Digital Commons Network^™

Familiar Ecology: The Demonization Of Spirit Knowledge In Early Modern England And Its Ecological Ramifications, Ryan P. Mealiffe

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: During the English witch trials of the mid-sixteenth century to 1735, more was on trial than just the accused humans before the bar. Witch trials also threatened an entire mental landscape, the beings that inhabited it, and their relationships with both the accused and the general populace. This ecological ontology coalesced in the other party on trial: the intersectional helpers known as familiar spirits. Spirits animated the natural world, intermingled with flora and fauna, and impacted many aspects of everyday life, representing a keystone species in popular conceptions of nature in early modern England. The assumption of malevolence present …

Plague And Progress: An Analysis Of Giovanni Boccaccio’S Decameron And Reform During The Initial Outbreak Of The Black Death, Ben Hecko

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron is a collection of one hundred stories told by a group of people during the initial outbreak of the Black Death in Italy in 1348. Though the work has been interpreted as an escapist piece, this limits its overall value. Through the inclusion of the frame that surrounds the fictional tales, Boccaccio establishes the importance of the plague to the meaning of the work as a whole. Many of the stories that Boccaccio tells attack the immorality of those in positions of authority. These critiques provide a social commentary that addresses the failures of his society and …

Religious Language And The American Presidency, Shinjin Lee

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: The United States is not a theocratic county, yet the importance of, and the emphasis on, religion are a quintessential part of understanding American politics and society. This paper explores the way former presidents of the United States treated and spoke of religion(s) has changed during the history of the nation. In order to discover the role and impact of religion in American history I will analyze a selection of various types of writings of the presidents such as formal letters to Congress or the American people, inauguration remarks, official statements, and other speeches from as early as George …

The Significance Of Oomoto: Why Imperialization Of Japan Led To An Alternative Religion, Chancellor T. Jenniges

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: In 1852 Admiral Matthew Perry led an American fleet to Japan and persuaded the Japanese to modernize. Fearful of being colonized by the West, like the Chinese, the Japanese moved to westernize their own economy and society. As a result, they outlawed many historic customs. Japan began to westernize their customs and define religion. Three categories were established, religion, non-religion, and superstition. Any ideology or practice that no longer benefited their goals of westernization was deemed superstitious and removed from the narrative. However, these developments met opposition. One such opponent, Ueda Kisaburō, created an alternative religion called Oomoto in …

Cursing In Medieval England: ‘By God’S Bones’ And Other Obscenities And Expletives, Mary Sweeney

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: Many scholars who study letters, drama, and literature from late medieval and early modern England focus on political and social content, but recently linguists study this material using linguistics. For example, Melissa Mohr’s work on cursing has opened up new avenues of study. As useful as this is, it only takes up a small slice of English life and the usage of swear words. My research into the letters of elite and gentry men and women such as the Cely and Paston families, reveals how language both establishes social solidarity and disrupts it. I ask why these words were …

After Aidan: Irish Peregrini And English Ethnogenesis From Aldhelm To Boniface, Jonathan R. Hayes

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

The last several decades have seen tremendous interest among Anglo-Saxonists in the points of contact and influence between Irish and Anglo-Saxon clergymen in the seventh and eighth centuries. Yet there has not been a comprehensive synthesis to capture this phenomenon. The present study seeks to consolidate and extend knowledge of Irish-English interactions from Aldhelm to the time of Boniface. Particular attention is given to the Irish practice of peregrinatio pro Christo as a nexus of English fascination. The lasting consequences of these contacts are evaluated, and it is proposed that the concept of the “Angli” as an ecclesiastical and transregional …

The Klondike Gold Rush And The Dead Horse Trail, Brian O'Riley

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: The Klondike Gold Rush is known in part for the hardships that men and women faced as they travelled the trails to Dawson City in the Yukon. One of the lesser-known aspects of this event is the tragedy that befell thousands of horses that were killed on the Chilkoot and White Pass Trails. The White pass trail would be given the moniker “The Dead Horse Trail.” With so many men trying to get thousands of pounds of goods over the mountain passes from the Alaskan seacoast towns of Skagway and Dyea, pack animals were crucial for the task. However, …

The Watchman: Charles Chauncy’S Defense Of The New England Clerical Establishment During The Great Awakening, Sydney E. Rue

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

The Great Awakening sparked social and religious controversies throughout the thirteen colonies. By 1740, two religious fractions had emerged, the New Lights and the Old Lights. As the Awakening grew in popularity, George Whitefield led gaggles of itinerant preachers and lay exhorters onto the streets, thus destabilizing the traditional parish structure. In a last-ditch effort to combat the growing influence of the New Lights, Charles Chauncy burst on to the scene with Seasonable Thoughts on the State of Religion in New England (1743). This research examines Seasonable Thoughts and how Chauncy’s book responded to societal pressures and attempted to change …

The Holodomor: The Trickle-Down Effect Of Political And Economic Choices, Patricia A. Mcmanigal

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: The choices made by political leaders do not merely affect those that hold office, rather there is a trickle-down effect that touches every life within their nation. The event known as the Holodomor was a Ukrainian famine during the 1930s. Stalin’s decisions were based upon impressions created during the Russian famine in the 1920s under Lenin’s leadership. Previous research supports the widely agreed upon determination that the famine was not a side effect of natural causes, but rather the direct result of Stalin’s collectivism. Furthermore, the U.N. declared the event to be genocide and not due to poorly directed …

The 'English Bath': English Sweating Sickness And The 1529 Continental Outbreak, Anika Esther Martin

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: Sudor Anglicus, or "English Sweating Sickness," was a peculiar disease which afflicted England during the Tudor period. First appearing in the late summer of 1485, Sweating Sickness quickly proved itself to be a terrifying killer. Those who contracted the Sweat were struck ill suddenly, often died within the first twenty-four hours, and suffered from a host of symptoms, the most visible of which being a raging fever and oppressive sweat. Between 1485 and 1551, five major outbreaks of the disease wracked the country, attracting the worried attention of those beyond England. In 1529, those anxieties were realized when a …

Sicut Regale: An Analysis Of The Sovereignty And Rule Of The Welsh Marcher Lords, Luke Lambert

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

The Welsh kingdoms originally retained their independence after the Norman conquest of England in 1066, but most Normans given fiefs along the Welsh borders gradually expanded into Wales. The result of this ambition was the Marcher Lordships. Warfare was commonplace and lasted until the last Welsh prince was subdued in 1282. Due to the importance of their defensive roles, Marcher lords received or seized authority generally reserved for the crown elsewhere in the realm. They presided over court cases and had their own law codes, often a mix of Norman and native Welsh law codes. Most Marcher Lords commanded sizeable …

Red, White, And Blue Tartan: Modern Scottish Cultural Preservation In The American West, Felicia Thompson Zaleski

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: From the small nation of Scotland has come a world of cultural ideas and preservation—some historically based and others fictional and romanticized. The historical and romanticized ideas of what Scottish culture is have come together to form the Scottish Heritage organizations and celebrations so common in the modern world, specifically the American west. The pinnacle moments of the Battle of Culloden Moor in 1746 to the end of the Acts of Proscription in the latter part of the 18th century stand as a basis for the need to preserve culture. Studying the history of dress, music, dance, and clans …

Before Menstruation: The Upholding And Downfall Of Child Marriage In India, Amanda Mills

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: This paper will cover the roots of the tradition of child marriage in India through the British colonial period all the way to the 1980s. This paper will attempt to dissect the economic, social, and philosophical reasonings for child marriage. Particular focus will be placed on the time of British colonial rule because that was a time of both exploitation and reform in child marriage laws. This paper will explore the language that surrounded the discourses on child marriage, from both the British colonists and the Indian detractors. This timeline will follow the legislative action that reformed child marriage …

The Sun Only Sets On Black Britons: Sexuality And The Notting Hill Riots, Victor Curiel

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Late into August 1958, a gang of white youth unleashed a catastrophic wave of targeted violence against Black migrants in the areas around Notting Hill and Nottingham. The event came to be known as the Notting Hill and Nottingham riots. The riots served as a watershed moment, allowing government members to capitalize on race as a problem and eventually limit Black entry into the country and validate unequal access to opportunities and support. However, the riots merely served as kindling to a destructive discourse of race relations already taking place, constructing a narrative that saw Black individuals as foreign, dangerous, …

The Kings Have Daddy Issues: Masculinity And Generational Kingship Of The Plantagenet Dynasty, Richard Merrell

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: Masculinity studies owes a great debt to sociologist R. W. Connell, whose ideas on hegemonic masculinity have created a rich and fruitful field of study. The application of masculinity studies in medieval history is a similarly new field, dominated by Marc Ormrod’s broadly focused studies of the times. My paper does two things: it narrows Ormrod’s focus while introducing a new element of inquiry into the intergenerational relationships that reveal learned masculinity and the creation of symbols of power in Medieval England. I will focus on King Edward III; Edward the Black Prince, and King Richard II to examine …

Outlaw Heroes: A Beacon Of Hope For The Eighteenth And Nineteenth Century Irish Peasantry, Mary Babcock

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Outlaw heroes have long been popular figures in Irish folklore, as the lower-class praised them for their Robin Hood-like actions of robbing the rich and giving to the poor. Why the Irish lower-class, specifically the peasantry, supported this is puzzling; what led the Irish peasanty to idolize such criminal activities? This paper explores this question and proposes that the Irish people idolized outlaw hearos such as highwaymen, Tories, and rapparees because they represented defiance during a time of great oppression. This paper explores the moral guidelines outlaw heroes needed to follow to remain in the public’s favor, the social and …

The Space Between Love And Hate: Coexistence During Convivencia, John Franzwa

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

The period preceding the expulsion of Jews and Muslims from Iberia in the late 15th and early 16th centuries was marred by conflict. The extent and degree of the discord has long been fiercely debated amongst scholars in two camps. Many late 20th century scholars have accepted the concept of Convivencia or “coexistence,” which argues that Jews, Muslims, and Christians lived in relative harmony with one another, peacefully blending their different cultures together. Others argue that there was no amicable cohabitation between the rival cultures and that Convivencia is a modern creation of later historians. This study focuses on Christian …

Portraiture, Patriotism, And Politicking: The Political Effect Of Visual Histories, Emma Williams

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

The use of iconography to remember and honor military and political heroes has been in place since cave paintings. John Singleton Copley, Emanuel Leutze, Gilbert Stuart, and John Trumbull all used their talents to honor many of American Founding Fathers. Honored during and after their time, their work gives us a better understanding of what was valued and how these men were identified. The use of material culture allows for more portraiture, and the use of displaying socioeconomic standing. Copley, Leutze, Stuart, and Trumbull all had works used in political propaganda, and manipulation for years after. The images on today’s …

The No-Color Of Women: Women And Commemoration In The Treasure Valley Of Idaho, Shaina Lynch

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: In this paper, I research the public commemoration of women in the Treasure Valley and Southwest Idaho. Public memorials were sought out, visited, and photographed. A map was created of the locations and added to a website I made as part of this project, www.idahowomeninhistory.com. In order to make an argument for more statuary and monuments to women in Idaho there needed to be an explanation for the omission. I begin with the glaring absence of women in the public sphere and popular history (written and dominated by men), which explains their lack of celebration in public spaces. They …

Religious Freedom Matters, At Home And Abroad: Thomas Jefferson In Paris In The 1780s, James M. Masnov

Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference

Abstract: When Thomas Jefferson became minister to France in the mid-1780s, his time in Paris was defined in no small part by his enduring belief in religious liberty. His Statute for Religious Freedom saw considerable challenge in Virginia as it was deliberated in Jefferson’s absence by influential political forces in the state legislature. The battle over its passage pitted two prominent figures of the early republican era against each other. The celebrated rhetorician Patrick Henry fought against the secular aims of Jefferson and his political ally, James Madison, who ultimately helped to secure passage of the statute. As Madison championed …

"B-Ing Flexible" : Examining Creativity In Bisexual Employees, Megan Jane Snoeyink

Dissertations and Theses

Creativity is essential for organizations to remain competitive and profitable. Past evidence suggests diversity in organizations promotes creativity, however, the mechanisms through which diversity promotes creativity in the workplace are not yet understood. Diverse populations' unique experiences may promote creativity, particularly through cognitive flexibility. I investigate the potential for heightened creativity in diverse populations within the context of bisexuality. Specifically, I use the flexibility model of bisexuality to explain why bisexual employees may have greater cognitive flexibility and subsequent creativity than heterosexual employees. Additionally, I seek to understand the moderating role of supervisor support in this relationship. Participants were recruited …

Covid-19 Impact Survey For Filipinos In Oregon, Maria Theresa D. Dizon, Anthony Ponticello

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

COVID-19 Impact Survey for Filipinos in Oregon

Data about Filipino populations tend to be obscured when aggregated into the Asian and/or Asian and Pacific Islander category. Filipinos are hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and yet there is little information about them. As a result, COVID-19 Impact Survey was developed for Filipinos in Oregon to better understand their needs arising from the COVID-19 crisis. It is modeled after the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Community Impact Survey. It has been translated into both English and Tagalog. After finalization of the survey, it has been piloted by National Alliance for …

The Critical Energy Infrastructure (Cei) Hub: A Look Into The Seismic Fragility Of Oregon’S Fuel, Annecy Bal

Civil and Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research evaluates the seismic vulnerability of the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub and the associated fuel repercussions for the expected 9.0 magnitude earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The tanks in the CEI hub are analyzed based on size and content. The owners and secondary containment areas are discussed using the same parameters. Various analysis techniques are reviewed to determine the most appropriate seismic fragility estimate for the site. The seismic vulnerability is analyzed using fragility curves by Hazus, American Lifeline Alliance, and D'Amico. The fragility curves are applied to the CEI Hub to determine expected damage and the …

Covid-19 Exacerbates Existing System Factors That Disadvantage Defendants: Findings From A National Survey Of Defense Attorneys, Tarika Daftary-Kapur, Kelsey S. Henderson, Tina M. Zottoli

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications and Presentations

COVID-19 has impacted many facets of daily life and the legal system is no exception. Legal scholars have hypothesized that the effects of the pandemic may contribute to more coercive plea bargains (Cannon, 2020; Johnson, 2020). In this study, we explored defense attorneys' perceptions of whether and how the plea process has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Patriarchy In Publishing: Examining Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Women (Non-Men) In The Publishing Industry, Grace E. Hansen

Book Publishing Final Research Papers

The purpose of my research was to determine how the Covid-19 pandemic impacted non-men in the publishing industry, and what this impact means for the patriarchal institutions in publishing in regards to the wage-gap, workplace sexism, and other factors explored in this paper. The research conducted includes anonymous survey data from thirty-four publishing employees, interviews with three professional women in management and other publishing industry leadership roles, and secondary research to substantiate my findings. A data overview suggests aspects of the patriarchal infrastructure in the professional world have been worsening with the pandemic for non-men: work-life balance, salary gaps, and …

What Compels Millennial Parents To Buy Books For Their Children?, Emma Wolf

Book Publishing Final Research Papers

Millennials (those born between 1981-1996) make up the largest generation in U.S. history, and due to their relatively recent entrance into parenthood, there is little preexisting information available about their purchasing habits, which differ greatly from those of previous generations (McGee). Now that millennials are becoming parents, companies targeting the children of this generation—including those in the book publishing industry—would benefit from a better understanding of how and why this demographic chooses products; this paper focuses on how they buy books for their children. Through academic research and a survey of 150 participants, several indicators were discovered regarding how millennial …

Woman Turned Warrior: An Analysis On The Strong Female Character Trope And The Influence It Has On Gender Stereotypes Through The Use Of Back Cover Copy, Alexandria Gonzales

Book Publishing Final Research Papers

This research paper analyzes the language of young adult fantasy back cover copy and how the language is used within the Strong Female Character trope that is often found in fantasy fiction. The paper also looks at the influence this trope has on perpetuating gender stereotypes. This was done through the use of content analysis—word frequency, gendered word analysis, and thematic coding. Gendered word analysis provides qualitative evidence for the presence of gendered language in back cover descriptions, while word frequency and thematic coding provide additional context. The research found that there is a bias toward portraying women characters with …

Covid-19 And Open Access In The Humanities: Impacts And Emerging Trends, Olivia Rollins

Book Publishing Final Research Papers

Discussions of open-access publishing tend to center the scientific disciplines, and this trend has continued during the Covid-19 pandemic. But while the pandemic has certainly shed new light on the importance of openly accessible medical research, its effects—from economic impacts to attitudinal shifts—have been felt and speculated about across disciplines. This paper presents an investigation into present and future impacts of the pandemic on open-access publishing in the humanities, which have historically been slower to adopt open-access models than other disciplines. A survey distributed to scholarly publishing professionals, academic librarians, and others working in open-access humanities publishing sought to determine …

Something Old, Something New: How Chapbooks And Crowdfunding Can Reduce Financial Risk For Small Publishers, Jennifer Lindsay

Book Publishing Final Research Papers

Small publishing houses often follow lean and nimble business models, yet the financial risk inherent in publishing for niche readerships can be a barrier for such entrepreneurial practices. Exploring the dual conditions of a less expensive and more eco-friendly format of a chapbook instead of an initial hardcover illustrated book, while determining pre-order interest through a crowdfunding platform, this paper looks at a process to reduce financial risk for small publishers who can’t necessarily do accurate comparative analysis for their sales projections. Common terminology is defined, supplemented by a literature review and a detailed ethnographic approach, including a case study …

Pride, Prejudice, And Diversity: The Retelling Culture The Development And Analysis Of Best Practices For Diverse Modern Re-Imaginings Of The Classics, Hannah Boettcher

Book Publishing Final Research Papers

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the publishing industry—in possession of predominately white authors, characters, and staff—must be in want of more diversity. At least, it should be such a truth because understanding is the first sentence of a much longer novel: the industry as a whole must be recast to represent all readers. From classic works to current bestsellers, there is an inherent need for not just more diverse books, but also an acceptance that the system requires more than just “surface level” solutions. This paper proposes four diverse modern retellings of Pride and Prejudice as a case …