Digital Commons Network^™

Prometheus In Suspension: Suffering And The Tragic In Aeschylus’S Prometheus Bound, Anna Katherine Batson

Senior Honors Theses

Prometheus Bound (ca. 430 B.C.), Aeschylus’s sweeping tragedy of suffering and injustice, has been the subject of critics for centuries because of its episodic structure and unique themes. Though, like much of the rest of Aeschylus’s corpus, it does not align with the criteria of effective tragedy according to the standards of Aristotle’s Poetics (ca. 330 B.C.), Aeschylus achieves the tragic by placing Prometheus in a state of suspension between his own divine nature and his affinity for humankind, a nearly unheard of stasis in a world where the chasm between gods and men was no small one. In receiving …

Identification Of Eurycea Using Cytochrome B, Karis A. Myers

Senior Honors Theses

Genomic sequencing is a powerful tool that has many applications for research, one of which is in the field of taxonomy and the identification of species. This thesis discusses the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b and its utility in population genetics and identification of larval amphibians. The development of the Polymerase Chain Reaction and primers are an integral part of the modern DNA sequencing process. The Polymerase Chain Reaction is used to amplify a target DNA sequence, and the protocol for this procedure must be optimized for the specific sequence of target DNA. Primers must also be designed and modified for …

Cultural Mapping With A View Towards Discipleship In Cayambe, Ecuador, Kathryn L. Northey

Senior Honors Theses

God is a global God. He has a desire for all the nations to hear His Word. This is realized through discipleship. To effectively create disciples, it is necessary that the missionary understands the culture. Cultural mapping is a systematic way to observe and grow to understand a culture. It is beneficial to see how a model is applied to grasp this concept. This thesis examines the example of the culture of Cayambe, Ecuador, to see cultural mapping at work in an actual ministry. It will use the four layers of culture as presented by Donald K. Smith in his …

Divorcing Speech Ability And Intelligence: Why The Two Can No Longer Be Strongly Linked Together, Savannah E. Sims

Senior Honors Theses

Human language is a complex cognitive ability that is still not fully understood by scientists. Except in rare occasions of extreme seclusion or disability, children are able to acquire language without explicitly being taught how. Though animals have the ability to communicate, their “languages” are not comparable to human language. Commonly, people believe that one’s language ability correlates directly to one’s intelligence. It is the purpose of this paper to explore that belief and test its veracity. My hypothesis is that this correlation does not exist or is at best weak. This will be done by looking at several language-related …

Food For Thought: The Importance Of Nutrition For Cognitive And Physical Well-Being, Keeley M. Caviness

Senior Honors Theses

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of nutrition upon the physical development and health of an individual. The main focus is on proving through the examination of various literature and the effects of specific nutrients that nutrition has a great impact on mental and physical well-being. The reasons which people give for not having proper nutrition are taken into consideration as well, and an overall conclusion can be made that nutrition is very important and should be taught to all consumers.

The Second Language Acquisition Of English Prepositions, Patricia J. Boquist

Senior Honors Theses

The acquisition of English prepositions is especially difficult for students learning English as a second language. This paper briefly discusses how prepositions are used in English and a few of the reasons prepositions cause problems for English language learners. It also analyzes the underlying system that governs prepositions and how this system might be represented to English language learners. Finally, it analyzes the current pedagogy and suggests a possible alternative to the status quo.

Joss Whedon: Finding Religious Themes In A Science Fiction Universe, Amanda M. Baker

Senior Honors Theses

Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and other science fiction television shows, is a devout atheist but still manages to weave religious themes throughout his work, including redemption, free will, and Christ figures. This paper will examine the different themes from Whedon’s shows and encourage the reader to look beyond the entertainment aspect and into the deeper moral meaning of the situations he creates.

Apollonius Of Perga: Historical Background And Conic Sections, Ashley Allen

Senior Honors Theses

Apollonius of Perga greatly contributed to geometry, specifically in the area of conics. Through the study of the “Golden Age” of Greek mathematics from about 300 to 200 B.C., Apollonius, who lived from about 262 to 190 B.C., is seen as an innovative geometer whose theories were eventually proved factual. By investigating his theorems on how the different kinds of conic sections are formed, the standard equations for each conic will be better understood. The achievements that have been made as a result of conics include flashlights to whispering galleries.

Migration Dynamics Of The Northern Saw-Whet Owl In The Piedmont, Mountain, And Coastal Plain Provinces Of Virginia, Kyle E. Van Althuis

Senior Honors Theses

The Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) is a small common owl of which little is known. The saw-whet’s migration dynamics are particularly shrouded in mystery due to the secretive nature of this owl. This study examined data obtained by capturing owls with mist nets in order to better understand volume, timing, sex differences and age differences in migration in the Piedmont province of Virginia for 2002-2007. Comparative owl capture data from two other physiographic regions (Mountain and Coastal Plain) were also examined.

Migration flight volume was highest in the Mountain province and lowest in the Coastal Plain, while movements were …

Ephesians 1:3-4: An Explanation Of The Corporate And Christocentric Nature Of Election, Joshua D. Ratliff

Senior Honors Theses

Controversy and debate have raged over the nature of election, and perhaps the weightiest passage on the subject is found in Ephesians 1. This thesis will provide an extensive exegesis of Ephesians 1:3-4 in particular while looking at its broader context within the epistle in general. With Ephesians 1:3-4 as its central focus, this thesis will demonstrate the following: Election is unconditional and it is corporate in Christ. Although an individual’s salvation was certainly known by God in eternity past, individuals were not chosen by God to this salvation. The unconditionally elect One is Jesus Christ, and individuals are elected …

H.R. 3200: The Demise Of Health Care Quality And The Beginning Of The Rationing Of Medical Services In The United States, Sarah Blanzy

Senior Honors Theses

On July 14, 2009, the bill H.R. 3200 America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 was introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives. This bill proposes legislation that President Obama and its supporters promise will improve the health care system in the United States. The opponents of the bill, however, believe that H.R. 3200 will negatively impact the quality of America‟s health care. The bill drastically increases government involvement in the health care process, introduces a public option, which will eventually lead to a single-payer system and proposes regulating the wages of physicians in effort to minimize health …

Reading Comprehension Instruction For Expository Text In Elementary Education, Kristen Ephraim

Senior Honors Theses

The thesis focuses on strategies for developing reading comprehension skills in relation to expository, or informational, text and the need for this type of instruction in contemporary elementary classrooms. Comprehension is the final product of reading, and therefore should require attention and emphasis during literary instructional time. Many students enjoy reading narrative text, as it is more relational and has a storyline or plot, so expository text is often neglected and considered uninteresting. However, as students begin the upper elementary grade levels, almost all of their reading experiences include informational text, such as textbooks. Through instructing students how to read …

The Impact Of The No Child Left Behind Act On The K-8 Setting, Kara Robertson

Senior Honors Theses

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was implemented in 2002, is changing the classroom for teachers and students. The legislation is widely discussed across the nation and people are deciding whether or not this change is suitable for education. The No Child Left Behind Act is affecting the core subjects in the classroom. After evaluating literature on the subject, it is obvious that there are two clear sides to this legislation. There are also actions that can be taken by teachers within the classroom to best utilize NCLB. As a future educator, it is important to evaluate NCLB …

Antibiotic And Disinfectant Resistance Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Christopher Justin Steed

Senior Honors Theses

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium that has developed an increasing resistance to antibiotic drugs. This bacterium is very prevalent in hospitals but is becoming more prevalent in community-based settings. The goals of this research are to test the antibiotic sensitivity of two strains of MRSA, discover the proper disinfectants to use in households and hospital settings, and develop and test antibiotic derivatives to determine the future of antibiotic use against this bacterium. Research indicated that each strain was resistant to β-lactam antibiotics as well as other antibiotics. Each strain tested was unique in its resistance against antibiotics, thus …

Hope Possessed Or Hope Postponed: Paul’S Presentation Of The Believers’ Present Justification And Future Hope In Romans 5-8 In Comparison To N.T. Wright’S Future Justification Perspective, Levi S. Baker

Senior Honors Theses

Over the past three decades, New Testament scholars of the Reformed tradition and the “New Perspective” have debated whether the Apostle Paul’s Christian theology about the Law and salvation was in agreement with the teaching of mainstream first-century Judaism regarding the Law and the salvation of God’s covenant people. Among these New Perspective scholars is the Bishop of Durham, N.T. Wright, whose works will be considered in this paper. The Reformed position’s insistence that the imputed righteousness of Christ is the grounds of believer’s present justification and hope has been challenged by Wright, who has proposed an alternative view on …

How A Departure From Free-Market Principles Contributed To The Current Economic Downturn, Sean M. Philpott

Senior Honors Theses

What should the role of government be in regulating the economy? Through this paper the reader will gain an understanding of the impact of government intervention, when intervention is justified, and what happens when the government over regulates. The research will also reveal some major similarities between today’s economic downturn and the financial debacle of the Great Depression. Finally, analysis will show that, as a result of this unnecessary government intervention, that there is a crisis that is not solely American, but one that has become a major contributor to the global downturn.

Developmental Changes In Zebrafish Embryos Exposed To Bisphenol A Leeched From Commonly Used Plastics, David L. Ortiz

Senior Honors Theses

Bisphenol A, an estrogen mimicker, is found in the commonly used plastic, polycarbonate. Zebrafish embryos were raised in water that had been heated in polycarbonate water bottles by either microwaving for 5 minutes, or boiling for one hour. Near total mortality was seen in 7 days for the embryos growing in bottle-microwaved water, and 9 days for those raised in bottle-boiled water. Zebrafish embryos were also grown in the following known concentrations of BPA: 2mg/l, 14mg/l, 16mg/l, 50mg/l, 135mg/l, and 235mg/l. A stepwise relationship between concentration of BPA and embryo lifespan was seen, and the lowest observed adverse effect level …

To Read Or Not To Read: The Influence Of Literature On Behavior Management, Katherine E. Ray

Senior Honors Theses

Perhaps one of the most discussed issues in American education is that of classroom management. This is not simply an elementary-level problem either, as would be expected due to the younger student’s short attention spans, but an issue that affects the middle and high schools as well. More and more, behavioral issues are becoming a problem because they cause disruption in the classroom and restrict the students from reaching their full learning potential. But are these problems only due to the special needs of students, such as ADD or ADHD, or does the issue lie deeper? Perhaps reviewing the literature …

Is Disney Surfing The Third Wave? A Study Of The Pervasiveness Of The Third Wave Of Feminism In Disney's Female Protagonists, Emily S. Ellington

Senior Honors Theses

It is important to understand factors that have influenced Generation Y’s view of womanhood. One way to do this is to analyze third wave feminist messages portrayed by Disney, the media powerhouse. In order to determine if Disney reflects feminist values, the third wave themes portrayed in The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Pocahontas (1995), and Mulan (1999) are examined. It is concluded that Disney portrays the feminist values of independence and multiculturalism; however, the films are set within patriarchal societies and portray women to be domestic. Ultimately, Disney portrays four messages about womanhood: Women are equal …

The Perfect Dilemma: Aspect In The Koine Greek Verbal System, Accepted And Debated Areas Of Research, Christopher H. Johnson

Senior Honors Theses

Verbal aspect is a recent but very promising field of study in Koine Greek, which seeks to describe the semantic meaning of the verbal forms. This study surveys the works of the leading contributors in this field and offers critiques of their major points. The subject matter is divided into three sections: methods, areas of agreement, and areas of dispute, with a focus on the latter. Overall, scholarship has provided a more accurate description of the Greek verbal system through the theory of verbal aspect, though there are topics that need further research. This study’s suggestions may aid in developing …

Mind Vs. Media: A Civil War Between Typography And The Mediated Image, Elizabeth J. Neffinger

Senior Honors Theses

The past thirty years have marked the start of a new kind of civil war in our digitally powered American society. There is a deep chasm between the cry for the lost art of typography and the mediated power of the Image. We are a culture battling a war in our own heads, attempting to assimilate Images without replacing the need for a written text.

This thesis will argue that the mediated Image is not a death sentence to critical thinking; rather it is an undeniable, inescapable power that can be used to positively influence our culture. It will research …

Sarbanes Oxley Act Of 2002: Will It Be Effective In Preventing Another Enron Scandal?, Scott W. Eichar

Senior Honors Theses

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) was introduced to Congress as a result of the deceit and fraud taking place at Enron in December of 2001. The three factors that led to the scandal were Enron’s weak internal control, misleading off-balance sheet entities, and conflicting interests between Enron’s employees and their chief auditor, Arthur Andersen. The provisions of SOX were established, in part, to strengthen internal control, require proper disclosure for special purpose entities, and eliminate conflicts of interests between a firm and its auditors. The purpose of this paper is to measure the effectiveness of these implementations to prevent …

Rebuilding The Foundation: Reestablishing Ethics In The Accounting Professsion, Chad P. Laughlin

Senior Honors Theses

Today’s business world has become increasingly diverse in its view of ethics. This lack of objective decision-making has been made clear through the scandals and questionable accounting methods in recent years. In light of these instances, the accounting profession has taken steps to regain and ensure the public’s trust, which the profession relies on. In the absence of ethical practices, the profession loses its trustworthiness and reliability. This paper will discuss the key role of ethics in accounting and the efforts that have been made in the past and are being made currently to ensure that this vital component is …

A Strategic Analysis Of Foot Locker, Inc., Richard A. Sweeney

Senior Honors Theses

During the past couple of years, Foot Locker, Inc. has underperformed the public’s expectations. This has been evidenced by the rapid slide of its share price. The current economical situation has further weighted down on the company’s ability to provide shareholder value. This paper will describe the problems associated with Foot Locker, Inc.’s underperformance in the marketplace. These problems must be remedied if the company is to earn an attractive rate of return for its investors. Using secondary research, these problem areas will be identified by analyzing the current internal and external situation surrounding Foot Locker, Inc., determining the intensity …

The Preliminary Assessment And Incidence Of Sexual Identity Issues At Liberty University, Jessica L. Buker

Senior Honors Theses

Currently, homosexual identity development is discussed through various models: stage model theory and milestone events. Different researchers propose their own models of homosexual identity development. These models may have different stages, but have the same underlying themes which are acceptance, attitude changes, frequent disclosure, and increased social contact with other homosexuals. There was a great need to develop an appropriate measure of homosexuality to be used by the Student Care Office at Liberty University. The measure could be used to asses and obtain a preliminary measure of incidence of the people who met our criteria for being included in the …

Conductor's Guide To Mark Camphouse's "To Build A Fire", Amanda L. Kastner

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis is a guide to understanding and performing Mark Camphouse’s composition, To Build A Fire. The thesis includes a biography of Jack London and a literary analysis of London’s short story “To Build A Fire,” upon which the composition is based. Musical analysis of the Camphouse composition, rehearsal considerations, and performance considerations are also discussed. The literary analysis provides background for the composition and a starting platform for the musical analysis. The musical analysis parallels the composition with the short story. This analysis also provides some technical considerations of the instrumental parts. The rehearsal considerations include a rehearsal plan, …

Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission (Pmtct) Of Hiv In The Sub-Saharan Africa Region With A Focus On Uganda, Emily K. Franks

Senior Honors Theses

With the rise of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the past thirty years, people of all ages, infants to elderly alike, all over the world, suffer from its adverse effects. Even an unborn baby in-utero can contract this virulent infection by means of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) (Sweeney, 2005). Infants and children diseased in this way comprise 90% of the estimated 800,000 new cases of HIV in children seen each year, but the region hit hardest, however, is Sub-Saharan Africa, with the country of Uganda historically having the highest incident rate for a time (Stringer, E.M., et al. 2008). Therefore, the purpose …

Chivalry In Malory: A Look At The Inconsistencies Of Lancelot, Gareth, And Tristram In Le Morte D’Arthur, Natalie Beals

Senior Honors Theses

Chivalry and its counterpart, courtly love, are indispensible to Sir Thomas Malory’s fifteenth century work on Arthurian legend, Le Morte d’Arthur. The three great examples of chivalry in this work are the knights Lancelot, Gareth, and Tristram, each of whom has a book dedicated to his story. Within these knights’ portrayals of chivalry, however, develop certain inconsistencies which seem out of place against their chivalrous backdrop. The purpose of this thesis is to propose that the reason for these contradictions of character and of chivalry is the close yet destructive relationship between chivalry and courtly love. What leads Lancelot, Gareth, …

The Curse Of A Generation: Evaluating The Effects Of Gender Roles And Marriage On Hiv/Aids In Sub-Saharan Africa And Developing An Efficient Prevention Plan, Mark B. Krom

Senior Honors Theses

HIV/AIDS research in sub-Saharan Africa shows an important relationship between gender roles, marriage, and HIV prevalence. Research is collected and analyzed, and cultural issues are addressed in order to develop a prevention plan. The African church seems to be an efficient venue through which to reach sub-Saharan Africa, and the most efficient prevention plan to curb HIV/AIDS is abstinence.

You Could Say That Again: Examining The Probability Of Parallels Between Stephen And Moses In Acts 6-7, Samuel Cooper Smith

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis posits the idea that the author of Acts intentionally creates a literary parallel between Stephen and Moses. Comparative analysis seemingly confirms that Stephen is being portrayed as a parallel of Christ. However, little scholarly attention has been given to the possibility that the author of Acts 6-7 intentionally creates a connection between Stephen and Moses. Following an attempt to provide an objective foundation for asserting such parallels, the Stephen-Moses connections will be presented. Two implications follow from this parallel which impact the Stephen episode as well as the larger Acts narrative. The pertinent literature involves commentaries on the …