Digital Commons Network^™

Examining The Examiner: An Amicus Brief On Conflicts Between Forensic Technology And Indigenous Religious Freedoms In Favor Of Virtual Autopsies, Peyton James

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Monitoring Of Caucasus Heritage Sites Facing Cultural Genocide, Peyton Edelbrock

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Lofi Hip Hop Beats To Chill/Relax/Analyze To: Examining The Development, Components, And Online Participation Of Lofi Hip Hop, Sam Vasich

Anthropology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Students across the globe are familiar with the YouTube phenomenon of the ‘Lofi Girl’ and her ‘lofi hip hop radio [beats to relax/study to]’. The YouTube livestream hosting chilled-out music has become a beacon for those trying to accomplish tasks, study for exams, or relax. But, how has this livestream managed to amass a subscription base of over fourteen million? What draws people to this webpage, and what keeps them coming back? This paper examines the development, features, and online participation of lofi hip hop. As explored in the paper, the genre of lofi hip hop is a syncretic soundform …

Theology On A Plate: A Gamified Discipleship Experience, Silas Sham

Doctor of Ministry

“Theology on a Plate: A Gamified Discipleship Experience" reimagines spiritual development by merging communal dining with theological exploration and gamification. Unlike traditional groups curriculums and Bible studies, this innovative project offers a fresh approach to cultivating spiritual growth through semiotic readings of food in Scripture, coupled with unique learning mechanisms. By employing a platform-based pedagogical approach, this project is not primarily about receiving information from an expert source using a pipeline-based approach. Instead, this project is designed so that participants will predominantly learn from each other as they elevate each other’s stories.

Drawing from my ministry experience in a large …

Jewish Women's Reproductive Health Traditions From The Perspective Of Midwives In The United States, Haley Juroviesky

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This research study examines Jewish women’s traditions from the perspective of midwives, in the United States (US), particularly midwives in Florida and New York, based on their work caring for women of childbearing age in the Hasidic Ashkenazi and Sephardic Orthodox communities. The reproductive traditions examined in this research may be practiced differently depending on a woman’s degree of religiosity and the rabbinic authorities in their communities. The primary data I collected in this study are based on ethnographic methods, including participant-observation with midwives, and semi-structured interviews with midwives and rebbetzins. The secondary data draws on my analysis of the …

The Unseen River And Infrastructural Silences: The Santa Ana River And The Ontology Of Floods, Cooper Lennon Crane

Pomona Senior Theses

This article discusses the history of land development and infrastructure along the Santa Ana River in Southern California. The river plays a significant role in the landscape of many of Southern California’s cities and urban geographies but has been relatively underdiscussed in literature. This article approaches the river using a combination of historic ethnography and sociocultural theory to unpack the meanings of the infrastructure of the river and its relation to Southern Californians. From these meanings, the article places the river in context with environmental politics, urban development, and water management issues in California today. The article argues that the …

Cooking In The Past And For The Future In Latin America, Clare A. Sammells

Faculty Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Environment And Belief: Investigating The Dakota Archeological Record, Anna Kay Wiitanen-Eggen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The oral traditions and histories of a people’s belief systems are one means by which the relationships between a people and their environment are embodied. Environmental aspects of a people’s belief system are reflected in their use of their habited space(s) because beliefs help structure actions. Ergo, an examination of a people’s oral traditions and histories has the potential to provide valuable insight to the archeological record of the places potentially occupied by their ancestors or close relatives. Investigation of this aspect of archeology is a relatively new pursuit and is almost completely unexplored in Minnesota. The relationship between the …

A Home For All: Innovative Management And Research Methodologies For Historic Archaeologists At Federally Regulated Landscapes At The Garnet Ghost Town, Andrea Jean Shiverdecker

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This is a proposal for the Spring 2024 graduation of Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology dissertation completion at the University of Montana. The dissertation work being submitted focuses on developing new and innovative cultural resource management methodologies for practical use by federal archaeologists through six archaeological research essays on the Garnet Ghost Town of Garnet, Montana. The goal of this archaeological investigation is to seek or solve, or at least significantly impact discussions on developing an explanation or understanding of the diversity of identities at Garnet while also developing new innovative technologies with recommendations for federal policy to be utilized …

Concepts And Measures Of Human Intelligence And Anthropology: A Systematic Review Of Academic Literature From 1930s To 2010s, Leilani Maldonado

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis explores the evolution of intelligence research and its contextualization within historical biases. Using a meta-analysis approach, the study examines word frequencies in academic literature spanning from the 1930s to the 2010s to identify shifting trends in intelligence discourse. Eleven search terms related to intelligence were analyzed to interpret changes in academic focus over time. The findings reveal significant shifts influenced by historical events, societal movements, and advancements in technology and methodology. From the prominence of IQ measures during World War II to the rise of cognitive science in the 1960s and the emergence of emotional intelligence in the …

Curanderismo And Healing: Insights From Hispanic Young Adults, Allisa Castro

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Curanderismo is a holistic form of traditional medicine primarily used by Latin American populations and Hispanic communities in the United States. This type of care focuses on several aspects of health including physical, emotional and spiritual (supernatural). Hispanics are the largest ethnic minority population in the United States and yet healthcare access to this population remains limited by various barriers including lack of insurance, legal status, language, poverty, and other structural factors. Within this context, exploring the perceptions and role of traditional medicine, like curanderismo, as a form of healthcare becomes crucial in understanding and addressing the unique healthcare needs …

Ngala Kaditjiny ’Our Culture’, Barbara Bynder

Theses

In this study I explored some of the key components of Noongar cultural practice that remain embedded within Noongar society today yet have adapted, changed, and evolved over time and demonstrate that there remains a sense of duty and commitment among Noongar women to follow cultural values and value systems that determine rights, responsibility, and obligation during the practice of disputes.

The target group for this inquiry is Noongar women, The target group is made up of nine Noongar women who shared their personal story, a group of senior Noongar women called the Kookaburra Club who guided me through the …

Exploring Filipino Restaurants In Greater Orlando, Jeremy Quinn T. Braga

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This ethnographic study examines how Filipino restaurants in Greater Orlando leverage traditional foodways and interior design to gain and sustain customer followings. Data elicitation techniques such as participant observation, semi-structured interviews, photography, and mapping help build a general portrait of these niche out-to-eat venues in central Florida. Collected findings suggest that Filipino restaurants in Greater Orlando are extremely varied from the type of eatery they are, the mode of consumption and their interior design choices. Dine-in, takeout from turo-turo stores, or fast food are the many ways one can get food. Most of the time the interior design of the …

Re-Feminizing The Divine: Understanding The Cultural Constructs Of Gender And Sexuality In A Church-Based Christian Community, Cameron K. Thomas

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Historically, Christianity has sought to maintain rigid separation between men and women. Christianity often views women as secondary to men, particularly in relation to authority under Jesus Christ. These ideals have led to the restrictions of rights and roles of people who choose not to adhere to strictly defined or enforced gender roles. For this ethnography, I examined one church community; namely Barbwire Baptist Church in northern Illinois and how its members used scripture and doctrine beyond simply worship to reinforce norms and expectations of self and others regarding gender and sexuality. I draw on scholarship in gender studies, and …

Unraveling Molar Wear Patterns Of San Pedro Maya: Exploring Dietary Correlations And Oral Health, Julie M. Alvarez, Emily Boutin

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

This study investigates the oral health and dietary practices of the historical San Pedro Maya population in Belize. By analyzing the wear patterns on their molars, we gained insights into their past diet and oral health conditions. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the lifestyle and health of the San Pedro Maya in ancient times. This research illuminates the connections between diet and oral health among this indigenous group, offering valuable historical insights into their well-being and contributing to our understanding of ancient Maya civilization. We hope to add to what is known about the Maya of San …

Reimagining The Accuracy Of The Lovejoy Et Al. (1985) Age Estimation Method Of The Auricular Surface Of The Ilium Through Modern Color Photographs, Alyssa L. Edwards

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The ability to accurately estimate the age at time-of-death of an individual is crucial in numerous fields, particularly in a biological or forensic context. There are various methods, features, and bones that are utilized for determining the estimated age of an individual. This study dives into the Lovejoy et al. (1985) age estimation method of the auricular surface of the ilium by using the current age phase descriptions against different reference photos. The study tests whether updated color photos, when working collaboratively with the current age phase descriptions, increases the age estimation accuracy when estimating age based on the auricular …

Hit Unmute And Press Record: Developing A Young Adult Mental Health Podcast, Arielle Hernandez Lyons

Student Research – Stevenson Center

No abstract provided.

Performing Britishness: Identity And Popular Music Tribute Shows In Perth, Western Australia, Colin Outhwaite

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research investigates how and why individuals use popular music tribute shows to construct individual and collective identities within the British expatriate community in Perth, Western Australia. Popular music tribute shows involve recontextualised performances of past musical works and rely on shared first-hand or vicarious experiences between musicians and audiences. By examining how individuals and groups use music as a means for strengthening and maintaining cultural identity, the research investigates how musical activity is both a result and influence on the construction and perpetuation of a symbolic and temporal identity group that revolves around shared tastes and experiences.

Sample Sizes For 10 Types Of Qualitative Data Analysis: An Integrative Review, Empirical Guidance, And Next Steps, Amber Wutich, Melissa Beresford, H. Russell Bernard

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

There has been a recent explosion of articles on minimum sample sizes needed for analyzing qualitative data. The purpose of this integrated review is to examine this literature for 10 types of qualitative data analysis (5 types of saturation and 5 common methods). Building on established reviews and expanding to new methods, our findings extract the following sample size guidelines: theme saturation (9 interviews; 4 focus groups), meaning saturation (24 interviews; 8 focus groups), theoretical saturation (20–30+ interviews), metatheme saturation (20–40 interviews per site), and saturation in salience (10 exhaustive free lists); two methods where power analysis determines sample size: …

Training Needs For Staff Providing Remote Services In General Practice: A Mixed-Methods Study, Trisha Greenhalgh, Rebecca Payne, Nina Hemmings, Helen Leach, Isabel Hanson, Anwar Khan, Lisa Miller, Emma Ladds, Aileen Clarke, Sara E. Shaw, Francesca Dakin, Sietse Wieringa, Sarah Rybczynska-Bunt, Stuart D. Faulkner, Richard Byng, Asli Kalin, Lucy Moore, Joseph Wherton, Laiba Husain, Rebecca Rosen

Peninsula Medical School

Background Contemporary general practice includes many kinds of remote encounter. The rise in telephone, video and online modalities for triage and clinical care requires clinicians and support staff to be trained, both individually and as teams, but evidence-based competencies have not previously been produced for general practice. Aim To identify training needs, core competencies, and learning methods for staff providing remote encounters. Design and setting Mixed-methods study in UK general practice. Method Data were collated from longitudinal ethnographic case studies of 12 general practices; a multi-stakeholder workshop; interviews with policymakers, training providers, and trainees; published research; and grey literature (such …

Agency In Learning And E-Learning Through The Lens Of Disability And Inclusivity., Marta Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Through the analysis of ethnographic, qualitative data collected from students and their stakeholders at the University of Louisville, this thesis examines the experiences of students with disabilities in spaces of higher education, particularly virtual learning spaces. This research has illuminated systemic gaps in disability resources and accessibility within the landscape of higher education, restricting the agency of students with disabilities and their stakeholders.

Undergraduate Experiences Of Black Women At Pwi Campuses, Nilsa Laine

Honors Projects in History, Literature, and the Arts

Black women in modern-day American society face various forms of oppression as a result of misogynoir, the disliking of or bias against black women. A smaller society of our modern societies is college campuses. Predominantly white institutions (PWIs) specifically have a structure that results in a unique yet universal cultural experience for Black women. This research will answer the question: are there commonalities between Black women in their undergraduate experiences at PWI campuses? Qualitative research will be conducted with methodology including archival research and interviews to collect data. Intersectionality theory, Invisibility theory, and Black feminist thought/theory will be used as …

Science Literacy And Popular Culture: Forensic Anthropology In Application And Fiction, Autumn L. Baker

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

This exploratory research examines the discussion of “race” in popular cultural media in a forensic anthropological context. The TV series Bones was used as a sample site for a cultural comparative analysis. This research critically compares popular culture understandings of “race” or ancestral heritage as depicted in Bones with a specific, newly developed method that forensic anthropologists apply in actual lab procedures in combination with other methods to determine ancestral heritage as depicted in textbooks. This research project has two phases. The first phase is a media analysis of discussions and depictions of ancestral heritage in episodes of Bones; the …

Representing The Mixed Plate: Involving Descendant Communities And Kānaka Maoli In Hawai’I Plantation Museums, Amanda Ku’Ualohalanileimakamae Lane

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the ways that the involvement of diverse stakeholders at Hawai’i plantation museums affects representations of Hawai’i’s plantation history. Plantations in Hawai’i had a direct colonizing effect on Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians), displacing them from their lands, replacing them with immigrant laborers, and putting into motion the chain of events that led to Hawai’i’s annexation in 1898. The current-day population in Hawai’i continues to reflect these significant changes in the society and culture of the islands. Hawai’i’s plantation museums traverse topics of labor, immigration, indentured servitude, and colonization. Simultaneously, these museums advance stories of perseverance, celebration, and multiculturalism. …

Bolting The Landscape: An Ethnography Of Yosemite As A Significant Climbing Destination, Vanessa Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Yosemite Valley is a transformative landscape that helps to shape climbers’ identities and fosters a unique sense of community, which continually reinforces its status as a renowned and evolving climbing destination. The historical influence of Yosemite Valley on rock climbing began in the 1950s and has since defined itself as a prominent destination for climbers worldwide. This ethnographic research analyzes how climbers forge a meaningful connection with the Valley by forming a deep sense of place that intertwines with their personal identities as climbers and investigates the intricate relationship between climbers’ identities and the Yosemite landscape. This research also explores …

Putting It Gently: The Other Side Of A Peace Corps Volunteer Experience, Nicole Jacobson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Peace Corps is a transformative experience for many young Americans. The majority of volunteers have worthwhile services they remember fondly; however, these experiences are not always positive. The Peace Corps is a Cold War initiative that uses soft power techniques to further American exceptionalism, capitalism, and the modernization theory of development. The goal of this project was to understand what factors led to the negative experiences of Peace Corps Volunteers. I conducted an ethnography that focused on online communities, semi-structured interviews, Peace Corps memoirs, and news articles to understand Peace Corps Volunteers’ experiences and the organizational culture where they …

A Brief Comparison Of Two Early Neighborhoods: Consumerism And Social Class In 20th Century Lincoln, Nebraska, Mariska Molnar

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

In the Fall of 2018, Matthew Hansen monitored the destruction of a parking lot two blocks north of the Capitol Building in Lincoln, Nebraska for the subsequent building of a geothermal system. During this period, and excavation was conducted with the aid of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Campus Archaeology Project, and 12 features were identified. Five features produced artifacts, with Feature 11, a cistern, being the most fruitful. The collection was named the Capitol Wellfield, and a portion of the artifacts, which includes diagnostic glass and ceramic pieces, are housed on campus for studying.

Most research and publication have been …

Global Health Interventions: The Military, The Magic Bullet, The Deterministic Model-And Intervention Otherwise, Emily Yates-Doerr, Lauren Carruth, Gideon Lasco, Rosario García-Meza

Development Studies Faculty Publications

"Intervention" is central to global health, but the significance and effects of how intervention is practiced are often taken for granted. This review takes interventions into health and medicine as subjects for ethnographic inquiry. We highlight three lines of anthropological contributions: studies of global health interventions that serve imperial and military objectives, studies of "magic bullet" interventions arising from laboratory science, and studies of interventions based on deterministic modeling techniques. We then outline examples of "intervention otherwise," in which people build relations of solidarity and care through global health programming, design interventions to be interactive and adaptable, and use data …

Is A Psychotic Anthropology Possible? Or How To Have Inclusive Anthropologies Of Subjectivity And Personhood, John Marlovits, Matthew J. Wolf-Meyer

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Dominant anthropological theories of mind, cognition, and consciousness reify particular ways of being in the world as "normal," which marginalizes the experiences of people who do not meet normative expectations of personhood or exhibit nonnormative subjectivities. By focusing on atypical forms of communication and self-representation in the ethnographic record, which draws from work in the anthropology of disability and psychological anthropology, we argue for the need to attend to interactions and behavior as the necessary basis for anthropological studies of personhood and subjectivity. These foci, which build on a foundation provided by affect theory and disability studies, stand to open …

Excavation Of The Augustin Grignon Home In The Grignon Trading Post Site, Ou-0072, Kaukauna, Peter N. Peregrine

Archaeological Reports

Between September and November 2022 Lawrence University conducted excavations of the structure identified previously as the Augustin Grignon Home, located within the Grignon Trading Post Site (OU-0072) in the City of Kaukauna, Wisconsin. Excavations were conducted to determine if the early 19th century Augustin Grignon Home incorporated an 18th century cabin, purportedly used by Dominique DuCharme as a trading post. Excavations determined that there are intact archaeological deposits within the Grignon Trading Post Site, which indicate that it is potentially eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Artifacts recovered from the excavations suggest that the Augustin Grignon …