Digital Commons Network^™

Southern Animals: Multispecies Encounters In Midcentury Southern Fiction, Kacee M. Mckinney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation expands our understanding of how nonhuman animal figures, symbols, and encounters within southern literature have had ideologically profound impacts on our conceptions of humanity, southernness, and relationality. This dissertation examines prose fiction, including short stories, novellas, and novels, from four influential southern writers—Richard Wright, Carson McCullers, Tennessee Williams, and Flannery O’Connor—who were all actively engaged with representing, critiquing, and expanding American conceptions of the south, the nation, and the ‘human’ at midcentury. With an understanding of southern literature as a rich site for not only regional representation but also broader disruptions of national injustices and ideologies of domination …

Enhancing Flex Student Success: Factors Influencing Achievement In The Istudy Program At The University Of Mississippi, Jennifer Jewel Sanford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Higher education institutions have recently increased the number of online courses offered to students. A need exists to understand student success within asynchronous self-paced online education programs. This study explores the factors that impact student success in the Independent Study Program (iStudy) at the University of Mississippi, focusing specifically on Flex (Full-Year) enrolled students. Student success is defined as achieving a completion grade of "C" or higher. The proposed study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis of student performance data with qualitative feedback from student performance data and exit surveys. The assessment aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of …

Team Origins: Leveraging Network Utilization And Leadership To Explain Team Assembly, Pol Solanelles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Drawing from social networks and leadership perspectives, I advance our understanding of team assembly – which I define as the goal-motivated, multi-step, and iterative process by which two or more potential team members interact to organize into nascent teams via formal and/or informal influence. Across three essays, I aim to redirect the conversation from who will become part of a team to how individuals assemble teams, placing leaders assembling teams and potential team members at the forefront of this research.

In Essay 1, my interdisciplinary integrative conceptual review revealed four opportunities to clarify how people assemble teams. First, I use …

More Than A Feeling: Materializing Sympathy In Nineteenth-Century American Literature, Kathleen Downes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

“More than a Feeling: Materializing Sympathy in Nineteenth-Century American Literature” breaks from a long tradition of criticism that only considers the nineteenth-century belief that sympathy was a benevolent, voluntary, imaginative act of feeling that maintains moral rectitude through the identification of suffering with others. In this context, sympathy is primarily defined as identificatory sympathy. “More than a Feeling” expands the definition of sympathy in the nineteenth century as also something that could be atmospherically communicated, transmitting good or bad feeling, and thus affecting and infecting those around them. This other form of sympathy, which for this project I term “effluvial …

A Case Study Of The Mississippi Teacher Corps (Mtc) Program Graduate School Experience As It Relates To Mtc Postgraduate Teacher Retention, Sandra Evelyn Carver Hubbard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation in practice (DiP) is to explore the relationship, if any, between the Mississippi Teacher Corps Graduate School experience and the expressed reasons of some of its teachers to either leave their placement school; teach in another critical-needs school in Mississippi, but not remain long-term; teach in another state; or exit the profession of classroom teaching after completion of the program. This study will only focus on teachers who left their placement school, another critical-needs school in Mississippi, or classroom teaching after 5 years. These five years include the two years while participants were in the …

Mapping In/Exclusion: Queer Identity In Oxford, Mississippi, Julia Kraus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis employs a mixed methods approach to investigate LGBTQ communities in Oxford, Mississippi, within the unique context of the Bible Belt panopticon. Through an examination of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oxford (UUCO) and Oxford Pride, the study delves into the themes of visibility and surveillance, resistance and subversion, community and identity, and institutional interactions and impacts. The research is grounded in seven original interviews with UUCO members, providing nuanced insights into the functioning of LGBTQ communities within a conservative environment. Additionally, the creation of a podcast episode titled “Queering Oxford: the Long Path to Pride” offers an innovative …

Magnolia State Of Mind: Memory And Memorialisation In Mississippi, Cosmo Mcgee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the ways Mississippi has historically and contemporaneously crafted its collective memory through symbolism. Confederate memorial groups endeavoured to create a “Lost Cause” memory of the state’s Antebellum past, validating its White supremacist systems into the 1960s. With the violence of the Civil Rights era failing to stop integration, Mississippians would spend the next sixty years debating the best ways to represent the state’s history.

This work looks at three distinct manifestations of Mississippi’s memorial culture: the discussions around and changes to the state flag, the cultural and sporting atmosphere of the University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”), and …

Moving Minds: Examining The Potential Effects Of Movement On Executive Function Among 3-Year-Olds, Zubie Reagan Pearce

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to examine the effect of movement on the conscious control of behavior (i.e., executive function or EF) in three-year-old children. Two questions were addressed regarding the role of movement in preschoolers' EF. First, the study investigated how altering movement within EF tasks influenced children's EF performance by manipulating relevant motor patterns (i.e., arm movement within EF searching and sorting tasks) in 3-year-olds. Children wore slightly weighted armbands while engaging in two distinct EF tasks, one focusing on motor control (i.e., reaching for an object) and the other on cognitive control (i.e., sorting objects based on rules). Second, …

Moderation In Online Incel Forums: A Comparison Of Warning Behaviors, Katherine Elizabeth Norris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Incels constitute an online community characterized by shared negative perspectives concerning masculinity, women, and societal norms. Platforms such as Twitter and Reddit have implemented content moderation measures aimed at curtailing the dissemination of incels' ideologies, which often promote violence and suicidal ideation. To observe the influence of content moderation on incel discourse, this study examined posts from two distinct incel forums: one subject to moderation and another without such restrictions. Employing thematic analysis, common themes within the posts were identified, and the occurrence of negative language was quantitatively assessed. Findings revealed that the moderated forum exhibited a higher prevalence of …

From Likes To Looks: The Relationship Between Tiktok Use And Body Satisfaction In A Young Adult Population, Madeline Pruett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Body dissatisfaction is becoming an increasingly pervasive problem among young adults, presenting severe implications including the onset of eating disorders and related behaviors. This alarming trend can be attributed, at least in part, to the ubiquity and influence of social media platforms, which serve as a modern catalyst for appearance pressures. While there is a substantial body of research establishing the connection between body dissatisfaction and traditional social media, the examination of newer platforms like TikTok, which have become highly popular among young adults, remains limited. As such, the present study aimed to bridge this gap by investigating the relationship …

Listening To The Voices Of Educators In The Implementation Of The Mississippi Seal Of Biliteracy, Rosalynn Vásquez Rutland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Mississippi Department of Education adopted the Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy in 2019 changing our state’s educational language policy from English-only to English-plus another world language, elevating Spanish and other world languages to a status closer to English in the districts that the seal has been adopted. This study documents the perspectives held by Mississippi educators on the benefits, new practices, challenges, and policy perception of the Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy at a high school that has adopted the seal and one that has not. Due to the difference in sample sizes between schools, this study is a generalization of …

Mirroring The Target Environment: Text And Task Authenticity In Esl Business Textbooks, Kurt Wildon Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the utilization of authentic reading materials in ESL textbooks and the role that textbook-based tasks serve in enabling ESL classrooms to mirror the target environment. Three original studies are conducted, and two models are designed and applied in order to address the research questions, which aim to establish a standard metric for assessing semi-authenticity of materials and to determine to what degree ESL textbooks prepare students for utilizing subsequent academic textbooks in similar topical areas. Textbooks developed for ESL business and academic business courses are analyzed to determine task category prevalence, reading texts in the ESL genre …

'Mark My Words' : Measuring Personality Of Global Leaders, Mahesh Acharya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the analysis of thousands of speeches delivered at the United Nations General Assembly to detect personality of global leaders, this dissertation adds a stepping stone to the first image research, in particular, the psychological approaches in International Relations and its stream of Foreign Policy Analysis. Theoretically, it advances the trait models of psychological approaches by building on the lexical theory of personality psychology to analyze the traits of global elites. The theory has been tested over decades showing that linguistic cues like utterances not only provide us with the information on semantics but also the speaker including her personality …

Attitudes Toward Arabic-Accented Speech In English, Sarah Aldossari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study explores the attitudes of undergraduate Flagship students in the United States towards Arabic-accented speech in English. It examines the Familiarity Principle among these students and analyzes their attitudes based on socio-intellectual status, aesthetic quality, and dynamism of Arabic-accented speech. The study also discusses the relationship between pronunciation features and language attitudes and intelligibility of communication.

The study used mixed methods to collect and analyze data on students' attitudes towards Arabic-accented speech. It used a verbal-guise technique, a Speech Dialect Attitudinal Scale questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews. The questionnaire data revealed that 54% of students valued socio-intellectual status, 48% aesthetic …

Creating A Caring, Accountable, Respectable, And Engaging Environment (2care2): An Applied Research Study To Address Chronic Absenteeism, Eula Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this study, I will explore some of the root causes behind middle school students' failure to attend class. Data shows that students are labeled chronically absent when they miss more than 10% of a school year, regardless of the absences- expelled, unexcused, or suspended. According to the U.S. Department of Education, about seven million students were labeled chronically absent in the 2015-16 school year, equating to roughly one out of every six students across the United States being absent for 15 or more days. The problem exists nationwide; however, it is more prominent in urban areas with low socioeconomic …

A Case For Digital Coaches, Elise Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In response to COVID-19, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) invested approximately $295 million to support digital learning efforts. This investment, referred to as the Mississippi Connects Initiative, funded state level infrastructure improvement, bulk device purchasing, digital subscription purchasing, telehealth and teletherapy resources, and professional learning for educators. Focusing on professional learning, this study aimed to determine if differences existed between schools that did and did not receive professional learning via the digital learning coaching program.

The data used in this study was collected in the spring of the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, using the BrightBytes® Technology and Learning …

North Ms Foodrx Farm-To-Farmacy: A Home Delivery Local Food Prescription Model, Cameron De'cal Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This portfolio presents a comprehensive overview of my contributions and involvement in the Farm-to-Farmacy (FTF) program model. Farm-to-Farmacy is an extension of the FoodRx program which aims to address food insecurity in rural parts of North Mississippi. This program was inspired by the 2019 FoodRx program in the Mississippi Delta that assisted in delivering fresh produce to the doorsteps of the elderly and homebound. Farm-to-Farmacy incorporates a unique approach by soliciting the support of local farmers which assists in sustainability for a program of this stature but also supports community engagement and involvement. The Farm-to-Farmacy program relies on local farmers …

Advancing Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion: A Graduate Portfolio On Lebonheur Children's Hospital Initiatives, James Lee Hawkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In every facet of life, diversity finds a way to play a role. By advocating for, acknowledging, and drawing attention to the disparities that emerge within the various spaces people may encounter, we consciously strive to bridge the gap, aiming for a future that is more equitable and inclusive. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have not only become personal moral imperatives but also essential pillars at the forefront for companies, healthcare, educational institutions, and businesses alike.

A Quantitative Study Of The Effectiveness Of The University Of Mississippi's Biology Bootcamp, Nicole Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a growing demand for a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) trained workforce in the United States. In order to remain globally competitive, the US needs to increase the STEM workforce not only in numbers but also diversity. Colleges and universities throughout the US need to not only gain STEM majors but retain them through graduation. Research has shown that the majority of STEM students struggle their first year in college for a variety of reasons. Many academics agree that incoming freshman need to integrate both socially and academically to prevent attrition. This has led to the creation …

The Effects Of High School Scheduling Models On Student Achievement In Mississippi, Dustin Ryan Payne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the effects of different high school scheduling practices on student achievement in Mississippi, considering school economic status as a covariate. Using a robust factorial ANOVA design, the research analyzes reading proficiency, math proficiency, and Mississippi Statewide Accountability System school performance scores across 149 public high schools, excluding those with grades other than 9 through 12, private schools, and charter schools. The primary goal was to determine whether schedule type significantly influences academic performance, independent of economic status. Results indicate that while economic status consistently affects student and school performance, schedule type alone does not show a statistically …

Synchronous, Asynchronous, Or Neither: Examining The Effects Of A Single-Session Prevention Program On Student Mental Health, Katelyn M. Sharpe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Young adults (aged 18-25) were identified as the most stressed age group due to internal and external factors that are relatively unique to their group. High stress levels are alarming as they coincide with a multitude of adverse effects on psychological health, including difficulty falling and staying asleep, reduction in overall sleep quality, and exacerbated depression and anxiety symptomatology. Young adults attending post-secondary education institutions are at particular risk for developing and maintaining these adverse psychological effects of stress, especially considering the low rate in which they seek treatment for psychiatric difficulties. Limited literature exists to date regarding condensing a …

Combatting Suicidality In The Military: Harnessing Forgiveness And Self-Regulation Against The Harrowing Effects Of Moral Injury And Suicidality, Mikaela J. Raley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with military backgrounds are significantly more likely to experience mental health concerns, including suicidal ideation. Moral injury, which is associated with suicidality, is the feeling of shame, grief, and guilt associated with perpetrating, failing to prevent, or witnessing morally transgressive acts. According to the Moral Injury Model, when one acts or witnesses an act that transgresses their moral beliefs, they experience dissonance and internal conflict. A topic that has not yet been studied in terms of moral injury is the positive psychology construct of character strengths, including forgiveness and self-regulation. This study hypothesized ratings of suicide would be positively …

Mental Health In Rural Mississippi Counties: Experiences And Beliefs Of African American Pastors, Angela R. Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

African Americans seek formal mental health treatment services at lower rates than white Americans (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2024) and higher risk of mental illness exists among rural African Americans (Haynes et al., 2017). Religiousness and spirituality have emerged as widely utilized coping methods among African Americans, therefore it is important to understand pastoral perspectives on mental health. In addition to the type of services being sought, the decision to seek help plays an important role in treatment utilization. Along these lines, two theoretical frameworks were used to formulate this study, the Theory of Planned Behavior …

Linguistic Gender Differences In English Among Saudi Medical Students In Online Courses, Ala Mohammed Alshahrani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research explores gender differences in language use among Saudi medical students in online courses. Employing purposive sampling, the study, aims to comprehend the influence of gender on language patterns and communication styles in online education. Data collection involves online interviews with five teachers and survey questionnaires administered to twenty actively enrolled Saudi medical students. The interviews provide insights into language use patterns in the online learning environment, while surveys offer a broader perspective on student language use. Thematic analysis unveils recurring themes: “courses developed,” “reasons for online courses,” “interaction among male and female students in online courses,” “comfort …

Student Leadership In The Musical Ensemble: A Descriptive Study, Anna Bullock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study investigated the nature of student leadership opportunities in middle school, high school, and collegiate ensembles. It comprehensively reviewed existing research and proposed potential avenues for future developments. Through a descriptive inquiry, the investigation aimed to ascertain whether similar outcomes are observed across all facets of music education classrooms, including choir, band, and orchestra. The exploratory nature of this study lends itself to no specific hypotheses; however, the findings may have implications for music education classrooms.

The research questions are structured based on relevant literature to uncover the skills conferred by occupying a student leadership position. Subjects were …

Effects Of Music-Induced Arousal On Spatial Cognition, April Marie Joyner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Arousal is known to influence the manner in which spatial stimuli are processed and remembered. Although music is considered a spatial stimulus, the relationship between music-induced arousal through music listening and spatial ability remains understudied. This study was designed to determine whether arousal induced by musical stimuli differentially impacts memory performance on a map learning task created to measure spatial memory. Participants were exposed to two different pieces of music selected to induce either high or low arousal or were exposed to a control condition in which music was not presented. Participants listened to music or completed multiplication problems prior …

The Effect Of A Scarcity Mindset On External Auditors' Reliance On The Internal Audit Function, Brett Patterson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Audit regulators are concerned that times of economic uncertainty will likely cause external auditors to misuse the work of the internal audit function (IAF). These concerns are consistent with prior psychology research finding that objective poverty or a subjective, perceived lack of resources induces a scarcity mindset, which then leads to counterproductive economic behaviors. Therefore, I examine the effect of such a scarcity mindset on external auditors’ IAF reliance choices. In an experiment that incorporates a setting mimicking the evidence collection process, I manipulate the external auditor’s scarcity mindset and the internal audit function’s competence. I find that external auditors …

Pig: A Novel, William Hal Walker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A novel exploring addiction, recovery, faith, and family in Central Florida.

Fostering Inclusive Excellence For Black Women In Undergraduate Computing Sciences At A Predominantly White Institution, Toni Avant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Employment projections indicate that the computing sciences field is expected to increase by more than 600,000 jobs from 2020-2030. As society becomes increasingly reliant on technological innovations, the demand continues to rise for qualified graduates in this field. It is essential that employers build a diverse and inclusive workforce in order to accommodate the markets they serve. Yet, the lack of representation of Black women in the computing sciences field is of great concern.

Nourishing Narratives: A Photovoice Exploration Of Black Maternal Nutrition In Tennessee, Carissa Bacon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the perceptions of facilitators, barriers, and feelings of empowerment related to achieving healthy nutrition outcomes among pregnant and postnatal African American women in Tennessee. Data in this study was gathered utilizing the qualitative Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach of photovoice and the Transdisciplinary Contextualized Resilience Framework (TCRF) to examine factors influencing nutrition across multiple levels. The study recruited 13 African American mothers who ages ranged from 24-35 years old and who lived in the Greater Knoxville, Tn area. The study utilized a survey to capture the participants’ demographic characteristics and employed a modified version of the …