Digital Commons Network^™

The Daily Egyptian, December 12, 2013, Daily Egyptian Staff

December 2013

No abstract provided.

The Daily Egyptian, December 11, 2013, Daily Egyptian Staff

December 2013

No abstract provided.

The Daily Egyptian, December 10, 2013, Daily Egyptian Staff

December 2013

No abstract provided.

The Daily Egyptian, December 09, 2013, Daily Egyptian Staff

December 2013

No abstract provided.

Needs Met Through Role-Playing Games: A Fantasy Theme Analysis Of Dungeons & Dragons, Aubrie S. Adams

Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is an immersive fantasy role-playing game (RPG) which allows players to fulfill real-world social needs through interaction. Although D&D may appear to be a game of simple make-believe, the emotions, camaraderie, and accomplishments experienced by players are real, thus suggesting that RPGs have real-world implications for players. Therefore, the goal of this study is to explore the ways in which players fulfill social needs through group communication during the context of D&D table-top role-play. Utilizing Bormann’s (1972) fantasy theme analysis, this study uses a case study approach to identify four themes which emerged within player talk …

The Hero Of Copyright Reform: Exploring Non-Cochlear Impacts Of Girl Talk’S Plunderphonics, C. Austin Mcdonald Ii

Kaleidoscope: A Graduate Journal of Qualitative Communication Research

The history of audio sampling reaches as far back as the phonograph (Miller, 2004). Although many artists have utilized pastiche and collage in their work, few scholars have examined the products, processes, and implications of sound collage. This paper utilizes Kim-Cohen’s (2009) call for “non-cochlear” analyses of sound to examine the career and works of mashup artist Gregg Gillis, or Girl Talk. Kim-Cohen’s (2009) non-cochlear approach asks us to connect “sonic arts to broader textual, conceptual, social, and political concerns” (p. xix). Appropriately, I contend that Girl Talk’s sound collage albums prompt listeners to think in non-cochlear terms regarding progressive …

The Daily Egyptian, December 05, 2013, Daily Egyptian Staff

December 2013

No abstract provided.

The Daily Egyptian, December 04, 2013, Daily Egyptian Staff

December 2013

No abstract provided.

The Daily Egyptian, December 03, 2013, Daily Egyptian Staff

December 2013

No abstract provided.

The Daily Egyptian, December 02, 2013, Daily Egyptian Staff

December 2013

No abstract provided.

Southern Alumni, Siu Alumni Association

SIU Alumni Magazine

No abstract provided.

Sustainability Curriculum Inventory And Literacy Assessment: The Influence Of Values On Knowledge Of And Perceived Importance Of Sustainability Components, David James Drogos

Theses

The incorporation of sustainability education and sustainable practices in higher education serves several purposes. It prepares students for work in sustainability-focused professions, fosters environmentally responsible behavior in individuals, and helps to reduce the ecological impacts of the operational aspects of educational institutions. However, contemporary definitions of sustainability, which consider social, political, ecological, and economic influences on the environment, complicate educational initiatives. Distinct educational departments often consider sustainability through their specialized lens. Trans-disciplinary initiative must be enacted in order for sustainability education to reach its full potential. This paper outlines the results of an electronically administered faculty sustainability curriculum inventory as …

Effect Of Beam-Column Interaction On Axial Compressive Force In Post-Tensioned Continuous Concrete Beam, Kojo Amponsah Nkuako

Theses

This research seeks to investigate the instantaneous effect of beam - column interaction on the axial compressive force in post-tensioned continuous concrete beam. Hypothetically, if a prestressed beam is connected to columns, the axial compressive force in the concrete of the beam caused by the prestressed force will be reduced due to the interaction between the beam and the columns during post-tensioning. Finite Element Approach usually has been considered the most accurate approach for structural analysis. However, Load Balancing Approach has commonly been used by structural engineers to analyze prestressed concrete structures. Load Balancing Approach converts the post-tensioned force to …

Regional-Climate And Local-Microbial Controls On Ecosystem Processes During Grassland Restoration, Meredith Lynne Mendola

Theses

Root productivity likely has consequences for the composition, activity, and recovery of soil microbial populations and the belowground processes mediated by these organisms. In tallgrass prairie, ecotypic variation potentially exists in response to a strong precipitation gradient across the Great Plains. Thus, ecotypic variation within a species may differentially affect belowground net primary productivity (BNPP), the associated soil microbial community, and may scale up to affect ecosystem processes. The goals of this study were to elucidate: (1) whether ecotype, environment, or an ecotype by environment interaction regulate BNPP of a dominant species (Andropogon gerardii) collected from and reciprocally planted in …

Understanding Undergraduate Students' Perceptions Of International Teaching Assistants, Asma Anis Khan

Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed method study was to better understand undergraduate students' perceptions of international teaching assistants (ITAs) at a major research institution. For the purpose of this inquiry data were collected from surveying a sample of 436 of undergraduate students from different colleges and at different class levels. Survey data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Through the qualitative analysis of the open-ended survey data, undergraduate students' perceptions were derived from their responses, which resulted in themes both established in previous research (e.g., language), and original ideas (e.g., learning to understand ITAs language). Qualitative analysis of the survey …

Ironic American Exceptionalism And The Myth Of The Open Self, Myron Moses Jackson

Dissertations

This work rethinks current interpretations of American exceptionalism, emphasizing dynamic relations, especially those we could call "ironic." I am reading Reinhold Niebuhr's The Irony of American History alongside Eric Voegelin's and Woodrow Wilson's philosophical and political treatment of freedom, expressed through the ideal of American personhood. American entertainment continues to spread globally, and the spreading creates a wider nexus of efficacious relations, allowing for the interplay of hidden relations and symbolic complexes. "Ironic American exceptionalism," as I call it, highlights the positive aspects, usually overlooked, provided by "virtual integration" and the spawning of novel cultural hybrids. By "virtual integration," I …

Organizations, Religion, And Legal Mobilization: The Case Of Christian Conservative Legal Advocacy, Daniel Bennett

Dissertations

This dissertation is a study of a social movement based on the organizations that define that movement, with specific attention to Christian conservative legal organizations (CCLOs) and their advocacy for the Christian Right in American politics. I ask, how do these organizations differ from one another in their advocacy efforts? How is this movement industry structured with respect to organizational networks? And how do the differences and variation among these organizations affect the dynamics among these groups? That is, how do organizations interact in the confines of a shared movement? This study addresses the literatures on law and society, religion …

Investigating The Impact Of Orientation And Detected Characteristics Of First-Time Online Students On Their Success Rate In A Community College Setting, Reginald C. Akpom

Dissertations

It is evident that the failure rate is higher among online students than in-class students at Hopkinsville Community College. An analysis of the academic records of students who enrolled in online courses for the first time at Hopkinsville indicated a 13% higher withdrawal and failure rate than those who took in-class courses over the same period between 2000 and 2010. Colleges are taking potentially all of the necessary steps to reduce the student failure rates among online students because high withdrawal and failure rates often reflect badly on the quality of education by the providing institutions (C. Segura, personal communication, …

Non-Partisan Or Not Interested: The Carbondale League Of Women Voters' Response To Civil Rights During The 1960s, Jazma Sutton

2014

This paper focuses on the policies and actions of the Carbondale branch of the LWV. In particular, it focuses on the confusions surrounding the LWV’s engagement with African American Civil Rights. Drawing on organizational papers, internal memoranda, and regional newspaper clippings, this paper analyzes the ambiguities of the LWV’s racial politics. It finds that at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, these women doubtlessly spent a great deal of time discussing the issues. Yet it is also true that a great deal of time was dedicated to finding ways to protect the LWV’s “image.” This often translated into overlooking …

Nonprofit Organizations, Social Media, And Mobile Applications, Melissa Schwedel

Research Papers

Nonprofit organizations survive through grants and donations. As society progresses into the technology age, it is important for nonprofit organizations to follow suit and become more technologically adept. The days in which donations were obtained through direct mailings, phone calls, and emails are fading. In order to stay current with the most donors, nonprofit organizations need to have a presence on social media websites, and should explore the use of social media and text-to-give campaigns for the solicitation of donations. This paper attempts to provide insight to nonprofit organizations, on both national and local levels, regarding the advantages of using …

Bulldozed: In The Shadow Of Progress, Dong Yu, Dong Yu

Research Papers

AN ABSTRACT OF THE RESEARCH PAPER OF

Dong Yu, for the Master of Arts degree in Media Theory and Research, presented on October 28^th, 2013, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

TITLE: BULLDOZED: IN THE SHADOW OF PROGRESS

MAJOR PROFESSOR: Janice Thompson

China has been the fast growing economy in the human history. Since China initiated its “Open Door Policy” at the end of 1979, it has been in the fast lane regarding economic development. Tens of thousands of people have started their own business. For much of the population, especially in big cities, living standards have been improved …

Investigating Denial Of The Harmful Effects Of Corporal Punishment In A Religious Context, Stephanie Grace Cox

Theses

Corporal punishment continues to be a controversial topic. Many people who experienced spanking as children feel that they were not harmed by the corporal punishment and go on to believe that using corporal punishment on their children will not harm them, especially if it is administered calmly. This study looked at the attitudes of 203 parents in the context of religion using Holden's "Attitudes Toward Spanking a Child" questionnaire. The results of this study showed that parents that said religion guided their parenting were more likely to view corporal punishment positively and were more likely to believe that corporal punishment …

Perfection: United Goal Or Divisive Myth? A Look Into The Concept Of Posthumanism And Its Theoretical Outcomes In Science Fiction, Rebecca Leah Mccarthy

Theses

As science races to keep up with science fiction, many scientists are beginning to believe that the next step in human evolution will be a combination of human and machine and look a lot like something out of Star Trek. The constant pursuit of perfection is a part of the human condition, but if we begin to stretch beyond the natural human form can we still consider ourselves human? Transhumanism and posthumanism are only theories for now, but they are theories that threaten to permanently displace the human race, possibly pushing it into extinction. This thesis will look at the …

The Legitimacy Of Selected Watershed Organizations In The Midwestern United States, Bruce Martin Hall

Dissertations

Legitimacy in natural resource management refers to the degree to which citizens accept and comply with stated goals and policies. Lack of legitimacy can threaten collaborative-based watershed groups that rely on voluntary compliance to achieve their water quality goals. These groups are locally-based, and sprouted up due to the complexities and political barriers that have prevented better control of non-point, or diffuse, pollution off the landscape and into streams and lakes. One of the most cited requirements for legitimacy in natural resource collaborations is inclusive representation. An exploratory study of several watershed groups in Wisconsin and Illinois uncovered a worrisome …

The Effect Of The Missouri Safe School Act Of 1997 On Alternative Education Students: A Qualitative Analysis, Randall Gene Rhodes

Dissertations

Because of a perceived increase in school related violence, a political reaction occurred in Missouri that led in 1997 to the Missouri Safe Schools Act. This new law significantly changed school disciplinary policy and allowed administrators to move large groups of students to alternative education programs, or expel them to the streets. The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn from students who attended at least one year in an alternative education program about their experiences. I interviewed 26 former students and another 14 former students entered into the conversation by posting their thoughts on a Facebook site for …

An Examination Of Delay Discounting In Sex Offenders With Dual Diagnoses, Chad A. Poncinie

Theses

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF CHAD A. PONCINIE. For the Master of Science degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy, presented on 21 June 2013. TITLE: AN EXAMINATION OF DELAY DISCOUNTING IN SEX OFFENDERS WITH DUAL DIAGNOSES MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Mark R. Dixon Discounting of delayed rewards by sex offenders with dual diagnoses was compared to discounting of delayed rewards by matched control non-offenders with dual diagnoses. All participants completed a hypothetical choice task in which they made repeated choices between 10 dollars/servings after a delay and an equal or lesser amount available immediately. The delay to the large reward …

A Model Of Contaminant Transport, Saline Valley Aquifer, Gallatin County Illinois, Ryan William Cox

Theses

The Saline Valley Conservancy District (SVCD) formed in 1980 to provide a stable source of water to many communities in Southern Illinois. The SVCD well field located in the thickest, most productive region of the Saline Valley Aquifer lies directly adjacent to a reclaimed coal mine. Subsurface movement and surface discharge from the mine has been shown to be responsible for deterioration of water quality in the surrounding area, including the aquifer. Previous studies conducted in the region have addressed water supply issues and simulated contaminant transport from the reclaimed mine. The limited scope of these models did not extend …

John Dewey's Instrumentalism: A Cultural And Humanist View Of Knowledge, Philip R. Allman

Theses

My thesis is an attempt to show the brilliance and novelty of John Dewey's theory of knowledge, instrumentalism. The main objective of my thesis is to explain Dewey's theory of knowledge, which he coined instrumentalism, and to describe how instrumentalism as a theory of knowledge overcomes the pitfalls of competing theories within the philosophical tradition. Dewey's theory of instrumentalism does not assume that ideas are mental entities nor that ideas are true if they somehow match or fit with the object in question; thus, Dewey's theory presents a different view opposed to what we have usually called coherence, or correspondence …

The Daily Egyptian, November 26, 2013, Daily Egyptian Staff

November 2013

No abstract provided.

The Daily Egyptian, November 20, 2013, Daily Egyptian Staff

November 2013

No abstract provided.