Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Clearing Up Counterfactuals: The Decades-Long Historiographical Debate, Adam Ide

Honors Theses

Do some historians truly know what is best when staying away from counterfactuals, or are other historians right in using them with confidence? I will be uncovering the origin of this disagreement, exploring both sides of the debate, and explaining historians’ approaches and attitudes toward counterfactuals in order to reveal the pitfalls and potentials of the technique.

Telling A Story Through Posters: A Comparison Of Nazi And Soviet Propaganda Posters During World War Ii, Kolbe Bell

Honors Theses

The time around World War II saw an increase of countries using propaganda to spread their message, the result of which can be seen even today with modern advertising. During the war these countries had to convince their populations to support their militaries in both victories and defeats. Despite the differences between the fascism in Nazi Germany and the communism in the Soviet Union, many of these propaganda posters have some overarching similarities that can be connected. Some of which can be seen in their depictions of the enemy and with their call back to nationalism. To gain a better …

Anxious Reality: The Expression Of Anxiety Through Mixed Media Art, Abbey Cashman

Honors Theses

I myself have struggled with anxiety for the majority of my life and find misrepresentation to be frequent and very misleading to the public. The reality is misconstrued by under exaggeration and stigmas. Many artists have exposed their trauma through art, utilizing color and image to better represent their own struggle. I have decided the best way to display the reality of anxiety is to present it through mixed media. Through this project, a combination of artistic materials, I am showing you my reality as well as that of so many others who struggle from this not so easy illness …

Architecture In Berlin: Developing A New German Identity During The Weimar Republic, Samuel Roy

Honors Theses

In my honors thesis project, I will be analyzing architectural developments in Berlin from the late nineteenth century and up until the end of the Weimar Republic. I will analyze why such developments occurred and will explain the historical background of German society to better explain to uninformed readers. Some of the new architectural styles and forms I will be discussing include expressionism and naturalism, and the prominent architects whose works will be most thoroughly analyzed include Erich Mendelsohn, Bruno Taut, and Walter Gropius, all who helped to lead the search in finding new architectural styles. I’ve chosen these three …

Womanhood In Light Of The Theology Of The Body, Julie Dwyer

Honors Theses

This thesis will focus specifically on the sacramental meaning of a woman’s body.

"Emerson Remained My Master": The Influence Of Ralph Waldo Emerson On Louisa May Alcott's Thought And Writing In Little Women, Emma Wilburn

Honors Theses

In this thesis, I will argue that Little Women was heavily influenced by Alcott’s mentor Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson’s influence impacted Alcott’s life and writing in two main ways. First, growing up in Concord, surrounded by the influence of well-known Transcendentalist writers and under the mentorship of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Alcott was heavily influenced by his work and the ideals of the transcendentalist movement. The ideas of Transcendentalism that Emerson made popular and wrote about in his pieces such as “Nature” and speeches like “Women” and “The American Scholar” appear in Little Women. Second, Alcott was also heavily influenced …

Ever Ancient Ever New, Liturgical Development At Vatican Ii: October 1963 (Oh What A Council!), John Morales

Honors Theses

The primary focus of this thesis will be liturgy, specifically how the liturgical movement of the twentieth century influenced the writings of the Council document Sacrosanctum concilium and how the document was implemented after the Second Vatican Council.

Elevating Our Voices: An Exploration And Demonstration Of Modern Feminist Poetry, Kelly Knutelski

Honors Theses

This paper is formatted with several pages of background information on two poets, Rupi Kaur and Kim Addonizio, who have greatly contributed to modern feminist poetry within the past decade or two. This background will serve as a supportive feature for my portfolio, the main goal of this experience. The themes of Addonizio and Kaur and their poetic techniques inspire my collection of unique poetry. These poems represent the ups and many downs already lived by a twenty-two-year-old woman just trying to find her place in this beautiful, yet dark and twisted world.

Defensio Reipublicae, Joseph Vanacore

Honors Theses

In my thesis idea of Defensio Reipublicae I intend to analyze the founding of the American republic, while also briefly touching upon the history of republicanism in the Roman republic, in order to formulate a defense in support of republicanism. By looking at sources of the foundation of the United States, as well as political philosophy, I plan to lay out why republicanism—as a form of governance—is a prime choice for the self-governance of human societies. Sources such as the Federalist Papers, scholarly articles, political philosophers like Montesquieu, Locke, and Machiavelli, in addition to the expertise of my advisor, President …

"I Am No Man": The Importance Of Female Archetypes In Fantasy, Madelynn Johnson

Honors Theses

According to JRR Tolkien in his essay "On Fairy-Stories," fantasy stories and storytelling are important universal aspects to humanity. This two-part project explores the use of female archetypes in the fantasy genre as an example of their importance. For part one, various pieces of fantasy literature were read to gain a closer understanding of the scope of each author's style, worldbuilding, and use of female characters. Then a creative piece of three fantasy short stories in the fantasy genre were written to shed light on various aspects of the female experience. For part two, a critical analysis essay was written …

Finding Light In The Darkness: Life, Loss, And Love During Pandemic Times, Maggie Buckley

Honors Theses

Before I began this project, I battled with the idea that I could write a serious piece that challenged the narrative surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. But as I began to interview individuals for this project, people overwhelmingly shared that while some times were consumed with fears of sickness and uncertainty, there was so much time where positivity took the forefront. I spoke to friends, family members, acquaintances, and strangers, all of whom shared deeply personal anecdotes, but their stories began to connect in a way they can only connect when living during a shared experience such as this. I was …

Portrayals Of The Poor And Working Class In Children's Film: A Thematic Analysis, Christina Goldin

Honors Theses

This paper presents an analysis of how socioeconomic class is presented in children’s films. The eighteen highest grossing Disney films (2015-2020) were viewed and analyzed. Findings reveal a deficit orientation in the portrayal of poor and working-class people in children’s films. Five themes were identified in the films analyzed: the poor and violence, the poor and dysfunctional families, the poor and unintelligence, the poor and chaotic lifestyles, and the poor and the bootstrap narrative. Through an extensive thematic analysis, deficit ideology and a benign framework were identified as the main frames through which socioeconomic class is presented to children in …

How Progressive Was The New Deal? The Civilian Conservation Corps As A Case Study, Olivia Burke

Honors Theses

The definitive objective of the New Deal was the survival of the American people and economy, but did it go a step further to address the social justice goals of the Progressive Era that preceded it? Did it carry on progressive ideals, or did the New Deal morph into something different? Above all, did the New Deal empower disenfranchised groups such as African Americans or did it mainly benefit white working and middle class citizens, perpetuating traditional hierarchies of social and political power in the United States?

To analyze these questions, I will examine the writings of several historians that …

The Significance Of Transmedia Storytelling In The World Of Jane Austen, Margaret Brennan

Honors Theses

Transmedia storytelling is an opportunity for developing interactive stories involving various media, which “has grown out of the increased possibilities that come with the multifaceted developments of the ever evolving Internet” (Jandl 167). This means that multiple media platforms can be utilized to convey a single story –from videos to blog posts, tweets on Twitter or status updates on Facebook. The goal of transmedia is ultimately to have many moving parts that create one cohesive storyline, and the ways in which these pieces move and work together creates a unique, immersive story experience. Taking cultural icons like Austen and adapting …

Super Or Sexist? The Evolution Of Female Superheroes In Comics And Film, Jordan Gablaski

Honors Theses

For the purposes of this study, I will be focusing on three highly popular and often controversial female superheroes: Wonder Woman, Black Widow and Captain Marvel. My argument is not that these three characters are defined by the stereotypes under which they were created (though many female heroes and villains are purely archetypal and have barely any other defining personality traits, such as Harley Quinn). Instead, Wonder Woman, Black Widow, and Captain Marvel have, in some way or another, all been treated as a villain, victim or vixen at multiple points in their comic histories, which only leads them to …

Party Songs: A Correlation Between Political Affiliation And Liturgical Music, Renee Leavitt

Honors Theses

I believe that there is a correlation between musical taste and political affiliation, based upon my experience in the church and as an observer of the congregation. By asking individual people -- such as choir directors, organists, and theologians -- about a correlation between political affiliation and liturgical music taste, I believe there is enough of a pattern to deserve study. This pattern I am looking for should exhibit some shared interest in the subject at hand, some examples of the congregation liking or not liking particular music, or further information that I can explore. After interviewing those workers of …

The Sociology Of Music And Social Distinctions: P!Nk's Career As An Example Of Social Linkage, David Cifarelli

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine musician’s potential to conduct positive social change because of their ability to connect multiple social distinctions. This study will highlight a number of social distinctions that musicians encounter throughout their career and how they either become well-placed individuals through the linkage of these distinctions, or link social distinctions due to their power status. In addition, this study is meant to stand as a testament to the power of musicians and music to conduct effective social change through active and creative means versus those of other well-placed individuals in society, for example politicians, …

The Impact Of Modern Aesthetics: Stained Glass In The Chapel Of The Holy Spirit, Assumption College, Julia Goyette

Honors Theses

This analysis will look into the design and function of the fifteen abstract alcove windows in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on the campus of Assumption College. An image and visual analysis of each will be provided followed by an explanation of how the modern aesthetic of art has impacted the above-mentioned windows.

Doctors Without Orders: American Reactions To The Influenza Pandemic Of 1918-1919, James Watson

Honors Theses

This project focuses on the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 in specific reference to America and the chief organizations that responded to the pandemic. In this paper, two organizations are discussed in great detail: the American Red Cross and the United States Military. The purpose of this paper is to explain how American organizations responded to the pandemic as well as illuminating how their relationship was altered by war and previous interactions. By discussing how these two groups reacted to the pandemic, and ultimately each other, this paper sheds light on how America as a whole survived the pandemic as well …

Un Estudio De La Ética Y Los Métodos De Traducción, Con Una Traducción De Instrucciones Para Salvar El Mundo Por Rosa Montero, Jessica Ferronetti

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Benedictine Allegorical Exegesis On The Psalms: The Monastic Search For God Through Scripture And Its Pertinence For Today, Ian Smith

Honors Theses

My thesis will explore the nature of allegorical exegesis on the Book of Psalms within the Benedictine monastic tradition of the Middle Ages produced by its distinct culture of the Grammatica and the Quaerere Deum.

The Meridian House Speech And Academic Influence On U.S. Policy In The Middle East, Shant Eghian

Honors Theses

This paper will examine United States foreign policy in the Middle East Post Cold War through the lens of the Meridian House Speech, an influential speech given in 1992 that has shaped the United States’ foreign policy framework for the past twenty-five years. It will examine the work of Edward Said and John Esposito, two influential academics whose work heavily influenced the content of the speech. Finally, this paper will give a critical analysis of the speech and the implications it has had for our foreign policy in the Middle East.

The Function Of Liturgical Music Within The History Of The Catholic Church, Christopher Cuzzupe

Honors Theses

Within the Catholic Church, there has always been a need and a strong presence for music. The need for music has changed from being simply something listened to by all and sung by a few to involving everyone to sing together and participate in liturgical celebrations. There is great richness to be gained from an increased awareness of music in the Church, and many important lessons can be learned from the historical progression of liturgical music. The effect music has had on the liturgy has directly affected the congregation based upon their needs. The central questions addressed within this thesis …

A Return To The Authentic: The Changing Book Industry & Millennial Detachment, Kathryn Bauer

Honors Theses

Similar to many other industries in the twenty-first century, the book industry is beginning to turn in the technological direction. The emergence of eBooks, among other factors, has started to change the face of the industry as we know it. However, these changes may be a result of something bigger: the lifestyle choices of the trailblazing millennial generation. Millennial lifestyles differ significantly from those of past generations, especially in terms of social and emotional detachment. How do these seemingly different, yet defining, aspects of today’s world relate? And is it possible to use ideas from thinkers of the past such …

Beyond The Pond: My Semester Abroad, Converted Into Creative Nonfiction, Elaine Ingalls

Honors Theses

Creative nonfiction is a genre that consists of dramatized, true stories. They are portrayed through literary elements commonly used by poets and fiction writers. These elements include dialogue, a replication of scenes, character development, and detailed descriptions of setting and interior thought. Creative nonfiction allows the writer to find meaning beyond his/her experiences and reflect on universal and personal issues.

When I set out to write, I intended on writing one longer story that brought each individual experience together. As a final product, my thesis stands as a collection of different trips and events that all contributed to my time …

Film Portrayals Of People With Disabilities Post 2000, Hailey Walker

Honors Theses

Film portrayals of people with disabilities have had a significant, but perhaps unnoticed, role in shaping the general public views of individuals with disabilities. Research has documented the impact of films on creating and perpetuating misconceptions of a variety of disabilities and disability groups. Numerous stereotypes are portrayed in films depicting the lives of people with disabilities, which lead to barriers that keep people with disabilities in marginalized roles. Much research has been conducted on films produced prior to the year 2000. These studies have identified the themes and stereotypes portrayed that have been harmful to the lives and empowerment …

Charity As Friendship According To St. Thomas Aquinas, Michael Hoye

Honors Theses

The Angelic Doctor of the Church, Saint Thomas Aquinas, is among the greatest minds to contribute to the Catholic tradition. What this important Doctor of the Church teaches about charity, however, has not been widely received in the seven centuries since Aquinas’ career. Charity is not only the highest theological virtue, as compared to faith and hope, but charity is also that virtue on which all other virtues depend; St. Paul writes: “Without charity, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13). The height and summit of the Catholic faith is the Holy Eucharist, which is often referred to as the Sacrament …