Cultural History Commons^™

Healing Communities With Police Divestment: Seeking Abolition Through Transformative Reform And Community-Government Collaboration, Jessica E. Gillson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Concerns about the efficacy and sustainability of the U.S. carceral system have persisted throughout the country’s history, recently fueling renewed activism and bipartisan calls for reform. However, proposed solutions remain divisive. This thesis first defines the current status of our prison systems, then explores collaborative alternatives to incarceration and policing that support communities and break cycles of incarceration.

Focusing on partnerships among local governments, community organizations, justice-involved individuals, and law enforcement, this study examines holistic approaches to crime prevention, reentry, and reintegration. Using an interdisciplinary framework incorporating restorative justice, community resilience, and systems theory, it investigates how community-based strategies can …

The Horrors Of History: Gender, Folklore, And Puritanism In Robert Eggers’ The Witch, Trinity Stuckey

Undergraduate Scholarship

This paper examines Robert Eggers' 2015 folk horror film The Witch as a legitimate form of historical interpretation that illuminates the intersection of gender, folklore, and religious belief in 1630s colonial New England. Through analysis of primary sources including Cotton Mather's Memorable Providences, Samuel Willard's possession accounts, and Salem witch trial records, this study demonstrates how Eggers' meticulous attention to historical detail creates a narrative that captures the psychological and sociocultural dimensions of Puritan experience. The paper argues that by taking seriously the theological worldview of its subjects rather than dismissing supernatural elements as superstition, The Witch achieves a …

Art As An Urban Lifeline : Mental Well-Being In Times Of Crisis And Conflict, Bussakorn Binson

Journal of Urban Culture Research

No abstract provided.

Creative City Making As A Theoretical Research Practice By Using Soft Systems Methodology, Salfitrie Maryunani, Togar Simatupang, Isti Mirzanti

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This study proposes a novel conceptual framework for creative city development that integrates cultural and economic perspectives, moving beyond the traditional singular focus of existing literature. It identifies three core variables – culture, creativity, and the creative economy – within a balanced model. Using Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) as a structuring tool, the framework conceptualizes these interrelations within a complex urban system. Its originality is demonstrated through a design for application in Bandung, Indonesia, an underexplored context, providing a foundation for empirical validation. The paper concludes with actionable activities for implementation, offering a comprehensive tool for integrated diagnosis and planning …

From Urban Space To Everyday Place : Appropriation Of Public Leisure Areas In Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Marcos Guimarães (Guimaraes)

Journal of Urban Culture Research

The dramatic changes occurred in the organization of cities reverberate in the very individual and interpersonal levels of spatial relationships. This essay approaches the public space by transposing fundamental concepts identified among the urban cultural system to the everyday experience of particular places. This transposition gives an insight into the comprehension of the built environment by exploring links between scales. The referential frame adopted is the set of discourses by Soja (2000) on the post-metropolis. The study cases, two contrasted leisure areas situated in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte, are potential spots for the cultural and spatial appropriation of …

Examining The Social And Cultural Implications Of Philippine Folk Dance To College Of Arts And Sciences (Cas) Students In One State University In The Philippines, John Michael D. Aquino

Journal of Urban Culture Research

The researcher aims to examine the social and cultural implications of Philippine Folk Dance to students in particular to their perceptions, attitudes, and how it affects the identity of the Filipinos. This study employed a phenomenological research design and purposive sampling in choosing the participant based on the given criteria. Semi-structured interviews was utilized and employed validated interview guide from the field expert and pilot testing. Thematic analysis was used in analyzing the data. The results revealed that the perception of the students profound admiration for the meaning, purpose, and beauty of traditional dances. Also emphasized are the value of …

Consumer Preferences For African Prints Across Age Groups In Southwest Nigeria, Adebayo Abiodun Adeloye

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This study examined the perceptions and preferences of African print consumers across different age groups in Southwest Nigeria. The study examined the relationship between cultural, social, and economic factors shaping consumer choices of African print fabric usage. A mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating a quantitative online survey with qualitative focus group discussion. The research instruments were validated through expert review, pilot testing, and reliability analysis, yielding a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.86, which confirmed strong internal consistency. A sample size of 384 was determined using an online sample size calculator. The online questionnaire was distributed across the six states of …

Musical Analysis Of Chanting Melodies In The Teochew Chinese Yoga Tantra Ritual In Thailand, Rachan Sornchai, Narongchai Pidokrajt, Poonpit Amatyakul

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This study explores the musical elements of the Dharma Sankhita chants in the Mahayana Teochew Chinese Yoga Tantra ritual at Kak Hang Niam Huk Lim Monastery, Bangkok, Thailand. It examines the ritual’s background and musical analysis. Practiced by both Teochew and Cantonese Chinese, the ritual known in Teochew as “Bang Iem Kao” is a profound act of filial piety and ancestor veneration, rooted in the Eight Cardinal Virtues of Chinese ethics. The ceremony is held to dedicate merit to deceased ancestors and preserve cultural traditions. It can be performed at both family and community levels, encouraging intergenerational participation and solidarity. …

An Initial Report On The Search For The Missing Gamelan Heritage Of The Sumenep Palace, Madura, East Java-Indonesia, Aris Setiawan, Zulkarnain Mistortoify

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This research endeavors to locate the long-lost heirloom gamelan from the Sumenep Palace. Since the abolition of aristocratic status in 1883, the Sumenep Palace has lost political and economic legitimacy. To maintain the luxurious lifestyle of the aristocratic court, valuable items, including gamelans, were sold. The heirloom gamelans in the Sumenep Palace are believed to have been gifts from the Mataram Palace, often exchanged during various events, such as marriages. Employing an investigative ethnographic approach, this study gathered data through in-depth interviews with cultural practitioners, palace descendants, and private collectors; direct observation of remaining artifacts; and analysis of historical documents …

Can Creative Hubs Contribute Towards Creative City Development? Case Of Hin Bus Depot, Penang, Malaysia, Suet Leng Khoo, Nicole Shu Fun Chang

Journal of Urban Culture Research

As cities shift their economic base towards culture and creativity, the emergence of creative hubs to catalyze local creative industries is acknowledged as a viable urban development strategy. In Malaysia, the concept is not new. In George Town, Penang, a sterling example is Hin Bus Depot which is a once-abandoned bus depot that reinvented itself to become a successful creative community hub. The ways upon which Hin contributes towards creative city development warrants documentation. Through qualitative techniques and a longitudinal timeframe, this paper unpacks Hin’s role by revisiting its evolving functionalities, forms, and meanings as it thrives, and responds to …

Transnational History And Asean’S Young Scholars In Regional Connectivity : Perspectives From Mainland Southeast Asia, Liem Vu Duc, Thu Ha Nguyen Thi

Journal of Urban Culture Research

Past legacies profoundly shape contemporary relationships between ASEAN’s countries. Unfortunately, voices of history do not always generate a healthy motivation for regional connectivity, but recall painful images of warfare and conflict between polities that developed into present-day Southeast Asian nation-states. Such histories can be seen in ongoing disputes over the South China Sea, or at a temple on the Thai-Cambodian border. Taking countries in mainland Southeast Asia as a case study, this paper explores the role history education and Southeast Asian studies play in managing past legacy and facilitating the ASEAN Community with a particular focus on the integration of …

The Impact Of K-Pop On Thai Popular Music : A Study Of Cross-Cultural Communication & Influence, Chananya Piratanatsakul, Vich Boonrod

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This study examines K-Pop's influence on Thai popular music, focusing on cross-cultural communication and its impact on the Thai music industry. Using a mixed-methods approach including content analysis, interviews with industry professionals, and a consumer survey, this study investigate changes in musical style, production, marketing, and audience reception. The findings reveal significant K-Pop-influenced shifts in Thai pop music, encompassing musical composition, visual aesthetics, artist development, and fan engagement. The study argues this phenomenon represents a complex interplay of cultural adaptation and localization rather than mere imitation, reflecting broader cultural globalization trends. The study provides insights into the negotiation between global …

Exploring National Identity Through Modern Monumental And Decorative Tapestry Of Kazakhstan, Baurzhan Doszhanov, Ainash Nauryzbayeva, Yerbol Kairanov, Mukhamejan Suleimenov, Malik Mukanov

Journal of Urban Culture Research

In the context of technical and global transformations, art persists in articulating national identity. The aim of this study is to analyze in depth the art of monumental decorative tapestry in Kazakhstan, with a focus on its contribution to the search for a new paradigm and national identity in contemporary visual arts. Methods of analyzing and comparing artistic works of tapestry artists of contemporary Kazakhstan were used. This research analyses chosen works and their impact on the cultural environment, demonstrating that current monumental and decorative tapestries in Kazakhstan serve not merely as aesthetic objects but also actively contribute to the …

Memory And Pride Through Photographic Collage Arts : The Art Within - Collage Me Proud, Pornrak Chowvanayotin, Ithinath Tantivitittapong

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This article presents The Art Within - Collage Me Proud, an inclusive art initiative in Thailand involving undergraduate art students and persons with Down syndrome. Originating from photographic documentation of traditional Thai performance, the project developed into a participatory collage-making process that encouraged self-expression, co-creation, and shared memory. Through visual storytelling, participants selected meaningful photographs and transformed them into personal artworks with support from students and parents. Findings reveal consistently positive outcomes: participants reported pride, joy, and confidence; caregivers observed improved social interaction and wellbeing; and students demonstrated enhanced empathy, communication, and critical awareness of art’s role in society. Data …

Analytical Approach To Find Effective Factors On Users' Attachment To Public Spaces (Case Study : Khayyam Street, Qazvin), Maryam Chakhchian

Journal of Urban Culture Research

Different physical, social, activity and meaning aspects define public spaces as a social space. Several studies argue the relations between those main aspects and users’ attachment to such spaces. In this regard, this study tries to evaluate the significance of the relations between those four mentioned aspects in a selected public space based on the citizens' choice as a successful and desirable urban space. Data have been analyzed by SPSS software and the results indicate all of mentioned dimensions have a positive significance correlation users’ attachment to the place. Although, the result of path analysis shows activity aspect has an …

The Battle Spirit : The Cultural Essence Of Buddhist Temple Murals In Northeast Thailand, Ya-Liang Chang

Journal of Urban Culture Research

The murals found in Buddhist temples across Thailand play a significant role in the country's social fabric and are integral to the safeguarding efforts of Thailand's intangible cultural heritage. The research aims to explore the essence of murals in 24 Buddhist temples in Isan, delving into the principles guiding their creation. The author explores the intrinsic meanings embedded in these murals and deconstructs the cultural essence of Isan through a qualitative study. The investigation reveals the core essence of Isan's murals as the “battle spirit,” intricately woven across individual, societal, and national levels. Serving as conduits for Buddhist teachings on …

Nature Contained – A Practice-Led Art Project : Within The Principles Of Ikebana And On The Nature Of Harmony, Cherie Chai Tze Lo, Sone Simatrang, Eakachat Joneurairatana

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This research redefines unity between art, design and urban architecture, and wellbeing as an active reconciliation and conscious construction. The findings resonate with contemporary creative practices prioritizing audience engagement. A practice-led and process driven design/art project, it explores the notion of harmony through the Japanese Zen of Ikebana (flower arrangement) and Chasitsu (Tea room). Situated in Bangkok, the process incorporates cross-cultural interactions between Thai business life and Japanese meditative traditions. The methodology re-traces Ikebana flowers into static lines of a steel sculpture. Placed within a furniture design showroom’s internal courtyard, the installation is activated dialogically through a survey that probes …

New Generation Of Sangkhalok Figurines, Chanakarn Semachai

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This research on the New Generation of Sangkhalok Figurines aims to investigate the history and craftsmanship of Sangkhalok production, highlighting its distinctive features to guide future developments. It seeks to collect contemporary concepts that resonate with today's audience by engaging the younger generation to establish set guidelines for creating figurines of the new generation. The study employs participatory learning theory, involving a group of Generation Z participants aged 8-15 from three schools. These participants designed figurines based on their ideas, which were then evaluated by experts to determine the best design principles. The refined designs are being incorporated into the …

Local Material Practice As A Collective Spatial System In A Craft Neighborhood, Resza Riskiyanto, Yandi Andri Yatmo, Paramita Atmodiwirjo

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This article demonstrates how spatial production occurs within local material practices as socially and spatially structured phenomenon. Discourses in local material practice often emphasized the repetitive production processes as cultural expressions; however, the spatial dimension of these practices remains under-explored. Understanding how space is produced and utilized in the process of making 'gerabah' as one of the original Indonesian pottery crafts in Yogyakarta provides new insight into the ecological, social, and technological systems that sustain local communities. This research is important to bridge the knowledge between cultural production studies and spatial analysis within the context of local craft industries. The …

Journal Policies, Jucr Staff

Journal of Urban Culture Research

No abstract provided.