Digital Commons Network^™

Making Fun Of Franco: Representations And Caricatures Of Spanish Fascism In The Films El Espiritú De La Colmena, Cría Cueros And El Laberinto Del Fauno, Elizabeth Pruchnicki

Honors Capstone Projects - All

The end of the Spanish Civil War marked the beginning of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship, which lasted more than 35 years. Throughout this time, he systemized terror, executing more than 100,000 republican sympathizers in the first few years of his regime and marginalizing the remainder of the population. Therefore, the Fascist Era lasting from 1940-1975 is one plagued with strained relationships, ambiguous loyalties and distant relatives. The films El espiritú de la colmena by Victor Erice, Cría cuervos by Carlos Saura and El laberinto del fauno by Guillermo del Toro’s illustrate these kinds of challenges, from the point …

Yesterday’S Town: A Multimedia Investigation Into The Tourism Decline Gripping Britain’S East Coast, Anna Giles

Honors Capstone Projects - All

One of the hardest things for some people to accept is change, especially when it involves part of their national identity. For years, people in Great Britain have thrived off of tourism in seaside towns and have considered it a source of pride. But the high-end Bed and Breakfasts’ and lively boardwalks that once attracted vacation-goers are not so common nowadays as the world becomes more globalized and more Britons can afford to vacation overseas. This has resulted in a drastic loss of revenue for many of these seaside businesses. The number of visitors who stayed overnight in Yarmouth peaked …

Penn State Football: An Analysis Of Crisis Communication Best Practices And How Psu Overcame The Ultimate Pr Crisis, Meaghan Grace Lane

Honors Capstone Projects - All

This thesis paper is an analysis of the crisis communication response to the 2011 Pennsylvania State University child sex abuse scandal. The reputation of this iconic university and its football program was changed forever by this horrific event, which involved years of administrative cover-ups of the sexual assault of children by an assistant football coach. However, despite widespread public backlash, administrative upheaval and heavy NCAA sanctions in the months after the scandal broke, Penn State has since made major strides in image improvement.

This project delves into what defines best crisis communication practices, using Penn State as a case study. …

Invest For Impact: An Exploration Of The Incongruities In Social Finance, Kelly Marie Thompson

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Within the impact investing industry, a definition for societal return and how to measure this concept is lacking. Although its potential has been proven, there is still very limited exposure to impact investing within the United States. The present study aims to survey the current status of the impact investment industry in the United States, assess the presence of gaps between investments and their outcomes, and formulate a framework for addressing such shortcomings. The current status of the impact investing industry was examined and evaluated in order to understand how the industry is defined, what is the outcomes social finance, …

Chilean Media And Public Opinion (1973-2013), Tara Schoenborn

Honors Capstone Projects - All

In this thesis, I examine the extent to which the media censorship of the Pinochet dictatorship, which ended over 20 years ago, continues to influence Chilean public opinion and policy today. The dictatorship’s control, penetration and censorship of the press in the 1970s and 1980s appears to have created a lack of pluralism in the media that helped the dictatorship retain political power for 17 years. However, it seems that the dictatorship’s influence did not end with its reign and that this lack of media pluralism still exists today and could be correlated with a widespread conservatism in Chilean public …

Investigating Drift Mobilities In Cadmium Telluride Solar Cells, Daniel Goldman

Honors Capstone Projects - All

See Abstract within Capstone document

The Experience Of Stress In Women Diagnosed With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Amanda Canavatchel

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder that affects multiple organ systems within the female body, hallmarked by infertility, the possibility of androgen excess, and the possibility of ovulatory dysfunction. Along with a myriad of physiological symptoms, PCOS is also associated with many psychological issues, including an increased incidence of depression, anxiety, and lower reported quality of life among women diagnosed with PCOS. The need for treatment directed to attenuate any psychological implications of the syndrome has become increasingly important are of research. While some researchers have focused on PCOS in a psychosocial perspective, including analysis on depression, …

In A House, But Not A Home: Spanish Republican Exiles Find Refuge In Mexico The Question Of Memory And Identity For Republican Refugees, Alyssa Marie Trudeau

Honors Capstone Projects - All

After the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the victorious fascist Nationalists dominated the liberal sympathizers and established Republican government and forced those unwilling to comply into exile. Once in a state of exile, how were Republican Spaniards able or unable to maintain their Spanish identity? By focusing on Mexico as a location of refuge for these exiles, this thesis seeks to determine the important role played by memory, both collective and individual, and how allowing themselves to connect to the past helped exiles and influenced future generations to learn about the past of their relatives. Using support from personal interviews and …

Investigation Of Boiling Performance Of Graphene-Coated Surfaces, Daniel C. Stack

Honors Capstone Projects - All

In this Capstone Project, I sought to investigate the boiling performance of graphene-coated surfaces. Boiling was accomplished in a pool boiling chamber, with samples of graphene-coating SiO₂ wafers. I developed a procedure for graphene transfer for sample fabrication. Samples were prepared with graphene grown on copper substrates by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Graphene was transferred from copper substrates to SiO­₂ wafers by a thermal release transfer tape. Copper was etched away from the tape-graphene combination by ferric chloride, and the tape was peeled away after heating, leaving graphene on the SiO₂ substrate. Contact angles were measured to …

Redesigning The Walker: A More Durable & Dignified Device, Gianna M. Curcio

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Aging and Rehabilitation Engineering is a prominent field with ample room for development of and improvement upon existing options. Surveying city sidewalks, family gatherings, hospital waiting rooms it becomes apparent that the need for mobility aids is abundant. My proposal for Capstone is to redesign the walker from both my mechanical engineering and sculptural perspectives. A walker is meant to improve the quality of life for those who are unable to walk unassisted, but should not come at the cost of the user’s dignity. The way we carry ourselves says a lot about us (i.e. character, will, and level of …

Study Of Edgeless Timepix Pixel Devices, Dylan G. Hsu

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Silicon micropattern devices are crucial components of detector systems designed to study decays of exotic subatomic particles containing beauty and charm quarks. Among the technologies under consideration for use in future particle physics experiments are edgeless silicon pixel detectors. In these devices a state-of-the-art fabrication process is used to create sensors with a nearly full active area, as compared to conventional sensors which have a “guard ring” which is a dead region at the sensor periphery. Prototypes used for the study described in this paper were designed and fabricated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. In a test beam …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Co(Ii) And Cu(Ii) Pyrophosphate Coordination Complexes For Treatment Of Pathogenic Agents., Leann Jade Miles

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Candidiasis, the yeast infection of the mouth, genitals, and blood can be fatal in individuals who are immunocompromised. In humans, Candidiasis is most commonly caused by the yeast, Candida albicans (C. albicans), but can also be caused by other Candida species .^[1]

C. albicans demonstrates marked resistance towards Cu(II) but more sensitivity towards Co(II) compounds, especially in mutants that lack the CaCRP1 and CaCUP1 gene that encodes for the copper-transporting P-type ATPase and Metallothionein proteins, respectively.^[2] Here, I will describe the effects of Co(II) and Cu(II) metal based complexes that incorporate a bridging pyrophosphate …

Living On The Edge College Students And Landlords: The Perceptions, The Misconceptions And The Reality, Carolyn Da Cunha

Honors Capstone Projects - All

I first became interested in the topic of community relations and housing when I took my honors orientation class during the spring semester of my freshman year at Syracuse University. The name of the class was “From the Hill to the Hood,” taught by Professor Mark Muhammad. In the course, I was introduced to the Syracuse community; the community that exists beyond the borders of the University campus. As you gaze across the magnificent campus, you may not realize that Syracuse University resides in one of the poorest cities in the country. Then, when you walk off campus and see …

Researching Campaign Materials For Ellie Mia Boutique, Mariann Yip

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Before you spend thousands of dollars on a public relations campaign, it is important to test the campaign materials to a sample population to see what their thoughts and opinions are. Using their feedback, you are then able to tailor the information in a more effective way, thus, creating and launching a successful campaign that accomplishes all of your goals and objectives.

Ellie Mia is a fashion boutique located on Marshall Street in Syracuse, N.Y. This capstone project explores the PR branding methods of the store to increase awareness of its existence, to augment store traffic and business and to …

Advertising In The Super Bowl: Worth The Cost?, Avi Steinbach

Honors Capstone Projects - All

The Super Bowl has long been considered an unofficial American holiday. Advertisers look at this day as their Christmas – a day when the audience looks forward to commercials. Because of the immense value that a Super Bowl spot holds, there is an equally high price tag to pay for a spot.

The original question posed in this thesis was: Is a Super Bowl advertisement worth the cost? After diving into countless articles arguing both sides and looking at companies’ successes and failures, it became clear that the wrong question was being asked. Rather than thinking about all companies, the …

Headlines: A Multimedia Approach To Getting 18 To 21 Year Olds Involved In News, Caitlin Landers

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Headlines is a capstone project that attempts to test how to get the 18 to 21 year old demographic interested in news by showing the target audience that news around the world directly affects them in some way. My belief, based on personal experience and observation, is that many young adults do not pay attention to the news because they do not believe it plays a role in how their life plays out. The goal of Headlines is to show the target demographic that the opposite is true; world events do affect what happens in their daily lives.

This capstone …

Capstoned: Advertising Research, Account Planning, And The Development Of A Marketing Plan For Recreational Marijuana In Denver, Co, Erica Clapp

Honors Capstone Projects - All

One of the hottest current issues in the United States among politicians and many other groups of citizens is the legalization of recreational marijuana. This issue has a long history, and it has constantly resurfaced in the media for years. However, the recent attention being given to recreational marijuana legalization is not going to die down anytime soon, for landmark progress has been made in this area. On November 6, 2012, Colorado Amendment 64 was passed, implementing a statewide drug policy for cannabis. Consequently, Colorado has taken a revolutionary step that marks the first electoral decision to legalize marijuana in …

Forward, Together, Yuki Mizuma

Honors Capstone Projects - All

With 12,000 refugees and former refugees currently living in Syracuse, N.Y., there is so much more to the city than being just a college or basketball city. Refugees from Burma, Bhutan, Somalia and nearly 40 more countries have come to Syracuse because of the low cost of living, job opportunities and the strong relationship that refugee organizations have with the Syracuse City School District. Nearly 800 new individuals arrive each year and, yet, many people are unaware of the diverse population living in Syracuse, N.Y. “Forward, Together” uses photographs, informational text and captions to depict the lives of two refugees …

December-May: Exploring A “New” Chinese Marriage Pattern, Kepei Miao

Honors Capstone Projects - All

in relationships besides age for both men and women, and less concern from parents and friends about the age difference.

Although this marriage pattern in China has been dramatized and labeled “brand new”, I contend that this pattern is partly a continuation of the older Chinese marriage system of concubines in this era. An environment of labeling and the cultural attraction to spectacles and megaspectacles both contribute to raising considerable attention to this marriage pattern. I also question the conclusion that that people, especially women, are now given more choices regarding partner selections.

Elsie: A Screenplay, Eileen M. Spath

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Elsie is a 57 page, one-hour screenplay. A modern adaptation of a true story, Elsie tells the tale of Elsie Whitman, a young housewife unhappy in her marriage and looking for a way out. When her estranged sister arrives, she finally finds the strength to do the unthinkable.

Our story opens with the arrival of Elsie's sister, Marianne, and the departure of her husband, John. Alone in the house together, the sisters relationship grows complex. Marianne begins to see Peter, a young man with a mysterious past. However, when Elsie is wronged by John, she jumps into bed with Peter. …

Syracuse University Los Angeles: A Promotional Video, Bradley Slavin

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Created in 2009, the Syracuse University Los Angeles Semester Program has allowed students interested in the media and entertainment world to spend a semester working, living, and playing in Los Angeles. Despite being a well-constructed and impressive experience, the SULA program is still very much in its infancy. The purpose of this Capstone was to film, edit, and distribute a short promotional video that may be used by the program for recruiting initiatives.

The target audience for this project is current Syracuse University students considering the Los Angeles Semester Program, prospective Syracuse University students seeking additional benefits of studying at …

How To Be Alice: A Feature-Length Screenplay With Production Package, Alison Joy

Honors Capstone Projects - All

This Capstone consists of a feature-length dramatic screenplay of 110 pages along with a production package including schedule and budget. The production documents, created using Movie Magic software, detail a shooting schedule of 21 days and a budget of $890,979.

The film centers on a successful magazine editor who loses her job and her fiancé in the same day. Professionally disgraced, financially stunted, and unexpectedly hearbroken, she is forced to take on a “How To” blogging gig to pay the bills while she gets back on her feet. She begrudgingly accepts mentorship from an eccentric older neighbor to help her …

The Evolution Of Comic Book Movies: An Exploration And Implementation Of Comic Books In Academia, Michael C. Rogers

Honors Capstone Projects - All

The following paper outlines my Capstone, which centers on the creation and implementation of a course focusing on the academic study and consumption of comic book movies and the comics they are based on. The study of this medium has been absent from classrooms for too long, and so, in the pages that follow, I have included a syllabus, sample lesson plans, and a detailed exploration of comic books and the films they inspire in an academic setting. This paper includes research, analysis, and insight detailing the exploits of the class I taught in Fall 2013, HNR 210: The Evolution …

Anthony Jr., Allan Duso

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Video Editors are the unsung heroes that take every piece of media, shot in production, and spin it into a story that is entertaining from beginning to end. It is hard to spot a marvelous editor because the better they, are the less the audience notices. It is only the bad cuts or the mismatched shots that the audience points out. There is no way to show the amount of work and puzzle-solving editors put in to make a movie sparkle.

For my capstone project, I edited The Sopranos television series down into a feature length movie. The story focuses …

“Who Wants To Be A Millennial?” Game Show Production, Lauren Lewis

Honors Capstone Projects - All

When deciding to produce a pilot episode of a television series, I thought about the type of entertainment I wanted to see on TV but had not yet seen. I thought to myself about the themes of entertainment that could resonate with my generation. I decided to combine the interests of the Millennial generation with a game show competition including popular culture and social media themes. I wanted to emulate this traditional genre of television while capitalizing on a new, emerging audience. I had witnessed this same production tactic successfully create The American Bible Challenge when I interned at …

Wayward Nosh, Alexandra Marin O'Neil

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Design Challenge How do you get 4-8 year olds to understand their food allergy well enough to communicate it to others? When parents learn their child has a food allergy, for them, it is a stressful, life-changing discovery. For the child, this knowledge has no meaning, yet. Here, there is the opportunity to break down connotations associated with allergies. Through design intervention, this book explores the possibilities of transforming food from problems into assets. For instance, Superman might be “allergic” to kryptonite, but he also has superpowers. Rather than label the child with allergies, why not rebrand allergies to turn …

The Manifest Narrative, Kelsey Requeña Devries

Honors Capstone Projects - All

I posit that architecture can serve to expose the vital immigration, labor, and consumption processes underlying food production in the United States through a clear narrative made evident by techniques of sequence, mimesis, and composition in a functional monument containing an Immigration Advocacy Center, Community Garden, and Farmer’s Market for the city of Sacramento.

In architecture, narrative is the observation, interpretation, and implementation of ideas developed through stories. The architect formulates an observation about something in a society that exists or should exist in the form of a story, finds a time and place where the narrative is applicable, and …

What Floor?, Claire Rose Pedulla

Honors Capstone Projects - All

What Floor? was the title of my capstone project, which was a temporary installation located in the Comstock Art Building (Comart) at Syracuse University. Comart, one of the university’s art facilities, is located a mile away from the main campus. What Floor? was built within the elevator of the building. For my installation, I transformed the elevator into a living room. I did this by installing carpet, constructing and painting wooden walls to fit within the space, installing those walls, and then furnishing and decorating the space until I felt it was complete. In its finished state, it looked like …

Grace Magazine, Emmie Martin

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Grace is an online web magazine aimed at girls ages 13 through 18. This website

features material divided into four distinct categories that each cater to important aspects of a modern teenage girl’s life: Your Life, which covers lifestyle topics; Your Self, which covers health-related subjects including food, exercise, and nutrition; Your Style, which features fashion and beauty advice and news; and Your World, which delves into all aspects of modern culture.

This website publishes all original content, and strives to serve as an intellectual and entertaining resource in young girls’ lives. Grace provides girls with relevant articles that use …

180 Degrees Away, Megan Daniels

Honors Capstone Projects - All

180 Degrees Away is a novel that started as a capstone project for the honors department and further developed into a work that will later be submitted to literary agencies and publishing houses.

The novel tells the story of eighteen-year-old Ames Treadway, who has been nothing but a punching bag to his father for years. After walking in on a particularly horrifying event involving his father and younger sister, Layla, Ames nearly kills his father before taking his sister and running away. Layla, Ames, and three of Ames’ friends journey from their home in New Jersey to Nashville, where he …