Digital Commons Network^™

Novus Ordo Seclorum: Making The Case For Natural Law Originalism, Ryan Fuhrman

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

The judicial branch of the American government is tasked with interpreting and applying the law, including determining whether laws and executive actions are constitutional. This is the essence of judicial review.

Throughout our nation’s history, various judicial philosophies have shaped how judges have interpreted the Constitution. However, recent criticisms of the judiciary have become increasingly aggressive, with calls for court packing, and even the abolishment of judicial review. These solutions miss the mark. The answer lies in returning to our founding principles. This paper advocates for a judicial philosophy that synthesizes the best elements of various approaches to jurisprudence.

This …

Chinese Strategic Cognitive Warfare Use Of Tiktok And Social Media, Johnny B. Davis

Helms School of Government Spring Public Policy Conference

The 21st century is the era of cognitive warfare and messaging, reshaping warfare, diplomacy, and economics. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) holds that the pillars of cognitive warfare are public opinion, psychological operations, and legal influence. Further, Cognitive Warfare is actions and operations “to affect attitudes and behaviors, by influencing, protecting, or disrupting individual, group, or population level cognition, to gain an advantage over an adversary.” Cognitive warfare operations seek “to modify perceptions of reality, whole-of-society manipulation has become a new norm, with human cognition shaping to be a critical realm of warfare.” The People's Republic of China (PRC) …

The Metaphysics Of Frank Herbert's Dune And God Emperor Of Dune: On Time And Language, Garrett J. Busshart

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation studies the metaphysics of time and rhetoric in the science fiction novels Dune (1963) and God Emperor of Dune (1981) by Frank Herbert. The first chapter critiques the protagonist’s sense of temporality, an ideology in which the future consists of multiple possible choices while each decision of one forecloses a still larger set. Jean-Pierre Dupuy calls this a “supermarket” model of temporality, as if the future were a contingent-free menu of possibilities a subject is free to pick between. My assertion is that this sense of temporality—the Western norm—matches the protagonist’s, Paul Atreides’s, rhetoric. In disclosing Paul’s sense …

“Burned At The Stake”: Unpacking Disinformation In The Story Of A Coach Allegedly “Terminated” For Expressing Anti-Transgender Women Athlete Beliefs, Ellen J. Staurowsky

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

On August 29, 2023, a video testimony entitled ‘Burned at the Stake’: One NCAA Coach’s Battle to Protect Women’s Sport was released. The film was part of a “female athlete storytelling series” developed and funded by the Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) designed to support the IWF’s stated agenda to “fight to save women’s sports and counter the radical agenda that seeks to erase women” by allowing transgender girls and women on teams that match their identities. The central figure in the video is Kim Russell, then head women’s lacrosse coach at NCAA Division III Oberlin College, who claimed her right …

The Shorthorn: October 03, 1921

The Shorthorn Newspaper Collection: 1920s

No abstract provided.

Faculty Senate Meeting Agenda And Minutes, March 17, 2025

Faculty Senate Minutes and Agendas

Agenda and minutes from the Wright State University Faculty Senate Meeting held on, March 17, 2025.

“La Flor Más Autóctona De La Revolución:” Celia Sánchez And The Complexities Of Constructing A Distinctly Nationalist Feminist, Hayley Lonergan

History & Classics Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Visualisation Of Cyber Vulnerabilities In Maritime Human-Autonomy Teaming Technology, Mathew Walter, Avanthika Vineetha Harish, Luke Christison, Kimberly Tam

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Marine operations are increasingly leveraging AI technologies to improve performance and efficiency. However, there are many factors that affect safety, from the remote operating centre (ROC) to autonomous vessels. This includes both hardware and software that augments or replaces direct human control. Further, the integration of AI for autonomy also introduces new cyber security vulnerabilities arising from adversarial threats and complex interactions between conventional and AI-driven systems. In response, we propose a comprehensive assessment approach that assesses the security of marine technologies by addressing risks to both traditional systems and emerging AI components. In this wider system-of-systems view, the authors …

Implementing Agreement To Enhance Protection Of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, Raul (Pete) Pedrozo

International Law Studies

Since 2022, there have been several incidents of apparent intentional damage to submarine cables and pipelines in the Baltic Sea and in the waters around Taiwan. Affected coastal States correctly complain that malign actors, like Russia and China, exploit gaps in international law that make it exceedingly challenging to hold the perpetrators accountable. None of the international agreements applicable to the protection of critical undersea infrastructure provide for adequate coastal State enforcement authority beyond the territorial sea. Several proposals have been made to provide greater protection for critical undersea infrastructure—adopt a UN Security Council resolution, European Union Action Plan, naval …

Vietnam Syndrome And The Genetic Consequences Of Agent Orange Poisoning: A Materialist Approach, Moriah M. Haley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this thesis was to propose and apply a materialist approach to “Vietnam Syndrome” found at the intersection of masculinity, disability, and state power as it manifests in modern military strategy. Through an analysis of the physical veteran body rendered infertile from Agent Orange poisoning during the Vietnam War, the material conditions of infertility are found to have threatened the hegemonic masculinity on which the military relied for its justification and continuation amongst young American men. The turn to technological warfare was intended to remedy the insufficiency of the military body, but the solution was costly and ineffective …

Navigating Emotional Landscapes: A Black Woman's Perspectives, Nasya T. Jasper

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Black women exist in a unique positionality and their experiences with depression and anxiety are shaped by distinctive structural factors. However, their experiences are often overlooked in sociological research and more broadly in academic/medical research. This study investigates the ways Black women are framing their experiences with depression and anxiety on Tiktok and Instagram. I conduct a qualitative study through a social media content analysis grounded in Black feminist thought and narrative analysis. This research is not only academic for me, but deeply personal, as I seek to amplify the voices of women whose struggles often go unrecognized. The findings …

Human Rights Violations In Counter-Terrorism Efforts: A Qualitative Study Of Victims Experiences In Nigeria, Ifeoma E. Okoye, Pius Adejoh

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

Abstract

This study explores the complex nature of human rights violations in the context of countering terrorism in Nigeria. Consequent to the persistent threat of terrorism, especially since the 2009 Boko Haram terrorist' attacks, the Nigerian government has enforced several measures in order to provide national security and save its citizens from terrorist attacks. However, the implementation of these counterterrorism strategies has constituted human rights abuses. This study examined the complicated human rights violations that occurred in the government's counterterrorism framework by utilizing a detailed review of scholarly literature, legislations, media reports, United Nations' provisions, findings from non-governmental human rights …

Cmsi Note 13: Pla Navy Enhances Realistic Combat Training: Observations Of Pla Navy Operations Around Taiwan, K. Tristan Tang

CMSI Notes

Key Takeaways

• Chinese activities around Taiwan in the first two months of 2025 indicate that the PLA is strengthening realistic combat training around the island. This trend aligns closely with the PLA’s emphasis in recent years on using peacetime interactions with foreign forces to achieve training outcomes, a practice it calls “using the enemy to train the troops.”
• The PLA has exhibited a noticeable increase in the daily number of naval vessels operating around Taiwan, as well as increased frequency and scale of joint combat readiness patrols and maritime-aerial training exercises, when comparing January and February of this year to …

Imperial Crosshairs: Grand Marronage At Negro Fort Along The Apalachicola River, Colby J. Williams Ii

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Grand marronage describes the process whereby Africans sought to liberate themselves from enslavement through means of escape to establish permanent communities and create a truly free society. The Southeastern region of the modern United States was once a geopolitical arena where European and Euro-American empires sought to spread their power and influence over both the Indigenous and African inhabitants. Following the American Revolution was the War of 1812, fought between the former colonial master and the recently formed United States. Commonly referred to as the Second War of American Independence, and infamously known for the burning of the White House. …

Remaking A Monument: The Troubled Meaning Of Fascist Remains In Contemporary Spain, David Divita

Pomona Faculty Publications and Research

The Valley of Cuelgamuros, until recently known as the Valley of the Fallen, lies about 35 miles outside of Madrid. Inaugurated by the dictator Francisco Franco in 1959, this landmark comprises a vast underground basilica and houses the mostly anonymous remains of 34,000 Spaniards who died during the civil war (1936–1939) and its repressive aftermath. Since the early 2000s, the Valley has been a political lightning rod in a country that has long struggled with how to address the legacies of its authoritarian past. Ongoing debates among politicians, scholars, and journalists have revolved around the possibility of the Valley’s ‘resignification’ …

Cmsi Translations #15: Inscribing Loyalty While Endeavoring To Advance Into The Deep Blue, Qian Xiaohu, Mo Xiaoliang, Wang Guanbiao, Liu Bin

CMSI Translations

The sea and sky blend into a singular shade, with starlight accompanying the ship’s voyage. Somewhere the vast Pacific, the Chinese Navy's aircraft carrier formation is organizing to train, and the destroyer Nanchang, joining a carrier formation for the first time, is tasked with escort duty. Suddenly, two foreign vessels turn a wide arc one after the other and speed toward the carrier formation. “This is Chinese Navy Ship 101, please keep a safe distance from me and inform me of your intentions.” Nanchang quickly maneuvers and firmly maintains its position in the carrier formation. Simultaneously, the ship’s officer of …

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Using Drones To Enhance Garden Projects, Douglas Weber, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle

All Current Publications

This fact sheet explores using drones to enhance garden projects at home and in schools. It covers the benefits of drones, such as monitoring garden health, planning layouts, and assessing plant conditions through advanced imaging technologies. Additionally, it outlines essential factors to consider when selecting a drone, including cost, battery life, camera quality, and local regulations. Tips for safe operation and effective usage are also provided, as well as fun facts about drones.

دور النظام السياسي في تفعيل الوعي الأمني: رؤية فكرية في ضوء إدراك المخاطر المتجددة, ياسر عبد الجبار محمد العمري

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

تناول هذا البحث دور النظام السياسي في تفعيل الوعي الأمني في إطار الدولة لمواجهة المخاطر المستجدة وما تقتضيه من إدراك شامل لأهمية احتوائها، لضمان عدة أهداف أهمها صيانة امن الدولة وبناء مناعة أمنية ثقافية تحمي أفرادها ومجتمعها وتوفير الامكانية لمواجهة الأزمات وإدارة المخاطر التي تحيط بالدولة . وتم استخدام المنهج الاستقرائي وعبر المدخل التاريخي والمدخل الوصفي التحليلي إذ انتظم فضلا عن المقدمة والخاتمة إلى ثلاثة مباحث تناول المبحث الأول دلالات الأمن والوعي الأمني، وناقش المبحث الثاني مكانة الوعي الأمني في مدرك صانع القرار في النظام السياسي، وأخيرا عالج المبحث الثالث دور الوعي الأمني في ادارة المخاطر الأمنية المتجددة. توصل البحث …

Mapping State Reactions To The Icc Arrest Warrants For Netanyahu And Gallant, Rebecca Ingber

Online Publications

On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it had issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav Gallant, the former defense minister, in connection with alleged crimes committed in the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Hamas. In doing so, the Court rejected as premature Israel’s challenge to the Court’s jurisdiction. The Court’s decision to issue a warrant for the sitting Prime Minister of a state, which is notably not a party to the Rome Statute, also demonstrates the Court’s embrace of its prior controversial decision on immunity, namely that customary international law does …

The Obligation Of “Due Regard” In The Eez During Armed Conflict At Sea, James Kraska

International Law Studies

This article explores the rights of belligerent warships and military aircraft to engage in hostile operations within a neutral coastal State’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) during armed conflict. It argues that peacetime rules of due regard for coastal State sovereign rights and jurisdiction do not constrain these operations. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) established the peacetime obligation of due regard in the EEZ. By 1984, the EEZ had become customary international law binding on all States. The San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflict at Sea suggests belligerent naval forces owe …

Justice On The Home Front: Domestic Prosecution Of Foreign Combatants During Wartime, Katherine K. French

Duke Law Journal

Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine produced a shock to the world order. The conflict has led to immense suffering for the Ukrainian people, many of whom have fled their homes or are directly involved in the fighting. In some instances, the use of improper tactics by both sides exacerbates the devastation, even amounting to war crimes. Although the war rages on, justice efforts have already begun. International tribunals and foreign countries’ domestic courts have initiated investigations into alleged violations of international law and prosecutions of the perpetrators. The most significant effort, though, has been within Ukraine’s own courts. These …

War And Media, William. E. Biernatzki S.J.

Communication Research Trends

No abstract provided.

Social Fiction: Leavy Pioneers A Genre, Christine Sleeter

The Qualitative Report

In this article Sleeter details how Patricia Leavy pioneered the genre of social fiction. She details the method and the publication of the landmark Social Fictions book series, the first and only series of its kind. Sleeter reviews a handful of Leavy’s acclaimed novels, her own fiction, and other titles in the series. She explains how and why social fiction is significant for the qualitative research community.

Values Of Oral Literature In African Society: A Case Of YorùBá Folksongs And Traditional Festivals, Surajudeen Adewale Badru, Victoria Oludunni Ogunniran, Saudat Adebisi Hamzat

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

Folksongs and traditional festivals are central to almost every activity of the Yoruba people. The contemporary world is full of pains, worries, sufferings and despair and various anti-social activities, in spite of pompous claims and glaring efforts of science and technology in solving old problems to create many new ones. Hence, every individual needs to relax, amuse, and get his or her mind off the dull struggles, worries and sorrows of life through folksongs and festivals. The Yoruba folksongs and festivals as soul-searchers and soul-menders therefore, serve the aesthetic, therapeutic and communicative purposes as tension relievers as well as elixir …

The March Of The Naples Soldier: A Look Into The Spanish Flu Pandemic 1918-1920, Javier Pena Reyes

HS 390 Primary Research Papers

This paper dives into the memory of Spanish Influenza from 1918 to 1920. It will analyze and deconstruct the fear caused or absent during that time and later in the records and literature. The comparison of the time of the Spanish Flu will be contrasted with the memory of the time period with the including of Pale Horse, Pale Rider, which was written in 1939. It will compare these two times and conclude with the recent COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2021.

It was November 2019, and reports of a new respiratory disease from Wuhan, China, began to trickle …

Noncoincidence In The Brothers Karamazov, Stewart Justman

Global Humanities and Religions Faculty Publications

The intricate plot of The Brothers Karamazov turns upon conjunctions of events which, on inspection, turn out not to be coincidental. Only by probing the often-subtle connections between events can we appreciate the implications of actions and failures to act in this astonishing work. The Brothers Karamazov tells not of a mysterious power called Coincidence that orders human affairs, but of the responsibilities of human agents, and its wonder lies not only in philosophical excurses like the Grand Inquisitor episode, which seem to transcend its pages, but in the complexity of its own construction.

Defining Pacifism: Article 9’S Role In Japan’S National Defense And Global Commitments, Dylan Kaito Fackler

UC Law SF International Law Review

No abstract provided.

Adaptive Leadership: Strategies Used By U.S. Navy Command Senior Enlisted Leaders To Build Adaptive Capacity In Times Of Great Change, Derek Wayne King

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe strategies used by U.S. Navy command senior enlisted leaders (CSELs) to build an adaptive capacity based on the five key characteristics of adaptive leadership identified by Heifetz et al. (2009).Methodology: This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of U.S. Navy CSELs. Purposeful, convenience sampling was used to identify 10 participants who met the study’s criteria. The semistructured, open-ended interview protocol was developed by a thematic research team of nine peer researchers and three faculty advisors. Data collected from the interviews and artifacts were analyzed to identify themes related …

The History Matters: Fighting For Equal Education In Lowell, Massachusetts, 1970-1990, Robert Forrant, Chandaranee Khoeun, Chrisna Khuon

Institute for Asian American Studies Publications

This is a story about Southeast Asian and Latino parents in Lowell, MA who confronted the Lowell School Committee in the late 1970s and 1980s, demanding that schools be desegregated and that their children have equal educational opportunities. While the school struggle unfolded, acts of anti-Asian and anti-Latino violence were perpetrated in Greater Boston and around the country, including the tragic death of Vandy Phorng, a 13-year-old Cambodian American in 1987. Following his death, the federal lawsuit that Southeast Asian and Latino parents had filed moved through the federal court for two years before the city settled. However, further racism …

Evaluating Learning Outcomes In A Serious Game: A Practical And Model Checking Approach, Matthew D. Douglas

Theses and Dissertations

This research introduces a novel computational framework to evaluate and predict the educational impact of serious games during development. By using finite state machines (FSM) and model-checking techniques, this study evaluates two serious games. Traditional evaluation approaches, often reliant on resource-intensive human trials, lack scalability and fail to provide early insight into the alignment of game mechanics with learning objectives. This study addresses these challenges of traditional evaluation methods.