Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Fight, Eduardo Daniel Guerra

Theses and Dissertations

FIGHT, is a story of a boxers mental health and his struggles before and after every fight. The protagonist, Eddy, is an anxious fighter who experiences a panic attack before his fight and in his panicked state, his mind runs wild as he imagines every possible scenario that can happen. Thus, when the scenarios come true, Eddy, becomes unsure of what is and isn’t true. Which begs the question, is Eddy brain damaged from the fight and stuck living in the traumatic memory that is replaying in his head or is he still in the restroom before the fight, paralyzed …

The Hidden Forms Of Violence In The Lives Of Professional Women In Tagamoa, New Cairo, Nouran Elhariry

Theses and Dissertations

The desire to craft new lifestyles is the main drive for the relocation to New Cairo among Egypt’s upper middle classes. This research is focusing on the upper middle class--people who still rely on their incomes from working to maintain their status—as opposed to the elite upper class, who rely on incomes from property, investments, inheritance, and other forms of intergenerational wealth. These communities were enmeshed in high degrees of domestic violence. The power-relations reconfigured in the domestic sphere, with increasing numbers of upper middle class women embarking on professional careers while navigating households and family relations, have opened the …

Jinetes De La Tormenta: The Invasive Influence Of Gender Constructs On The Journey Towards Selfhood And Societal Progress, Marissa Nicole Luquette

Theses and Dissertations

The novel Jinetes de la tormenta, written by Spanish author, Javier Castañeda de la Torre, presents gender as an obstacle to individuals in the ongoing process of self-discovery (as it relates to personal identity) and as the underlying source of human discontent in the technological age. Jinetes represents gender as a hindrance to the developing self through masculine and feminine binaries in European colonial languages and through the performative behavioral expectations tethered to the gendered body the theoretical works of Jacques Lacan and Hélène Cixous. The theoretical works of Jacques Lacan and Hélène Cixous establish the argument surrounding linguistic gender …

Women Gaze Back: Affect And Apparatic Disintegration In Funeral Parade Of Roses And Perfect Blue, Jessi Ivie

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how films Funeral Parade of Roses (1969) by Toshio Matsumoto and Perfect Blue (1997) by Satoshi Kon subvert the male gaze of the camera by having the female main characters look back at the audience. The characters Mima (Perfect Blue) and Eddie (Funeral Parade) take control of the camera to subvert the hierarchical relationship between apparatus, audience, and characters. Through the lenses of apparatus and affect theory, these films show how the world of film includes the audience instead of precluding them. Experimental editing and heightened emotional situations unsettle the audience's voyeuristic position, bringing them closer to …

Recognizing The Role Of Rhetoric In Secondary Writing Groups, Catherine Schrecengost

Theses and Dissertations

This project seeks to mediate one of the most significant issues with implementing writing groups in the secondary classroom: students do not know how to meaningfully engage in discussions about their writing. Students lack the necessary skills as well as understanding of the rhetorical nature of language to effectively request and provide feedback on pieces of writing. The application of theories of dialogue and collaboration to the research about writing groups suggest that the quality of student writing depends on the quality of their discussions about writing. Thus, my action research study investigates the types of language used between students …

The Sound Of Silence: Listening For God In Cormac Mccarthy's The Road, Brittany Higgins Maloy

Theses and Dissertations

In the decimated and silent post-apocalyptic setting of Cormac McCarthy's The Road, the main characters spend a significant amount of time listening to silence, listening for signs of danger, but also listening for the voice of God. Many have discussed the hopeless nihilism juxtaposed with the heavy use of Christian iconography in the novel classifying it within one of these dichotomies or somewhere on the spectrum in between. This paper argues that the hopelessness and stark silence is required to reveal hope and the opportunity to hear God's voice. To demonstrate my argument, I define the characteristics of silence, stillness, …

The Voice As Identity: How Opera Has Influenced Dubbing In Italy And The United States, Brynn Allison Staker

Theses and Dissertations

An enduring Italian tradition of celebrating the voice and the Italian language as seen by the Italian perception and interest in opera has created an environment of celebration for Italian dubbers. The long-established history of opera in Italy, as well as the modern reception of Italian opera, have effectively placed the voice at the forefront of the Italian entertainment industry. This can be seen through an examination of the careers of Italian dubbers and the success that they saw in their industry. The United States did not have a longstanding operatic tradition, and when opera was introduced it was under …

From Crypto-Muslim To Muslim Polemicist: The Self-Writing Of Aḥmad Ibn Qāsim Al-Ḥajarī, Paige Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the self-writing of the Morisco writer Aḥmad ibn Qāsim al-Ḥajarī (b. 1569–1570) who fled his homeland in Spain for the Maghreb where he could live safely as a Muslim. While it may seem that the Moriscos were one static, monocultural group, studying them as individuals reveals the group’s diversity and complexity. Al-Ḥajarī is an excellent example of one Morisco writer who identifies more with the greater Muslim community than with the Iberian Moriscos. His most well-known work, Kitāb Nāṣir al-dīn, combines Arabic literary genres in order to create this self-portrait. Other Moriscos fought for their right to …

Equipmentality As A Pharmakon, Sherif Khalil

Theses and Dissertations

One must lose the world to know himself, if in his attempt to know the world he lost himself.

In this thesis, I argue that equipment is a pharmakon in that its harm lies in the service it is supposed to provide. Through equipment one gets to have a practical sense of the world. But, the world in this sense is a world for everyone and for no one in particular, that is, it is made to the measure of the average person who has no aspirations to realize his authenticity. That is how equipment helps us practically make sense …

Historical Marker Plaques In Arkansas, Armando Arellano

Theses and Dissertations

Historical markers are made with a purpose of expanding the knowledge and recognition of individuals, events, or locations which are significant enough to contribute to the community. Historical markers should also stand firm to historical accuracy based on the verified and available scholarly resources. Historic preservation and manufacturing metal foundries have been a key element behind the process of historical markers, as they have been known for their recognition for historic significance. The recognition and remembrance of historical markers themselves, along with the historic preservation, has been a significant effort for the State of Arkansas, although it is not getting …

Which Tools Can Aid The Management Of Intangible Cultural Heritage In Community Based Heritage Organizations In Cairo? A Case Study Of Shubra’S Archive, Mienke Zwemstra

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides a comprehensive overview of cultural heritage management in Cairo, focusing particularly on intangible heritage and the potential benefits of digital tools in this field. It highlights the marginalization of community-based organizations in the broader narrative of heritage management in Cairo, along with the limited alignment and collaboration between local, national and international heritage institutions. Drawing from ethnographic research conducted at the Shubra’s Archive (SARD), this study identifies the challenges faced by such organizations, including the reliance on volunteers and international funding for mission implementation. It emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and collaboration with municipal and national …

Crafting Lives: Experiences Of Ethiopian Refugees In Cairo, Nayrose S. Abd El-Megid

Theses and Dissertations

There has been an ongoing influx of refugees for years driven by political instability, famine, and prolonged conflicts in the region, leading many individuals to seek sanctuary in other countries. Egypt has become a host country for many years, whether for settlement or transit, for various populations from different nationalities hoping to find refuge. However, amidst this influx, Ethiopian refugees often find themselves overlooked or usually associated on the sidelines with other African nationalities; their stories and struggles are marginalized in broader narratives of displacement. The experience of Ethiopians is heterogeneous and multidimensional in terms of their intersectional identities of …

Anxious Futures: Capital, Nation And Advertising In Beirut, Lebanon, Caitlin Alais Callahan

Theses and Dissertations

Contemporary billboard advertising in Beirut fuels anxiety in Beirut’s citizens. In a city suffering from daily uncertainties caused by a devastating financial collapse in 2019, and mourning victims of the worst non-nuclear explosion to ever occur in the Port of Beirut in 2020, Beirutis are also faced with advertising which constantly reinforces uneasiness. Visual advertisements market visas to leave the country, purchasing second passports and money counting machines, forming quotidian reminders of the current state of the country. Using interviews and visual ethnographic material collected during the summer of 2023, this thesis discusses how billboards help to foster dialogue around …

Wayward Utopias: Time In Wilde And Goethe, Kafi Moghrabi Mr

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, I study the dialectical relation between the Utopian imagination and a reality perceived in every way as antagonistic to hope. In the first chapter, I present Ernst Bloch’s Utopian vision, as presented in The Principle of Hope, which offers an exposition of the author’s Romantic Marxism. The second chapter engages Oscar Wilde’s only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, demonstrating how a life devoted to self-gratification only results in the constant deferral of Utopian longing, and how, undone, Dorian’s demise opens up Utopian possibilities as anticipated by Bloch. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s version of the …

How Do They See Us?: Unhcr's Representations Of Syrian Refugees In “Every Second Counts” Campaign, Marah Khalid

Theses and Dissertations

Representation is not just an opinion; it is the recreation of realities, facts, and stories that encourage receivers, who are readers and viewers, to build perceptions of a certain topic, objects, events, and human beings. Studying the representation of refugees in the media, UN agencies, and International organizations' press releases, videos, and images has been the main focus for many scholars for decades. However, little is known about refugees' perspectives on visuals produced by UN agencies. This research tries to add to the few studies concerning the captured human object, refugees, perspective using Hall’s encoding/decoding model (Hall, 1997) to analyze …

Harvey Wilson Goodwin: A World-Class Performer, Kristen Miller

Theses and Dissertations

The life of Harvey Wilson Goodwin as a female impersonator, known as Harvey Lee, during the 1900s helps to establish a connection for fellow members of the LGBTQIA+ community. His resilience to continue performing in the face of life struggles is an ode to the ever-continuous challenges the community faces throughout time. As such, a digital exhibit has been created in honor of celebrating and remembering the life and times of Harvey Wilson Goodwin, more properly known as a world-class performer during his time. Ultimately, this ensures that his memory continues to live on as a means of connecting the …

Processing The Kaay Collection: Reeling In The Am Era, Dora L. Bradley

Theses and Dissertations

The KAAY Collection of reel-to-reel tapes was received at the Central Arkansas Library System at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies and stored in the archives temporarily before being sent for digitization. The collection was not fully processed. This project was to include organizing and labeling the materials before cataloging descriptive information about each reel-to-reel tape. Further plans included digitizing and collecting metadata from each reel, as well as creating finding aides for the materials before they could be stored in the archive. Though a deed of gift was signed awarding ownership of the collection to the archive, interviews and …

Exploring The Gap Between Self-Assessed And Actual Language Proficiency: A Comparative Analysis Of Japanese And Romance Language Learners, Megan Scarlet Keys

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores self-assessment accuracy among Japanese second language (L2) learners compared to learners of Romance languages. This research aims to investigate the extent of accuracy in self-assessment among Japanese learners and compare it with their counterparts studying Romance languages. Additionally, the study explores the variables influencing the accuracy of self-assessment in this context. The participants in this study comprised 144 undergraduate students enrolled in Japanese, French, Spanish, or Portuguese courses at Brigham Young University. Most participants possessed practical experience using their L2 in the target cultural context, complementing their academic coursework. The Language Ability Self-Evaluation Resource (LASER) was utilized …

Digital Technology Usage Behaviour Among Unorganised Retailers In Tamil Nadu, Karthik Ram M

Theses and Dissertations

Unorganised retail, consisting of small local shops offering various products, holds a significant market share of 81.50 %, according to the India Retailer Report (2023). Despite the burgeoning e-commerce and organised retail sectors, unorganised retail remains a preferred shopping choice for many consumers.

In response to the sector's potential, several startups have emerged, aiming to support kirana stores. While these startups have primarily focused on horizontal solutions to enhance efficiency, there is a growing need for tailored solutions addressing the specific requirements of unorganised retailers.

Introducing the Dukantech (Dukan in hindi meaning ‘Shop’) model as a solution, this approach enables …

An Exploration Of Power Relations In Select Plays Of Girish Karnad A Foucauldian Perspective, Srinivasa Yogananda Rao Netrakanti

Theses and Dissertations

The present study, ‘An Exploration of Power Relations in Select Plays of Girish Karnad: A Foucauldian Perspective‘ aims to study power relations among the different characters in the three plays of Girish Karnad viz., Tughlaq, Naga-Mandala and Tale- Danda through Foucault's three modalities of power viz., bio-power, disciplinary power and sovereign power.

Chapter 1, Introduction gives a bird-eye view of Foucauldian concepts of power followed by the three modes of objectification and dividing practices, subjects and power relations, inter-connectedness between power and knowledge, panopticism, bio-power and discourses, the application of Foucauldian theories of the three major powers. Next, a Girish …

Examining How Artistic Expression In The Classroom Can Increase Students' Academic Performance And Understanding Of Course Material, Jake Taylor Marrazzo

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study examined how artistic expression in the classroom can increase students’ academic performance and understanding of course material. This study consisted of graduate students in the Masters of Arts in Higher Education program at Rowan University, during the Fall/Spring 2023-2024 semesters, enrolled in at least one of the following courses: Crisis Management, Higher Education in America, and The College Student. The study utilized an artistic expression activity, painting, in connection with participants' course material and readings to understand the benefits of artistic expression on student success in the classroom. Some findings of this study show that artistic …

Creating Virtual 3d Artifacts For The Clinton Presidential Library And Museum, Jackelyn Raquel Cordova Romano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis project is to create virtual 3D artifacts for the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum for use in their e-museum website to aid museum accessibility of objects. These 3D artifacts will be used by the Clinton Museum for their webpage and the artifacts were modeled carefully to appear as close as possible to the objects chosen by the museum team. As an institution part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the limited access of objects due to the sheer size of the collection creates a problem with the institution’s mission of providing access to …

Suspicion And The Witch’S Tit, Shayna R. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Shayna Miller’s paintings are built up panels with protruding points, appearing as if a mass is pushing up from behind the burlap-stretched painting surface. In Suspicion and the Witch’s Tit, Miller contextualizes her work in relation to a history of shaped painting and frames her discussion around references related to suspicion, embodiment, and rejection.

Welcome To The Apocalypse, Demetrius E. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

DW’s abstract, vibrant, and bipolar paintings stem from a place of personal biography and collectively shared experience. In this paper, he examines the apocalypse, human nature, tragedy, and the demise of adolescence in our era in the face of increasing technological advances.

Wordflight, Joey Gonnella

Theses and Dissertations

Exploring subjects revolving around the nature of images, language and their subsequent disseminationn through time, this paper weaves together seemingly unrelated topics from the hot air balloons of the Franco-Prussian war to the envelope poems of Emily Dickinson.

Past And Future Winds, Alicia Ehni

Theses and Dissertations

Ehni’s thesis reflects on the role of wind to connect and transform. Looking at science and invisible forces like Earth’s magnetic field, her "Oculus" sculptures evoke old tools for orientation & migration. Birds, insects, plants, roads and sand, appear in a video and an experimental 16mm pinhole film of her bike journey along the Hudson River, NY. “Coordinates”, a magnetic drawing installation, addresses impermanence, attraction to land and fragility. Tracing memories of the Paracas desert in Peru, this thesis follows her interest in alchemy, ecology and the cosmos.

The J In Danger, Zachary Delamater

Theses and Dissertations

“The J in Danger” merges autobiographic and formal concerns in sculpture and installation to describe the existential hazards contemporary life poses to Queer and Disabled individuals. The paper utilizes silent letters as thematic device to connect notions of precarity to a broader sense of contemporary “doomerism.”

Arrival Of Spring, Ryan Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Ryan Johnson’s plein air paintings address a season of personal longing by relying on the empathetic power of observational painting. His current series of oil on linen panels, painted on site, track the transition from winter to spring in and around New York City. In “Arrival of Spring”, he reflects on the decisions made on site, art historical influences, and the hope of anticipation.

The Fuller The Bucket Is, The Harder It Is To Fly, Jacob Littlejohn

Theses and Dissertations

My abstract paintings are informed by the momentary sublime rooted in the vastness of the natural world. Based on imagined and real landscapes, the work evokes minutia and phenomena that affect our perceptions of reality, and signifies a longing to reconnect with the natural world.

Subterranean Daydreams, Jack Perry

Theses and Dissertations

“Subterranean Daydreams” locates caves, tunnels, passageways, and the subway in particular, as sites of reflection, development and transformation. This paper examines the potential for such sites to aid in imagining the future through the restrained scale of architectural model-size sculpture and short fiction.