Digital Commons Network^™

Accessibility To Art Museums And Museum Education Programs For An Elderly Population With Dementia, Danielle Elizabeth Retcho

Honors Theses

This thesis focuses on the ways in which exposure to visual art at the Samek Art Museum can improve the wellbeing of people with dementia. This thesis argues that the practices of contemporary museum education and the discipline of Disability Studies have largely been running parallel to each other since the rise of Disability Studies in the 1980s. Museum educators and their institutions have been conditioned to concern themselves with only the able-minded and able-bodied. However, Disability Study scholars force us to question this status quo through their writings about normalcy and its flaws. I argue that if museums were …

Finding Palestine, Finding Ourselves: A Philosophy Of Occupation, Narrative, And Peace, Sarah Emma Decker

Honors Theses

This thesis is a philosophical study of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict employing feminist, epistemological, and social and political philosophy to analyze linguistic processes such as narratives, naming, and stereotype formation. The framework of this thesis is the Wittgensteinian paradox of the self defined by the other, according to which individuals are always dependent upon others not merely for the satisfactions of their needs, but for their very conception of self. Following Wittgenstein, I argue that this essential co-dependency is due to the character of our necessarily shared language conventions. Moreover, I apply this framework in an attempt to better articulate …

Fusion And Reconstruction: The Politics Of Translation And Reception In Late Twentieth Century Chinese Literature, Tong Tong

Honors Theses

The main aim of my honor thesis is to examine the influence of the translated foreign literature in People's Republic of China in the 1980s. Specifically, this thesis will trace the impact of literary translation on contemporary Chinese literature by 1) analyzing the situation of literary translation into Chinese during that period with Digital Humanities approaches and 2) conducting philological researches on translation theories and Chinese contemporary literature after 1980. Digital Humanities (DH) refer to the humanistic studies that are assisted by digital tools on aspects such as computation and visualization.

Madness Uncaged: A History Of Psychiatric Practice And Its Expansion Into The Everyday, Max Alexander Ferrer

Honors Theses

This study project provides a history and evaluation of the growth of psychology since its inception during the Middle Ages. Through secondary research on trends and breakthroughs in psychological practice, this project provides a periodization by which the history of psychology can be evaluated through a critical philosophical lens. This periodization includes four distinct time periods: The Age of Jails or "Old Asylums" (middle ages to early 19th century), The Age of Asylums (early 19th century to early 20th century), and The Age of Private Psychiatry (early to mid 20th century). Eventually, this trajectory will result in a fourth period, …

Chinese Involvement In Tanzania And Its Local Impacts, Maho Fujita

Honors Theses

The rise of China is among the most discussed and watched topics in the fields of African Studies and International Relations. One area of particularly noticeable and rapid expansion is in Africa. This thesis aims to answer the question of what impact Chinese involvement is having on the population of Tanzania and to what extent is it beneficial to and what extent detrimental to the nation. I do so by examining the impact of Chinese investment from three perspectives: 1) case studies from Tanzania in regard to local communities and individual's perspectives; 2) views of Chinese workers in Tanzania; and …

Coal-Based Power Plants And The Health Of The Ohio River, Shelby L. Hesler

Honors Theses

This study was conducted to determine if there is a relationship between the health of the Ohio River and coal based power plants. This was determined using several probes to test for conductivity (µs/cm), pH, salinity (ppt), water temperature (°C), and dissolved oxygen (mg/l and percentage). Testing took place a 30.4 mile stretch of the Ohio River. The four testing locations included Manchester, OH; Dayton Power and Light Stuart generating station; Maysville, KY; and Augusta, KY.

The Ohio River was chosen as the focus of this study due to the high pollution rate of the river. An article from USA …

Kentucky Streams And Wetlands, 2009-2017: A Comparative Study, Dennis M. Smith

Honors Theses

The bulk of Eastern Kentucky University’s 22 county service region provides an ideal landscape within which to observe, study and promote awareness on key, critical issues facing the commonwealth today regarding environmental conservation and restoration, as well as the impacts made upon communities. These issues are not new to Kentuckians and have been studied and concerned citizens state-wide for many years. Owing to her years of work and data collections in the area of stream and wetlands conservation in Kentucky (particularly Eastern Kentucky), Sociologist Dr. Stephanie Mcspirit has provided ideal conditions to explore this issue at the undergraduate level. Through …

The Possible Effect Of Cypsela Morphology On Endemism In Solidago Shortii, Evan P. Singleton

Honors Theses

This project centers around the differences between the Solidago altissima and the S. shortii, or Common and Short’s Goldenrods, respectively, and endeavors to provide an explanation for the narrow endemism of shortii, relative to that of altissima. The Common Goldenrod has a range spanning from Southern Canada to Northern Mexico, while the Short’s is found only in two isolated locations in Kentucky and Indiana. They are rather similar to the untrained eye but further observation reveals drastic morphological differences between the seeds of the two species, with those of the Short’s being far larger than those of …

A Musician's Lament: A Creative Piece Resulting From The Interaction Between Grief And Music, Sarah K. Noelker

Honors Theses

This thesis resulted in the creation of a musical work that reflects on my period of bereavement after the loss of my best friend. My research centered around the interaction between the human brain and grief, music and the interaction between the two as they happen simultaneously. In addition, I studied the works of the great composers to serve as a model as I set out to write my own work. Written here is a rationale on the creative piece as well as my research presented prior to the writing of the piece.

Deaf Education: Bicultural Bilingual Education And Total Communication In General Education, Stacey L. Johnson

Honors Theses

This paper will examine scholarly work in the field of deaf and hard of hearing (d/hh) education in relation to two different approaches used by teachers in this field. The researcher is searching to find which approach, bicultural bilingual in a residential setting or total communication in general education best serves students who are deaf and hard of hearing in the United States. Upon beginning research, it was quickly noted that you cannot look at only setting, communication, or approach; they are tightly bound and must be looked at together.

Ideology V. Reality: The Tiny House Movement In America, Taylor Pierce

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Putting The Athletic Back In The Trainer, Shelby L. Davis

Honors Theses

Athletic Training Students are taught about the benefits of physical activity and how to create specific exercise programs to maintain overall wellness. Although athletic training students have knowledge about the positive effects of physical activity, they continually score lower on activity level scales when compared with the average college student. A rigorous course schedule and long clinical hours seem to be a common factor that play into the poor health habits of the athletic training student. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the variables that negatively affect the exercise habits of undergraduate athletic training students.

Students from …

From The Soviet Bloc To The Ballot Box: Democratization In Eastern Europe, Tyler Swafford

Honors Theses

This undergraduate honors thesis examines the common causes of democratic transitions in Poland, Latvia, and Ukraine. One purpose of this honors project is to discern why certain countries like Poland and Latvia have successfully transitioned to and consolidated stable democratic institutions, while others like Ukraine have not. One central question examines the degree of influence that foreign actors exerted in promoting democracy movements in Eastern Europe. A theoretical framework will be established by combining parts of the models of Samuel Huntington, Juan Linz, and Alfred Stepan. The research project will place special scrutiny on Huntington’s theory of foreign actors affecting …

Occupational Injustice: Women's Education In Afghanistan, Victoria Mings

Honors Theses

The country of Afghanistan has had a turbulent political, economic, and social climate throughout the recent past. Instability throughout the country has had dramatic impacts on all aspects of its citizens’ lives. One especially prevalent factor that has been affected is the education of women. Receiving an education is an example of an occupation, which is any task or experience an individual finds meaningful. The inhibition of an individual’s ability to participate in valued occupations is called occupational injustice. Through an in-depth literature review, an online review of charitable organizations that promote education for women and girls in Afghanistan, and …

From Congregations To Congress: The Impact Of Religion In The 114th Congress, Emily Mildred Cottle

Honors Theses

The impact of religion on congressional politics is a question that is asked frequently, yet most answers I have found are, in my opinion, inadequate in accurately evaluating such an impact. This project has shown the influence that religion has on members of the House of Representatives through religion's effect on cosponsorship patterns. I have shown that both members' denominational affiliation and their religious salience are significant across multiple legislative categories. In this thesis I have redefined the measurement of religion when considering its impact on congressional politics and broadened the scope of the question. Whereas researchers previously sought to …

Counter Terrorist Financing: French Case Study, Adrienne Holtzworth

Honors Theses

In this undergraduate capstone honors thesis research project I will discuss the most basic defunding terror framework. I will suggest several responsibilities every financial institution should assume to aid efforts in counter terrorism financing. Lastly, in a case study of France three contributing factors to the heightened terror attacks are analyzed, these include: geographical location, the “outsider” effect, and their complicated past with the Muslim world. Next, each contributing factor is given a few suggested resolutions, resolutions range from tighter border control to radically revising the Code du Travail, from repealing discriminatory laws like those banning the burqa to fostering …

Anion Recognition Of Porphyrin Calixarene Hybrids, Lance Mwangi

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Equine Appeasing Pheromone On Heart Rate And Heart Rate Variability During Temporary Separation Of Equine Preferred Partners, Hannah Susanne Wilson

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Cultivating Character With Curriculum: A Service Project, Amanda K. Bowman

Honors Theses

Often misbranded as an imposition of morality or a form of “conversion therapy,” character education is intentionally designing instructional practices to foster the growth of specific character traits. This service project explored how explicit character education can be implemented in the modern classroom at three out of class academic preparatory sessions for low-income high school students who will be the first in their families to achieve a college degree. These sessions were conducted during the Eastern Kentucky University Upward Bound Programs monthly Saturday Academies. During each session, students received direct instruction and participated in experiential learning activities regarding a specific …

Factors Impacting Retention Among African American Students At Mississippi State University, Ariel Johnson

Honors Theses

African American retention is low at the college level, especially at Predominantly White Institutions. Factors such as resources, support systems, aggressions, and racism impact African American enrollment and graduation. Mississippi State University has low enrollment and retention rates for African American students, despite programs in place to increase these rates. This research uses anthropological methods to explore the experiences and knowledge of resources among African American students at Mississippi State University. Results indicate that the programs meant to combat low retention rates are ranked low and not widely known by participants. Understanding this will help increase effectiveness of retention programs …

The Entrepreneurial Philanthropist: Can It B?, Abby M. Kinnard

Honors Theses

The corporate culture is constantly shifting and with change comes the need to reexamine the priorities of a company. Social responsibility is no optional for companies and with the help of Benefit Corporations and B Corps the Entrepreneurial Philanthropist can be.

Creating A Zero + Energy Building Model, Ashley N. Thompson

Honors Theses

The goal of this project was to create an accurate representation of a zero + energy home both for physical experimentation and for numerical modeling. This means that the home does not rely on power from the grid, but only on alternative energy sources such as solar. The project consists of two major subcategories. The electrical portion of the project consists of implementing the energy source and control system, and the mechanical portion of the project consists of thermal analysis, thermal flow simulations, and physical construction. A 50 W solar panel was chosen as an energy source, which directs power …

Exploring The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status And Health, As It Affects Men And Women, Taylor Engel

Honors Theses

Low socioeconomic status has been found to adversely affect the physical and mental health of men and women. While research studies have examined the relationship between income and health, few have had special focus on gender differences, as they concern physical and mental health outcomes for persons living in poverty. This study explores the disparities and differences that exist between males and females in the population, and seeks to identify any supports needed for those individuals. This study includes a secondary data analysis, which utilized a sample of 125 adults taken from a primary care clinic in Northern Florida that …

Parents Perceptions Of The Internet And Its Effects On Their Children, Brittany Hill

Honors Theses

The Internet is a vast database filled with education, fun, and danger. Parents have a difficult time protecting their children against the dangers they can face on the Internet (e.g., cyberbullying, sexual victimization, addiction, unwanted pornography). This study’s purpose was to better understand how parents perceived the Internet and also see how they understand the effects on their children’s behaviors. The study was an online social media survey and had both quantitative and qualitative aspects. This study included 28 parents of children eight and older in the school system. Participant’s responses were examined using measures of central tendency and grounded …

Emphasizing Colonization In Modern Environmental And Women’S Activist Movements In India And The Future Of Ecofeminist Movements For Creating A More Just And Sustainable Future, Alea M. Tveit

Honors Theses

This research discusses the extent of colonial acknowledgement in modern women’s rights and environmental movements in India. British colonization profoundly altered the ecological landscape and social norms of the societies it affected while leaving behind institutional structures that encouraged and perpetuated discrimination, oppression, and environmental degradation. In the case of India, I illustrate pre-colonial norms surrounding environmental stewardship and women’s rights and compare it to post-colonial ideology to make a connection of modern human rights and environmental problems to a colonial past. Today’s popular environmental and women’s activist movements are analyzed to determine if colonial acknowledgment or a decolonial framework …

Modelling The Role Of Chance In Mating Dynamics, Libby K. Boykin

Honors Theses

This undergraduate honors thesis examines the role of chance in mating dynamics, focusing on the popular measures of Is and OSR and whether or not they are accurate measures of sexual selection. The first chapter is an overview of sexual selection and how biologists typically measure it, and the second chapter describes the modelling scenarios we created to assess the interaction of Is and OSR with both chance and parental investment. Our results show that Is and OSR have indeed been used incorrectly, and that we should shift our focus to trait-based methods when measuring sexual selection.

The Intellectual, Ethical, And, Spiritual Dimensions Of The Islamic Thought, Ambreen Sohani

Honors Theses

The intellectual inquiry and acquisition of knowledge have always been integral to Islam, right from the first revelation recorded by the Qur’an. This paper aims to examine how the origin, role, and purpose of intellect have been understood in Islamic thought from its inception and through its subsequent evolution. It further aims to discuss the role and purpose that intellect and ethics ought to serve in the faith and lives of contemporary Muslims. Muslim philosophers based their ideas on teachings of the Qur’an and teachings of Prophet Muhammad. They utilized their intellect to share this significant knowledge with their contemporary …

Social Media Transformation Of Human Resource Management, Lavita A. Williams

Honors Theses

Social media is rapidly transforming the way individuals interact in the real world day by day in the workforce. This research focuses on how social media effects human resource management (HRM) in areas of recruitment, selection, retention, and termination. Through a SurveyMonkey information was gathered from human resource professionals primarily in the southeastern region and throughout the United States. Human resource managers where asked about the advantages and disadvantages of using social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter in areas of recruitment, selection, and termination. The results, illustrated that there were many advantages when using social media sites in …

Incivility: The Lived Experiences Of Nursing Students, Stephanie M. Pecua

Honors Theses

In this paper, the experience of incivility on nursing students was explored. This project aimed to answer the question: How do acts of incivility among nursing students affect the victims emotionally, psychologically, and physically? A significant part of answering this question involved exploring the meaning of the experience of incivility to the participant students. The research design was qualitative with a phenomenological approach. The participants of the study consisted of 5 volunteer, current nursing students attending the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at The University of Southern Mississippi-Gulf Park campus during the fall 2016 semester. The participants were asked …

A Retro Development In Education: Evaluating The Feasibility Of Integrating Place-Based Education Into Mississippi Curriculum Standards, Colby K. Mcclain

Honors Theses

This thesis evaluates the feasibility of integrating place-based environmental education activities from Think Green, Take Action: Books and Activities for Kids into the Mississippi Department of Education’s (MDE) Frameworks for Science and Social Studies for K-5. As children develop and experience the world, their ability to understand and interpret the surrounding environments expand; however, Mississippi schools are not focused on experiential environmental education, even though experiencing and understanding the surrounding environment is vital in fostering eagerness to learn. Due to a growing disconnect between humans and the natural world, this thesis examined 37 place- and environment-based activities for children, sixteen …