Digital Commons Network^™

Preparing A Trumpet Recital, William Matthew Pate

Honors Theses

The following thesis presents a discussion of the elements that went into preparing a senior solo trumpet recital. This discussion is divided into eleven sections, of which the first five contain general performance challenges and information about the types of pieces performed on the recital and the instruments used to perform those pieces. The remaining six sections discuss why the performer chose to showcase each composer and their compositions, the specific performance challenges he encountered with each piece, and the techniques he used to overcome these challenges. The historical information used to produce this thesis comes from articles written by …

Writing Ix: Combining Theatre Arts And Public Policy Through The Process Of Playwriting, John Brahan

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the process of writing a play and compares sexual misconduct policies at universities in the Southeastern Conference. It exhibits the process through examining writing exercises to develop character and plot, showing expanded understanding of dramatic literature through reading additional plays, outlining the growth of the narrative through table readings, additional feedback, and displaying audience feedback garnered through an optional survey filled out by patrons at the end of their theatre experience. Throughout the narrative of the thesis, I explore how I developed each of Aristotle's Six Elements of Tragedy: character, plot, idea, language, music, and spectacle. The …

Interculturality In Health: The Infant Mortality Rate Of Bolivia, Allen G. Crosthwait

Honors Theses

The Bolivian government implemented an intercultural reform in 2006 in an attempt to improve the quality of health for its indigenous citizens throughout the country. One of the biggest focuses thereof was to improve the infant mortality rate, as it has historically far surpassed the rates of other Latin American nations. Though superficial data presented by the government seem to suggest that the intercultural reform has been an unprecedented success, very little extensive research has been done on the topic. My work gauges the merits of the intercultural reform and assesses which areas particularly have been successful. To do so, …

The Future Was A Riot: Causes Of Youth Unemployment In Spain And Challenges To Immigration And The Welfare State In The Era Of The Common Market (1999-2016), Andrew Hayes

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to exam the causes behind unusually high youth unemployment in Spain, even after the 2007-8 financial crisis has subsided. The primary means of investigating these causes is through constructing a set of empirical models and then using these models to perform several time-series regressions to find whether changes in educational patterns, demographics, and immigration have had any concrete effect on the youth unemployment rate and social capital. Some qualitative work is done; particularly in describing the legal structure surrounding unemployment and in the description of the Spanish welfare state. In my research, I find …

The Effects Of Hearing Loss On Literacy Skills In Down Syndrome: Assessing Parents' Knowledge, Annalise Claire Valle

Honors Theses

Purpose: Although hearing loss (HL) is prevalent in individuals with Down syndrome (DS), there has been little research investigating the effects of HL on language and literacy skills in this population. The purpose of this study is to document the frequency of HL in DS, as well as language and literacy outcomes, and to determine if there is a difference in language and literacy outcomes for children with DS with HL and those without HL. Parental knowledge of HL and language development was also measured. Method: A five-part survey was distributed to 77 members of DS-Connect, a National Institute of …

Surrendering To The Tangle: Essays, Caroline Abide

Honors Theses

A collection of creative nonfiction essays exploring the author's gender and sexuality, changing worldviews, and coming of age (under the direction of Kiese Laymon).

Breastfeeding Support Programs: Systematic Review Of Socioeconomic Literature, Chinelo Ibekwe

Honors Theses

This thesis describes a systematic review and analysis of literature concerning breastfeeding and programs focused on improving breastfeeding participation. It examines breastfeeding programs with respect to intervention evaluation and the economic impact of breastfeeding programs, and scrutinizes social factors such as race, ethnicity, cultural identity, income, and age which potentially influence the outcomes of these breastfeeding programs. It explores how breastfeeding programs have reduced rehospitalization of low birth weight and preterm infants through the implementation of one or a combination of the following services to mothers and babies: breast pump supplies, education, and training on breastfeeding, transportation to and from …

The Impact Of Mass And Active Shooting Incidents On Residential Real Estate Values, Claire Sherman

Honors Theses

Gun control as a response to gun violence is currently at the forefront of political debate in the United States. The foundation of this paper revolves around crime and real estate supported by background literature detailing external effects on real estate prices to set up the framework for the research on mass shootings and residential real estate values. The findings in this paper are based on 73 events involving mass shootings in the United States from 1996 to 2015. I find that the effect of mass shooting events plays a significant role in the decline in real estate values following …

Child Sexploitation: A Study Of Machismo And The Commercial Sexual Exploitation Of Children In Latin America, Courtney M. Cone

Honors Theses

This thesis attempts to explore how the inextricable relationship between machismo and poverty connects to the commercial sexual exploitation of children in Latin America through predatory behaviors in order to provide insight to anti-trafficking campaigns. The overt Latin American culture of machismo contributes to the discrimination of women and children, enhancing their inherent dependency on men for economic survival. The inevitable pattern of dependency on patriarchal figures out of vulnerability to societal constructions is evident in economic, political and social structures. The pervasiveness of dependency is seen through patterns of violence against women, patterns of child abuse, and patterns of …

A Survey Of Speech-Language Pathologists' Use And Understanding Of Evidence-Based Practice, Emma Kate Thome

Honors Theses

Problem Statement: Prior research on evidence-based practice (EBP) in speech-language pathology is both limited and inconsistent regarding the frequency in which SLPs engage in EBP, their understanding of EBP, and the emphasis that their employers place on EBP. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to assess SLPs' understanding and use of EBP. In addition, this study investigated the potential barriers SLPs face when attempting to engage in EBP including employer emphasis and opinions toward EBP. Methods: SLPs (n=176) from across the United States participated in an online survey designed to assess their understanding and use of EBP. Participants …

Addicts Speak: An Exploratory Ethnographic Study Of Opioid Addiction, James A. Hamm

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the experiences of people in recovery from opioid addiction in order to better understand the many process of recovery. Employing both participant observation and focused life history interview, and utilizing a grounded theory approach to data analysis, this research emphasizes data-driven conclusions. The research provides numerous insights into the process of recovery from opioid addiction, as well as factors that help to facilitate and sustain the process, the role that services play, and how services can be developed to better meet the needs of those in recovery.

A Different Kind Of Learning For A Different Kind Of Learner : Justification Of And Best Practices For The Use Of Performing Arts Education For Autistic Students, Jacob Anthony Litt

Honors Theses

In our culture, our history, and our society, the arts play a vital role. However, despite maintaining such a fundamental place in our shared experiences, the arts’ role in education is in constant need of clarification and defense. In addition, the presence of individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities has become increasingly common in society, and yet special educational programs for these individuals, especially in their early years, have proven unable to find total success. These two fields of education – arts education and special education – thus share a common struggle: a need to find an established place in …

The Effectiveness Of Promotions In Minor League Baseball : A Study Of The Eastern League, Collin R. Zucker

Honors Theses

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is comprised of 247 teams playing in 17 leagues at six different levels. Every team in these leagues is an affiliate of a Major League Baseball (MLB) team, but many are privately owned and are therefore financially independent. While MiLB primarily serves as a development environment for future MLB players, profit maximization is still a goal of various front offices. Minor League Baseball has existed for over a century but only recently have teams been regarded as profitable investments. In Forbes’ “Most Valuable Minor League Teams” list published in 2016, the average value of the top …

Un Crime Contre L'Humanité : Une Analyse De Quelques Journaux Algériens Et Français, La Mémoire Collective Et Les Relations Franco-Algériennes, Olivia Gustafson

Honors Theses

Cette thèse fait une étude de l’histoire des relations franco-algériennes et et de la façon dont cette histoire influence les relations présentement. Avec l’élection d’Emmanuel Macron en 2017, quelques journaux ont dit que cette présidence commencera une nouvelle ère pour les relations franco-algériennes. Ainsi, cette étude pose-t-elle la question de comment les médias français et algériens représentent ces relations et cette histoire, et comment les tragédies qui se sont passées pendant la colonisation vont être réparées par l’État français. Brièvement, j’affirme que ces articles représentent une tension entre Macron, qui veut réparer les blessures du passé en passant à l’avenir, …

Occupational Therapy Treatment Of Distal Radius Fractures: Best Practices, Erika Schleis

Honors Theses

This paper describes information on best practices for occupational therapy treatment of distal radius fractures including current information about etiology, incidence and prevalence, diagnostic criteria, comorbidities, associated client factors involved in this injury and the effects of this condition on occupational performance. Two hypothetical case studies are presented using evidence-based treatment information. Discussion of additional research necessary to continue to determine best practice approaches is presented.

Optimizing Procedural Tov-112 Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Transfection Via Initial Seeding And Pbabe/Pei Jet Ratio Variations, Cassondra Walker

Honors Theses

Cell transfection is an exemplary tool in protein analysis and examining transcription factor activity. While general procedures are commonly followed, each cell line requires slight differentiation in pBABE/PEI JET ratios and initial cell count for optimal transfection results. This research focusses on determining a successful procedure for TOV-112 carcinoma cells for future work with 2-methoxyestradiol and NFkB. 2-methoxyestradiol is an angiogenesis inhibitor believed to decrease inflammatory processes. NFkB promoter controls the luciferase gene on the MetLuc plasmid and is pro-inflammatory. The objective of this experiment is to modify the variables until successful results at 24 and 48 hours are observed. …

Infinity In Culture, Dessie Mcfarland

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Selfie Of Dorian Gray: Adapting Literature For Modern Media, Darby L. Campbell

Honors Theses

Picture Perfect Dori Gray is a modern adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray set in modern America and starring a female Dorian Gray. The work is set up as a web series that takes place on YouTube in the form of a vlog run by Dori herself. The transmedia world consists of both YouTube content and Twitter content that all contribute to one over-arching story world. Modernizing the narrative, setting, media, and characters highlights which literary themes and motifs of the original novel are still relevant today and which symbols have changed since publication. The greatest effect on the …

Beyond No Fracking: An Anthropological Study Of Individuals Pursuing Sustainable Lifestyles In Eastern Kentucky, Meg Carter

Honors Theses

This study combines research and oral histories that were conducted with eight individuals in Kentucky who are pursuing sustainable lifestyles through practicing methods such as homesteading, living off-the-grid, permaculture, and natural farming techniques. The paper provides a brief history of homesteading and details how the homesteading of today differs from off-the-grid living. It also provides some of the history of Eastern Kentucky and gives insights into the history of homesteading and sustenance farming in the area. The unrehearsed oral history interviews share information that includes, but is not limited to, interviewees’ reasons for why and how they began their transition …

Arguments Against Amalgamation: The Citizen’S Council Battles Integration By Controlling The Narrative, Evelyn S. Kerns

Honors Theses

In 1954, the Supreme Court decision Brown vs. Board of Education eradicated the “separate, but equal” mentality that confined African Americans to the menial state of oppression and exploitation that had plagued their people since they arrived in America. However, this decision did little to neutralize the proclivity to segregation nor did it quell the surmounting racial tensions between black people and the upper echelon of Southern society. Conversely, the federal mandate to integrate public schools roused white supremacists to interpose desegregation through resistance, violence, and fear-mongering propaganda. The most flagrant organization of white supremacists was known as the White …

Cultivating Cultural Exchange: Improving University Study Abroad Programs, Katherine Crawford

Honors Theses

My affinity for culture, both foreign and domestic, has greatly shaped my life and future career path. As I have been frequently reminded, I did not take the “typical” exchange route. However, I accredit this atypical experience to my passion towards the subject. My first immersive cultural experience occurred during a yearlong, high school, Rotary led exchange to Bourges, France. Simply put, it changed my life. I encountered the culture first hand, accepting a new normal: bisous greetings, daily baguettes, and a well-structured hierarchy. Within six months, I considered myself fluent in the language. I lived with French families, was …

Comparison Of Internships In The United States And Germany, Kelsey Ennis

Honors Theses

My goal in my thesis is to lay out where my three internships were, what they consisted of and what was expected of me, and what I gained from each of them in terms of what I can use in the future as examples of what works in a museum.

Internships are required for Public history students at Western Michigan University and consist of 240 hours in preferably varying environments. When my first internship was a success, I decided to conduct two more internships beyond the 240 hours that I had completed with the first. I was the first Public …

Studying The Effects Of High School Athletics Social Media, Justin Scott

Honors Theses

This research project focuses on high school athletics social media pages and their relevance to high school communication audiences and institutional communication goals.

I conducted two in-depth interviews with school officials from a large Michigan high school, a survey of the high school sports social media followers, and an analysis of data from that high school’s Facebook page.

I was able to determine that seeing social media content from high school athletics pages had a positive relationship with how the school’s quality of social media communication was perceived, intentions to attend athletic events, and an increased awareness of the school’s …

The Benefits Of Immersion In Learning A Foreign Language, Cassidy Crouch

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to measure the linguistic benefits of learning a foreign language in a study abroad immersion program through Western Michigan University’s (WMU) Spanish department. The participants in this study were all participants of the Santander, Spain program of the Summer II semester of 2017. Nineteen students in total went to Spain and eleven of them agreed to participate in this study. During the Spring 2017 semester the eleven participants were given a pre-departure questionnaire and oral interview where they were asked demographic questions as well as program-specific information. During the last week in Santander, Spain …

Helping Children Understand: Using Picture Books To Age – Appropriately Explain Dance-Movement Therapy And Childhood Cancer, Megan Schaefer

Honors Theses

Cancer is the leading cause of childhood death by disease, and there are many different therapies available to patients. One of the most promising forms of therapy is Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT). DMT is an engaging and creative form of rehabilitation, and focuses on the interaction between the body and mind. With this exercise, patients are able to express their emotional processes through physical movement, allowing for an alternate form of communication.

The way that children engage in DMT is highly influenced by their age and developmental stage. When children are presented with a new task, it may be necessary for …

Analyzing The Legislative Productivity Of Congress During The Obama Administration, Zachary Hunkins

Honors Theses

Our nation looks to Congress to solve problems by producing legislation. Four congressional sessions took place during the eight years of the Obama administration; these were the 111^th (2009-2011), 112^th (2011-2013), 113^th (2013-2015), and 114^th (2015-2017). These four congressional sessions were often labeled and stigmatized as some of the least productive sessions in our nation’s history. This raises the questions, what explains legislative productivity? What variables effect it? Were the four sessions that took place during the Obama administration that ineffective? How do these sessions compare to sessions that took place during past presidential administrations? This …

Gilmore Girls: The Intersection Of Feminism And Social Capital, Megan Rucker

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Going Beyond The Textbook: Revitalizing Culture In The Spanish Classroom, Sarah Basar

Honors Theses

Effectively teaching the culture of a target language in foreign language classrooms can be a rather difficult and time-consuming task. Most often, culture is placed somewhere on a spectrum of either being a minor supplement to acquiring and learning the target language or utilizing culture as the direction through which grammar, vocabulary, and conversational practice are attained. Teachers’ beliefs, experiences, and resources all play a significant role in how culture is defined and taught in the schools of a country where globalization and immigration are quickly beginning to change the sociopolitical and demographic dynamics of our society. Thus, it is …

The Effects Of Media Multitasking On Congitive Control, Seth Thomas

Honors Theses

Research has shown that heavy media multitaskers, people who engage in more than one form of media simultaneously, have a more difficult time distinguishing relevant from irrelevant stimuli when distractions are present (Ophir et al., 2009). Research has also shown that attention-related deficiencies are correlated with deficiencies in prefrontal cortex functioning. Further studies have determined that working memory and prefrontal cortex functioning are linked (Klingberg, 2002). This thesis aimes to examine how the amount of time people engage in media multitasking relates to performance on cognitive ability measures including working memory, attention control, and impulsivity. Results in the first study …

Predicting The Author Of Twitter Posts With Markov Chain Analysis, Daniel Freeman

Honors Theses

Given a set of text with known authors, is it possible to take new text, not knowing who wrote it, and correctly identify the author? One way to do this is to analyze the text using Markov chains. This research project will first attempt to answer this question using books available in the public domain. Using what is learned from trying to identify authors of books, the primary goal of this project is to identify the best way to guess the author of a post on the social media network Twitter using Markov chains.