Digital Commons Network^™

A Case Study Of Italian Teachers’ Culturally Responsive Pedagogy When Teaching U.S. Undergraduate Students Studying Abroad In Rome, Italy, Massimiliano Tomassini

Theses and Dissertations

For over two decades Italy has been the second destination, first non-Anglo-Saxon, for U.S. undergraduate students studying abroad, with 36,945 students in academic year 2017/2018 corresponding to a 10.8% share and a 4.5% increase from 2016/2017 (IIE, 2019). With over 150 North American college and university programs present in the country (AACUPI, 2019), a specifically designed law (Art. 2 of Law N. 4 of 14 January 1999) created to support study abroad in Italy, and a 40-year-old nonprofit association (AACUPI) focused on promoting and supporting American universities and colleges with programs in Italy, Italy is, and will be for some …

Hispanic Paradox In Covid-19: Protective Effects Of Ethnic Density, Gregory Alan Urena

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed racial and ethnic health disparities in the U.S., with Hispanic populations experiencing higher infection and population-mortality rates than non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). Case fatality rates are closely tied to medical comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, which are more prevalent among Hispanic individuals. Case-fatality rates showed mixed results. Some studies found no differences, while others reported better outcomes for Hispanics, aligning with the Hispanic Paradox, which suggests that despite socioeconomic disadvantages, Hispanics experience equal or better health outcomes. These effects may be tied to the immigrant health advantage, which suggests immigrants tend to be …

Textualism, Judicial Discretion, And The Philosophical Legacy Of Justice Antonin Scalia, Alanna Josephine Scalza

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the interpretive theory of textualism as developed and practiced by Justice Antonin Scalia, examining its core commitments, methodological boundaries, and enduring influence on American constitutional law. While Scalia often emphasized the constraining force of text, his approach also reveals internal tensions that complicate the relationship between judicial restraint and discretion. Through detailed analysis of primary opinions, such as District of Columbia v. Heller and Crawford v. Washington, alongside critical commentary from legal scholars and Scalia’s own extrajudicial writings, this thesis demonstrates that textualism operates as a structured framework within which constrained interpretive judgment is exercised. The thesis …

Digital Tools: How Specific Digital Tools Support Special Education Teaching Practices, Denise C. Pascullo

Theses and Dissertations

Early childhood education is intrinsically multimodal, involving many different digital tools. With such a big shift towards technology, this study is focusing on teaching strategies with the integration of flexible digital tools. It also presents how specific technologies can support different teaching strategies in elementary special education. The participants in this study are elementary special education teachers, working as special education teachers in an elementary school on Long Island, NY. The essential features of the research methodology are a digital survey for special education teachers to fill out. The researcher also conducted post-survey interviews about the use of flexible digital …

Exploring Students’ Feedback Literacy Through Asynchronous Writing Center Tutoring Sessions: A Mixed-Methods Study, Bobby Pelphrey

Theses and Dissertations

MLLs face linguistic and cultural complexities when engaging with writing feedback; however, writing center practices often follow monolingual models. This study examines how MLLs develop and apply feedback literacy—the ability to seek, interpret, and use feedback—compared to their non-MLL peers in asynchronous writing center consultations. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, the study integrates survey data from the Feedback Literacy Behavior Scale (FLBS) (N = 532; n = 146 MLLs, n = 386 non-MLLs) with qualitative case studies. The survey measured feedback-seeking behaviors, sense-making strategies, emotional regulation, and feedback application, while case studies used think-aloud protocols, semi-structured interviews, and revision analysis. …

Shaping The Future: Exploring Motivations And Challenges In Asian American Teachers’ Career Choices, Jea Lizz Noonan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the motivations and reasons behind why Asian Americans choose to enter the field of education as professionals. Additionally, this research could help identify any obstacles or challenges that Asian Americans face when choosing to enter the teaching profession. To guide the study, three research questions were developed: (1) What are the personal, cultural, and societal factors that influence Asian Americans’ decision to become teachers?, (2) What are the most significant challenges and barriers, in the eyes of Asian educators in the state of New Jersey, to entering the teaching profession and remaining …

Finding Their Way: The Experiences Of Students Enrolled In A Career Pathways Program, Laura March-Retenski

Theses and Dissertations

Due to many sociopolitical factors such as an inequitable public-school education, many students do not graduate from high school in the United States. In 2018 “approximately 2.3 million 16- to 24-year-olds were not enrolled in high school and had not earned a high school diploma or alternative credential” (McFarland et al., 2018, p. 12). There is inequity in school funding and resource allocation. Barker and Weber (2016), Cascio and Reber (2013), and Kim and Taylor (2008) have found that the inequitable resource allocation in public schools is a causal factor of dropout. This is problematic because “college graduates find better …

A New Order From Old Ruins: The Fall Of The First Republic And The Ascent Of Silvio Berlusconi, Charles J. Lamb

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the political rise of Silvio Berlusconi in the context of Italy’s transition from the First to the Second Republic, analyzing how his populist rhetoric, media dominance, and coalition-building strategies enabled his electoral success in 1994. The research utilizes a behavioralist approach and the framework of political opportunity structures to explore how Berlusconi’s tactics intersected with broader structural transformations, including economic instability, institutional collapse, and shifting societal norms. The researcher conducted the study in Rome, Italy, and it draws on historical and political data from the early 1990s, as well as more contemporary research, analyzing electoral shifts, economic …

English Language Learners’ Perceptions And Experiences Using Multimodal Tools To Prepare And Deliver Video Presentations Of Digital Portfolios, Mara M. Marino

Theses and Dissertations

With the increase in digital literacies in schools and the rise in the number of English language learners (ELLs) in US colleges, it is important to examine the affordances of multimodality as it relates to students’ digital literacy practices while advocating for this diverse population. Using a multiliteracies framework, this qualitative action research study made multimodal tools available to ELLs for the preparation and delivery of video presentations of digital portfolios in a higher education English course. The participants in this study were six ELLs from a small private college. The primary research question and two sub-questions were answered using …

Examining Adhd Diagnosed Young Adults’ Self-Perceptions Of Personal Reading Behaviors During Pleasure Reading Experiences, Nicole Cheramie Lobello

Theses and Dissertations

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impacts the lives of individuals with neurodivergent brains in varied and personal ways. This phenomenon mirrors the diversification of the minds I have been intrigued by for decades. In an effort to better understand the relationships between ADHD and pleasure reading, the lived experiences with pleasure reading of six young college students were examined. Participants were formally diagnosed with some form of ADHD before the study, yet did not have a reading disability diagnosis. One-on-one interviews were conducted to explore in-depth each participant’s experiences with pleasure reading. Through interpretative phenomenological study (IPA), four themes emerged: (a) perceptions …

Neither Without Both: Confronting Oppression And Trauma In Universities – Community Rhetorics Toward Abolitionist Critical Literacy Practices, Jennifer Lebowitz Patel

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores pathways to addressing student suffering at the intersection of mental health and academic performance in Higher Education. I argue that Learning Specialist roles offer spaces to practice trauma-informed, anti-oppression approaches to academic support through liberatory, healing rhetorical and literacy practices. This study uses James Berlin’s theory of social epistemic rhetoric and bell hooks’ concept of theory as liberatory praxis to perform rhetorical analyses of the foundational texts guiding specific anti-oppression and/or mental health recovery organizations. By identifying rhetorical strategies in grassroots community organizations' texts, this project yields implications for naming and practicing a critical literacy framework I …

Opening Pandora’S Black Box In The Nexus Of Media, Consciousness And Ai, Gad Karmi

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the intersection of media, artificial intelligence, and consciousness through an ethnographic analysis spanning 1940-2024. The study introduces the concept of "Darrative" as a framework for understanding how consciousness processes information, challenging traditional rational choice theory while extending beyond Fisher's narrative paradigm. A key contribution is the development of the "Thinking System" model, demonstrating how information processing occurs through darrative frameworks. The methodology employs Latour's actor-network theory to examine how scientific knowledge is constructed and stabilized through networks of human and non-human actors. Using a systematic Boolean search through academic databases, the study initially identified 15 relevant peer-reviewed …

The Role Of Auditory And Visual Processing In Developmental Dyslexia: A Quantitative Study Based On Archival Data, Doris Kanoun

Theses and Dissertations

Dyslexia is a popular condition that is associated with impaired reading abilities. Different sources state that it can be observed in around 3-10% of the population. Low reading fluency and reading comprehension, which are often exhibited by dyslexics, can dramatically influence the learning process and reduce academic achievement. In spite of the growing number of studies on dyslexia, the nature and causes of this condition remain poorly understood. In particular, studies offer contradictory findings on the link between dyslexia and auditory and visual processing disorders. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the role of auditory and visual …

Historical Literacy For Preservice Secondary Social Studies Teachers In The State Of Connecticut: A Phenomenological Study, Vincent J. Gaccione Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Despite a recent shift in focus from content area literacy to disciplinary literacy in preservice teacher (PST) preparation programs, historical literacies training for prospective secondary social studies teachers has remained limited in the State of Connecticut. Historical literacies are defined as the discipline-specific reading and writing skills of historians and other social scientists. In this phenomenological study, I describe the lived experiences of several recent PST program graduates who are currently teaching secondary social studies in the State of Connecticut and report on the essence of this phenomenon. Grounded in communities of practice (CoP) theory, I administered open-ended qualitative surveys …

Positive Family Intervention For A Spanish-Speaking Family Of A Child With Autism: Impact On Child’S Behaviors And Parental Cognitions And Stress, Iris Garza

Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated the effects of a culturally and linguistically adapted Positive Family Intervention (PFI) on child behavior as well as parental stress and beliefs for a Spanish-speaking family of a child with autism. PFI combines Positive Behavior Support (PBS) to teach parents the skills to manage their child’s behavioral challenges with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help parents manage their own thoughts and feelings. An AB single-case design was used to examine the impact of PFI on directly observed child behavioral challenges and adaptive behavior. Further, parent-reported stress, parental attributions, and parent-reported child behavioral challenges were examined pre- and …

Identity And Object: The Material And Cultural Exchanges Of Northwest Indian Mercantile Communities In The Seventeenth Century, Erum Khan Hadi

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation proposes a world-historical approach to Northwestern Indian cultural exchanges in the seventeenth century, focusing on the impact of trade and migrations in the Indian Ocean World (IOW) on the identity of mercantile communities in the region. There is a lack of research on the cultural history of these Northwestern Indian communities, which were prominent in the seventeenth-century commercial IOW. The current gap between economic and cultural histories can be addressed through research that analyzes commodities as symbols of culture and identity. The study aims to translate the cultural history of Northwestern Indian communities through material culture via objects …

Examination Of Obtained And Expected Cognitive Performance Of English Learners: An Evaluation Of Broad Ability Composites Versus Aggregate Mean Scores, Nicole Brozyna

Theses and Dissertations

The United States population continues to shift towards a majority rich in cultural, ethnic, and linguistic minorities (Rhodes et al., 2005). Within the education system, school psychologists are challenged with the task of conducting nondiscriminatory assessment of English Learners (ELs), while also adhering to the standards for ethical practice. In recent years, minority students have too frequently been placed in special education settings without sufficient support to signify need of a classification. To provide equitable and fair assessments to ELs in schools, clinicians require the knowledge necessary to understand the influence of cultural and linguistic developmental factors that affect performance. …

Neurophysiological Indices Of Lexical Tone Processing In Children With Different Language Background, Andres Felipe Diaz

Theses and Dissertations

The development of lexical tone processing in children is shaped by both language experience and acoustic salience. While mismatch responses (MMRs) and late negativity (LN) components of event-related potentials (ERPs) have revealed early sensitivity to lexical tone in monolingual children, the timeline for achieving adult-like neural responses—particularly for acoustically distinct versus subtle tone contrasts— remains unclear. Moreover, little is known about how bilingual language experience, especially with tonal versus non-tonal home languages, modulates this neural processing. This study employed a passive multi-oddball paradigm using Mandarin Tone 3 (low dipping) as the standard, and Tone 1 (high level) and Tone 2 …

The Beliefs And Attitudes Held By High School Students On Emoji Usage For Communication, Stacy Bonano

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study explored the attitudes and beliefs of high school students regarding emoji use and its impact on their communication with others. Despite the prevalence of emoji use among adolescents, limited research has examined how students interpret and apply these visual symbols. Eleven high school students from Dutchess County, New York, participated in in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using the theoretical frameworks of semiotics and constructivism to interpret how the students assigned meaning to emojis. Key findings identified emojis as emotional amplifiers, tone clarifiers, and tools of efficient communication. Participants also noted challenges related to misinterpretation and generational …

Sleep’S Impact On Music Processing In The Developing Brain, Rigel Leonard Baron

Theses and Dissertations

Sleep plays a crucial role in human development, particularly in early childhood. While its influence on brain function is well documented, the relationship between sleep and auditory processing in the developing brain remains underexplored. The present study aimed to investigate how sleep duration impacts cortical responses to music, focusing on children aged 5 to 10. Using a six-feature passive listening oddball paradigm, analysis was conducted on event-related potentials (ERPs) across six music conditions: intensity, location, pitch, rhythm, slide, and timbre. Participants were divided into two groups based on average sleep duration (more or less than 10 hours per night). ERP …

Understanding The Inequities Of Academic Programs And Student Achievement In Post-Covid New York State, Erwin Bernal

Theses and Dissertations

The Covid-19 pandemic revealed the reality of learning loss which caused an extended period of online and hybrid learning. Questions about socioeconomic inequities between school districts also manifested. Through the guidance of the theoretical frameworks of John Rawls’ Theory of Justice nd the Hanover Research Toolkit for Systemic Implementation of Equity, this non-experimental study compared the demographics, academic programs, opportunities, and instructional practices of school districts at various socioeconomic levels in New York State. The methods used for this study included simple and multiple linear regressions. The study found that students who are economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, needs resource …

Unraveling The Roots: A Historical And Sociocultural Perspective Of Family Literacy Practices And Parent Involvement In Black Communities Through A Critical Lens, Tasean D. Baldwin

Theses and Dissertations

Family literacy plays an essential role in a child's educational journey by laying the foundation for their academic success and shaping their attitudes toward learning. Social and cultural factors influence the value of literacy and education within families and communities. In Black communities, literacy has significant social and cultural influences, acting as a tool for resistance, empowerment, cultural preservation, identity formation, community building, and social and economic mobility while also historically facing obstacles due to systemic and institutional racism, which continues to impact access to education, resources, and opportunities today. This qualitative study explores the relationship between home and school …

Aging And Misinformation Susceptibility, Minghua Zhang

2025 Claremont Colleges Library Undergraduate Research Award

This paper reviews the mixed effects of cognitive aging on misinformation susceptibility, highlighting the often-overlooked resilience of older adults in combating misinformation.

Dynamical Measures Of Developing Neuroelectric Fields In Emerging Consciousness, William Bosl, Jenny R. Capua Shenkar

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Debating Member-Checks Of Exceptional Human Experiences, James Houran, Everton De Oliveira Maraldi, Beth M. Houran

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This integrative essay reflects on member-checking and engaged research approaches in the study of exceptional human experiences (EHEs)—subjective accounts that often challenge conventional views of consciousness and physical reality. Member-checking, or inviting research participants to review data or interpretations, can improve credibility by aligning research with their lived experience. While benefits include transparency and insight, risks include confirmatory bias, emotional distress, power asymmetries, and logistical complexity. The evolving nature of EHEs further complicates participant validation. We therefore advocate a six-level "fit-for-purpose" system to balance rigor with ethical care and responsiveness. We also explore digital, asynchronous, and AI-assisted strategies to enhance …

Managers' Staging Of Earnings Conference Calls Around Actual Share Repurchases, Hong Kim Duong, Chuong Do, Huy N. Do

Accounting Faculty Publications

We use earnings call transcripts to examine whether managers strategically change their disclosure behaviors before an actual share repurchase. Our findings suggest that managers use tone management to strategically portray a more negative outlook for the firm in the earnings call before an actual repurchase. In addition, we find that managers of repurchasing firms “cast” the call with more unfavorable analysts even when more favorable analysts are available. These disclosure strategies aim to influence the information flows to the market and allow repurchasing firms to repurchase their shares at a discounted price. We further show that insiders of repurchasing firms …

Has The Iasb Successfully Achieved Its Stated Goals? A Literature Synthesis And Theoretical Model, Stephen B. Salter, Hong Kim Duong, Gaurav Gupta

Accounting Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has been successful in achieving its stated objective of enhancing the comparability of financial reports produced across the globe. According to IFRS.org, "IFRS Accounting Standards bring transparency by enhancing the international comparability and quality of financial information, enabling investors and other market participants to make informed economic decisions." To meet our research objective, we summarize the research on international financial reporting standards (IFRS) found in seven relevant ABDC A and A* journals for 2016-2021. Based on the examination of published research, we create a model …

Teaching And Learning International Survey (Talis) 2024 Conceptual Framework, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz

OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)

This document articulates a conceptual framework for the fourth cycle of the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) programme, TALIS 2024. It reflects major concepts from research literature as well as policy interests and was developed by researchers in consultation with the OECD, international stakeholders, and participating countries and territories. The 2024 cycle is designed to address four contemporary issues for education systems and four broad content areas concerned with teaching and learning. The contemporary issues for education systems are: diversity and equity; the educational use of technology; social and emotional learning; and environmental and sustainability education. The broad content …

Introduction, In Children And Violence: Agency, Experience, And Representation In And Beyond Armed Conflict (Christelle Molima Bameka Et Al. Eds., 2025), Christelle Molima Bameka, Mohamed Kamara, Mark A. Drumbl

Books and Chapters

This multi-disciplinary volume provides an innovative approach to children and violence, looking beyond the existing literature that focuses on child soldiers in the ‘Global South.’

Harnessing expert contributions from over a dozen countries, the book examines the relationship between children and violence, with a focus on children ensnared in military conflict, embroiled in criminal gangs, and enmeshed in political activism. It analyses how children join fights, how they fight, and what happens to them after fighting officially ends. It addresses cutting- edge issues such as cyberwars, self-defence, intergenerational trauma, gender fluidity, racism and state surveillance. Throughout, the book underscores the …

From The Editors, Meredith Mccarroll, Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth, Zada Komara

Art Faculty Publications

Anyone involved in academic publishing understands—to some extent—the time needed to solicit, compile, and edit a range of voices to create something worthwhile that holds together. To do so in collaboration as editors adds a layer of complexity. Here, we see that complexity pays off as Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth and Zada Komara invite multiple perspectives on material culture in Appalachian society into conversation in this special issue of the Journal of Appalachian Studies. It is an honor to be a small part of this work, carried out by the co-editors, whose introduction follows. I invite you, as you read, to contextualize …