Digital Commons Network^™

“Creating And Maintaining Black Life-Worlds”: The Black Aesthetics Of Bernardine Evaristo’S Blonde Roots And Girl, Woman, Other, Sharanya Dg

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

Black Aesthetics is the philosophical inquiry into the objects and practices of expressions coming from people who have been racialized as black. These expressive practices then lend to the creation of the life-worlds of people subjected to racist discourses. One such author in the contemporary English society, Bernadine Evaristo, responds to anti-black racist discourses by exploring the cultural plurality of British black life-worlds. This paper is a textual and formal analysis of two experimental novels of Evaristo to study how they distinctly present the quotidian lives of various characters in their racialised bodies to reflect on the sociocultural and political …

Beyond "His Native Town": Travel And Alienation In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Erin G. Quinn

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein features a surprisingly extensive variety of locations through which Victor Frankenstein travels, ranging from the vibrant cities of London and Oxford to the isolated Orkney islands and Arctic lands. Scholars have analyzed the roles which some of these settings, namely, the Alps and the Arctic, play in the novel, and many have noted the importance of travel to the text. However, little scholarship exists assessing how Victor’s travels as a whole impact him, as well as their collective purpose within the story. Given the prominence of travel in Shelley’s text, as well as the fact …

Milton, Immortality, And Obtaining Eliot's "Significant Emotion", Aaron By Gorner

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

In his essay Tradition and the Individual Talent, T. S. Eliot famously asserts that very few can actually access "significant emotion" in poetry, and do so by understanding where relics of the classical tradition assert their immortality. In my article, I support Eliot's claims by demonstrating two (previously undiscussed) occasions where Milton, via Paradise Lost, inserts Christianity into the classical world: Satan and Abdiel alluding to Virgil's Remulus and Ascanius, and then Eve and Adam with Virgil's Nisus and Euryalus. Ultimately it will be apparent that not only does Milton's poetry obtain Eliot's "significant emotion" and its associated immortality, …

The “Fruit” Of Success: Christina Rossetti’S “Goblin Market” As An Allegory Of The 19th Century Literary Marketplace, Priyodarshini Ghosh

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin Market” is probably her most critically acclaimed literary masterpiece. It has been accepted undoubtedly as an allegory of something, but critics have not been able to come to a unanimous conclusion as to what. Some have tried to establish it as a Christian allegory of Fall and Redemption, while others as an allegory of sexual temptation. Certain critics have hinted that this poem could be an allegory of the literary marketplace during the 19^th century, which was wholly dominated by men, women’s entry into that marketplace being either restricted or marked by insurmountable obstacles. Following the …

From "Pictures Of Perfection" To "No Ideal Expression": How Jane Austen Reimagines And Reinvents Eighteenth-Century Heroines, Gretchen Picklesimer Kinney

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

No abstract provided.

Cover And Front Matter

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

No abstract provided.

Gender And Orality In Toni Morrison's Song Of Solomon, Nessa Ordukhani

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

This essay explores the intersection of postmodernism and multiculturalism in Toni Morrison's novel, Song of Solomon. It delves into the destabilization of historical metanarratives by postmodernism through the theories of Jean-François Lyotard, which challenges the notion of a singular truth and questions who constructs popular historical narratives. The essay discusses the role of the victors, particularly white males, in shaping history and the process of legitimation through which historical facts are determined. It examines how Morrison's novel offers an alternative history that highlights African American perspectives and challenges the dominant white narrative. Additionally, the essay explores the tension between multiculturalism …

School Psychologist's Tiered Social-Emotional Recommendations In Response To Data Gathered From Social-Emotional Screening, Audrey Anita Andersen

Theses and Dissertations

Universal school-wide social-emotional screeners identify at-risk students with social-emotional behavior problems (Romer et al., 2020). Identifying such students alone cannot prevent these social, emotional, and behavioral concerns from becoming problematic. However, data gathered from social-emotional screening can guide the development of strategies, supports, interventions, and progress monitoring students at risk across all tiers (Yates et al., 2008), leading to the prevention of social-emotional and behavioral problems from turning maladaptive (Humphrey & Wigelsworth, 2016; Walker et al., 2004). A school district in the Mountain West area of the United States developed a screening survey that addresses school climate, culture, and connectedness …

On Sensible Limits Of Love: Implications Of Moral Failure In Loving Relationships, Macy West

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this thesis, I aim to establish the groundwork for an account of love that is sensitive to serious moral failure, both descriptively and normatively. I attempt to articulate not only how love is compromised by abuse, but also by serious moral failure that is not directed at the relationship participant. I first refute two popular accounts that argue for the compatibility of moral failure with love, Vida Yao’s permissive love and Eric Matthes’s dismissive love, on the grounds that they fail to adequately respond to more serious moral flaws. I then propose my own conception of practical identity as …

Silicates As An Explanation For Discrepancies In Atmospheric Modeling Of L-Type Brown Dwarfs, Zacory Shakespear

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Forward retrieval modeling is a powerful method for classifying brown dwarf atmospheres and their physical parameters. However, the results of this method are only as good as the models compared against the data. Silicates in the atmospheres of L-type brown dwarfs have been shown to cause model overfitting around $10 \mu m$, but it is not known what impact, if any, these silicates have on other portions of brown dwarf atmospheric spectra. I report a preliminary negative correlation between model overfitting at $10 \mu m$ and model underfitting from $3.5-4.25 \mu m$ using spectra from two L-dwarfs from JWST and …

Effect Of Evening Vs. Morning Exercise On The Appetite Hormones, Penny Akre

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper explores the potential impact of exercise timing on appetite hormones and metabolic outcomes, aiming to enhance understanding of the complex interplay between exercise, appetite regulation, and weight management. A randomized trial involving premenopausal women investigated the effects of morning versus evening exercise sessions over an eight-week intervention period. Participants underwent comprehensive screening and a supervised exercise regimen, with pre-and post-training laboratory sessions assessing body composition and appetite hormone levels. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in appetite hormone levels between morning and evening exercise groups, but notable correlations were observed between appetite hormones and body composition measures. Despite …

How Fundamental Epistemic Limitation Impacts My Human Experience, Matthew Mcnairy

Undergraduate Honors Theses

My thesis examines different ways that I am ignorant through a philosophical lens. Through examining my ignorance, I gain insight into myself and the world. However, the kinds of ignorance that interest and irk me the most are fundamental to life. I explore two major sources of ignorance and reference many more. The first source of ignorance is myself. Myself includes my body, my emotions, and my actions. I can partially control each of these, but they also are not fully understood by me. I explore who I am as a self and what my moral responsibility is in the …

Effects Of Enzymatic And Chemical Bisulfite Conversion On Cell-Free Dna Fragmentation, Caroline G. Ploeger

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This project aims to investigate the DNA fragmentation produced by enzymatic bisulfite conversion compared to DNA fragmentation produced by traditional chemical bisulfite conversion techniques for the analysis of cytosine methylation in seminal cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Traditional chemical bisulfite (HSO₃^-) conversion methods are known to introduce biases and damage DNA, potentially compromising methylation analysis accuracy. In contrast, enzymatic conversion, utilizing biological molecules, is hypothesized to offer more precise visualization with reduced fragmentation (Lambert et al., 2019). While previous studies have analyzed methylation conversion efficiency in genomic DNA, this project specifically examines how these conversion techniques impact cfDNA.

20 …

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Remote Patient Monitoring Using Spirometry: A Systematic Review, Joseph Nielson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects an estimated 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide. A recent effort to curb deaths and hospitalizations involves remote patient monitoring (RPM). Of all possible monitoring parameters, spirometry presents itself as potentially helpful. Existing RPM studies using spirometry present software systems in early stages of development that have yet to be tested thoroughly in large trials. Further, the array of data elements and software features that should be combined with spirometry for effective COPD RPM and care have yet to be determined. A meta-analysis was performed to determine a …

Isothiocyanates In The Prevention Of Neural Tube Defects In Chick Embryos, Katrina Lantz

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Neural tube defects (NTDs), including anencephaly and spina bifida, contribute significantly to neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the widespread implementation of folic acid (FA) supplementation, its ineffectiveness in certain genetic populations, alongside the persistent prevalence of NTDs, underscores the need for alternative preventative strategies. This study investigates the potential of isopropyl isothiocyanate (IPI), a compound derived from Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera), in mitigating NTDs through the modulation of oxidative stress pathways. Using the chick embryo model, we aimed to determine whether IPI significantly reduces the incidence of chemically-induced NTDs by activating the Nrf2 cofactor, a key regulator of cellular …

Facebook Complaints On Dating By Gender, Whitley Williams

Undergraduate Honors Theses

With changes in technology, world events, and society in the last 20 years, dating has been both recreated and redefined. From the dating process itself to new technology, the way American youth see dating has changed from times past. By examining feedback on dating from both genders (collected via Facebook), it is possible to see how dating trends have changed and what is being complained about in each of those time periods. Although no exact causes within this study can be determined about how much technology and world events have influenced the changes in dating trends, the coincidences of both …

Using Lean Six Sigma Methodologies To Improve The Patient Experience At A Local Health Center, Marshall S. Butler

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Lean Six Sigma is a methodology originally designed for a manufacturing context but has process improvement applications that can be used in many fields including medical and business. These tools were applied to addressing issues at a local health center with the aim to help patients receive better medical treatment and have a more positive overall experience. Initial baseline data was collected to identify the core problems patients were experiencing with the health center. Adjustments were made in the survey process to capture more accurate results about the patient experience, which led to the creation of a patient-focused action plan …

Exploring The Border Identity Of The Residents Of Ambos Nogales: A Pilot Study, Emily Rodriguez

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis is a mixed-methods pilot study seeking to explore Border Identity among the residents of Ambos Nogales. Border Identity is a concept that has been widely debated in Border Studies yet is still under-researched. This thesis adds to the existing literature by conducting survey and interview analyses to determine the essential characteristics that make up Border Identity in today’s political climate. It also serves as a pilot study meant to encourage further research on the Border and Border people. This thesis provides important suggestions for future Border research and amplifies the voices of the Residents of Nogales.

The Nordstjärna Project: Recovering Voices Of Swedish Migration, Benjamin Austin

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the Swedish-Mormon migration of the 19th century through the lens of Nordstjärnan, a periodical that served as a crucial link between the Swedish diaspora in Utah and their counterparts in Sweden during this era. This study compares Arnold Barton's observations of a love-hate relationship within the broader Swedish emigration to the diasporic relationship Swedish-Mormons had among themselves; suggesting that Nordstjärnan played a central role in portraying Swedish-Mormons as a symbiotic group compared to their countrymen. Nordstjärnan played this key role in reinforcing distinct Swedish-Mormon-American identity in both its positive reflection of the Swedish-Mormon identity and of immigration …

The Implementation Of Transformative Learning Theory And Immersion, Kelsi Niepraschk

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Through this creative project, Transformative Learning Theory and immersion are implemented into the redesign of a core business class in Brigham Young University’s Experience Design and Management discipline. Experience design principles of empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test are discussed and used to map out the redesign of EXDM 415, Experience-Centric Management. Empathy data was collected through course evaluations, emailed correspondence, and word of mouth. The data was then used to define underlying needs of students and potential concerns from previous iterations of the course. The class prototype consists of newly developed learning outcomes/objectives, immersive class simulations, and an employee …

Leaving Home: Loss And Restoration In Marilynne Robinson's "Gilead" And "Housekeeping", Zachary Stevenson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The concepts of restoration and reconciliation are central to Marilynne Robinson’s first two novels, Housekeeping (1980) and Gilead (2004). Housekeeping structures itself around the narrator Ruth Stone’s thirst for familial wholeness, and Gilead tracks the aging Congregationalist minister John Ames’s growing realization that there are rifts in both his town and his personal life that demand healing. The books are also united in their ambivalence towards the possibility of achieving total wholeness, as in each novel the movement towards restoration is undercut in important ways. However, the books ultimately diverge in the scope of the restitution that they allow. Whereas …

Explainable Ai Using Assumption-Alignment Tracking On Multiple Algorithms, Darien Campbell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Autonomous robots are becoming increasingly prevalent in our everyday lives. In order for humans to effectively take advantage of automated systems, robots need to understand their limitations across different environment states, recognize when they need user assistance, and effectively communicate their assessments to human users. The ability of AI systems to communicate their decision process is referred to as Explainable AI.

Research has already been done on how a robot should evaluate its proficiency to predict how well it can perform a task [1]. This thesis explores current Social Science research on how humans explain their own behaviors. These insights …

Improving Human Recognition Of Deepfakes, Jeremy Mumford

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis is focused on deepfakes, a new term given to fake videos and images generated by deep learning algorithms and models. Deepfakes pose a considerable threat to society by raising the bar for quality in misinformation while also lowering the amount of skill and effort required. Deepfakes threaten to undermine democratic societies by swaying public opinion through misinformation. While many researchers are working hard to develop automated tools to combat deepfakes, this thesis used a 10-item IRB approved survey to examine whether two separate interventions could successfully improve an individual’s ability to recognize deepfakes. Demographic differences in recognizing deepfakes …

The Abuse Of Greatness: A Comparative Study Between A Leader's Recognition Of Remorse And Their State's Economic, Political, And Social Success, Joleah Long

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the year 1599 William Shakespeare penned a line for his new political drama The Tragedy of Julius Caesar: “The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power.” This thesis investigates if and how this claim is mirrored in reality. Utilizing the literature and philosophies of two historic political figures, Marcus Aurelius and Machiavelli, a spectrum of remorse in leadership is defined. On one end Aurelius articulates the necessity of remorse while Machiavelli argues the opposite on the other end of this spectrum. The research then takes us to sub-saharan Africa to explore differences in the leadership styles …

Visual Thinking Strategies (Vts) In The Clinic: How The Humanities Affect The Way We Make Visual Diagnoses Within Medicine, Mitchell Smith

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a system of humanistic critical analysis that was developed in the 1990’s by Abigail Housen and Philip Yenawine, affords viewers of art the opportunity to have an increased level of interaction with artwork through the use of questions posed by an instructor. For viewers, such a process of critical analysis affords greater visual literacy. The same is arguably true of medical personnel who have trained to use said process in the making of medical observations and diagnoses. The purpose of this study is to understand if VTS has direct application within the realm of medicine, and …

Full Issue

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

No abstract provided.

Guilty By Association: Race And Religion In George Romney's 1968 Presidential Campaign, Matthew K. Steen Iii

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

In 1966, Republican Governor George W. Romney of Michigan was considered by many in his party, and among Democrats, to be a front runner for the 1968 presidential election. By March 1968, however, Romney dropped out of the race due to a lack of popular support. Several factors contributed to his unsuccessful campaign. Foremost was his wavering position on U.S. involvement in Vietnam coupled with his general lack of knowledge of foreign affairs. To a lesser degree, Romney's membership in The Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave him a negative image in the press. Because the Church denied its …

Revolutionary Creations: Memory And Political Sentiment In Rural Zanzibar, Mark Troger

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

On the northeast coast of the tiny island of Zanzibar lies a small village called Matemwe. About six thousand inhabitants are scattered among palm trees in dwellings that stretch across five miles of coastline. There is no electricity in the village and the road leading to town was paved just a few years ago. No one is sure about the origins of the local people, but there are accounts carried down by elders who remember the stories told by their ancestors. One story tells of Africans who came from the mainland and settled in Matemwe, originally calling it Mumni. They …

The Rites Of Women: The Continuity Of Gender Roles In Roman Religion, Ariel E. Bybee

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

The second-centrury B.C. historian Aulus Gellius recounts the ceremony by which a girl was inducted into the cult of the Roman goddess Vesta in his Attic Nights. A maiden between six and ten years of age and of aristocratic birth was selected from among her peers by the drawing of lots. The chief pontiff took her by the hand and declared, "I take thee, Amata, as one who has fulfilled all the legal requirements, to be priestess of Vesta, to perform the rites which it is lawful for a Vestal to perform for the Roman people, the Quirites." She was …

Participants' Observations Of American Intervention In Siberia, 1918-1920, Daniel R. Smith

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

By early 1918, the United States was deeply involved in the international politics of Europe's Great War. As the country's attention turned to Europe, Charles Love Flake left his pregnant wife in Arizona to go to Fort McDowell in California for military training. On May 13, he wrote to his wife about the difficulties of boot camp, "If it takes this grind to stop the Huns, I'm the boy that can do it cheerfully."1 On 22 June 1919, Charles Love Flake died from wounds received in active duty. His death happened long after the November Armistice, when most fighting had …