Digital Commons Network^™

Then And Now : Alumnus Richard Shelton, Liberty University

April/May 2009

No abstract provided.

Bewilderment And Illumination: Catch-22 And The Dark Humor Of The 1960s, Kirsten Staaby

Masters Theses

It is often hard to deal with certain subjects in a way that would not be offensive or painful. Dark humor is a popular and powerful way to deal with serious issues in a manner that is both edifying and enjoyable. In his novel Catch-22, Joseph Heller deals with the atrocities of war, and the subsequent effects it has on people and society as a whole. Heller's novel incorporates the dark humor that became popular in the 1960s, and that was used by this generation to deal with the tensions they faced in the political and cultural realms. There is …

The Legacy Of A Failing Father: Dysfunctional Father Figures In William Faulkner's Fiction, Travis V. Holt

Masters Theses

The appearance of dysfunctional father figures in numerous works of William Faulkner makes his struggle to relinquish his animosity for his father, Murry Falkner, a significant theme in his fiction. The dysfunctional father figures play the pivotal role in the social, financial, and psychological decline of their families as the children struggle to escape their father's influence and their dismal fate. The real-life events and situations of Faulkner and his family members serve as a source for Faulkner's fiction, and the constant disgust several of his characters have for their father figures resembles Faulkner's own feelings towards his father. By …

Poe's Poisoned Pen: A Study In Fiction As Vendetta, Charity Lea Givens

Masters Theses

Edgar Allan Poe, widely regarded as an extremely influential American writer and prolific literary critic, exacted high standards in both his writing and in the writing of those he reviewed. Though his criticism was harsh, it was a necessary part of the growing process for American literature to become a separate and distinct body of literature. However, Poe's literary criticism is not his only work that bore the stinging marks of his pen; his fiction was also a venue for Poe to express his dissatisfaction with the literary field in America. Using a combination of close reading for textual analysis …

Towards Understanding: The Study Of Hughes' Poetry As The Epitome Of The Expressive, Cultural, And Political Elements Of African American Literature, Brianne Nicole Trudeau

Masters Theses

Unfortunately, a disconnection currently exists between the academic world and the sweet, soulful study of African American literature (AA literature). Because there is limited exposure to AA literature in academics, except for specialized courses in which it serves as the intended focus, most people do not know how to approach it as serious academic study because of its stark differences from Western literature. In sum: African American writers often do not utilize Standard English (SE), so their work is misinterpreted as non-academic in comparison to other Western works of prominence; AA literature tells a different cultural story that most of …

An Educational Methodology And Program For The Mitigation Of Compassion Fatigue For Combat Deploying Chaplains, Paul Brian Greer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Combat deployment presents unique challenges to military chaplains. One such challenge relates to the Vicarious Traumatization, often called "Compassion Fatigue," faced by chaplains who minister to service members experiencing combat-related trauma. There is minimal literature addressing compassion-related stress for clergy, especially those working with combat trauma survivors. Much of the research and literature available has been limited to those in emergency services, medical and mental health professions. This groundbreaking project will draw upon the latest literature, research and empirical data, culminating in an educational methodology and program for compassion stress management for military chaplain combat deployment rotation care.

Health Educator Job Analysis Project: Timeline Report, Eva Doyle, Beverly S. Mahoney

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Bullying Prevention Program: Possible Impact On Academic Performance, William Daryl Stone

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The research conducted sought to find the effect of the implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program on the academic performance of students in the third through eighth grade. The study examined the relationship between the implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and the change in academic performance, as measured by the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. The post-test scores of third through fifth grade students from one elementary school which had implemented the prevention program were compared with the post-test scores for the same grade levels at an elementary school that had not implemented a bullying prevention …

Anger, Empathy, And Romantic Styles Of Attachment In Court Ordered Domestic Violence Offenders, Luanne Faye Bender Long

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study utilized a prospective design to examine the impact of empathy and attachment beliefs on various dimensions of anger. More specifically, the study explored whether pre-treatment empathy scores in domestic violence offenders were the best predictor of post-treatment anger. The subjects (n=24) were male (14) and female (10) court referred domestic violence offenders. Correlation coefficients were calculated for attachment styles from pretreatment to post treatment to determine if the treatment response scores in anxiety were negatively correlated with anger turned inward. A series of hierarchical multiple regressions were used to examine whether pretreatment empathy accounted for any significant unique …

The Effect Of The Use Of Christian-Published Science Textbooks On The Act Science Reasoning Subtest Scores Of Midwest Christian High Schools, Janice Marie Guthrie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Statistics indicate that students in conservative Christian schools earn higher standardized test scores in mathematics, reading, science, and writing compared to their public school counterparts, while many are criticized for using curricular materials deemed inferior in quality and for employing uncertified and ill-trained teachers. This study investigates the effectiveness of Christian-published science textbooks in preparing students for college-level science courses as measured by the Science Reasoning subtest of the ACT college entrance examination. A questionnaire was sent to conservative Christian high schools in five Midwest states which are affiliated with the American Association of Christian Schools, Association of Christian Schools …

Scripture As A Source Of Hopefulness For Adult Christian Men And Women, Max Grayson Mills

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The primary focus of this study was to evaluate the effect of a Bible study intervention on increasing the levels of hopefulness in a non-clinical population of adult Christian men and women. Using a randomly assigned pretest-posttest eight-week control group design, data was obtained from a sample of 60 adult Christian men (N=25) and women (N=35). Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that the bibliotherapeutic intervention was effective at (p. < .01). The study also revealed a positive correlation between hopefulness and spiritual maturity at (p. < 01). Of the 31 participants in the treatment group, 20 individuals (64.5%) made a meaningful change in their levels of hopefulness at post treatment.

03-24-09 (The Liberty Champion, Volume 26, Issue 18)

2008 -- 2009

No abstract provided.

03-03-09 (The Liberty Champion, Volume 26, Issue 17)

2008 -- 2009

No abstract provided.

Reports Relating To The Sixtieth Annual Meeting Of The Society, James A. Borland

SOR Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Problem-Based Learning In Police Academies: Adult Learning Principles Utilized By Police Trainers, Eric Paul Werth

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored the use of adult learning principles by instructors at two state-run multi-jurisdictional police training academies using Problem-Based Learning (PBL). Instructor use of adult learning principles was assessed using an electronic version of the Principles of Adult Learning Scale (PALS). PALS scores indicate that instructors at both institutions favor an instructor-centered as opposed to student-centered teaching style, that time since PBL implementation did not lead to a greater use of adult learning principles by instructors at the academy utilizing PBL for a greater length of time, and that there is little significant difference in the use of adult …

A Strategy For The Balanced Discipleship That Integrates Emotional Health And Spiritual Maturity Within The Korean Presbyterian Church, Kwang Shik Seo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to understand the biblical basis for a balanced discipleship that integrates emotional health and spiritual maturity within the Korean Presbyterian Church. This project reviews historical research and provides an analysis of the emotional issues in the Korean Presbyterian Church. Based on the survey, this project defines current reality and offers a vision for the Korean Presbyterian Church. Through the evaluation of biblical models and churches, this project suggests effective principles for developing a balanced discipleship that incorporates both emotional health and spiritual maturity.

Examining The Relationship Between Religious Coping Strategies, Attachment Beliefs And Emotion Regulation In A Mixed Sample Of College Students Attending An Evangelical University In Central Virginia, Kevin C. Corsini

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Emotion regulation is an essential component of individual development, enabling a person to experience, recognize, express and modulate his emotions. There are a number of factors which influence the development of emotion regulation, including family context, biology, and primary caregiver interaction. Attachment theory provides a theoretical framework for describing these developmental influences and the resulting emotion regulation strategies an individual employs. Primary emotion regulation strategies are developed and utilized when an individual has established a secure attachment with his primary caregiver. When these secure attachments do not develop in the primary caregiver relationship, the resulting insecure attachment relationship leads the …

Comparison Of Fifth-Grade Students’ Mathematics Achievement As Evidenced By Georgia’S Criterion-Referenced Competency Test: Traditional And Departmentalized Settings, Marcia Wright Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the effect of traditional (self-contained, one teacher for all academic subjects) and departmentalized (math taught by a different teacher) instruction upon the mathematics CRCT achievement of fifth-grade general education students. A secondary purpose addressed teachers' experiences, perceptions, and opinions concerning the classroom structure at this level. The 2007 and 2008 CRCT math data was used with a total of 9,386 students. The researcher's Data Collection and Opinions (DCO) for Teachers surveyed 180 fifth-grade teachers. A z score population proportion and a two-sample t test determined significant differences between the two structures. Results of the passing percentages showed …

An Analysis Of Factors That Influence Success In A Low Socioeconomic Georgia Middle School, Faith Mims Simpson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to analyze teacher perceptions as they relate to practices considered critical to success within low socioeconomic middle schools. Teacher perceptions from four schools with similar demographics were included, and survey research was utilized in this quantitative study. The general question addressed in this study was: To what extent is there a difference when comparing teacher perceptions in a school that has been identified as a "needs improvement" school to the teacher perceptions in a school that has been identified as a "successful" school? Analyses showed a significant statistical difference in five of the seven …

The Value Of The Navy Chaplain In The Fleet Marine Force Environment, Bruce Crouterfield

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As a result of interviews, it was found that many Naval Chaplains serving in the Fleet Marine Force fail to have an accurate sense of worth as they serve the people God has called them to serve. Because Marines and Sailors don’t share with their chaplains how they really think of the chaplain, the chaplain is left wondering about his significance. Through interviews and questionnaires, Marines and Sailors serving in the Fleet Marine Force were queried regarding their concept of the value of the Naval Chaplain serving in the Fleet Marine Force. In short, it was found that for the …

02-10-09 (The Liberty Champion, Volume 26, Issue 15)

2008 -- 2009

No abstract provided.

Differentiated Instruction, Beth E. Ackerman

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Multiethnic Worship Representative Of Heaven: A Mixed Methods Study, Sherree Vernet Lane

Masters Theses

This mixed-methods research studies inclusive worship of multiethnic Protestant congregations across Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. I used a model of worship based upon Liesch‘s characteristics of heavenly worship, examining how it applies to the multiethnic church. I observed worship services and rehearsals at Minneapolis Multicultural Church to determine how worship is constructed at this multiethnic church that became multiethnic due to changing neighborhood demographics.

In the second phase of research I surveyed multiethnic church pastors and worship leaders to determine attitudes and practices towards inclusive worship. I found a possible connection between multiethnic churches that start through inward and outward motivations …

Finding Love At Liberty, Liberty University

February/March 2009

No abstract provided.

Student Talks About Serving In Iraq At Ptsd Awareness Event, Liberty University

February/March 2009

No abstract provided.

Inclusive Learning Environments: An Analysis Of Early Intervention Service Options For Preschoolers With Special Needs, Mimi L. Heath

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the quest to restructure educational programming toward higher student outcomes for preschoolers with special needs, professional educators are continuously challenged to provide with integrity a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restricted environment (LRE) as mandated by law. This study analyzed the effectiveness of an inclusive programming model for preschoolers with special needs by examining achievement gains in the developmental domains of adaptive, motor, and cognitive skills as assessed by the Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition. Analysis of an inclusive learning environment for six preschoolers with special needs as guided by IEP committee recommendations occurred. In order …

Development And Analysis Of A Survey Assessing Eleventh Grade High School Students' Preferences For Specific Types Of Online Course Structures, Jonathan Burton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation describes an exploratory study to develop a survey that assesses high school students' attitudes towards various modes of online course delivery. The primary focus of the study was the development of a survey that could be used to determine these preferences with a target population of high school juniors. A panel of experts in the fields of online education and adolescent psychology examined the survey and provided feedback during its development. Reliability was established with a Cronbach's alpha. Validity was assessed through an exploratory factor analysis. Two factors emerged, focusing on interaction and student learning. The predicted online …

Guest Editor Page: Teaching Integration, Fernando L. Garzon

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Pilgrims’ Progress: Faculty And University Factors In Graduate Student Integration Of Faith And Learning, Jennifer S. Ripley, Fernando L. Garzon, Elizabeth Lewis Hall, Michael W. Mangi

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Graduate students' perspectives on integration of faith and profession were investigated using item response to identify underlying constructs. Students (N = 595) from various professions and four universities were sampled. Three factors were supported as separate and important constructs for students. The first two factors were drawn from Sorenson's research on attachment theory, faculty as bulwark of the faith versus fellow sojourner and faculty as emotionally transparent versus emotionally distant. A new domain of integration, environmental factors such as class Scripture reading, was supported as a unique factor. An examination of diversity variables gave preliminary evidence that females and students …

A Phenomenology Of The Integration Of Faith And Learning, Elizabeth C. Sites, Fernando L. Garzon, Frederick Milacci, Barbara Boothe

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This phenomenological investigation examined how eight student-nominated faculty who teach at an evangelical Christian liberal arts university describe their understanding and practice of the Integration of Faith and Learning (IFL). Collected data via informal, conversational, taped interviews led to the emergence of two primary themes: the Inseparability of Faith from Practice and the Outworking of Faith in Practice. The findings of the study highlight the need to create a more conducive context in which students can learn IFL and call for a re-examination of the already murky discourse surrounding definitional aspects of IFL. The study proposes to move the discourse …