Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Coyote Tracks: Examining The Trickster In The Works Of Leslie Marmon Silko, Jeffrey A. Green

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of the current work is to extrapolate an understanding of the trickster figure as it is used in the literary works of Leslie Marmon Silko, a contemporary Laguna Pueblo author. Trickster analysis in Native American literature is primarily relegated to the study of traditional myths and stories, and only a few scholars approach the topic in contemporary Native American literature. Of those who do, none have chosen Silko’s works as the primary focus of their analysis. An examination of this type will contribute to and expand the existing literary criticism of Silko’s writings. Leslie Silko utilizes the traditional …

"It Don't Mean A Thing If It Got That Swing": Langston Hughes's Musical-Poetic Fusion Of The Vernacular And Literary Traditions, John Hall

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Early in his literary career, Langston Hughes was faced with a question that occupied his writing and led to an important innovation in American literature: how could Hughes describe the experiences of African-Americans while using the forms and traditions of a Western (i.e., predominantly Anglo-American) literary culture which often sought to exclude, even negate, the very experiences and oral traditions which he sought to express? Hughes's desire to create an individual poetic voice which could present the African-American community as a whole soon led him to modify traditional Western literary forms by incorporating African-American oral and vernacular forms into his …

A City's Dichotomous Response To Postwar Change: Charleston, West Virginia, 1919-1923, Dwayne L. Ledsome

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In the spring of 1919, Americans awaited the final resolution of World War I. This war, which had begun in the summer of 1914 and had involved direct American military intervention since April, 1917, had been effectively won by the Allies in November, 1918. However, the official resolution of the war required the completion of the Versailles Treaty, which the world leaders signed in June, 1919. Although most American sought a return to “normalcy,” a term used by Warren G. Harding in the presidential election of 1920, such an outcome proved unobtainable in most American communities because of the dramatic …

Religion And Coping With Chronic Illness: A Comparison Of Rural And Urban Communities, Christina Mullins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study compared 45 rural and urban families in their use of religion as a means of coping with the stress of a chronically ill child. Parents reported no differences between their actual use of religion as a means of coping. However, urban families were more likely to believe they should turn to their clergy for emotional support.

Bright, Common Nails: A Collection Of Stories, William Mark Poteet

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Harold Smartwell heard the car coming up the road a long time before he saw it. He could hear its rubber tires popping the loose gravel that served to pave the road. Taking a long drink from the Coca Cola bottle he was holding, he squinted down the road toward the setting sun. Maybe somebody he knew was heading toward home, maybe a ride into Cleecey. Harold had promised his mother that he would make it home from the movies before dark, but in early July, dark didn’t come until late. Even if he didn’t get home before nightfall, he …

Women In The West Virginia State Legislature 1923-1997, Jo Boggess Phillips

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A total of 125 women legislators have served in the West Virginia State Legislature (see Appendix A). Although every state legislator, both male and female, has played a role in molding the destinies of the citizens of this state, the past 70 years have been an uphill climb for the women who have served in the West Virginia Legislature.

This thesis examines the careers of some of the pioneering women who broke the gender barrier and entered into the male dominated world of state politics and those who have followed their lead. This paper is by no means meant to …

Christina Rossetti: Pre-Raphaelite Poet, Linda S. Baird

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Considered by her contemporaries to be one of Victorian England's greatest poets, the writings of Christina Rossetti clearly exemplify the work of a Pre-Raphaelite artist ("CR and the Visual Arts"). The publication in 1862 of Goblin Market and Other Poems represented the first literary success of the Pre-Raphaelites, although Christina herself was not a bona fide member ("CR's Literary Career"). Much speculation exists as to the reason that the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Several biographers/critics postulate that some of the members refused to allow her admittance because she was female; however, an actual letter from Gabriel suggests that she was asked, but …

Standardization, Compromise, Or Specialization: A Content Analysis Of Magazine Advertisements In America And Taiwan, Yi-Fan Chen

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

When researchers studied standardization and specialization of advertising, most of them only focused on comparisons of the cultural influences of the advertisements across the different nations. McCarty (1994) studied the general role in cross-cultural research and international marketing and advertising of several different cultural values, such as individualism versus collectivism: masculinity versus femininity; time orientation, activity orientation and humans’ relationship with nature. Kahle, Beatty and Mager (1994) studied implications of social values for European community communications. Astroff (1994) (1994) studied the language culture use of women in advertising.

Huang (1995) studied the different cultural factors, such as norms and ethics, …

Integration And Athletics: Integrating The Marshall University Basketball Program, 1954-1969, George M. Reger

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In 1954, Marshall College followed the national law that banned segregation in the school systems of the United States. The law included the integration of athletic programs. While only a small part of the process, athletic programs often presented integration on a more visible stage than the integration of classrooms.

An Experimental Study Of The Effects Of Army Recruitment Television Advertising On High School Seniors, Jeffrey A. Dean

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In order for Army recruiters in the Appalachian region to effectively reach their target audience through television advertising, they must know which segment within the overall stated target audience of high school seniors between the ages of 17 to 21 are most likely to be influenced by Army recruitment advertising. Recruiters must also determine the type of programming preferred by the primary target segment to enable recruiting messages to be placed in programming where it is likely to have the most impact and achieve maximum frequency of exposure among the most receptive audience.

Sex Differences In Television Viewing And Attention: Do Males Really Channel Surf More Than Females?, Melissa Morrison

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Channel surfing is often thought of as a male-dominated pastime; however, previously there was no objective data supporting this conclusion. In the present study television viewing and channel surfing were monitored in 44 college students who simultaneously performed an auditory vigilance task. In addition, a survey was administered to determine self-reported individual television viewing habits. Results showed that males channel surfed at almost twice the rate of females. In addition, after the first test tone they generally detected more tones in the vigilance task than females. It was concluded the high channel surfing rate of males reflected lower levels of …

Henry Iv, Part Two: A Modern Stage History, Calisa A. Pierce

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part Two has too often been neglected in comparison with its predecessor, Henry IV, Part One, or its successor, Henry V. In the latter half of the twentieth century, major productions of the drama have been performed only in conjunction with Part One1, and often with Henry V, Richard II, and other plays added in a Tillyardian cycle.

Although this trend has benefitted audiences who see the characters of Henry IV, Hal, and Falstaff develop over the course of several plays, it has tended to obscure one of the major themes of Part Two, that of …

Writing As A Mode Of Teaching And Learning In Secondary Discipline-Based Art Education, Julie Raines

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examines the use of writing in art education and its possibilities for use in the four disciplines of DBAE. Teacher attitudes and associated behaviors with regard to these and related topics are assessed. It was expected that some teachers would favor a creativity- or art production-centered approach to the teaching of art over DBAE. Because writing can be viewed as an academic mode of learning, some apprehension was also expected from those who favor creativity and art production. Despite teachers’ lack of training in DBAE disciplines other than art production and in using writing in the art room, …

A Survey To Determine How The Media Affected Operational Security Of The 1st Armored Division In Bosnia, Stanford E. Angion

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to survey the commanders and public affairs officers who were mobilized and deployed to Bosnia in 1995 with the U.S. Army’s 1st Armored Division as part of Operation Joint Endeavor, for their views about how they think the media affected their units’ operational security. Many articles have been written concerning the adversarial relationship between the military and the media, but little scientific research has been published on the effects of the media on military operational security during times of conflict. This study will build on the research previously conducted by Capt. John B. Snyder …

Holding The Line: Confederate Defense Of The Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike In The Fall Of 1861, Joe Geiger Jr.

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In June and Juy of 1861 the American Civil War's first land campaign was conducted along the Staunton-Parkersburg turnpike in western Virginia. Although insignificant in the war's eventual outcome, the early campaign in western Virginia seemed consequential at the time for several reasons. First, the Union offensive into the region was the initial military campaign of the war. As a result, news of the fighting in western Virginia was closely followed by citizens both North and South. Second, the region appeared to have strategic significance. If the Confederacy could hold all of Virginia, the northwestern portion of the state could …

The Muffler Mailbox Man, J. Amari Roland

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Upon my arrival on earth. Mother forbad me from doing two things: going to K-Mart and talking to my Uncle Ike.

Ironically, the first word I learned to read was "K-Mart.” Mother pointed out the store every time we drove past. She told me many times of the evil that could befall a person if he entered its doors. I reckoned she knew all about K-Mart because she claimed to have gone there twice before I was born. Based on the two visits, Mother decided that the voice of the blue-light special masked some sinister, subliminal message. While everyone else …

A Communication Audit Of The Catholic Diocese Of Wheeling-Charleston, Larry W. Dorsch

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the principal existential task of the Church. "Communicating" and "the Gospel" both are terms loaded with philosophical underpinnings and practical implications that constantly challenge the church to examine its established patterns of ministry and behavior, as well as its priorities and budgets.

The strides in communication practice and technology of the twentieth century have shaken the church's modus operandi in ways that are unparalleled in the previous nineteen centuries of Christian faith. While to be sure the invention of the printing press in the fifteenth century sparked major shifts and realignments in the …

An Appeal For Racial Justice : The Civic Interest Progressives' Confrontation With Huntington, West Virginia And Marshall University, 1963-1965, Bruce A. Thompson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In 1963, the shock waves of the sit-in movement and the growing black unrest throughout the country reached Huntington. This growing discontent with the status quo of segregation and racial discrimination and the impulse from the sit-in movement for direct, non-violent protest combined to mobilize several students at Marshall University who formed the Civic Interest Progressives (CIP), a biracial civil rights group.

Classicism Versus Romanticism In The Modern, Matthew Clark Wolfe

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Classicism and romanticism have reached a point of intense opposition. The result is a displacement of quality in the arts, particularly in music. This opposition leads to what Robert M. Pirsig defines as "thin art," art which lacks expression or underlying form. Coupled with this problem is the surge of technological developments over the past few decades. This surge is actually widening the gap between classicism and romanticism. Thus the problem of thin art will continue to grow if a balance and reuniting of the forces of classicism, romanticism and quality is not achieved.

Labor Violence In The Southern West Virginia Coal Fields, Mingo And Logan Counties 1919-1921, Henry Hagon Hodges

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The preoccupation of the American federal government involving the eventual defeat of Imperial Germany helped generate an unprecedented growth in the United Mine Workers of America. Traditional antagonists recognized a temporary truce in the struggle to unionize America’s labor force during World War I as the Wilson administration and the leaders of organized labor avoided confrontations that would disrupt the war effort. Because of the absence of federal regulations the United Mine Workers of America finally managed to gain recognition among the majority of the nation's coal miners during the war. Organized in 1890, the UMWA had 20,000 members out …

Hulett C. Smith And His Pursuit Of Excellence, Daniel E. Wright

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this thesis is to trace the early life and political career of West Virginia's twenty-seventh governor, Hulett Carlson Smith. Moreover, it proposes to portray the unqualified commitment of the Smith administration to the field of education. Many of today's educational improvements and innovative educational programs had their beginnings in the Smith administration. It can be concluded that the general public as well as many educators have forgotten the tremendous contributions to this vital need of society by the Smith administration. The time has come when Hulett C. Smith should be given due credit to his innovative and …

The Masculine And Feminine Encounter In Song : An Analysis Of Six Poems As Set By Both Male And Female Composers, Catherine Bodo Schoew

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

That fusion of poetry and music which we call song has provoked controversy, evoked ecstasy, and has tempted nearly every composer sometime during his musical career. What is it that drives a man to take immortal words and endeavor to transcend them in music? Indeed few composers have ever been truly successful, but even the idea of "perfect song" stimulates argument. The well-worn controversy of the importance of music above the words, and vice versa, has never been resolved, nor is it likely to be. The greatest problem lies in the fact that a poem existed as an independent work …

The Hand Window Glass Worker In West Virginia: A Study Of His Skill, Union Organization And Life Style, Robert L. Lookabill

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

History of the glass industry in America; as well as specifically the facet of the glass industry in West Virginia.It will be the purpose of this study to delve into the several areas of hand window glass production in West Virginia.

A Survey Of The Snake-Handling Cult Of West Virginia, Kenneth Paul Ambrose

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

For over half a century the snake-handling cult has been active in the United States, especially in the Appalachian area. There has been little scientific information published about this cult. The two major works were mainly confined to a single church in Durham, North Carolina, and a single church in Scrabble Creek, West Virginia. This investigator studied four churches in West Virginia, and one in Durham, North Carolina, for two and a half years to gain a deeper understanding of these people and their religious behavior.

Educational Development Of Preston County, George P. Ayersman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Preston County 1g ono of the important counties of the State of West Virginia. It borders on two state a, Pennsylvania and Maryland, and four counties of West Virginia, Tucker, Barbour, Taylor and Monongalia. Preston County was formed from Monongalia in 1818. It has an area of seven hundred square miles, being one of the larger counties of the state. It extends along the full eastern Maryland line, thirty-six miles and along the Mason and Dixon line, twenty-two miles. The first efforts to provide education were patterned after the schools in England. Also, included apprenticeships for orphans sent from the …

Salt Industry Of The Kanawha Valley, Lorena Andrews Anderson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The manufacture of salt became at an early date one of the most important industries in the State of West Virginia. The development of this industry increased the population in various localities and aided in the improvement of transportation. There were, as two authors have pointed out, "salt springs in nearly every county of the state." However the two chief centers of this industry were in the counties of Kanawha and Mason. The remaining salt wells were at Bulltown in Braxton County, on New River in Mercer County, on the Monongahela River in Harrison County, and at the mouth of …