Digital Commons Network^™

Disney's Postfeminist Follies: Disney’S Postfeminist Portrayal Of Women In The Age Of Fourth Wave Of Feminism, Morgan Crafton

Honors Theses

In 2022, Disney CEO Bob Chepak spoke out against the "Don't Say Gay" bill signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis’ supporters derisively labeled Disney as “woke." However, the company does not warrant the label. Though Fourth Wave feminism has broadened Disney’s idea of a woman, the entertainment company largely operates with a postfeminist lens that prevents its heroines from being feminist representations of women. Audiences see this in "Frozen," (2013), "Moana" (2016), "Encanto" (2021), and "Turning Red" (2022). Disney’s postfeminist rhetoric allows it to portray supposedly progressive women without challenging societal notions of misogyny. Thus, Disney’s criticisms for “wokeness” …

As Bonecas Babadeiras: Drag Subculture And Global Media In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Logan Baggett

Honors Theses

21st century global queer culture is seeing a major boom. Drag queens are the most indicative symbols of this boom, traditional practitioners of gender-bending performances that blend music, dance, makeup, and fashion to create breathtaking performances. To this end, this thesis asks the following question: How is local drag performance culture generated in Rio de Janeiro in the context of this 21st century gay boom? In this global metropolis, drag queens confront challenges––racism, classism, sprawling urban geography, and scene competition––that color their interpersonal relationships and financial success. They also find community, creating family units in the absence of heteronormative power …

Around The World In 80 Days: Navigating Culturally Diverse Texts In Secondary English Education, Abby Boyer

Honors Theses

In the secondary English classroom, the inclusion of diverse texts holds importance in fostering a rich and inclusive learning environment that reflects the realities and complexities of our diverse world. Diverse texts encompass a wide range of voices, perspectives, and experiences that represent various cultures, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. By incorporating such texts into the curriculum, educators not only honor the diversity of their students but also provide them with opportunities to engage critically with different narratives, develop empathy, and cultivate a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human experience.
Moreover, diverse texts offer …

Exploring The Cultural Influences On Sexual And Reproductive Health Behaviors: A Cross-Cultural Study Of Asian American And Caucasian Female College Students, Emilee Ly

Honors Theses

This capstone honors project aims to investigate the influence of cultural backgrounds on the healthcare behaviors of Asian American and Caucasian college students. The main research question of this focus group study is: “How do cultural backgrounds influence healthcare behaviors, including communication, seeking, and access to sexual and reproductive health, information, and services, among Asian American and Caucasian female college students?”

Drawing upon the World Health Organization’s 2003 Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework, this study explores how structural determinants, social networks, cultural backgrounds, and healthcare systems factors collectively influence the way female college students communicate, seek, and have access …

Preschool Survival Guide: Gardening, Beth Ann Weaver

Honors Theses

Nature-based learning can be defined as utilizing nature in learning experiences to meet developmental domains. The benefits of nature-based learning and play in early childhood are significant. Children who engage in nature have active imaginations, learn new concepts and vocabulary, have respect for their environments, learn and understand biodiversity, have better problem-solving skills and so much more. Despite these benefits, the low prevalence of nature and science-based activities in early childhood classrooms continues to exist due to the lack of knowledge and confidence in these specific subjects. This thesis analyzes developmentally appropriate practices needed to effectively implement science and nature …

Beloved Other: (Re)Creating Theories Of Language, Time, And Embodiment For Queer Liberations, Salem Murray

Honors Theses

Through Beloved Other, I offer a story of difference retold. A reimagination of the harsh drape of embodied difference as defined by White hegemony. Through Part I, I will lay out the theoretical foundations for my process of (re)telling. Beginning with intersectionality, difference is (re)defined as a site of potential energy, then further clarified through the lens of Queer Phenomenology by Sara Ahmed. In this section I will use my theory to disidentify difference, relying on the work of Jose Esteban Muñoz, to reveal the life-saving impulse toward connection between individuals, and the potential energy between bodies that can help …

Nonduality And Identity: An Exploration Of Form, Genre, And Perspective, Hannah Ritter

Honors Theses

This thesis utilizes hybrid forms of poetry and prose to examine questions of nonduality, perspective, and identity, simultaneously testing the boundaries of genre and form as a whole. The opening craft essay offers a more specific analysis of form and genre, particularly those of poetry / prose and fiction / nonfiction, while the creative writing demonstrates how such differentia are relevant to the art of creative writing.

Asserting Individuality In A Futuristic Dystopia: A Critical Analysis Of "Dirty Computer", Sam Spethman

Honors Theses

"Dirty Computer" is a groundbreaking science fiction film directed by visionary artist Janelle Monáe, which delves into the complexities of individuality in a dystopian future dominated by oppressive societal forces. Through intricate narrative construction and thematic depth, the film asserts the indomitable nature of human identity against the backdrop of advanced technology and mind control. This paper explores how "Dirty Computer" challenges traditional narratives of conformity and celebrates the power of self-expression and authenticity. By employing critical lenses such as feminist, queer, and racial critiques, along with narrative and visual analysis techniques, the analysis highlights Monáe's embrace of her Black …

College Football Success And Its Impact On The Surrounding Community, Local Economy, And Institution Enrollment, Jacob Reynolds

Honors Theses

In the ever-changing field of college football, creating success has always been a top priority for institutions, and if not achieved, it can be detrimental to an athletic department. Success is important to those directly involved in college football, however, not often is it considered how others may be affected by the success or failure of a college football program. The purpose of this research is to determine what impact successful college football programs have on society and those not directly involved in athletics. In determining the purpose, it was important to find what components of society are impacted by …

Far From First Kill: Sapphic Fan Campaigns + The Fight For Queer Television, Lake Best

Honors Theses

Over the decades, LGBTQ+ media has had a long history of, despite getting better, more popular, more powerful each time, being canceled, delayed, even simply never seen again. This has led to justified anger, sorrow, + distress from the queer fandom communities, who, already inspired by the sense of activism that their community is founded on, have created over 8 years of online fan campaigning to fight back, maybe even bring the shows from the grave to a new life. This case study will examine 6 of those campaigns, ranging from the birth of modern queer fandom in We Deserve …

Addressing The Cultural Mistrust Of The U.S. Healthcare System: Creating And Illustrating A Bilingual Children's Book, Ximena Patino Enriquez

Honors Theses

This thesis delves into the healthcare disparities faced by Latino Spanish-speaking populations in the United States and proposes multifaceted approaches to address these inequities. Drawing on empirical research and critical analysis, the paper explores the roots of cultural mistrust, systemic discrimination, and language barriers that may hinder access to quality healthcare for Latinos. Through a review of literature, the thesis underscores the detrimental health outcomes experienced by these communities, particularly concerning chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, it examines the role of children's literature in shaping attitudes towards healthcare from an early age, emphasizing the need for accurate …

The Influence Of Race: College Students’ Sense Of Belonging At Their Predominantly White University, Jaelyn Barker

Honors Theses

Racism, underrepresentation, and anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) movements are current, ongoing battles on college campuses across the nation, specifically at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) and universities. This study will examine the influence of race and other relevant factors on undergraduate students’ sense of belonging on their college campuses by understanding how students define and use race to shape and change their lives. The researcher created and distributed an original survey to undergraduate students at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), collecting a total of 466 responses. The study found that race, divided by white and nonwhite categorizations, did not have a …

The Ultimate How-To Guide: Addressing Sustainability In Fashion, Corinne R. Campbell

Honors Theses

Every year, the pollution in our world increases but few people have addressed this issue. Between the culture of consumerism, little to no recycling, and lack of education, it can feel difficult as a regular person to make a difference. However, it is not impossible. As the consumer, the general public has the ability to enact change. While sustainability in the fashion industry may seem unattainable, making progressive changes in the manufacturing and buying process of clothing will make fashion more eco-friendly over time. With the proper education and guidance, anyone can make more sustainable fashion choices without going outside …

Living Between The Lines: The Multiracial Identity, How It Is Shaped, Perceived, And Embodied On College Campuses, Kiaira Tomlinson

Honors Theses

This research project aims to investigate the feelings of acceptance experienced by multiracial individuals on predominantly white institution (PWI) campuses. The study explores various factors that may influence these feelings, including participation in organizations, relationships with friends and family, and experiences of discrimination on campus. Surveys will be used to collect data on participants' progress toward graduation, gender, classification, racial/ethnic background, first-generation status, participation in student and racial/ethnic organizations, experiences of discrimination, and feelings of acceptance on campus due to positive peer relationships. The multiracial identity is increasingly relevant in the United States, yet the experiences of multiracial individuals at …

Autopathography Across Media: Trauma And Fluid Embodied Subjectivity, He (Kristen) Shen

Honors Theses

Illness memoirs with first-person point of view have gained more attention in recent years among medical sociologists and anthropologists. Different from traditional “case histories”written by doctors that are in danger of ignoring patients’ voices, autopathograhical works delineate narrators’ transformative experiences of persons to patients, emphasizing the importance of gaining social understanding of illness. Focusing on three works within the category of autopathography across genres and media forms in the late 1950s and contemporary periods, The Cancer Journals (1980) written by Audre Lorde, The Collected Schizophrenias (2019) written by Esmé Weijun Wang, and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) directed …

Publishing Power: A Historiographical Investigation Into Treatments Of American Slave Narratives, Maya Sachs

Honors Theses

The purpose of this project is to document and analyze the factors that contributed to periods of interest in, and literature/scholarship on, American slave narratives, with particular emphasis on the role of publishers and publication (or non-publication). The specific historiographical survey focuses on three distinct time periods: 1845 to 1929, the 1960s through the 1980s, and the 2000s through the 2020s, with the epilogue focusing on the most recent scholarship. I have chosen these time periods because they represent periods in which there were notable evolutions in the ways the narratives have been studied in America, many of which can …

Divided Discourse: Analyzing Abortion Rhetoric In The 2016 Presidential Debates, Ella Hayes

Honors Theses

How did the party affiliation of the speaker affect the rhetoric used to talk about abortion in the 2016 American presidential election? Using computer-assisted qualitative analysis and coding for instances of framing, metaphors, and bridging rhetoric, I look at debate transcripts during the election cycle from the American Presidency Project, tracing both Democratic and Republican primaries into the general election. I argue that across all debates and speeches, Democrats invoke the“morality as empathy metaphor and the Nurturant Parent model in their arguments more than Republicans. In contrast, I argue that Republicans invoke the“morality as strength" metaphor and the Strict Father …

Longitudinal Associations Between Peer Victimization And School Belonging In Elementary-Aged Children, Bridget E. Mcguiness

Honors Theses

Belonging is crucial for children’s social adjustment, and peer victimization has the potential to threaten belonging. Alternatively, it is possible that low levels of belonging can elicit higher victimization. My study determined the directionality of the relationship between peer victimization and belonging and whether gender moderated the relationship. There was no evidence that peer victimization was associated with decreases in classroom belonging, but low belonging was associated with higher levels of peer victimization. Gender did not moderate the relationship.

La Perception Et La Représentation Du Corps Des Femmes Africaines Par Rapport À La Colonisation Française, Mofiyinfoluwa Tunji-Ekundayo

Honors Theses

The thesis proposes an analysis of the perception that the French colonizers had towards the bodies of black women in France, women from northern Africa, and women from western Africa. Then, the work evaluates how this perception manifests in current French and francophone media. Furthermore, it traces how much influence these perceptions have on the depiction and representation of African female bodies. This influence could manifest as a reinforcement or an opposition to colonial perceptions.

Portraits Of Happiness (The Performance Of Happiness: A Cultural Critique), Meaghan Hibbs

Honors Theses

While happiness may be something seemingly everyone, or most, people wish for, what happiness consists of, how to obtain it, and how to determine if/when one is truly happy remains elusive. One may view happiness as a simple wish, but then arises the question: what exactly does one wish for in wishing for happiness? Or, moreover, what may a society wish for or wish to ensure through the imperative to be happy? My thesis will primarily involve an interpretation of philosopher Sara Ahmed’s book The Promise of Happiness, in which she offers a critique of “happiness,” or, moreover, the cultural …

Purdue Pharma: Appalachia's Worst Nightmare, Malina C. Gaworski

Honors Theses

This thesis describes the legal implications of Purdue Pharma’s vital role that implicated them in the opioid crisis after their release of the renowned drug, OxyContin. Purdue Pharma released the infamous drug in 1995 and the world of drugs and addiction has never been the same. Thousands of oxycontin-related deaths, pharmacies and medical professionals found liable, and countless lawsuits against the powerful company. This research expands on these lawsuits, the implications of these against Purdue Pharma, and the improvements made in the pharmaceutical company to prevent a disaster such as the opioid crisis from repeating itself.

Off The Rails: Cinematic Trains As Technological Controls Of The Natural World, Trinity Thompson

Honors Theses

Short train rail lines across the United States are seeing increased national funding to reduce toxic chemical spills caused by train derailments, the most notable of which happened in February 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio. A year prior, the film White Noise (2022) featured a similar toxic train derailment incident, taking place, too, in Eastern Ohio, and featuring actors from the town of East Palestine. In considering other films featuring trains, I identified a pattern of environmental conflict, leading me to question the relationship between trains and the natural environment as portrayed in popular cinema. To conduct my research, I …

“Go, Go, Godzilla!” Defining And Creating Meaning In The Godzilla Franchise, Jc Dyer

Honors Theses

Godzilla is one of the longest running film franchises in history. Its core anti-nuclear message has stood the test of time, giving it continued relevance in the modern world, especially in its home country of Japan. However, after 69 years and 36 movies, it is safe to say that Godzilla, both as a movie franchise and as a character, has changed drastically since 1954. These changes, coupled with the globalization of the franchise and the creation of a new, US based Godzilla series, have created a complex and at times contradictory web of differing themes and adaptations. This project examines …

An Analysis Of Skylight And Alternative Applications In The Adaptive Reuse Of The Ridgedale Mill, Robyn Wood

Honors Theses

Designing sustainably, at its core, holds the health and wellbeing of the users of the space and the price of ongoing maintenance and installation costs in balance with environmental wellbeing. With each of these points playing a major role, spaces can be designed to be healthy and affordable while also benefiting the overall functional health and efficiency of the space. A key method in designing sustainably is the incorporation of natural daylight within a space to provide general lighting in an energy efficient way and to positively impact the atmosphere of the built environment. For the users of the space, …

Let’S Talk: How Communication Apprehension And Intercultural Communication Affect Intercultural Conflicts And International Relations, Jessica P. Overbay

Honors Theses

Communication apprehension or anxiety can cause strains on conversations and relationships. This is prevalent in intercultural communication because it can cause intercultural conflicts and strains on international relations. Communication plays such a large role in international relations, however, communicating interculturally can pose barriers. Different cultures communicate differently and when trying to communicate with those outside one’s own culture, complications can arise. This apprehension in turn can lead to intercultural conflict. Difficulties communicating interculturally such as language barriers, differences in cultures norms (nonverbal misinterpretation), and preconceptions can lead to communication apprehension, and even intercultural conflict. This research aimed to examine how …

Queer Representation In The Horror Genre: An Analysis Of Queer Stereotypes, Makenna N. Lambert

Honors Theses

Queer representation has been present across all genres of film since the dawn of filmmaking. Much of the early representation of queer identities originated in the horror genre, specifically during the time of the Motion Picture Production Code (1934-1968). However, many negative stereotypes and tropes still common in media today originated in this time period. Films like Dracula’s Daughter and Bride of Frankenstein included stereotypes like the overly effeminate, weak gay man, the aggressive, ugly lesbian, and the concept that queer people are predatory. Modern-day horror films have started to stray away from these harmful tropes, including more well-rounded and …

Lgbtq+ In A Rural Kentucky Town, Caroline A. Kinsman

Honors Theses

This interview series aims to understand the perspectives of LGBTQ+ community members in relation to local government in a small rural town in Kentucky. The purpose is to ascertain the correlation between the LGBTQ+ community's level of feeling accepted and the efforts and attitudes of non-LGBTQ+ officials. In total, six LGBTQ+ individuals were interviewed, and two elected government officials. Themes found within the interview series include reputation, safety, mental health, urgent change, blindness, and lack of responsibility.

Creator As Audience: Mixtape Albums As An Expression Of Life And Memory, Sadie Montague

Honors Theses

Music is a foundation of our popular culture. With music’s distribution far and wide, songs, lyrics, and melodies can be familiar to people from all backgrounds, connecting us through a shared cultural experience. Songs can also be deeply personal and take on sentimental meaning, taking us back to specific moments, feelings, or times in our own lives. Since the 1940s, when album art was invented, graphic design and music have been inseparable, informing individuals’ personal and cultural identity. In recent decades, digital technology has disembodied the human experience, including our consumption of music and design. In response to this dematerialization, …

The Meaning Of The Mask: Darth Vader On The Screen And The Page, Brenna Renfroe

Honors Theses

Masks can be found throughout popular culture, and their roots trace back through history. Whether on the screen, the page of a comic book, the stage, or in the halls of a Comic-Con, masked faces are intriguing. Among the numerous masked faces that populate our imagination, few are as iconic and instantly recognizable as Darth Vader from Star Wars. Despite his popularity, most of the research devoted to masked characters has been interested in why heroes such as Batman wear masks. There is little research on why a tragic hero turned villain does so, since the connotation of masks seems …

Assessing The Dynamic Amongst Self-Compassion, Connection To Nature, And Well-Being, Yueyi Fan

Honors Theses

In 2015, the United Nations deemed promoting individual well-being of paramount importance, along with seventeen other sustainable development goals (to be achieved by 2030). Unfortunately, overall mental health has taken sharp declines with the unprecedented onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (OECD, 2021). According to a report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased globally; it has doubled or more than doubled as compared to previous years (OECD, 2021). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported increasing levels of adverse mental health conditions, substance use, and suicidal …