Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Summary Of Creative Research Grant Results Of The Life Of Luke S. Johnson, James A. Rae, Dr. Richard E. Bennett

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The results of being accepted for this scholarship resulted in an extensive life history of one of the most prominent Latter-Day Saint pioneers. Though now largely not well known, Luke S. and the Johnson family played an important role in the beginnings of a new faith. Little information about the life of Luke S. Johnson has been made readily available to members of the L.D.S. church and the public. During the previous six months research has been documented and compiled into a 27 page history highlighting, what most would consider to be, the most interesting and important events of this …

Summary Of Creative Research Grant Results, Kathleen Price, Dr. Jeff Turley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This project entitled “Out of Obscurity” required the transcription of twenty letters dictated by King Philip II of Spain in 1592 during Spain’s naval wars against England and France. Most of the documents generated by Philip II, also known as the “paper king” for his prolific output of official documents, are carefully housed in the Archive of Simancas near Valladolid, Spain, making them difficult for U.S. students to access and study. However, through a generous donation made to the Department of Collections and Manuscripts in Harold B. Lee Library of Brigham Young University, professors and students alike have the opportunity …

Compilation Of Scandinavian Studies Index, Volume 37 – Volume 71, Joshua D. Jewkes, Dr. Gary R. Hooper

Journal of Undergraduate Research

With the generosity on the part of the Office of Research and Creative Design and the grant offered me, I was able to produce a significant piece of scholarly work that will contribute significantly to a major academic field: a subject-word index for the academic journal, Scandinavian Studies. The actual work for the project was completed between January and August 1999. Through my experiences, I was able to broaden my knowledge of a field of study which I consider very interesting in addition to gaining valuable skills relating to editing, formatting, and indexing in journalism.

Assessing Of The Need For An English Grammar Resource For Non-Native Speakers, Steven M. Sandberg, Dr. Penny Bird

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this study was to assess the need for an established service at Brigham Young University (BYU) to assist non-native speakers of English with revisions of their papers. The study relied on the assumption that effective, writing-process learning only occurs at the point of need—the draft stages—and not after a final grade has been given. The excellent grammar resources of other language departments and the non-credit English Language Center (ELC), and the frequently overcrowded grammar resources at the Reading/Writing Center (R/WC), prompted the idea of creating an English Grammar Lab at the R/WC.

Using Instructional Design Theory To Create A Student Editing Handbook, Andrea M. Reese, Dr. Beverly B. Zimmerman

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The curriculum for the Insight student journal workshop class consisted of an eclectic mix of handouts distributed at the editor’s whim. Some were created by previous editors, some photocopied without attribution to the teachers who wrote them, and others adapted from undocumented print sources. Not only did this raise ethical problems, but the number and variety of handouts made overlap of content inevitable. I realized the head editors could use class time more effectively if lessons were distinct and parallel.

Preserving A Heritage: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Study Of Weaving And Women, Ellen O'Neil, Dr. Martha Peacock

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The original concept for my research was to compare weaving between cultures and the roles of women in the creation of woven art. I approached the subject with much excitement, as woven art has been a part of my life since birth. In having the opportunity to go to France, my study of weaving consisted of tapestries and the history of textiles. Upon returning home, I was able to spend six glorious weeks with my grandmother learning how to weave.

The Delaware Indians Before, During, And After The 1831 Visit Of Mormon Missionaries, David M. Calabro, Dr. Richard E. Bennett

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 1831, missionaries Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, and Frederick G. Williams visited the Delaware Indians on their reservation in Kansas and preached the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Delawares reacted positively to the missionaries’ message. However, before the missionaries could baptize members of the tribe, the U. S. Indian Agency forced them to leave. In my research on the 1831 mission to the Delawares, I intended to answer the question, “Why did Oliver Cowdery and his companions visit the Delawares?” As a result of my research, I found that the mission can be appreciated in terms of its …

Twelve Earthen Vessels: A Bfa Final Exhibition And The Ideology, The Processes, And The Development Of Alternative Surfaces Behind The Forms, Matthew Tyler Williams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During the past two years I have developed a body of work that’s centered on these sculptural boat forms. I became interested in the boat as a symbol while learning about the burial rites of the AngloSaxons and Vikings. These peoples believed by burying their dead In a ship, or by including a representation of a boat at the grave site, that the souls of their dead were assured passage into the after life. The sculptural boat forms that I have made are meant to also depict this theme of voyage. They are to represent different episodes of man’s voyage …

The Myth Of The City: San Francisco As An American Urban Legend, Bryan L. Norton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Myths illuminate the origins of collective ideas, they provide practical ways for resolving contradictions and conflicts in a society, and they are an impetus for learning and ingenuity. Myths are a powerful unifying force in a community because they bind disparate individuals and generations into one group. An understanding of these commonly held convictions is important because a society’s mythology creates a standard of behavior that dictates and controls the actions of the group. A community’s spatial environment is just one reflection of its mythic beliefs and is a valuable means of further identifying and examining these forces.

Scandinavian Fishermen On Utah Lake, Leland Harrison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This honors thesis studied the history of the Scandinavian immigrants engaging in commercial fishing practices on Utah Lake during the 1850s to the 1930s. I chose this important topic in Utah and Mormon history due to its originality; local location, which made the records easily accessible; familial connections, since I am related to some of the fishermen; and due to my Scandinavian emphasis within the history department.

Perpetuated Inferiority: A Comparative Analysis Of The Freedmen’S And Mcguffey Readers, Kristine Ashton, Mary Stovall Richards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Racial prejudice failed to dissipate after Confederate soldier stacked their rifles at Appomattox. Blacks were predominantly viewed as backward, indolent, child-like people, incapable of the new responsibilities of freedom. The historian John David Smith explained, “After slavery whites continued to perceive blacks as marginal men and women. . . . Blacks were to be acted upon. . . . Decisions were to be made for them, not by them.” (1) Although Northern and Southern views differed on blacks’ place in American society, they both relied on common assumptions of black inferiority. Most Northern and Southern whites agreed that blacks were …

Introduction To Romance Philology— A Computer-Aided Tutorial, Denise Batchelor, Dr. Jeffrey Turley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Philology is a broad field that includes the study of a language’s history, especially that language’s process of evolution over an extended period of time. Romance Philology specifically covers the Romance languages, i.e. those European languages that have Latin roots. These languages include Spanish (Castilian), Catal

Research And Creative Work Report, Shaunalei Boyer Andersen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

From January to May 1995, for my honors thesis project, I studied the text of Jane Austen’s novel Northanger Abbey. My intent was to unravel the mystery behind her at times conflicting allusions to nov· els and literature in the work-to try to decipher the connection between her concurrent criticism and praise of certain literary genres and practices.

Belonging: The Nature And Nurture Of Community, Liesl Marie Buskirk, Dr. John S. Bennion

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The process of composing an essay collection is one that comprises far more mental energy than merely sitting in front of a computer screen and typing away until you reach the desired number of pages. It begins with a collection of ideas­ gleaned from personal experience and the writing and thought of other thinkers. As these ideas interact, they form linkages that slowly evolve into a complex network of interrelated themes—the threads from which the fabric of an essay is woven. One of the most difficult phases of the work is sorting and dividing the tangled threads to feed into …

The Love Of Antiquities In Sixteenth-Century Rome, Manuela Walz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During the fifteenth and sixteenth century, the ruins of Rome began to be seen with different eyes. The flourishing of classical studies that had begun to take place with the coming of humanism, had kindled great interests. The ancient Roman monuments that in the Middle Ages had been either destroyed or ignored, began to appear in a different light and studied in a different perspective. Thanks to the works of humanists of the previous century, such as Flavia Biondo and Poggio, who were dedicated to the study of antiquities, the need to save or at least record what remained of …

Judas And Peter, Jonathan Rayback

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The project for which I received a grant from ORCA consisted of composing a cantata for amplified voices and electronic accompaniment relating the story of the fall of Judas Iscariot. Initially my intention was to produce this piece with the aid of the MAX interactive programming environment as well as a Macintosh Quadra 800 computer, a variety of synthesizer modules, and Performer sequencing software. The text for this work was to be drawn from the following passages of the Bible: Matthew 26:14-16; 27:3-5; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6, 47-48; John 6:70-71; 12:4-6; 13:1-2, 18-30; Acts 1:15-20. The expressive goal of this …

From Ruin To Zion: Research Pertaining To The Farm Security Administration Activities In Utah (1936-1941), James R. Swensen, Dr. Martha Peacock

Journal of Undergraduate Research

One of America’s most important and extensive photographic collections is housed in the archives of the Library of Congress. These photographs, numbering over 250,000, do not contain images of America’s exploration or development, but rather document the national plight of the Great Depression. They recorded in sharp and often harsh documentary form the exhausted land, the wind belted farmer, and poor children in rags.

Conversations In The South: Latin American Fiction And Rewriting Historical Reality In Three Novels, Bryce A. Suzuki, Dr. Dale J. Pratt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In his 1982 Nobel acceptance lecture, Gabriel García Márquez describes the plight of the Latin American artist as a “solitary” calling, seldom understood by those not living within the cultural framework that fuels the work:

Ruth Berlau: A Talented Author In Her Own Right, Julie Kalani Smith, Dr. James K. Lyon

Journal of Undergraduate Research

As I began researching Ruth Berlau’s life, I encountered repeated references to Berlau’s beauty, always accompanied by the suggestion that it was her looks that attracted German playwright Bertolt Brecht’s attention. Berlau was one of a long line of women whom Brecht drew into his orbit, but most critics seem to agree that Berlau lacked the literary and secretarial skills of her predecessors Elisabeth Hauptmann and Margarethe Steffin. In contrast, Berlau is often regarded as an eccentric, overly aggressive woman, who was Brecht’s lover and follower, but not his equal. Despite, or perhaps because of this widespread but superficial assumption, …

Beyond The Canvas: Digital Art Tools In The 3rd Dimension, Todd Sheridan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A revolution is occurring in the way artists and designers create imagery. While computers have long been a valuable tool for photograph manipulation, only recently have the programs necessary for creating original content become publicly available. Three-dimensional imaging software is a key player in this revolution. The very tools that were used to create the dinosaurs in Steven Spielberg’s film jurassic Park are now available and affordable for artists to use in creating still imagery. However, availability and affordability are not the only factors one must consider when determining whether to adopt three-dimensional imaging as a primary tool.

The Aesthetic Of Loneliness In Japanese Art & Literature, Jack Stoneman, Dr. Van C. Gessel

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Though we know Japan today for its herd mentality and uncanny ability to squash individuality, at times in its history, this homogeneous country has produced lonely aesthetes who created a world apart from what we would call mainstream culture. I have looked at three such expressions in Japanese art and literature:

1. Kamo no Ch©mei’s thirteenth-century diary H©j©ki, 2. Muromachi period (1336-1603) scholarly scroll painting, 3. Momoyama period (late sixteenth century) Raku tea ware.

From Ruin To Zion: Research Pertaining To The Farm Security Administration Activities In Utah (1936-1941), James R. Swensen, Dr. Martha Peacock

Journal of Undergraduate Research

One of America’s most important and extensive photographic collections is housed in the archives of the Library of Congress. These photographs, numbering over 250,000, do not contain images of America’s exploration or development, but rather document the national plight of the Great Depression. They recorded in sharp and often harsh documentary form the exhausted land, the wind belted farmer, and poor children in rags.

Quaestio Linguae 1995: The Use Of English Words In The Italian Language, Aaron Hess Sherinian

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Scholars have labored for centuries to define the elements that constitute the Italian language. This debate, the “QUAESTIO LINGUAE” or “question of the language” as it is referred to, often takes into consideration the influence of foreign languages upon Italian (Petronio 1987).

An Explanation On The Impact Of The Transversal Barrel Vault At St-Philibert Of Tournus, Carl A. Carlson Iii

Journal of Undergraduate Research

While Romanesque churches are characterized by a longitudinal barrel vault over the nave, some unusual examples of vaulting from the period. Like an endangered species, St-Philibert of Tournus stands as a monument to these diverse examples. In place of a longitudinal barrel vault, the nave is covered by a series of transversal barrel vaults (fig. 1 & 2). Not only does this research paper seek to place this phoneme in Western architecture and explain its limited repercussions, but it also addresses its unresolved origin.

Aristotelian Support For Davidson’S Argument Against The Intelligibility Of Conceptual Relativism, David A. Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Donald Davidson argues that we cannot make the notion of conceptual relativism, and all that it entails, intelligible. I proposed, in my study, to show how Aristotle’s ontology supports Davidson’s argument. I will thus summarize the following: Davidson’s argument, Aristotle’s ontologies, connections between the two approaches, and the support which, according to my thesis, the latter lends to the former. I must mention, however, that in any type of summary, as with this one, it is impossible to avoid, if not likely to make, inaccuracies and overly general, unqualified assertions. Nevertheless, this summary should give an idea of the development …

An Annotated Bibliography Of The Book Of Abraham, David K. Gellman

Journal of Undergraduate Research

I received a Research & Creative Work Scholarship Award to compile a comprehensive annotated bibliography on The Book of Abraham. The Book of Abraham is a unique book of scripture found within the LDS canon. It was translated by Joseph Smith in 1835 from Egyptian papyri and is now included as part of the Pearl of Great Price. There have been many valuable works written about the Pearl of Great Price, as well as some excellent bibliographies. However, a bibliography complllng information just on the topics found in The Book of Abraham has not been published. Much of my personal …

Field Trips Into Life: Things I Learned By Going To School With Second Graders, Mark Carter

Journal of Undergraduate Research

0ne day I decided I needed some more excitement and challenge in my life. So, I went to a local elementary school and volunteered as a teacher assistant to a bilingual education instructor. Together, she and I took on a rambunctious class of second graders, with hopes of educating them. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that it was the children who were educating me.

Psalms Of A City: Poems On The Inner-City Life Of Los Angeles, Kael Moffat

Journal of Undergraduate Research

I proposed to fly down to Los Angeles for two weeks and compile notes, take photographs, and conduct interviews with people for the purpose of writing a chapter in a book of poetry about the L.A. area. My intent was to write about the conditions and life-style of inner-city communities.

Behold Your Little Ones: A Senior Project In Dance, Raquelle Madsen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

My assignment was to create a dance at least ten minutes in length. I decided to use this assignment as a way to inform people about the effects of child abuse. Because dance is abstract it can be used to combat things that are hard to face. I chose this topic because I have seen the effects of abuse on children and have had friends that were abused as children. Their lives can never be “normal.” By creating this dance I could help in the fight against abuse by showing people in Utah that child abuse is even common here. …

The Children’S Book Market, Joni Nemeth

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper is a summary of what I learned over eight months of research and study into the children’s book market. My project had consisted of two main parts. The first was to write a 25-page research paper into the market of children’s picture books. This paper formed the introduction to the research paper the rest of the paper can be found with the BYU Design Department where it was submitted as my BFA “thesis”.