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.(In|Out)Sider$, Jarel M. Harwood Mar 2014

.(In|Out)Sider$, Jarel M. Harwood

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the insider/outsider dynamic experienced by individuals as they enter diverse social situations. The shift from insider to outsider is evoked through an art installation of 18 sculptures drawing influence from "goth" subculture, as the viewer enters and interacts with the art space. The subjects of culture and identity are discussed as they pertain to insider/outsider status.

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Linguistic Vomit Ferments The Brain: Exploring The Boundaries Of Narratives, Katherine Dubois Mar 2014

Linguistic Vomit Ferments The Brain: Exploring The Boundaries Of Narratives, Katherine Dubois

Theses and Dissertations

Our minds require binaries to process and categorize information. A given piece of knowledge is either true or false. It helps us to process narratives as fiction or nonfiction. Narratives are neither wholly true or wholly false. Rather the borders that separate them are artificially constructed. By breaking down these barriers, authors break the traditional scheme for understanding literature, but they also lead us to question why the author is making the choices. The confusion leads to a constructive questioning of the purpose of the breakdown. Through this we develop a means of examining experimental narratives..

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You Are That: An Upanishadic Approach To Empathic Writing Instruction In A High School Social Science Course, Andrew Otto Davis Mar 2014

You Are That: An Upanishadic Approach To Empathic Writing Instruction In A High School Social Science Course, Andrew Otto Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation reports the results of a qualitative research project investigating an approach to composition instruction in a high school social studies course that is based on the Upanishadic concept of tat tvam asi (you are that). Research for this study was conducted while I taught a section of Non-West History to high school juniors and seniors. This dissertation addresses the issues involved in the teaching of writing in a high school social science course. Specifically it focuses on the issues involved when a teacher attempts to construct a class that engages students to read and write in ways that …

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An Explanatory Mixed-Methods Approach To Tracing “Career Pathways” Policy In Virginia: How School Counselors And Student Demographics Influence Implementation Fidelity, Michael Ormsmith Mar 2014

An Explanatory Mixed-Methods Approach To Tracing “Career Pathways” Policy In Virginia: How School Counselors And Student Demographics Influence Implementation Fidelity, Michael Ormsmith

Theses and Dissertations

This explanatory mixed-methods policy analysis describes how school counselors' thoughts and attitudes contribute to the implementation fidelity of the Academic and Career Plan (ACP) policy in a suburban Virginia school division. A quantitative survey investigated counselor thoughts about the policy, implementation behaviors, and counselor ideas about equity issues related to providing college and career planning services to at risk students. Counselor interviews were conducted to provide deeper insight about the street level implementation practices and beliefs of counselors. Findings reveal that counselors place substantial value in the ACP policy and think the process is useful for connecting student interests and …

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The Invisible Composition Classroom: The Reciprocity Of Face, Identity, And Politeness, Pennie L. Gray Mar 2014

The Invisible Composition Classroom: The Reciprocity Of Face, Identity, And Politeness, Pennie L. Gray

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the role of face and identity as they arise in a first year composition classroom. Using the illuminating theoretical framework of linguistic politeness theory, new understandings of the social interactions in the composition classroom are unveiled. Specifically, through an analysis of the politeness strategies that students use during the peer review process, it becomes clear that students prefer to temper their critique of others' work rather than openly criticize that work. Additionally, students offer far more positive feedback than their peers' work perhaps merits, minimize the revision work they suggest, and downplay their own authority over each …

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Gender Differences In Text Messaging, Sara R. Shawcroft Mar 2014

Gender Differences In Text Messaging, Sara R. Shawcroft

Theses and Dissertations

Text messaging is a significant social phenomenon that merits investigation. Communications theories are well suited to this type of research because text messaging serves as both mediated communication and interpersonal communication. This kind of research can also contribute to a deeper understanding of communication differences between genders. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether there are gender differences in the use of text messaging and, if so, what the differences are. Participants for the study were recruited via convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 27 participants ages 18--35; 14 were female and 13 were male. Data were collected …

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A Modified Approach To The Implementation Of Dynamic Written Corrective Feedback, Brooke Elizabeth Eddington Mar 2014

A Modified Approach To The Implementation Of Dynamic Written Corrective Feedback, Brooke Elizabeth Eddington

Theses and Dissertations

Grammatical accuracy in second language (L2) writing is one of the key issues that English as a Second Language (ESL) learners struggle with, both in intensive English language programs and continuing after their university matriculation. Numerous instructional methodologies exist that center around the concept of error correction—how can or should ESL instructors correct grammatical errors in L2 students' writing to best facilitate improvements in written linguistic accuracy? Error correction in L2 writing has been a controversial issue for over a decade (e.g., Ferris, 1999; Truscott, 1996), and in an effort to contribute to an understanding of this controversial topic, this …

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The Effect Of Metalinguistic Strategy Instruction On The Oral And Written Expression Of School-Aged Children, Karen Lara Dudek Feb 2014

The Effect Of Metalinguistic Strategy Instruction On The Oral And Written Expression Of School-Aged Children, Karen Lara Dudek

Theses and Dissertations

Vocabulary knowledge is critical for academic success; and research has indicated that students with low vocabularies can learn metalinguistic strategies that can improve their performance in school. In this study, I investigated the impact of metalinguistic strategy instruction on the oral and written expression abilities of elementary-aged children (third grade). The strategy was the Expanding Expression Tool (EET; Smith), which can help students to increase their oral and written expression by describing words using semantic features. I used a pretest-posttest-posttest between groups design to investigate the impact of three experimental conditions on oral and written expression over a nine week …

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No Blood In The Water: The Legal And Gender Conspiracies Against Countess Elizabeth Bathory In Historical Context, Rachael Leigh Bledsaw Feb 2014

No Blood In The Water: The Legal And Gender Conspiracies Against Countess Elizabeth Bathory In Historical Context, Rachael Leigh Bledsaw

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explains and discusses the conspiracies reported against the Hungarian noblewoman, Countess Elizabeth Bathory, regarding her confinement and the arrest of her accomplices in December 1610. The conspiracies state that the Countess was unjustly targeted and charged not because she was guilty of the deaths of several dozen girls from torture, but because she represented a threat to the Hapsburg Empire due to her wealth, her political influence, and her widowhood. This thesis explores the rationality of these two conspiracies using historical context regarding the position of noblewomen in Central and Eastern Europe and the function and use of …

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Beyond Aristotelianism: Al-Farabi On Revelation, Humans And Animals In His On The Perfect State, Michael William Stark Feb 2014

Beyond Aristotelianism: Al-Farabi On Revelation, Humans And Animals In His On The Perfect State, Michael William Stark

Theses and Dissertations

In modern times, Aristotelian influence on Islamicate philosophical writing is exaggerated. Al-Fārābī did more than just copy Aristotle, he was an original thinker, and he may have sourced aspects of his thought and writing style from the Qurʾān. Consideration of al-Fārābī’s biography, works and historical context demonstrates his disinclination to base his writings on those of Aristotle. Al-Fārābī’s thoughts in the key area of revelation in al-Madīna al-fāḍila demonstrate his departure from ancient Greek belief in this area, although his use of individual reasoning also shows clearly his occasional disagreement with Islamic doctrine. Differences and commonalities between animals and humans …

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Law Is Discourse. Discourse Is Rhetoric. Therefore, Law Is Rhetoric. A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Responsibility To Protect, Dina El-Kassaby Feb 2014

Law Is Discourse. Discourse Is Rhetoric. Therefore, Law Is Rhetoric. A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Responsibility To Protect, Dina El-Kassaby

Theses and Dissertations

It is estimated that the yearly cost of containing and responding to conflict worldwide is nearly US$10 trillion. Meanwhile, the level of global peace and security is on the steady decline and gross violations of human rights and massive loss of human life are not yet an issue of the past. As such, contemporary international legal doctrines like The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) have emerged in an effort to prevent and react to global conflict. This thesis performs an atypical study of R2P by performing a rhetorical analysis of the doctrine through the lens of Orientalism and post-colonial theory. In …

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Film Censorship In Egypt: Power And Subject-Making, Sara El Adl Feb 2014

Film Censorship In Egypt: Power And Subject-Making, Sara El Adl

Theses and Dissertations

This study’s focus is censorship on film in Egypt from 1971 onwards; when the first sign of incorporating religion as a source of law appeared with the addition of article 2, which states that “Islamic Shari’a is a main source of legislation.” Film is the most culturally powerful artistic medium in the Egyptian society due its mass consumption and has, from its point of introduction, served as a mirror into Egyptian politics and morality. Foucault’s mission of understanding how “subjectivity” forms and the power relations/modes that bring it about is a lens through which this project intends to examine the …

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Nubians And Development: 1960-2014, Samantha Allen Feb 2014

Nubians And Development: 1960-2014, Samantha Allen

Theses and Dissertations

From the Aswan dams of the early twentieth century to the ambitious "Toshka" project of today, Egyptian Nubians have watched their former land transform under the rubrics of progress, modernization, and development for over one hundred years. While these mega-projects position themselves as necessary for the greater Egyptian good, their tangible effect on the ground is less clear. For Nubians who lost their homes, lands, and traditional livelihood due to resettlement, the price of development is even higher, posing important questions about the real value of these schemes. This thesis project offers a critical look at the concept of development, …

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The Lucky Bilingual: Ethnography Of Factors Influencing Code-Switching Among The Nubian Community In Southern Egypt, Syonara Tomoum Feb 2014

The Lucky Bilingual: Ethnography Of Factors Influencing Code-Switching Among The Nubian Community In Southern Egypt, Syonara Tomoum

Theses and Dissertations

The sociolinguistic aspect of code-switching has received attention of many scholars in the field of linguistics. This study builds on previous research and investigates the factors influencing code-switching amongst a bilingual Arabic and Nubian community of Nubians in Southern Egypt. Using Grosjean's (1982) model of factors influencing language choice, factors causing Nubian-Arabic bilinguals to speak one language over the other are investigated. Rouchdi (1991) suggested that Nubians are going through a language shift from Nubian to Arabic although she did not address the phenomenon of code-switching; this study looked at code-switching as an important factor in the language's tenuous survival …

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Overcoming The Anxiety Of Speaking Arabic As A Foreign Language From Students' Perspectives: A Qualitative Case Study, Sarah Abou El-Goukh Feb 2014

Overcoming The Anxiety Of Speaking Arabic As A Foreign Language From Students' Perspectives: A Qualitative Case Study, Sarah Abou El-Goukh

Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory study was designed to investigate the role of students' perceptions on decreasing speaking anxiety within the Arabic as a foreign language classroom in the target language country. Qualitative methods were used in the research project. Qualitative instruments included: pre and post questionnaires, pre and post semi-structured interviews, and observation. Seven participants took part in the study; they were studying Modern Standard Arabic in an intensive program in Morocco. The results showed that students' perceptions and their suggestions had an impact on the learning process of the students and the importance to take into consideration students suggestions and to …

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Representation Of The Muslim Brotherhood In Contemporary Egyptian Newspapers, Sara Abouelmaaty Mogahed Youssef Feb 2014

Representation Of The Muslim Brotherhood In Contemporary Egyptian Newspapers, Sara Abouelmaaty Mogahed Youssef

Theses and Dissertations

This is a qualitative exploratory study that examines the representation of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in contemporary Egyptian newspapers. It aims to reveal the linguistic features that contribute to the construction of a positive or negative image of the MB in the data. The study uses the Discourse Historical Approach (DHA) in analyzing its data. This approach mainly looks at representation strategies, in particular, nomination, predication and argumentation strategies, which are primarily manifested through lexical choices. The data for the study consist of 18 articles from two Egyptian newspapers, Al-Hurryya wa Al-Adala "Freedom and Justice" and Al-Wattan "The Homeland". The …

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Reading Pedagogy In Today's Classroom, Maria Beeman-Rygalski Jan 2014

Reading Pedagogy In Today's Classroom, Maria Beeman-Rygalski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate the phenomenon of successful primary classroom teachers' instruction, in the area of reading pedagogy. All children who are capable of reading must be taught how to read; such is the essential responsibility of American schooling. Moats (1999) describes reading as the most basic, yet critical responsibility of schooling. Haycock (1998), Marzano (2003), and Nye, Konstantopulos, and Hedges (2004) determined that the influence of an effective teacher has the biggest impact on student achievement, independent of anything else that happens in school. There is little research linking evidence of teacher perceptions, knowledge …

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Academic Hiring Gatekeeper & Employer Perceptions Of Online Degrees And The Acceptability Of Online Degrees For Faculty And Administrator Employment In Higher Education, Renee Sinow-Mandelbaum Jan 2014

Academic Hiring Gatekeeper & Employer Perceptions Of Online Degrees And The Acceptability Of Online Degrees For Faculty And Administrator Employment In Higher Education, Renee Sinow-Mandelbaum

Theses and Dissertations

Due to its flexibility and convenience, online education has become a feasible alternative for degree seeking students who are unable to attend a traditional higher education institution. Although online courses and programs have their benefits, there remains an ongoing debate on issues related to credibility, quality, and acceptability among certain stakeholders including faculty, administrators, and employers. The current study focuses on one group of academic stakeholders-namely, academic hiring gatekeepers and employers; that is, those who are directly involved in the hiring process of faculty and administrators. Specifically, the objective is to explore hiring gatekeeper and employer acceptability of online degrees …

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'Whence This Evil?' A Critical Assessment Of (Anti)Theodicy And Innocent Suffering In Lamentations 3, Mark P. Stone Jan 2014

'Whence This Evil?' A Critical Assessment Of (Anti)Theodicy And Innocent Suffering In Lamentations 3, Mark P. Stone

Theses and Dissertations

Recent scholarship on Lamentations has focused on the voice of Daughter Zion in chapters 1-2. Arguing that the frank protests constitute an antitheodicy, interpreters have placed these poems in opposition to the voice of the man in Lam 3, specifically 3:21-42. This Wisdom-like, paraenetic section is seen to put forth a theodicy, counseling penitent acceptance of God's righteous judgment. The present study argues instead that, when incorporated into the rhetorical movement of Lam 3 as a whole, 3:21-42 instead constitutes an antitheodicy consonant with Lam 1-2. It is proposed that Lamentations manipulates the expected theodicy solution until it has been …

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The Grouping Of The Germanic Languages: A Critical Review, Michael-Christopher Todd Highlander Jan 2014

The Grouping Of The Germanic Languages: A Critical Review, Michael-Christopher Todd Highlander

Theses and Dissertations

The literature regarding the grouping of the Germanic languages will be reviewed and a potential solution to the problems of the division of the Germanic language will be proposed. This is however quite a complex task. Most of the Germanic languages share a great number of similarities, and individual languages often have features common to more than one group. Old Saxon, Old Low Franconian, and Old English are examples of languages that make the grouping much more complex than it appears on the surface. The grouping Germanic languages has been debated by linguists since the 19th century, and there are …

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Educator Perceptions Of Digital Game-Based Learning In The Instruction Of Foreign Languages In Japanese Higher Education, Stephan J. Franciosi Jan 2014

Educator Perceptions Of Digital Game-Based Learning In The Instruction Of Foreign Languages In Japanese Higher Education, Stephan J. Franciosi

Theses and Dissertations

Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) is an innovative educational approach that is becoming increasingly popular among researchers and practitioners in technologically advanced countries in the West, but is largely unknown or ignored in the instruction of Foreign Languages (FL) in Japanese higher education. This is problematic because more interest in research and implementation among faculty in Japan would likely contribute to the development of DGBL and improve the quality of FL education. The purpose of the present study was to better understand the lack of interest in DGBL in Japan by employing Everett Rogers' Innovation Diffusion Theory to explore the perceptions …

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Program Evaluation Of Western Illinois University's English Language Learner Online Module, Marisa Beard Jan 2014

Program Evaluation Of Western Illinois University's English Language Learner Online Module, Marisa Beard

Theses and Dissertations

An issue faced by educators throughout the United States is how to successfully educate preservice teachers on various laws, cultural differences, attitudes, and current teaching strategies affecting English Language Learners (ELL) and their educators. Western Illinois University (WIU) implemented an online ELL Module in 2009 that all preservice teachers were required to successfully complete in order to finish their degree programs. This research was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of online features and ELL content from the perspective of current students, graduates and faculty. An online data gathering process surveyed each target group regarding their experience with the ELL Module. …

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Individual Sense Of Efficacy, Collective Teacher Efficacy And Student Achievement In High Achieving And Low Achieving Urban Public Schools, Stephanie Richardson Jan 2014

Individual Sense Of Efficacy, Collective Teacher Efficacy And Student Achievement In High Achieving And Low Achieving Urban Public Schools, Stephanie Richardson

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between teachers' individual sense of efficacy, collective teacher efficacy, and student achievement in urban schools. The study surveyed teachers in high performing and low performing elementary schools in a single urban district in Southern California. Statistical analysis was conducted on survey responses from 76 teachers in low performing schools and 109 teachers in high performing schools. Using the Ohio State Teacher Efficacy Survey, teacher efficacy was separated into three subcategories: student engagement, instructional practices and classroom management. The data findings revealed that teachers in high performing schools had higher teacher efficacy in all three areas, …

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Student Perceptions Of A Mobile Augmented Reality Game And Willingness To Communicate In Japanese, Andrea Misao Shea Jan 2014

Student Perceptions Of A Mobile Augmented Reality Game And Willingness To Communicate In Japanese, Andrea Misao Shea

Theses and Dissertations

Communication is a key component in learning a second language (L2). As important as the ability to communicate in the L2 is the willingness to use the L2 or, what has been identified in the literature as Willingness to Communicate (WTC). Language is best learned when situated in, and based on, real-life experiences. Technological tools such as virtual worlds, mobile devices, and augmented reality (AR) are increasingly used to take language learning outside of the classroom. The affordances (e.g., portability, engagement, context-sensitivity) of these tools may have an impact on the following WTC antecedents: perceived competence, reduced L2 anxiety, security, …

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Massive Open Online Courses (Moocs) And Completion Rates: Are Self-Directed Adult Learners The Most Successful At Moocs?, Amanda Sue Schulze Jan 2014

Massive Open Online Courses (Moocs) And Completion Rates: Are Self-Directed Adult Learners The Most Successful At Moocs?, Amanda Sue Schulze

Theses and Dissertations

Millions of adults have registered for massive open online courses, known as MOOCs, yet little research exists on how effective MOOCs are at meeting the needs of these learners. Critics of MOOCs highlight that their completion rates can average fewer than 5% of those registered. Such low completion rates raise questions about the effectiveness of MOOCs and whether adults enrolling in them have the skills and abilities needed for success. MOOCs have the potential to be powerful change agents for universities and students, but it has previously been unknown whether these online courses serve more than just the most persistent, …

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Finding The Right Fit: Multiculturalism And Low-Income Urban Schools, Grace Shin Won Kim Canada Jan 2014

Finding The Right Fit: Multiculturalism And Low-Income Urban Schools, Grace Shin Won Kim Canada

Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the difficulty of recruiting and retaining qualified teachers by examining the qualities and characteristics of teacher fit in a group of Southern California charter schools that serve low-income Black and Hispanic students. Given the significance and importance of culturally relevant and responsive education in schools that serve primarily Black and Hispanic students (Castagno, 2009; Gay, 2000; Howard, 2003; Ladson-Billings, 1994; 1995; 2006; Lindsey, Karns, & Myatt 2010; Nieto, 2005a; Poveda & Martin, 2004), three survey instruments; a demographic questionnaire, the Teachers Multicultural Attitudes Survey (TMAS), and the Multicultural Teaching Competency Scale (MTCS); were used to assess teacher …

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Golf As A Tool For Executive Leadership Development, Dawnet Beverley Jan 2014

Golf As A Tool For Executive Leadership Development, Dawnet Beverley

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined executives' subjective experiences playing golf to identify what they have learned about being leaders from playing the game. Twenty executives were interviewed. Participants reported that golf strongly enhanced their leadership. They reported developing approaches, attitudes, and skills that enhanced their ability to manage themselves, manage others, and react to changing conditions. Participants noted that golf had transformative aspects and that it could be adapted for leader development, team building, and relationship building purposes. Based on these results, it can be concluded that golf is an effective tool for leader development. Leaders are advised to begin playing golf …

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Developing A Model For Understanding Mindfulness As A Potential Intervention For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Steven I. Rudoy Jan 2014

Developing A Model For Understanding Mindfulness As A Potential Intervention For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Steven I. Rudoy

Theses and Dissertations

The paucity of effective alternative or augmentative treatments available for OCD coupled with the emerging potential of mindfulness-based treatments indicate that exploring the potential utility of such interventions for the OCD population is a useful area of inquiry. In addition, although more general examinations of the mechanisms by which mindfulness contributes to positive change have been conducted, those mechanisms of action have never been theoretically linked with the mechanisms of action believed to underlie the mental processes in OCD. The current study will include a critical analysis of the existing literature covering the cognitive and biological bases for understanding the …

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What Are The Necessary Skills For Leading An Online Business In Saudi Arabia?, Ahmmad Abbas Garatli Jan 2014

What Are The Necessary Skills For Leading An Online Business In Saudi Arabia?, Ahmmad Abbas Garatli

Theses and Dissertations

Online business in Saudi Arabia is almost certain to grow because a large proportion of the population is younger than 25, tech perceptive, and global in their perspectives toward product buying in their everyday lives. The purpose of this research was to suggest leadership theories, tactics, and techniques that Saudi Arabian business owners can utilize to pursue online business strategies of growth and success today and in the future. An online instrument surveyed 142 Saudi Arabian citizens to identify factors affecting online business in Saudi Arabia and to identify the necessary skill sets a leader must have to lead an …

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A Guide For Mental Health Practitioners Working With Collective Trauma Victims From Latin America: An Experiential Approach, Melissa Cordero Jan 2014

A Guide For Mental Health Practitioners Working With Collective Trauma Victims From Latin America: An Experiential Approach, Melissa Cordero

Theses and Dissertations

A resource guide for mental health practitioners working with Latino victims of collective trauma was developed based on a review of the literature. The development of the resource was also informed by two structured interviews with experts in the field of collective trauma within the Latino population. Review of the literature and structured interviews were used to develop culturally sensitive treatment approaches for victims of collective trauma from Latin America. The resource guide offers clinicians culturally adapted interventions, including PTSD measures, a table to identify culture bound syndromes, PTSD psychoeducation handouts (provided in Spanish and English), relaxation skills (e.g. breathing …

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