Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Times Are Changing: Addressing Racism And Sexism In Die Zauberflöte, Cassidy Wiltjer, Anna Winn, Linnea Johansen

2022 Festschrift: Mozart's Die Zauberflöte

The eighteenth century philosophy regarding discrimination based on gender and race do not align with the philosophy of the modern era. Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, written in 1791, is full of racist and misogynist remarks which are woven carefully into the music and plot of the opera. Racism is evident through the character of Monostatos and the claims that his status as a Moor make him less valuable as a human being. Additionally, the character Sarastro exemplifies a rational and powerful male while the Queen of the Night, while powerful in her own right, is the villain: an unruly, emotional woman. …

At The Dinner Table, Briana L. Kunstman

Audre Lorde Writing Prize

A young woman and feminist analyzes privilege and prejudice through the experience of being at a family dinner. She questions the way that people view “controversial conversations” and why they are labeled that way. As she opens discussions that are “politically charged” and “inappropriate” at the dinner table, she is met with criticism and questions. By looking at the #Metoo movement, 97% movement, Black Lives Matter movement, and Health at Every Size movement, alongside a variety of other significant points, the woman reflects on silenced voices, minority identities and basic human rights in America.

Crooked Smile, Kaitlin Jacobson

Vázquez-Valarezo Poetry Award

As a songwriter, I love connecting my poetry to songs. There are so many similarities between life and music, and that is just beautiful to me. I wrote this poem about very real experiences I have had, about the idea of sugarcoating reality for the sake of what life really looks like under the surface. This is similar to my songs, when my melodies are seen as catchy but the lyrics are overlooked. As a queer woman, there have been many times where I have felt silenced, or where my pain has been overlooked and my lyrics haven't been taken …

Black Lips Don't Turn Blue: A Womanist Critique Of Discriminatory Language In Medical Education, Alison Lawrence

Augustana Center for the Study of Ethics Essay Contest

This paper examines race and gender inequities in healthcare as it pertains to the unequal presentation of descriptors of illness in medical textbooks. The author adopts a womanist perspective to criticize the use of the white male body as the standard for all patients, which causes signs and symptoms in women and people of color to be dismissed as less important. Following an analysis of normalizing language in current medical texts as well as its consequences for patients, the author calls for a system-wide shift to more inclusive, intersectional medical education that not only acknowledges differences among patient groups, but …

Challenging Faith And Gaining Power: Women In Film Who Reject And Subvert Religion, Annika Murrah

Religion and Film

This paper examines the ways that women seize power through rejection and subversion of religion by relating women in film to the real world. Rejection of faith is exemplified by characters in the films The Little Hours (2017) and The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018). Subversion of faith is understood through the films Whale Rider (2003), Jennifer’s Body (2009), and Transparent (2014). Narrative analysis of these films is contrasted with studies of orthodox religion as examined by Dr. Brenda E. Brasher and Dr. Mary Gerhart. The importance and effect of women’s newly-gained power is applied to social change as recorded …

The Inequalities Women Face In Stem: From Their Education To The Workplace, Sophie Rhodes

Women's and Gender Studies: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Feminism And Faith: How Women Find Empowerment In The Roman Catholic Church, Amanda Schar

Celebration of Learning

This project examines the relationship between feminism and Catholicism, focusing on whether or not women feel empowered by the Roman Catholic Church. Female members of the Augustana community were surveyed and asked to share their own experiences with their Catholic faith.

Themes discussed include the decision to stay in the Church versus the decision to leave, the importance of Catholicism as a cultural identity, and the multitude of ways women have found to empower themselves within the existing Church structure.

The Swedish Welfare State And Women: Is Sweden The Feminist Society The United States Imagines?, Amanda Schar

Scandinavian Studies Student Award

This paper discusses several aspects of the Swedish welfare state and whether or not they represent a successfully feminist form of government. It compares these aspects of the Swedish government to the United State’s government.

Sr. Miriam: Community And Habits, Loretta Dantuma

Ask a Sister: Interview Wisdom from Catholic Women Religious

This paper includes part of an interview on January 11, 2019, with “Sr. Miriam Drake” – a sister who has served her congregation for almost 60 years – and her views on evolution of habits after Vatican II as well as the role of community in faith.

Sr. Joey: Power Structure Within The Education System, Emily Tokarz

Ask a Sister: Interview Wisdom from Catholic Women Religious

I interviewed Sr. Joey on January 17th regarding her experience within the Catholic Church. This paper includes her experiences with the power structure and how it affected her life’s work.

Paper: An Ecowomanist View On The Dakota Access Pipeline, Ariana Raya

Womanist Ethics

This paper examines the Dakota Access Pipeline using ecofeminist and ecowomanist philosophies, provides a brief historical background of African American and Native American communities, explains the dangers of the pipeline to the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, and offers constructive alternatives.

Wonder Woman: Classical Hero, Modern Superheroine, And Feminist Figure, Victoria A. Karnes

Celebration of Learning

Wonder Woman, an Amazonian princess and superheroine who has been inspiring women since her comic debut in 1941. From her origins to the villains she faces, Wonder Woman’s stories and character are wrapped up in allusions to famous myths and figures of Greek and Roman literature. In my Senior Inquiry, I investigate Wonder Woman’s Classical connections and compare the ancient portrayal of Amazonian women to their portrayal in the comics and the recent films Wonder Woman (2017) and Justice League (2017). Also, in my Senior Inquiry, I analyze Dr. William Marston’s complicated and problematic feminist views which inspired his creation …

Sex Robots: Negative Impact Towards Society, Jeraldine Hernandez

Augustana Center for the Study of Ethics Essay Contest

This paper attempts to discuss how sex robots will negatively impact society by questioning how feminism, pedophilia, and human-robot interactions are involved.

The Power Of Queer Representation In The Media, Jack Harris

Audre Lorde Writing Prize

This paper examines the lack of representation of the queer community in today's film and television productions. Recent work such as The CW's The 100 and Nickelodeon's The Legend of Korra are used to create an intersectional analysis of the tropes associated with queer characters and the effect that queer representation has on viewers. The intersectionality of queer rights and feminism is mapped out in an effort to understand the root of the issue and, in that discovery, find solutions for the future.

The Power Of Queer Representation In The Media, Jack Harris

Tredway Library Prize for First-Year Research

This paper examines the lack of representation of the queer community in today's film and television productions. Recent work such as The CW's The 100 and Nickelodeon's The Legend of Korra are used to create an intersectional analysis of the tropes associated with queer characters and the effect that queer representation has on viewers. The intersectionality of queer rights and feminism is mapped out in an effort to understand the root of the issue and, in that discovery, find solutions for the future.

The Whole World To Please, Elena Leith

Audre Lorde Writing Prize

This is a fictional piece derived from stories of women who have experienced abortions for different reasons.

Les Femmes Raciniennes Ont Le-Dessus : Le Double Féminin Dans L’Oeuvre De Racine, Jaime Schultz

French: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

This dissertation extensively studies the role of women in Jean Racine's tragedies.

"From Local To Global: Exploring The Unique Identity Of Afro-Caribbean Women", Matthew A. Henry Sr.

Eddie Mabry Diversity Award

The Caribbean by far is probably one of the most diverse regions represented in the face of history. Geographically, each island is dynamic in the continuous change and flow of possession by Europeans and influences of the countless peoples of various extractions. This diversity is evident in the realization that there is a queer inability for scholars, and people alike to truly define what is the Caribbean and what it means to be a part of this region. Referencing the Caribbean is almost always focused on a specific island community/locality in that region, which gives the impression of the Caribbean …

The Public Vs. The Private, Elise "Alice" G. Roberson

Audre Lorde Writing Prize

No abstract provided.