Digital Commons Network^™

Learning From Sesame Street: A Qualitative Analysis Of Acceptance, Inclusion, And Cultural Diversity, Justin M. Polette

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Sesame Street first aired on public television in 1968. Sesame Street was developed by television producer Joan Ganz Cooney in partnership with educational and developmental psychologists to bridge the achievement gap in school readiness, specifically in underserved and underrepresented urban communities. This achievement gap was credited to societal racism and a lack of acculturation and racial diversity. Sesame Street was one of the first television programs, and the first children’s program, to feature an urban setting and a culturally diverse cast. During the 1940s, television programming was an almost exclusively white, Caucasian medium. The roles written for minority characters were …

Public Theology And Political Polarization: Environmental Policy, Jean Golicz, Leonard S. Momeny

Liberty Theological Review

The purpose of this article is to explore the impact of public theology on potentially polarizing political views. Specifically, the historical and contemporary interpretations of the Lynn White Thesis (1966) are examined as well as the practical implications for developing environmental policies that align with a biblical worldview. The authors propose the application of multiple paradigms to the study of religiosity and environmental activism as a way of addressing the complexity and diversity of various viewpoints. Understanding the multiple ways Jesus operated in an equally contentious and polarized society creates a path forward for churches. By rejecting the supposition that …

God's Sovereignty In Jeremiah's Call (Jer. 1:4-19), Joseph Peters

Liberty Theological Review

In Jeremiah 1:4-19, God reveals to Jeremiah that God had chosen him to be a prophet over the nations before Jeremiah was even born. Even though Jeremiah presents objections to his commission, God assures Jeremiah that he will proclaim God’s message and does not need to fear as God will be with him. The message is concerned with both destruction and reconstruction, especially concerning Judah. Knowing that such a message would inevitably meet with opposition, God reassures Jeremiah that he has given Jeremiah the words to say and the protection that he needs to fulfill his task. This article will …

City Of Grants Pass V. Johnson: The Limits Of The Eighth Amendment’S Cruel And Unusual Punishments Clause, Erik W. Stanley

Liberty University Law Review

The case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson arose against the backdrop of a rising homeless population not seen before and the struggles cities faced with addressing this rise in homelessness and the proliferation of homeless encampments in urban areas. The case presented the question whether the City of Grants Pass ordinances that prohibited the homeless from sleeping or camping outside constituted cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Both the District Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that it did. The United States Supreme Court reversed, finding that the …

Who Can Stand? Murthy V. Missouri And Social Media Censorship, Natalie C. Rhoads

Liberty University Law Review

As the influence of social media proliferates, two things increase accordingly: government attempts to control it and the law’s attempt to provide a coherent framework. There are ongoing conversations both within and without the legal community about the extent to which individuals have a right against the social media companies to create or consume content. But the Court in Murthy v. Missouri had a chance to sidestep those questions and address whether individuals have a right against the government to curb its influence on those companies. This issue has the potential to be one of the most significant questions in …

The Modern-Day Green Book: How Discrimination Testers Under Title Iii Of The Ada Stand At The Intersection Of Justice And Jurisdiction To Light The Journey Ahead For Travelers With Disabilities And America Itself, Tory L. Lucas

Liberty University Law Review

For people with various types of disabilities, traveling throughout America is no easy task. Before embarking on a journey, they must ensure that they can find suitable lodging along the way that does not have impassible barriers that exclude them. Deborah Laufer is a discrimination tester with disabilities who ensures that places of public accommodation do not violate Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Reservation Rule promulgated by the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). She has filed hundreds of federal civil rights lawsuits against hotels for not providing information on …

Table Of Contents

Liberty University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Christian Legal Education: From Bologna To Lynchburg And Beyond, Jeffrey C. Tuomala

Liberty University Law Review

From a historical perspective of the last millennium, the founding of Liberty University School of Law—a school committed to establishing the Christian foundation for legal education—in 2004 is not a historical anomaly; it is the norm. A major catalyst for the birth of what Harold J. Berman calls the Western legal tradition was the Papal Revolution of the eleventh century, which established the church’s independence from civil authorities. The founding of a law school in Bologna, Italy, was coincident with that revolution. Especially in the past 150 years, that developing legal tradition, based on the foundations of a fundamentally Christian …

The Importance Of Metaphysical Christian Screenplays, Francisca Dominguez Fuentes

Masters Theses

"HEAVEN AND EARTH, I AM" is a metaphysical screenplay that profoundly explores the universal theme of love. It parallels the Days of Noah and the Book of Revelation, warning humanity about the serious consequences of living without God daily. The screenplay emphasizes the urgency of this warning regarding the spiritual dangers arising from an alliance between the secular government and the church. It also examines the Three Angels' Message as described in Revelation, along with the prophetic teachings of the Bible presented by Daniel, Isaiah, and Ezekiel. The work serves as a reminder that the first judgment occurred through water, …

Theological Themes And Musical Influences Of Worship In Indonesian Immigrant Churches In The United States, Agnes Keren Bale

Masters Theses

Beyond evoking emotional experience, theologically sound songs are crucial for evangelizing, edifying the church, and congregational spiritual growth. This study examines worship in Indonesian immigrant churches in the United States, analyzing recurring theological themes in the most regularly featured songs in the worship repertoire. Additionally, it explores the influence of Western worship music which shapes the blended identity of these churches. Via the data gathered through worship service observations from a few churches and a survey for platform ministers, twenty-two congregational songs were coded and analyzed for their theological themes. Findings included the omnipotence and sovereignty of God, victory/battle, faith, …

The Positive Effects Of Audience Participation In Classic Literature, Joyelle Davis Braggs

Masters Theses

My thesis reviews the history of fan-fiction and how it plays a role in the world of literature, specifically classic literature. It focuses on Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte as well as the reasons why that storyline concluded the way it did. Also, I review the reasons why fans have decided to write their own versions of stories to either refresh or renew a character or storyline.

There is a brief history of fan-fiction and a simple summary of Jane Eyre. Included are examples of fan fiction that faced legal challenges both successfully and unsuccessfully. I have also shared my …

Witchcraft, Demons, And Spiritual Death: An Apologetic For The Bible's Prohibition Against Witchcraft, Joshua Dean Wrenn

Masters Theses

This paper attempts to apologetically defend the Bible's intolerance against witchcraft and other related activities that are prohibited in the Old Testament. It does so by showing that Witchcraft and other related activities gets one involved with demonic entities. It shows how demonic entities are deceitful, and how they are actually the ones behind the power of witchcraft. The paper starts by studying the history of ancient witchcraft, which is something that is useful for understanding the witchcraft of today. It then builds a profile of demons. The paper shows what demons physically do and what they attempt to get …

The Impact Of Recruitment And Selection Strategies On Organizational Performance And Employee Productivity, Kenneth R. Sisneros

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Formalized labor management and practices, such as employee recruitment and selection, are among the core functions of any organization's human resource department. While human labor has seen significant milestones since World War II, HR managers struggle to identify the best strategies to use in recruiting and selecting applicants in the midst of increased demand for high-quality hires in most organizations. As such, this flexible, qualitative case study research aimed to examine the relationship between selection and recruitment strategies and the performance of organizations in the hospitality industry. In particular, the case study sought to explore the recruitment and selection techniques …

Doctor Of Ministry Final Portfolio: Addressing The Lack Of Christian Education In The Local Church Through Podcasting, Workshops, Flowcharts, And Advertisement For Ministry Launch, Tracy (Trey) Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Why Theology? The "Why Theology" question will be defended to highlight the truths of systematic theology. The truths of systematic theology within the biblical text are rooted in the doctrines of biblical truths. Answering the why question of theology within Christian education from a systematic theological perspective empowers the local church with doctrinal truths about God's nature, character, and identity. Introducing Christian education to the local ministry offers next-level learning opportunities and a learning center for theological education. Theological education may not solve the entire ministry problem of the local church, but theological education will answer the why and enhance …

Data Literacy In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Morgan V. Harrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study is to explore the essential data and digital literacies for instructors in community colleges, trade schools, and vocational training programs located in the South to work with artificial intelligence (AI) effectively. The theory guiding this study is based on Max van Manen's framework on lived experiences and Paul Ricoeur's narrative theory, which is designed to enhance understanding of the perception and implementation of these literacies within an AI-augmented educational domain. As society's reliance on data continues to grow, it becomes essential to equip all citizens with the skills required for data literacy (Wolff …

Clinton’S March: A Strategic And Logistical Study Of The Crown Forces’ March Through New Jersey In 1778, Colin Edward Zimmerman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This paper reexamines the British army's march through New Jersey in the summer of 1778, led by Sir Henry Clinton, challenging the traditional narrative that portrays Clinton’s movements as a mere retreat following the loss at the Battle of Monmouth. Instead, it argues that Clinton’s actions were part of a calculated strategy to provoke General George Washington’s Continental Army into a decisive engagement that could potentially end the Revolutionary War. By analyzing Clinton’s leadership decisions, logistical considerations, and the army’s experience during the march, this work reveals a more nuanced intention behind the British movements. The paper contends that Clinton’s …

Exploring The Influence Of Police Officers Lived Experiences On Implementing Community Oriented Policing Of Marginalized Populations, Herman "Tracy" Williams Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The oppositional relationship between the police and communities characterized as marginalized populations aptly describes an adversarial dynamic that hinders the effective implementation of guardian-focused, community-oriented policing. Fears of crime, claims of police bias, dehumanization, and perceptions of social disorder frequently breed socioeconomic decline in these communities. These conditions often contribute to citizens of marginalized communities viewing police officers as traditional policing warriors versus the roles of police as guardians who assist and protect the public. The problem is that the lack of cooperation and mutual distrust in interactions between the police and communities leads to external friction and internal organizational …

Technology-As-Instrument: A Case Study Of Undergraduate Student Experience With Daw Technology, Brian Coski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Within the typical music appreciation class, diverse subsections of students exhibit varying levels of experience that can result in challenging inequities in engagement and comprehension. For those students with no background in playing an instrument or singing, musical ideas often need more context and perspective. Technology can present an opportunity for all students to explore the elements of music by utilizing music production software as a virtual instrument. In this study, the researcher utilized curriculum strategies specifically designed to foster deep musical connection through a technology-as-instrument approach. Through informal learning and the tools of music production, students visualized and interacted …

Caring For Ukrainian Healthcare Professionals In Wartime: Moral Injury And Psycho-Spiritual Intervention, Rodger L. Stenger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods study examined the prevalence of Moral Injury (MI) among Ukrainian healthcare professionals (UHCPs) and their willingness to engage in evidence-based, psycho-spiritual interventions targeting MI that has resulted from the Russian invasion and the COVID-19 pandemic. MI is a psychological construct resulting from actions that violate an individual’s moral code and can overlap with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. While MI has been extensively researched in the military, it has gained attention in healthcare settings. Utilizing the Moral Injury Symptom Scale-Healthcare Professional (MISS-HP), this study quantitatively identified a moderate prevalence of MI among doctors and nurses in Ukraine. …

What Hath Jerusalem To Do With Chile: Towards An Evangelical Understanding Of The Enneagram And Its Usage For Spiritual Development, Wesley E. Scholtz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Currently, it is estimated that the personality testing market is worth approximately $2 billion. The Church has expressed interest in understanding personality types through various testing methods. The Enneagram offers a possibly ancient method to help people understand who they are in a spiritual capacity, which can be an aid in connecting more closely with God. This dissertation addressed the research gap that exists within the current literature which is the lack of data concerning whether adults who are professional, ordained ministers are aware of, use, and may be skeptical of the Enneagram. The research method in this dissertation was …

A Netnographic Study Of Social Media As A Communication Support For Families Caring For Neurodiverse Adults, Heather Marie Argo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Computer-mediated communication research has found that communities, especially those sharing a common cause or interest, connect through various techniques, including social media support groups. However, there is limited research surrounding the online communication perceptions of parents raising neurodiverse adults. The purpose of the qualitative case study was to deeply understand the online communication behaviors of parents raising neurodiverse adults. Specifically, the research analyzed the Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) organization’s asynchronous communication within their Facebook support group page and online artifacts, including a website and newsletters. The study applied deductive sense-making verbing and inductive coding to identify how …

A Written Dissertation Of A History Of The Ethnic Identity Of The Irish Child Laborers In Saint Louis, Missouri: 1890-1930, Deserea A. Morse

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The study of child labor helps us better understand the connection between labor, ethnicity, and crime within America. Throughout this dissertation, there will be a closer look into the influence that child labor has had on the growth of this nation. It also grants a look into the design of society within Progressive America and gives a voice to the story of the child laborer and his experiences. Currently, there is an ever-changing debate on the role child labor played within American history, specifically between the years 1910-1930. This period of years is critical as it signals when reform programs …

Understanding The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Mental Health Of Children And Parents During The Pandemic, Whitney S. Gray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic presented parents with stressors that affected their well-being and their life satisfaction. The pandemic caused parents to struggle with balancing their families’ needs and maintaining their happiness. Prior to the pandemic, children and adolescents had a routine that accommodated their daily functioning and provided them with social contact. The pandemic added stress with parents working odd hours at work, having to adjust to their child’s school schedules, and not being able to contribute to their support system. In addition to these daily stressors, parents had to consider the precautions surrounding COVID-19 and the worries attached to the …

Ethical Considerations In Instructional Design Enhanced By Artificial Intelligence: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Billy Malone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the ethical considerations that instructional designers faced when integrating artificial intelligence into instructional design for adult learners at various educational institutions. The theory guiding this study was the technological pedagogical content knowledge framework, which offered a thorough method for analyzing how technology, pedagogy, and ethics were integrated into education. The central question for this study asked how instructional designers described their lived experiences and ethical considerations when integrating artificial intelligence into instructional design for adult learners. This study used a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology to improve the understanding of the lived experiences …

Intimate Partner Violence And The Black Church Culture: A Place Of Judgement Or Healing, Indea J. Hamlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study will discover how Black clergy and lay leaders in urban communities respond to Black women who report intimate partner violence. Semi- structured interviews will take place in urban churches or secure locations within the communities. Six male and six female church pastors, clergy, and lay leaders will be selected as participants for the study, which will capture their firsthand experiences, levels of awareness and belief about the prevalence of IPV in urban communities, and their preparedness to address this form of violence against Black women. Thematic analysis will be employed to generate codes, uncover any themes …

Investigating The Correlation Between Racially Based Trauma And The Imposter Phenomenon In High-Achieving Black Women, Tarra Lynn Winfield Ray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the imposter phenomenon, racially based trauma, and how the two correlate among high-achieving Black women. High achieving for this writing refers to Black women who attend college or graduate school, those in professional positions that require a degree, advanced degree, or professional licensure (i.e., corporate executives, medical doctors, attorneys, mental health clinicians, etc.), and entrepreneurs. Many current studies have focused on the unique and complex experiences that high-achieving Black women face while working to achieve goals and gain success. Many of these women have experienced racially based trauma, and many endorse the simultaneous experiencing of the imposter …

Citizen Complaints Against Police And Police Education Level: A Quantitative Analysis, Robert S. Swenszkowski

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Complaints against police officers result from citizens expressing dissatisfaction with police officers’ conduct, which is perceived as unjust. Citizen dissatisfaction with police services or the imposition of authority can lead to the belief that such authority is illegitimate and unjust, which can decrease levels of confidence and cooperation from citizens. Questions have long existed about the need for individuals to have some level of higher education to be employed as police officers. Yet, a consistent standardization for the minimum educational requirements for police officers in the United States has not been embraced. Research and theory suggest that higher education yields …

Parenting Strategies For Adult Abuse Victims, Sarah Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological proposal is to describe adults with past childhood trauma’s parenting experiences in Missouri. Growing up in an abusive household, I saw how not to parent my children once I was older. Not everyone thinks this way. Children who grow up in an abusive household do not always develop resiliency. Due to these effects, the following proposal will look at how these adults are impacted when it comes to their parenting styles. Parenting is difficult, to begin with, let alone working through your issues. Generational abuse is a common occurrence. The main research question that will …

Red Herring: The Overstatement Of Soviet Power In The Early Cold War (1945-1953), Ronald R. Shaw

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The early Cold War (1945-1953) was a defining period for the 20th century, setting the grand strategic approach to the post-World War II era for the United States and Soviet Union. A common method employed by both sides was to overstate the power, capability, and aggression of the Soviet Union to enable grand strategic planning objectives. While acknowledging the tangible menace of communist expansion, President Truman used the illusion of an immediate Soviet existential threat to stoke fear, reject traditional isolationism, and facilitate American international engagement to protect free and open markets in Europe. Josef Stalin made use of American …

A Qualitative Study Of Dialogic Communication Of The American Aviation Sector On Facebook Users, Marian E. Tadrous

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem is that few recent studies have examined dialogic communication on social media platforms, especially Facebook. The purpose of this qualitative research is to explore the dialogic communication principles of the American aviation sector. The rationale for this research is that 99% of American aviation institutions have a Facebook platform to communicate with the public. These institutions must listen to the public's needs regarding the principles of dialogical communication. Examining aviation institutions' use of dialogical principles is a lens into the strengths and weaknesses of aviation institutions' messages on Facebook. Recent studies have shown a lack of research addressing …