Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding The Performance And Perception Of Odawa Warfare, 1615–1700, Eric P. Morningstar

Masters Theses

This research employs the ethnohistorical method to explore how the Odawa people perceived and carried out warfare from 1615 to 1700. While historians have examined the Odawa, these Native peoples have frequently not been the central focus in the secondary literature. Many primary sources also offer a vague answer as to how the Odawa conceived and carried out warfare. This study aims to clarify historiographical inconsistencies by quantitatively analyzing a database, constructed by the author, of specific primary references to known hostilities between the Odawa, other Native groups, and Europeans. The analysis includes specific variables germane to hostilities such as …

English Literacy Rates Across The United States, Hailey Reisinger

Masters Theses

Literacy rates among students in the United States have been at an all-time low for the last several years. There have been many factors to this including but not limited to, the COVID-19 pandemic, technology, teacher shortages, and chronic absenteeism. This study looks into the literacy rate decline, the mentioned factors, and what is being done to improve the literacy proficiency among students across the country. This study also looks at what is specifically being done for school divisions across the Commonwealth of Virginia, focusing on one school in particular, Culpeper Middle School.

The Case Mountain Cases: Escapism Through Alternate Worlds, Monsters, And Environment In Fiction, Jerry J. Hewitt

Masters Theses

This thesis began with the idea of horror and science fiction novel’s ability to provide readers with a sense of escape in exploring alternative worlds through descriptions of scary monsters and brooding environments. The location of my manuscript takes place in real-life hiking area in Connecticut called Case Mountain, which I have been hiking in since I was a child. Throughout my life, I have always had a fascination with the folklore and ghost stories surrounding Connecticut, and much of my writing has always had a focus on sharing these tales and providing readers with the ability to escape their …

Fundamentalism And Religious Art At Bob Jones University: Is There A Problem?, Cheryl Sanders Mims

Masters Theses

Bob Jones Sr. founded Bob Jones College in 1927 in Florida with educational, spiritual, and cultural goals for its students in the belief that Christians should be well-rounded - making them better equipped to both witness for Christ and succeed in their chosen professions. Programs were offered in drama and music. The campus moved to Greenville, South Carolina in 1947 where the institution became Bob Jones University and Bob Jones Jr., son of the founder, became its second president. In 1951 he founded an art museum – a natural extension of the Fine Arts programs – and assembled a large …

Moral Injury In Military Corrections, Jeremy Ryder Meyers

Masters Theses

Over the past thirty years moral injury has been a topic of concern regarding the behavioral and spiritual health of military members. Part of that work has given a voice to Vietnam veterans and the events they faced while in combat. Some of these events were acts of betrayal at the hands of another military member or their own. This act led to an injury to their moral code. Military chaplains may have morally injured soldiers in need of pastoral care as they serve. This includes soldiers working the military prisons like the United States Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth. …

Stories Of The Re-Awakening, Joseph Cecil Broadbent

Masters Theses

The Present piece takes a look at the realms of the fantastical and vital elements that help to create a best seller. The creative piece is a brief look into a hopefully soon to be published Fantasy/Science Fiction Young Adult Teenage series. Brief insights are followed by a prologue and four book beginnings to welcome the reader into its world.

Effects Of Microplastic Biofilms On An Anthropogenically Impacted Suburban Lake, Paris M. Velasquez

Masters Theses

Plastics have been observed in every location on the planet, and their prevalence in the environment is due in part to their strong resistance to degradation. Inland lakes are susceptible to plastic pollution by highway runoff, which contains plastic fragments of brake pads, car tires, litter, and road paint. These plastics eventually enter freshwater environments and degrade into microplastics (

Gop's Future: Adapting Professional Writing To Engage And Attract Gen Z Voters, Kerry Mckim

Masters Theses

In an evolving political landscape dominated by digital media, the Republican Party faces significant challenges in connecting with Generation Z (Gen Z) voters. This thesis explores the critical role of professional writing in bridging this communication gap between generations. With the rise of social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, traditional communication strategies are becoming increasingly obsolete. Gen Z's unique consumption habits, values, and communication preferences necessitate reevaluating how political messages are crafted and disseminated.

This research highlights the importance of professional writing in political communication, focusing on its impact within the GOP. By examining Gen Z's demographics and …

"Where The Heart Is Really Attached": Partner Compatibility In The Works Of Jane Austen, Mary Amick

Masters Theses

This thesis discusses the works of Jane Austen and how the author depicts marriages throughout her novels. It examines the values that Austen recommends to attain a happy marriage and argues that these values were shaped by Austen’s Christian heritage. Austen encourages people to marry but cautions them to choose their partner wisely. She makes it clear that an unwise choice would lead to future strife in the relationship. Austen claims that the traits necessary for a healthy and happy marriage relationship are a partner that encourages intellectual stimulation, a partner that is compatible both morally and temperamentally, and a …

The Brand Identity Paradox: Connecting With New Gen Audiences At Greater Scale, Osinor Xavier Kakhu

Masters Theses

This research explores the importance of authenticity in modern marketing, particularly when targeting underrepresented audiences. By examining the challenges and opportunities presented by social media, emerging technologies, and audience preference studies, this paper argues that brands must go beyond surface-level diversity efforts and genuinely engage with diverse communities. Through case studies and theoretical frameworks, the research highlights the potential benefits of authentic marketing, including increased brand loyalty, market expansion, and positive societal impact.

Divine Threads: Unraveling Testimony, Character Development, And Christianity In Fantasy Narratives, Miranda Wessman

Masters Theses

Characters are the backbone of fantasy fiction novels. In fact, characters are one of the core components of any novel no matter the genre. In every successful novel, you will find at least one protagonist and one antagonist. Some novelists choose to tell their stories through the use of multiple characters, all of whom have complicated stories of their own. The reason so many fantasy fiction novels are successful is not just because of the magic and worldbuilding, but the characters using the magic. Character development is intertwined with the character’s testimony which can be seen through the characters found …

The Decline Of Mentorship And The Urgency To Share Valuable Knowledge With The Next Generation, Morgan Christopher

Masters Theses

Senior mentorship of junior professionals is in decline, risking the loss of generational guidance and support, limiting career opportunities, and hindering social and professional development for both parties.

The thesis discusses the definition of a mentor and types of mentor relationships, the benefits of participating in a mentor relationship, and the influence junior professionals have on these relationships. However, extensive research is lacking in determining the practical steps senior professionals can take to reverse the decline of mentorship and bring our society back to the mentoring mindset we once possessed.

The topics that have been examined are as follows:

1. What …

Subtext In A Screenplay: More Than Meets The Ear, Emma J. Smith

Masters Theses

The creative manuscript for this thesis is a screenplay titled Air Tax. It is a dystopian story set in a western society where the ruling power has created two classes of people. Where one class is part of the elite, the other must watch their activity level as they are taxed on the air they breathe. A rebel group works to overthrow the rulers with the hope of equality and ultimate good for all. The question becomes whether the ideal will last if all guidance is human based. One way to reveal the need of guidance beyond human understanding for …

Character Development And The Inspiring Novelist, Halley Nicole Villegas

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the pivotal role of character growth and development in narrative writing, examining how it can significantly influence the overall success and reception of a story. Through a detailed analysis of various literary works and theoretical frameworks, this study identifies key elements that contribute to compelling character arcs and their impact on reader engagement. By contrasting well-developed characters with those that are poorly constructed or static, the research highlights how nuanced character development enhances plot progression, emotional resonance, and thematic depth. Additionally, the paper examines the importance of authenticity and relatability in character portrayal. The findings suggest that …

The Six Ps: A Faith Journey, Deborah Keizer

Masters Theses

The Six Ps is an epistolary memoir about a faith journey to find my twin flame and purpose. The journey began when I discovered my higher self in a guided meditation. After that incident, I received my first prophetic dream message. God also gave me the directive to write, using the Ps (plots) from Joseph of Genesis: Prophetic dreams, Pit, Potiphar’s wife, Prison, Palace – No Pharaoh, Purpose. After the first Prophetic dream I was guided to return to my homeland, and so I jumped into the Pit which I also call the Abyss – (to confront the false beliefs …

An Online Beginner Piano Course: A Fully Asynchronous And Online Curriculum For Beginner Piano Instruction, Jonathan David Holowaty

Masters Theses

The purpose of this applied curriculum is to provide piano instruction through an online and asynchronous method. Online and asynchronous methods of learning have been increasing in higher education and, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been used in the primary and secondary levels. This trend shows no signs of stopping. Much research has been done in online methods of learning in higher education; however, not nearly as much has been done with lower age groups. More research and experimentation is needed in the application of these methods at the primary and secondary levels. Considering this, the course conceived of …

Broken Picket Fences, Lori Ann Feeley

Masters Theses

Broken Picket Fences is a women's fiction novel that explores the bittersweet reunion of two young sweethearts who see each other again after twenty years. Love is reignited, old memories die hard, and dark secrets struggle to find the light of day in a maze of choices. Raeanne finds that what she thought she wanted may not be what she truly needs. She embarks on a journey through her past to rediscover the essence of who she really is. It has been so long since she viewed her own life through a clear lens. She desperately searches for who she …

How Music Genres Affect Test Anxiety Among Third-Grade Elementary Students, Amy Summersett Ardovino

Masters Theses

This descriptive case study investigates the effects of classical, rap, electronic, and jazz genres of music played during a test administered to third-grade elementary students. Many studies focus on three main genres, such as classical, rock, and popular music, and not new, emerging popular music genres. With learning performance being a primary concern in education, it is beneficial to ascertain if different music genres affect anxiety in third-grade elementary students. Third-grade students serve as the population for this study; the sample involves 123 third-grade students from Chelsea Park Elementary School. This study implemented the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-CH) …

What Christians Should Expect: Life Immediately After Death, Larry Kuka

Masters Theses

This paper examines Old Testament, New Testament, ancient Jewish, Near Eastern, and Christian documents to determine what the Word of God says about life immediately after death (afterlife). I will not examine references to the resurrection or to end times. The research for this paper from primary, secondary, and tertiary sources will be examined and explained, and the conclusions drawn will identify the passages in Scripture and other scholarly sources that explain life immediately after death for believers of Jesus Christ. Theological documents, cultural interpretations, societal perspectives, as well as biblical teachings will be examined to establish understanding, reassurance, and …

1930 Chicago, Irish American Life, And Its Adaptation Into Historical Fiction: The Ups And Downs Of Percival Dooley, A Novella, Katy Leigh Foster

Masters Theses

The thesis examines and explains literary techniques of historical fiction. Observations and studies of historical photographs and handwritten letters, along with qualitative research through studies, journals, historical fiction pieces, and Chicago info-maps, provided accuracy for the historical fiction and a clear reflection of humanity, which is significant in understanding the argument.

Ultimately, the historical fiction shows not just 1930 American society, but where it is today. The thesis argues and proves that whimsical tones are appropriate and effective despite the uneasy time and setting and the foreboding conflicts during 1930.

The story is set in Chicago in the year 1930. …

Scientific Authorial Voice: Incorporating Explicit Instruction In Undergraduate Chemistry Courses, Emma L. Becker

Masters Theses

The effective development of undergraduate chemistry students for success in professional and academic careers involves emphases on content knowledge and on writing and authorial voice. Unfortunately, most undergraduate chemistry instruction wholly neglects writing and authorial voice instruction in favor of content knowledge instruction. This results in the development of chemistry students who know the content of their field but not how to communicate that knowledge or how to enter the chemistry discourse with their own research. This integrative review identified 71 pieces of scholarly literature and synthesized these sources to reconceptualize writing instruction in undergraduate chemistry and propose explicit instruction …

Abiding Presence, Abundant Provision: Water Imagery Within The Temple Motif, Mindy N. Ziegler

Masters Theses

This thesis highlights the richness of the New Testament Christological truths in the Fourth Gospel by tracing the connections John made to the Old Testament history and traditions. John wrote his Gospel account after nearly a lifetime of reflection on the Christ-event and its significance. What had been misunderstood while Jesus walked among his disciples had been illuminated by the Spirit through many years of reflection and study. The New Testament, including the Fourth Gospel, was not written in a vacuum, but drew on a rich and colorful history of Yahweh’s revelation to his people that spanned millennia. The Evangelist’s …

“His” Gentleman’S Farm, Virginia Payne Dow

Masters Theses

Based on our farming experiences in rural Maine, this memoir relates a personal narrative of gardening and animal husbandry. The idea and passion for this gentleman’s farm project was solely my husband Mark’s, but due to his expanding work schedule, the execution of it fell largely on my shoulders. The narrative follows our exploits on the farm, beginning with that first experimental year. Nearly forty years later, Mark decided to try again. However, like our original farming venture, the gentleman’s farm that was supposed to be completely Mark’s project has become another shared adventure. The memoir comes full circle, showing …

Teaching Instruments To Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Students, Angelina Kim

Masters Theses

This curriculum project provides information regarding teaching musical instruments to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students in elementary school settings. Previous studies have addressed teaching DHH students reading, writing, and general music, but not much on implementing musical instruments for DHH students. In this study, the researcher will have extensive document reviews on the importance of music education for DHH students and identify the ways to teach DHH students about instrument playing. Furthermore, the researcher will prepare lesson plans teaching musical instruments for DHH students in elementary music classrooms and add more data for analysis. The results of this …

Exegetical Analysis Of The Vision In Daniel 10-12, Sydni M. Howard

Masters Theses

The thesis examines the visions and divine communications described in the Book of Daniel, particularly chapters 10-12. The study demonstrates that God gave his wise people supernatural insight and revelation of his plans to aid and give hope in perilous times .

The research employs an exegetical approach to analyze Daniel 10-12, utilizing a detailed review of prominent scholarly interpretations by Adolf Leo Oppenheim, John Joseph Collins, Tremper Longman III, J. Paul Tanner, John T. Willis, John Walvoord, and John C. Whitcomb. The study focuses on understanding the historical, literary, and cultural contexts of the visions, exploring the mechanisms of …

When The Tide Comes: A Critical Examination Of The Novel-Screenplay Hybrid With Example Chapters, Morgan F. Taylor Moore

Masters Theses

This thesis presents my research on the psychological realism genre, the stream of consciousness narrative technique, the usage of second person and the present tense, the biblical reasoning behind depicting the ordinary as extraordinary, the role of the demonic in domestic violence, the incorporation of screenplay styles, the scientific reasoning and personal findings of my project’s formatting, the examination of primary sources (novels) that have inspired my project, and finally, the research on ADHD, PTSD, and C-PTSD as the results of domestic abuse. Sample chapters of my project are included.

Development And Optimization Of A 1-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network-Based Keyword Spotting Model For Fpga Acceleration, Trysten E. Dembeck

Masters Theses

Spoken Keyword Spotting (KWS) has steadily remained one of the most studied and implemented technologies in human-facing artificially intelligent systems and has enabled them to detect specific keywords in utterances. Modern machine learning models, such as the variants of deep neural networks, have significantly improved the performance and accuracy of these systems over other rudimentary techniques. However, they often demand substantial computational resources, use large parameter spaces, and introduce latencies that limit their real-time applicability and offline use. These speed and memory requirements have become a tremendous problem where faster and more efficient KWS methods dominate and better meet industry …

Assessment Of Inquiry-Based Learning Practice In Response To The Science Achievement Gap Of City Schools, Lexus K. Baxendale,

Masters Theses

Over the past few decades, many city schools have seen a decline in graduation rates, attendance, rates, and standardized test scores. Once high achieving schools, are now struggling to get students to attend school let alone graduate. One specific area that has experienced this decline is K-12 science education. As a secondary science educator working within a city district, I have witnessed firsthand the substantial gaps in knowledge that many students exhibit even as they transition into high school. These gaps are often profound and can be traced back to the early stages of their education, where foundational scientific concepts …

Female Criminal Agency In Early Fourteenth-Century Norfolk, Anna K. Davis

Masters Theses

Medieval women who were on the wrong side of the law expressed agency in a specific and unusual manner. Criminal agency, as it were, was a way for them to express their wants and desires in a way that is no less valid a subject of study than actions that were legally permissible. However, this agency was constrained by medieval notions of women’s capability. This thesis examines women and their crimes found in an early fourteenth-century Norfolk gaol delivery roll to further understand how the men who ran gaol delivery “allowed” women to be criminal. As gaol delivery rolls were …

Vengeance As Piety: The Heroic And Elegiac Devil Of Genesis B, Alisa Heskin

Masters Theses

In Christian theology, the fall of Lucifer and his fellow rebel angels details the origins of angelic sin and prefigures the fall of humanity. The narrative had a strong literary tradition in early medieval England, appearing frequently in both poetry and prose. The Junius manuscript, one of four codices preserving the majority of Old English poetry, contains three accounts of the fall of the angels, with the most extensive versions being found in the poems known by scholars as Genesis B and Christ and Satan. Much of the scholarly attention Genesis B receives pertains to its interpolation into the longer …