Digital Commons Network^™

Praise With Pipes And Strings: An Exploration Of American Protestant Hymnody Through New Arrangements For Flute And Piano, Dominic J. Baldoni

Dissertations, 2020-current

This project presents five hymn tunes from the American Protestant (A.P.) tradition arranged for flute and piano, accompanied by a scholarly analysis of the historical, liturgical, and practical aspects of A.P. hymnody and congregational song. The accompanying document explores the development of A.P. hymnody, the background of each selected tune, the role of instruments, primarily the flute, in worship, and the challenges faced by church musicians in the twenty-first century. By examining both vocal and instrumental iterations of these melodies throughout history, the analysis aims to inform performers and program planners about stylistic and contextual considerations for contemporary services and …

Looking At Labels, Examining Values: Knowledge, Narrative, And Multilingualism In American Art Museums, Mary Mitchell

Masters Theses

Object labels are key components of the knowledge production networks in American museums. But despite their sustained use in the Western museum field since the late nineteenth century, museum labels are not frequently regarded as valuable sources in scholarship on museum history and practices. In this thesis, I reposition labels in art museums as objects of value that should be studied for their important role in producing and disseminating knowledge. What can we learn about art museums by looking closely at their labels—specifically about those institutions’ values? How do labels reveal the hierarchies of value that art museums construct between …

An Axe To The Funny Bone: Curated Instability And Horror-Comedy Intersections In American Storytelling, Samantha Box

Masters Theses

Funny. Terrifying. Subversive.

Horror-Comedy twists and bites at the intersection of two incredibly reactive genres— with both Horror and Comedy being well known for the political and social discourses they embody and reinvent through story. While prevalent in American popular culture, scholarly analysis of this hybrid space barely exists beyond a small number of Film Studies investigations. Despite this lack, Horror-Comedy works continue to be successfully produced. This thesis unpacks the vibrant relationship between fear and laughter in contemporary American storytelling through Horror-Comedy, maintaining a focus on structural dynamics and the audience-disarming results of simultaneously applying horror and humor to …

Guest Editors’ Introduction, Maurits Bastiaan Meerwijk, Nicolo Paolo P. Ludovice

Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints

This introduction examines the historical evolution of health messaging in the Philippines, tracing its roots from early twentieth-century colonial public health campaigns to contemporary pandemic responses. It argues that health messaging, initially termed “medical propaganda,” has consistently served as a tool for persuasion and governance, intertwining communication, politics, and medicine. The introduction highlights how visual technologies and simplified narratives have been used to normalize biomedical authority, often obscuring complex realities. It concludes by emphasizing the need for a broader epistemic repertoire to navigate health knowledge in an era of misinformation.

The Effect Of Cultural Myths On Oceanic Art, Derek Mcfarland

Honors Projects

Oceanic artworks are interesting in their purpose of connecting with and influencing the spiritual world. As such, Oceanic artworks are largely affected by the spiritual beliefs of the cultures producing them. Outsiders may have trouble understanding and tastefully depicting artworks from these cultures, as information about them is largely limited or misrepresented. This Honors Project aims to develop a clearer understanding of northern Melanesian artwork by investigating how the spiritual and societal beliefs of certain cultures affect the artwork they produce, with the intention of appropriately depicting them in an independent artwork. Through my research, I find that northern Melanesian …

Denise Oliver-Vélez - Part 2, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Denise Oliver-Vélez not only has one of the most remarkable lives to be recorded for both the BHS and Bronx African-American History Project archives, she also possesses a beautiful spirit, simplicity, and generosity in her personality. It would be expected for a person of such prowess to sound the part and be hard to comprehend in all her sophistication. Despite deserving this podium, Oliver-Vélez’s life is a testament to the power that lies in understanding others, rather than acting above them. In finishing an exceptional interview, she makes sure to leave a piece of advice to future communities and those …

Trading Posts And "Old Pawn": Diné Navajo Trade And The Native Art Industry, Dustin Roberto

Native American Studies Student Publications

"Old pawn" is widely used to describe antique Native American jewelry and goods once pawned for credit at trading posts in the Four Corners region. This article traces how the trading post pawn system influenced Diné Navajo economic life from 1868 through the 1970s, when federal regulators documented exploitative practices such as inflated interest, withheld mail, and items sold without notice. Weavers and individuals pawning jewelry typically received store credit or overvalued commodities instead of cash, a result of the power dynamics of the setting. Today, "old pawn" functions as a marketing label for vintage goods, often without documentation. The …

Kaleidoscope, Katherine Kennedy

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Awkward, sullen, and superior, Avery has never been good with people, and that’s fine by him. Painting is the only thing he has ever liked; the only thing he’s ever been good at. Starting college is his chance to give himself completely to his passion and see what he’s capable of when he’s not wasting time pretending to be interested in other people.

That’s why being seated next to Daisy in Studio Art is a catastrophe.

Daisy is everything Avery finds annoying; she’s overly friendly, chatty, and emotional. But over the course of the semester, Avery finds himself drawn in …

Immeasurable Halls And Dreamlike Forms: Tracing The Caves Of Cheddar Gorge Throughout Tolkien’S Legendarium (And Beyond), Kristine Larsen

Journal of Tolkien Research

Cheddar Gorge (Mendip Hills, Somerset County, southwest England) is home to extensive cave systems carved into ancient limestone. Two of the most picturesque, Gough’s Cave and Cox’s Cave, are among the most important geological tourist attractions in England. Among the caves’ many enthusiasts was J.R.R. Tolkien, who first visited the site in 1916 while on his honeymoon and later in 1940 on a family vacation during his early work on The Lord of the Rings. As he noted in a 1971 letter these two visits (in particular, his earlier memories of the caves before their unfortunate commercialization) spawned the …

The Reception Of Neurodiversity Represented Within Netflix’S Wednesday, Anna Stevens

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

This paper explores how neurodiversity is represented through popular media - particularly Netflix's show Wednesday - and aims to discuss the effects this representation could have in regards to how it's received by the public, as well as those who are neurodiverse.

The Athena Parthenos: A Historiographical Critique Of The History Of The Athena Parthenos, Aubrie Louis

Saint John’s Preparatory School Student Work

This paper analyzes how the Athena Parthenos disappeared and the historical limitations found when trying to learn about how it disappeared. To answer this question, this paper will use 4 theories created for the purpose of looking further into what happened to the Athena Parthenos and how they show the various limitations of our knowledge of history. This paper will look into people who saw the Athena Parthenos and replicas used to learn more about it today. This will stem from its known existence, from before the 1st century CE, into our modern world. Our results showed there is no …

Frederick Collins - Part 1, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Dr. Collins tells the story of 1520 Sedgwick as a place of loss and morality, where tragic events happened “few and far between,” but the community always looked out for each other and was primarily peaceful and safe. It was this environment, of eager youth and supportive adults, that helped the culture that hip hop would blossom from. The sounds that would subsequently be created were a product of this safe space. Also prevalent in the interview is the accurate account of this development from Collins’ perspective, as one of the first three children to live in the building. He …

The Divided Self: Gothic Duality In Literature, Sarah Anna Meeks

Masters Theses

Gothic literature of the nineteenth century is haunting due to its frequent use of ghosts and monsters. However, the true terror lies in a deeper horror, one that is more intimate and destabilizing– a fright that leaps out of the text, looking into the heart of the reader: the fractured mind of the self torn between reality and repression, haunted by its own, newly manifested internal disunity rather than external monsters. The characters of Gothic fiction are typically caught in a psychological turmoil. They battle with split morals between duty and desire, morality and madness, and science and spirituality. Specifically, …

From Protest To Harmony: The Global Language Of Change, Valerie Brooke Missick

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative historical study investigates how music functions as a unifying force within global social and political movements, transcending cultural, linguistic, and national boundaries to foster collective identity and sustain long-term activism. Drawing on Social Identity Theory, Cultural Diffusion Theory, and Framing Theory, the research analyzes archival documents, historical records, media sources, and case studies from movements such as the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, the Anti-Vietnam War Movement, anti-apartheid struggles, Black Lives Matter, the Arab Spring, and contemporary climate justice activism. Findings reveal that music operates as both an emotional catalyst and a strategic communication tool, shaping narratives, strengthening solidarity, …

The Servant’S Ear: Study Of The Servant In Whom Yhwh Is Well Pleased: An Expositional Connection Of Exodus 21:5-6 And Deuteronomy 15:16-17 To The Servants Of Revelation, Warren Eugene Hoskins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation undertakes an extensive investigation into the theological, historical, and literary development of the biblical servant motif. This study examines the evolution of the concept of servitude, beginning with its origins in Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) laws and culture.

It is anchored in the tradition of ear-piercing for the willing servant, as outlined in Exodus 21:5-6 and Deuteronomy 15:16-17. This research unpacks how ideas about servitude changed in the Old Testament law and how this relates to the end times and the early church, as described in Revelation. This study also compares Old Testament servant laws with those of …

The Holy Spirit Fulfills The Great Commission By Affecting The Soul – The Conscience, Intellect, And Affections – Of Believers Through The Agency Of Discipleship, Farrah K. Stewart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Statement of Problem

A knowledge and awareness of the Holy Spirit tends to be the missing from the church today, although his power, presence, and role is not only needed, but is necessary to fulfill the last commandment given by Christ. Though silent, he and his work are – and should be – evident among, to, and through believers, both corporately and individually.

Research Question

What do the Great Commission passages in the Gospels and the book of Acts reveal about the mission of the Holy Spirit for the church today?

Thesis Statement

This dissertation argues that, according to the …

The Role Of Digital Media In The Promotion Of Cultural Heritage And Art, Arben Arifi

International Journal of Business and Technology

The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of how digital media are creating new conceptual and operational landscapes. On one hand, digital media are altering expectations regarding digital tools for both individuals and institutions. On the other hand, they are giving artists new opportunities to explore and innovate in their creative expressions. The question arises: Is culture merely our past, our roots, ancient artifacts, or historical art? Culture encompasses all the elements that shape our identity and influence how we behave and interact in various aspects of our lives both personal and public. It includes practices we …

A Practical Introduction To The Method Of Blending Through Pattern In Weft-Knitted Stripe Structures To Improve The Overall Tactility Of Breed-Specific Wool Fibres., Wilmott Julia, Gaston Elizabeth, James Alana

IASDR Conference Series

The paper introduces ‘blending through pattern’, a method for significantly enhancing the tactile qualities of individual British broad wool fibres when combined in knitted fabrics. This approach is an alternative to traditional blending processes, such as spinning and twisting, because it utilises weft-knitted pattern structures to combine two, three or more yarn types together. Each yarn type is knitted through a single feeder, with the blending occurring in the same way that a pattern on the knitting machine combines different colours. Successfully blended fabrics exchange yarn types regularly to incorporate different fibre types effectively. This material-led approach to textile design …

Reimagining Speculative Design For Inclusion: An Narrative-Based Prototype For Civic Participation, Sandy Claes, Gitte Vande Graveele, Erica Bol

IASDR Conference Series

Speculative design has the potential to foster civic reflection but often remains inaccessible to broader audiences due to its cultural and conceptual complexity. This paper presents a research-through-design (RtD) exploration of how speculative design can become more inclusive by embedding reflection into the narrative experience itself. We redesigned INWARDS, a policy-oriented speculative artefact, by segmenting one of its films and integrating plain-language prompts at key narrative moments and reframing participation as introspection by triggering lightweight, personal reflections. The resulting prototype was deployed in a semi-public setting to explore spontaneous engagement beyond design- savvy audiences. We contribute (1) a design-led exploration …

Unraveling Sociomaterial Trajectories: A Qualitative Network Analysis Of Material, Human, And Nonhuman Entanglement In The Diy Material Project, Kazzmasa Tsujimura, Yasuaki Kakehi

IASDR Conference Series

This paper investigates the sociomateriality of collective creation in a practice-led design project, addressing how entanglement occurs in material-centric processes where it often remains largely unarticulated. Adopting a sociomaterial ontology, we employ qualitative network analysis (QNA) to trace sociomaterial trajectories of the DIY Material project. Our analysis identified 12 diverse actors (e.g., humans, tools, knowledge…) in five clusters, and 22 sociomaterial entanglement 'events' classified into three types: Material Emergence, Social Intra-action, and Sociomaterial Assemblage. The resulting network visualizes these moments, explicating their role in instantiating inter subjective design ideas and contributing to project formation, offering a new methodological lens for …

Design When Policy Cycle Begins: Participatory Design As Relational Infrastructuring For Local Policy, Shin Okamoto, Daijiro Mizuno

IASDR Conference Series

This paper explores the role of design when participatory design intervenes more deeply in decision- making processes of local policy making. In the domain where design and public policy share common interests, participatory design has been considered effective as a better policy making approach adapted to complex contexts, particularly with municipalities. However, the process from organizations' understanding of participatory design legitimacy to design's involvement in deeper levels of decision-making involves many unpredictable barriers and often takes a long time. Particularly in the front-end phase before setting policy design criteria, unstable relationships exist between designers and policymakers, appearing as conflicts and …

A Study Of The Application And Experience Differences Between Embodied And Non-Embodied Interactive Ar In Cultural Tourism, Qijun Gao, Bingjie Gao, Hanyin Zheng, Shaohua Xue

IASDR Conference Series

The widespread application of Augmented Reality (AR) technology in cultural tourism has made the optimization of user interaction a key factor in enhancing the overall experience. This study takes the Gongtan Ancient Town in Chongqing as a case study to conduct a comparative analysis of embodied and non-embodied interactive AR in cultural contexts. A within-subject experiment with 36 participants was conducted, combining quantitative evaluations (UEQ-S scale, cognitive dimension ranking, and comparative scoring) and qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. This mixed-method approach enabled a systematic comparison of emotional, cognitive, and usability- related differences between the two interaction modes. The results indicate …

Crafting The In-Between: Weaving With Hybrid Bamboo And 3d Printed Mesh As Regenerative Practice, Saumya Gupta, Avinash Shende

IASDR Conference Series

This paper explores a regenerative approach to hybrid craft by integrating 3D printed PLA mesh with traditional bamboo basketry techniques from India. Situated at the intersection of digital fabrication and natural fibre weaving, the research investigates how manual and machine-led processes can co- exist meaningfully within a unified design language. Moving beyond superficial material combination, the study proposes a co-authored methodology where both craft and technology actively shape form, structure, and aesthetic. Through a series of experimental prototypes, the research develops hybrid three-dimensional forms by manually weaving bamboo slivers onto partially printed flat PLA mesh surfaces, which are then thermally …

Confucian Ritual Space As More-Than-Human Design: Reframing The Zaojing In The Forbidden City, Ning Gao, Yongsheng Tong, An Sui, Hui Zeng

IASDR Conference Series

This article explores the Forbidden City’s zaojing (coffered ceiling) as a case study in reinterpreting ritual space through a “more-than-human” design lens. Bridging Confucian cosmology with contemporary post-humanist design theory, we argue that the imperial Chinese ritual environment was inherently more-than-human-centric, embedding non-human agencies (cosmic forces, mythical beings, and natural elements) into architectural design. We begin by examining Confucian cosmology and imperial architecture, highlighting how the built environment embodied a cosmological order beyond human-centered needs. We then outline a theoretical framework drawing on more-than- human design principles and spatial semiotics to understand architecture as an active mediator between human and …

Foregrounding Subplots And Shifting Practices In Co-Design: An Ethnographic Journey In A Chinese Village, Jingyuan Tan

IASDR Conference Series

Co-design is increasingly recognized as a means of public participation with the potential to bridge top-down policies and locally grounded change. Yet, when professional co-design practices remain aligned with dominant narratives of progress, they risk becoming instruments of govern mentality, reinforcing existing hierarchies and marginalizing local communities. This raises a critical question: how can co-design praxis disentangle itself from these narratives and attune to local competencies and imaginaries, particularly in rural contexts shaped by centralized governance? This research is embedded in a two-year co-design initiative focused on age-friendliness improvements in a village in Southern China. It employs design ethnographic approaches …

A Practice-Led Exploration Of Bricolage Theory In Micro Craft Branding: The Case Of Wings Of Pen By Mufun, Shih-Chieh Shen, Yueh-Hsiu Giffen Cheng

IASDR Conference Series

In an environment of fierce market competition and limited resources, the ability to continuously develop products that meet market needs is critical to the survival of micro-craft enterprises. Adopting a practice-led perspective, this study examines how a 15-year-old micro craft brand applied bricolage theory to transform its cultural products under resource constraints and severe market challenges. Starting from the founder’s student woodworking projects, the brand was established in 2010, experienced a decade of commercialization attempts, and pivoted in response to market difficulties. Its 2015 “Wings of Pen” avian pen series has received long-term acclaim in the gift market and remains …

Breathing Beside The Leaf That Guides Us: An Experimental Study On A Plant-Human Symbiotic Meditation System Design, Yule Chen, Shengbo Sun, Yiwen Wang, Ying Hu, Wenyu Xu, Yuexin Zhu, Yiming Bai

IASDR Conference Series

Unlike interactions with electronic devices—which demandthe full focus ofhuman cognition through screen-based interfaces—our engagement with nature is subtle, embodied, and continuously perceived, even without conscious attention. In the context of a decent connection between human and nature life rhythms, this study introduces a novel plant- human symbiotic meditation system that transforms real-time photosynthetic signals into generative soundscapes, enablingaform ofcross-species interaction in which plant rhythms serve as perceptual cues in human meditative regulation. Distinct from prior human-plant interaction work that treats plants as passive background elements or aesthetic artifacts, this research emphasizes the expressive role of living plants in shaping human …

Hongshan Culture: Controversy, Numbers And A Proto-Industrial Design Society?, Ashley Hall

IASDR Conference Series

The Neolithic Chinese Hongshan culture attracts fascination and controversy in equal measure. It represents one of the highest volumes of diverse jade making with spectacular technical achievements and almost unparalleled variety. While researchers have explored Hongshan culture from different disciplinary perspectives, this research seeks to combine insights across archaeology, anthropology, geology, geochemistry, and history to make a new case for a design led analysis of Hongshan culture jade ‘products’ from a creative and production technology perspective. Examining Hongshan culture through a design lens creates new insights into the motivations for making jade artifacts, hints at the spiritual significance and socio-technological …

Toward Sustainable Transitions: A Design Ethnographic Study Of Volcanic Risk Perception In Ecuador, Maria Ramirez Cifuentes, Michael Arnold-Mages

IASDR Conference Series

This study explores how the dynamics of risk perception influence disaster preparedness in high-risk environments such as the volcanic regions of Ecuador, and how these insights can inform the design of interventions for sustainable transitions. It analyzes the ongoing interactions between communities and their environment, examining factors such as infrastructure, visual representations (e.g., frescoes in churches), and local practices in the provinces of Pichincha, Cotopaxi, and Tungurahua—areas known for their proximity to active volcanoes—with a particular focus on how these elements shape collective intelligence and coping strategies. By identifying current conditions, opportunities and obstacles, and interpreting the core challenges experienced …

Sustainable Design Through Tradition: Insights From The Cuia Craft Of Amazonian Women, Andrea Bandoni, Nacional De Belas-Artes

IASDR Conference Series

This article examines the work of Amazonian women artisans who, in collaboration with the cuieira tree (Crescentia cujete), create the traditional cuias of Santarém. These vessels are distinguished by their black organic lacquer and intricate carved motifs, which give cultural value to objects primarily used as containers. The study seeks to inform design methodologies that foreground environmental responsibility while demonstrating how ancestral knowledge can inspire sustainable practices. It also underscores the central role of women in preserving and transmitting this heritage. To address these aims, the research employed a mixed-method approach: a literature review on sustainable design; a historical analysis …