Digital Commons Network^™

Immersive Art, Nature, And Afrofuturism: Cultivating Wellness And Cultural Awareness, Jojo Abenaavi Wright

Theses

This research demonstrates how Afrofuturistic art, combined with nature and scent, enables powerful methods to transform African Diaspora perceptions and support holistic wellness through sensory-emotional engagement. The project introduces The Next Narrative: An Immersive Journey Through Black Time as a multisensory immersive exhibition that combines Afrofuturistic aesthetics with Harlem Renaissance cultural elements. The exhibition presents salons as a sequence that allows visitors to experience time through visual, sonic, and atmospheric transitions. The three senses of touch, scent, and sound operate as fundamental tools for grounding and transformation, which disable analytical thinking while using bodily experiences to perform decolonial memory work. …

Changing Mindsets, Changing Classrooms: Translanguaging Strategies For Teacher Growth And Student Success, Joy E K Kamano

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Kamano, J. (2025). Integrating Translanguaging into TRTW: A Professional Development Series for K-5 Teachers

The research question addressed in this capstone project is: How can translanguaging strategies be used in mainstream elementary classrooms to support the literacy development and cultural identity of multilingual learners? This capstone examines research on translanguaging pedagogy, multilingual identity, literacy development, and oral language scaffolding to identify practices that expand access for multilingual learners. Drawing on this literature, the project includes the creation of a three session professional development series designed to introduce teachers to translanguaging as a pedagogical stance, along with six structured Talk-Read-Talk-Write (TRTW) …

Strategies To Help Older English Learners Succeed In An Adult Classroom Setting, Juana M. Matos

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Matos, J. (2025) Strategies to help Older English Learners Succeed in an Adult Classroom Setting

There are older English language learners who experience difficulties advancing to the next level of instruction. This project is about how to help these older learners. The project has the objective of finding solutions to the research question: Which contextual factors for learning can best support teachers to help older adult ESL learners to retain content to acquire a second language? Through a review of literature, I found information about characteristics of older learners, strategies and accommodations for supporting older learners, and technology that teachers …

Culturally Sustaining Practices For Advanced Multilingual Adult Esol Students, Benjamin F. C. King

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

King, B. (2025)

Culturally Sustaining Practices for Advanced Multilingual Adult ESOL Students

Advanced multilingual ESOL learners need safe and positive learning environments that are responsive to their needs. This project seeks to answer how an adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) curriculum can be adapted using an emergent curriculum approach to be more culturally sustaining. As a white teacher with many privileges, I know the content and language skills I teach will never perfectly match the interests, desires and needs of all my students. Nonetheless, through the process of investigating culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP), I have identified …

Building Fluency: A Toolkit For Supporting English Learners In Reading, Monica Turner

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Many multilingual learners in US schools face significant hurdles in reading achievement, especially in rural and under-resourced districts. This capstone project addresses the question, How can a teacher-created toolkit enhance existing curriculum to improve reading fluency for English learners? Reading fluency, which serves as a bridge between decoding and comprehension, is an essential component of the science of reading. This project focuses on designing a research-based reading fluency toolkit that supports the Geodes® curriculum through hands-on activities that strengthen accuracy, speed, expression, pacing, prosody, word recognition, and comprehension. While the toolkit has not yet been formally implemented, analysis will include …

Utilizing Best Practices In The Classroom In Regards To Technology Use, Kathryn Robinson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this capstone project is: “In what ways do best practices in technology use in the classroom support teachers and students?” During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools were forced to shift online to protect student health. As schools have returned to in-person learning, the influx of technology has not decreased. Studies show that technology use, whether it be social media, screen time, TV, or videogames can be detrimental to brain development. Because of this, it is crucial that there are guidelines for best practice when using technology in the classroom. Further, healthy habits surrounding technology use outside …

Media Literacy: Course Content Framework And District Proposal, Cameron Schwichtenberg

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone project examines how to effectively teach media literacy in a middle school environment. Grounded in both research and personal teaching experience, it responds to the growing need for earlier, more intentional instruction as students develop digital habits long before high school. The project proposes a seven-week Media Literacy course that integrates critical evaluation, ethical participation, and media creation within an inclusive, developmentally responsive framework. Through designing this course, I discovered that media literacy is not only about verifying information but about helping students understand their roles and responsibilities within digital culture. Implementing this instruction early can strengthen critical …

The Role Of Gamified Learning In Developing Math Confidence And Procedural Fluency, Celeste Nosow

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone project sought to answer: In what ways might a gamified math fluency resource focused on increasing math confidence facilitate learning for preadolescent students struggling in math? Research into game-based learning, motivation, and mindset revealed that students can benefit from engaging, collaborative, and low-stakes learning experiences that build fluency through games. Additionally, the environment should foster math confidence and competence in preadolescent learners. The project culminated in the development of a website offering free, low-preparation math games appropriate for grades 3–5. Designed for teachers and substitute educators, the learning materials provided emphasize social interaction, inclusivity, and equitable access. This …

Effective Genre-Based Pedagogy In Co-Taught Literacy Classes For Dual-Identified Students, Khaulah Nik Rushdi

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this project is : “How can multilingual teachers successfully co-teach with special education teachers in delivering effective genre-based pedagogy in literacy?” This capstone project addresses the critical educational gap facing dual-identified students–English learners (ELs) with significant disabilities–who require specialized support for both language development and disability-related needs. Despite federal mandates requiring both services, over 832,000 dual-identified students enrolled in U.S. public schools often fall through academic gaps due to fragmented services and deficit-based approaches that fail to recognize their intersectionalities. Teachers report feeling underprepared at ensuring these students have equal access to classroom curriculum. The …

Establishing Healthy And Sustainable Esl-Mainstream Co-Teaching Partnerships, Gina Dabruzzi

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

As the number of English Language Learners continues to increase, the need for successful co-teaching practices between English as a Second Language (ESL) and mainstream teachers has become a necessity. Yet, despite this high demand, there continues to be a lack of training around co-teaching, and inadequate consideration and support in creating and fostering strong co-teaching partnerships. Aside from the challenges of co-teaching, such as compatibility and power dynamics, the partnership with ESL teachers adds another dimension to the challenge of co-teaching: that being, the misconception that ESL as strategies based rather than a content, and insufficient training around explicit …

State Standards For The Outdoors: A Curriculum Guide For Middle School Life Science In An Outdoor Classroom, David Soltero

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This project examines the idea, Can integrating an outdoor learning experience into every aspect of a Middle School science curriculum enhance learning outcomes? The curriculum is focused on Minnesota's 7th grade life science standards and adapts course and content requirements so that all class instruction and assessment may be done outdoors or within the outdoor classroom. Additionally, it offers examples of summative assessments that are closely aligned with Minnesota's state standards and the next generation science standards. In the literature review, strong support was found for the many benefits of spending time outdoors. The literature also discussed the importance of …

Outdoor Trail Use At Woodland Elementary School For Student Engagement With Mn Life Science Standards, Barbara Walswick

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This paper examines use of the unpaved trails at Woodland Elementary School for student engagement with the third grade MN life science curriculum standards. At this time, the nature resource behind the school is underused. Research on benefits of outdoor learning for elementary students and staff was conducted and noted, resulting in the Woodland Trail Guide project. It serves as a life science curriculum companion for educators to easily take their students on the trails for increased student engagement. It gives educators experience and confidence to optimize the trails in teaching their science lessons and serves as a catalyst to …

Restorative Justice: How Can It Be Effectively Implemented In Schools To Resolve Conflicts And Improve Student Behavior And School Culture?, Aaron Melander

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Schools have addressed student misbehavior and conflict resolution in many ways. Historically, many interventions have been punitive and have done little to help students develop healthy conflict resolution skills. Restorative justice is an approach that seeks to empower students to participate constructively in the conflict-resolution process. This capstone project is a professional development series that addresses the research question: Restorative Justice: How Can It Be Effectively Implemented in Schools to Resolve Conflicts and Improve Student Behavior and School Culture? Research concludes that restorative justice can benefit students, teachers, and school communities by actively teaching skills such as reflection, empathy, self-awareness, …

Supporting Somali- And Hmong-Speaking English Language Learners’ Acquisition Of Morphological Awareness, Danna Bergantine

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Education research has consistently found that supporting students’ understanding of morphology leads to positive literacy outcomes. Students who are English Language Learners may need differentiated support than their English-only peers in this area. Currently, the majority of resources for morphology instruction with ELL students reference Spanish-speakers and rely on cognates between Spanish and English. After Spanish, Somali and Hmong represent the next largest language groups of Minnesota’s ELL population and it is difficult to find resources to support speakers of these languages’ understanding of morphology. Research was conducted to find morphology best practices which do not rely on cognates and …

Advice To Christian Philosophers, Forty Years Later, Christian B. Miller, Meghan Sullivan, Devin Gouvêa, Gregory Robson, Matthew Frise, Philip Swenson

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

Theological Determinism And God’S Standing To Blame, Justin A. Capes

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

Pride And Divine Hiddenness: A Skeptical Defense, Patrick Corry

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

Dipl 6005 Public International Law, Philip Moremen Phd

Diplomacy Syllabi

This course explores the nature and content of the law governing relations between states and relations between states, individuals, and other non-state actors. The first part of the course examines the building blocks of international law; the second part applies this framework to particular topics, such as the use of force, human rights, and humanitarian law. No prior knowledge of law is necessary. By the end of the course, students will possess an understanding of the operation of the international legal system and the role of international law in relations between states. Students will also gain an introduction to legal …

Dipl 6251 Justice, Truth, And Reconciliation In Post-Conflict Societies, Aaron Hale Ph.D.

Diplomacy Syllabi

This course seeks to address the choices and decisions that post-conflict states and the international community make in attempts to address past human rights abuses, concerns over reconciliation, and the socio-political challenges regarding justice, as well as more subjective issues like truth. How, and when, in light of weak national institutions do post-conflict states address past human rights abuses? Is there a tradeoff between states and societies that pursue justice over truth, or vice versa? Is there a “window of opportunity” to pursue reconciliation? Can justice truly be achieved in light of the enormous challenges that post-conflict states and societies …

Dipl 6000 Na/Wb Introduction To International Relations Theory And Diplomacy, Brian K. Muzas Phd

Diplomacy Syllabi

This course introduces students to the major theoretical traditions of international relations and diplomacy, with particular attention to how these theories help us understand contemporary challenges including cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, technological disruption, and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Asia. We will begin with a critical investigation of the competing assumptions and concepts that form the heart of various theoretical approaches to the study of world politics. As a class we will grapple with the key actors, processes, and variables highlighted by each theory, and assess their relative strengths and weaknesses in explaining both traditional interstate relations …

Dipl 4170 Aa/Na Topics In Economic Development, Omer Gokcekus Ph.D.

Diplomacy Syllabi

This course will provide students with an in-depth analysis of five aspects of economic development that are central in today’s world. To make sure that students gain the most relevant experiences, we will focus on the issues that international financial institutions—the World Bank & IMF—and the UNDP have been working on during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we will analyze the following 5 aspects of economic development: 1) poverty; 2) gender equality; 3) education; 4) corruption and 5) food security. Students will conduct background reading on assigned scholarly articles in order to gain contextual knowledge on these topics. We will subsequently …

Dipl 1711 Ab Introduction To International Relations, Brendan J. Balestrieri Ph.D.

Diplomacy Syllabi

This course aims to familiarize students with the foundational literature and theoretical frameworks that underpin the field of International Relations. We will integrate these elements by examining contemporary issues and significant historical events through the perspective of IR theory. The course starts with a basic historical review of International Relations study, progressing to the practical use of these theories to understand and interpret major occurrences in global politics.

By the end of this course, you will have:

- Obtained a working knowledge of the “big three” theoretical approaches to international relations and their constituent theories as well as the ability …

Cephalopod Consciousness: Asking The Right Questions, Gordon Burghardt

Animal Sentience

Jennifer Mather has provided a comprehensive and fascinating overview of the various cognitive accomplishments of cephalopods and their sensory, behavioral, and neurophysiological attributes. The advances in our understanding of a clade that has been separated from vertebrate evolution by well over half a billion years is a testament to advances in both methodology and the questions we now feel free to address. Mather embeds her review in the issue of consciousness, which is certainly a perennial issue in mental evolution, going back to Romanes and earlier. I argue that the term “consciousness” has such a checkered history and is used …

Our Town Upland Campaign, Claire Yew

Public Relations Student Projects

This promotional campaign, developed by Taylor University’s 2025 PR Cases & Campaigns class in partnership with Our Town Upland, aims to enhance the visibility and vitality of Upland, Indiana. Grounded in research on the town’s history, demographics, and community culture, the campaign identifies key opportunities to strengthen local partnerships, increase visitor engagement, and deepen connections between Taylor University students and the broader community. The plan outlines strategic initiatives, including community events, business collaborations, internship programs, and targeted marketing efforts intended to attract visitors, increase event participation and elevate Upland’s profile. Through a combination of print and social media, and experiential …

Electronic Resources Updates - 2025 Q3, Brigitte Galauner, Gregg Harris

Electronic Resources Quarterly Updates

No abstract provided.

Aligning Climate-Energy Policies With Citizen Beliefs, Scientific Findings, Health And Economic Benefits, And Geopolitical Stability, A. R. Mcconnell, Tyler P. Jacobs

Psychology Faculty Works

Recent and abrupt deviations in U.S. climate and energy policies are shifting the United States away from a more sustainable future toward greater fossil-fuel use that will accelerate global warming. These new priorities go against the wishes of the American people as measured by many nationally representative surveys, and they ignore the scientific consensus regarding climate change and its deleterious consequences. This new agenda will harm the physical and mental health of Americans, imperil the U.S. economy, weaken American leadership in science, and increase geopolitical instability. Despite the frightening nature of these unprecedented departures from past climate-energy policies, successfully combating …

Arms Up Or Down? The Effect Of International Organization Membership On Military Expenditures, Maria Christina Kardash

Student Publications

In this paper, I investigate the relationship between the total number of international organizations a state is involved in and its military expenditures as a percentage of GDP. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative analysis, I find support for my hypothesis that the more international organizations a state is a member of, the less a state will expend on its military. Qualitatively, I focus on the three main theories of international relations (realism, liberalism, and constructivism) to construct a theoretical foundation for my paper. Under realism, I focus on free riding behavior, under liberalism, I center on non-military priorities, and under …

Examining The City Of Philadelphia’S Proposition Bill #250768 “Stop Trashing Our Air Act” By Addressing Waste Management And Environmental Justice Challenges In Chester City, Pennsylvania And The Philadelphia Region, Dylan Wascavage

Student Publications

This paper offers a policy analysis of the City of Philadelphia’s "Stop Trashing Our Air Act" by summarizing the reasoning for the bill's call to action, its legislative background, identifying key players and their strategies, and how these strategies reflect philosophies of environmental governance and the policy cycle. It seeks to inform local community members and policymakers of the implications of this bill, to highlight the lack of state and federal intervention on this issue, and to address the environmental justice and pollution concerns of the Covanta waste incinerator in Chester City and its neighboring communities. It also aims to …

Trust And Ethics In Ai-Driven E-Commerce: Persuasion Vs. Privacy, Akriti Nepal

Student Publications

This study examines how AI-driven features in e-commerce influence user satisfaction and the role of trust in these interactions. Using a survey-based dataset of 100 consumers, we investigated whether trust moderates or mediates the impact of AI persuasiveness and perceptions of bias, intrusiveness, and preference understanding on satisfaction. Results indicate that AI’s perceived ability to understand user preferences strongly predicts satisfaction, while trust partially mediates the relationship between helpful AI features and urgency messages and user satisfaction. Conversely, trust did not significantly moderate these relationships, and concerns about bias and intrusiveness had minimal impact. Findings suggest that AI-driven satisfaction is …

Effectiveness Of Chinese Dual-Use Shipbuilding Within State-Owned Enterprises, Naveen Wineland

Student Publications

This paper examines how effectively China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have leveraged dual-use shipbuilding to support the naval modernization of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). While China’s commercial shipbuilding sector now dominates the global market and provides SOEs with massive economies of scale, workforce continuity, and supply chain depth, the ability to translate these advantages into advanced naval shipbuilding has been uneven. Drawing on theoretical frameworks of the developmental state and hidden developmental state, this analysis distinguishes between commercial and naval shipbuilding requirements and examines hull-level production data for major U.S. and Chinese surface combatant classes. The evidence suggests that …