Arts and Humanities Commons^™

A Place Of Gemütlichkeit: The Holden Village Of Augustana German Professor Erwin Weber, Julia Meyer

Celebration of Learning

Lying in Augustana’s Special Collections are three insignificant looking items. Two three-inch black binders with white labels which read “Holden I Copy” and Holden II Copy” in red ink. These two binders along with a plastic spiral-bound paper compilation are photographs and memories of former Augustana German professor Erwin Weber’s summer at Holden Village in 1977. Titled “My Days at Holden,” this compilation is an unpublished photo-book detailing the wilderness and the people of the community of Holden Village. This isolated village situated in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State draws many individuals, including Erwin Weber who in the summer …

Racial Stereotypes: History And Consequences, Paul Olsen

Celebration of Learning

Several years ago I asked an Augustana student whom I knew very well to describe his college experience. He was an excellent student, a respected athlete elected captain of the track team, a 3-time All-American and conference champion in track, and he was also a starter on the winning basketball team. He is also African American. His answer: “it was often uncomfortable.” This from a student who experienced LOTS of success!

My words today are partially motivated by his response. They are also driven by the increased racial unrest that has characterized our country the last few years and by …

The Double Féminin In The Plays Of Jean Racine, Jaime Schultz

Celebration of Learning

This work takes on a feminist approach and studies extensively the oeuvre of Racine.

The Literary Movement Of Dany Laferrière; Francophone Literary History And The Future Of French Literature- Brady Welvaert, Brady M. Welvaert

Celebration of Learning

Haitian-Canadian-American author Dany Laferrière breaks the bonds of literary terms of categorization. In North America, French-language literature has a history of isolation and suppression, but the literature from Dany Laferrière pushes past boundaries placed by those who seek to categorize him. Laferrière, who identifies as “American” and wants to be seen as nothing else, seeks to embody an American identity in context of all of North America. But is there a sense of unity throughout North America despite borders, whether they are of countries our linguistic? Additionally, his election to the French Academy merits some questions worth addressing, considering a …

From Debussy To Duke: A Look At The Role Of Music, Race, And Sexuality In The Works Of Dany Laferrière, Kendall Smith

Celebration of Learning

Music is used every day as a way of expression. Dany Laferrière, a Haitian born author, uses music in his works to give the reader an idea of racial stereotypes of the black man and white women. The two books that will be the focus of this paper are Comment faire l’amour avec un Nègre sans se fatiguer (How to Make Love to a Black Man Without Getting Tired) and Vers le Sud (Heading South), which use jazz and classical music, respectively. Jazz music, specifically Duke Ellington, is used to show men’s and women’s sexuality through the lyrics and history …

Gandalf And Guardini: A Fresh Look At The Theology Of J.R.R. Tolkein's The Lord Of The Rings, Margaret Stadtwald

Celebration of Learning

My Honors Capstone looks at the various critical responses to the theology of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, with a focus on Augustinian theology. It then posits that the modern/postmodern theology of Romano Guardini better encompasses the work’s theological depths and worth as a piece of literature.

The Excitement Of Life, Jacob D. Soukup

Celebration of Learning

These recent paintings explore the presence of excitement, energy and adrenaline rush one can capture in a moment. Oil paints have a quality that can make a painting come to life. This lifelike quality is exactly what I strive to capture in a way that allows the viewers to put themselves inside the painting. The inspiration for these paintings came from my own experiences of adventure and risk-taking. The use of foreshortening and distortion helps give the figures a sense of energy and create movement throughout the composition. By portraying the various situations through a warped lens, I believe that …

The Conservation And Preservation Of Blackhawk State Park, 1917 - 1927, Bonnie O. Thornton

Celebration of Learning

Local historian, John Henry Hauberg, persisted throughout the 1920s to transform Rock Island, Illinois' amusement park into recognizing the land and its history.

Alzheimer's Disease And The Importance Of Music Therapy, Patricia Kautenberger

Celebration of Learning

Worldwide, statistics suggest that by the year 2050 as many as 80 million individuals will be living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Because current pharmacological interventions can only slow its progression, the pathology eventually overcomes the benefits of the medications, thus leaving a deficit in long-term treatment. However, the preservation of the brain’s ability to work with and benefit from music has created a window of opportunity for an alternative treatment. Music therapy has been shown to be a promising alternative treatment because it has very little risk, and studies suggest that it is effective in improving familiarity and recollection in …