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An Examination Of Civil War Memory: The Lost Cause, Taylor Hill Feb 2026

An Examination Of Civil War Memory: The Lost Cause, Taylor Hill

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The way that Americans view the Civil War has changed over time. What was once considered a mighty conflict and a horrid defeat for the South has transformed into a distant, unpleasant memory. Different interpretations have struggled to understand why the war was fought and how it has been received.


Du Essentia Hominum: Regulating The Artificial Intelligence Crisis, Natalie K. Snodgrass Feb 2026

Du Essentia Hominum: Regulating The Artificial Intelligence Crisis, Natalie K. Snodgrass

Helms School of Government Undergraduate Law Review

In May 2023, the Center for AI Safety, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing the risks of artificial intelligence misuse, held a conference to discuss a single sentence statement. This statement was signed by an international group of experts, including chief AI executives, nuclear physicists, politicians, and more. Artificial Intelligence serves as one of the modern world's greatest achievements and potentially greatest problems. Generative AI is not human, yet its creations pose problems in human copyright law and the First Amendment. This Note will address the development of AI, along with the reason why there is a need to regulate this …


How Much Can A Coffee Table Really Cost You? What To Do With Websites, Testers, And Serial Filers Within The Context Of The Ada, Ava Perez Erickson Feb 2026

How Much Can A Coffee Table Really Cost You? What To Do With Websites, Testers, And Serial Filers Within The Context Of The Ada, Ava Perez Erickson

Liberty University Law Review

Differences have been used throughout history to separate that which is deemed superior from that which is inferior. Disabilities, both physical and mental, are what history has often deemed a mark of the inferior. With little rationale to explain the occurrence of many disabilities, man turned to divine punishment and quasi-scientific movements to fill the gaps and explain the existence of what was assumed to be a lesser, plighted people. Our modern nation is no different and found itself, for the better half of the 20th century, enamored by the eugenics movement, satisfied with the explanation that disabled individuals were …


Striking The Right Chord: Reframing Music Copyright Through The Lens Of The First Amendment, Arielle C. Knight Feb 2026

Striking The Right Chord: Reframing Music Copyright Through The Lens Of The First Amendment, Arielle C. Knight

Liberty University Law Review

Music, as both artistic expression and a commercial product, occupies a unique space at the intersection of copyright law and the First Amendment. While copyright law aims to promote creativity by protecting original works, its current application to music often undermines the very innovation it seeks to encourage. Courts have recognized that some musical elements are not copyrightable because they are so inherent to music that the idea merges with its expression. However, with advancements in technology such as music streaming services and AI-created music, courts increasingly face difficulties in distinguishing between protectable musical expression and the unprotectable building blocks …


Actual Innocence In Virginia: Why The Requirements For A Successful Writ Must Remain Limited, Cameron D. Barshinger Feb 2026

Actual Innocence In Virginia: Why The Requirements For A Successful Writ Must Remain Limited, Cameron D. Barshinger

Liberty University Law Review

Benjamin Franklin once said, “It is better a hundred guilty persons should escape than one innocent person should suffer.” To achieve this goal, the Commonwealth of Virginia has implemented a system through which a falsely convicted person is given another opportunity to prove his innocence: writs of actual innocence. A writ of actual innocence provides a second chance to a person wrongfully convicted of a crime. It can allow a “murderer” to prove his innocence and expunge his record after falling short of convincing a judge or jury at trial. Virginia has strict requirements for those seeking writs of actual …


If You Want To Get Away With Indecent Exposure, Do It Online, Rebekah E. Bynum Feb 2026

If You Want To Get Away With Indecent Exposure, Do It Online, Rebekah E. Bynum

Liberty University Law Review

If a person exposes his or her genitals to a minor in private or in public, that person would be guilty of indecent exposure. But if a person exposes his or her genitals to a minor over video chat, no harm, no foul. Similarly, if a person exposes his or her genitals to a minor via text message, there are no repercussions. Why is it that the same act—when done through a screen—functions like a loophole to a crime? The reason for this “loophole” is because of a misunderstanding of the crime of indecent exposure. The crime was developed, not …


Fostering Worship In A Countercultural Setting: An Ethnodoxological Approach To Secular Heavy Music, Jacob Lewis Ream Feb 2026

Fostering Worship In A Countercultural Setting: An Ethnodoxological Approach To Secular Heavy Music, Jacob Lewis Ream

Masters Theses

Despite stylistic musical diversity within the evangelical church, many secular musicians and music fans have little to no desire to participate in corporate worship music. Specifically, those that engage in “countercultural heavy music (CHM);” namely, hard rock, punk rock, and heavy metal. Music that is often played for the purpose of corporate worship in the local church fails to resonate with many musicians in the corresponding local community. In addition, most evangelical worship ministries do not strive to reach the music communities outside of their local church. This study examines the reasons for this disconnectedness. “Worship as missions” is not …


Perspectives On Healthy Romantic Relationships In The Black Youth Community, Jharman M. Lightner Feb 2026

Perspectives On Healthy Romantic Relationships In The Black Youth Community, Jharman M. Lightner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The perceptions of what constitutes a healthy romantic relationship impact relationship choice that, when unhealthy, has long term effects on mental and emotional wellbeing. This qualitative study explored how African American/Black adolescents ages 18–19 define, perceive, and experience healthy romantic relationships. Using focus group methodology, the study addressed four research questions concerning (1) definitions and perceptions of healthy romantic relationships, (2) influences on relationship beliefs, (3) essential components for maintaining relationship health, and (4) lived experiences with healthy romantic relationships. We conducted two focus groups in which data saturation was reached when no new codes, conceptual insights, or themes emerged …


Volunteer Leaders Of Young Adult Ministries In Protestant Churches In The Midwest, Usa, Miriam S. Midzi Feb 2026

Volunteer Leaders Of Young Adult Ministries In Protestant Churches In The Midwest, Usa, Miriam S. Midzi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Developing and retaining young adult ministry volunteers helps engage young adults and foster church growth. An article in Lifeway Research states that “Two-thirds (66%) of those who attended church regularly in high school dropped out for at least a year as a young adult” (Earls, 2019). Understanding the views and experiences of church ministry volunteers of this age group is essential as these young men and women are integral to reaching, discipling, and retaining them in the church. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of volunteer leaders of young adult ministries in Midwest Protestant …


The Vulnerabilities Of Smart Technology, Ryan R. Nolan Feb 2026

The Vulnerabilities Of Smart Technology, Ryan R. Nolan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Smart technology is everywhere. In the last decade, an amazing digital transformation swept across the globe, changing how people interact and shaping the public sector interaction between the local government and the constituency. Public administrators must contend with a new communication method that will impact the constituency. Smart technology is making the world convenient, more accessible, and more connected; however, smart technology is making the United States more vulnerable to advisories that seek to harm the free world. When viewed holistically, the vulnerability of smart technology is a national security concern. The United States is not leading the smart technology …


Measuring Depression, Anxiety, Stress And Burnout In Paramedics, Dispatchers, And Call Takers Of Western Canada, Nahum Chi Heng Ip Feb 2026

Measuring Depression, Anxiety, Stress And Burnout In Paramedics, Dispatchers, And Call Takers Of Western Canada, Nahum Chi Heng Ip

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following dissertation examines depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout in dispatchers and paramedics of Western Canada. This study is meant to bridge a research gap in mental health among emergency health workers in British Columbia, Canada. The samples were collected through two self-reporting surveys, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Maslach Burnout Index (MBI), both of which are strongly validated and widely used in similar research. Of the 948 dispatchers and paramedics who participated, 771 (81.3%) responses qualified to be included. The data was entered into the Intellectus software where a variety of tools were utilized to …


Navigating Labor Challenges In The Hotel Industry: A Managerial Approach, Alen Sardarian Feb 2026

Navigating Labor Challenges In The Hotel Industry: A Managerial Approach, Alen Sardarian

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The hotel industry faces a critical shortage of qualified service workers. This HR problem poses an operational and strategic challenge that undermines delivering quality customer service. In relation, this study investigated the HR managerial struggle to recruit and retain an adequate number of service workers to meet the labor demands of the luxury hotel sector. Based on social exchange theory, this research explored how motivational features such as flexible scheduling, career advancement opportunities, training, and employee rewards function as reciprocal exchange mechanisms between the HR management and service workers, thereby influencing recruitment and retention outcomes. The study incorporated a flexible …


The Implementation Of The Collaborative And Proactive Solutions Model To Influence A Decrease In Students’ Maladaptive Behaviors In K-12 School Settings In The United States: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Amy Rachel Wilhite-Stauffer Feb 2026

The Implementation Of The Collaborative And Proactive Solutions Model To Influence A Decrease In Students’ Maladaptive Behaviors In K-12 School Settings In The United States: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Amy Rachel Wilhite-Stauffer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of implementing the CPS model to reduce students’ maladaptive behaviors for teachers and providers in K-12 school settings in the United States. Bandura’s social learning theory (SLT) was the theoretical framework on which this study has been based. The central research question was: What are teachers' and providers' experiences implementing the CPS model, and what is the perceived influence on decreasing students’ maladaptive behaviors? A transcendental phenomenological study was conducted, comprising a sample size of 10 teachers and providers from the Northeast Region of the United States who have utilized …


Burnout, Perceived Organizational Support, And Spirituality: In Msd Special Educators, Bianca Grider Fisher Feb 2026

Burnout, Perceived Organizational Support, And Spirituality: In Msd Special Educators, Bianca Grider Fisher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative correlational research study explored whether burnout (BO) is correlated with perceived organizational support (POS) in special education teachers (SETs) working with moderate to severe disabilities (MSDs) students during distress, and whether spirituality moderates the correlation. SETs working with MSD students face a heightened risk of BO, yet there is little literature exploring how organizational or spiritual resources help. Exploring these factors is necessary to strengthen SETs’ well-being. Guided by the Organizational Support Theory, theoretical frameworks on BO, Maslow's Theory on Spirituality and Hierarchy of Needs, the Cognitive Appraisal Approach, and biblical truths, this study explored how internal and …


Human Trafficking: A Phenomenological Analysis Of Indiana Law Enforcement Human Trafficking Training Effectiveness, Keeley Chelise Keasler Adams Feb 2026

Human Trafficking: A Phenomenological Analysis Of Indiana Law Enforcement Human Trafficking Training Effectiveness, Keeley Chelise Keasler Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Human trafficking is a rapidly growing, pervasive issue that threatens the fundamental human rights of every man, woman, and child across the globe. Human trafficking is one of the most lucrative illicit organized crime businesses in the world, and as the fueled demand for cheap labor, services, and commercial sex continues to reach stifling rates, law enforcement organizations are desperately seeking to identify ways to effectively combat this critical issue. Today’s advanced technology and transport systems have enabled human traffickers to expand operations to every country, including the United States. Although every state in the United States is affected, reliable …


Institutional Factors Contributing To Child Sexual Abuse In Independent Baptist Churches: A Phenomenological Study, Adam Stephen Pearlstein Feb 2026

Institutional Factors Contributing To Child Sexual Abuse In Independent Baptist Churches: A Phenomenological Study, Adam Stephen Pearlstein

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe childhood sexual abuse survivor’s within Independent Baptist Churches experiences reporting and engaging with church leaders about their abuse in the United States. While there is great variety within these churches, they typically share a similar style of church leadership and accountability structures for that leadership. Tragically, child sexual abuse within these churches is far too common, as is demonstrated both by scientific research and by stories reported by journalists. This study will seek to look into both the ecclesiology of the church structures of these Independent Baptist churches and into teachings …


The Impact Of Communication On Generational Trauma, Claudia Abalo Feb 2026

The Impact Of Communication On Generational Trauma, Claudia Abalo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Trauma has occurred since God made man, and it has been passed down through generations. Now, even though generational trauma may not end until our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ returns (Revelations 21:4), in the meantime, the Scriptures encourage us to love one another as God loves us (John 13:34-35), to care for each other, and to share our burdens with one another (Galatians 6:2). However, there is limited research as to whether sharing our burdens such as discussing traumatic experiences within the home impacts generational trauma. Therefore, this qualitative, interpretative phenomenological study aimed to answer how the children of …


A Case Study Of The Formation And Implementation Of Development Plan In Akwa Ibom State Of Nigeria, Anietie Edoho-Ukwa Feb 2026

A Case Study Of The Formation And Implementation Of Development Plan In Akwa Ibom State Of Nigeria, Anietie Edoho-Ukwa

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to examine the formation and implementation of development plans by public administrators in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. This study will seek to understand the underlying factors affecting the success of these plans and proffer strategies for improving their effectiveness and sustainability. The theoretical framework of this research study is grounded in modernization theory, globalization theory, and transformational leadership theory. This study will conduct a comparative examination of other states in Nigeria with comparable populations and metrics. To gather data for the study, the researcher will convene with 20 current or former public …


Autistic Mothers And Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv): An Intersectional Analysis Of Vulnerability And Systemic Barriers, Rachel D. Bailey Feb 2026

Autistic Mothers And Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv): An Intersectional Analysis Of Vulnerability And Systemic Barriers, Rachel D. Bailey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how autistic mothers raising children with autism describe the support they received and the barriers they faced when leaving an IPV environment. The guiding theory for this study was Ecological Systems Theory, which was utilized to explore vulnerability to exploitation through aggressive abuse histories, normalization of violence, and the inability to see red flags in potential relationship partners. Intersectionality was utilized to examine how the interplay of abuse, autistic traits, race, socioeconomic states, and gender created a complex and challenging situation for autistic mothers affected by intimate partner violence. Eight …


The Security And Defense Of This Province: General Frederick Haldimand’S Intelligence Operations In North America, 1754-1783, Ryan L. Wagner Feb 2026

The Security And Defense Of This Province: General Frederick Haldimand’S Intelligence Operations In North America, 1754-1783, Ryan L. Wagner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Sir Frederick Haldimand, the unintentional father of Canada, was a pioneering strategist whose sophisticated use of intelligence secured British North America during the American Revolution and shaped the continent’s permanent geopolitical division. Moving beyond traditional American-centric historical narratives, this study argues that Haldimand’s success stemmed from a superior “all-source fusion” methodology, which systematically integrated Human Intelligence (HUMINT) from a remarkably diverse network of Loyalists, Indigenous allies, and French Canadians, with Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), and administrative data. His network excelled at statecraft and non-kinetic warfare, differentiating his efforts from his contemporaries and establishing him as a foundational figure in modern intelligence …


The Role Of Social Media Criticism In Shaping The Self-Perception And Professional Identity Of Female Sports Journalists, Hanna M. Cooper Feb 2026

The Role Of Social Media Criticism In Shaping The Self-Perception And Professional Identity Of Female Sports Journalists, Hanna M. Cooper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research explored the types of criticisms female sports journalists receive on social media and the impacts these criticisms have on self-perception and professional identity through an emergent, qualitative research design. This research used the communication theory of identity as the theoretical framework. This dissertation aimed to explore the lived experiences of female sports journalists. The study included 23 semi-structured interviews with female sports journalists who covered football, baseball, or basketball and had an active X account. The experiences of the women were used to conduct a thematic analysis that discovered primary themes related to types of criticisms (gender, appearance, …


Post-Pandemic Social Distance: A Qualitative Study Of Communication Barriers In Post-Pandemic Education, Stephen Everett Ford Feb 2026

Post-Pandemic Social Distance: A Qualitative Study Of Communication Barriers In Post-Pandemic Education, Stephen Everett Ford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative study investigates communication barriers in post-pandemic rural K-12 education, emphasizing how the shift from traditional classrooms to COVID-19 virtual environments altered interactions among teachers, students, parents, and administrators. The literature review draws on transactional distance theory and computer-mediated communication, supported by related theories addressing digital inequality, communicative noise, and classroom norm breakdowns. Research questions focus on (1) differences between pre- and post-pandemic education, (2) comparative quality of virtual versus face-to-face learning, and (3) whether teachers feel supported by administration and the board of education. Methods include a qualitative case study of five rural Oklahoma districts (C, 2A, 3A, …


Coordinated Management Of Meaning In U.S.-Russia Relations: How Meanings Shaped Communication Surrounding The Potential Invasion Of Ukraine, Russell James Hampsey Feb 2026

Coordinated Management Of Meaning In U.S.-Russia Relations: How Meanings Shaped Communication Surrounding The Potential Invasion Of Ukraine, Russell James Hampsey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative discourse analysis applies the coordinated management of meaning theory to examine the diplomatic interactions between the United States and Russia from November 2021 to February 2022, the critical negotiation period preceding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Systematically applying the theory’s hierarchy of meanings model to the official discourse resulted in the segmentation of 1,428 official texts for analysis. Comparative coding of the data exposes how worldviews and recursive feedback patterns shape adversarial postures, perpetuate negotiation impasses, and prevent the emergence of co-constructed meaning. This research illuminates how national meanings are actively constructed and maintained through discursive interaction, reinforcing …


Analyzing The Effects Of Supervisors’ Conduct On The Persistent Stress Experienced By Nevada Law Enforcement Officers, Kendra D. Still Feb 2026

Analyzing The Effects Of Supervisors’ Conduct On The Persistent Stress Experienced By Nevada Law Enforcement Officers, Kendra D. Still

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative study aimed to identify the specific actions of supervisors that contribute to chronic stress among law enforcement officers in Nevada. Chronic stress is a common issue in law enforcement and can have detrimental effects on officers’ mental and physical well-being. Despite the acknowledgement of supervisors' actions as a significant stressor for officers, there is a lack of research specifically addressing the actions that officers perceive as most stress-inducing, particularly in Nevada. This research gap hinders efforts to address and alleviate these stressors, allowing them to persist and impact officers' well-being. To address this gap, a Likert-scale survey was …


Music Ministry Of Children And Youth: A Study And Defense For Incorporating Children And Youth Choirs In The Modern Worship Service, Veronica Leigh Haber Allison Feb 2026

Music Ministry Of Children And Youth: A Study And Defense For Incorporating Children And Youth Choirs In The Modern Worship Service, Veronica Leigh Haber Allison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Graded children’s choir ministries have been a part of churches for the last century. In recent years, there has been a growing trend away from offering music ministry opportunities to children and youth in contemporary churches. There are several reasons for this decline; the major reason is that many churches have moved away from traditional music offerings to a praise band format. It has rendered the musical training of children in church unnecessary. The limited quantity of recent scholarly literature, the decline in commercially produced music, and the discontinuation of teaching materials for children’s choir ministries also attest to this …


Teaching Multiculturalism With A Christian Worldview To Influence Perspectives: Combating Emotions And Challenging Presuppositions Of Counselors, Steven Brooks Feb 2026

Teaching Multiculturalism With A Christian Worldview To Influence Perspectives: Combating Emotions And Challenging Presuppositions Of Counselors, Steven Brooks

Faculty Publications and Presentations

In counseling education, teaching multiculturalism is a critical curricular component. Today, counselors (more widely defined as various caregivers) are more likely to encounter people whose race or culture differs from their own. Therefore, to be the most effective counselor, a solid and unapologetic curriculum in multiculturalism should be required. Because the education component of multiculturalism is often subordinate to a trainee’s reluctance—or even inability—to confront the difficult concepts, it is necessary first to address the reluctance; hence, my thesis. Multiculturalism presented and discussed on an academic plane is more likely to assuage trainees’ fears and spur them to cultural competence. …


A Crown In Death: An (Expanded) Dramaturgical Approach To The Trojan Women Of Euripides, Stephanie Lester Feb 2026

A Crown In Death: An (Expanded) Dramaturgical Approach To The Trojan Women Of Euripides, Stephanie Lester

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

In the action-packed, visually-oriented market for modern media, some may assume a 2,400-year-old Greek tragedy to be slightly past its expiration date, especially if it features little to no action onstage like in Euripides’ The Trojan Women. However, it is important to remember that literature is lost when the world fails to cherish it, so if a text survives that long, it may be worth another cursory glance. In this case, that glance involved a full dramaturgical study featuring qualitative script analysis of multiple translations of The Trojan Women with related texts to explore context, themes, common literary devices, and …


Africa's Global Influence, Faez Al-Haq - Abidemi Salami Jan 2026

Africa's Global Influence, Faez Al-Haq - Abidemi Salami

Masters Theses

This thesis believes in the design and production of an interactive kids' coloring book on Africa's extensive influence on world cultures, history, economies, and artistic heritage. In a bid to reverse centuries of misrepresentation and large-scale miseducation regarding Africa within early childhood textbooks, this work aims to design an interactive, kid-friendly guide that informs young readers about the central role Africa plays in today's world. Informed by thorough literature review and referencing case studies of successful education and culture intervention, the proposal positions Africa's global reach, spanning from its precolonial trading networks, philosophic structures, diaspora contributions, art heritage, and cultural …


Black Girl Magic Is Real, Bethany M. Duff Jan 2026

Black Girl Magic Is Real, Bethany M. Duff

Masters Theses

This thesis began with an inquiry into the state of representation of Black women authors within the fantasy fiction genre. The artist statement delves into the development of a fantasy story with a Black young woman protagonist written by a Black woman. The story serves as a vehicle for the author to continue the authorial legacy begun by Black women authors decades before. The critical research paper operates as a literature review of five books within the fantasy fiction genre, written by Black women. It discusses the themes of: the connection between race and the narrative, race and the magic …


The Christmas Sisters, A Screenplay, Marybeth Lee Berry Jan 2026

The Christmas Sisters, A Screenplay, Marybeth Lee Berry

Masters Theses

The Christmas Sisters is a screenplay about the Snow sisters and their father and how love, faith, and family can accomplish to save a beloved tree farm. A Hallmark staple, The Christmas Sisters offers all the comforts of a good Christmas movie but through the lens of a family and sisterly dynamic. By getting to know Holly, Eve, Joy, and Noelle, the true spirit of Christmas shines through, showing the audience that the miracle of the holiday season is found in each other.