Digital Commons Network^™

Do You Know The Pangolin?: Analyzing Biodiversity Awareness And Attitudes, Ariel "Jazz" Holcomb

Honors Theses

Understanding the impact education has on environmental knowledge and values is critical for knowing how we can promote pro-environmental awareness and attitudes. Thus, this study investigated how environmental education level influences awareness and attitudes on environmental issues, specifically the Biodiversity Crisis. Through a survey primarily utilizing Likert scale statements, the researcher evaluated the differences in knowledge and care levels between classes taking an introductory environmental science course, one class of environmental science majors and one for non-majors. One focus point of the course is the world’s most trafficked mammal, the pangolin, so this species was used as a focus species …

A Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Preserving The Great Barrier Reef, Taylor Cox

Honors Theses

This paper investigates both the economic benefits and costs of protecting Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR). The benefits associated with the Reef come from a 2016 Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited report and quantifies direct economic contributions, nonuse values, and a social, economic, and icon value. The costs of protecting the Reef come from a collection of sources, including the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan, “The Cost and Feasibility of Marine Coastal Restoration”, and a number of annual reports from governmental and non-governmental organizations. By analyzing these documents, the net benefits were calculated. The Great Barrier Reef contributes $6.4 billion to …

Orientalism In Arthur Golden’S Memoirs Of A Geisha, Britany Castilaw

Honors Theses

Memoirs of a Geisha is a 1997 historical fiction novel by Arthur Golden. It is told as the fictional memoirs of the late Sayuri Nitta, a famous former geisha who worked in Gion in the 1930s as one of the most successful geisha in history. Since its publication, Memoirs has been criticized for an Orientalist and historically inaccurate depiction of geisha—particularly by Mineko Iwasaki, a real former geisha whom Golden interviewed when writing the novel. The first chapter of this thesis is dedicated to an explanation of Orientalism as the problematic, stereotype-driven depictions of the East made by the West, …

Development Of A Novel Environmental Dna (Edna) Tool For Monitoring Vulnerable Freckled Guitarfish, Pseudobatos Lentiginosus, In The Western Central Atlantic, Sarah Toepfer

Honors Theses

Rhino-rays are the most threatened group of elasmobranchs, having experienced widespread declines due to mortalities in fisheries and habitat degradation. Within the Western Central Atlantic, there are two extant species of Rhino-rays, the Critically Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish, Pristis pectinata, and the Vulnerable Freckled Guitarfish, Pseudobatos lentiginosus. Although there is research committed to P. pectinata in this region, less is known about the distribution status of P. lentiginosus. Over the past 50 years, P. lentiginosus have undergone a presumed range contraction in U.S. waters; once found from North Carolina to Texas, and historically common in the north central …

The Impact Of The Belgian Colonization In The Democratic Republic Of Congo, Priscilla Lebesse

Honors Theses

The “Belgian Congo” is a country full of rich minerals, land, and agriculture. The same country that has never fully healed from the enslavement of its own people in their protected homes. The Belgian colonization of the Democratic Republic of Congo orchestrated by King Leopold II, has had a lasting impact on the country. Hindering its future advancements even after the departure of King Leopold II. This paper aims to analyze the lasting impact of the Belgian colonization in the DRC. In terms of the country’s economy, and overall culture. What is the DRC today? Through peer review articles and …

Regime Transitions, Democracy, And Terrorism In The Muslim World, Kevin Joyce

Honors Theses

In the 21st century, the Muslim world is continuously growing, in which Muslim’s make up approximately 24% of the world’s population. Additionally, the Muslim-majority countries, of which 50% or more of the population identify as Muslim, have lagged behind historically in democratizing. In many of these Muslim-majority countries, terrorism has an active presence and often times a destabilizing effect. In this study, I utilize the Global Terrorism Database, and other various data sources, to provide an empirical assessment of the political institutions of Muslim-majority countries, and their correlations to terrorism. I find that Muslim-majority countries in a state of failure …

Esg Is Fiduciary Duty, Katherine Held

Honors Theses

This Thesis defends the validity of ESG Investing (Environmental, Social, Governance Investing) as an advisor’s fiduciary responsibility. The financial industry is increasingly including ESG considerations when calculating the intrinsic value of a stock. In opposition to this valuation trend, nineteen state attorney generals (Nineteen) have attacked ESG, challenging its legality by claiming that it violates state and federal law and the fiduciary responsibilities that hold investment advisors accountable to their clients. After identifying key elements of fiduciary responsibility that are being ignored by the Nineteen’s position, several key and relevant United States statutes are reviewed and applied to their argument. …

Beyond The Classroom: Building Professional Skills With The Flyaway Mural, Augusta Gaston

Honors Theses

In April of 2022, I completed a collaborative mural at Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Reflection Riding hosts a radio antenna connected to the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, which studies animal migration routes through North, Central, and South America. Working collaboratively with artists Rondell Crier, Tyus Allen, and Professor Derek Witucki, we designed and installed a mural that would communicate the Motus research to their visitors in the absence of a Reflection Riding employee. The project was funded by various grants awarded by ArtsBuild and The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and organized by budgets that …

Sewage And Pathogen Contamination In Urban Streams In Schenectady In The Lower Mohawk Watershed, Joanna Wright

Honors Theses

Urban streams are becoming increasingly polluted by anthropogenic activity, and in Schenectady (NY) two primary stressors include poor wastewater infrastructure and road salt use. Urban streams in Schenectady include Mill Creek and Cowhorn Creek that empty into the Binnekill (feeder to the Mohawk), and the Hans Groot Kill that empty directly into the Mohawk River. These streams were sampled to evaluate water quality and analyzed for pathogens. This study is primarily focused on fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) Enterococcus, which is an EPA-approved method of determining surface water quality and it is an established indicator of sewage in waterways. The average …

Improving Care And Licensing Standards And Oversight In America's Zoos, Hannah Willis

Honors Theses

Since 1966, the Animal Welfare Act has been the official federal legislation passed to provide care standards and regulations for publicly exhibited animals, specifically exotic animals within zoos; however, in an age of major advocacy for improved animal welfare standards for all animals, the AWA has remained fairly stagnant in its guidelines for animal exhibitors. Through numerous articles, documentaries, and TV shows, specific zoos and animal exhibitors have shown many Americans that there seems to be little to no governmental oversight over zoos that have engaged in poor animal care or those engaging in often dangerous and cruel animal contact …

The Implementation Of An Authenticity Clause In Social Media Influencers' Contracts, Sarah Tonos

Honors Theses

In the age of social media influencers turning social media platforms into jobs– monetizing pictures of their cats, dancing for dollars, or even making a mockery of themselves for fame and money, the question of whom to trust or distrust has become increasingly important among consumers. As more brands are starting to collaborate with influencers, it is essential to acknowledge the current relationship among all parties involved, including the Federal Trade Commission. There is currently a blurred line among trust, distrust, authenticity, and reliability during sponsorships. The common question among consumers is whether social media influencers believe in the brand …

Studying Suspended Sediment Concentrations In The South Chickamauga Creek Of Chattanooga, Tn Using Satellite Imagery, Digital Image Processing, And Numeric Modeling, Abigail Faxon

Honors Theses

In recent years, Hamilton County, TN has experienced extensive urban growth. According to US Census data, Hamilton County welcomed more than 33,000 new residents in the last decade. There is increased concern about the environmental sustainability of Chattanooga’s urban growth because significant impervious surface development has taken place along the South Chickamauga Creek. This leaves the creek subject to increased urban runoff, which often carries sediments with different municipal pollutants. Thus, monitoring turbidity in the stream water is important to determine the sustainability of urban development in Chattanooga, TN. In this research, we have compared the viability of using different …

The Spectre Of “Overpopulation” In Climate Change, Kris Mann

Honors Theses

Malthusian overpopulation remains a popular idea across the globe as something that needs to be combated, especially with the anthropogenic impact on the environment. The central guiding question is: To what extent is “overpopulation” a valid notion with regards to the present climate crisis, and should action be taken regarding population reduction? This research concludes that the notion of overpopulation itself is racist, classist, and has caused senseless amounts of suffering in its wake. The inherent notion of overpopulation can only be reductively applied to our current global status with regards to fighting climate change. While the climate crisis is …

Pfas Environmental Contamination In Central Maine, Megan H. Andersen

Honors Theses

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative chemicals that are used in a variety of consumer products and industrial applications. Paper mills across the state of Maine have used PFAS in their industrial paper making processes, and their wastes often flow for treatment into municipal sewage treatment facilities. PFAS contaminated municipal wastewater from the general use of PFAS consumer products are also processed by these plants. Liquid waste is condensed into solid waste septage and sludge, and in what was thought to be an environmentally friendly repurposing practice, municipal sludge and septage has been spread on plots …

Environmental Justice Analysis Of Drinking Water Policies In Michigan Cities, Annika Paldan

Honors Theses

This thesis examined environmental justice aspects of drinking water policies in four cities across Michigan: Flint, Birmingham, St. Joseph, and Benton Harbor. An overview of the history of the environmental justice movement, environmental racism, and drinking water policies provided the basis for a four-part evaluative criterion to assess environmental justice components at the municipal level. These criteria include (1) housing tenure, (2) age, size, and service line composition of the infrastructure, (3) public participation in the policy process, and (4) emergency management of the city. Findings indicate that environmental justice has come a long way, with cities now incorporating components …

An Analysis Of China’S Claims And Their Development Of Artificial Islands In The South China Sea; Are They One Step Closer To Becoming A World Power?, John Pugliese

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the complex foreign conflict occurring in the South China Sea. There are two primary theories utilized to study this conflict, realism, and liberalism. The realism study involves both offensive and defensive realism. While the study of liberalism has a strong focus on international law. These theories are then applied to how China has been constructing artificial islands in the South China Sea.

The first chapter focuses on how surrounding countries have reacted to China’s island building, particularly the Philippines. This includes an analysis of an international law case between the two countries, where the Philippines accused China …

Honors Accounting Thesis, David Falkenheiner

Honors Theses

During the fall and spring semesters of the 2019-2020 University of Mississippi school year, I had the privilege of taking Dr. Vicki Dickinson’s Honors Accounting class and benefit from it greatly. This course was based around challenging its participants throughout various aspects of not only accounting coursework but real scenarios that arise as an accounting professional. Dr. Dickinson did an outstanding job at preparing her students not only for their internship experience in the spring of their senior year but also for interviewing for those positions. This class gives its participants a drastic advantage over the normal accounting undergraduate through …

Accounting Principles And Methodologies: A Case Study Compilation, Carissa Landers

Honors Theses

This thesis is comprised of a series of independent case studies investigating various areas of financial reporting. The case studies were all completed during the 2019-2020 academic year under the direction and advising of Dr. Victoria Dickinson. Different types of accounting principles were presented to us in different ways by use of both real and fictional case scenarios, and this thesis is a collection of the findings and conclusions from each one. Each case contains my own calculations and opinions and should be regarded as such. Over the course of completing these case studies, I have been able to enhance …

An Overview Of Financial Accounting Through The Use Of Case Studies, Sim Mosby

Honors Theses

This thesis encompasses many major accounting topics and different global phenomena’s that have changed the accounting profession. This thesis has allowed me to understand modern accountancy and the reasons it has had to adapt to the modern world. The University of Mississippi has allowed the accounting students of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College to complete this thesis by participating in the ACCY 420 class in their Junior year prior to their internship. This class was taught by Dr. Victoria Dickinson and consisted of eleven cases throughout two semesters

A Discussion Of Special Topics In Accounting, Matthew Stersic

Honors Theses

In order to complete this study, I used a variety of websites, telling me information about the cities, as well as sites that could provide me with facts and figures as well. I was able to interview my roommate ,who is from Chicago, to get a good place to begin on a lot of the questions such as where I would want to live in the city. Through means of data collection, interviewing, and budgeting I was able to come up with an answer to where I would want to live.

Analyzing Case Studies And The Different Uses Of Accounting Knowledge, Meghan Foley

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to further my accounting knowledge outside of traditional classroom learning. Throughout my time at Ole Miss, I had not used my accounting class work outside of the classroom. I was able to apply the knowledge to practical real life issues.

I participated in 11 case studies that each targeted a different topic of the accounting profession. The early cases related to my choice of specialty and city, whereas the final cases delved deeper into economic implications of accounting and finance.

I learned a great deal about real world accounting while writing this thesis. I …

An Analysis Of Accounting Principles Through Case Studies, Kyle Liebert

Honors Theses

The following ten cases are compilation of a semesters worth of work in my Accy 420 class. Each of these were introduced by Dr. Dickinson, at which time she gave us a perspective. From my knowledge of accounting principles, financial and managerial concepts, I was able to interpret the case. Each case required a deep understanding of the topic or an ability to understand a new concept. After being introduced, I analyzed the topic and followed up with research. These case studies outlined by Dr. Dickinson were completed in the academic year of Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 from the …

An Analysis Of Accounting Principles Through Case Studies, Marisa Panasci

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze various accounting principles through an evaluation of fictional and non-fictional case studies that helps to create an understanding of accounting philosophies in real-world situations. In contrast to the more traditional research approach to a thesis, I was given 10 cases to dissect specific questions regarding economics, ethics, accounting methodologies, personal experiences and more. Dr. Dickinson led this course to allow time for presentations with accounting professionals in tandem with complex questions about films, readings, and cases that challenged us to think outside the box. We also participated in accounting case competitions to …

The Effects Of Acute Exercise On Retrieval Induced Forgetting, Walter Simpson

Honors Theses

Retrieval Induced Forgetting (RIF) is a type of active forgetting that may play beneficial and detrimental roles in long-term memory. The benefit of the retrieval of certain information is that information will become more readily available following subsequent retrieval; a concept termed the retrieval practice effect (RP). The detrimental effect of RIF may be that, upon the subsequent recall of certain information, related information may be inhibited from recall. The effects and mechanisms of RIF have remained a topic of debate among neuroscientists, psychologists, and other related scholars. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute …

The Influence Of The Qur'an On Islamic Finance, Connie S. Quintero

Honors Theses

Islamic Finance differs in many forms from Conventional Finance commonly used in the United States. There are many components that are derived from the Islamic religious text, the Qu'ran. In this paper, I provide an analysis of the origin of these components, their implication in Islamic Finance, and the application in today's economy.

Practicality Or Principle: A Comparative Study Of The Origin Of Legal Protections On Gun Rights, Robert (Rj) Haskin

Honors Theses

This study examines the legal protections of the right to bear arms as an extension of John Locke’s principles of government. Whereas most studies of the right to bear arms focus on the contemporary practical consequences of an armed populace, I focus on the foundations of the right and how it has been exercised across the diverse circumstances of the U.S. and Azerbaijan to achieve the ideal of self-determination. Specifically, I detail and compare the political histories of each country leading up to their independence and how they obey Locke’s precepts. Given that the chief commonality between the two countries …

Portrayals Of The Poor And Working Class In Children's Film: A Thematic Analysis, Christina Goldin

Honors Theses

This paper presents an analysis of how socioeconomic class is presented in children’s films. The eighteen highest grossing Disney films (2015-2020) were viewed and analyzed. Findings reveal a deficit orientation in the portrayal of poor and working-class people in children’s films. Five themes were identified in the films analyzed: the poor and violence, the poor and dysfunctional families, the poor and unintelligence, the poor and chaotic lifestyles, and the poor and the bootstrap narrative. Through an extensive thematic analysis, deficit ideology and a benign framework were identified as the main frames through which socioeconomic class is presented to children in …

Bioactive Compounds Of Important Macroalgae In New England, Julianna Woods

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Anthropogenic Change On The Distribution Of Marine Megafauna And Their Prey, Baylie Fadool

Honors Theses

Anthropogenic change is impacting the distribution and survival of marine megafauna and their prey. Humans are changing every aspect of the marine environment, with effects reaching as large as changing the composition of marine environments to directly overexploiting species through the fishing industry. The role that marine megafauna play in balancing ecosystems, including as top apex predators, leads to detrimental results in the absences and population declines of these species. Migrations and declines due to threats on marine apex predator species will alter their environments by causing mesopredator release and changes in community structure, which is often associated with reduced …

The Evolution Of The Slave Trade In South-East Asia, Rosanna Pathmanathan

Honors Theses

Modern slavery has managed to persist through the 21^st century as it has shape-shifted into new occupations and various forms of entrapments. However, my research will prove that despite its seemingly different situations, multitudes of modern industries continue to employ harsh and unfair working conditions which utilize labor laws that restrict protections for employees. To fully comprehend how these new-age jobs are in fact new forms of old-age slavery, it is paramount to look into past forms of enslavement – primarily looking into Columbus’ discovery of Hispaniola and the Atlantic Slave Trade. To aid us easing into modern-day enslavement, …