Digital Commons Network^™

Expunging Father Time: The Search For Temporal Transcendence In The Novels Of Aldous Huxley And Tom Robbins, Stephanie Abigail Taylor

Masters Theses

This study explores the connection between the time concepts of Aldous Huxley and Tom Robbins. For both authors, time imprisons man on two fronts, or in two cages, if you will. The smaller of these cages is society's concept of time, clock time, which constrains the activities of man, forcing him to submit to his fate as a mere drone operating on the assembly line of life. In this prison, man cannot take the proper time to commune with nature, to look inward at himself and his life, or to focus on the real meaning and goal of life--escape from …

An Examination Of William Faulkner's Use Of Biblical Symbolism In Three Early Novels: The Sound And The Fury, As I Lay Dying, And Light In August, Richard North

Masters Theses

During the years 1928-1932, William Faulkner wrote and published three novels containing varying but significant amounts of Biblical content and symbolism: The Sound and the Fury (1929), As I Lay Dying (1930), and Light in August (1932). In The Sound and the Fury, the characters of Benjy and Quentin Compson share some characteristics of Christ figures, but receive irony-laden treatment. The novel, however, presents the purest Christian character of this period of Faulkner's writing--the Compson family's Negro servant Dilsey. The Bible holds a similar influence over As I Lay Dying, specifically in the Old Testament. The Christian characters in this …

On Earth As It Is In Heaven: The Social Gospel As A "Theology Of Liberation", Joseph Francis Super

Masters Theses

Gustavo Gutiérrez is considered the father of Latin American liberation theology. Walter Rauschenbusch is considered the father of the Social Gospel in the United States. Although their circumstances differed greatly, both theologians made similar contributions to social Christianity, even though Gutiérrez does not seem to recognize it fully. Gutiérrez asserts that a theology of liberation must interpret the gospel in light of both the current reality and the values of the oppressed and then must use this theology to attack the social structures of oppression. This thesis asserts that Rauschenbusch did just that with his social gospel. Thus, the social …

From In-Vitro To In-Vivo: Corporate Development And Efficacy Of A Topical Hair Growth Agent Derived From Natural Extracts, Kelly Michael Glynn

Masters Theses

Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) affects up to 50% of the world’s population, propelling the development for a possible treatment. The hair follicle is influenced by several genetic and physiologic factors, which, when gone awry, lead to androgenetic alopecia. Vascular endothelial and keratinocyte growth factors are believed to be promoters of hair growth, as is inhibition of the proteasome complex. The cytokine IL-1α is also known to regulate follicle dynamics. The research objective described herein was an attempt to develop a botanical blend, which could mediate the above biomarkers, be successfully incorporated into a safe topical product and be evaluated …

Making Sense Of Cultural Complexity: An Experimental Study Of Third Culture Individuals’ Interpersonal Sensitivity As A Result Of Intercultural Adaptation, Allyn D. Lyttle

Masters Theses

This study examined third culture individuals, defined as people who lived in a country other than that of their nationality during their developmental years, seeking to determine a difference in interpersonal sensitivity between third culture individuals and mono-cultured persons. While popular literature asserts such specialized skills developed as a result of intercultural adaptation, this assertion has not been empirically supported. Data was collected using web-based surveys, which yielded a sample size of 142. The instrument measured participants' intercultural experience and interpersonal sensitivity in two classifications, emotional sensitivity and social sensitivity. Results showed third culture individuals as having significantly higher social …

"Life Wants Padding": Food, Eating, And Bodies In George Eliot's Novels, Tess Rebecca Stockslager

Masters Theses

This thesis uses six of the novels of George Eliot (those that take place entirely in rural England), works from the field of psychology, the concepts of realism and sympathy, and a metaphor of liquidity from Thomas Carlyle to explore several ways that body fat shapes identity and mediates relationships with others. Boundaries are the guiding concept: the chapters move from a demonstration of how boundaries between the self and others are created (padding), through a discussion of how sympathy can enable those boundaries to be broken (stuffing), to two case studies of characters whose boundaries of selfhood are in …

The Library, The Labyrinth, And "Things Invisible": A Comparative Study Of Jonathan Swift's A Tale Of A Tub And Jorge Luis Borges' Ficciones, Amber Lockard

Masters Theses

One of the most difficult and yet perhaps most revealing means of investigating the proclivities and flaws of the contemporary age is to compare the literatures of this time with the literatures of a past time. The benefits of such a comparison can first highlight the ways in which talented authors from different ages employ similar methods in skillful ways; but moreover, the assessment can help to place postmodern literature, culture, and individuals within a proper and perceivable historical context. To do so is to recognize the advances, discoveries, promises, limitations, and flaws in the present manner of thinking and …

Symptomatic Of Excess: Apocalypse In The Novels Of Kurt Vonnegut, Katie Elizabeth Robinson

Masters Theses

The works of Kurt Vonnegut are best known to his readers for their striking comedy and satirical critiques of American society. Vonnegut presents the reader with a terrifyingly recognizable truth concerning America, yet he leaves the reader with laughter instead of feelings of helplessness. Despite Vonnegut's comical way of addressing mankind's shortcomings, he does emphasize real problems in America that demand attention. Vonnegut notes that the darkness of his novels grows "out of frustration," saying, "I think there is so much we can do--things that are cheap--that we're not doing" ("Playboy Interview" 255). Vonnegut's texts explain that if mankind does …

Bewilderment And Illumination: Catch-22 And The Dark Humor Of The 1960s, Kirsten Staaby

Masters Theses

It is often hard to deal with certain subjects in a way that would not be offensive or painful. Dark humor is a popular and powerful way to deal with serious issues in a manner that is both edifying and enjoyable. In his novel Catch-22, Joseph Heller deals with the atrocities of war, and the subsequent effects it has on people and society as a whole. Heller's novel incorporates the dark humor that became popular in the 1960s, and that was used by this generation to deal with the tensions they faced in the political and cultural realms. There is …

The Legacy Of A Failing Father: Dysfunctional Father Figures In William Faulkner's Fiction, Travis V. Holt

Masters Theses

The appearance of dysfunctional father figures in numerous works of William Faulkner makes his struggle to relinquish his animosity for his father, Murry Falkner, a significant theme in his fiction. The dysfunctional father figures play the pivotal role in the social, financial, and psychological decline of their families as the children struggle to escape their father's influence and their dismal fate. The real-life events and situations of Faulkner and his family members serve as a source for Faulkner's fiction, and the constant disgust several of his characters have for their father figures resembles Faulkner's own feelings towards his father. By …

Poe's Poisoned Pen: A Study In Fiction As Vendetta, Charity Lea Givens

Masters Theses

Edgar Allan Poe, widely regarded as an extremely influential American writer and prolific literary critic, exacted high standards in both his writing and in the writing of those he reviewed. Though his criticism was harsh, it was a necessary part of the growing process for American literature to become a separate and distinct body of literature. However, Poe's literary criticism is not his only work that bore the stinging marks of his pen; his fiction was also a venue for Poe to express his dissatisfaction with the literary field in America. Using a combination of close reading for textual analysis …

The Proper Candidate: An Examination Of The 1525 Debate Between Ulrich Zwingli And Balthasar Hubmaier Concerning Baptism, Kurt J. Thompson

Masters Theses

This thesis examines the written debate that occurred in 1525-1526 between Balthasar Hubmaier and Ulrich Zwingli on the proper candidate of baptism. Both pastors held to the reformation principle of sola scriptura yet came to different conclusions as to what the Bible teaches about baptism. Hubmaier argued that baptism should be administered to believers only. Only those who have mindfully repented and have chosen to follow Christ are eligible for Christian baptism. Hubmaier's arguments for believers' baptism are presented in the second chapter. Zwingli, on the other hand, argued that the children of believers are entitled to the Christian baptism. …

"Dragging Themselves Through The Negro Streets At Dawn": The Influence Of African American Culture On The Beats, Christopher Robinson

Masters Theses

Following its victory in the Second World War, America paradoxically faced a period of prosperity and peace coupled with many underlying insecurities and tensions. There was a great deal of anxiety caused by the advent of the atom bomb, the great destruction of Europe during the war, and the growing fear of Soviet aggression. Just as there had been an effort to unite Americans against the earlier threats of German and Japanese hostility, Americans attempted to create a united front in the United States to combat the growing fear of Communism throughout the world. Members of the American middle class …

Towards Understanding: The Study Of Hughes' Poetry As The Epitome Of The Expressive, Cultural, And Political Elements Of African American Literature, Brianne Nicole Trudeau

Masters Theses

Unfortunately, a disconnection currently exists between the academic world and the sweet, soulful study of African American literature (AA literature). Because there is limited exposure to AA literature in academics, except for specialized courses in which it serves as the intended focus, most people do not know how to approach it as serious academic study because of its stark differences from Western literature. In sum: African American writers often do not utilize Standard English (SE), so their work is misinterpreted as non-academic in comparison to other Western works of prominence; AA literature tells a different cultural story that most of …

Sediment Remediation Impacts On Macroinvertebrate Community Structure: Assessing The Success Of Urban Stream Restoration, Laurie Beth Nederveld

Masters Theses

Land use practices altering the natural landscape have resulted in the widespread degradation of stream ecosystems and the need for urban stream restorations. While a number of studies have evaluated the success of these stream restoration efforts, few have assessed the recovery of macroinvertebrate communities following the remediation of contaminated sediments. The purpose of my study was to evaluate the impact of sediment remediation activities on macroinvertebate abundance, diversity, and richness to determine the success of stream restoration in Ruddiman Creek, a small stream in the Muskegon Lake watershed. During my investigation, macroinvertebrate samples were collected from all available habitat …

The Effects Of Salvinorin A On The Novel Object Recognition Task In Male Rats, Larissa A. Haliw

Masters Theses

A recent increase in the recreational use of the plant Salvia divinorum and its derivative salvinorin A, an atypical naturally occurring kappa opioid receptor ag onist with hallucinogenic properties, by teens and young adults has contributed to a growing concern regarding the psychological effects of this drug. Salvia divinorum is presently a legal alternative to illegal hallucinogens and it is widely available over the Internet and in stores for a nominal cost making it a potential candidate as a drug of abuse. To date, no investigations have ex plored the effects of salvinorin A in memory assays. The novel object …

A Visual Rhetorical Analysis Of Selected Nexium Prescription Drug Advertisements According To The Methodology Of Sonja Foss, Jonathan Henry Ryan Law

Masters Theses

Direct‐to‐consumer advertising has gathered much negative attention. It’s purpose is filled with questions of ethics and legitimacy. This analytical study takes a deeper look into the advertisements that promote prescription drugs. The advertisements can be seen at the flip of a magazine, click of a button, or a walk down the road. The methodology for analyzing visual images according to Sonja Foss provided a framework to provide results. This preliminary study found evident problems in the drug advertising industry. Further research was beckoned due to the findings of this exploratory project.

Creating The Tradition Of Honoring The Older Population, Catherine Weisbeck

Masters Theses

This qualitative research study explored what it would take to create the tradition of honoring the older population in American culture. In this exploratory study, 15 participants were interviewed in person using a series of ten open ended questions. The participants were selected according to the criteria of being an older adult, working with or volunteering for older adults, or having been involved in a project which considered the older population as a subgroup within the total population. The participants were personally invited by the researcher to be interviewed and the interview took approximately 40 minutes. Results indicated that creating …

A Radical Phenomenology Of Love: Divine Love As Understood By The Radically Orthodox John Milbank, Jason Wesley Alvis

Masters Theses

The topic of Divine love is no longer taken seriously. In some sense it is difficult for one to even utter the words "God is love" without an accompanying mawkish sentimentality. One's concept of love in general, and Divine love in particular, is a linchpin to all other theological, ethical and social spheres of life. This thesis considers how John Milbank, the "father" of Radical Orthodoxy, understands Divine love, and some ways in which his work may be positively situated in the Ecclesial Community and lead individuals into deeper experiences of such love. Since Milbank has very few explicit words …

Multiethnic Worship Representative Of Heaven: A Mixed Methods Study, Sherree Vernet Lane

Masters Theses

This mixed-methods research studies inclusive worship of multiethnic Protestant congregations across Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. I used a model of worship based upon Liesch‘s characteristics of heavenly worship, examining how it applies to the multiethnic church. I observed worship services and rehearsals at Minneapolis Multicultural Church to determine how worship is constructed at this multiethnic church that became multiethnic due to changing neighborhood demographics.

In the second phase of research I surveyed multiethnic church pastors and worship leaders to determine attitudes and practices towards inclusive worship. I found a possible connection between multiethnic churches that start through inward and outward motivations …

Development Of An Electronic Governor System For A Small Spark Ignition Engine, Donald Ray Hibler

Masters Theses

"The use of electronic controls on engines has been widespread and has now reached the small utility engine. The evolution from carburetion to electronic fuel injection has presented opportunity to implement additional controls with the intent to improve engine control and performance. In this study, an electronic governor system is developed for use on a small twin cylinder utility engine. This system is to replace an existing mechanical governor system, and it should have the potential as a production based solution that integrates with an existing fuel injection system. It must improve the speed droop characteristics over the current mechanical …

Coughlin And Cleveland, Karen G. Ketchaver

Masters Theses

Father Charles E. Coughlin was one of the most prominent, and most controversial, figures in the United States in the 1930s and in the early years of the 1940s. This Canadian-born cleric rose from the life of an ordinary parish priest to becoming one of the leading radio phenomena of his day, masterfully using the new medium to command a vast audience. Coughlin began his radio career addressing religious subjects, but he expanded into the realm of politics by the early 1930s. His views became more and more extreme, and, by the latter part of the decade, he became increasingly …

'Til We Meet Again: The Soul's Alchemy In John Donne's Songs And Sonnets, Ann Hayward

Masters Theses

Alchemy, in his Songs and Sonnets, offers John Donne a realm devoted to the paradoxical, one from which he selects material to be artistically altered by his trademark "metaphysical wit." It also provides him - in the intensely-prescribed process of coniunctio - with a paradigm for passion, for the irresistible conjunction and inevitable separation of lovers. Drawing upon the writings of Twentieth-century psychologist, C.G. Jung, whose study of alchemy informed much of his own work, it is possible to uncover both within and among nine diverse selections from the Songs and Sonnets a poetic opus circulatorium. A circular …

Spectral And Spatial Analysis Of False Alarms In Airborne Minefield Data, Abhishek Sanaka

Masters Theses

"Tests run in May 2005 at an arid site as part of airborne minefield detection yielded substantial airborne background data with ground truthed and surveyed false alarm locations. ERDC and MultiSensor LLC identified the locations, geo referenced and documented different false alarms. The project reported here built a self-contained database of image chips recording target signatures for MSI (four bands) and MWIR sensors for false alarms from this background data and mines from related areas. The image chips represent various days, times of day, altitudes, as well as several different sources of false alarm and mine types. The database facilitates …

Translating Anglo-Saxon Poetry: Foreignized Translations Of The Seafarer And The Wanderer, Andrew Timothy Eichel

Masters Theses

Few scholars argue that medieval literature retains the same prestige today it once held as the foundation of almost every school's English literature/language department. One reason for this fall could be the lack of proper integration of newer literary approaches into the field. Why, despite the recent swell in the use of more contemporary schools of theory-Marxism, feminism, and deconstructionism, for example-do many medieval scholars still endorse traditional strategies of historical and empirical analysis? Focusing on the translation methodology of foreignization, I present Ezra Pound's translation of the Anglo-Saxon poem "The Seafarer" and my translation of "The Wanderer." Both serve …

The Letters Of Elizabeth I: Rhetoric For Ruling, Anna M. Patton

Masters Theses

This thesis is an investigation of the rhetorical skill of Elizabeth I of England, focusing primarily on her letters. Elizabeth's rhetorical prowess is well documented; scholars have spent ample time dissecting her political speeches as well as her historical significance in literary, political and historical studies. Although her speeches provide a firm foundation from which to examine Elizabeth and her relationships with her people, her letters are even more pertinent when examining those relationships Elizabeth sought to establish during her reign. Elizabeth's politics and relationships are enhanced and developed by her ability to manipulate those around her with her words. …

Influence Of Music Tempo On Calorie Consumption In A Restaurant Setting, Rachel Rogers

Masters Theses

This study examined the difference of calories consumed by restaurant patrons while listening to fast and slow tempo music. Twenty-three participants ate 2 meals spaced 5 days apart, 1 meal was eaten while listening to slow tempo music and 1 meal was eaten while listening to fast tempo music. Foods were weighed before being served to participants and after participants were finished eating to determine calories consumed. On average, participants consumed more calories while listening to slow tempo music versus fast tempo music. Although the mean difference between the conditions was not significant, the data trends were congruent with the …

Post Adoption Contact With Birth Parents In Foster Care Adoptions, Michelle Eileen Roberts

Masters Theses

In private adoptions in the United States, a general trend towards more openness and contact post-adoption has been documented in the research over the last 20 years. In contrast, there has been very little research on openness in foster care adoptions. This study sought to begin to fill this void in the research by examining the level of openness in foster care adoptions and exploring how agencies facilitate and support openness in adoptions. A 20-question survey was administered to adoptive parents over the internet, covering the level of openness in their adoption, their satisfaction with the level of contact and …

The Application Of Visual Phonics And Phonological Awareness Interventions To Address Language Impairment In Preschool Children, Jodi Dyke

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two phonological awareness interventions on the development of auditory comprehension, expressive language, semantics, and syntax. Specifically, the study examined the effect of phonological awareness intervention integrated with See the Sound/Visual Phonics hand cues versus only phonological awareness intervention. Twenty-seven children identified as speech and/or language delayed were assigned to one of three groups that received (a) phonological awareness instruction, (b) phonological awareness instruction coupled with visual phonics hand cues, or (c) no intervention. Seven children were designated as a control group and twenty were placed in one of two …

You've Come A Long Way, Baby?: A Feminist Rhetorical Analysis Of More Magazine, Therese Supple Kincade

Masters Theses

Past research has focused on the power of mediated artifacts to reinforce gender roles in girls and women. For decades, women's magazines have focused on an idealized representation of women in a male dominated socio-political system guided by patriarchal investments. Since 1998, More magazine has offered an updated version of this image to an over 40 female audience. This thesis explores normative gender expectations as conveyed in More magazine, paying specific attention to the tensions negotiated in the liminal space assigned to middle-aged women. This feminist rhetorical analysis of More argues that the magazine presents contradictory images of middle-aged women, …