Digital Commons Network^™

The Buck Stops In Benghazi: A Practical Application Of The Dramatistic Pentad And Interpersonal Deception Theory, Robert Taylor Kirk

Masters Theses

This study sought to determine whether or not the rhetoric of the Obama administration in response to the attacks on the consulate in Benghazi provided motivation for deception in Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This was done by utilizing Burke's dramatistic pentad to frame the events of the attack the responsive rhetoric to lay the foundation for a qualitative analysis that was conducted using criteria distilled from Buller and Burgoon's Interpersonal Deception Theory. This study posed two research questions. The first research question sought to determine through the use of the pentad whether …

Flannery O'Connor's Redemptive Violence In Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club And Invisible Monsters, Caitlin Elliot

Masters Theses

Underground fight clubs, transsexuals, shotguns: these are the images that come to mind when one thinks of Chuck Palahniuk’s fiction—for many critics and readers, merely the stuff of pulp fiction. However, many of Palahniuk’s novels use violence to critique American culture while offering hope for the redemption of his characters and society as a whole. Thus, the violence in his works serves a purpose beyond mere shock value. The function of Palahniuk’s violence, I argue, reflects the poetics of Flannery O’Connor. Her works contain culturally-driven narratives with strange and grotesque circumstances that lead her characters to moments of redemption, and …

A Study Of Motivation And Assimilation: Examining Asian International And American College Students' Employment On Campus, Yasa Guo

Masters Theses

The author researched the topic of this thesis from six different aspects: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, international students, student employment, motivation, Cultural Intelligence Theory, and cross-cultural adaptation. There are twenty participants that participated in this research. Among them, ten are Asian international students and ten are American students. All students have been a student at a private Christian university and working for at least one semester. The researcher developed twelve questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for all participants and nine questions related to Cultural Intelligence Theory to only Asian international students. The research methodology of this thesis is …

Evidence For The Historical Jesus: Is The Jesus Of History The Christ Of Faith?, Gary R. Habermas

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The subject of the Historical Jesus is perhaps the most popular religious topic in settings such as university and seminary classrooms, written volumes, and doctoral dissertations. Unlike many of these more formal situations, the question-and-answer format utilized throughout this text allows plenty of space to develop additional angles. Hence, the backtracking, necessary repetition, as well as viewing the subject matter from a variety of perspectives allow the conversation to deepen significantly before moving ahead. In the process, it is our hope that new ideas will be expressed and developed. The overall purpose is to provide a historical context for the …

American Dreams And Dystopias: Examining Dystopian Parallels In The Great Gatsby And To Kill A Mockingbird, Samuel Nathan Harris

Masters Theses

In this study I consider the recent trend of dystopian fiction in literature—both the broader genre of dystopias of the past century or so, and the contemporarily popular subgenre of young adult dystopian fiction—and examine whether certain American novels, while not typically considered dystopias, can fit into this genre or at least be established as having some parallels with works of this genre. Based on certain shared archetypes of the genre, such as “speculative myth,” a governing “ritual habit,” and a dissatisfied narrator or protagonist, I here propose that other American classics, specifically F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and …

The Many Paths Of Cyberspace: William Gibson's The Sprawl As Prototype For Structural, Thematic, And Narrative Multilinearity In New Media, Erik Marsh

Masters Theses

William Gibson’s Sprawl trilogy helped set a new direction for science fiction, but his work is also a valuable tool for examining changes in the approach both readers and writers began to take to approaching literature as the text medium began its rapid evolution with the introduction of electronic hypertext. In this examination of Gibson’s fiction, a pattern of multilinear truth emerges, showing how Western culture began to fully embrace Postmodern approaches to truth claims as a default, how even a pre-electronic text can exhibit hypertext-like aspects, and how this shift in interpretive response to literature is important for Christians …

A Dramatistic Look At Motive And Egypt’S 2011 Revolution, Blair J. Cook

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the primary motivating factors in the protestors whose demonstrations resulted in the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt’s 2011 revolution. The methodology is rooted in Kenneth Burke’s Dramatic Pentad. The elements of the pentad were observed in 29 articles from Daily News Egypt which were published between January 18 and February 18, 2011. Then the most prominent ratios were examined. Finally, the Guilt-Redemption Cycle was observed in the actions of the protesters. This methodology yielded the motivation of the protesters in Egypt’s 2011 revolution. It was discovered that the protesters had determined …

A Phenomenological Study Of Facebook Messages From Female Friends To Middle School Girls And The Multi-Dimensional Effect On Self-Esteem, Eileen Elizabeth Hegel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study investigated positive and negative Facebook messages from female friends to middle school girls and the multi-dimensional effect on self-esteem. This study also examined what role these messages play in female friendships. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit nine participants, 13 years old, the minimum age to have a Facebook account or 14 years old, in the 7th or 8th grade in the South Atlantic region of the United States. Gilligan's theory of moral development underpinned this study. Data collection included a descriptive survey, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, semi-structured interviews, journals, and site artifacts. The questions framing the …

Differences In Post-Secondary Persistence, By Gender: A Phenomenological Study Of Traditional College Students, Karen Louise Clark

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore persistence differences by gender, among traditional-age college students at a private, residential, liberal arts college in a Mid-Atlantic state. The number of students attending college has steadily increased. However, females have increasingly outnumbered males in college enrollment and persistence. This is a growing concern for higher education. The following research questions guided the research: How do traditional-age college seniors describe persistence? How do traditional-age college seniors describe experiences or beliefs that contributed to their persistence? What are the persistence differences, by gender? Twenty females and thirteen males (n=33) participated in …

The Relationship Between Middle School Cognitive Abilities Test And High School Advanced Placement Exam Scores, Kathy Marie Daniel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Advanced Placement (AP) is a College Board program that offers a college-level curriculum to high school students. AP has expanded dramatically in recent years, and with noted program benefits accruing to successful participants, the issue of equity has become a concern. When identified early, students who have potential to be successful in AP courses could obtain the preparation necessary to excel academically in courses that have an impact on college admissions and outcomes. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine if a relationship exists between 6th grade CogAT composite, verbal, and quantitative battery scores and 12th grade AP …

The Relationship Between Religiousness And Bullying Among Parochial High School Students In The Southeast, Matthew Adam Willis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Bullying and peer abuses are persistent problems in the educational community. Many studies have been undertaken that focus on the aftermath of bullying or prevention of abuse, but few have focused on social variables and their relationship to bullying and peer abuses. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is any relationship between an individual's self-reported levels of religiousness and their perspectives on bullying. The study used a correlational design. This design analyzed students who have taken the Olweus bullying scale and a religious commitment survey. The surveys were analyzed using the Stepwise regression model. Understanding the …

A Comparison Study Of Graded Assessments Between Teaching Modalities In Radiologic Technology, Angela M. Lambert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research conducted in this study focuses on student learning outcomes for students of Radiologic Technology. A comparison between non-traditional teaching using MOODLE® and traditional lecture delivery as related to written and practical assessment results is the focus. This study is important due to the need for programs of Radiologic Technology to produce competent radiographers upon completion of such programs in order to assure patient care and safety standards are met. The surge in online and non-traditional course delivery methods may jeopardize this necessity. The purpose of this research was to compare the use of non-traditional delivery and traditional delivery …

An Examination Of The Doctrine Of Death And The Afterlife From A Biblical And Historical Theology Perspective Compared To The Level Of Sophistication Among The Laity, Wayne Allen Patton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Several key aspects of eschatology and their treatment appear to be under-explored in contemporary preaching. Within the context of individual eschatology, notions of death, the intermediate state, and the eternal state vary widely. A clearer understanding of these facets of the faith are necessary to fully understand the full measure of the work of Christ, the hope Christians have in Him, and the ability to convey these essentials to the lost. In this project, the writer will seek to discover and examine the key aspects of this doctrine and measure the level of sophistication among a sample of the laity. …

Black Student Self-Efficacy And The Achievement Gap: A Heterogeneous Grouping Case Study, John Anthony Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This explanatory case study explored the ways in which a heterogeneous grouping modulates academic performance for a group of Black students in an Honors Biology class at Bay City High School (BCHS), a large racially and socioeconomically diverse public high school in suburban Maryland. Data was collected through individual interviews, self-efficacy surveys, multiple observations of student on-task behaviors, student-to-student interactions, student-to-teacher interactions, and other task-related conditions. Seven students and their parents, current teachers, and former teachers provided the data. Thematic-coding of the data as outlined by Creswell (2014) was employed in conjunction with Yin's (2003) methods of analysis. In order …

The Effectiveness Of A Career Course On Program Of Study Selection And Career Maturity Of High School Freshmen, Susan West Roach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Supporting career development in adolescents is a perplexing issue for educators. In response, educators are implementing various interventions assisting students in the exploration process. The purpose of this causal comparative study was to determine the effect of the career education course employed by a rural high school in Tennessee on student selection of a program of study and career maturity. Upon completion of the semester, a convenient sample of 79 ninth grade students completed the Career Maturity Inventory-form C along with a program of study selection inquiry. Data analysis did not determine a statistical difference in high school career maturity …

Rural High School Faculty Perspectives On Bring Your Own Device Implementation: A Phenomenological Study, Philip Lee Arnold

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of faculty members who recently implemented Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) in a rural high school in Georgia. Many students bring electronic devices to school despite policies banning or limiting their possession and use. Some schools have recently implemented BYOD guidelines that allow the use of these devices to enhance the learning environment. In-depth interviews, participant journals, and a concluding focus group discussion were used to better understand the lived experiences of the faculty members during their transition to BYOD. Themes discovered through the data indicated that …

The Origin Of Fleas And The Genesis Of Plague, Alan L. Gillen

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Human history has been riddled by diseases spread by flea vectors including the bubonic plague. Recently, Madagascar has documented more than 100 cases. Fleas were part of God’s “very good” (Genesis 1:31) creation that transformed to an ectoparasitic condition after the Curse. Creation biologists continue to synthesize a working model of this conversion from environmental recyclers to parasites as a secondary state. Morphological design of the flea combined with its unique feeding ability has resulted in it being an exceptional vector for Yersinia pestis, the causative bacterium of the plague.

Use Of Immunotherapy In The Treatment Of Peanut Allergies In The Pediatric Population, Bethany Rauscher

Senior Honors Theses

Peanut allergies are a serious issue that must be monitored and treated effectively to avoid severe adverse effects and death. In the last decade, their incidence has increased significantly, due to indeterminate factors. Because people typically do not outgrow peanut allergies and the effects of exposure can be life-threatening, it is important that a cure or management method is developed and refined. Recent research regarding treatment for peanut allergies has focused on the use of immunotherapy, a process aimed at desensitizing children's immune systems so that they do not reject foods that contain peanuts. Some studies utilizing immunotherapy have provided …

Book Reviews

Liberty Theological Review

Review by Timothy N. Mitchell of Inside Roman Libraries: Book Collections and Their Management in Antiquity. By George W. Houston. Chapel Hill: UNC Press, 2014, 327 pp., $59.95.

Review by Timothy N. Mitchell of Orthodoxy and Heresy in Early Christian Contexts: Reconsidering the Bauer Thesis. Edited by Paul A. Hartog. Eugene: Pickwick, 2015, 276 pp., $25.60.

Review by Nicholas Dodson of Oral Tradition and the New Testament: A Guide for the Perplexed. Rafael Rodriguez. New York: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2015, 184 pp., $27.95.

Surviving The Other War: Group Intervention For Military Sexual Trauma In The Local Church, Ed Ellis Barker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is, together with the current military suicide epidemic, arguably the greatest danger to soldiers serving at home or abroad, and sadly the former is a contributing factor for the latter. MST involves the sexual assault or sexual harassment of an individual by one or several fellow service members. An important avenue of assistance is through the local church; however, "the quality of mental health providers does not include a sufficient number of faith-based counselors (especially Christian) to serve the predominantly Christian demographic in the U.S. Armed Forces." To assist in this, a psycho-educational support group has …

A Biblical Guide To Maximizing Great Commission Emphasis By Transforming Your Church Government, Marcus W. Bridges

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

After learning 3500-4000 churches close their doors each year, Ed Stetzer believes, "the church will not change until the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of change." This project will compare Congregation-led churches to Elder or Board-led churches to explore the need for changing the practical operation of the church in attempts to fulfill the Great Commission. The thoughts presented will provide a guide for church leaders, pastors, and church planters to adopt the style of governing policies that best results in for Jesus Christ. There will be fifty pastors polled from Congregation and Elder-led churches …

Living For Eternity: A Predictive Analysis Of Manifestations Of Biblical Worldview Of University Freshmen, Sharon Edge Wilkie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study includes a predictive analysis of factors contributing to worldview and acts of volition, a correlative analysis of a biblical worldview, a non-biblical worldview, and acts of volition, and a comparative analysis of the influence of gender on worldview. The research design used a non-randomized, convenience sample and a Likert-type scale, which included original questions. The instrument measured three components of worldview: biblical, non-biblical, and acts of volition. Analysis of the data included multiple linear regression, bivariate correlation (Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient) and a univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). Participants were freshmen attending a liberal arts Christian university. …

Exploring Successful Women's Ministry Employment: A Comparative Case Study Of Two Churches In Virginia, Melissa Small

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following qualitative case study explored the phenomenon of successful implementation of a fulltime women's ministry staff position in Southern Baptist churches to provide foundational research for a best practices guide for successful implementation of women's ministers in churches. For the research, successful implementation of women's ministry staff was generally defined as fulltime staff position devoted specifically to women's ministry in a church. The use of interviews and focus groups provided information from the church leaders and women who were directly involved in the phenomenon. The setting took place in two Southern Baptist churches, located in the state of Virginia, …

Interactive Whiteboard Technologies In High School: A Quantitative, Quasi-Experimental Comparison Of Their Impact On The Levels Of Measure That Determine A Return On Investment, Joseph Michael Schipper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, quasi-experimental, non-equivalent group study will examine the impact on levels of measure that determine a return on investment (ROI) of differing forms of interactive whiteboard (IWB) technology utilized with a class\room technology package consisting of a video projector, a document camera, and a computer at a high school in a suburban school district in southeastern Virginia. Three forms of IWB will be compared: a full screen IWB, a mobile interactive whiteboard (MIWB) and a tablet based whiteboard app (IWBAPP). Student performance and survey data will be analyzed to determine the impact on students and teachers who were exposed …

Winning With Morals: A Qualitative Study Of The Impact That College Coaches Have On The Character Of Their Athletes, Ronald Dalton Lupori

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Through sports athletes are thought to build admirable character traits such as discipline, hard work, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Additionally, there are moral character traits like honesty, integrity, respect for others, and fair play. Research suggests that coaches can and do influence these characteristics both positively and negatively (Van Mullem, Brunner, & Stoll, 2008; Brown, 2003; Gould, Collins, Lauer, & Chung, 2007). The purpose of this ethnographical, phenomenological study is to understand and describe the views and priorities that Division II and III varsity college coaches have toward the development of moral character of their athletes, as well as insight into …

Malibu Jackson 3: Boldest Move Yet - A Study Of Screenwriting, Parody, And Mullet-Clad Action Heroes, Caleb D. Nelson

Senior Honors Theses

This project is a parody short film script, targeting blockbuster action films of the 1980s. It is written in accordance with the traditional three-act structure of screenplays, which plays an important role in the writing arena of the film industry. It is a comedy, the theory of which is discussed in this paper, and more specifically parody. Like most short films and their scripts, it does not seek to be profitable, but rather serves the purpose of demonstrating skill and achievement on behalf of the screenwriter and filmmaker. This paper also includes a brief synopsis of the project.

The Balanced Scorecard: The Key To Effective Strategic Management, Josiah D. Grimm

Senior Honors Theses

The intent of this paper is to define the importance of the balanced scorecard in the strategic management process. The need for the balanced scorecard will be established by explaining the roles of demand shifters, traditional management accounting, Senge’s concept of a learning organization, and the strategic management process. This will involve detailing the stages of the strategic management process and connecting them to the various aspects of creating a balanced scorecard. Ultimately, the goal of the balanced scorecard is to translate the overarching strategy into specific actions that can be implemented throughout the organization. Lastly, other strategic applications of …

Simple Secrecy: Analog Stream Cipher For Secure Voice Communication, John M. Campbell

Senior Honors Theses

Voice signals are inherently analog, and some voice communication systems still utilize analog signals. Existing analog cryptographic methods do not satisfactorily provide cryptosecurity for communication systems due to several limitations. This paper proposes a novel means of provided cryptosecurity for analog signals without digitization; thereby avoiding the latency which results from ADC/DAC conversions. This method utilizes the principles of the digital stream cipher, generating instead a continuous pseudorandom analog key stream signal which is transformed with the original analog signal to create an encrypted ciphertext signal which is statistically independent of the original signal and the key stream signal. The …

Statins And Kidney Failure, Rebekah Pemberton

Senior Honors Theses

Use of the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, also known as statins, in patients with renal dysfunction is laden with controversy. Studies on statin use in renal patients have given varying reports. Some research has indicated that these medications may exacerbate existing renal dysfunction and induce further progression of renal disease. Furthermore, some researchers have suggested statins may actually cause some cases of renal dysfunction through the effects of rhabdomyolysis, acute interstitial nephritis, or necrotizing immune-mediated myopathy, while other researchers have asserted that the statins can have nephroprotective effects. The use of statins is believed to be ineffective in patients who are …

The Intersections Of Music, Love, And Worship, Jacob C. Wessel

Senior Honors Theses

When a right understanding of the doctrine of love infiltrates the art of music in the event of corporate worship, an opportunity arises for a unique synergism of knowledge, emotion and relationships. These qualities are paramount in the doctrine of love and practice of corporate worship, and they are especially encouraged by the powers of music. An exploration of these three aspects of love—knowledge, emotion and relationships—is here provided with special attention to the opportunity music and worship provide for intersections between them.