Digital Commons Network^™

Stand-Up Comedy And Self-Deprecating Humor, Amelia M. Bell

UROP Posters

Stand-up comedy has been around for centuries, making people laugh for generations. Through the years the forms and techniques stand-up comedians use have shifted back and forth. Self-deprecation humor is one of these forms of humor, where the comedian pokes fun at his or herself, and it has recently become more incredibly popular in today’s society. Stand-up comedians like Louis C.K. have risen to newfound popularity by using self-deprecating humor almost completely in their sets. This paper attempts to answer the question of why audiences respond so positively to stand-up comedians who use self-deprecating humor. It does so by arguing …

Advisor And Student Experiences Of Summer Support For College-Intending, Low-Income High School Graduates, Karen D. Arnold, Alexandra Chewning, Benjamin Castleman, Lindsay Page

Journal of College Access

Summer melt occurs when students who have been accepted to college and intend to enroll fail to matriculate in college in the fall semester after high school. A high rate of summer melt contributes to the lower postsecondary attainment rates of low-income students, in particular. This article presents qualitative findings from two interventions intended to reduce summer melt among low-income, urban high school graduates who had been accepted to college and indicated their intention to enroll. Results from student and counselor surveys, interviews, and focus groups point to a web of personal and contextual factors that collectively influence students’ college …

Eating Puerto Rico: A History Of Food, Culture, And Identity, Rafael Chabrán

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No abstract provided.

Rethinking Chicana/O Literature Through Food: Postnational Appetites, Marina Nájera

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No abstract provided.

A Taste Of Oaxaca: A Chef, A Recipe, And A Cookbook, Juan Pablo Bustos, Apollonia Galván

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No abstract provided.

Idealizing Maya Culture: The Politics Of Race, Indigeneity, And Immigration Among Maya Restaurant Owners In Southern California, M. Bianet Castellanos

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Based on an ethnography of Maya restaurant owners in Los Angeles, the article examines how Maya migrants use Yucatecan cuisine to negotiate the politics of indigeneity. In Mexico, Maya peoples are denigrated as “Indian.” In the U.S., Maya migrants are racialized as “Mexican.” These racialization processes are intended to discipline indigenous subjects both within and outside of national boundaries. By drawing on popular indigenous cultural symbols and tastes that reinforce an idealized Maya culture, Maya restaurateurs construct an alternative politics of recognition that opens the door for new conversations about what it means to be indigenous and Latino.

Queering Citizenship: Undocuqueer And Immigration Reform, Betsy Dahms

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Analysis of the founding of the UndocuQueer movement and organizer, Julio Salgado, through Anzaldúan theory on nepantla, and in terms of cultural, sexual, and political citizenship, in the experience of those who came to the U.S. as children. This study assesses reasons for “coming out” as undocumented and queer through activism; argues that coalitional and relational activism challenges current anti-immigration policies and social factors; and advocates for a global and embodied citizenship.

Queering Political Economy In Neoliberal Ironbound Newark: Subjectivity And Spacemaking Among Brazilian Queer Immigrant Men, Yamil Avivi

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This paper complicates the dominant narrative of Newark’s Ironbound community as an exceptional and heteronormative neighborhood by analyzing the non-heteronormative subjectivities and spaces in them. During the period between 2004-2009, subjects were interviewed, in queer minoritarian spaces, to understand how Brazilian gays/ queers reified and contested neoliberal ideologies of nationalism, “good” ethnicity, individualism, and “appropriate” sexual mores. This ethnographic account employs textual and spatial-temporal analysis to generate an alternative narrative of gay/queer life and groupings in the Ironbound.

Latino Art And The Immigrant Artist: The Case Of Sandra C. Fernández, Tatiana Flores

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No abstract provided.

Sharing Community: Histories And Traditions In Food Preparation, Elizabeth Coonrod Martínez

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No abstract provided.

Dr. Francisco Hernández Ate Tacos: The Foods And Drinks Of The Mexican Treasury, Rafael Chabrán

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A study on Mexican foodstuffs and preparations, especially corn, tortillas, chile, and tomatoes, as well as Native-based drinks such as chocolate, atole and pulque, as documented by colonial medical doctor, Francisco Hernández (ca. 1517-1587). While much research has focused on Hernandez’s writing on botanical, medical, and natural history themes, his work on food and the preparation of food in New Spain has been ignored.

Social Determinants In Latino Diet And Health, Julie Collins-Dogrul, Kenia Saldaña

Diálogo

This study problematizes generalized patterns in Latino diet and health after reviewing obesity and food consumption patterns by race and ethnicity gleaned from the social science and health science literature comparing Mexican-origin American, European-origin American, and African-American food consumption patterns, and summarizes data from the 2009/2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The data from these surveys describes the quantity of fruit, vegetables, grains, meat, and other foods consumed. We review the literature on social determinants of diet to study whether food environments, socioeconomic status, culture, nativity, and globalization shape dietary practices.

Culinary Mestizaje: An Afro-Latino Collective Sensory Memory, Meredith E. Abarca

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On the premise that culinary mestizajes express the complexity and often contradictory histories reflected in cultural values, this study examines historical, cultural, and symbolic stories that inform the foundation of a variety of Latino cuisines, with particular emphasis on African culinary influences on Latino food preparations. The purpose of the study is not to trace the history of any single food, but to consider the mnemonics of collective palate memories embedded in lived histories, and articulations of Claude Fischler’s idea of a “principle of tastes.”

Tacos And Coloniality: A Review Essay, Michael Soldatenko

Diálogo

Two recently published books examine the concept of “Mexican food” in the U.S. and Mexico. Gustavo Arellano’s Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America (2012) provides a readable journalistic examination of Mexican food in the U.S., and Jeffrey Pilcher’s Planet Taco: A Global History of Mexican Food (2012) offers an academic study of Mexican food presentations in a global setting by an established scholar. Each offers an entry for the field of Mexican food studies. This reading examines correlations of power in the colonial process and development of contemporary cuisine, drawing the conclusion that the concept of “Mexican food” is …

Standardized Articulation Test Performance Of African American Preschoolers In Mississippi, Emily Ortega

Honors Theses

In the past, standardized articulation tests administered by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have had tendencies to be biased against speakers of a dialect with characteristics that differ from Mainstream American English (MAE). Using these MAE norm referenced tests can cause several problems, including over diagnosing African American (AA) children with impaired speech and language. The purpose of this study is to document the performance of four-year-old African American English (AAE) speakers for their use of age appropriate phonemes regardless of dialect, and whether the presence of AAE affects participants' scores on the following articulation tests: the Arizona Articulation Proficiency Scale-Third Edition …

Sandy Symbionts: How Tree Identity Shapes Ectomycorrhizal Fungus In Sand Pine, John Culbertson

Honors Theses

The purpose of my thesis was to investigate the structure and composition of the ectomycorrhizal (EMC) fungal communities of sand pine (Pinus clausa var. immuginata). Root tips were sampled from four trees located within Eglin Air Force Base. Colonization was shown to differ significantly based on tree identity. Abundance, species diversity, and the ratio of ECM fungi to pathogenic fungi did not differ significantly based on tree identity. A total of 35 ECM operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were shown to colonize the four trees. Helotiales4, Lactarius2, and Cenococcum geophilum were found to be the most abundant OTUs, while Lactarius1 was …

The Use Of Social Media Within Organizations To Foster Connections, Collaboration, And Knowledge Sharing Among Geographically Dispersed Teams, Carmen Ramson-Herzing

College of Communication Theses and Dissertations

The study explores how internal social media platforms can help geographically dispersed colleagues become more connected, more collaborative, and more willing to share information. The study findings are based on the analysis of three social media/social networking community “teamsites” available online to three different groups within a global law firm: a Real Estate practice, a women’s affinity group, and a marketing department, in addition to interviews with six participants of such teamsites. Following an interpretive paradigm defined by Sarah Tracy (2013), this study considers Electronic Propinquity Theory, Media Richness Theory, and Social Information Processing Theory by evaluating social media as …

Creating Knowledge, Volume 8, 2015

Creating Knowledge

Dear reader,

I am delighted to introduce this eighth volume of Creating Knowledge: The LAS Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship. This volume features 19 essays and 14 art works, representing advanced coursework produced in twenty different departments and programs during the 2014-2015 academic year. Several of the essays have been honored with department awards and several draw on research supported by undergraduate research grants. Many were originally written in senior capstone seminars, research-intensive seminars, and independent studies, and many were presented in some form at one of the numerous conferences and showcases sponsored by departments and programs throughout the year. All …

An American Prophet: Wendell Berry's Community Ethic, 1965-1977, Joel Garrott

Honors Theses

This thesis provides a detailed commentary on Wendell Berry's agrarian ethic as articulated in his early literature of the 1960s and 1970s. It is part biography of Berry's early life, part history of his early thought, and part literary interpretation of his early work. It expounds on the significance of Berry's personal connection to place, and situates Berry's agrarian argument for community life in the context of the social issues addressed in his early literature. The central argument of this project is that Berry's agrarian ethic was grown out of his relationship with his native place in Kentucky, and that …

From Lazarus To Theophilus: How Manuscript Digitization Led To The Historical, Chemical, And Technological Understanding Of Iron Gall Ink And Its Counterparts, Meredith Oliver

Honors Theses

This paper examines the physical and chemical composition of iron gall ink, how such composition has changed throughout its use in history, and the current chemical, digital, and multi-spectral methods by which the digital humanities use to preserve ancient texts inscribed with such ink. By using spectral technology, I hypothesized it possible to date and locate the geographic origin of ink based on its chemical composition. Uv-vis, fluorescence, and micro-XRF spectrometry were used to analyze elemental composition. Ink samples were made to simulate the ink on ancient manuscripts for UV-vis and fluorescence spectral analysis. Micro-XRF was performed on the Vercelli …

To Be, Or Not To Be-Statehood Is The Question: Analyzing The Islamic State In Syria And Iraq, Leigh Anne Zook

Honors Theses

On June 29, 2014, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi officially declared the Islamic State in the Sham (ISIS) as an Islamic Caliphate, and consequently renamed his organization the Islamic State (IS). Over the course of 2014, the IS rose to garner significant international attention, which heightened following direct US military intervention in August 2014 in the form of airstrikes against the IS's targets located in Iraq. Determining if the IS qualifies as a state, from a US perspective, holds significant ramifications for future military and diplomatic interactions with this organization. This analysis brings to light the ongoing issues with appropriately and objectively …

A Comparison Of The Deaf Community And Hard-Of-Hearing Individuals On Their Knowledge And Opinions Of Cochlear Implants, Marian R. Bryant

Honors Theses

This thesis examined the opinions and knowledge of Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals on cochlear implants. Previous research presented showed the controversial opinions on what was known about cochlear implants as a result of speculation in the Deaf community. This thesis consisted of surveying Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in order to have a better understanding of what is known about cochlear implants and the opinions that concur due to incorrect or correct knowledge. Thirteen subjects, including eight Deaf and seven hard-of-hearing individuals, completed the assessment. The results indicated that uncertainty about cochlear implants still remains; therefore, it is necessary to educate …

China's 'Leftover' Women Phenomenon: Media Portrayal And 'Leftover' Voices, Mazie Merriman

Honors Theses

China's shengnü — or leftover women — are a group of highly-educated, single, urban women that the Chinese government has targeted in a scare-mongering media campaign intent on pushing these women to give up their careers or education in order to marry and produce children for the betterment of the state. Since 2007, this group of women has faced highly negative articles and images published both by the All China Women's Federation and other news outlets encouraging shengnü to fix their problems and marry. These highly-educated, unmarried women are seen as violators of traditional gen-der norms and roles, and the …

Social Interaction Between Deaf And Hearing People, Rebecca C. Hankins

Honors Theses

This study examined the personal experiences of hearing people in their interactions with Deaf persons and their knowledge about Deaf culture. The research involved questioning hearing people about their perceptions and interactions with Deaf people and Deaf culture in an effort to gain insight as to how the lives of Deaf people can be improved in mainstream culture. It was predicted that a majority of hearing participants would describe a lack of knowledge about Deaf culture, discomfort interacting with a Deaf person, and an agreement that a need exists for better understanding of Deaf culture. A survey was conducted with …

Colorism And African American Women In Literature: An Examination Of Colorism And Its Impact On Self-Image, Jakira Davis

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore how African American women in literature have been impacted by colorism. Through this study which included a fictional novel from the twentieth century and a non-fictional novel from the twenty-first century we are able to see how women of color have been impacted by colorism. This thesis explores evidence of the impact of colorism and its impact on the image of African American women and young girls. This thesis suggests that there is evidence of colorism found in literature and thus colorism is a real issue in the African American community that …

Machismo In Chilean Politics: A Case Study Of The 2005 And 2013 Presidential Elections, Laura Bridges

Honors Theses

This thesis will answer the following question: Is there a relationship between the election of Bachelet in 2005 and 2013 and machismo? What, if any, influence did machismo have on her election? Chile is one of the more socially conservative countries in Latin America -- divorce was illegal until 2004, abortion is still illegal, etc. When Michelle Bachelet ran for the office of President in 2005, the arguments from her male opponents criticized her abilities based on gendered ideas of the roles of men and women should play in society. For example, they implied that because she was a woman, …

Freedom Of Expression And The Enlightenment, Alison Guider

Honors Theses

This thesis concerns Enlightenment and pre-Enlightenment views of freedom of expression, including topics such as toleration, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. It then looks at how these views shaped some of the ideas that emerged from the American and French Revolution. The conclusions drawn here are drawn from document-based research, both primary and secondary sources. The Enlightenment, although primarily concentrated in the eighteenth century, actually had what one might call precursors in the seventeenth century, including John Locke, Benedict de Spinoza, and Pierre Bayle. These thinkers helped set the stage for Enlightenment thinkers such …

What Do Students Experience As Peer Leaders Of Learning Teams?, Eric C. Johnson, Brett A. Robbins, Michael Loui

School of Engineering Education Faculty Publications

In a course for engineering freshmen, peer leaders facilitated optional study sessions, which implemented peer-led team learning workshops. Some leaders were paid teaching assistants, but most were undergraduate volunteers. To understand the experiences of the peer leaders, we asked them to keep weekly reflective journals. By performing a basic qualitative analysis of fourteen journals from two semesters, we developed a description of the experience of leading peer-led team learning workshops over the course of the semester. At the beginning of the semester, the leaders were apprehensive about teaching and concerned with correctly answering students’ questions. As the semester progressed, the …

Exploring Discipline Policy Problems In Mississippi Pre-K, Briana A. O'Neil

Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to examine the current state of discipline in publicly funded pre-K in Mississippi to determine policy that state policymakers can implement to prevent excessive suspensions and expulsions. This thesis also takes into account racial disparities found in disciplining pre-K students and explores methods that Mississippi can add to pre-K discipline policy as a preventive measure. Two case studies on North Carolina and Tennessee are utilized to identify potential strategies that Mississippi education can learn from. After analyzing both states, I realized that positive behavior reinforcement had success in both states. North Carolina's Positive Behavior Support and Intervention …

Italians In The Delta: The Evolution Of An Unusual Immigration, Camille Elise Mullins

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the extraordinary immigration of Italians to the Delta from when they first came in 1895 to modern day. This project updates the Delta Italians' status within the modern era and explores their rise from lowly tenant farmers to some of the largest farm owners in the Delta. In particular, it looks at the Italians through the prism of discrimination, farming and fascinating personalities who have attempted to preserve its history. By using live interviews and journalistic story telling techniques, I hope to give people a flavor of what the early settlers were like and how their culture …