Digital Commons Network^™

The Confluence, Volume3, Issue 2, Full Issue

The Confluence

No abstract provided.

The State Of Democracy In South Africa, Heidi Van Dyk

The Confluence

Abstract:

On pen and paper, the country of South Africa fulfills the requirements to be a democracy. However, the country has been evaluated to be a flawed democracy and there is an elevated warning issued for the state by The Fragile State Index. This research seeks to find the root causes contributing to the decline of the state of democracy in South Africa. This state plays an important role in global politics. South Africa is a member of both G20 and BRICS, which are influential groups in the global arena. Further, the country exercises considerable regional influence as well as …

The Making Of A Survivor: Chopin's Use Of Identity And Rebirth In The Awakening, Amber L. Budd

The Confluence

In recent research of American literature, many scholars have read Kate Chopin’s The Awakening and construed the novel’s ambiguous ending as an indication that the protagonist, Edna Pontellier, commits suicide after the ending. Scholars have developed this hypothesis due to contextual evidence, societal expectations at the time Chopin wrote the novel, and Edna’s perceived development of identity over the course of the novel. In this paper, I analyze the popular theories arguing for Edna’s suicide or survival and then examine those articles in conjunction with my own analysis of The Awakening. By doing so, I aim to prove that, …

To What Extent Did Karl Marx's Political Thought Influence The Occupy Wall Street Movement In The 21st Century?, Madalyn A. Schroeder

The Confluence

The research will investigate the intriguing influences of Karl Marx’s political thought and the Occupy Wall Street movement that came to be in the 21st Century. The study looks to measure the depth and significance of Marx’s influence on a modern sociopolitical movement driven by economic inequality and social justice concerns. By taking a multidisciplinary approach that combines political theory, social activism analysis, and historical context, this investigation shows the extent to which Marx’s ideas informed the ideological foundation and strategies of the Occupy Wall Street movement. By looking through primary sources, protest literature, and the discourse of the movement, …

Anātman & Lack: Between Nāgārjuna And Lacan, Carter Morris

The Confluence

The notion of the Self lies at the heart of subjectivity. This paper aims to analyze and compare two intellectual traditions that have their own subversive philosophies of the Self and subjectivity—these two traditions being Mādhyamaka Buddhism and Lacanian psychoanalysis. Beginning with primers on both Nāgārjuna’s philosophy and Jacques Lacan’s psychoanalytic theory, this paper will discuss the comparative psychologies and philosophies of subjectivity presented by the ideas of non-Self and Lack, respectively. Also briefly compared are the implied metaphysics of both Śūnyatā and Lacanian Lack. An examination of these comparisons’ weaknesses follows along with some closing remarks.

Pic Math Report Youth In Need, Nicholas Wintz, Abi Waters, Drew Barnes, Ryan Eckerman, Wojciech Golik

The Confluence

Professor-undergraduate student led research and data analysis for Youth in Need, a small non-profit, in St. Charles, Missouri.

Crash Analysis For Lake Saint Louis Police Department, Nicholas Wintz, Anna Carter, Joseph Smith, Melisa Murillo, Mackenzie Holmes, Wojciech Golik

The Confluence

Professor-undergraduate student led research and data analysis for the Lake Saint Louis Police Department.

Directed Research Tutorial-Our Semester Of Learning Curiously, Barbara Hosto-Marti

The Confluence

No abstract provided.

Visionarium, June 2024, Full Issue

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

No abstract provided.

Do You Know Where Your Games Come From? Artificial Intelligence And Game Development, Andrew Begemann

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

ABSTRACT

This paper was written to explore the possible effects of artificial intelligence being implemented in the design pipeline of video game development. In it, we will explore a history of artificial intelligence, from its early imaginings in books and philosophy, to its current iterations, such as ChatGPT and other popular engines like Midjourney and Stable diffusion. We will also discuss steps in game development so as to understand where the potential implementations of artificial intelligence can, will, or does occur. Following those explanations, we will explore the three methodologies of Marxism, Psychoanalysis, and Cultural Studies as ways of examining …

Medmicromaps, A Novel Decision-Tree Guide For Infectious Diseases Differential Diagnoses, And Evaluation Of Pre- And Post-Pandemic User Engagement By Preclinical Medical Students, Jason Ceballos, Tavsimran Luthra, Lucia Garces-Torres, Valerie Lentz, Jack Nelson, Claudia Carceles-Roman, Ian Holyoak, Jane Harrington

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

Background: Medical education has undergone major changes in the past 5 years to adapt to the digital-centered student population with diverse learning preferences. To address the challenges of shifting delivery modalities, multimedia resources were created to provide interactive e-learning material on infectious diseases for year 2 medical students.

Methods: Medical students at a USA-accredited Caribbean medical school were provided with supplemental e-learning materials including animations, illustrations, diagnostic algorithms aka MedMicroMaps, and Case-Based tutorials. Participants were classified by semester and lecture delivery: In-person: Cohort 1 (n=526); Virtual: Cohort 2 (n=651); and Hybrid: Cohort 3 ( …

Ai Integration In Cultural Heritage Conservation – Ethical Considerations And The Human Imperative, Kholoud Ghaith

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the conservation of cultural heritage marks a significant transformation in preservation methodologies, heralding both innovative solutions and complex ethical dilemmas. This article undertakes a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted role AI plays in the conservation and restoration of cultural artifacts, buildings, and sites, underscoring the irreplaceable value of human skills and ethical judgment in this domain. Through an analysis of current research, case studies, and insights from professionals in the field, the paper elucidates how AI technologies—encompassing machine learning algorithms, digital twinning, and predictive maintenance—can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of conservation efforts. …

Embracing The Irreplaceable: The Role Of Neurodiversity In Cultivating Human-Ai Symbiosis In Education, Piper Hutson

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

This study investigates the indispensable role of human skills—such as empathy, ethical judgment, and nuanced understanding—in the development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) within higher education, highlighting the unique contributions of neurodivergent perspectives in creating a symbiotic human-AI relationship. Drawing upon research that evidences the superior performance of diverse teams in creativity and innovation, the paper argues for the integration of neurodiversity into AI development as a means to address the philosophy of 'fearing the Other,' thereby mitigating biases and fostering ethical AI interactions. The technology sector's adoption of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, including biopsychosocial interventions and …

Leveraging Human-In-The-Loop Engagement Through Ai In Web Design Education: A Case Study On Adapting To Dynamic Client Requirements, Jason D. Lively

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within educational frameworks, particularly in disciplines such as web design and development, represents a significant evolution in pedagogical strategies. This article examines a unique educational setup where students, while engaging in a web design class, utilize AI tools for text, image, and code creation within a simulated real-world scenario involving a client—dubbed "Chef Cookie Cutter". This simulated client interaction introduces unpredictability through mid-assignment requirement changes, thereby mimicking the dynamic nature of real-world web development projects. The focus of this case study is the critical role of human-in-the-loop (HITL) engagement in AI-assisted assignments, where students' …

Absent Presence: The Human Influence In Ai-Generated Content In The Age Of Technoculture, Kathi Vosevich, James Hutson

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

In recent years, the field of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly under the banner of generative AI (GAI), has made unprecedented advancements, pushing the boundaries of what was traditionally considered within the realm of human capability. AI systems have not only matched but also surpassed human proficiency in various tasks, sparking widespread discussions about their significant impact across multiple fields, including the arts and humanities. This paper considers the profound implications of AI's rapid progress and explores the concept of "Absent Presence" within the context of Derrida and Technoculture, particularly as illustrated in the arts and humanities. Drawing parallels with renowned …

Thriving In An Ai-Dominated World: Why Higher Education Must Produce Graduates Who Are Uniquely Human And Technically Competent, Chris Mayer

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

To meet the demands of students and broader society, and to prepare students for a world that is increasingly reliant on artificial intelligence (AI) and other forms of technology, many higher education institutions (HEI) are cutting liberal arts programs and focusing on professional fields and fields related to technology. This focus, however, is undermining students’ employability and not addressing employer demand for applicants who possess the human skills that students develop by studying the liberal arts. This does not mean that technology-related skills should be neglected as employers are also signaling the importance of AI-related skills, and digital skills more …

Forward

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

No abstract provided.

Editor's Note, Joseph A. Cernik

Missouri Policy Journal

No abstract provided.

I Am Pain, Cindy Lamothe

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.

Meat And Shell, Maria Mcleod

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.

[Redacted] Asks What Being Loved Feels Like, Bee Lb

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.

Speak So Well, Adrian Potter

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.

Post-Surgery Blues In E Minor, Liam Strong

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.

Leaf Hawk, Michael R. Schrimper

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.

Just Below The Nose, A Hole, Matt Gulley

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.

A Good Storm, Amy Strong

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.

Wash-O-Rama, Jason Vrabel

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.

The Salmon Trader Is Tired Of Pink, Mandira Pattnaik

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.

All Of It Burns, Laura Young

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.

Retail Therapy, Isabella Garces

The Lindenwood Review: a journal of literary prose

No abstract provided.