Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding And Identifying Specific Learning Difficulties: Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum, And Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity In The Adult Esl/Efl Classroom, Kristen Kearns

Master's Projects and Capstones

Specific learning difficulties (SLDs), including dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders, are significant factors that influence the way and rate at which students learn English as an additional language. However, few Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) training programs address the cognitive and behavioral strengths and challenges these conditions carry for adult learners, in part due to concerns about bias in the over- and under- identification of learning disabilities among K-12 English language learners. Informed by Critical Disability Theory, and framed within a realistic discussion of the obstacles that remain in identifying and researching the parallel …

Composite Climate Risk Exposure In High-Emitting California Industries, Nicholas M. Graves

Master's Projects and Capstones

The correlation of anthropogenic carbon emissions and changes in the global climate system is unequivocal. Governments are enacting policy from the local, state, federal, and international levels that present major transition risks for businesses. In parallel, legacy emissions are already causing discernible changes in the climate system via increased frequencies of drought, wildfire, flooding, and extreme heat; these changes present material physical risks to existing business infrastructure. Taken together, these risks form the foundation of proposed regulations for climate risk disclosure by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Existing literature has not provided an at-scale screening methodology for climate …

Community Microgrids As An Equitable Climate Resilience And Adaptation Strategy In California, Savanna Olivia Smith

Master's Projects and Capstones

Climate change summons more extreme and frequent weather events that threaten communities’ access to power. Without power, businesses lose revenue, essential services are limited, people are exposed to extreme temperatures, and lives are lost. California has adopted microgrids as a solution to costly power outages, electrification needs, and renewable energy goals. This work evaluates the adoption of microgrids as an equitable climate resilience and adaptation strategy through a geospatial analysis of California’s resilience investment needs, a case study analysis of 9 existing tribal and rural microgrids, and a gap analysis of California and federal policies and incentive programs. Programs like …

Ambigú Trashumante Barra De Café Ambulante Ambigú Trashumante Barra De Café Ambulante, Augusto Martin Rivero

Master's Projects and Capstones

Ambigú Trashumante Barra de Café Ambulante is an applied research project which took shape over the course of a calendar year from May 2022-2023. A six-person team evolved including the personified project itself, united as one communal entity in collaboration. The project entailed creation of a bicicargo, or cargo bike–useful art becoming a mobile coffee bar and literal vehicle embodying justice through coffee offered freely in México, as facilitated through decolonized ethnography and Mesoamerican Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR). The project’s theoretical framework centers on Bruguera’s (2012) arte útil conceptualization. Five core patterns emerged, including the right to thrive in …

People, Not Headlines: Teaching English To Ukrainian Refugees, Katherine Gardiner

Master's Projects and Capstones

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, thousands of Ukrainians have fled their home country, many resettling in English-speaking countries. Ukrainian refugees bring with them many strengths; however, the challenges of surviving in another country on top of the language barrier and the trauma they may carry must be carefully considered and given special attention by instructors of refugees. The purpose of this project is to address the lack of English teaching material for the increasingly growing population of Ukrainian refugees in North America. The handbook is informed by current pedagogy on community building, promoting self-efficacy and …

The Resurgence Of Pre-Colonial Practices: The Shift In Social Culture In Filipino American Youth, Amanda Saligumba

Master's Projects and Capstones

There has been increasing interest in pre-colonial societies and practice in younger generations and it has become more prevalent in younger Filipino Americans, as evidence is shown through social media. Younger Filipino Americans have taken a step toward retracing their heritage and rejecting colonial customs embedded within their culture by bringing back pre-colonial practices. This study analyzes how younger generations are using the social media app TikTok as an educational tool, and how it is shifting social and cultural trends in Filipino American youths. Thematic analysis is used by collecting and analyzing audience engagement with content created by the top …

Massive Misunderstood Menace: Gojira (1954), An Allegory For Coping With Trauma, Marc-Antony Martinez

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

In my essay I will be examining whether exposure therapy is an effective method of those coping with PTSD. This is an idea which circulates around the original 1954 Gojira film, where its ending can be interpreted as supporting the idea that coping with trauma must necessarily involve some form of exposure therapy. In the end my research concludes that exposure therapy is effective for those suffering with PTSD under a select few circumstances. This is because trauma can spur symptoms, including borderline personality syndrome, that can negatively affect the outcome of exposure therapy. Despite this, exposure therapy is …

Offshore Wind Energy And Seabird Collision Vulnerability In California, Whitney Grover

Master's Projects and Capstones

California has ambitious clean energy goals designed to help mitigate the worst outcomes of climate change. Offshore wind is an important part of the solution to meet California’s clean energy goals, but has potential negative impacts on the marine environment. As offshore wind energy is new to California, this paper reviews and synthesizes existing literature from other parts of the world, looking at the real and theoretical risk of seabird collision with offshore wind turbines. Learnings from existing offshore wind projects in the U.K. as well as theoretical and modeled risk assessments are applied to California’s plans to determine the …

Assessing Equity Of Green Infrastructure Strategies To Address Heat Vulnerability In Los Angeles Sustainable City Planning, Sophia N. La Herran

Master's Projects and Capstones

Urbanization has brought about many undesirable environmental changes, with extreme heat and urban heat island (UHI) effect being some of the most significant. In addition to the challenge of UHI effect and increase of extreme heat events, heat also disproportionately affects different types of urban populations with higher populations of minority and low-income residents, who are more exposed and have limited capacity to adapt to extreme. The increased vulnerability to heat faced by socially vulnerable communities can be linked to the inequalities in neighborhood level exposure to extreme heat events, underlying health conditions, workplace conditions, housing quality, and other lasting …

Behind Female White-Collar Workers In China: Women In Tech Versus Women In Education, Dayana Assad

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

What do most people know about working-class women in China, white-collar female workers? Many people might think they live better and more comfortable lives than blue-collar workers. However, not many are aware of the difficulties and challenges that the white-collar group of female workers in China encounter. This research covers two specific groups of white-collar women in China. Women in tech and women in education. The study is based on the interviews of female tech executives/entrepreneurs and university teachers, and demonstrates the reality so well-hidden under the curtain of the country’s communism. The paper first provides an all-encompassing background …

Desde El Suelo: Resources For Anti Colonial And Abolitionist Educators In Puerto Rico, Jazdil Poupart-Feliciano

Master's Projects and Capstones

“Desde el Suelo” is a set of resources, activities and reflections created for educators looking to name, understand and heal from the systemic harms experienced in our schooling in order to interrupt these cycles and better support children, youth and ourselves in our liberation. For Puerto Rican educators, this process begins with the understanding that any system created with the goal of expanding the u.s. empire through racist occupation and epistemicide can never be reformed into promoting freedom or social justice. Pulling from abolitionist teaching and critical pedagogy, inspired by historical struggles for Black liberation across the diaspora and in …

Fighting For The Heart Of The Mission District: Multiracial Community Organizing And Anti-Displacement Movements, Anachristina Arana

Master's Projects and Capstones

My research discusses the history of gentrification and displacement in San Francisco, which has been created through a legacy of intentional policymaking, city planning, and land-use decision-making across the city and state. This study centers the collective power and expertise of multiracial, multicultural community-based organizations and coalitions dedicated to the work of tackling these systemic issues in the Mission District of San Francisco. To learn about the impact of multiracial community organizing, I pose the following research question: How do multiracial community-based organizations work to disrupt gentrification and displacement, and create meaningful change to support impacted community members in the …

Increasing Access And Sustainability For Camping Along The Bay Area Ridge Trail, Hannah F. Bartee

Master's Projects and Capstones

The Bay Area Ridge Trail (Ridge Trail) is a long-distance, multi-use trail that connects parks and open space on the ridge lines encircling the San Francisco Bay (Bay). Like the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail, the Ridge Trail offers continuous travel through protected natural areas, but this trail is unique as it is located in a densely populated metropolitan area. The trail is currently incomplete, with gaps where the trail does not connect. The Ridge Trail also lacks the number and distribution of overnight accommodations needed to support a full circumnavigation of the Bay. Addressing gaps in the current …

Educational Studies And Educational Practice: A Necessary Engagement, Jim Hordern

Plymouth Institute of Education

This paper assesses prospects for the relationship between educational studies and educational practice, with reference to the current institutional and policy context in England. Drawing on the sociology of educational knowledge and practice, it is argued that educational studies can be conceptualised in contrasting ways, by considering internal structures, external relations and how disciplinary problematics are defined, but also by how educational practice is portrayed. To develop the analysis, Bernstein’s work on knowledge structures and academic and professional discourses is articulated with philosophical work that distinguishes between different conceptualisations of practice prevalent in the humanities and social sciences. This enables …

Sustainability Analysis: Large-Scale Desalination Implications For Coastal California, Elizabeth H. Whitford

Master's Projects and Capstones

In response to prolonged drought, desalination is gaining popularity as an alternative water production method for fresh water. However, water desalting technology poses concerns; the process is energy intensive, creates brine waste, and has the potential to damage sensitive coastal ecosystems. Significant research is available on the technological, economic, and energy efficiency aspects of desalination, while only a small percentage of the current literature focuses on environmental impacts. This research analyzes the desalination literature holistically in terms of both energy consumption and environmental impacts by conducting 1) a historical and current state review of the sector, 2) a technology analysis …

Uncorking The Speaking Skill: Wine And Prosody In Conversation, Efren Antonio Serra

Master's Projects and Capstones

Although the skill of speaking is necessary for attaining basic interpersonal communicative skills (BICS), most traditional second language acquisition programs base their pedagogy and curriculums on lexis and grammar of the written form and phonology/phonetics. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate how to effectively adapt content-specific material for developing the speaking skill at community colleges with adult students who are interested in pursuing a career in the wine industry as a sommelier. Courses for becoming a sommelier or a server in the wine industry are traditionally offered at community colleges under the culinary arts and hospitality management programs, …

Beyond Carceral "Solutions": Using Transformative Human Rights Education In Domestic Violence Prevention, Alli E. Rios

Master's Projects and Capstones

Domestic violence is a choice a person makes to gain and exert absolute power and control over another person. Unfortunately, the predominant structure for addressing domestic violence - the criminal justice system - is rife with problematic social and structural constructs, like patriarchy, white supremacy, and neoliberalism, which are themselves rooted in issues of power and control (Acheson, 2022). The influence of these factors, which are largely defined by exploitative hierarchies, helps to explain why domestic violence remains prevalent. To more effectively address and prevent domestic violence, research suggests that comprehensive policy and curricular reform are necessary on multiple levels …

Techniques For Reducing Public Speaking Anxiety In Adult English Learners, Andy Mardesich

Master's Projects and Capstones

Making presentations to a group is a complex skill that takes time to develop, and it can be intimidating and anxiety inducing. Using mindset theory and feedback from interviews with community college teachers, this teacher's guide, Techniques for Reducing Public Speaking Anxiety in Adult English Learners, discusses approaches for reducing anxiety in an adult ESOL/EFL speaking classroom. It discusses the importance of providing a safe and comfortable environment to practice and manage anxiety, building good support structures, providing clear rubrics and student roles, and offering plenty of opportunities for interaction through purposeful communication. This guide holds significance for students, teachers, …

Stormwater To Groundwater: How California Can Increase Groundwater Storage And Build Climate Resilience., Emily M. Perales

Master's Projects and Capstones

California is predicted to have more intense and frequent changes in weather patterns within the next 50 years. Historical and current groundwater use for residential and agricultural use is unsustainable and is creating significant deficits in groundwater aquifers throughout the state. To better adapt to potential damages caused by atmospheric rivers, better stormwater management and capture could increase California’s Climate adaptability. This study is focused on the means and methods to capture stormwater and increase groundwater recharge. Nature-based infrastructure (NBI), or Green Infrastructure (GI), has been used in urban areas throughout the country to mitigate harmful stormwater effects by replicating …

Assessing Rebuilding Incentives For Homeowners Impacted By The 2020 Czu Lightning Complex Fire, Melisa Cambron Perez

Master's Projects and Capstones

Wildfires have become a leading concern throughout the increasing residential communities of wildland-urban interface areas. Decades of fire suppression and climate change shifts have caused the fire regimes within California to become more frequent and severe. The shifting patterns in landscape to accommodate more housing has caused billions of dollars in wildfire destructions. Yet homeowners who have been impacted continue to rebuild within the same wildfire perimeter. To help homeowners and communities who are still in the process of rebuilding within the Santa Cruz Mountains, which was impacted by the 2020 CZU Lightening Complex Fire, this research aimed to assess …

Clean Energy At The Crossroads Of America: An Integrated Resource Plan For Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Llc (Nipsco), Saad Z. Khan, Shend Boshnjaku

Master's Projects and Capstones

This paper outlines an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for the Indiana electric utility company, NIPSCO, looking forward to the year 2050 and evaluating different pathways to net zero emissions from the power generation sector. It is a plan for the future, identifying the most cost-effective and reliable mix of resources to meet the energy needs of NIPSCO's customers and reaching decarbonization goals by mid-century.

The Canadian-Indigenous Treaties, An Eye On The Past, A Step To The Future, Hassanein Y. Hassan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

For centuries, the Indigenous Peoples in Canada (CIP) were subject to historical injustice; injustice that was originated in enacted laws. However, there is a huge progress in recognizing IPs rights in the last decades since the C. Supreme Court Rule in 1973. As a result, recent treaties guarantee more rights to IPs; a step to the final goal of sustainable conciliation.

However, there is a need to investigate the diverse stands of Canadian IPs activists (CIPA) towards treaties; accepting or denouncing the treaties. It is crucial to discuss the points of diverse between both stands in order to spot …

Email Policy

Information Technology Services Policies

Electronic mail services are provided on Georgia Southern University (University) owned computing and networking resources to further the mission of learning, instruction, administration, and public service. The purpose of this policy is to ensure the proper use of the University electronic mail communication system. This policy is intended to maintain an ethical and amicable working environment and to meet the requirements governing the use of University email resources.

Positive Out Of The Negative: Tracking Renewable Energy Projects In Central America, Jordan Ethan Castillo (Miner)

Master's Theses

Central America is undertaking a vast Renewable Energy (RE) transition, due to widespread investments across the region in an array of technologies. These technologies include Community Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectricity. Hydroelectricity has long been the backbone of many countries’ energy grids in the region due to the region’s long history with hydroelectricity. Ambitious climate goals coupled with diminishing hydroelectric power generation opportunities have led to an expansion of investment in Community Solar and Wind energy. The embrace of Solar and Wind has been accelerated due to declining costs for these technologies as they mature. Central America as a case study …

War And Genocide In Darfur And Its Impact On Darfur Society, Hamid Elshareif

Master's Theses

The Darfur region in western Sudan has witnessed bloody revolutions and conflicts since the beginning of 2003. The Sudanese government recruited militias such as Janjaweed who killed and robbed the civilian people of Darfur. The Janjaweed practiced murder, rape, torture, the burning of villages, looting, and theft which amounted to what most people consider genocide. This genocide is being practiced against the indigenous African tribes in the western region of Sudan which is less developed and has been marginalized by the government in Khartoum. Reasons for this conflict are in question with many people seeing it as purely an Arab …

'Formation In Distinctive Dimensions Of Our Way Of Proceeding': Preparation Of Lay Directors Of Works In Jesuit Schools, Perry T. Petrich Sj

Master's Theses

The purpose of the study was to determine how lay directors of works in Jesuits West secondary schools can be formed to best serve as faith leaders. The study consisted of secondary research in which interview data and surveys from studies on lay formation in Jesuit universities and lay leadership of Bay Area Catholic High Schools were used to determine whether or not formation of lay directors of works in faith leadership is possible, what the objectives of that training should be, and how that training can be offered. This analysis determined that lay formation is both possible and necessary. …

Mapping Effectiveness: Farm Mechanization Initiatives By Lumbini Province Of Nepal (Fiscal Year 2018/19), Ananda Phuyal

Master's Theses

An effective farm mechanization program should increase crop production and be profitable to the benefitting households. Increasing labor shortages and decreasing animal draft power in agriculture demanded farm mechanization to increase food productivity in Nepal. To increase crop yield, the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative (MOLMAC) of Lumbini Province in Nepal distributed 1994 subsidized tools and machinery in Fiscal Year 2018. The farm mechanization program by the government was an ambitious program and was implemented without research to address the actual need of the geography. However, the program had a positive impact on the community. It is found …

Unaccompanied Migrant Children And Adolescents’ Rights In Colombia: Between Invisibility And Incapacity, Linda María Urueña Mariño

Master's Theses

This thesis centers on an analysis of the situation of unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents transiting through and settling in Colombia, from a children’s rights perspective. These children are being invisibilized, which is causing their unprotection and multiple violations of their rights. Through a critical policy analysis, with a review of Colombian migration and child protection policies, and interviews with governmental and nongovernmental representatives working with migrant children in the country, the study aimed at contrasting policies with the real practices of migrant children protection.

The analysis recurred to Bauman, Butler, Crenshaw, among other authors to show how the Colombian …

Preparing To Engage Migrant-Origin Students Through Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Handbook For Teachers, Grayson E. Briggs

Master's Theses

Students of migrant-origin currently represent approximately 25% of the total student population in the United States. As immigration to the U.S. continues, the proportion of migrant-origin students in public schools is only expected to grow. Despite the growing representation of migrant-origin youth amongst the K-12 student population, current schooling approaches have not expanded to address the diversifying needs of the student population. Because public school systems are struggling to adapt to the needs of migrant-origin students, these students’ educational attainment is suffering. The presence of implicit bias, microaggressions, and stereotypes in all aspects of schooling is a significant factor that …

Dialogues Between First-Generation Mexican American Female Students In Higher Education And Their Parents, Rosa Elena Zavala Morales

Master's Theses

First-generation female Mexican American students are part of the growing Latinx population of students entering American college campuses all over the country. They are students who have had to jump over several obstacles such as traditional gender roles and structures of inequality to attend university on their own. But they are not fully alone. Loyalty to family is a central core value many Mexican American women believe in, making family an integral part of their journey in higher education. Additionally, traditional gender roles, in conjunction with family, play a part in the responsibilities they take at home with their families. …