Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Twine 6: Deathly Afraid, Jahliem Brown

KUCC -- Kutztown University Composition Conference

Deathly Afraid's key concept is to scare the player and make them question their choices. I thought of different ideas and scenarios on how my game will present itself to the players. A constant theme in horror games is to make players choose a path of light or dark. The light side is when the player decides to be a hero, risks their life to save others and becomes the one to solve the mysterious evil that hunts the town or kills everybody. The dark side allows the player to explore the evil side by being the main villain and …

Twine 5: 2099: Project Icarus, Nick Devitz

KUCC -- Kutztown University Composition Conference

For my Choose Your Own Adventure project, I created a cyberpunk, action-oriented story called 2099: Project Icarus. In this story you play as an unnamed, ungendered character who I imagined players giving any identity to them that they wished. The protagonist is a quick-thinking problem solver, able to adapt to any situation they are facing. The story, is that you were fired from your job at a company called Xerxes Technologies, after digging into an incident you believe they were trying to cover up. The main objective of the story is to bring down Xerxes, with hard evidence of their …

Twine 4: The Cost, Nicole Williams

KUCC -- Kutztown University Composition Conference

The Cost is an interactive fiction told through second person, following the character (“you”) as they wake up to discover themselves in a world they hardly remember. Outside there is an apocalypse, and a doctor has fixed the character to help rectify the world. While there are choices to make at the end, all of them are focused on “immortality” and what the cost of that is.

I came into the process of this game with the world already in my mind, knowing that I wanted it to be an apocalypse type of story. But besides that, I didn’t know …

Twine 3: We Must Be Killers, Oliver Mckeone

KUCC -- Kutztown University Composition Conference

I’ve always been a fan of murder mysteries, that much is true, but “We Must Be Killers” is a murder mystery based on “Who Killed Markiplier?”, a video based murder mystery made by YouTuber Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach. After watching Mark make a murder mystery where all his friends played roles as various characters, I figured it’d be fun to make “We Must Be Killers” along a similar vein. Each character is based on one of my friends, with input from them about what they wanted their characters to be like. I’ve had this idea bouncing around in my head for …

Twine 2: A Western, Matthew Bandy

KUCC -- Kutztown University Composition Conference

My game has changed a lot since I originally came up with the concept. Obviously, I took inspiration from western media such as deadwood, Clint Eastwood films, and Red Dead Redemption. The game ended up much more in-depth than I originally planned, but I don’t believe that to be a bad thing in of itself. I believe the biggest flaw of this game was my inexperience with coding. I had so many ideas to add – inventory lists, a map, special text effects – but I didn’t have the knowledge or time to implement these. I think, though, I still …

Twine 1: Shepherding, Alexander Rainer

KUCC -- Kutztown University Composition Conference

Shepherding will technically be the second creation in a greater project of mine I’ve been calling Project Bleak. The first creation is unfinished and still a WIP, but is meant to be an anomalous NES-style game called Bleak. The story behind it is that evidence of an obscure game development team from the late era of NES games has resurfaced, and a community of lost media gurus, classic game experts, and similar people (plus anyone else who wants to help) has formed to hopefully unravel the mystery of who they were.

Bleak is really just meant to be an odd …

Conference Program 2022, Sandra M. Leonard

KUCC -- Kutztown University Composition Conference

No abstract provided.

The Weary Danube: Reimagining The Late Roman Empire’S Greatest Frontier, James Knight

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Three Minute Thesis

Forgotten Founder: Roger Sherman, Kaitlyn Kenney

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Three Minute Thesis

Cecil B. Demille's "Divorce Films": The "Modern Woman" In Early Hollywood, Miranda Boljat

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Three Minute Thesis

Red Bricks And Yellow Doors – Sinclair Lewis’S Portrayal Of The Church In Main Street, Sarah Matherly

Liberty University Research Week

Graduate

Three Minute Thesis

Character Development: To Further The Narrative, Lesley Brian Bargo

Symposium of Student Scholars

Character Development: To Further the Narrative.

Presentation Abstract

March 16^th, 2022

Graduate Student: Lesley Brian Bargo

Research Mentor: Anna Weinstein

Screenplays on war can often become redundant. Not because they aren’t good screenplays, it’s simply because the focus relies too much on the brutality of war and not enough on the characters being forced to endure it. Hamburger Hill (1987) is not one of the run of the mill Vietnam War films that simply walk us through the killing of both sides without giving us the why. While most films can easily pull off the killing and dying, …

Creating A Digital Database And Manuals To Document Our Extensive Collection Of Historic Printmaking Equipment And Ephemera, Luci Wilgus

Symposium of Student Scholars

We were inspired to do this research project after realizing the importance and significance of our extensive collection of historic printmaking equipment and ephemera. As scholars we felt that it would benefit our department as well as our community to document and share information about our printmaking materials. Thus far the primary focus of our research has been researching and building a database of information that is best suited to our goal.

Our methodology included researching best practices to document this collection into a researchable database to share with the intellectual community. Once we identified software for the database, we …

Little Women: A Screenplay Analysis, Chloe Ford

Symposium of Student Scholars

Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott, details the lives of the four March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. The story has been adapted into feature films multiple times, including an adaptation in 1918, 1933, 1949, 1994, and most recently in 2019. The 1994 film was written by Robin Swicord and directed by Gillian Armstrong, and the 2019 film was written by Greta Gerwig and Sarah Polley, and directed by Greta Gerwig. Both films were nominated for multiple Academy Awards. This study will compare and contrast the structure of both films, as well as the characters and …

Thematic Use Of Non-Conformity In "Changing My Major" (Ft. Gay Panic), Yazmeen Mayes

Symposium of Student Scholars

CW: Presentation includes references to sex and suicide.

This presentation is an in-depth score analysis of “Changing My Major” from the musical Fun Home by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori, which is based on Alison Bechdel’s autobiographical memoir by the same name. The musical examines the similarities and differences between Alison and her father as she attempts to contruct a future without a queer elder to model it. This presentation demonstrates the collaborative, tight structure of thematic messaging in musical theatre. Overall, ““Changing My Major” personifies the show at large and celebrates the process of questioning as its own epic, …

"10 Things I Hate About You" And The "Not Like Other Girls" Trope, Jazmine Bryant

Symposium of Student Scholars

Critical Analysis Abstract: 10 Things I Hate About You & The “Not Like Other Girls” Trope

The phrase, “not like other girls,” is commonly used to describe a person or character that is quirky, emo, a loner, intelligent, or independent. In film, this description typically has a positive connotation – at least, it’s meant to. A common consensus is that the trope upholds negative stereotypes about women or the group the character is “unlike.” TV Tropes states that by using or conforming to this trope, “it’s implied that your gender is inferior by default,” (TV Tropes). On the other hand, …

Mother!: A Look Into A Religion Based Screen Play, Madeline Ivey

Symposium of Student Scholars

Darren Aronofsky’s movie Mother!, explores Christianity in a very different way. The movie takes place in a house with Mother, Mother Nature, and him, God. Throughout this chaotic and confusing movie, there are many scenes that symbolize biblical stories from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Through his movie he shows biblical times through Mother Nature’s eyes, which makes religion seem more destructive and selfish. The purpose of this paper is to find connections between the Christian religion and how it is portrayed in the movie. I will do this by researching scenes and how they relate to …

A Character Analysis Of Knives Out, Garrett Bell

Symposium of Student Scholars

Rian Johnson’s Knives Out (2019) has been praised by many for its dialogue and its slick, refreshing take on the mystery/thriller genre; but I argue, like many great stories of our time, that it’s the characters in Knives Out that really propel this film near the top of all mystery/thriller triumphs. Rather than reinventing the character archetypes that one would normally see in a film of this caliber, Johnson takes those characters and serves them up in a way that makes them unique to his story: his way. By providing an in-depth analysis of each character in the many twists …

Understanding Humanity: Demarginalizing The Intersection Of Black Masculinity And Feminity For The Psyche, Kandice Fowlkes

Symposium of Student Scholars

As the intersection of race and gender is a feat for the strong Black man and strong Black woman, the double edged sword is the deterioration of mental health overlooked by the need to maintain the guise of perfection. The social disadvantages of this intersection include a myriad of traumas such as financial stability, violence and oppression, and the internal stigma of judgment, which causes Black men and Women to delay or go undiagnosed for mental health disorders. In turn, this enables an unstable community to unite for mental health reform. Aside from seeking medical help, the conversation of mental …

The Pedagogical Pitfalls Of Literature In College Composition And Teacher Education: A Foundational Analysis, Rinn Norman

Symposium of Student Scholars

Many of today’s college students struggle with college-level writing in Standard English, and during the last few decades, educators, parents, and experts in countless professional fields have begun to express a collective frustration over the quality of college graduates’ written English. However, this lack of quality in students’ and graduates’ writing is not due to laziness or generational differences, but rather a foundational shortcoming in the use of literary texts as the basis for instructional material in lower-level composition classes. This paper examines the traditional use of literature-based instruction in first-year composition (FYC) classes as well as undergraduate and graduate …

Women Writers Of Film & Television Project: Nancy Meyers, Hannah Henderson

Symposium of Student Scholars

The suppression of women’s voices in the film industry is of no secret to our society. For over a hundred years, many women have been placed in the background and were not given credit for their work in the industry, and only recently have the gates of Hollywood been open to more representation. In the 1980s, many women screenwriters were in creative partnerships with their husbands, and it was difficult for a woman screenwriter to be recognized for her own work and talents aside from the man in her life. One screenwriter, Nancy Meyers was able to garner more fame …

House Of Rock: An Analysis Of A Lithic Assemblage From A Middle Mississippian House, Devlin Mcelrone

Symposium of Student Scholars

The Mississippian Period is well-known for its paramount chiefdoms, intricate ceramic/lithic/metal artistry, and large earthen works. Premier sites such the Etowah Indian Mounds in north Georgia and Cahokia in western Illinois are often the primary focus and interest within the period. However, there is a lack of attention by archaeologists on the life and culture of sites in the periphery of these large centers. Located three miles from Etowah is a site known as Cummings where a Middle Mississippian (AD 1260-1300, Wilbanks Phase) house has been uncovered. This house had burned down with all of its contents still laying on …

From Stage To Screen: The Art Of The Movie Musical, Vanessa Lopez

Symposium of Student Scholars

In this article I take a deeper look into what it takes to make a successful movie musical. When sound was introduced into the movie industry, it was musicals that stole the show. From 1927’s first talkie, The Jazz Singer, to 2021’s movie rendition of Dear Evan Hansen, movie musicals have been a key component of the movie industry. Throughout this article I will be comparing the success of two different kinds of movie musicals. The first type that I will be analyzing are the movie musicals that were written and produced directly for the screen. This includes movies such …

“All The Daughters Of My Father's House, And All The Brothers Too”: Shakespeare’S Portrayal Of Gender Fluidity, Sebastian Lopez

Symposium of Student Scholars

This paper analyzes how Shakespeare's personal life influenced the relationship between Viola and Cesario in Twelfth Night through a feminist lens and an analysis of gender fluidity in the Elizabethan Era. It is a common misconception that conversations revolving around gender are a modern discussion. Shakespeare popularized the idea of gender fluidity in English literature in his play, Twelfth Night.

At the height of Shakespeare’s career, he wrote many comedies, yet few tragedies, however, a tonal shift occurred after the death of his son, Hamnet. Shakespeare was father to a pair of fraternal twins, Judith and Hamnet. However, the …

Revelations Found After The Storm Through The Lens Of Personal Narrative, Jetta Whitehurst

Symposium of Student Scholars

This personal narrative storytelling performance is based on my involvement in a weekend-long church-led service project in Panama City, Florida assisting those impacted by Hurricane Michael in 2018. The story explores the social dynamics present in the midst of a natural disaster, reflects on the layers of the storm’s impact, and unpacks the concept of “voluntourism,” all while demonstrating techniques of personal narrative performance. The goal of the project is to discover meaningful connections personal narrative helps establish by application.

Sample Holiday Cards: Examples To Help Visualize Your Families Holiday Card Or A Reinforcement Of Racism And Heteronormativity In America., Chasidy Harris

Symposium of Student Scholars

The United States is considered a "melting pot" with a diverse population of citizens. Each year, thousands of Americans send out holiday cards, and increasingly these cards are ordered online in bulk and are decorated with photos for family and friends. However, evidence shows that current advertising does not typically reflect the diversity present in the United States population. This research aims to show how the advertisement of photo holiday cards through sample cards posted on the retailer's website includes mostly white heterosexual couples and families and fewer same-sex couples (with and without children), racial-ethnically diverse families. This research will …

The Union Navy In The Civil War: A Sieve Or A Wall?, Ronald Piccirilli

Liberty University Research Week

Doctoral

Textual or Investigative

Ergativity In Na'vi, Jacob Barnett

Liberty University Research Week

Undergraduate

Textual or Investigative

Analyzing Perspectives On Archaeological Curation: A Case Study From The Civil War Site Of Pickett’S Mill, Isabella Rosinko

Symposium of Student Scholars

Foundationally archaeology is defined as the scientific study of material remains, uncovered through survey and excavation. Meaning the field is dependent upon the accumulation of things: ceramics, stone tools, natural material, historic artifacts, etc. One way in which site assemblages are dealt with is through the process of curation, the storage and care of assemblages for extended periods. This is a varying process, across nations, states, and institutions. In the context of the United States, the National Preservation Act (1966), Reservoir Salvage Act (1960), and Archaeological Resource Protection Act (1979) provide standards for the long-term storage and management of archaeological …

Bootlegs And The Accessibility Of Broadway, Victoria Naile

Symposium of Student Scholars

Broadway shows aren’t an artform that is accessible to everyone, between the economic and geographic barriers, millions of people cannot experience live shows. Some theater loves turn to illegal recordings of the show, called bootlegs, to access shows that they may not be able to see otherwise. The making and consuming of bootlegs are hotly debated amongst the theater community with most discussions regarding if the practice helps or harms live theater. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect that bootlegs have on a Broadway show’s popularity, Broadway actors, and possible alternatives to bootlegs. I analyzed statistics …