Digital Commons Network^™

The Bible, New Life, And The Christian Historian, Joshua Toth

Senior Honors Theses

The Christian historian operates in the larger historical profession. This thesis begins to consider the influences of the Bible and new life on the Christian historian. It first looks at the historical profession, interpretations of history, and categories of Christian history. Such should promote a greater understanding of the position of the Christian historian. Then come explanations of a biblical worldview and new life aspects, both potential influences on Christian historians. Since the extent of their influence is potentially broad, this thesis narrows to looking at 1) the biblical metanarrative and 2) evangelism as part of new life. It considers …

The Powers That Be: A Phenomenological Study Of College Students' Impressions Of The Bias In Religious Narratives In History Textbooks, Sarah Irene Herrero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the perception of bias of college students at a local college regarding the religious narratives in history textbooks. The theory that guided this study was reader response theory, as it identified the tendency of readers to bring their experiences and backgrounds to the literature they read. The study accomplished this by answering (a) how do college students who claim to perceive bias describe their experience of that perception of bias in religious narratives in history textbooks; (b) how do college students describe bias; (c) how do college students construct perceptions of …

Biblical Archaeology As An Effective Apologetic, Cooper Wyatt

Masters Theses

This thesis seeks to demonstrate the relationship between biblical archaeology and Christian apologetics, where archaeology can be used as way to show that the Bible has accurately preserved the history it reports.

Martha Washington: The First, First Lady, Ashley Lamoureux

Senior Honors Theses

Martha Washington is best known for her marriage to George Washington and subsequently becoming the first, First Lady of the United States. Most discussion and research only mentions Martha in passing and focuses instead on her husband. Martha’s precedent-setting role as First Lady is both valid and important. However, Martha’s influence on history is not limited to that role. This work highlights and examines the often-overlooked aspects of Martha Washington’s life through an examination of both primary source writing and biographies. Her experience as a landowner and business woman, her dedication to her husband and the Revolution, and the standards …

Understanding Muhammad's Interaction With The Church, Devonte Narde

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

My research focuses on understanding Muhammad’s (the Islamic prophet) interaction with what he perceived to be the Christian church to find out why his understanding of Biblical narratives and theology is incorrect. With this information, Christians should reintroduce Christian scripture and theology to Muslims since Muhammad’s rejection of Christian doctrine is based on associating wrong texts as authoritative Christian teaching. The following questions that shape this research are: What possible sources did Muhammad use to learn about biblical narratives and themes? What did the first Muslims think about the canonical gospels of Jesus? How did early Muslims view the teachings …

The Pen Must Calm The Sword: A Call To Promote South Sudanese History For Peace, John Robert Flores Jr.

Senior Honors Theses

The Republic of South Sudan is the world’s youngest nation and its birth has been marred by horrific acts of tribal and ethnic strife that have been characterized by brutal attacks on women and children by both rebels and government forces and the destruction of its ability to feed and provide basic services for its citizens. South Sudan’s first few years of statehood have been heartbreaking especially when considered against the promise that existed only a few years ago. Working towards a peaceful and successful future will inevitably be founded, in part, on understanding the history of the diverse peoples …

A Study In Sovereignty: Federalism, Political Culture, And The Future Of Conservatism, Clint Hamilton

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis confronts symptoms of an issue which is eroding at the principles of conservative advocacy, specifically those dealing with federalism. It contrasts modern definitions of federalism with those which existed in the late 1700s, and then attempts to determine the cause of the change. Concluding that the change was caused by a shift in American political identity, the author argues that the conservative movement must begin a conversation on how best to adapt to the change to prevent further drifting away from conservative principles.

From Heo To Zir: A History Of Gender Expression In The English Language, Brodie Robinson

Senior Honors Theses

With the growing presence of the LGBTQ+ community on the global stage, the matter of gender has been rushed to the forefront of the public consciousness. News outlets have hotly debated the topic of gender expression, a topic which has motivated mass demonstrations and acts of violence, and this has promoted a linguistic conversation at the international level.

This thesis is intended to provide the historical context for the contemporary debate on gender expression in the English language, and explores both the grammatical background (the Indo-European origins of linguistic gender, the development of the modern pronoun system, etc.) and the …

A Dramaturgical Exploration: Setting Oliver Goldsmith’S She Stoops To Conquer In Post-Civil War Virginia, Amanda Ward

Senior Honors Theses

A reputable theatrical company will hire a dramaturg to implement historical research and to provide reputable information where the director or staff desires it. They ensure that the play’s elements are as truthful to the time period as possible and aid in a performance’s overall success. If a theatrical company were to set Oliver Goldsmith’s play She Stoops to Conquer in 1870 Virginia, it could strengthen the play’s underlying religious, political, and cultural elements.

The paper is comprised of seven sections: a biography of the playwright, a religious exploration, a political analysis, a cultural comparison, a delineation of suggested script …

A Critical Approach To Rap Music, Kristen Porterfield

Senior Honors Theses

People have used music to tell stories and share ideas for ages, making it an influential means of communication (Delaney, 2007). Rap music in particular came on the scenes in the late twentieth century in New York and continues to be a popular form of expression into the 21^st century (Blanchard, 1999). However, many remain divided on whether rap music should have a place in society. Some claim rap is harmful and promoting of violent lifestyles (Richardson & Scott, 2002). Others, however, believe rap is useful in education and counseling settings for promoting discussion about life choices (Silvera, 2015). …

Five Challenges To Disciple Making And Strategies To Address Them, Leonard Baldwin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In today’s society, the church has missed an opportunity to make a definite impact on the lives of the congregations. Disciple making has all but disappeared from the life of the church. This has left the church with a lot of members but very few disciples. The purpose of this project is to develop five strategies to help pastors and lay leaders address the discipleship challenges in the church. The five areas that will be addressed are theology, tradition, training, time, and transparency. Each challenge will be addressed individually and a strategy developed for that challenge. This project will provide …

America's Dutch Identity: The Dutch, New Netherland, And The Struggle For Freedom Of Religion, Kevan D. Keane

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

This paper explores the history of New Netherland in light of the Dutch struggle for identity during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The Dutch originally belonged to the Holy Roman Empire as a Spanish territory, and were staunchly Catholic. However, with the coming of the Protestant Reformation, things began to change. With the Reformation came a revolution against their rulers, and also a religious diversity previously unheard of in Europe. This struggle carried over into the borders of America with the Dutch establishment of New Netherland. New Netherland was the experiment of religious freedom in practice for the Dutch. The …

The Library Under The Sun: Knowledge And Vanity In Umberto Eco’S The Name Of The Rose, Elizabeth Lamont

Masters Theses

Umberto Eco’s debut novel The Name of the Rose is so saturated with theoretical conversations and allusions that it can be read as a work of critical theory almost as much as it can be read as the wonderful detective novel that so many people have enjoyed. This thesis approaches the novel accordingly, engaging with the theoretical questions and ideas presented in the novel and evaluating them based on a biblical worldview. The central theoretical questions in the novel revolve around what can be known and how. Many critics have argued that the novel answers these questions of epistemology in …

Paul Rand: Life, Work, Philosophy, And Influence On Modern Design, Benjamin Nicholes

Senior Honors Theses

Paul Rand is one the most influential graphic designers of the 21st Century. This thesis will cover his biography and show how the events of his life shaped him into the famed and prestigious designer we know him to be today. The thesis will then cover the many projects Rand designed and show the influences on his style and how his design philosophy is evident in his work. Finally, the thesis will look at how Rand’s style and philosophy has impacted graphic design in the modern era. This study will show why Paul Rand is considered to be one of …

Economic Powers That Be: U.S.-Russo Political Actions And Their Affect On The Russian Economy, Sharon R. Holland

Senior Honors Theses

The United States and Russia currently face political problems that undermine areas of trade and economics of both respective countries despite market forces. This analysis first gives an overview of key events in history to establish a basis of understanding of the foundation of U.S.-Russo political and economic relations. Secondly, an evaluation of the current issues that have pitted Russia and America against one another will shed light on the barriers of further development. Finally, utilizing both the past and present economic impacts forecasts three possible outcomes for U.S.-Russo political relations and the economic impacts that follow as a result.

The Battle Of Beersheba: Strategic And Tactical Pivot Of Palestine, Zachary D. Grafman

Senior Honors Theses

The Battle of Beersheba, fought on October 31, 1917, was a vital turning point in the British campaign against the Ottoman Turks. The battle opened a gap in the Turkish line that eventually resulted in the British takeover of Palestine. The British command saw the cavalry charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade as a new tactical opportunity, and this factored into the initiative for new light tank forces designed around the concepts of mobility and flanking movements. What these commanders failed to realize was that the Palestine Campaign was an anachronistic theater of war in comparison to the rest …

The Impact Of Multimedia And Redundancy On The Efficiency Of History Presentations, Adam Leach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The use of educational technology to create classroom presentations is already commonplace in American history classes. Therefore, this study focuses on how multimedia presentations can promote efficient instruction specifically, can the employment of the multimedia and redundancy principles (Mayer, 2009) improve the efficiency of student learning in high school history. The goal is to identify methods of multimedia presentation design that maximize the efficiency of instruction, as a gap in literature exists when referencing the performance of adolescents in a public high school and in the study of history. Keeping the focus on efficient learning, this study uses a quasi-experimental …

A Critique Of The Enlightenment Doctrine On Progressivism Through The Writings Of Francis A. Schaeffer, Nathan Hinkle

Senior Honors Theses

The Enlightenment doctrine of progressivism, and Francis Schaeffer’s Christian worldviews could hardly be more different. This thesis critiques the Enlightenment doctrine from the perspective of Francis Schaeffer through some of his most notable works. Specifically, this thesis explores the doctrine of progressivism, the idea that man and or society are constantly improving and getting better. The primary Enlightenment authors will include Voltaire, Hume, Locke, Rousseau, Turgot, and Kant. Francis Schaeffer’s counterarguments and perspective will be shown through The Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer, a five-volume collection of his various works.

The History Of Special Education: Lessons From The Past, Implications For The Future, Lucinda S. Spaulding, Deanna L. Keith Dr.

Faculty Publications and Presentations

We identify three eras in the history of special education: Early Reform (1800 – 1870), Stagnation and Regression (1870-1950), and Contemporary Reform (1950 – present). Next we examine parallels between eras and consider implications for people with disabilities today, highlighting the importance of the systematic study of historical perspectives in preparation programs for special educators.

Review: We The People: The Story Of Our Constitution, Rachel Schwedt, Janice A. Delong

All Children's Book Reviews

No abstract provided.

Review: Declaration Of Independence, Rachel Schwedt, Janice A. Delong

All Children's Book Reviews

No abstract provided.

The Historical Development Of The Modern Worship Song, Travis Doucette

Senior Honors Theses

For centuries, followers of Christ have used music as a channel of communicating their love and adoration towards their Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. In fact, the use of music with God’s people is encouraged throughout the pages of Scripture. In the Old Testament, the psalmist writes, “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully and shout for joy.” In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” Throughout Christian history, wherever there has been renewal, revival and restoration, fresh songs of praise and worship have followed and …