Digital Commons Network^™

China’S Infiltration Of The U.S. Higher Education System, Joshua Harden

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

The People’s Republic of China has established numerous methodologies for power projection. A portion of this process is its assertion and coercion of higher education to spread communist ideology and Sino-centric narratives to either directly or indirectly press the goals of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). China’s assertion of soft power in higher education highlights an acute risk to the stability of a democratic government as its principles are slowly eroded. The CCP utilizes the internationalism of higher education, foreign exchange students, and the development of higher education institutions abroad to facilitate the ideological change of a nation’s image. The …

Eastern Strategic Thought And Its Connection To Confucianism, Taoism And Chinese Buddhism Compared To Christianity In Western Strategic Thought, Joshua Harden

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

Belief, whether religious in origin or the culmination of experiences and wisdom is part of the foundation for strategic intent. Personal decisions, situational leadership, and character are derived from the foundational worldview of the individual and this individual is characterized by a multitude of principles that make up their worldview. This can be extrapolated to explore the philosophical underpinnings of eastern strategic thought in comparison to that of western strategic thought. Eastern strategic thought is heavily influenced by Taoism, Confucianism and Chinese Buddhism but to what degree and to what end have these mechanisms influenced eastern strategic thought. On the …

A More Perfect Disunion: Warning Signs Of Revolution And Regime Collapse, Elena Mccloy

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

In the 14^th Century, the late European Latin lexicon had a new word to describe the cyclical nature in which regimes found themselves moving from periods of prosperity to periods of discontent, with each revolution fueled by the belief that radical change was necessary for survival. History rewards us with the opportunity to examine each cycle of revolution for distinct patterns of recurrence, so that we may be better prepared for the next stages of change. This paper outlines the most common trends indicating political upheaval, studying current and historical examples from The United States, the Middle East, and …

Nuclear Weaponry & The International System, Shannon Morlock

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

The invention of nuclear weapons has majorly impacted the international system, altering the dynamics of warfare, diplomacy, and national security. Tensions within the international system only grow as more and more countries develop their own nuclear weaponry. With this, nation leaders have had to become more rational in order to prevent mutually assured destruction, a political phenomenon that has fostered global stability. Historical events such as World War II, the Cold War, and in recent events, the Russia-Ukraine War showcase the nuanced role nuclear arsenals has taken in military strategies and diplomatic negotiations. With these rising tensions, international actors have …

U. S. Military Interventions For Democracy: A Covered Imperialism Or A New Manifest Destiny?, Virgile Samba-Moussinga

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

Between 1776 and 2019, the United States undertook over 400 military interventions. The shift from an isolationist to an interventionist U.S. foreign policy choice has captured scholars’ interest in investigating the rationales and impact of these military interventions on democratic consolidation worldwide. The central research question is: How have the U.S. military interventions enabled democratic consolidation? This research paper identifies two schools of thought. On the one hand, researchers argue that the U.S. military interventions only support the liberal principles of the founding era, drawing on the assumptions that the Founding Fathers believed that American moral and political values were …

Novus Ordo Seclorum: Making The Case For Natural Law Originalism, Ryan Fuhrman

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

The judicial branch of the American government is tasked with interpreting and applying the law, including determining whether laws and executive actions are constitutional. This is the essence of judicial review.

Throughout our nation’s history, various judicial philosophies have shaped how judges have interpreted the Constitution. However, recent criticisms of the judiciary have become increasingly aggressive, with calls for court packing, and even the abolishment of judicial review. These solutions miss the mark. The answer lies in returning to our founding principles. This paper advocates for a judicial philosophy that synthesizes the best elements of various approaches to jurisprudence.

This …

Chinese Strategic Cognitive Warfare Use Of Tiktok And Social Media, Johnny B. Davis

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

The 21st century is the era of cognitive warfare and messaging, reshaping warfare, diplomacy, and economics. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) holds that the pillars of cognitive warfare are public opinion, psychological operations, and legal influence. Further, Cognitive Warfare is actions and operations “to affect attitudes and behaviors, by influencing, protecting, or disrupting individual, group, or population level cognition, to gain an advantage over an adversary.” Cognitive warfare operations seek “to modify perceptions of reality, whole-of-society manipulation has become a new norm, with human cognition shaping to be a critical realm of warfare.” The People's Republic of China (PRC) …

How Jesus Christ Saves The Addict: A Phenomenological Study On The Perceptions Of A Christ-Centered Approach To Addiction Recovery, Olivia M. Matthews

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Reaching epidemic proportions, drug and alcohol addiction is a prevalent problem within the United States that demands urgent attention. With numbers exceeding 20 million Americans struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD) and over 111,000 individuals falling victim to illicit drug overdose fatalities in 2022, the question of effectiveness in rehabilitation outlets for this subgroup is of critical concern (Lashley, 2018; CDC, 2024). The purpose of this study is to analyze the perceptions of Christ-centered initiatives in securing sobriety among addicted individuals and/or substance use offenders. This study utilized qualitative methods with a phenomenological and narrative design to explore Christ-centered …

A Phenomenological Study Of Syrian Refugees’ Experiences Seeking Mental Health Care In Lebanon, Mark Christopher Todd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the lived experience of Syrian refugees living in Tyre, Lebanon as it related to seeking mental health care. The theory guiding this study is the phenomenological approach of Moustakas (1994) as informed by the transcendental phenomenology of Husserl (Moustakas, 1994) in that it seeks to describe the essence of the phenomenon by putting aside all preconceptions and looking anew at the phenomenon through the lens of human experience. This study was also strongly influenced by transformative frameworks (Creswell & Poth, 2019) and decolonization theory (Smith, 2021) as it looked for answers …

Park Field: The Impact Of The Army Signal Corps Aviation School In The Greater Memphis Area, Ben Smitherman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research aims to place Park Field near Millington, TN in its greater historical context for West Tennessee. Mining the existing records archived after the closure of Park Field, Tennessee Council of Defense President Rutledge Smith’s papers, and numerous contemporary West Tennessee newspapers helped create this narrative of transition. On a macro level, World War I and the US Army shaped the region. Job creation and population shifts redefined Memphis, as it did many other southern cities in the era. On a micro level, individual stories bring this narrative into stark relief. Soldiers and civilians worked side by side during …

Arctic Militarization: How The United States Developed The Arctic At The Cold War’S Beginning, 1945-1965, Daniel J. Morris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

At the Cold War’s start, the United States conducted a robust Arctic militarization policy for North American defense against the Soviet Union. U.S. officials feared an Arctic invasion or an over-the-North-Pole attack. The Arctic policies created Alaskan statehood, the distant early warning (DEW) line radar stations, Greenland military installations, failed Arctic diplomacy, the International Geophysical Year of 1957-1958 (IGY), and Arctic military activities. In 1945, the United States started its Arctic militarization programs as its international relationship with the Soviet Union deteriorated. First, Alaska transitioned from a U.S. territory to a state, which federal money entered Alaska for national defense. …

A Qualitative Study On University-Model® Schools And Their Impact On Students' Spiritual Formation, Michael Robert Wills

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The University-Model® School (UMS) system is an education model that allows students to attend a combination of in-classroom learning with a supported home learning environment (Turner, 2017). The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of parents to understand their spiritual formation techniques for the development of students and the perceived impacts at University-Model® Schools. At this stage in the research, spiritual formation is defined as the process of conforming to Jesus's image in his service (Pettit, 2008). Howard's (2018) theology of spiritual formation is the theory guiding this study. The study examined the fostering of …

Child Sexual Abuse And Mental Health: The Role Of Intrusive Thoughts And Spiritual Warfare, Sheriese S. Sanchez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A number of psychological issues are experienced by individuals who have experienced CSA, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, as well as intrusive thoughts contribute to the perpetuation of the mental health problem. Studies have shown that spiritual practices, such as prayer, meditation, reading the Bible, and reciting scripture affirmations, can improve mental health, improving one’s psychological well-being. Further, intrusive thoughts may be initiated by dark spiritual influences. Despite ongoing research, there is a lack of integration between disciplines of science and biblical truth concerning the impact of immaterial spiritual dimensions on psychological states. To understand intrusive thoughts, one must …

Sinking Ships And International Relations: The Washington Conference And America's Relations With Britain And Japan, Tucker T. Peterson

Masters Theses

Following World War I, the diplomatic relationships between the United States, Great Britain, and Japan were being strained to a breaking point and the risk of armed conflict was increasing. To stave off a naval arms race and war in the Pacific, U.S. President Warren G. Harding called for a conference to discuss disarmament and questions regarding the “Far East.” The Washington Conference was held from November 12, 1921, to February 6, 1922, and delegates from nine different nations attended. Through the lenses of naval and diplomatic history, this study explores the ascendancy of the U.S. Navy, the Washington Conference, …

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 …

Timeless: A Sanctuary In Libraries, Taylor D. Vaughan

Masters Theses

This Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing thesis focuses on the literary element: character development. It includes a vision and background for the thesis project as a whole. An analysis of characters involved in wartime conflict will focus on William Shakespeare’s tragedies Macbeth and Hamlet and various characters in C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. The creative manuscript that concludes the thesis incorporates fantasy and war genres and character development research. The manuscript aims to shed light on traumatic events in our modern world rather than use escapism in fantasy to ignore them.

How Military And Civilian Leaders At Forscom Develop Transformational And Sensegiving Skills To Motivate Brigade Combat Teams To Support The Army's Training Objectives, Lonnie Earnest Humphrey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to determine whether military and civilian leaders at the United States Army Force Command (FORSCOM) have transformational and sensegiving skills to influence Brigade Combat Teams to support the Army's Mission Essential Training Task (MET-T) and Warfighting Function (WFF) training objectives. The theory that guided this study is Maslow hierarchy of needs. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is widely used in public organizations as a framework to assess employees’ needs. Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory suggested that subordinates are only motivated to support an organization's strategic goals once their psychological and physical needs are satisfied. …

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 …

Care Providers Caring For Military Members Struggling With Grief, Clara Altagracia García

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research aims to address the lack of grief support services for service members (SMs) and veterans, which affects them and the wider community. The mission is to uncover the needs of SMs and veterans and devise effective strategies to support them. The literature review will provide the foundation for the need for research and create a reasonable solution for a healthier grieving process for SMs. This research aims to determine how complicated grief goes undetected and how counseling can help SMs and veterans. The thesis project will impact the grief counseling process of others in this field and bring …

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 …

Occupational Hazard Of Policing: A Phenomenological Study Of Moral Injury Among Law Enforcement Officers, Harley J. Lenart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The concept of moral injury is relatively new, and most of the attention has been aimed at military veterans. Moral injury is perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing witness to, or learning about acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations. While awareness has increased in recent years, research on moral injury among law enforcement officers is limited. On average, during a 20-year career, police officers are exposed to 700 critical incidents, while average citizens may witness two. Law enforcement officers struggle with job burnout, depression, and suicide. Most law enforcement mental health studies focus on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), …

Rethinking Total Body Wellness: Physical, Financial, Spiritual, Mental, Social, And Nutritional Health In Adults For Graceful Aging, Pierre Devoseur Elzie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aims to describe the lived experiences of participants’ graceful aging journey in West Tennessee, USA. This study is grounded in wellness theories such as Wellness and Lifespan Development, drawing on insights from theorists like Halbert Dunn, Bill Hettler, Alfred Adler, and Erik Erickson (globalwellnessinstitute.org, 2022; Kornadt et al., 2020; Meyers & Sweeney, 2007). Notably, their work is instrumental in understanding how health encompasses more than nutrition and exercise alone and involves a connection within the community (Clark, 2015; Meyers & Sweeney, 2007). The data for this research will be gathered from fifteen questions during the semi-structured interviews …

The Other War: The Evolution Of United States Psychological Warfare In The Vietnam War From 14 May 1965 To 11 September 1966, Brandon J. Libro

Masters Theses

The creation of the Joint United States Public Affairs Office (JUSPAO) on 14 May 1965 revitalized the psychological warfare (PSYWAR) campaign in Vietnam after decades of post-World War II drawdown and initiated a more targeted and efficient employment of psychological operations (PSYOP) throughout the American war effort. To understand the evolution of Vietnam-era PSYOP, it is imperative to explore the United States military’s implementation of PSYWAR and analyze how it changed throughout the conflict. The challenges the United States faced conducting the “other war” in Vietnam were evident from the start of its involvement in Vietnam, and the PSYWAR effort, …

Son Of A Preacher Man: There Is Something Beautiful Waiting To Be Born Within You, Georgia Peddie

Masters Theses

In moments where we feel that there is nowhere to go, to turn…in the aftermath of a personal storm, there is One who is always there. Open your heart to discover, dare to surrender…

Are second chances meant for everyone?

A woman who has lost her only son, lost her marriage…

A man who lost a best friend and then his father…

A God of second chances introduces the two

A story of grief and love…

A story of letting God in to move forward…

Son of a Preacher Man is a love story exploring loss, love, and surrender.

Set …

The Coalition Development Of Allied Close Air Support Doctrine During World War Ii, David S. Stieghan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research aims to discover how the American and British air forces worked collaboratively to provide ground support to their armies in Europe during World War II. While the official histories and scholars of the two countries concentrate on their unique national efforts, they analyze little of their cooperative efforts. By examining primary and secondary research sources to discover the experiments, doctrine development, and combat experience of both air forces, an understanding emerges that both nations combined their efforts in World War II in separate directions until beginning to work together on planning for the D-Day invasion.

By discovering the …

The Power And Purpose Of Intercessory Prayer: Equipping And Educating The Leaders Of Divine Providence Ministries Through An Intercessory Prayer Course, Tammanica S. Muse

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Intercessory prayer is a selfless act where believers pray to God on behalf of others, asking for His intervention. This type of prayer is a vital part of Christian life rooted in the example of Jesus, who intercedes between God and humanity. Jesus models the role of intercessor, reconciling mankind to God through His sacrifice. Believers are called to follow this example and pray for others regularly. This DMin research project examines the issue of leaders lacking a comprehensive understanding of prayer's purpose, power, and connection to intimacy with God. It also investigates why some leaders abandon prayer when faced …

A Study Of Thomas Oord’S Open Theism And Theodicy, Olaoluwa Apata

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Open theism’s opposition to the traditional Christian view and its rejection of the classical definitions of God’s attributes, character, and divine impassibility continually creates a point of contention between the two worldviews. As one of the leading voices in this movement, Thomas Oord offers what can be described as a refined argument in support of Open theism in contemporary theological and philosophical studies. His open theism holds that due to God’s kenotic act and uncontrolling love, his ability to know the future is limited and he cannot prevent evil. Oord introduces his version of open theism with the goal of …

"In But Not Of": John's Theology Of Separation From The World, David E. Forbes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

John’s theology of separation from the world is an underdeveloped aspect of the perennial question of the believer’s relationship to the world. John’s view of separation leads believers to prioritize living a holy life that is influenced by an inherent distrust in the world. This perspective argues against a common assumed neutrality of the culture of the world. While the root idea of the κόσμος is “order,” John expresses that idea of order by describing the world as the kingdom of Satan. This kingdom is composed of people and their values as a unified entity that is in opposition to …

Integrating Criminological Theories In Cybersecurity Risk Assessment: A Study Of The Traci Framework's Application To Critical Infrastructure, Connor S. Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores the application of the Taxonomy for Risk Assessment of Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure (TRACI) framework, a tool designed to systematically evaluate cybersecurity threats against critical infrastructure. TRACI integrates principles from Routine Activity and Rational Choice Theories to provide a detailed and comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity risks. This integration facilitates an in-depth analysis not only of how cyberattacks occur but also of the underlying reasons they are initiated, by categorizing and assessing risks based on factors such as attacker motivations and systemic vulnerabilities. By employing ANOVA to assess variations in risk assessment scores across TRACI's designated categories—Assets, Risk …

God The Protector: An Exposition Of Psalm 68’S Thematic Coherence On The Warrior God’S Care For The Oppressed, Michal Lynn Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

From the beginning of the Creation saga, the Warrior God can be visualized taming the chaotic waters of the deep with the authoritative command of “Let there be light.” This theme catapults through the pages of Scripture and climaxes in the iconic scene of the end of the age as described in the book of Revelation where God as a warrior is meting out judgment against those whose faces have turned against him. Inherent in warrior character are aspects of strength, courage, righteousness, and sometimes even divine brutality. Within these warrior-istic characteristics of God is the trait of protector or …