Digital Commons Network^™

The Perpetual Progression In The Schleswig-Holstein Duchy: History, Politics, And Religion, 1460-1864, Christian Anthony Ahlers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

German nationalism in the Schleswig and Holstein duchies that predates the German Unification Wars of the Nineteenth Century continuously transformed in response to Danish encroachment, civic disputes regarding treaty legitimacy, and war. The Germans in the duchies fought to retain their ancestral homelands and, in doing so, embraced a pan-Germanic consciousness that is the foundation for early modern nationalism. This consciousness dates back hundreds of years. This case study examines the Germans of Schleswig and Holstein and their experiences with the consistent and pressing Danish encroachment. Despite the encroachment, the Germans remained connected with their culture, traditions, religion, and their …

“The Most Hopeful Time”: A Contextualization And Evaluation Of Northern Irish Student Activism On The Cusp Of The Troubles, Sadie Deshon

Liberty University Research Week

This paper examines the origins and course of Queen’s University student activism in late-1960s Belfast, on the ‘cusp’ of the Northern Irish Troubles. Many Americans are familiar with the history of student riots in the U.S. in the late 1960s; however, far fewer Americans realize that nearly the entire western world was similarly embroiled in such riots, most of which converged in the year 1968. Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom that seems to defy definition as a political entity (particularly among its own people, who may describe it as a country, region, or province), was not immune …

Rest, Rhetoric, And Suffering In The Letter To The Hebrews: How The Author Of Hebrews Uses Classical Rhetoric To Resolve Tension Between Invitation To God's Rest And Present Suffering, Dickson Kûng’Û Ngama

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Epistle to the Hebrews invites the followers of Jesus to enter God’s promised rest. Unlike the Israelites of the wilderness generation who failed to enter God’s promised rest, the followers of Jesus can enter that rest now and more fully in the future by obedience to God. This is possible because of God’s most recent intervention. God has sent his own son to become a sacrifice for their sins and a high priest for their intercession. Because the way to God is now open, the followers of Jesus can boldly approach God in prayer, gather regularly in worship, and …

Research Week 2024 Program, Research Week

Liberty University Research Week

Research Week 2024 complete schedule.

Shaping Character: The Role Of Mythology In Society, Jaclyn Weist

Masters Theses

Throughout history, man has told stories. Some stories were written on walls, tablets, or bits of parchment. Others have been passed down to posterity through oral tradition. Every culture worldwide has a rich tapestry of legends and myths. It is my intent to demonstrate that these stories use the tools of character development within their various plot lines to both express and shape beliefs, superstitions, and life lessons. Whether they are religious in nature or simply trying to make sense of the world, these stories, myths, and legends have played a part in shaping society into what it is today.

Understanding Lived Experiences Of Correctional Officers' Reintegration Back Into The Work Environment Post-Assault, Claudette Duggins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher explored the experiences of correctional officers assaulted by inmates, focusing on the impact of such assaults on their reintegration into the work environment. The researcher sought to understand how these experiences affect officers' attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making, which could impact the safety and security of the institution and the public. A qualitative approach using a phenomenological research design was employed to understand the lived experiences of assaulted correctional officers. Data emerged through participant interactions, capturing their personal experiences and perspectives. The qualitative method was chosen over a quantitative approach as it allowed for an in-depth understanding of the …

The Effects Of Research-Based Strategies On Reading Achievement Among English Language Learners, India Chantel Graden

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to examine the results of phonics-based instruction versus guided reading instruction on reading achievement among minority students who are English Language Learners. This study is important because it addresses the gap in the literature that does not target research-based reading instructional strategies that are effective for English Language Learners separate from those that are observed as effective in students whose primary language is English. Archival data were obtained from 86 elementary school English Language Learners in the second grade at two Georgia suburban schools. The instrument used in this study is the …

Authentic Pedagogical Approaches For Teaching And Learning Bluegrass Fiddling, Including An Examination Of Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, Derek Cooper Deakins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the vast amount of research showing that learning an alternative string style such as bluegrass increases student motivation, interest, and retention in music programs, modern private violin instructors and string orchestra teachers who lacked exposure to bluegrass in their initial training do not feel they can authentically teach bluegrass fiddling to their students. A comprehensive bluegrass fiddle curriculum incorporating elements of classical and bluegrass music has not yet been developed. The curriculum would allow diverse musical exploration through structured and sequential bluegrass fiddling pedagogy. This qualitative research study identifies, examines, and compares current bluegrass fiddle methodologies as a framework …

Understanding The Sources Of Hurt And Wounded Members In The Church Of Pentecost Norfolk, Jehu Kwame Gyimah

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Church hurt is an emotional feeling that disconnects a person from reality, and remains a neglected topic in many Pentecostal churches. In the church setting, hurt members who are broken inside often portray an attitude of wholeness on the outside, even if the physical, spiritual, and physiological atmosphere of hurt prevents them from fully connecting or interacting with others. That hurt eventually hinders their growth, the growth of others, and the potential of the whole church. In this thesis, the researcher investigates the causes of church hurt experienced by members of COP Norfolk, a US subsidiary of the global Christian …

Songs Of Sorrow, Hope, And Praise: Toward A Historical Analysis Of Negro Spirituals, Hope Victoria Dornfeld

Masters Theses

Traditional Negro spirituals play a key role in America’s music history. Spirituals were initially perpetuated by enslaved Africans in the American South through the oral tradition but today are available in a wide variety of choral, vocal, and instrumental arrangements. The lecture recital that accompanies this document will present seven traditional spirituals of varying themes: “Hold On,” “Witness,” “Deep River,” “Sweet Little Jesus Boy,” “Balm in Gilead,” “Steal Away,” and “Ride On, King Jesus.” Spirituals can be described by three closely interrelated textual categories or descriptors which correspond with their original use and historical context. Songs of sorrow are those …

God In The Dock: From Theory To Experience, The Odyssey Of The Theodicy Of C.S. Lewis, Anthony Vance Halford

Masters Theses

Problems, for us as humans, can be seen to as a moving target. There are two concerns that immediately come to the forefront. Those concerns are as follows: who defines the problem and how do they define the problem. Answering these two questions provides the direction for answering the next concern. And that concern then turns to how does one solve the problem? For solving a problem involves defining if there is a problem and can it be solved. Quite possibly the most confounding and complex problem to face humanity as a whole and Christianity specifically is the problem of …

What Is At Stake: Declaration Of The American Foundation, Dorien Porter

Helm's School of Government Conference - American Revival: Citizenship & Virtue

No abstract provided.

Swot Analysis - An In-Depth Look At The United Kingdom, Deborah Erioluwa Adeniji

Helm's School of Government Conference - American Revival: Citizenship & Virtue

No abstract provided.

What Was The Real Trouble With The Troubles? The Lived Experience Of Attending A Maintained School In Northern Ireland During The Troubles, Lisabeth Daniels Sweeney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Immigrant parents from Northern Ireland (NI) interact with American schools differently than most other immigrant cultures. The current generation of NI immigrant parents grew up amidst a sectarian conflict known as the Troubles. This cohort also attended Catholic maintained schools in NI, where corporal punishment was a daily experience. These life experiences can potentially shape an individual’s worldview and view of education. This qualitative study aimed to understand the lived experience of attending maintained schools in NI during the Troubles and how this phenomenon may have shaped NI parents’ view of education. A phenomenological approach using a qualitative survey and …

A Contemporary Analysis Of Bradley Knight’S Musical Compositions, Ryan James Flug

Masters Theses

While there is a plethora of music arrangers within the Christian and gospel music industries, Bradley Knight’s arranging style and techniques have shown to set him apart among contemporary arrangers. The combination of musical techniques that uniquely contribute to Knight’s choral and orchestral arrangements include distinct rhythmic choices, intricate harmonies within orchestration and choral parts, and dynamic instrumental and vocal builds. Utilizing a qualitative approach, this study will use descriptive and exploratory research design to explain both the specific techniques and cultural contexts within the greater gospel genre that fashion Knight’s arrangements. While gospel music, choral arrangements, and contemporary music …

James Monroe’S White House: The Genius Of Politics And Place, Susan Glen Amos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research endeavor has discerned the origins of an enduring American nationalistic distinctiveness perpetuated by President James Monroe’s White House. A careful scholarly examination of Monroe’s White House as a cultural landscape enquires into the genesis of interdependence between place and politics. It also studies the depth of the American people’s ability to embrace, as their own, the symbolism and national vision fashioned in these spaces. The juxtaposition of James Monroe’s election as the first United States president after the War of 1812 with the resurrection of the White House manifested for him an exclusive opportunity, still fraught with perils, …

Preexilic Traits Of The Israelian Prophetic Material In The Book Of Kings, Erik Kirk Divietro

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There are three primary objections to accepting the prophetic materials of the Book of Kings as historically contemporary with the events they purport to record. First, there is a theological bias against the supernatural character of the materials. These supernatural passages are categorized as folklore and legend. Many critics reject the historicity of supernatural events for a variety of reasons. The second objection is that the linguistic profile of the materials is late, dating from a period long after the events recorded and therefore has, at the least, been through so many redactions and emendations as to be unreliable. Third, …

Reclaiming The Church: Puritan Structure, Political And Theological Distinctions In A Transatlantic Context, 1603-1689, Kevan Dale Keane

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When Puritans crossed the Atlantic Ocean to populate the Thirteen Colonies (whether the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Virginia, Maryland, or others), they did so as loyal subjects of England who wanted a place to freely practice their religion. They never stopped their efforts at reforming the Church of England, nor did they stop seeing themselves as Englishmen. Neither did the Crown. As a result, if the Crown took measures that could affect Puritans in England, it could also affect Puritans in the colonies. In addition, if the Puritans in England became involved in a conflict, colonial Puritans often saw it as …

Aftermath Of Brexit: Brexit And Irish Reunification, Robert Pope

Helm's School of Government Conference - American Revival: Citizenship & Virtue

This paper examines the coming challenges of the economic and social relations with not only the European Union after Brexit, but also the coming unrest between the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland regarding economic ties to the European Union, while still being part of the United Kingdom.

Collective Expressions Of Monacan Indian Nation Identity: A Communicative Arts Genre Study, Gretchen E. Casler-Cline

Masters Theses

This study considers the current communicative arts practices of the Monacan Indian Nation, an Indigenous Virginia tribe of approximately 2500 people located in Amherst County, Virginia. Historically the tribe was a large nation that extended from the falls of the James River near Richmond, Virginia to the Southwestern portions of the state near Roanoke and now the Monacan Indian Nation homeland is at Bear Mountain in Amherst County, Virginia. The study was conducted through interviews and observations at tribal events such as the annual Powwow and culture class, as well as consistent attendance and participation as a musician at St. …

In The Straits: Making History Accessible Through The Parent-Child Relationship, Grace Elizabeth Crocker

Masters Theses

Historical fiction gives its readers the chance to meet historic figures, fight alongside their favorite characters in past wars, and experience forgotten ways of life. This genre also offers an alternate route for those who enjoy learning about history but who do not particularly enjoy reading the classics. With my chosen creative work, In the Straits, I invite my readers to explore the lesser-known past of Malaya and what it was like during the days leading up to the bloodiest war in history, World War II, through the eyes of a separated father and daughter who will do anything to …

Cold Turkey: Will The Recent Freeze In Turkish Nato Relations Spiral Into A Bigger Problem?, Ashlyn Cowell, Reagan Nelson, Paul Prentice, Brent Schuliger, Nathan Waite

Liberty University Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy

Situated in a strategic location bridging the gap between Europe and Asia, Turkey has been a valuable member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for decades. However, recent events have inflamed underlying tensions between Turkey and other NATO member states. This research seeks to determine if the escalation will cause Turkey to withdraw from the alliance within the next five years. In order to accomplish this, our team conducted both quantitative and qualitative research on current and historical economic, political, and cultural conditions driving the conflict. Following this research, our team synthesized the data using structured analytic techniques (SATs) …

Travelin' To The Promised Land: Symbolism Of The Jordan River In African Spiritual, English Hymn, And American Folksong Selections, Hope V. Dornfeld

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

These program notes originally accompanied a performance of three vocal pieces: Deep River, On Jordan's Stormy Banks, and Poor Wayfaring Stranger. The notes analyze the role of the Jordan river in each piece, focusing on their historical context, first performances, and issues of authorship. As part of a performing arts research project, the program notes also address the method of expression and creative process that went into preparing the performance of these pieces.

The songs included in this presentation all speak to the journey from earth to heaven. In each piece, the Jordan River is found to symbolize a …

The Erosion Of Theological Understanding, Thomas Glenn Sleeth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many Christian churches have been experiencing declines in attendance at Sunday services, Bible studies, and prayer meetings, and have experienced the affects of an apathetic attitude toward Christian community engagement. The lack of teaching scripturally accurate Biblical doctrine and applying scripture to daily life has led to a sharp decrease in discipleship. By examining the attitudes and reasons contributing to this lack of Christian participation and scriptural understanding, pastors and other church leadership can address the specific rationales for not living the scripture in daily life. Through the advent of a discipleship program an increase for the desire of congregants …

Unsung And Unheard: An Analysis Of The History And Impact Of Female American Vocal Composers, Shannon Marie Myers

Masters Theses

American female composers create music that is pedagogically valuable and should be included in the repertoire commonly used by undergraduate vocal students. The purpose of this research is to provide awareness of the existence and the contribution that American female composers have made to standard vocal repertoire and their pedagogical value. The essential question answered as part of this research is: how have the American women composers contributed to the development of standard vocal literature? Additional sub-questions addressed in this research include: 1) What historical factors (culturally, economically, etc.) have influenced the rise of female composers in America beginning in …

Palestinian Evangelical Christian Music In Bethlehem, Israel/Palestine, Abby Smith

Senior Honors Theses

Often the story of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is portrayed as Jewish vs. Muslim, Hebrew vs. Arab. There is little room in the international dialogue for minorities such as Arab Christians. Though Palestinians have a rich culture of Arabic musical and poetic heritage, they are unable to produce their own new songs. In this study I interviewed three members of Immanuel Evangelical Church on their experiences and opinions on local Christian worship. The findings show that Palestinian Christians may feel unable to write worship music because of a prevalent feeling of inadequacy and a lack of musical training. I propose several …

Travelin’ To The Promised Land: Symbolism Of The Jordan River In African Spiritual, English Hymn, And American Folksong Selections, Hope Dornfeld, Linda Granger

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Performing Arts - Music

Cold Turkey: Will The Recent Freeze In Turkish-Nato Relations Spiral Into A Bigger Problem?, Reagan Nelson, Paul Prentice, Ashlyn Cowell, Nathan Waite, Brent Schuliger, William Waddell

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Applied

Going Deeper With God Than King David: Cultivating Intimacy Using Hymns, Classical Sacred Songs, And Contemporary Christian Music, Ivy Elizabeth Cole

Masters Theses

In the time of King David, a worshipper did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit to enhance worship as worshippers have today. At present, the modern church age worship leader utilizes mostly contemporary Christian music to help lead a congregation into the presence of God. However, the Psalms, hymns, and classical sacred songs may also be used in the exploration of enhancing a worship experience. This study explores the concept of music evoking an emotional response that may allow a worshipper to surrender to an intimate relationship with God. With studies in emotion related to music, Scriptural references, professional writings …

The Hmong Spiritual Formation From Animism To Christianity, Lang Yang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research project is on the Hmong religion. Hmong people believe in a faith called "Animism – the way of the spirit," which is a created religion that they practiced and passed down from generation to generation. The Hmong like to live in the past and do not want to change their customs, traditions, and cultural practices that their ancestors practiced for centuries. They put all their hope in their dead ancestors' spirits to guide them until a new religion appeared to them, and it is called "the Christian faith." The Christian faith brings new hope to the Hmong people, …