Digital Commons Network^™

The Power Of Love And Authenticity: Building Resistance In The World, Arianna Silva

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Love is often described as something we “need,” perhaps because of its deep connection to the authenticity of self. Authenticity, in existentialist terms, is achieved when we discover a true sense of purpose and meaning—one that we create for ourselves. As existentialism posits that existence precedes essence. Thus,we are responsible for shaping who we are and crafting our own path in life. The relationship between love and authenticity is transformative, helping us resist oppressive systems by fostering individuality and preventing homogenization. This individuality makes it harder for authoritarian regimes to control us, as we no longer conform to societal norms …

How Can Faith Based Nonprofits Acquire And Retain New Donors From Generation Z?, Mariana Combariza

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Faith-based nonprofits, such as World Vision or Compassion International, are aware that their primary donor demographic is aging. As such, they face pressure to engage younger generations who will likely become their future financial supporters in order for their nonprofit work to be sustained. Although multiple qualitative studies have demonstrated the interest and desire that Generation Z has to donate to causes they believe in, further research is needed to understand their donation behavior and how it correlates to nonprofits’ marketing strategies. In this study, we use quantitative and qualitative data from over 243 randomly selected Gen Z college students …

Philanthropy Under Uncertainty: Muslim Religious Giving During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Osman Umarji, Rafeel Wasif, Shariq Siddiqui, Zeeshan Noor

Public Administration Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study investigates the demographic, religious, and psychological correlates of charitable giving during times of uncertainty. We employ structural equation modeling to understand the mechanisms that underlie faith-based philanthropy amongst Muslims. For this purpose, we analyzed Muslim American philanthropy during the month of Ramadan in 2020, a month traditionally associated with increased religiosity and philanthropy. Utilizing a sample of 1,722 Muslims in the United States and Canada, uncertainty intolerance was associated with financial anxiety (B = .26), which in turn was related to donating less money (B = -.06). Financial anxiety was also associated with subjective financial well-being (B =.-.22), …

Our Blood Feeds The Earth, Anne Gregg

A Midwestern Review: A Magazine of the Arts and Issues at DePauw University

Anne Gregg is a junior English writing and studio art double major from Terre Haute, Indiana. She enjoys using horror and fantasy to create narratives that explore themes of grief and the uncanny.

Models Of Classroom Assessment For Course-Based Research Experiences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Course-based research pedagogy involves positioning students as contributors to authentic research projects as part of an engaging educational experience that promotes their learning and persistence in science. To develop a model for assessing and grading students engaged in this type of learning experience, the assessment aims and practices of a community of experienced course-based research instructors were collected and analyzed. This approach defines four aims of course-based research assessment – 1) Assessing Laboratory Work and Scientific Thinking; 2) Evaluating Mastery of Concepts, Quantitative Thinking and Skills; 3) Appraising Forms of Scientific Communication; and 4) Metacognition of Learning – along with …

The Effects Of Animals On Our Mental Health, Gracie Bowles

Psychology Student Publications

I analyzed different published journals on how animals affect our mental health. I put it into less scientific terms and made it more fun with adding in personal experiences.

Relations Among Academic Program Elements And Students' Sense Of Belonging, Rosemary Ashby

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis studies specific elements of an academic program and their relationship with students’ sense of belonging. To gather data, participants responded to a questionnaire that contained items designed to understand their experience in their major. The quantitative portion asked about the program elements (independent variables) and used the General Belongingness Scale to measure their sense of belonging (dependent variable). This also included questions that had participants report their perception of how each element affected their sense of belonging. The final item was open-ended and asked for their general thoughts on belonging in their program. The findings suggest that the …

Geographical And Methodological Trends In Esm And Jrme From 2014–2023, Tye Campbell, Sandra Miles, Sindura Kularajan

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

The mathematics education research landscape has changed significantly over the last decade. Not only have research topics within mathematics education changed, but there have also been changes in geographic representation of research, methodologies used, and characteristics of research samples. It is important to monitor these changing trends to understand past contributions to mathematics education research and evaluate the current trajectory. In this study, we explored how the field is evolving in relation to geographic representation of research and method by analyzing articles published in Educational Studies in Mathematics (ESM) and Journal for Research in Mathematics Education (JRME) over the last …

Schools Apart: Curricular Stratification Across School Socioeconomic Compositions And Implications For Educational Inequality In The Us, Daniel Mackin Freeman

Dissertations and Theses

Motivated by longstanding sociological theories and utilizing the most current, large, and nationally representative data, this dissertation aims to describe and add nuance to our understanding of how the curriculum US youth are exposed to is stratified by the socioeconomic composition of the schools they attend. All three empirical chapters suggest that school SES contributes to substantial differences in school structure, as evidenced by differences in course-taking patterns and how course-taking relates to academic achievement in high school and beyond. The first study suggests that the relationship between curricular intensity in secondary school and postsecondary achievement is variable depending on …

A Contemporary Examination Of Racial Intraminority Relations: Attitudes, Motivations, And Barriers To Participation In Collective Action, Jaboa Shawntaé Lake

Dissertations and Theses

Social movements globally and within the U.S. are gaining widespread acknowledgment as many individuals become more aware of systems of disadvantage and oppression, gain a better understanding of their root causes, and engage in collective ways to approach social change. Social science research on engagement with collective action has started to go beyond looking only at majority-minority relations (such as between White and Black people) to examine solidarity and coalition building between minoritized groups. This dissertation expands the literature both on collective action and intraminority intergroup relations through three manuscripts. Chapter II explores various social attitudes (e.g., awareness of privilege …

Understanding The Lived Experience Of Outdoor Camping, Marisa Snyder, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Camping is an outdoor recreational activity that allows individuals to connect with nature, spend quality time with loved ones, and engage in physical activity. For aging adults, camping can be a way to improve their quality of life, fulfill their roles as grandparents and parents, and maintain independence. However, there was a lack of awareness and education about the physical, mental, and social benefits of outdoor camping, limiting the recreational exposure and experiences for the aging population. Additionally, campgrounds are typically in unpredictable environments that may require additional resources for aging adults to confidently engage in an enjoyable camping experience. …

Reducing Detroit’S Heart Disease Risk: The Role Of Social Determinants Of Health And Health Behaviors, Caress A. Dean, Rebecca Milan, Maidah Raja, Swathi Radhakrishnan

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Introduction: The age-adjusted death rates related to heart disease have been increasing in Detroit, Michigan. Recognizing public health professionals' role in promoting and protecting community health, this study examined the relationship between cardiovascular health and health beliefs, behavior tracking, and social determinants of health among Detroit residents.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was guided by the World Health Organization's conceptual framework of social determinants of health, which classifies social determinants into structural (e.g., socioeconomic factors) and intermediary (e.g., behavioral factors) categories. From May 2019 to August 2021, 394 residents of Detroit were recruited to complete a survey about their …

Is Modern Constitutional Law Making Us Unhealthy?, Michael Conklin

Southern Illinois University Law Journal

This is a review of Wendy E. Parmet’s new book, Constitutional Contagion: COVID, the Courts, and Public Health. The book adequately exposes the reader to criticism of modern jurisprudence involving COVID-19. However, this review focuses on three areas of critique: comparing red states versus blue states for COVID-19 response outcomes, the inability of science to make public policy pronouncements, and the alleged connection between a healthy democracy and healthy citizens. Additionally, the ends-justify-the-means theme throughout the book is critiqued as an invalid form of constitutional interpretation.

A Multimodal Examination Of Altered Reward Processing In Anhedonia, Christopher J.H. Pirrung

Psychology ETDs

Anhedonia refers to a complex deficit in depression, characterized by deficits in reward processing. An EEG signal of reward, the Reward Positivity, has been proposed as a potential biomarker of depressive symptoms. In this investigation, we define generative neural sources of the Reward Positivity using MEG and examine the source level deficits of this signal associated with anhedonia. A composite measure of anhedonia was defined in this sample, combining several self-report measures of anhedonia. Ventral hypoactivation was present in depressed individuals alongside a counterintuitive positive correlation with anhedonia. An independent study using fMRI in the same subjects found similar, but …

Legal Implications Of Digital Health Apps Informing Food Allergy Labeling For Consumers' Health And Privacy Protection, Kathy Keunghee Kim

Maurer Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines food allergy labeling’s use in a digital format. Allergy information is typically found on food packaging and containers to help consumers identify individually concerned allergens. Given the critical role that food allergy labels play in preventing unexpected allergic reactions before selecting or consuming food, it is essential to comprehend the labeling descriptions. However, current regulations and laws regarding allergy labeling often confuse consumers due to the existence of mandatory and voluntary Precautionary Allergy Labeling (PAL) categories and the absence of laws and regulations that require allergy information for restaurant meals. Technology companies have introduced digital health and …

Science Communication: Teen Vaping, Chloe Kwasiborski

Psychology Student Publications

What are the dangers of teenage vaping? Why do teens vape? This paper aims to explain scientific information in a clear and engaging manner for anyone to read and understand.

Communicating Science – How Reading Impacts Infant’S Language Development, Kalyn Voightman

Psychology Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Cim316.2 Major Project Development Example 1, Sae University College

Exemplars

Concept reasoning and planning documentation for major project development.

Students went well beyond the required scope of the project to make their case.

Music Is My Language: Analyzing Autism Acceptance Within Communities, Cielo Bake

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis explores the intersection of music and romanticism, drawing upon the emotional expressionism of Romantic era composers, inspired by Romantic literature, such as Frederic Chopin and Franz Liszt as a vehicle for communication. The ultimate goal was to determine a way to bridge the neurodivergent and neurotypical gaps in connection, enabling a stronger community that values every member of its locale and allows for a sense of belonging. The format for this research is through a performance, comprised of a piano recital of Romantic Era music by Frederic Chopin and Franz Liszt and improvised original music with a speech. …

Improving Health And Well-Being Through Shared Family Meals, Halle Larson, Savannah Daines, Stacy Bevan, Palak Gupta, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos

All Current Publications

Shared family meals provide numerous benefits for children, adolescents, and parents, including improved diet quality, healthier weight, better academic performance, stronger family bonds, and enhanced mental health. Regular family meals help children develop healthier eating habits, reduce risky behaviors, and foster communication skills. Despite challenges such as busy schedules and differing dietary preferences, families can overcome obstacles by starting small, keeping meals simple, involving everyone in meal prep, and minimizing distractions like screens. Creating a positive, flexible mealtime routine can help integrate these valuable moments into family life.

Falling In Love, Rebecca Bradbury

Psychology Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Scrolling Into Disorder: Social Media And Body Image, Anna Funk

Psychology Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Prescription, Peremption, And The Relation Back Theory: Breathing Life Into Dead Claims, Donna Schwab

Louisiana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Multicultural Perspectives On Building Instructional Capacity For Multilingual Learners: Synergy Of Teachers, Community Members, And Academics, Mihaela M. Gazioglu, Emily W. Howell, Lindsey W. Rowe, Victoria Pennington, Nicole C. Ferguson-Sams, Kavita Mittapalli, Amlan Banerjee

Publications

This design-based research study explored the feedback process, resulting actions, and changing instructional perspectives involving teachers, community members, and researchers leading to enhanced professional development offered to K-12 teachers of multilingual students. Specifically, the feedback from a community advisory council and teachers significantly shaped researchers’ approaches to designing and adapting a literacy course to address the needs of multilingual students’ caregivers. The findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach to professional development and highlight the multicultural perspectives that academics can discover by involving both community stakeholders and teachers in promoting impactful practices for multilingual learners.

Contagious Infidelity, Rachel Markle

Psychology Student Publications

No abstract provided.

How Attachment Bonds Influence Human Behavior, Rhian Larocque

Psychology Student Publications

Attachment bonds form the essence of human behavior whether it's a feeling of dependability or safety within family members or the way we build romantic relationships. Attachment bonds help us cope with daily obstacles we face and may create the foundation for healthy relationships in peers or romantic partners.

How Media Representation Influences Disability Bias, Emilie Brend

Psychology Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Brain Function Related To Love, Brooklyn Morris

Psychology Student Publications

My paper serves to analyze the findings of various researchers regarding how love affects areas of the brain. I discuss romantic and parental love as well as altruism for strangers, all types of love that stimulate different areas in the brain.

Shopping Addiction: The Causes Of It And How We Can Make Healthier Decisions, Dylan Scott

Psychology Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Do Political Views Really Affect Romantic Relationships?, Avery Durfee

Psychology Student Publications

This paper covers the effects of political view differences in a romantic setting. Some of the effects include the overall outlook of people with dissimilar views, the relationship quality, and the overall moral values held by those in the relationship. Through examination of scientific journals, it is clear that political views really do affect romantic relationships.