Arts and Humanities Commons^™

The Sensorimotor Approach To Color Perception And The Necessity Of Socio-Cultural Considerations For Color Naming, Matthew Watts

Student Research Symposium

In this paper I argue against Kevin O’Regan’s claim that the “biological reflectance function” and its notion of “simple” colors naturally lead to a biologically consistent standard for species wide color naming. Although the simplicity of these colors may allow for easier apprehension, the notion that color simplicity will naturally lead to a consistent standard for the naming of basic color hues across a species is inconsistent with the idea of objective colors in the way that he portrays it. While it fixes many of the traditional explanatory issues surrounding color perception, it opens up new explanatory issues surrounding color. …

Geography Of Gender And The Gender Of Geography In The Roman Imagination, Austin Howard

Student Research Symposium

This paper argues for a profound link between gendered stereotypes and geography in the Graeco-Roman imagination focusing on the early Roman Empire. Hitherto, this link has been mentioned, sometimes assumed, and almost never treated as a venture worthy or deeper study or unifying themes, apart from questions of “proto-racism.” Notwithstanding, the links can be drawn comparing how the peoples living in different parts of the empire are described and how stereotypes of gender also appear in historical and literary texts. By careful examination (including cross-examination) of Strabo, Tacitus, Livy, Julius Caesar, and others, I seek the argue for a strong …

After Houselessness: Queer Youth Of Color Severed From Cultural And Spiritual Community, Carrie Fuentes, Miriam Abelson

Student Research Symposium

Within the Portland Oregon Houseless Youth Continuum, to what extent are the particular needs of Queer Youth of Color being served by existing programs? There is a gap between the nature of houseless youth services and the need for Queer Youth of Color to rebuild the missing connections resulting from cultural or spiritual rupture that creates a disconnection from their ancestry and community estrangement. Programs exist that offer assistance to QYOC in crisis but these programs lack in a positive connection to spiritual and cultural legacy that will support long term self-efficacy.

The proposed research goal is to examine these …

How Lust Was Lost: Genre, Identity And The Neglect Of A Pioneering Comics Publication, Robert Hulshof-Schmidt

Student Research Symposium

In 1950, St. John Publications published what is arguably the first graphic novel. It Rhymes With Lust was illustrated by Matt Baker, one of the first and most prolific African Americans in the comics industry. It was written by Arnold Drake – a long-time comics creator – and Leslie Waller – a respected novelist. Despite the talent arrayed and the historical significance of its timing, the novel has been largely ignored by comics scholars, historians, fans, and collectors. This paper carefully lays out the historical context for the publication of this “picture novel,” reviewing the state of the comics industry, …

The Mexican Neoliberal State: The Decentralization Of Power And Rise Of Narcotraficantes And Paramilitary Groups, Adrian Bustamante

Student Research Symposium

The purpose of this research is to analyze the interconnections between Mexico’s failed neoliberal state policies, its corrupt military, and the present drug war that plagues the nation. Mexico’s economic transition into a new neoliberal state was supposed to stimulate the economy; however its economic policies backfired, causing an increase in poverty, an upsurge in violence, and instability in its government institutions. By analyzing several recent film documentaries, together with scholarly research, we can see the direct causation of the fall of the neoliberal state and the rise of the drug cartels. My research analyses the documentaries Cartel Land by …

Conservation, Environment, And Anti-Littering, Valerie Jacobson

Student Research Symposium

Early conservation movements in the United States led to the development and creation of National Forests and Parks. This idea gave rise to a pristine untouched wilderness that should be set aside for all domestic and international tourists to enjoy. Setting this land aside for public access contributed to environmental movements designed to share the beauty of nature, show the fragile ecosystems, and educate on the destruction of waste when it is improperly disposed. Anti-liter campaigns for Utah showcased the natural beauty of the state while sharing the message “Don’t Waste Utah” in commercials. Propaganda, full of political undertones, popularized …

Hawaiian Honeycreeper (’I’Iwi), Janet Elizabeth Allen Hancock

Student Research Symposium

Since my project is interdisciplinary, I chose to write an artist statement instead of an abstract.

Artist Statement

For my project, I chose to photograph the Hawaiian
Honeycreeper, or ‘I’iwi, in their native habitat in Maui.
They have a remarkable story of evolution and extinction that both intrigues and disturbs me to my core. There were once 56 species that evolved from a single ancestor, but 38 have been driven to extinction by man’s impact on their fragile native habitat.

I used salt prints overlaid on digital color. I felt like the salt paper process with it’s sepia tone and …