Digital Commons Network^™

The Barren Bear Fruit: Towards A Theology Of Marital Fruitfulness For Sterile Catholic Couples In Light Of Hans Urs Von Balthasar’S Theology Of Fruitfulness, Briony Mowbray

Theses

It is estimated that between 4.0% and 11.2% of married Catholic couples remain undesirably childless after exhausting licit medical treatments for their infertility. Yet, a critical appraisal of the documents of the Magisterium highlights an absence of substantial and constructive dialogue about fruitfulness for sterile Catholic couples. This thesis draws upon the insights of Hans Urs von Balthasar in order to construct a preliminary theology of marital fruitfulness that is specifically applicable to Christian couples unable to have biological children. Following the aforementioned appraisal of relevant Magisterial documents, this thesis is divided into two further sections. In the first section, …

Identifying And Implementing The Theology Of The Domestic Church, Mishel Stefanac

Theses

This project explores the development of the theology of the domestic church and how it can be implemented in Catholic families. It investigates the origin of the phrase domestic church, traces its development over centuries, and considers the implications this has on the Church and families. The overall objective of this project is to inquire into the significance of this term and identify the principles that ought to be incorporated in a practical resource for families.

The project begins with a comprehensive analysis of the origins of the term domestic church, and how it developed over time. It investigates why …

Galatea: A Representation Of The Nature Of The Goddess, Courtney Flamm

Theses

This paper analyzes the figure Galatea, including the original narratives of Ovid’s Metamorphoses and the visual representations of her character. Examinations of these images and the circumstances that surround Galatea’s character, including her association with Venus, provide an in-depth exploration of Galatea’s relationship to the archetypal Mother Goddess and the role of feminine deities throughout history. As interpreted in the prehistoric past, the ancient Mother Goddess was worshipped as an all-encompassing deity in ancient Sumerian, Egyptian, Aztec, and Greek societies. Her duality as the source of life and death provided a superior nature to her surrounding male counterparts that was …

Cultural Naturalism And The Market God, David Timothy Denenny

Theses

This work employs John Dewey's cultural naturalism to explore how and why the orthodox economic tradition functions as a religious faith.Scholars such as the theologian Harvey Cox and others now view orthodox economic practice as a religion. Other scholars such as Max Weber, Alasdair MacIntyre, and numerous others view modern economic practice as exemplifying a particular ethic. The focus in this work is placed upon the destructive consequences of practicing the Market faith. This work argues that much of contemporary economic practice maintains a view of science that is incompatible with the kind of naturalism found in Classical American Pragmatism. …

Understanding Culture Through Traditional Chinese Fairy Tales: A Study On The Effects Of Chinese Fairy Tale Characters On Audience Perception Of Culture, Bochuan Li

Theses

Classic of Mountains and Seas is probably one of the most ancient books about geography. The history of this book dates back to the Zhou Dynasty (1134 BC to 256 BC) or even earlier. Classic of Mountains and Seas is structured with 18 fascicles and has remained generally unaltered since the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). This book is not a narrative; it details descriptions of locations in the mountains, seas, lands, and wilderness. The descriptions are usually about medicines, monsters, and geological features. Many of the descriptions are very mundane. Chapters follow the same pattern, and the whole book consists of …

Professional Heartbreakers: Male Entertainers And The Divide Between Popular Culture And History In Japan, Meradeth Lin Edwards

Theses

While prostitution in Japan is widely studied, there are seldom specific examinations of males in these roles. This paper uses primary sources and secondary sources to study men as purchasable commodities, and how these roles have shaped the fictional world as well as the real world in Japan.

Communicating History: Podcasts As Public History, Alexandra Serpikov

Theses

Since the arrival of “audioblogging” in the 1980s and its transformative rise in popularity in the early 2000s, podcasts have been used to share stories and information all over the globe. History-themed podcasts in particular have grown in number, with content creators utilizing new and emerging media as platforms for dissemination of historical subjects. As a newer medium, podcasting was never specifically targeted to be an educational endeavor, yet it is sharing history through a widely accessible platform. This raises the question, are historically themed podcasts a form of public history? If they are, then how do they function as …

Into The Pines, Dustin Brown

Theses

Into the Pines is a body of work that leads the viewer on a mediated journey, one that encourages the reader to construct meaning through an investigation of several photographic mediums and materials. A patchwork of incomplete stories, the work is a genre study of North American murder ballads, built on a spine of both personal and cultural histories. While many of the images found within the work reference such histories, others speak to a universal fascination with tragedy, where it comes from, and how it shapes our lives.

In book form, the work is presented as a visual dossier, …

A Comparative-Historical Analysis Of Cross-Cultural Influences Affecting The Evolving Of Christian Marriage In The First Century Ce, Kevin Smith

Theses

Anecdotal evidence and media discussions indicate that today formal marriage is not deemed necessary to cement a conjugal relationship. Many nominally Christian countries such as France, Germany, the U.K., Ireland and Australia have given de facto relationships the same or similar legal standing as formal marriages. In addition, the legitimacy of children born of de facto liaisons is no longer a contested issue. We are living in a time of important social change.

Similarly, the Roman world of the first century was experiencing great social change, including issues surrounding marriage and the bearing and raising of children. This investigation examines …

Philosophizing About God And Nature : Connections And Divisions In The Writings Of Isaac Newton, Joshua Riddle

Theses

For several decades, scholars have argued about the relationship between Isaac Newton’s works in science (or natural philosophy), “chymistry,” religion, and theology. Of particular interest has been how his natural philosophy and religion/theology related to each other. Some scholars claim a significant connection between them, even claiming they are part of a “seamless unity” in Newton’s thinking. Other, more skeptical, scholars call for a localized approach to his writings. By entering into this debate and analyzing many of Newton’s manuscripts, I argue that Newton held onto significant disciplinary distinctions in his writings, but also was willing to make small connections …

Utopia And Human Culture: Alternative Communities Of Higher Learning In America, Eli Orner Kramer

Theses

In this thesis I explore the place of the actualized utopian American alternative community of higher learning within a philosophy of human culture. I carry out such a study in order to articulate a unifying description of movement; to find the “target” that orients the activity of actualized utopia, as opposed to a classificatory rule to define a mechanically determined utopian-object. Although these communities have varied in practice since the first generation of them were created in the mid-nineteenth century, I argue that they have played, and continue to play, a particular role in America. They imagine what a world …

A Study Of The Electronics And Software Industry In Ireland 1960-2010, Sarah Davis

Theses

This study explores the origins of the Electronics/ Software industrial sector in the Republic of Ireland and its subsequent development from 1960 to 2010 inclusive. A key focus of the study is to identify and explore the sectoral drivers/inhibitors. The influence of government policy and technical education on this development is explored. This research study was sponsored by the Irish American Partnership.

A critical realist philosophical approach is chosen to deal with the time-frame and the subject area breadth. An evolutionary research design process is used. An ongoing literature review and access to historical documentation provides other contextual data. Roadmapping …

Noongar Women's Birth Experience, Judith Pamela Wilson

Theses

This qualitative study used a descriptive interpretive approach that drew heavily on the methodological underpinnings of interpretive phenomenology in order to explore the lived experience of Noongar women in childbirth. The aim of the study was to give voice to Noongar women, who despite having poorer outcomes than the wider population, remain marginalised and mute in childbirth reform. The purpose of the study was to acknowledge as authoritative, Noongar women’s wisdom and understanding of their childbirth experience.

This study was conducted at the cultural interface, by a non-Indigenous researcher who implemented a collaborative and power sharing model of enquiry. Ten …

The Place Of Eucharistic Adoration In The Apostolate Of The Laity In Light Of Magisterial Teaching, Jessica Leach

Theses

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Into Recent Developments In The Regulatory Regime For Financial Accounting In Ireland, Mark James

Theses

In the last decade the Irish accounting regulatory regime has been radically reformed from one consisting largely of private sector regulation to one where public sector regulation has increased importance. This change has taken place within a larger international context of the rise of the regulatory state, and a period of greater convergence between regulatory activities internationally. While an extensive body of research on this topic has accumulated in other countries, particularly America, Irish research has generally been focussed on the role of the accounting profession in this development. This study aims to build on the existing literature by focusing …

Power System Load Modeling Using A Weighted Optimal Linear Associative Memory (Olam), Morlue Samukai Eesiah

Theses

Power system load models are very powerful tools, which have a wide range of applications in the electric power industry. These uses include scheduling system maintenance, monitoring load management policies, helping with the generator commitment problem by providing short-term forecasts, and aiding system planning [4]. Further, Power System Load Modeling is a technique used to model a power system and other essentials for the assessment of stability. In today's datacenters, power consumption is a major issue. Storage usually typically comprises a large percentage of a datacenter's power. Therefore, without mentioning that managing, understanding, and reducing storage, power consumption is an …

Presettlement Forest Composition In The Connecticut Tract Of Western New York, Evelyn Brister

Theses

This study of the vegetation of the 100,000-acre Connecticut Tract in western New York examines the presettlement characteristics of the forest, including the tree species composition, tree density, and wetland extent. Presettlement vegetation studies add to what is known about the forests of this region before European settlement in the early 1800s brought widespread changes to these forests. The ecological data in original private land surveys from 1811 were transcribed and then analyzed using ArcGIS and IDRISI GIS software. The surveys contained both witness tree data and line descriptions, which were analyzed for species composition and community type and were …

Sand And Skirts: A Study Of British Women In Early Colonial Fremantle, 1829-39, Toni Church

Theses

This study of Fremantle during the first decade of British settlement at Swan River investigates the trauma and triumph of its female colonists. In this outpost of empire, British women hoped for a better life, with greater economic and social freedoms, and a promising future for their families. They faced many challenges to achieve these aspirations.

On their journey to Swan River they experienced the cramped conditions on board the emigrant ships that bred disease and discontent amongst passengers. Some suffered from violence, and loss was a part of everyday life. Loss of belongings and livestock in rough seas hampered …

The Book Of Job: Navigating Between The Two Jobs From The Perspective Of Ritual, Lawrence Pang

Theses

The overarching problem concerning the unity of the book of Job is its conflicting juxtaposition of Job’s character. In the prose frame, Job does not charge God with any wrongdoing despite the afflictions against him and is acknowledged by God for his piety whereas in the dialogue, Job responses with words of accusation against God for his trouble and for mismanaging the affairs of the world according to the orthodoxy of reward and punishment. Various methodological approaches, ranging from the synchronic to the diachronic, have been advanced to account for the dissonance, however, to date, no attempt has been made …

Historic Thermal Calibration Of Landsat 5 Tm Through An Improved Physics Based Approach, Francis P. Padula

Theses

This investigation is motivated by the current need for a detailed post launch calibration of the Thematic Mapper (TM) thermal band (Band 6), aboard NASA’s Landsat 5 spacecraft. The historical calibration spans the period from 1984 to 2007. It is through fusion of environmental data sources (i.e. buoy observations, surface observations, and radiosonde observations) that a vicarious calibration approach will be implemented to construct the complete calibration record of the Landsat 5 TM thermal band. The vicarious calibration process takes advantage of the long standing National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) moored buoy fleet to acquire historic ground truth measurements needed …

Experimental Study Of Water Transport Mechanisms And Two-Phase Pressure Drop In A Simulated Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Cathode Gas Channel, John Borrelli

Theses

Water management is one of the most important challenges in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) development. Water is a product of the fuel cell reaction, and it can accumulate in the gas diffusion medium (GDM) adjacent to the air distribution channels of a cathode flow field plate. While some water retention is necessary for membrane hydration, the majority must be removed from the cathode flow field channels for optimal stack performance.

The experiments of the present work utilize high-speed digital images to analyze water as it flows through a GDM sample and into a 1.08 mm hydraulic diameter rectangular …

Critting The Crit In The Education Of Architects: From Bauhaus To Bolton Street, Patrick Flynn

Theses

This investigative study is concerned with examining the current methods of assessment of architecture students in the system known as the “crit” and the associated methods of giving students feedback on their designs in a public forum. The aim of the research is to identify the main weaknesses of the crit system and to explore alternatives which perhaps would have more sustainable and transparent methods of assessment and feedback. Personal motivation for the research sprang from concerns regarding both the effectiveness of the crit from the pedagogical perspective of student learning and from concerns about it as a transparent and …

Effect On Participation In High School Extracurricular Activities On Grade Point Average, Nancy J. Aberasturi

Theses

Historically, studies have debated the relationship between student grade point average and student involvement in extracurricular activities. The present study investigated that relationship. A group of 47 high school sophomores and juniors voluntarily completed and returned a questionnaire designed by the researcher, which gathered data on involvement in all-inclusive extracurricular activities, plans for attending a college or university, gender, age, and date of birth. The sample included 22 females, 24 males, and I subject who did not indicate gender. Cumulative grade point average was determined by student records. A correlation analysis indicated that a significant, positive relationship existed between grade …

Interplay: Dialogue Of The Systematic And Intuitive, Amy Fox

Theses

This thesis focuses on the congnitive activity of graphic designers, and the aim is to help the designer think about their thought developments that formulate their actions.

Some Theological Implications Of Two Catholic Responses In Care And Prevention To The Hiv/Aids Pandemic In Korea And The Philippines, Yong-Seong Roh

Theses

Dialogues with two Catholic institutions in Korea and the Philippines concerned with those suffering from AIDS and working to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS highlight the ambiguities and contradictions in both current knowledge and attitudes. Among the general public and church members there is considerable misunderstanding about the issues both the nature of the disease and the Church's moral teaching. Catholic institutions and secular based NGOs reveal the importance of interactive social networks in promoting positive responses in the face of widespread prejudice and stigmatization.

Suffering arising from HIV/AIDS presents a challenge to promote an ethics of relieving the misery …

Leadership And Communication In The Transition To Virtual, Mark K. Reighard

Theses

This culminating project focuses on the transition of work teams from a traditional to a virtual work setting and the approaches and tools used by the manager to make that transition effective.

"Virtual Workplace", Telecommuting, Telework, "Alternative Workplace", and "Work From Home" are all terms and phrases used to describe a situation where at least a portion of a work team's members are not housed in a specific office day in and day out. This type of work setting has been utilized for many years (e.g. the traveling salesman) but is gaining popularity with the advent of enhanced communication tools …

A Manual Covering The Topic/Subject On How To Develop A Business Plan For Investors/Owners: Formulation And Implementation, James S. Jump

Theses

This thesis will focus on the discussion of business planning and the impact it bas on business owners and investors in today's business climate. Business planning is defined as how organizations utilize internal thought processes to execute a form of a plan of action to compete in a marketplace that offers similar products and services.

One debate about business planning involves big business that develop planning "systems" as compared to entrepreneurs that often times operate with little or no planning. Another debate involves the timing and use of planning. A survey of 220 INC 500 businesses revealed that 51 % …

A Study Of The Relationship Between The Ego Identity And Reported Relationship Satisfaction Of Lesbian Women In Long Term Relationships, Sheila D. Reed

Theses

This study examined the connection between ego identity and relationship satisfaction in lesbian couples. Thirty-two lesbian women in the Missouri and Illinois bi-state area responded to a demographic survey and two measurement scale questionnaires. The questionnaires used were the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and the Ego Identity Scale (EIS). The results of this study did not indicate a relationship between ego identity and relationship satisfaction. The findings are discussed and suggestions are given for further research.

Self-Portrait: The Integrity And Interdependence Of Objective Information And Subjective Experience In The Representation Of Memory, Katherine Hannigan

Theses

This thesis is concerned with the subjective experience and the objective quantifiers of life events. It explores the awareness and the representation of the rational and emotional, the quantitative and qualitative, or the objective and subjective aspects of experience in memory. The works in the thesis are self-portraits.

Mirroring The Life Of Their Times: The Group Legacy In The Changing Face Of Theatre, Christopher J. Stephens

Theses

Christopher J. Stephens’ thesis, Mirroring the Life of Their Times: The Group Legacy in the Changing Face of Theatre, explores the enduring influence of the Group Theatre on American theatre practice, particularly in actor training and ensemble performance. Founded during the Great Depression, the Group Theatre was inspired by the work of Stanislavski and the Moscow Art Theatre, but evolved its own distinct ideology rooted in realism, political engagement, and emotional truth on stage. Stephens traces the formation of the Group through the efforts of Harold Clurman, Cheryl Crawford, and Lee Strasberg, examining their emphasis on ensemble acting, psychological …