Digital Commons Network^™

Contributors

Pastoral Liturgy

No abstract provided.

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 35. Natural Selection By Evolution., Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823?1913) is remembered, with Charles Darwin, as the co-originator of the concept of evolution by natural selection. But Wallace’s framing of the idea increasingly became one in which natural selection itself was regarded as a law of nature, not a theory per se.

Fragility And Strength In Times Of War: A Series Of Embroidered Watercolors, Alisha B. Whitman

Theses

This final project report follows the production of a series of embroidered watercolors that explore how war disrupts and can destroy the values which people manage to somehow both hold dear and take for granted. These values, such as peace and freedom, are fragile, and yet they can provide great strength in dark times. This dichotomy is explored through this body of work using the materials of painted paper and thread as symbols of both fragility and strength. Choosing to work with materials and methods historically seen as feminine work add additional meaning to that symbolism. Additionally, Jewish iconography and …

African American Women Faculty Experiences And Perceived Organizational Culture At Community Colleges: A Qualitative Study, Deliah Brown

The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors

This qualitative study examined experiences and perceptions of African American women faculty at two community colleges in the Southern United States. Ten African American women faculty members who met the study's criteria were interviewed. Six key themes emerged related to their experiences within the organizational culture at these community colleges: (1) African American women faculty described diversity as not being a genuine organizational goal; (2) African American women described social networks as essential for employment; (3) African American women adjuncts described their part-time status as permanent; (4) African American women faculty described racism as pervasive; (5) African American women faculty …

"Our Vision Is That Black Mothers And Birthing People, Fathers, And Partners Are Safe, Honored, And Respected Throughout Pregnancy And Parenthood": Black Birth Workers' Agenda For Black Maternal Health In Oregon, Sarah Marguerite Applin

University Honors Theses

Black women and Birthing People (BWBP) face disproportionate rates of mortality within the United States healthcare system. BWBP are three times more likely to suffer a pregnancy-related death than White women. Therefore, addressing and consulting with BWBP about the birthing experience that BWBP sustains when they are bearing children is imperative. The inclusion and application of this key knowledge and understanding should be emphasized and at the root of further development toward reproductive justice. This participatory story was led by Dr. Roberta Hunte. Interviews and focus groups with Black birth workers, birthing people, and public health professionals were conducted in …

"Does My Candy Cross Your Mind, Anytime?": The Whimsical, Mundane, Afrofuturist Place-Making Of Philadelphia's Singing Candy Lady, Jennifer Williams

African American Studies Faculty Works

Lynette D. Morrison, the Singing Candy Lady (SCL), is a beloved folk icon in Philadelphia, especially among Black working-class residents. She roams the city with her yellow box of popular candies, singing, joking, and encouraging folks to buy her candy. Her presence and personality inspire a sense of place for those who reside in dispossession. However, when identifying the needs of the ‘hood, figures such as the SCL may seem trivial when compared to other more “serious” efforts and actors. Responding to artist Martine Syms’ call for Mundane Afrofuturists, I recognize the SCL’s role as a whimsical mundane Afrofuturist place-maker. …

The Convergence Of World Prosperity And Afterlife Salvation: Neoliberalism And Political Islam In Turkey, Muhammad Andi Firmansyah

Jurnal Politik

This article investigates why Turkey’s middle-to-low-income earners, the segment of the population that has suffered the most from the neoliberal policies of the Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (Justice and Development Party AKP), have continued to support the party for so long. Using a case study approach based on secondary data, this article argues that the source of the AKP’s enduring legitimacy lies in their skill in utilising political Islam to consolidate neoliberalism. They strategically framed neoliberal restructuring in an Islamic spirit, generating not only loyal cross-class support but also obedience to neoliberal political projects with all their destructive consequences. The …

"Insanity" As An American Empire: The Canton Insane Asylum For American Indians, 1902-1934, Thanh Chi Nguyen

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

This graduate thesis involves a retelling of the history of the now defunct Canton Insane Asylum, built in the early 20th century located in Canton, South Dakota. It was America’s first federal psychiatric facility dedicated exclusively for American Indians. The Canton Insane Asylum for American Indians is a touchstone whose microhistory reflects larger political and economic sentiments in both the state of South Dakota and in the United States writ large. Conceiving South Dakota, as first and foremost a white settler society erected on land forcibly wrested from American Indian people, the asylum played an important economic development role and …

Herman Bavinck's Revival In Modern Reformed Scholarship, Steve Bishop

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

Roman Catholicism And Neo-Calvinism: Ecumenical And Polemical Engagements (Book Review), Vincent Keane

Pro Rege

Reviewed Title: Roman Catholicism and Neo-Calvinism: Ecumenical and Polemical Engagements by Eduardo Echeverria. Pater Lang, Inc., International Academic Publisher, 2024. 380 pp. ISBN: 9781636673264.

Baptism As A Holocaust Survival Strategy (1938–1945 Slovakia From The Perspective Of Oral History), Peter Salner

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Abstract

This paper employs the oral history method to analyze Jewish conversion during the Holocaust. Between 1938 and 1945, the Slovak Republic was governed by the antisemitic Ľudák regime, whose policies culminated in the deportations of Jews to Nazi death camps. In a society heavily influenced by the Catholic Church, many Jews turned to conversion as a survival strategy. Although most regarded baptism as merely a formal, temporary measure, the decision was not easy, as converting to Christianity meant abandoning Judaism, the Jewish community, and the traditions of their ancestors. Many Christian priests faced dilemmas of their own. Accepting a …

Humans Are Far Dearer Than Gold, Richard Gorban

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The author of the article proves that the genocidal war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine is aimed at the total destruction of both the Ukrainian nation and its culture, based on the methodological principle of actualizing biblical texts in the current circumstances and by selecting elements from the exhaustiveness of the content of the Book of Isaiah, the Prophet, which are able to reveal the ontological foundations of this war. It is the clash between the two incompatible experiences of existence: the existence of a human community in peace and that of a community in war. Ukraine has become …

Wagon Tracks Volume 40, Issue 1

Wagon Tracks

Table of Contents

2 On the Cover

4 Trail Writings by Chris Day

5 Joanne’s Jottings by Joanne VanCoevern

7 In Memorium: Vern Osborne

8 Save the Dates: SFTA Celebrates 40^th Anniversary

9 DAR Marker Gets Rededicated at Bent’s Fort by Larry Bourne

9 Upcoming Events

10–28 Pikes Peak or Bust: The Untold Story of the Colorado Gold Rush by Larry Obermesik

29 Chapter Reports

32 Calendar

Naomi Pemberton, Mark Naison

Oral Histories

Abstract

Interviewer: Mark Naison, Stephanie Robinson-Ramirez, Steven Payne

Interviewee: Naomi Pemberton

Naomi Pemberton, a healthcare executive and community leader in the Bronx, shares her experiences surrounding advocacy for her community and for its perpetual progression. For Pemberton, service work is a part of her identity, especially in regards to her incessant battle for her community. She plans to always remain in the Bronx with her family, signifying her love and determination to fight for the quality of life in her community, as well as the cultivation of its children. Pemberton stresses how we must use our voices to fight and …

How Parents Participate In The Christian Education And Spiritual Formation Of Their Children: A Case Study Of Hybrid Schooling, Shannon O'Hearn Downing

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine how parents participate in the Christian education and spiritual formation of their children who are enrolled in a classical Christian, hybrid-model school in the DC Metro Region. The theory that guided this case study was Christopher Watkin’s biblical critical theory, as it provides the proper framework for interpreting how parents enculturate their children in the Christian belief system of the family. The central research question was, “How do parents participate in the Christian education and spiritual formation of their children who are enrolled in a classical Christian, hybrid-model school in …

Reflection Of World Views In The Speech Discourse Of Fishermen Community, Akhmad Dzukaul Fuad, Anang Santoso, Yuni Pratiwi, Roekhan Roekhan, Sainee Tamphu

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

Language reflects the logical structure of reality and shapes how speakers perceive themselves and their surroundings. Language relativity reinforces the connection between language and cultural behavior. This study examines the worldview of the Puger fishermen community, a speech community within Jember Pandhalungan culture, through their language use and discourse patterns. Their linguistic repertoire, shaped by coastal life in south Jember, East Java, influences their speech behavior. Using ethnographic communication methods, this study classifies and analyzes their speech discourse based on six worldview elements. Each discourse conveys meaning that defines their identity and perceptions of outsiders. Puger fishermen see themselves as …

The Dw2 Shipwreck: The Tobacco Pipe Finds / ספינה טרופה: ממצא המקטרות, Ofra Barkai, Anna De Vincenz, Idit Yovel Even-Zur, Jacob Sharvit

Qadum: Journal of Excavation Reports from Israel

The excavation of the DW2 shipwreck uncovered 13 ceramic tobacco pipes. Most of the pipes are of the cup type, with a few examples of the bowl or disk-base types. All the pipes are decorated with geometric patterns; two are also adorned with floral motifs, and one bears a maker’s stamp. The pipes date from the seventeenth century to the early twentieth century CE, with most attributed to the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries. Parallels were identified at several sites, including the ‘Akko 1 and Kitten shipwrecks. Petrographic analysis of eight pipes indicates they were manufactured in the geographic …

The Dw2 Shipwreck: The Carpenters’ Work / ספינה טרופה: עבודת הנגרים, Avner Hillman, Idit Yovel Even-Zur, Ofra Barkai

Qadum: Journal of Excavation Reports from Israel

The excavation of the DW2 shipwreck revealed that the vessel was primarily constructed from Cypriot pine (Pinus brutia), with wooden nails made from Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) and Turkey oak (Quercus cerris). Analysis of the heartwood, knots and annual rings in the ship’s wooden components indicates that the pines were old and of low quality. The ship’s construction demonstrates efficient utilization of the trees, including small wood pieces and branches. The carpenters sawed the wood in a pre-planned manner, prioritizing function over aesthetics. Tool marks on the wood suggest the use of a saw, …

The Dw2 Shipwreck: Evidence Of Trade With Small Vessels (Coasters) In Southern Syria And The Land Of Israel During The Late Ottoman Period /ספינה טרופה: עדות לסחר בכלי שיט קטנים בדרום סוריה ובארץ ישראל בשלהי התקופה העות'מאנית, Idit Yovel Even-Zur, Jacob Sharvit, Ofra Barkai

Qadum: Journal of Excavation Reports from Israel

Three excavation seasons conducted in the southern lagoon of Dor uncovered the remains of the Dor Wreck 2 (DW2) shipwreck—a 15.5 m-long trading coaster built from poor-quality but well-preserved wood. The ship was constructed using techniques characteristic of the Mediterranean shipbuilding tradition. The hull of the ship was well-preserved, indicating it could carry up to 20 tons of cargo. However, due to the scarcity of finds, it is not possible to determine the ship’s cargo. The identified wood species suggest that the ship was constructed in western Turkey or southwestern Syria. Carbon-14 dating, combined with electrochemical analysis of the corrosion …

February 27, 2025 Nagpra And Tribal Relations Committee Meeting Minutes, Bryan Morey

University NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee

Minutes from the February 27, 2025 meeting of Western Kentucky University's NAGPRA and Tribal Relations Committee. The meeting was conducted via Zoom.

Of Cordial Ladies And Independent Women: An Analysis Of The Ceramic Assemblage Of The 19th Century Cooper-Frost-Austin House, Mikayla Roderick

Graduate Masters Theses

This thesis explores the transformation of Susan Austin’s (1807-1885) household in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from a private family home into a boardinghouse, challenging traditional distinctions between domestic and economic spaces. Using feminist and queer theoretical frameworks, it examines how Austin’s decisions blurred public and private boundaries, creating an intimate boardinghouse. Through ceramic analysis of two occupational phases and a documentary examination of the household members over time, this study identifies shifts in material culture that reflect changing household practices, social relationships, and status negotiation. Austin intentionally created an environment where commercial spaces took on a domestic appearance, integrating elements of familiarity …

Navigating Trauma: A Linguistic Exploration Of Bilingual Trauma Expressions, Amira Mahmoud Othman

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the relationship between language, trauma, and emotional expression among bilingual Arabic-English speakers, focusing on code-switching patterns and euphemisms, and more broadly the emotional roles of native and non-native languages in trauma narratives. Through qualitative interviews with 20 Egyptian participants, the research reveals that code-switching serves as both a linguistic and emotional tool, allowing speakers to navigate trauma by creating distance or engaging more intimately. Such codeswitching patterns include the integration of English content words within Arabic structures, morphosyntactic innovations, and gender agreement applications, reflecting the creative adaptability of bilingual speakers in emotionally charged contexts, in line with …

Commensality In The Eateries Of Roman Pompeii, Amaya Yolanda Eckersley

Dissertations and Theses

Despite a nearly 300-year excavation history at Pompeii and many identified eating and drinking establishments, social behavior in these public or semi-public spaces has eluded significant research. Elite Roman literature is the traditional guideline for understanding Roman mealtimes and what they meant for social behavior. This literature, however, fails to accurately represent its sub-elite inhabitants. These sub-elites of Rome largely had their meals prepared outside of their homes. Pompeii is no exception and provides a massive boon for researchers willing to consider archaeological evidence. The buildings and evidence buried at Pompeii have ultimately shown a wide array of tabernae related …

“I Remember It...I Feel It” Place’S Intangible Identity: Explorations Through The Lens Of Micro-Phenomenology- Case Study Of Al-Sultan Hassan Complex, Sarah Mohamed El Zoheiry

Theses and Dissertations

In today’s contemporary architecture, the growing of anonymous and interchangeable spaces has diminished the distinctive character of the place, its individuality and experiential signification, fostering placelessness. This research argues that the framework of reconsidering place’s atmosphere offers a pathway to reconnect people with places through emotional, sensory, and embodied encounters. This research investigates the phenomenology of place, focusing on the atmosphere as an intangible identity that transcends physical attributes and engages people's senses and feelings. By exploring the Al-Sultan Hassan complex, the study deepens the understanding of the transcendental quality of the atmosphere, it’s unfolding over time, and it’s associated …

Culture Of German Speaking Countries, Monica Rossi-Miller

Open Educational Resources

LG401 FNET is a 3 hours, 3 credits course with ENGL101 as a pre or co-requisite. It is an upper level course, however, no previous knowledge in Cultures of German speaking Countries is required, nor any knowledge of German language. The focus will be on cultures of countries in which German is an official language such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It fulfills 2A of the Common Core, WI (Writing intensive) requirement and Humanities elective.

Description: Students will be exposed to and discuss cultural developments in German-speaking countries including their role in the European Union. They will read …

Resilience, Joshua Liashenko

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

Once a ubiquitous framework for assessing the capacity for recovery, perseverance, and success in the face of adversity, resilience has been met with growing critiques in its application. As a frequently used “pretty word” within health disparities research, resilience has come to signify how at-risk communities overcome hardship in ways this work argues overdetermine their labor, activist potential, and existence. This critique examines resilience through the lens of ethnographic research conducted among transgender and nonbinary healthcare providers who provide gender-affirming care within their communities. As a marginalized community experiencing transphobia and increasing structural barriers to life-affirming and life-saving healthcare, trans …

The Mirror Of Desire Unbidden: Retrieving The Imago Dei In Tolkien And Late Medieval English Literature (2024) By Giovanni Carmine Costabile, Łukasz Neubauer

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book Review, by Łukasz Neubauer, of The Mirror of Desire Unbidden: Retrieving the Imago Dei in Tolkien and Late Medieval English Literature (2024) by Giovanni Carmine Costabile

Naḥal Tut (Site Viii): A Fortified Storage Depot From The Late Fourth Century Bce (Pp. 131–189), Yardenna Alexandre

'Atiqot

Excavations at the site revealed a large building complex, comprising casemate walls built on bedrock around a large central courtyard with corner towers. It was a well-planned and well-fortified complex, located at a strategic point. The complex was occupied for a brief period of time, at the very end of the Persian (Achaemenid) period and the very beginning of the Hellenistic period (c. 350–325 BCE). It was destroyed by a violent destruction, which claimed human victims. The destruction was dated by a single bronze coin of Alexander III to 336–323 BCE. The pottery finds at the site were homogenous, including …

Common Threads In Monsters Across Time And Space, Jade Gladue

CAFE Symposium 2025

Fear is an undeniable human emotion, and monsters have always been a way for human societies to grapple with and explain our fears. In this project, common aspects and groupings of monsters across different indigenous cultures and folklores are discussed and dissected to determine inherent human reactions to fear. The project identifies and analyzes types of monsters and what the hidden meaning behind the existence and endurance of these creatures might be.

Fetal Personhood And Access To Reproductive Rights: Power And Precarity In Post-Roe America, Jainab Banu

Journal of International Women's Studies

This paper delves into the concept of “fetal personhood” and dissects how lawmakers systematically deploy rhetorical agency in policy to draw demarcating lines between demographic groups in post-Roe America. After abortion was legalized in 1973, the number of women opting for abortion rose significantly. Even after legalization, however, underrepresented and marginalized women struggled to access safe and high-quality healthcare, and many of them risked self-induced abortions. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, women with financial affluence can still travel to states where abortion is not banned to access their reproductive rights; however, women with low income may not …