Digital Commons Network^™

A Survey: Contemporary Music Therapy Practice With Individuals Diagnosed On The Autism Spectrum, S. Alie Chandler

Masters Theses

A variety of music therapy approaches and techniques for working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders have evolved out of the creativity of the profession, the influence of different music therapy approaches, as well as the influences of other treatment and educational theories. This study includes a review of the music therapy literature concerning this population as well as a description of common educational programs and other treatment techniques influential in this field. The underlying question of this study is how these diverse methods are being incorporated and integrated into current music therapy practice to best meet the needs of …

Academic Performance, Persistence, And Cultural Congruence Of African American Males Attending Predominantly White Colleges And Universities, Darrell Johnson

Dissertations

The continued lack of success for African American males attending predominantly White colleges and universities is alarming and unsettling. Other racial minority groups are making positive gains relative to their post-secondary educational experiences. However, the African American male lags behind in virtually every index of success in higher education. This trend could produce serious social, economic and cultural implications for the African American community and the entire country.

For African Americans, a strong sense of culture is important to their ability to achieve high levels of mental and psychological functioning, particularly in environments they perceive to be hostile or unwelcoming. …

Health Impacts Of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (Pcbs) In Aquatic Organisms, Marla Ann Fisher

Dissertations

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a major contaminant of global extent in water resources and aquatic biota. Due to its high lipid solubility, PCBs fail to be degraded and, therefore, continue to bioaccumulate throughout the environment and food chain. To determine the impact of PCBs on the immune system ofaged and juvenile Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), fish were injected with the coplanar PCB congener 126 and examined after 3 and 14 days. PCB 126 produced oxidative stress in both age groups of fish 14 days post-injection; however, juvenile medaka appeared more susceptible than aged fish. Humoral immunity, as determined by antibody …

Exploring The Behavioral Function Of Work Monitoring, Don H. Rohn

Dissertations

A number of studies have suggested the key difference between effective and ineffective managers is the extent to which managers engage in a particular form of monitoring - work sampling (Komaki & Minnich, 2002). Effective managers observe employees instead of relying on self-reports or secondary sources of performance. A factor contributing to the effectiveness of work sampling may be an increase in desired behavior as a function of reactivity to the presence of an observer. In spite of the large volume of research on the effects of observer presence on various physiological responses and task performances (Guerin, 1993), a study …

Comparative And Contributive Effects Of Process And Human Performance Improvement Strategies, Joseph R. Sasson

Dissertations

Organizational leaders know that the success of their organization depends on the organization's ability to either produce better products or produce equally good products at a lower cost to consumers. Interventions aimed at improving organizational performance stem from two primary perspectives. One perspective emphasizes changing system factors (e.g., equipment and processes) and the other perspective emphasizes changing human performance factors (e.g., performance specifications and behavioral consequences). The current study evaluated the comparative and contributive effects of process improvement techniques (Kock, 1999; Melan, 1992; Rummler & Brache, 1995) and human performance improvement techniques (Daniels, 1989; Gilbert, 1996; Rummler & Brache, 1995), …

The Theory Of Transpersonal Leadership: A Grounded Theory Study, Christine M. Wallace

Dissertations

This research suggests a new approach to leadership. Using a Glaserian grounded theory methodology, a new process theory of leadership was developed based on the data. These data included 26 interviews and numerous observations of individuals and situations. The result is described as the Theory of Transpersonal Leadership. This theory delves into the internal process that takes place within individuals as they make decisions regarding leadership within their own lives. The theory also includes the explanation of discovered concepts from this research. These concepts include: the Catalytic Confluence, Demand Morphism, and Symbolic Mutualism, which explain the major points within the …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Transformational Leadership And Organizational Culture, Mildred Patricia Howard

Dissertations

The research study examines teachers' perspectives on leadership and Organizational Culture in elementary schools within the state of Michigan. Teachers respond to more than 90 survey questions from the Leadership Practices Inventory and the Instructional Climate Inventory.

The purpose of the study is to determine the relationship that exists between Transformational Leadership and Organizational Culture. The study also considers school size as an interval variable. Statistical tests used to determine possible relationships include F-Tests, T-Test and Canonical Correlations.

Findings suggest that additional studies may be warranted based on particular subscales of Transformational Leadership and also size as it relates to …

Dialect Density And Discourse Maturity Of African American Elementary Students, Brandi Lynette Newkirk

Masters Theses

This was a report of an investigation of the effects of dialectal features in African American students' narratives on discourse ratings by trained judges. The question addressed in this research was whether dialectal features influence judges who are evaluating discourse. Graduate students in speech-language pathology (n = 18) learning to analyze discourse samples served as the judges. Two versions of narratives (n = 27) written by third- and fourth-grade African American students (the original version and the edited version) were used to determine if narratives that contain dialectal features would be rated lower. The judges were trained in narrative discourse …

The International Criminal Court: A Sociological History, Dawn Rothe

Masters Theses

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been touted as a new international response to the worst atrocities of mankind: crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression. Indeed, the implementation of a permanent international court is a historical tum. However, the course to which an international criminal court transpired dates back to the late 1800's. One hundred years of political, economic, and social contradictions have aided and abated the process of what is now the International Criminal Court. However, the dialectics between actors and institutions has been neglected in historical and legal analysis. The purpose of this thesis is …

Western News, March 25, 2004, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Basketball programs make history books; Vernon Payne named to hall of fame; Staff Service Excellence Awards; On Campus with Tom Grossman.

Western News, March 11, 2004, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Capital campaign exceeds goal; Governor names Barcelona to state environmental science board; Nominations for APA, PSSO awards sought; On Campus with Jan Clubb.

Restorative Justice, Responsive Regulation And Social Work, Gale Burford, Paul Adams

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Two of the dichotomies or tensions at the heart of this profession are especially important for the themes of this special issue on restorative justice and responsive regulation. These are the relation between formal and informal helping and between care and control, or empowerment and coercion. In this article, we make a case for the importance of Braithwaite's work, especially his (2002) book, Restorative Justice and Responsive Regulation, for conceptualizing the nature of social work in relation to these dualities. Since Braithwaite's writings do not have social work or social welfare scholars and professionals as their primary audience and are …

Working Together To Stop Domestic Violence: State-Community Partnerships And The Changing Meaning Of Public And Private, Kristin A. Kelly

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The increasing reliance in the United States on state-community partner- ships to address social problems represents both new opportunities and new dangers. This article presents examples of both possibilities through a consideration of contemporary collaborations between state and nonstate actors in the development of a public response to domestic violence. This discussion provides the basis for an elaboration of a conceptual approach to public/private relationships that replaces the traditional dichotomy with a triangular relationship, of state, family and community. By improving on our ability to think through the complex relationships between these three spheres, it is argued that this model …

Family Group Conferencing In Child Welfare: Responsive And Regulatory Interfaces, Joan Pennell

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

A regulatory approach compels the child welfare worker to make decisions according to set procedures and prevents responding flexibly to families. Differential response is a way that child welfare is departing from legal formalism. One means is convening a family group conference (FGC) to develop a plan. John Braithwaite's regulatory pyramid assists in concep- tualizing differential response. This article reports a factor analysis of data on achievement of FGC objectives to elaborate three interfaces for fostering responsive regulation. Each interface keeps the family group at the center of planning while firmly maintaining their connections with community and government programs.

Sharing Power With The People: Family Group Conferencing As A Democratic Experiment, Lisa Merkel-Holguin

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Can family group conferencing be leveraged to promote the democratic ideals of voice, freedom, justice, fairness, equality, and respect, and provide the citizenry with the opportunity to build a more just and civil society? This article reviews family group conferencing, and various model adaptations, from a democratic context and through the lens of responsive regulation.

Review Of Controversial Issues In Social Policy. Howard Jacob Karger, James Midgley, & C Brene Brown (Eds.). Reviewed By Mizanur R. Miah., Mizanur R. Miah

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Howard Jacob Karger, James Midgley and C. Brene Brown (Eds.), Controversial Issues in Social Policy. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2003. $ 24.67 papercover.

Review Of Addiction Treatment: A Strengths Perspective. Katherine Van Wormer & Diane Rae Davis. Reviewed By Mike Gorman., Mike Gorman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Van Wormer, Katherine and Davis, Diane Rae, Addiction Treatment A Strength's Perspective, Pacific Grove, CA: Thomson Brooks Cole, 2003. $ 51.92 papercover.

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 31, No. 1 (March 2004)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Special Issue on Restorative Justice and Responsive Regulation

• RESTORATIVE JUSTICE RESPONSIVE REGULATION, AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: INTRODUCTION - Paul Adams, guest editor
• RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, RESPONSIVE REGULATION, AND SOCIAL WORK - Gale Burford & Paul Adams
• WORKING TOGETHER TO STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: STATE-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND THE CHANGING MEANING OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE - Kristin A. Kelly
• MOVING BEYOND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARADIGM: A RADICAL RESTORATIVE JUSTICE APPROACH TO INTIMATE ABUSE - Peggy Grauwiler & Linda G. Mills
• MANAGING SOCIAL CONFLICT-THE EVOLUTION OF A PRACTICAL THEORY - David B. Moore
• RESPONSIVE REGULATION IN CHILD WELFARE: SYSTEMIC CHALLENGES TO MAIN STREAMING …

Moving Beyond The Criminal Justice Paradigm: A Radical Restorative Justice Approach To Intimate Abuse, Peggy Grauwiler, Linda G. Mills

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article traces the history of the development of the treatment of domestic violence as a crime in the United States and the conceptual and practical limitations of this approach in addressing this important social issue. An extensive body of research on restorative justice practice suggests that restorative approaches may contribute to reducing and preventing family violence. Drawing on restorative justice principles, an alternative or supplement to criminal justice approaches is outlined for working with all parties involved in abusive relationships.

Responsive Regulation In Child Welfare: Systemic Challenges To Mainstreaming The Family Group Conference, Paul Adams, Susan Chandler

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The purpose of this article is to examine the challenges inherent in trans- forming child welfare services. We apply Braithwaite's model of responsive regulation to the restorative practice of family group conferencing in child welfare. Shifting the role of the state away from controller of families in the child protective services system to one of regulatory partner with them is extraordinarily difficult. The paper looks at the complexities of reorienting child welfare services through the use of family group conferences on a large scale.

Achieving Justice In Child Protection, Rob Neff

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

As formal systems for the protection of children have evolved in this country, certain barriers to achieving justice within the child protection system have emerged concomitantly. Specifically, these barriers involve ambiguous definitions of abuse and the appearance of social inequality and bias within the child protection system. One means of surmounting these barriers to justice is family group conferencing (FGC). Support for this assertion comes from the integration of the restorative justice model and procedural justice theory. When applied to the practice of FGCs in child protection, the integration of these theoretical perspectives provides a strong rationale for the use …

Family Involvement Interventions In Child Protection: Learning From Contextual Integrated Strategies, David Stuart Crampton

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

The use of family group conferencing and related family involvement interventions in child protection is rapidly increasing in the United States and many other countries. There is some concern that the child welfare field will travel down the same road as it did with intensive family preservation services; that is, tremendous enthusiasm later derailed by rigidly designed evaluations that showed unimpressive effects. The work of John Braithwaite suggests an alternative path for finding justifiable excitement about these interventions. Drawing upon Braithwaite's writings and ongoing evaluation research, this article suggests a few steps we can take towards an integrative strategy for …

Review Of Family Health Social Work Practice: A Macro Level Approach. John T. Pardeck (Ed.) Reviewed By Marsha Blachman, Marsha Blachman

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of John T. Pardeck (Ed.), Family Health Social Work Practice: A Macro Level Approach. Westport, CT: Auburn House, 2002. $ 67.95 hardcover.

Review Of Growth And Convergence In Metropolitan America. Janet Rothenberg Pack. Reviewed By Joseph A. Deering., Joseph A. Deering

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Janet Rothenberg Pack, Growth and Convergence in Metropolitan America. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2002. $19.95 papercover.

Review Of Meds, Money, And Manners: The Case Management Of Severe Mental Illness. Jerry Floersch Reviewed By Rafael Herrera, Rafael Herrera

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Jerry Floersch, Meds, Money and Manners: The Case Management of Severe Mental Illness. New York: Columbia University Press, 2002. $22.50 papercover, $49.50 hardcover.

Review Of Engendering International Health: The Challenge Of Equity. Gita Sen, Asha George And Piroska Osltin (Eds.). Reviewed By Deborah Schild Wilkinson., Deborah Schild Wilkinson

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Book review of Gita Sen, Asha George and Piroska Osltin (Eds.) Engendering International Health: The Challenge of Equity. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2002 $24.95 papercover.

Eleanor Of Aquitane And The Quarrel Over Medieval Women's Power , Constance H. Berman

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

No abstract provided.

Julia Bolton Holloway, Ed. And Trans., Julian Of Norwich: A Showing Of Love. The Liturgical Press, 2003, Liz Herbert Mcavoy

Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality

No abstract provided.

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session February 26/27, 2004, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Minutes of the WMU Board of Trustees meeting include appendices:

• Resident Undergraduate Tuition Rates
• Authorization to Confer Degrees
• Personnel Report
• Grant Report
• Update-Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center (BRCC)
• Gift Report Bender
• Capital Campaign Report
• Appointment of External Auditor

Potential Components Of Time Personality: A Literature Review, Jane Ackerson

Honors Theses

What is time? The simple yet puzzling question has been posed on numerous occasions generating various responses. Time can be described as quantifiable, structured, even having monetary value. Time can be viewed in a subjective or objective manner and can be influenced by internal and external factors. Time can create pressure, anxiety, or boredom. Time is what we perceive it to be. This perception is a potentially vital component involved in the makeup of time personality. Theoretically, time personality is shaped by many factors affecting the relationship an individual has with time. The objectives of the research were to identify …