Digital Commons Network^™

Holistic Worship: Music Therapy Techniques Applied To The Modern Worship Service, Emma Lail

Senior Honors Theses

In a world in which loud and energetic distractions prevail, even pervading the modern Christian worship service, there is little research published concerning the issue of keeping the attention of the congregation member from beginning to end of the weekly church gathering in a manner that is calming, productive, and promotes the overall health of the individual. Included in this research project is a presentation of current issues in modern worship that necessitate change, the benefits of music itself, an overview of the types of music therapy, and an implementation of music therapy techniques into the worship service. This is …

Overview Of The Health Impacts Of Oral Contraceptives On The Female Body, Christi Fertich

Senior Honors Theses

Oral hormonal birth control is frequently used by women for the regulation of medical conditions or as a contraceptive method. However, many women are dissatisfied with the side effects they experience while taking birth control, such as mood changes or oligomenorrhea. The primary objective of this paper is to conduct a scholarly literature review of the side effects caused by oral hormonal birth control, including an explanation of the mechanism of action of these contraceptives on the female reproductive system. The results of this review showed that some perceived side effects, such as weight gain, have little scientific basis, while …

"The Most Hopeful Time": A Contextualization And Evaluation Of Northern Irish Student Activism On The Cusp Of The Troubles, Sadie M. Deshon

Senior Honors Theses

Many Americans are familiar with the history of student riots in the U.S. in the late 1960s—from marches against the Vietnam War, to those advocating civil rights for African Americans. Far fewer Americans, however, realize that nearly the entire western world was concurrently embroiled in similar student-led movements, most of which converged in 1968. Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom that seems to defy definition as a political entity (particularly among its own people, who may describe it as a country, region, or province, depending on their respective political ideologies), was not immune to this trend. The Catholic …

The Support Of Participation In Music Education, Karsten C. Wimbush

Masters Projects

Music programs within most public schools struggle with adequate support and participation. Increasing demand for advanced placement courses, perceived financial commitments, cultural barriers, family history, district course offerings, local interpretation of education policy, and other factors impact what students and families participate in school music. The music teacher’s situation has further impact on the issue, as the unique characteristics of a music teacher’s responsibilities create stressors that reduce effectiveness and increase burnout. This project searches the research on this issue and provides a guide for the music teacher to better facilitate a supported, growing music program. In order to create …

Study Of The Lack Of Student Ability To Repair Relationships Among School Peers, Brittany M. Parker

Masters Projects

Social-emotional skills and student relationships have been researched for years, yet there are still school systems who seek to punish students when they have conflict instead of teaching them the way to manage their emotions. To learn in school is to be social, there cannot be one without the other. In order for students to do their best learning, it is important for them to be able to handle conflict in a healthy way and repair peer relationships. This project examines the benefits of teaching social-emotional skills, in addition to implementing a peer mentoring program in an effort to equip …

Helping Early Readers With Dyslexia, Jessica Kathleen Klooster

Masters Projects

Dyslexia is a common learning disability that is difficult for educators to understand. Misconceptions and misinformation have led to teachers and schools lacking in identification, resources, and support that can be provided to children with dyslexia – specifically young children. This project examines the research of the adverse effects of dyslexia, lack of teacher knowledge regarding dyslexia, the identification of young children who may have dyslexia, and the best intervention practices for these children. In general, many teachers hold misconceptions about dyslexia, which prevents children who have the disability from receiving early intervention. The purpose of this project was to …

Intersectionality Of Social Identity, Trauma, And Education: A First-Generation College Student's Reflective Journey, Richard De La Garza

School of Leadership and Education Sciences: Student Scholarship

This reflective paper explores the intersectionality of social identity, trauma, and education through the lens of a first-generation college student (FGCS) who is a neurodivergent Army veteran. I share my personal journey and experiences, highlighting marginalized communities’ challenges in the education system. I delve into the impact of cultural invasion, the transmission of trauma across generations, and the importance of critical consciousness in addressing educational inequality. I also discuss the role of spatial thinking and language in shaping learning experiences. I emphasize the need for cultural awareness, inclusivity, and equity in educational spaces and highlight the transformative power of embracing …

Associations Between Stress, Health Behaviors, And Quality Of Life In Young Couples During The Transition To Survivorship: Protocol For A Measurement Burst Study, Dalnim Cho, Michael Roth, Susan K Peterson, Kristofer Jennings, Seokhun Kim, Shiao-Pei Weathers, Sairah Ahmed, J Andrew Livingston, Carlos Barcenas, Y Nancy You, Kathrin Milbury

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a life-threatening, stressful event, particularly for young adults due to delays and disruptions in their developmental transitions. Cancer treatment can also cause adverse long-term effects, chronic conditions, psychological issues, and decreased quality of life (QoL) among young adults. Despite numerous health benefits of health behaviors (eg, physical activity, healthy eating, no smoking, no alcohol use, and quality sleep), young adult cancer survivors report poor health behavior profiles. Determining the associations of stress (either cancer-specific or day-to-day stress), health behaviors, and QoL as young adult survivors transition to survivorship is key to understanding and enhancing these survivors' health. …

Friction And Fog: The Chaotic Nature Of Defeat For The B.E.F. In The Fall Of France, Carson Teuscher

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

Bursting from the thick Ardennes Forest on the morning of May 10, 1940, Hitler's Panzer armies pounded across the French countryside. Not only did his armies strike through what Marshal Petain had deemed the "Impenetrable Ardennes," in doing so German forces bypassed the Maginot Line, France's most formidable defenses. As they poured through the gap, other German armies simultaneously attacked Belgium, sweeping downward through the Low Countries to merge with the primary thrust towards Paris.

Blacks Depicted As A Symbol Of European Power Through The Ages, Lydia Breksa

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

Only twenty-seven years ago, Japanese marketeing experts explained that viewers of their advertisements "respond favorably to blacks because they seem more full of energy than whites," and "appear to have a wild side chat seems beyond normal human strength."' In 1988 Japan, this Western-inspired image was not uncommon.2 Such depictions of blacks did not come from thin air. Blacks have been portrayed in European art in various ways throughout history; however, there are recurring themes that persist even today. Such portrayals not only represent society's perceptions but also strengthen them. As such, a study of how European art depicted blacks …

Covid-19 And Church Attendance Behavior Trends: Evidence From Ghanaian Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches, Justice A. Arthur, Lydia Andoh-Quainoo

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

The concept of religious economy views churches as corporate entities, pastors as marketers offering a range of products, and church members as consumers whose preferences shape the goods and services provided by ministers. Within this framework, church members react quickly to changing economic, social, and cultural conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only had an economic impact, with job losses and financial struggles, but has also brought about social and cultural changes that have affected consumer behavior in many areas of life worldwide. For instance, during the pandemic, church gatherings were restricted or prohibited, socializing was replaced with social distancing, …

Managing Financial Sector Crisis: Do “Faith” And “Leave It To God” Matter?, Rebecca Attah, Christine Avortri, Emmanuel Appah, Alexander Preko

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to elucidate the understanding of two religious concepts related to the financial sector clean-up among bank customers; and second, to explore how these concepts have been employed as strategies to mitigate the impact of financial sector clean-up shocks in Ghana. This qualitative research is anchored in the theory of belief and meaning-making theory, utilizing purposive and snowball sampling methods, with twenty-eight in-depth interviews for data gathering. The findings of this study revealed that financial sector clean-up customers understood religious faith as “aggressive faith,” “passive faith,” and “offensive faith,” which were found to …

The Prayer Tongue And The Jesus Prayer: The Witness Of Abbot David Geraets, Clyde Glandon

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

To my knowledge Abbot David Geraets (1935–2012) of the Pecos Benedictine Monastery has been the only Christian witness and writer, past or present, to join the practice of the ancient Jesus Prayer and the prayer tongue. He simply says that “repeating the name of Jesus can become a masterful art of glossolalia prayer.” Abbot David’s statement is not found as such in the centuries of Eastern Orthodox literature about the Jesus Prayer. Nor is such a joining found among classical Pentecostal Christians who, while fully familiar with the prayer tongue and with life and power in Jesus’ name, commonly have …

The Case For Closing The U.S. Prison At Guantanamo Bay, Emma Deoliveira

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

One of the secret CIA black sites that the U.S. government made use of was held at Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba. It was used to torture suspected terrorists into providing intelligence following the terrorist attacks of September 11. Despite the end of the use of this black site, thirty detainees remain there today. Guantanamo detainees have often been captured from their homeland, then forcibly disappeared, and brought to the detention facility for indefinite detention and interrogation prior to having been charged with a crime. Despite their knowledge against its use, the U.S. government authorized the use of these …

Call For Submissions For Volume 37, Angela M. Hosek

Basic Communication Course Annual

No abstract provided.

A Basic Investment In Mercy: Problematizing Assessment In The Basic Course, Kate Swartz

Basic Communication Course Annual

This essay addresses the assessment aspect of the Basic Course; namely, it problematizes our reliance as instructors on traditional grading schema that interfere with our students’ best interests. I address this problem with a mercy-centered approach that uses an ungrading assessment method. In doing so, I acknowledge potential issues with this approach as well as argue for its expanded use as a merciful, beneficial way to provide feedback.

Balancing Expansion And Exhaustion: Burnout In The Basic Communication Course, Nicholas T. Tatum, Jeffrey T. Child

Basic Communication Course Annual

In this forum, the pressing issue of burnout in the basic communication course is discussed as demand for this course continues to grow, posing challenges for administrators and instructors. The forum examines potential causes and consequences of burnout with a primary focus on the well-being of those involved. It aims to advocate proactive measures, including addressing director positions, supporting graduate teaching assistants, and tackling part-time faculty issues, emphasizing the importance of addressing burnout to ensure the course's future and uphold its quality.

Are We Really Basic Bitches? A Call For Resistance And Recognition, Joshua E. Young, Allison D. Brenneise

Basic Communication Course Annual

We explore the history and position of the foundational communication course (FCC) in communication education. The material impact of calling the course basic since the 1940s has caused internalized oppression, which results in a lack of innovation and general disempowerment. The use of the term basic to describe the foundational communication course reflects little cultural awareness of the impact of the word. The term basic also demonstrates a need to adapt the course to meet the needs of its constituents. Failing to adapt may result in more oppressive conditions for communication education, a problem if the discipline is to make …

Assessment ‘Responsabilities’ In The Basic Course: Evaluating Public Speaking Rubrics, Miranda N. Rouse

Basic Communication Course Annual

Procedures and practices that are ableist in the educational system have been long overlooked. Speakers having differing abilities than neurotypical or able-bodied individuals is often not something that is considered in basic course assessment tools. This is important to address because although there are institutional policies and procedures in place to help students with differing abilities, instructors of public speaking have the autonomy or power to determine how such accommodations will affect the speech grade determined by the assessment tool. Power relations are significantly complicated in educational settings when strict hierarchies are imposed, and when instructors abuse their authority, which …

Beyond Delivery, Toward Interpretation: Examining How Students Use Feedback In The Introductory Communication Course, Drew T. Ashby-King, Melissa A. Lucas, Lindsey B. Anderson

Basic Communication Course Annual

Feedback is a foundational communicative aspect of the teaching/learning processes in introductory communication courses as students seek to improve their presentational speaking skills throughout the term. Drawing on 1,673 qualitative questionnaire responses, this paper explores how students used and interpreted instructor feedback. Through our thematic analysis of a randomly selected subset of 335 responses, we identified two tensions in how students used and interpreted instructor feedback: (1) feedback as a process vs. a product and (2) feedback as integrated into the course structure vs. a justification for a grade. Theoretically, this research extends Feedback Intervention Theory by highlighting the importance …

Measuring The Impact Of Reduced Free-Play Offers On Casino Loyalty Behavior, Anthony F. Lucas, Katherine A. Spilde

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

Performance data from a tribal casino operating in the Western United States indicated a general insensitivity to free-play (FP) offer reductions. This finding addresses considerable industry-wide concerns regarding the potential for negative customer reactions to conspicuous offer reductions. Further, FP campaigns are costly annual investments representing the lion’s share of casino marketing budgets in many jurisdictions. A within-subjects design featured the random assignment of 100 loyalty program members from a common offer tier to each of four groups, with the experimental groups receiving different yet substantial reductions in FP during the post-demotion period. The results demonstrated a lack of significant …

Influencing Factors For The Human Development Index In West Java Using Geographically And Temporally Weighted Regression Kernel Functions, Anis Dyah Rahmawati, Aji Hamim Wigena, Muhammad Nur Aidi

Jurnal Pendidikan Geografi: Kajian, Teori, dan Praktek dalam Bidang Pendidikan dan Ilmu Geografi

Human Development Index (HDI) is a competitive index that serves as one of the crucial metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of enhancing the quality of human resources. HDI values from different areas can be compared. This study aims to spatially and temporally explore the HDI data from districts or cities in West Java and examine the factors that influence HDI in each of these districts or cities using the GTWR Great Circle Distance Fixed Kernels model. In this study, we used a combination of cross-sectional data from districts or cities in West Java and time series data with seven annual …

A Lesson Learned From The Success Of Disaster Prone Village Transformation Into A Socioeconomic Cultural Safety Net And Environmental Conservation, Tobirin Tobirin, Sunee Hongwiset, Ali Rokhman, Slamet Rosyadi, Song Seang

Jurnal Pendidikan Geografi: Kajian, Teori, dan Praktek dalam Bidang Pendidikan dan Ilmu Geografi

The villages in the Slamet mountain area has two exciting sides, as it carries abundant potential but is prone to disasters. Fascinatingly, the local community can transform disaster-prone villages by hammering the development of potential natural tourism potential, bringing benefits for nature conservation and economic resilience. Therefore, this study aims to describe the disaster-prone village’s processes in developing their tourism potential into a source of socioeconomic and cultural resilience, as well as safe tourism. This qualitative research used purposive sampling for selecting the informant, while the data collection methods were carried out through in-depth interviews, observations, and focus group discussions …

Beyond The Headlines: Media And Information Literacy (Mil) In Times Of Conflict, Anna Kozlowska-Barrios, Lusine Grigoryan, Michael Hoechsmann, Andzongo Menyeng Blaise Pascal

Journal of Media Literacy Education

The wars of the 21st century are not the first media wars, and many tropes and schema have long histories, particularly propaganda and the othering of a purported enemy. What is new today is that although mass media remains a central and hegemonic source of insight and perspective, citizen journalism, social media, spreadable media, and surveillant, data-driven media have grown in significance at an exponential level, adding a layer of complexity. In this article, we focus on disparity in media coverage and make the point that media and information literacy provide a valuable set of lenses from which to view …

Are They Tools? Anglophone West African Countries’ Students’ Misconception Of Media Literacy And Critical Thinking For Combating Misinformation, Muhammed Jamiu Mustapha, Mutiu I. Lasisi, Victor Vladmirovich Barabash

Journal of Media Literacy Education

This study examines the media literacy and critical thinking levels of students of West African higher educational institutions as tools for combating misinformation in the sub-region. Data analysis using the mediation approach revealed differences in students' understanding of media literacy and critical thinking and partially predicted their efficacy in combating misinformation. This stems largely from a misunderstanding of media literacy and critical thinking concepts as tools, as well as a lack of adequate provision for teaching the concepts and considering them as strategic tools for combating misinformation in the region. The study recommends concrete policy and managerial solutions to the …

The Influence Of Online Distance Learning And Digital Skills On Digital Literacy Among University Students Post Covid-19., Mohammed Fadel Arandas, Ali Salman, Syed Arabi Idid, Yoke Ling Loh, Syaira Nazir, Yuek Li Ker

Journal of Media Literacy Education

Online distance learning policies were formulated and implemented among some Malaysian universities long ago, but their value emerged since COVID- 19. Emanating from the diffusion of innovation theory, this study examined the perception of higher education students on the influence and relationship between six independent variables (compatibility, observability, relative advantage, complexity, trialability, and digital skills) and one dependent variable (digital literacy). A total of 524 respondents were sampled, comprising students from six public and private Malaysian universities. The findings from the correlation analysis show a significant positive relationship between the six independent variables and the dependent variable. Meanwhile, in the …

Integrating Mindfulness In Media Literacy: A Culture-Responsive Training Programme For Older Thai Adults, Nuntiya Doungphummes, Kwanchit Sasiwongsaroj, Theeraphong Boonrugsa, Sirintorn Bhibulbhanuvat, Waraporn Suebwongsuwan

Journal of Media Literacy Education

Media literacy is a much-needed competency in the digitalised world, but it is still an unknown knowledge base for older Thai adults. This design-based research set out as an initiative to promote media literacy through an agefriendly and culture-responsive training programme. The design process involved focus groups with key stakeholders and older adult ‘learners’ as well as field observations. This type of research work, in the Thai context, revealed the primacy of integrating media literacy learning with the Buddhist practice of mindfulness. It also highlighted the importance of incorporating certain cultural values and practices - collectivism, a sense of enjoyment, …

Addressing Conspiracy Theories Through Media And Data Literacy Education. An Exploratory Case Study, Francesco Fabbro, Elena Gabbi

Journal of Media Literacy Education

Lately conspiracy theories (CT) are increasingly hovering over Education Studies, mostly as problems in search of a solution. This paper problematizes this educational solutionist discourse by reflecting critically on different framing of CT (i.e. epistemological and ethico-political) and some related educational responses, ranging from pre/debunking strategies to democratic discussion. In addition, Media Data Literacy Education (MDLE) is presented as a viable educational approach to address CT circulating onlife. The approach is empirically explored through an online workshop with a small group of social workers attending a course for socio-pedagogical educators at the University of Florence. A qualitative mixed methodology is …

Returning To School After A Pandemic And The Lived Experiences Of Rural High School Mathematics Teachers On Student Success, Joshua Saúl Silva

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological methodology investigation was to examine and describe rural mathematics teachers’ lived experiences on the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic on freshman students returning to school after being online for 2 years through the lens of Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy and serves as part of a thematic dissertation with each researcher focusing on different educators in the K-12 school system.

Methodology: Through qualitative methodology utilizing one-on-one interviews of nine rural high school freshman mathematics teachers with 5 or more years of experience before, during, and after the COVID-19 global pandemic, data was analyzed …

Spring Concerts (April 22, 23, 2024), Lindenwood University

Student Music Performance Programs

Event program for the Spring Concerts (April 22, 23, 2024), Lindenwood University.