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Honors Theses

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Non-Covalent Ineteractions Of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (Tmao) And Urea In Water, John Prather Jan 2015

Non-Covalent Ineteractions Of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (Tmao) And Urea In Water, John Prather

Honors Theses

TMAO and urea are important osmolytes. Osmolytes help maintain cell volume with their presence inside and outside cells. Urea is used by kidney cells to neutralize strong osmotic gradients caused by excretion of hypertonic waste. Although urea is for volume- maintaining purposes, it is also known to be a strong denaturant of cellular proteins. The method by which urea destabilizes folded proteins is a debated topic. There is evidence that urea binds directly to amino acid side chains to make protein folding less thermodynamically favored. It has also been suggested that urea acts indirectly to denature proteins by destabilizing the …

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The Prescribed Advantage: An Examination And Ethical Discussion Of The Growing Prescription Stimulant Culture, Joseph L. Maxwell Jan 2015

The Prescribed Advantage: An Examination And Ethical Discussion Of The Growing Prescription Stimulant Culture, Joseph L. Maxwell

Honors Theses

The goal of this thesis is to examine the current state of prescription stimulant use, particularly on college campuses, and the impact of the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) dilemma. I will first discuss the science explaining and relating ADHD etiology and the effects of stimulant medications on the mind and body. I will then discuss the accepted criteria for ADHD diagnosis and the ambiguity they create. Next I will identify the central issue: the widespread illicit use of stimulant medications, particularly for academic purposes. I will expound on the development of this situation, the influence of the competitive collegiate atmosphere, and …

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Red, Blue, And Green: Determining Environmental Orientation On The University Of Mississippi Campus, Kendall Lane Mcdonald Jan 2015

Red, Blue, And Green: Determining Environmental Orientation On The University Of Mississippi Campus, Kendall Lane Mcdonald

Honors Theses

The goal of this research was to identify and begin to understand the environmental attitudes and behaviors of students, faculty, and staff at the University of Mississippi. This study employed a quantitative survey approach. The survey consisted of the Revised New Ecological Paradigm scale to measure environmental attitudes, and a lifestyle questionnaire to gauge self-reported sustainability behaviors and relationship with the natural world. This survey was broadcasted to all within the University of Mississippi's email listserv. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, means comparisons, and independent samples t-tests. Major findings included: women reported more pro-ecological responses than men in all …

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Design And Synthesis Of Sigma-1 Probe For Positron Emission Tomography (Pet) Imaging, May Ly Jan 2015

Design And Synthesis Of Sigma-1 Probe For Positron Emission Tomography (Pet) Imaging, May Ly

Honors Theses

Sigma-1 receptor radioligands have the potential to detect and monitor various neurological diseases. Because sigma-1 receptors are believed to be associated with numerous psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative diseases, radioligands for sigma-1 receptors have the potential to serve as novel diagnostic tools and may be useful in assessing treatment effectiveness. A benzothiazolone 18F-labeled sigma-1 receptor ligand, CM304, has demonstrated promise as a specific positron emission tomography radiotracer for visualizing sigma-1 receptors in living subjects. Based on CM304, backup molecules were created to improve the overall drug profile, including half- life and bioavailability.

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Fraud And Its Relation To The Hospitality Industry, Nicole Ross Jan 2015

Fraud And Its Relation To The Hospitality Industry, Nicole Ross

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to analyze and explore the numerous components of fraud, including its relation and presence in the hospitality industry. Additionally, the study contains findings and analyses derived from participation in a professional development series conducted in a classroom setting and two accounting case studies hosted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and KMPG in Fall 2013. I will dissect fraud down to its various elements and compile a work plan and proposal originating from the findings from the study. The study examines the causes of fraud, people who commit fraud, fraud legislation, and fraud trends. Through primary and secondary …

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A Translational Study Of The Correlation Between Low Birth Weight, Hypertension, And Kidney Function Using A Rat Model, Marcus Daniels Jan 2015

A Translational Study Of The Correlation Between Low Birth Weight, Hypertension, And Kidney Function Using A Rat Model, Marcus Daniels

Honors Theses

We studied the correlation between low birth weight, hypertension, and kidney function using a rat model. There is a strong correlation between these three phenomena especially in the Southeastern United States and in non-White populations. We hypothesized that the anti-hypertensive drugs Reserpine and Hydralazine would prevent hypertension and improve renal function in low birth weight rats. We used a rat model created by Dr. Barbara Alexander in this study. Pregnant rats were subjected to Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure surgery. Silver clips were placed on the abdominal aorta and uterine arteries approximately two weeks after fertilization in order to restrict blood …

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The Transatlantic Trade And Investment Partnership: Legislative Action And The Future Of Transatlantic Trade, Zachery Newton Jan 2015

The Transatlantic Trade And Investment Partnership: Legislative Action And The Future Of Transatlantic Trade, Zachery Newton

Honors Theses

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a controversial free trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, and is currently in negotiations as of the publication of this thesis. The TTIP seeks to remove both tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade (NTBs) between the EU and the US, such as environmental and food safety regulatory divergences. This paper seeks to predict the outcome of negotiations, while considering the various cultural, economic, and political factors that play into the potential success or failure of the TTIP. To accomplish this, the paper takes a broad look at the …

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Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Exercise Effects On Attention And Working Memory In Alzheimer's Disease, Alexandria Drakos Jan 2015

Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Exercise Effects On Attention And Working Memory In Alzheimer's Disease, Alexandria Drakos

Honors Theses

Studies have shown that exercise can have positive affects on cognition levels in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. A meta-analysis was conducted to see if exercise had an effect on attention or working memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease. A search was conducted through PubMed. From the initial search, 87 articles were found. Of these 87 articles, 2 met the criteria for analysis along with 1 additional article found from an additional source. These 3 articles were studied and a meta-analysis was performed. The Stroop Test was used to study attention scores and the Digit Span Test Backward test was …

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An Economic And Technological Analysis Of 3d Printing In The Automotive, Aerospace, And Medical Industries, J. Alexander Ray Jan 2015

An Economic And Technological Analysis Of 3d Printing In The Automotive, Aerospace, And Medical Industries, J. Alexander Ray

Honors Theses

Although 3D Printing currently produces only a few parts in the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries, imminent economic changes and technological advances will lead to mass adoption of the technology within the next decade. In the past ten years, 3D Printing technology has advanced so rapidly that the previously unknown manufacturing technique has become a billion dollar industry. Today, 3D Printing pervades many industries. This thesis focuses on the use of 3D Printing in the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries. After an introduction examining 3D Printing and general economic production theory, this thesis identifies current and potential uses for 3D …

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Evaluation Of Purkinje Neurons And Endocannabinoid Receptors As A Potential Target Of Alcoholism Using Japanese Medaka (Oryzias Latipes) As An Animal Model, J. Ford Franklin Jan 2015

Evaluation Of Purkinje Neurons And Endocannabinoid Receptors As A Potential Target Of Alcoholism Using Japanese Medaka (Oryzias Latipes) As An Animal Model, J. Ford Franklin

Honors Theses

Purkinje cells (PK) are neurons with large cell bodies found in the central nervous system and are mostly distributed in the cerebellar region of the hindbrain. Several novel markers for PK cells have been developed and are used for characterization of neurobehavioral disorders. The present study was aimed to identify endocannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) as a potential marker of PK cells and evaluate them as a molecular target of alcohol and cerebellar functions using Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) as an animal model. Previously, we have observed that medaka genome consist three CB receptor paralogs; two of them (cnr1a and cnr1b) …

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Breastfeeding: Physiological And Cultural Influences, Alison R. Cegielski Jan 2015

Breastfeeding: Physiological And Cultural Influences, Alison R. Cegielski

Honors Theses

Within a biological perspective, breasts are indisputably for the use of nourishment of the young. This can be seen by how mammary glands are used by every other species other than humans. Humans are the only species that also looks at breasts within a cultural perspective, and that perspective is where the debate of breastfeeding occurs. There is really no debate that if given the option to breastfeed, breastfeeding is the best choice for the development of infants due to the fact that breast milk has been adapted for the human physique. In spite of the health benefits associated with …

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An Analysis Of Corporate Social Responsibility And Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting, Anna Claire Wammack Jan 2015

An Analysis Of Corporate Social Responsibility And Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting, Anna Claire Wammack

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to present an overview of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and CSR reporting. The research done in preparation of this report was done by reviewing articles and professional reports and surveys on the topic of CSR. The report defines CSR and examines several surveys of businesses to see what the current CSR trends are. Next, government initiatives and expenditures related to CSR are described and quantified. The report continues by describing the benefits and format of CSR reporting and attestation. Other areas of business and CSR are studied such as CSR investing and consulting. Lastly, …

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Integrated Marketing Communication Approaches On The Environmental Issue Of Recycling: A Collection Of Secondary And Primary Research To Analyze Trends In College Students Recycling Attitudes And Behaviors And The Conduction Of An Imc Campaign To Premote Recycling In Highland Square, Specifically, Cameron Ellen Klass Jan 2015

Integrated Marketing Communication Approaches On The Environmental Issue Of Recycling: A Collection Of Secondary And Primary Research To Analyze Trends In College Students Recycling Attitudes And Behaviors And The Conduction Of An Imc Campaign To Premote Recycling In Highland Square, Specifically, Cameron Ellen Klass

Honors Theses

Undertaking this thesis project was a task I was determined to fulfill with the upmost enthusiasm, positivity, and patience. When first deciding the topic of my research, I started with a list of criteria that had to be met: personal interest in the matter, hands on work with people and organizations within Oxford, and a way for me to impact the Oxford community for the better. Choosing to research college students recycling attitudes and behaviors both on and off campus and creating an integrated marketing campaign to raise awareness combined not only information accumulated through my academic years at Ole …

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A Comparison Of Mitragyna Speciosa And Mitragynine Against Opioids On Thermal Nociception In Rats, Catherine Criddle Jan 2015

A Comparison Of Mitragyna Speciosa And Mitragynine Against Opioids On Thermal Nociception In Rats, Catherine Criddle

Honors Theses

The purpose of this experiment is to compare Mitragyna speciosa (M. speciosa) and its active component, mitragynine, a known µ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist, against well-known and commonly abused opioids, morphine and oxycodone. Another goal of this research is to determine if these compounds are also active when administered orally as is typical in human users. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered M. speciosa and mitragynine both intraperitoneally (IP) and orally and their antinociceptive effects were evaluated on the hotplate. Mitragynine exhibited antinociceptive effects similar to oxycodone when administered both IP and orally. M. speciosa exhibited a trend towards antinociceptive effects when …

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Film Marketing And The Creation Of The Hollywood Blockbuster, Colton J. Herrington Jan 2015

Film Marketing And The Creation Of The Hollywood Blockbuster, Colton J. Herrington

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to trace the Hollywood blockbuster from its roots, gain insight into how Steven Spielberg's Jaws and George Lucas' Star Wars ushered in the Blockbuster Era, and explore how the blockbuster has evolved throughout the subsequent decades into its current state. This case study uncovers the intertwining relationship between revolutionary film marketing tactics and the creation of the blockbuster as a genre and strategy and observes how increased costs of film marketing and the rise of ancillary markets and new media have led to a contemporary slate of blockbusters alternatingly different and similar from those …

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Knowledge And Perceptions Of Vegetarian Diets Among College-Aged Students, Haley Marie Berich Jan 2015

Knowledge And Perceptions Of Vegetarian Diets Among College-Aged Students, Haley Marie Berich

Honors Theses

As health becomes a more primary focus for many Americans, people are turning to new diet choices. Vegetarian diets are available in a wide range of choices and have been found to provide many health benefits. However, adequate knowledge within the general public is lacking when it comes to vegetarian diets. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and perceptions held by college-aged students at the University of Mississippi. A survey was developed and distributed in health and wellness classes that were offered to students of all majors. 187 completed surveys were returned, of which 7 (3.7%) …

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The Identity And Role Of The Gift-Giving Spirit In Numbers 11, Jeanmark Kessler Jan 2015

The Identity And Role Of The Gift-Giving Spirit In Numbers 11, Jeanmark Kessler

Honors Theses

Current scholarship analyzes spiritual gifts predominantly from Acts 2, Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. With the assumption that the actions of the Spirit are constant and persistent throughout Scripture, this study develops an Old Testament perspective on the Spirit's identity and role as gift-giver. This exegetical research investigates Numbers 11:16-29 as the key passage, where the Holy Spirit bestows His gifts upon Israel's leaders. In addition, the valid connections between Numbers 11 and 2 Kings 2 provide a broader and more consistent contextual interpretations of the identity and role of the Holy Spirit within the Old Testament.

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Equine Misbehavior And Its Relationship To Temperament And Rider Induced Stress, Taylor Huffman Jan 2015

Equine Misbehavior And Its Relationship To Temperament And Rider Induced Stress, Taylor Huffman

Honors Theses

The goal of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between horse temperament and incidence of misbehavior due to the stress of being ridden by riders with a wide range of ability during the course of a summer camp session (9 weeks). It was hypothesized that horses with a social or aloof temperament would be able to adjust with more ease, while those with a fearful or challenging temperament would have a higher incidence of misbehavior. Each horse was evaluated for temperament at the beginning of the summer camp season. In the following weeks every rider was …

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Ovulation Synchrony As An Adaptive Response To Egg Cannibalism In A Seabird Colony, Sumiko Weir Jan 2015

Ovulation Synchrony As An Adaptive Response To Egg Cannibalism In A Seabird Colony, Sumiko Weir

Honors Theses

The predominant cause of egg loss in a large Galucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) colony in Washington is cannibalism. Previous work demonstrated the occurrence of every-other-day clutch initiation synchrony in dense areas of the colony during years when cannibalism was most frequent, suggesting that synchrony is an adaptive response to cannibalism. Here we show that (1) the initial egg laid in a nest is more likely to be cannibalized than subsequent eggs, (2) an egg is most likely to be cannibalized within the first 24 hours after it is laid, and (3) the odds that an initial egg is cannibalized within …

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The Behavior Of Glaucous-Winged Gull Egg Cannibals, Ashley A. Reichert Jan 2015

The Behavior Of Glaucous-Winged Gull Egg Cannibals, Ashley A. Reichert

Honors Theses

Cannibalism leads to a variety of behavioral, demographic, and ecological consequences and is influenced by a range of environmental circumstances among numerous taxa. Although multiple studies have linked cannibalism to egg and chick failure in gull populations, few characterizations of gull cannibal behavior and reproductive success exist. During the 2014 breeding season, we observed the territories of 16 Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) and Glaucous-winged x Western Gull (L. glaucescens x occidentalis) egg cannibal specialists on Protection Island, Washington, USA. We also monitored cannibal foraging behavior, relative reproductive success, and colony-wide egg loss. Cannibal specialists employed a variety of foraging and …

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Determining Social Preference Of Holstein Cows Based On Stall Selection, Yoona Kang Jan 2015

Determining Social Preference Of Holstein Cows Based On Stall Selection, Yoona Kang

Honors Theses

Early behavior work with dairy cattle focused on the agonistic interactions and dominance structure. This current behavior project focused on determining social preferences rather than dominance. Two lots of 130 Holstein cows at the Andrews University Dairy were observed 8 nights over the course of 6 weeks. Data was collected in the evening after milking and feeding to allow the cattle time to retreat to the freestalls to ruminant and rest. The ear tag number of each cow that was lying down was recorded on a diagram of the lot in which all the stalls were numbered. The data collected …

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(Un)Wrapping Felix Gonzalez-Torres: The Relational Power And Contagious Wonderment Of Candy And Other Things, Brooke Clark Dec 2014

(Un)Wrapping Felix Gonzalez-Torres: The Relational Power And Contagious Wonderment Of Candy And Other Things, Brooke Clark

Honors Theses

Huddled in the corner of the cold, sterile floor of The Art Institute of Chicago, Felix Gonzalez-Torres's Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L.A.), 1991 is a mound of individually wrapped, multihued candy that can be possessed, consumed, and rearranged by the audience (artic.edu). The parenthetical remark within the title suggests the portrait is that of a human. In fact, Ross was the artist's lover, who died of AIDS in the year 1991. The candy spill memorializes Ross at his healthy weight of one hundred seventy-five pounds. Even as Ross's body is implicated in the candy, the candies themselves contain and …

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Each Moment A Poem, Sarah Kidd Dec 2014

Each Moment A Poem, Sarah Kidd

Honors Theses

Each Moment a Poem is a collection of 10 poems spanning 20 pages. The poems were written in 2014 under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Katrovas, my poetry professor, and Ms. Kimberly Kolbe, the managing editor of New Issues Press, where I was granted an internship. When 2014 began, I adopted the philosophy that each moment has the potential to become a poem, that stories can be told concisely and vividly through poetry. The poems in this collection explain and explore important moments I have experienced while awake and asleep. The poems are lucidly written in a free verse narrative …

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The Impact Of Prenatal Stress On The Development Of Limbic System Structures, Alyssa Murray Dec 2014

The Impact Of Prenatal Stress On The Development Of Limbic System Structures, Alyssa Murray

Honors Theses

Stress in early life is well documented as detrimental for the brain’s developmental trajectory, while prenatal stress is minimally explored. In the prenatal period, the placenta prevents much of the mother’s cortisol from reaching the fetus, but the fetus is still exposed to some maternal cortisol, and exposure increases with increasing stress. One neural structure particularly susceptible to stress is the hippocampus. The goal of this review is to address the role prenatal stress may play in damaging the hippocampus, a structure integral to learning and memory functions. Correlations between prenatal stress and a reduction in volume and function of …

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Neuroprotective Effects Of Retinal Ganglion Cells By Specific Alpha 7 Nicotine Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists And An Acetylcholineesterase Inhibitor, Sara Kaliszak Dec 2014

Neuroprotective Effects Of Retinal Ganglion Cells By Specific Alpha 7 Nicotine Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists And An Acetylcholineesterase Inhibitor, Sara Kaliszak

Honors Theses

In previous studies from this lab, an alpha7 nACh receptor was found to successfully modulate retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection against glutamate assault when bound to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, or if an alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine agonist, such as PNU-282987 was used in in vitro models (Wehrwein et al., 2004; Iwamoto et al., 2013). These in vitro studies support the hypothesis that activation of alpha7 nicotinic ACh receptors triggers neuroprotection against loss of retinal ganglion cells normally induced by excessive glutamate insult. The results from these in vitro studies instigated an in vivo study in our lab using a rat glaucoma model. …

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Utilizing Landsat Tm And Oli In Predicting Oncomelania Hupensis Habitats Around Poyang Lake Before And After Three Gorges Dam Completion, Stephanie L. Mccracken Dec 2014

Utilizing Landsat Tm And Oli In Predicting Oncomelania Hupensis Habitats Around Poyang Lake Before And After Three Gorges Dam Completion, Stephanie L. Mccracken

Honors Theses

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the Schistomsoma japonicum flatworm that utilizes the Oncomelania hupensis snail as an intermediate agent. In the People’s Republic of China, these amphibious snails contaminate freshwater systems infecting humans, bovines, and other mammals and have caused significant morbidity for over two thousand years (Wertheim, et al. 2012; Zhang, et al. 2012.) The gravity of this disease prompted the national government to initiate sizable public health programs, such as the World Bank Loan Project (WBLP.) In spite of WBLP's achievements, in 2004, after this program ended, a national survey acknowledged a resurgence of schistosomiasis in …

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Blood Sacrifice: The Connection Between Roman Death Rituals And Christian Martyrdom, Angela Dawne Kennedy Dec 2014

Blood Sacrifice: The Connection Between Roman Death Rituals And Christian Martyrdom, Angela Dawne Kennedy

Honors Theses

Scholars from a variety of disciplines have done some incredible work on the subject of martyrdom, but the story is far from complete, particularly in terms of how and why it was so similar to the Roman concept of public deaths. The primary sources include the surviving Christian martyrologies, Greco-Roman philosophical treatises, and Roman, Christian, and Jewish histories. Martyrdom itself was a tool of assimilation that somehow bridged the communities of the empire together. There is a huge body of information in a variety of genres that contribute to this project. But there exists a hole in the combined scholarship …

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The Complexity Of Common Core: Teaching Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince As A 7th Grade Complex Text, Allyson R. Jones Dec 2014

The Complexity Of Common Core: Teaching Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince As A 7th Grade Complex Text, Allyson R. Jones

Honors Theses

With the implementation of the Common Core State Standards occurring across the country, schools and students are seeing changes in the organization of education. These standards, grounded in English Language Arts and Mathematics, are designed to push students’ critical thinking skills, writing ability, and methods of communication to prepare them for their life beyond secondary education. For English Language Arts, there is an emphasis on teaching complex texts. In this study, I examined the qualities of complex texts to determine if Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince could be considered a teaching tool for seventh grade students. To do this, …

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Bystanders And Bullying: A Reflective Examination Of College Students' Experiences, Katherine Marie Larsen Dec 2014

Bystanders And Bullying: A Reflective Examination Of College Students' Experiences, Katherine Marie Larsen

Honors Theses

This study examines the individual responses of bystanders to bullying based on situational and personal variables. Using self-report data collected on 935 university students, these variables were used to determine if there was a relationship between the variables and the decision to intervene in a bullying situation for a friend. The results suggested that race, sexual orientation, and direct forms of bullying (physical and cyber bullying) have a relationship between an individual’s choice to intervene in a bullying situation for a friend. The findings failed to support the hypothesis that personal factors such as gender, socio-economic status, and a history …

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America's Closet Door: An Investigation Of Television And Its Effects On Perceptions Of Homosexuality, Sara Moroni Dec 2014

America's Closet Door: An Investigation Of Television And Its Effects On Perceptions Of Homosexuality, Sara Moroni

Honors Theses

This study investigates the relationship between television and social perceptions. It uses the television shows Will&Grace, The L Word, Queer as Folk, and Modern Family for rhetorical analysis. Then, it uses the information gained from the analysis to hypothesize how and why these television shows both reflect and affect social perceptions of homosexuality.

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