Digital Commons Network^™

Editor's Note: Light, Kampton Carter

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

The fourteenth volume of the Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research brings together a dynamic collection of peer-reviewed undergraduate scholarship that reflects the breadth, depth, and interdisciplinary nature of communication. This student-led journal features exemplary undergraduate student research which unifies diverse topics under the volume's theme “Light.” The Editor's Note reflects on the year's theme and the traditional research papers, speeches, and persuasive essays that have been published.

Field Notes: Introducing Godly Play In Cross-Cultural Contexts: Notes From A Short-Term Mission Trip In Kenya, Shannon Clarkson Rains

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This field note explores the use of Godly Play in a short-term mission context in Kitale, Kenya. It focuses on the author’s experience using this method to limit the temptation to impose one’s own theological and cultural interpretation when teaching Bible stories. While Godly Play emphasizes open-ended wondering, participants often hesitated to respond, reflecting familiarity with didactic learning environments. The study highlights how prior knowledge, language, and adult mediation influence theological engagement. It argues that pedagogy itself is culturally embedded and offers practical implications for cross-cultural ministry, including the need for cultural awareness, translator preparation, and realistic expectations for short-term …

Witness Beyond Technique: Gospel, Conversion, And The Moral Formation Of The Church, Christopher Flanders

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

Technique, efficiency, and measurable outcomes typically govern contemporary Western approaches to evangelism. Such approaches presume a thin account of the gospel, a punctiliar understanding of conversion, and an instrumental view of the church’s witness. This article argues that these assumptions represent not merely pragmatic missteps but theological distortions. Drawing on Scripture, historical theology, missiology, and practices of Christian initiation, I contend that evangelism is best understood as ecclesial witness oriented toward the moral formation of persons and communities under the reign of God. Conversion, on this account, is not a discrete decision secured through persuasive technique but a transformative journey …

Nation-Building On Pillars Of Fascism: How Italian Fascist Ideals Have Remained Alive In Eritrean Identity Through The Asmaran Urban Landscape, Caspian Green

Young Historians Conference

Roughly a third of Eritrea’s time as an Italian colony was spent under fascist rule, during which the Italian colonists dramatically changed the Asmaran urban environment, as well as its relationship with the rest of the Eritrean colony, to reflect fascist principles. After the fall of the Italian colonial empire, Eritrean political leaders sought to use the physical landscape to justify their claims to sovereignty, reapplying those pre-existing fascist principles to Eritrean nationalism. By examining Italian-Asmaran buildings, roads, and legal structures in their contexts, common threads between past fascist beliefs and the modern Eritrean military state emerge, offering a better …

Little Africa In Global China: Transnational Nigerians In Guangzhou And The Making Of Xiaobei, Tess L. Nestel

Young Historians Conference

This paper will examine the history and development of transnationalism fostered by Nigerians in Guangzhou, China, after the late 1990s. Spurred in part by the Asian Financial Crisis, Nigerian men flocked to Guangzhou’s thriving import-export economy. They established the ethnic enclave of Xiaobei, where many lived and engaged in the informal wholesale economy. Nigerians existed between the cultural boundaries of Xiaobei and Lagos, where they constantly returned. Both the export economy in Guangzhou and the resale economy in Lagos’ street markets were deeply influenced by one another through entrepreneurial migrants. This paper will provide a general overview of the many …

Understanding Modern American Politics Through Identity And Pop Music Between 2018 And 2025: A Musicological Analysis, Emilyn Bedell

Ramifications

This project studies how music impacts our society by examining the ways popular musicians (Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, and Hozier) imbue their songs with their identity. Their music engages their authentic self and social interests, effectively communicating their artistic and social values to their audience. This study examines three artists who recently became popular, so there is less established musicological research focused on them. To explore them deeper, I draw on cultural sources such as newspapers and magazines, in addition to academic journals. I also analyze their music and videos alongside recorded interviews to understand the sociopolitical issues for which …

The Prominent Voice Of Cold War Era Radio: The 1968 Soviet Union Invasion Of Czechoslovakia, Zuzana E. Langer

Young Historians Conference

This paper explores the influence of radio and free press during the Prague Spring and subsequent Soviet Union invasion of Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. After the Prague Spring, a brief period of growing freedom stemming from Alexander Dubček’s transition out of strict socialist censorship, the Soviet Union orchestrated a military invasion of the socialist satellite state. During this invasion, radio transmitters in Prague informed listeners that the invasion was against the Czechoslovak’s government’s will and instructed Czech and Slovak citizens to remain calm and protest nonviolently. By analyzing the emergence of the free press from the Prague Spring and …

Artificial Light: A Conduit Of Human Productivity Through The Ages, Elias M. Henkle

Young Historians Conference

This paper takes a sharp look at three innovations in artificial light, examining their impact on human productivity through history, and on our global society today. It posits that light technology has played a pivotal role in human productivity. From conversation around campfires, to handheld lighting technologies (such as candles, oil lamps, and other such crude— yet compact— lighting devices), to fiber-optic cables that carry information across oceans through the power of light— humanity’s productivity has been massively impacted by innovations in light technology.

Rhetoric, Shakespeare, And Tony Soprano: The Influence Of Suetonius's The Life Of Julius Caesar In Personalizing The Leader, Eben N. Cole

Young Historians Conference

History has presented a group of leaders who have been frequently studied and written about; Julius Caesar is among these leaders. The common historical narrative which examines his life has brought particular attention to not only Julius Caesar's leadership, but also Caesar as an individual. During the 2nd century CE, in Ancient Rome, the writer Suetonius published his 12 Caesars, a collection of biographies that included Suetonius's biography of Julius Caesar. Throughout the 12 Caesars, Suetonius would depict his subjects in a manner that was less factual than other biographies which preceded his, yet the 12 Caesars became more influential …

A Battle Of Will And Wisdom: Polar Opposites In The Polar Extremes Of The Viking World, Lily C. Manne

Young Historians Conference

This paper explores the connection between the polar climate of Viking-age Scandinavia and the success of the Vikings through examining the dual nature of their culture brought about by their environment. The Scandinavian peninsula is known for its harsh, variable climate full of cold winters and unpredictable harvests that turned into long summers and melting fjords. Outside of shaping survival strategies and material culture, this polar environment seeped into the fundamental cultural values the Vikings exhibited, creating the foundation for a society that understood the value of destruction and violence as well as creation and craftsmanship. Using Norse mythology as …

Demonizing Sexuality: Dangerous Women In Folklore, Lily E. Nelson

Young Historians Conference

Cross-culturally, women in folklore have been portrayed as dangerous due to their sexuality and influence over men. Clear patterns throughout history emerge through analysis of the following occurrences, which show a link between how sexualized a female figure is and the threat she is considered to pose. The she-demon Lilith in Jewish and Mesopotamian mythology as well as folklore relating to the Scriptures, mermaids in Europe, and fox spirits in East Asia all demonstrate this phenomenon, since they are all overly sexualized and represent broader social norms towards women. These beings all exhibit similarities in being able to exert control …

The Revolutionaries Of Mt. Tabor: Religion, Radicalism, And Propaganda Of The Taborites In Hussite Bohemia, India L. Black-Mitchell

Young Historians Conference

This paper explores the formation of the radical Hussite group, the Taborites, in fifteenth century Bohemia, and their eventual decline and absorption into other religious groups. Tabor was founded in the rural countryside of Bohemia, populated by an impoverished working class, Under the leadership of Jan Zizka, and the influence of Jan Hus and Bishop Nicholas Biskupec of Pelhrimov, Tabor was able to establish itself as a highly successful military and religious force despite the opposition of the powerful Catholic Church. Tabor promoted literacy in the Bible to its working class members, including women, which set them apart from their …

Eating Trees To Save The World, Belle Breyanna Li

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

This essay posits that all climate solutions will require change, an important one being eating more trees. While our current crisis is the result of indifference and inaction, we must consider innovative solutions. Like all the other possibilities, investing in more trees will require the joint efforts of our communities. As we allocate effort, time, and resources to climate solutions, the benefits will return tenfold in numerous ways. By prioritizing trees as a food source, we can empower our communities and increase their resilience. At the same time, we will positively contribute to the global climate by sequestering carbon. This …

36th Annual Young Historians Conference Program, Portland State University History Department, Portland State University Challenge Program

Young Historians Conference

This is the 2026 Young Historians Conference schedule and abstracts.

Off The Rails: A Fusion Project Combining Bluegrass And Celtic Fiddle Music, Kate Ward

Composition/Recording Projects

The American culture of fiddle playing is rooted in fiddle styles from Ireland, Scotland, and England as a result of fiddle tunes being brought to America via immigrants from the British Isles.  Despite many of the fiddling styles prevalent today being rooted in the same traditions, each has unique technical and compositional distinctions.  This paper explores the technical, compositional, and cultural components of bluegrass and Celtic music and how they can be fused together. This project combines elements of both styles in unique ways to create a natural fusion born out of submersion in each genre.

Why Is Lingua Franca A Necessity In International Relations?, Mutasim Aljohani

Language Study as a Gateway to the Humanities

No abstract provided.

Appreciative Commoning; Musical Knowledge-Sharing In Earhouse Songwriting Club, Arya J. P. Adyuta

Wacana, Journal of the Humanities of Indonesia

This article develops the concept of “appreciative commoning” to focus on the importance of appreciation in musical community practices. By examining the practices of musical knowledge-sharing in the Earhouse Songwriting Club (ESC), a songwriting community, this article argues that greater attention should be paid to the roles of appreciation and support in facilitating media and cultural commoning in Indonesia. The article draws on ethnographic fieldwork in Earhouse, an initiative space located in Pamulang, South Tangerang, established by the musician duo Endah N Rhesa. Exploring three main activities of the community: weekly meetings, monthly showcases, and afterparties, I show how embracing …

From Memory To Commons; Cultural Commoning And Regional Filmmaking In Indonesia, Jordy Satria Widodo, Shuri M.G. Tambunan

Wacana, Journal of the Humanities of Indonesia

This article examines cultural commoning in Indonesian cinema by analysing how ethnic specificity is mobilized and articulated through storytelling, production, and circulation. Focusing on Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap (2022), the study shows how Bataknese cultural elements in this film are activated not as commodified spectacles or exotic markers, but as lived social resources embedded in the narration and its production process. At the narrative level, it is grounded in the everyday practices of family life and memory. At the level of production, the Bataknese director, art director, and cinematographer draw on shared personal experiences to shape the film’s narrative development and cinematographic …

Culturally Responsive Tent: An Architectural Journey, Marcos Amado Petroli, Elmira Ebadi

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

Culturally responsive teaching in architecture encourages students to connect design thinking with identity, culture, and lived experience. This studio assignment introduced the tent as an archetypal architectural form and weaving as a generative tectonic strategy, allowing students to explore how lightweight structures can respond to social needs, cultural narratives, and material expression.

Using “Ticket Out” To Create A Continuous Feedback Loop For Student Learning, Jacob D. Skousen

UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo

This presentation highlights the use of a brief end-of-class “Ticket Out” to create a continuous feedback loop for student learning. Students reflect on learning targets and provide feedback on the class experience, which is then analyzed and used to guide instructor response, follow-up communication, and instructional adjustments. The practice supports reflective teaching, student voice, and timely, responsive instruction.

How Speaker Gender Shapes Audience Perceptions Of Credibility: Responses To Humor, Reed Wilson

Honors Theses

This study aims to answer the question of whether the speaker’s gender, the participant’s gender, or the interaction between the two has an effect on the audience’s opinions of the message and the credibility of the speaker. Public speaking has been and continues to be a tool used by politicians, both on the campaign trail and as they seek to advance their agendas in the public sphere. Politicians use humor to relate to their audience and enhance their likeability and credibility. Google VEO 3’s generative text-to-video AI capabilities were used to create two videos of political speakers, one male and …

Platforms Of Exemption (For New Relations) Within Suburbia And Other Consolidating Hegemonies, Ayden Pritchard

Honors Theses

Theory is a mode of action that opens up revisionary spaces in the world. By voicing complexity and ambivalence in a situation, disembodied patterns are put in contact with compliant, unclaimed material, and they gain a foothold within the established structures of the present. This paper seeks to sketch the lines of influence that govern association and perception in suburbia, and to speculate the kinds of spaces where new relations between people who are normally segregated can occur. The information presented here hopes to join the reservoir of patterns that structure your everyday theoretical (revisionary) activity, to make changes possible …

Catur Piwulang: The Concept Of Great Leaders In Javanese Paradigm, Nuri Puji Hastuti

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Leaders can be a key factor in determining whether a nation experiences a flourishing or declining period. However, numerous phenomena indicate that Indonesia is losing its great leaders. Based on this problem, this research aims to explain and describe the forms, meanings, and functions of catur piwulang as the concept of great leaders in the Javanese paradigm. A descriptive qualitative method has been used. The syntax consists of data collection, reduction, display data, and conclusion. Data validity was checked through the triangulation of theories, resources, and techniques. The forms of catur piwulang are 1) wewehono teken, teken wong kalunyon, …

Timbangan Buku: Mendekolonisasi Komunikasi Politik Di Afrika - Menyusun Ulang Ontologi, Murliana Murliana

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

No abstract provided.

Comment Sections As Counterpublics; Negotiating Public Discourse In Indonesia’S Digital Media Sphere, Leon Woltermann

Wacana, Journal of the Humanities of Indonesia

This article examines the potential of YouTube comment sections as spaces of commoning in Indonesia’s digital media sphere. Drawing on the concept of counterpublics – that is, parallel discursive arenas where marginalized groups circulate counter discourses and voice their interests – it explores how users negotiate access to the digital public sphere and oppose dominant narratives. The article employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative methods into the analysis of the data, to investigate both the structural features (based on comment metadata) and the discursive content of comments. I argue that the comment sections’ dynamic, non-binding structure facilitates open …

The “Commoning“ Of Critical Labour Knowledge In Indonesia; Digital Mediation And Its Contradictions, Diatyka Widya Permata Yasih, Inaya Rakhmani

Wacana, Journal of the Humanities of Indonesia

This article explores “the commoning of critical labour knowledge“ – the co-sharing of resources to produce, circulate, and practice forms of knowledge generated with, by, and for workers, in opposition to dominant managerial and/or state technocratic frameworks – including through the use of digital media. Drawing on an auto-ethnographic reflection of a collaborative praxis between a university-based research centre and a labour knowledge hub, both based in Indonesia, we argue that this practice is imbued with internal contradictions. The praxis does open possibilities for solidarity, redistribution, and collective critical knowledge-making. However, it is constrained by capitalist logics of algorithmic surveillance, …

Making Sense Of Cultural Commoning In The Streets; Popular Trust Within The Info Cegatan Jogja (Icj) Community, Antonius Galih Prasetyo, Wasisto Raharjo Jati

Wacana, Journal of the Humanities of Indonesia

The need for inclusive shared spaces that offer tangible solutions rather than just information has become increasingly urgent, given the limits of state resources. Facebook-based Info Cegatan Jogja (ICJ), with over a million members, uniquely showcases civil society’s productive use of social media. The ICJ project began by documenting police checkpoints (cegatan) and bureaucratic hurdles in Yogyakarta. It has since evolved into a combined online and offline community that regularly reports accidents, thefts, lost items, and other public concerns, effectively functioning as a public awareness, complaint, and information-sharing platform for the entire Yogyakarta Special Region Province. Given the …

Developing “Subversive Commons” Through Boycott And Buycott; K-Pop Fan Activism Of Producing And Consuming Unofficial Merchandise, Nurul Laili Nadhifah, Manneke Budiman

Wacana, Journal of the Humanities of Indonesia

K-pop fans are widely recognized for their active engagement in fan activism, as exemplified by Indonesian K-pop fans’ practice of political consumerism to challenge problematic power structures without severing their connection to their idols. Employing digital and field ethnography, this article explores how Indonesian K-pop fans use virtual media spaces for humanitarian activism, navigate ideological tensions with their idols, and engage in boycott and buycott practices toward merchandise as expressions of political consumerism. Here, fans can be categorized into three groups: those who believe in separating activism issues from fandom activities; those who only support acceptable idol activities; and those …

Facsimiles, Russell Soh

Student Theses

An excerpt:

Hi Everyone, I’m currently in the process of organizing and sketching out a series of prose proems based on a small multitude of notes I’ve accrued over the last six months. These notes are essentially notes towards the writing of various poems (around 8). The idea is basically to turn these notes, or these would-be poems, into a series of abstracted ‘facsimiles’, like tangible ghosts trapped in a simulacrum of the poem. I need to be reacquainted with the prose poem, or at least my idea of it.

Poppy's Eye, Clementine Morse

Student Theses

A collection of poetry.