Digital Commons Network^™

“You Shall Be As Gods”: Xenogears, Gnosticism, And Gaming On The Mystical Marketplace At The Turn Of The Millennium, Alexander Sutton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis explores the role of Christian Gnosticism in the Japanese role-playing video game (JRPG) Xenogears, developed by Square Co. Ltd. and released in Japan and the United States in 1998. In tracing its historical context, development, and localization I argue that Xenogears is an important text in the history of mediated religion in global popular culture. In comparing the game’s narrative against ancient Christian Gnostic texts such as The Apocryphon of John, The Reality of the Rulers, and the Gospel of Judas, I show how the game harmonized, mediated, and reproduced ancient Gnostic mysticism for its players to emulate. …

Not Forgotten, A. Sue Russell, Rochelle Scheuermann, Amanda Allen

Academic Books

No abstract provided.

Humanities Center Flipbook 2024-25, Humanities Center

Humanities Center Flipbooks

Table of Contents:

• Welcome
• Meet the Fellows
• The New Humanities Center
• small Talks
• Humanities Center Co-Sponsored Event/Activity Grants
• Faculty-Student Enrichment Grants
• Faculty Project Grants
• Faculty Speakers
• Conference Travel
• Research Support
• Internship Support
• The Courtright Memorial Library Archives
• Gallery Exhibitions

Childhood Trauma And The Emergence Of Precognitive Abilities: A Correlational Study, Kirsten Cameron, Jenny Wade

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This study addresses the scientific tendency to misattribute the higher levels of belief in extra-sensory perception (ESP) of adult survivors of childhood trauma to cognitive errors when they may be a result of actual experience with ESP. Dissociative tendencies may contribute to precognition, which would be an adaptive skill for children living in unpredictable and traumatic environments. This study investigated the correlation between self-reported childhood abuse and neglect and precognitive abilities in 227 adults. The participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, comprising subscales measuring emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and physical and emotional neglect, and completed four online tasks measuring …

Debating Member-Checks Of Exceptional Human Experiences, James Houran, Everton De Oliveira Maraldi, Beth M. Houran

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This integrative essay reflects on member-checking and engaged research approaches in the study of exceptional human experiences (EHEs)—subjective accounts that often challenge conventional views of consciousness and physical reality. Member-checking, or inviting research participants to review data or interpretations, can improve credibility by aligning research with their lived experience. While benefits include transparency and insight, risks include confirmatory bias, emotional distress, power asymmetries, and logistical complexity. The evolving nature of EHEs further complicates participant validation. We therefore advocate a six-level "fit-for-purpose" system to balance rigor with ethical care and responsiveness. We also explore digital, asynchronous, and AI-assisted strategies to enhance …

Teaching In The Transpersonal Paradigm, Christopher M. Bache

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This article explores the transpersonal dynamics of teaching by presenting two core themes of The Living Classroom: 1) the synchronicities and energetic resonances that radiated invisibly around me as my spiritual practice deepened over time and 2) the “learning fields” that surround well-taught courses—fields of collective consciousness that can trigger new insights and powerful transformations in our students.

Process-Oriented: A Creative Approach To Transformative Learning, Dorit Netzer

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

In this intrinsic case study, the author explores the value of creative expression as a process-oriented approach to transformative learning through her experience of designing and facilitating a graduate art-therapy studio workshop. The author grounds her teaching in a humanistic view of creativity and transpersonal, transformative learning theories pertaining to expressive ways of knowing. Excerpts from one group of students’ responses to the course in terms of its impact on their personal-professional identity were grouped under four major themes: Purposeful Encounter; Authenticity; Expressive Mediums for Self-Care; and Shared Discovery. Conclusions from this case may be relevant to other educational settings …

Millennium School: An Experiment In Transpersonal Education For Early Adolescents, Jenny Wade

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This article describes the design, curriculum, culture, and values of an experiment in transpersonal education for young adolescents, the Millennium middle school in San Francisco, CA. The overarching design of the school was to help children exiting the latency period of child development, who exhibit the rudiments of Wade’s Authentic consciousness or Maslow’s Self-actualization motive stage, consolidate that level rather than losing it, as the vast majority do, because of social pressures that make earlier stages of development more adaptable in most contemporary societies. Early adolescence is a time when peer pressure, individuation from the family, and puberty are strong …

Teaching For Transpersonal Learning, Paul F. Cunningham

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This article addresses the “why,” “what,” and “how” of teaching for transpersonal learning. Why transpersonal education is relevant for addressing modern social problems and the global ecological crisis, what it is like to teach for transpersonal learning, and how transpersonal learning becomes transformative are discussed. Three promising options in technology and consciousness studies for transpersonal learning—transpersonal media, multistate studies, and entheogenic education—are described and the challenges of introducing transpersonal education into academic settings and assessing educational (student) learning outcomes are reviewed. The relevance of Mezirow’s Transformation Theory to transpersonal educational psychology, with special attention to ecological perspective transformation, is then …

How Widely Are Near-Death Experiences Recognized In Indian Society And Health Care? A Preliminary Survey, Jimmy Mathew, Sreelakshmi Rajeev, Jerry Paul, Subramnia Iyer

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

Patients who have had near-death experiences are often profoundly changed by the event, and they and their families can find these phenomena bewildering or even distubing. Despite this, awareness of near-death experiences appears to be minimal among health care providers in India. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 individuals who attend patients at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi, Kerala, India, and with 100 physicians at the same institution. Acquaintance with the phenomenon of near-death experiences was found to be quite low among both samples—lower than rates seen in Western societies. Almost half of the physicians who …

The Aids Crisis In Boston In The 1980s-1990s: Power, Marginalization, And Activism, Shantaal Lovera

History Honors Papers

No abstract provided.

In This Issue Of Ijts

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

N/A

Artificial Intelligence In Health Care: Business Opportunities And Ethical Challenges, Ankita Srivastava,, Marco Marabelli, Jeffrey Moriarty

Ethics Publication

Artificial intelligence (AI), and in particular generative AI (GAI), are making incredible progress toward automation. The pervasive and invasive nature of these technologies are affecting every industry, and health care is no exception. This paper summarizes insights derived from a panel that the Hoffman Center for Business Ethics and the Center for Health and Business at Bentley University hosted in March 2024. The panel invited three qualified health care professionals: Evan Carey, Susan Persky and John Torous. The panelists are all active in multiple aspects of AI in health care but represent a focus on the key areas of policy …

Courting The Court: Understanding The Power Of The Supreme Court Through The History Of Abortion, Rowan Danou

Research Honors

Looking at the history of abortion in the legal and political sphere through the lenses of Rober Dahl, David Adamany, and William Lasser shows the views of the Supreme Court being predominantly shaped by elite policy scholars and the institutions of which they are a part. These views are nurtured outside the political mainstream and come into force when realignments bring new ideas and personnel into the policy crafting arena.

Behind The Mask: Unveiling The Hidden Narratives Of The Spanish Flu And Unearthing Its Elusive Memory, Dagan M. Turcotte-Cutkomp

Research Honors

In the fall of 1918, as World War I drew to a close, a greater killer swept across the globe: Influenza. Within a year, influenza infected one-third of the world’s population and killed between 50 to 100 million people, whereas the First World War claimed an estimated 16 million lives. Yet, when we study the early 1900s, the Flu is a minor footnote and has remained largely dormant in pandemic memory until the recent COVID-19 Pandemic. Why has the Flu been ‘forgotten,’ and what untold stories challenge the established narratives surrounding it? By exploring both collective and individual memories of …

Coeval 2025, Amy Holmberg Editor, Trina Warkentin Editor, Sadie Buteyn Fiction Editor, Emily Costa Fiction Editor, Katelyn Bierma Nonfiction Editor, Michael Harjo Poetry Editor, Lauren Groff Poetry Editor, Tiana Higgins Art Editor, Bright Holst Design Editor, Elizabeth Caneday Contributor, Abby Chalmers Contributor, Kaleb Cramer Contributor, Malachi Fox Contributor, Jayda Francis Contributor, Chloe A. Harvick Contributor, Amelia Keillor Contributor, Kade Nystrom Contributor, Elle Pehrson Contributor, Alyse Petersen Contributor, Eleanor Schuebel Contributor, Kailey Tan Contributor, Elizabeth Turner Contributor

Coeval

On behalf of the Coeval editing team, we proudly present the 2025 issue of Bethel University’s Coeval Literary magazine. As you read through this journal, you will find poetry, prose, fiction, and visual art about the beauties and hardships of life. Together, Bethel University students and faculty contributed to make this magazine happen. We loved reading each submission and viewing every art piece. More than anything, we look forward to what students will continue to create! Thank you for reading.

Sincerely, Trina Warkentin and Amy Holmberg

Cover Art: Places to Be by Natalie Enos

Winter Glory From The Bear Mountain Bridge, Steven Chen

Quill & Scope

The shadow of the Bear Mountain Bridge is visible to the left of the frame as a southbound CSX intermodal train crosses the trestle where Popolopen Creek empties into the Hudson River, following a fresh overnight snowfall that blanketed the hills. // Winter 2025

Preventing Pregnancy: Dante And Medieval Culture, Anne C. Leone

Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics - All Scholarship

This article provides an overview of the dominant views expressed in legal, medical and religious/theological traditions in the late Middle Ages in order to illustrate two basic points: 1) that the “historical precedent” with regard to abortive practices in the medieval Christian West was less homogenous and more diverse than the Supreme Court Justices assumed in their opinion delivered in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022); and 2) that – in stark contrast with what many anti-abortion activists today might assume about the historical precedent, – medieval thinkers did not generally believe that human life begins at conception.

The …

Blue Room 2025, Blue Room Magazine Rso

Blue Room

Editorial Team

• Alexandra Bradley
• Eli Elkins
• Gabby Hetzel
• James Schnitzler
• Jenna Peck
• Lynn Judy
• Natalie Hansen
• Rachael Perino
• Sam Pickett
• Sarah Brown
• Sofia King

From The Words Of Our Fathers: Black Paternal Perspectives On Literacy And Recommendations For Literacy Instruction For Black Males, Imani A. Irving

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the literacy experiences of Black fathers and their recommendations for enhancing literacy instruction for Black male children from birth through Grade 12. Grounded in African American Male Theory, the research aimed to address knowledge gaps in understanding Black male literacy experiences and provide insights for improving Black male literacy education. Using participatory action research with an initial modified Delphi approach, the study gathered potential areas of consensus among Black fathers on essential curricular revisions to promote positive Black male literacies. Participants included a purposive sample of 10 Black fathers with Black sons from birth to adulthood. Through …

We're In This Together: Spirituality, Interconnectedness, And Concern For Global Crises, Ayla Lyons, Imants Barušs

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This study examined the relationship between spirituality, interconnectedness, and concern for global crises. A sample of 225 participants comprised of students from King's University College, members of the Consciousness Club, and alumni from The Finders Course completed online questionnaires assessing spirituality, psychological well-being, and attitudes toward global crises. Quadratic regression analysis revealed that spirituality accounted for 11% of the variance in concern for global crises. Individuals scoring lower and higher on spirituality reported the most concern for global crises, whereas individuals scoring in the mid-range on spirituality reported less concern for global crises. The correlation between spirituality and interconnectedness was …

Striking Similarities: An Exploration Of The Relationship Between Tap Dance And Ballet, Shannon Maloney

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This research explores the relationship between tap dance and ballet, two genres of dance often viewed as polar opposites—if they are considered to have any relationship at all. Qualitative research methods were used throughout this process, including consulting texts and videos, conducting ethnographic research by attending the Woodshed Experience tap dance intensive, and choreographing a dance work featuring both tap and ballet dancers. This project investigates the relationship between the genres in the areas of technique, choreography, and pedagogy. There is significant overlap in the techniques of tap dance and ballet in the areas of musicality, polyrhythmic expression, isolated muscle …

Examining How Task Forces Utilize Intelligence Methods During Anti-Human Trafficking Operations: Mitigating The Threat Of Human Trafficking Among Native American Women And Girls, Jessica Shockness

Theses and Dissertations

Native American women and girls, including First Nations people, have been disproportionately targeted due to centuries of marginalization, severe maltreatment, and gender inequality. To mitigate these violent acts, law enforcement and intelligence agencies should use various intelligence methods to identify and locate traffickers, victims, and high-risk locations. The intelligence methods that are analyzed in this study include open-source, geospatial and human intelligence. The lack of utilizing these methods can hinder the ability to mitigate human trafficking effectively. According to a study conducted through Northwestern University, Farrell et al. (2019) provided evidence showing that the Uniform Crime Reporting program continuously displays …

Neither Without Both: Confronting Oppression And Trauma In Universities – Community Rhetorics Toward Abolitionist Critical Literacy Practices, Jennifer Lebowitz Patel

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores pathways to addressing student suffering at the intersection of mental health and academic performance in Higher Education. I argue that Learning Specialist roles offer spaces to practice trauma-informed, anti-oppression approaches to academic support through liberatory, healing rhetorical and literacy practices. This study uses James Berlin’s theory of social epistemic rhetoric and bell hooks’ concept of theory as liberatory praxis to perform rhetorical analyses of the foundational texts guiding specific anti-oppression and/or mental health recovery organizations. By identifying rhetorical strategies in grassroots community organizations' texts, this project yields implications for naming and practicing a critical literacy framework I …

Diamond In The Rough: A Century Of Education And Democracy At Deep Springs College, L. Jackson Newell

Eastern Sierra History Journal

Deep Springs College, one of the great innovations in American higher education, is the subject of this close reading of its history, educational philosophy, and present state. Situated in the rugged eastern California high desert, the college has managed to survive, even thrive, despite innumerable challenges.

Debating Member-Checks Of Exceptional Human Experiences, James Houran, Everton De Oliveira Maraldi, Beth M. Houran

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This integrative essay reflects on member-checking and engaged research approaches in the study of exceptional human experiences (EHEs)—subjective accounts that often challenge conventional views of consciousness and physical reality. Member-checking, or inviting research participants to review data or interpretations, can improve credibility by aligning research with their lived experience. While benefits include transparency and insight, risks include confirmatory bias, emotional distress, power asymmetries, and logistical complexity. The evolving nature of EHEs further complicates participant validation. We therefore advocate a six-level "fit-for-purpose" system to balance rigor with ethical care and responsiveness. We also explore digital, asynchronous, and AI-assisted strategies to enhance …

Factors Impacting Undergraduate Student Use Of Mental Health Care In The U.S. And France, Samantha Lamontagne

CISLA Senior Integrative Projects

No abstract provided.

Creation Of A Pastor Care Team For Pacific District Mennonite Brethren Pastors, Randolf Mark Reiswig

Doctor of Ministry

At the Redwood Mountain Grove in Kings Canyon National Park, the strength and resilience of sequoias provide a compelling example of the significance of communal interconnectedness. Despite their towering stature, these trees possess relatively shallow root systems that intertwine with neighboring trees to fortify their stability. This mutually beneficial relationship enables these giants to withstand formidable natural forces. Similarly, this paradigm offers pastors an invaluable lesson in fostering interconnections within their community as a strategy for a deeper connection. The grove’s interconnected root systems are a metaphor for the church’s vision of connectedness. It is an informative framework for pastors …

Colors, Volume 1, Jeff Vasiloff, Md, Mph

Physician Assistant Scholarly and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Mujeres Hispanas Y Latinas: Influencias Culturales Y Religiosas En El Uso De Métodos Anticonceptivos, Paola Martinez

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This paper analyzes the importance of sexual and reproductive health for women’s overall wellbeing, focusing on how religious and cultural factors significantly influence contraceptive use in Hispanic and Latina communities. Religious affiliation, particularly within Catholicism and evangelical Christianity, promotes values that may discourage contraception, impacting STI prevention and family planning. Sociocultural constructs like machismo and familism reinforce these barriers, limiting women’s autonomy. Additionally, a lack of sexual education and distrust in healthcare systems contribute to unplanned pregnancies and increased STI risks. The analysis suggests that culturally sensitive educational programs could improve access to reliable information and empower women to make …