith Obaytek

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

This project explores the effects of a mindfulness intervention on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in an occupational therapy setting, as well as explores the attitudes of student occupational therapists on the treatment acceptability for mindfulness interventions in occupational therapy. This paper discusses the current research in mindfulness and explores how it may have an impact on children with ASD, and in particular, within the field of occupational therapy. This project was made up of two components and took place at James Madison University’s Inter-Professional Autism Clinic (IPAC) over the course of three weeks. The first component was an …

Women In Socialist Cuba: Political And Economic Equality, Julia E. Rogers

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Gender equality is recognized as a fundamental human right and goal by the United Nations. The 1959 Cuban Revolution advocated for widespread social changes including equality for women. Cuba is a critical case because it both confirms and refutes assumptions about gender equality. The central research question explored in this thesis is: How do domestic and global factors combine to affect the rhetoric and experiences of gendered and racial groups with respect to economic and political opportunities in socialist Cuba? I examine whether the divergences between expectations and experiences conform to the general literature. I find that women did achieve …

From Branches To Fibers - Investigating F-Actin Networks With Biochemistry And Mathematical Modeling, Melissa A. Riddle

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

F-actin networks have different structures throughout the cell depending on their location or mechanical role. For example, at the leading edge of a migrating cell, F-actin is organized in a region called the lamellipodia as a branched network responsible for pushing the membrane outwards. Behind the lamellipodia is a lamellar actin network where focal adhesions and stress fibers originate, and then within the cell cortex, actin is arranged in a gel-like network. Stress fibers are an important organization of F-actin and how they arise from either the branched lamellipodia network or the gel-like cortex network is poorly understood. Our approach …

Integrating Psychological Theory Into The Legal Doctrine Of Deterrence, Alexander G. Parseghian

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

The deterrence principle within the field of criminology is essential in preventing deviant behavior before its commission and defines the relationship individuals have with an institution’s system of punishment. Deterrence was originally studied solely among criminal populations, but modern deterrence theory broadens the definition of crime to actions relevant to the general population through any act societal values would proscribe. The addition of psychological principles to deviance research and the usage of university student populations has highlighted academic dishonesty as a prolific deviant behavior outcome variable. Criminological researchers have identified factors that complement or mirror psychological and educational theory, yet …

Revealing The Impact Of Singing In An Aphasia Group, Ava L. Barton

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Aphasia is an acquired, neurogenic language disorder that affects an individual’s ability to express and comprehend language to varying degrees. Individuals with aphasia are restricted in their ability to communicate effectively and as a result, experience decreased quality of life and marked psychosocial consequences. There are numerous interventions that target the language symptoms associated with aphasia. However, social groups, such as book clubs, address both the language and psychological needs of individuals with aphasia. This project explored spontaneous moments of singing that occurred within an aphasia book club. Twenty-four moments of singing were identified and analyzed from six previously recorded …

Narratives Of Immigration: Nbc And Cnn Coverage Of Border “Crisis”, Shanna C. Kelly

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

This research was conducted through the form of a content analysis of network versus cable broadcast news to see how immigration coverage has shaped journalistic tactics. NBC and CNN were the news outlet representatives. Clips from the Vanderbilt TThis research was conducted through the form of a content analysis of network versus cable broadcast news to see how immigration coverage has shaped journalistic tactics. NBC and CNN were the news outlet representatives. Clips from the Vanderbilt Television News Archive were coded according to their identification of immigrants and visual cues. These results were then analyzed and interpreted to see potential …

Whole Genome Sequence Analysis Of A Transmissible Multidrug-Resistance Plasmid Captured Without Cultivation From Poultry Litter, Emma C. Eisemann

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Use of antibiotics in the agricultural industry introduces selective pressure and, consequently, could increase the presence of antibiotic resistant organisms in surrounding environments. One such environment is litter (manure and bedding) produced during large-scale poultry production in the Shenandoah Valley. Litter, with its microorganisms, is commonly applied to fields within the Shenandoah River watershed. Antibiotic resistance (AR) and virulence genes are potentially transmissible between organisms through horizontal gene transfer of genetic mobile elements, for which poultry litter could be a reservoir. The typical, culture-based approach to detecting and analyzing AR plasmids and other mobile genetic elements is limited due to …

Female Leaders Navigate The Arts, Post 'Me Too', Peyton Kennedy

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

As the lights dim and the curtain rises on a theatrical production, there are roles to fill onstage and off. Perhaps the most important roles in modern theatre are those of leadership. Leaders in the arts have the power to influence company communication, shape the culture of the rehearsal room and navigate through a crisis. However, leadership and power can be manipulated, as the world witnessed through the ‘me too’ movement. As allegations rose against prominent leaders, the push for change strengthened. We are now three years past Hollywood’s ignition of the ‘me too’ movement, which prompts the question: have …

Demonstrable Effect Of Vocal Changes On Singing Voices Of Post-Menopausal Women, Haley K. Griffith

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

There is little research concerning the impacts of menopause on the female singing voice, and few research studies examine any treatment methods or exercises to help sustain vocal quality throughout and after menopause. To determine areas in which more detailed studies could be completed, I completed a thorough literature review of current research studies that investigate relationships between menopause and the voice. Many studies examined vocal symptoms of menopause, such as a lowered fundamental frequency (F0) and decreased vocal quality. However, there exists no formally researched or published vocal exercises that help to mitigate these menopausal voice symptoms.

In response, …

Analyzing The Onset And Resolution Of Nonstate Conflict In The Middle East & North Africa, Emily A. Barbaro

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

By applying structural-functionalist theories of deviance and opposition, this thesis deconstructs nonstate mobilization in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Using data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Dataset, the quantitative analysis interpreted both group and leader behavior in conflict situations to determine factors that influenced conflict onset and resolution. The quasipoisson regression analysis of group behavior suggested that polity and state capacity were both significant predictors of violent and nonviolent mobilization. The negative binomial regression of regime behavior suggested that civilian casualties were the most significant predictor of a government response to nonstate mobilization. Ultimately, the …

Investigation Of Potentially Catalytic Residues Of Uba5 Through Mutagenesis, Purification, And Structural Characterization, Grant Bradley

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (Ufm1) is a member of the Ubiquitin (Ub) family of proteins whose primary function is degradation of proteins through a sequential mechanism of chemical reactions. Though Ufm1’s specific roles are largely unknown, this family of proteins has shown to play a part in a wide variety of processes, including regulation of the cell cycle¹, secretory functions of cells^2,3, and blood clotting⁴. Ufm1’s mechanism of action proceeds with the aid of three enzymes: an E1, E2, and E3. Uba5 is the E1 activating enzyme that is specific to Ufm1, and its mechanism of …

A Novel Approach To Updating Municipal Tax Parcel Impervious Surface Calculations, Patrick D. Muradaz

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Accurate impervious surface calculations are important to many municipalities due to the high volumes of surface rainwater runoff caused by high impervious surface density. Municipalities must deal with this runoff through the establishment and maintenance of drainage facilities. To help offset the added cost of these facilities, many municipalities impose taxes and fees on privately owned impervious surfaces such as homes, driveways, and patios. Currently, in order for a city like Harrisonburg to calculate tax parcel impervious surface density, aerial images must be manually digitized or mapped using computer-based classification techniques using predictive models. These methods of impervious surface calculations …

Emancipation Through A Domestic Education: How One Magazine Inspired A Female Literary Renaissance In The Nineteenth-Century Middle East, Lauren S. Palmieri

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

Both in its contemporary journalistic milieu and in recent secondary scholarship, al-Fatah (1892-1894) has been widely recognized as the first Arabic women’s periodical. This magazine has similarly been credited with ushering in the era of the Arabic female press during the late nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries. However, al-Fatah has received little attention as a magazine in and of itself. An analysis of al-Fatah helps to nuance the nahda cultural movement and its literature as more than male-dominated voices and authorship. This thesis explores how al-Fatah laid foundations for a female press by facilitating communication between editors and readers. …