Arts and Humanities Commons^™

The Salvation Of The Unevangelized: A Comparative Analysis Of The Views Of Clark H. Pinnock And Millard J. Erickson, Christopher R. Mwashinga

Dissertations

Problem and Purpose

This dissertation addresses the problem of the ongoing disagreement among evangelical theologians, as represented by Clark H. Pinnock and Millard J. Erickson, concerning the issue of the salvation of the unevangelized. This disagreement continued even though both scholars focused on special revelation and general revelation as sources for information leading people to receive salvation. This approach failed to resolve the disagreement even after decades of heated theological debates indicating a need for a different approach to this soteriological problem. While other researchers have documented Pinnock’s and Erickson’s views on the salvation of the unevangelized, their motivations and …

The Concept Of Israel In The Old Testament And Its Divine Purpose: An Exegetical And Theological Analysis, Gregory Arutyunyan

Dissertations

The aim of this study is to undertake a fresh look into the concept of Israel in the Old Testament and its divine purpose in the context of the overarching theology of the Hebrew Bible. The working method used in this research is a theological and exegetical analysis of relevant Hebrew text along with incorporating historical and socio-archaeological background studies.

The conclusion that is reached is that Old Testament Israel was a cosmopolitan community of people connected through biological links, intermarriage relationships, and political alliances. In a spiritual sense, the term Israel served as a characterizing title granted to Jacob …

Strata: Layered Support Through Community, Resources, & Design, Jenna M. Sawyer

Theses and Dissertations

Strata reimagines transitional housing as a layered, responsive ecosystem that supports the holistic well-being of individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Inspired by the vertical structure of a forest canopy, the design integrates biophilic principles, trauma-informed strategies, and sustainable practices to create a dignified, inclusive environment. Located in the historic Sauer’s Factory in Richmond, Virginia, the project leverages adaptive reuse to ground the building in local context while addressing systemic gaps in supportive housing. Public amenities, such as a hygiene center, café, learning spaces, and a free store, encourage community integration and reduce stigma, while flexible private units and calming retreat spaces …

Songwriting In Music Therapy Clinical Practice, Kinneret Rivka Weiss

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Songwriting is a technique used in music therapy practice that has been documented since 1950, and has been used in a clinical setting in many countries where music therapy is a fully developed profession. There are many different types of therapeutic songwriting experiences used in music therapy practice, to accommodate for the many different needs and abilities of clients. Additionally, therapeutic songwriting is used to help achieve many goals, and is used in a wide variety of settings. These settings include the pediatric hospital, a setting given particular attention in this paper. This paper will also include the author’s own …

The Effects Of Racial Gaslighting On Community Policing: An Exploration Of Contemporary Hermeneutical Injustice Within Marginalized Communities, Louise Missome Engohang

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

This thesis critically examines the phenomenon of racial gaslighting within the context of community policing, focusing on its ethical and epistemological consequences for marginalized communities. Racial gaslighting—a process by which law enforcement and broader institutions invalidate or distort the lived experiences of racialized individuals—plays a pivotal role in undermining the trust and effectiveness of community policing models. By drawing on Miranda Fricker’s theory of hermeneutical injustice and Charles Mills’ analysis of racial epistemologies, the research explores how systemic denial of racial bias contributes to the erosion of public trust, the silencing of marginalized voices, and the perpetuation of inequality in …

In The Wake Of Change, Kelly Nichole Clair

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

My senior project, In the Wake of Change, is a creative work which I choreographed and presented at the American College Dance Association, the EMU Undergraduate Research Symposium, and the EMU Dance Program student concert, “Crossroads.” The goal for this work was to present my explorations with choreographic methods such as repetition, movement based off the letters of words, and matching musical phrases with movement phrases, on as many stages as possible. I will dive into detail regarding my process, choices, and the piece’s narrative. I will describe the choreography process of the piece and the symbolism behind certain sections, …

Duae Cypriani Soarez Praefationes Ad Opus De Arte Rhetorica Libri Tres Commentariis Rhetoricis Instructae, Marcus Porto

Theses and Dissertations--Modern and Classical Languages, Literature and Cultures

De Arte Rhetorica Libri Tres (1562) written by Cyprian Soarez (1524-1593), priest and teacher of the Society of Jesus, was the standard rhetorical manual in the Ratio Studiorum and thus was used for over two centuries in Jesuit colleges throughout the world. Concerned that young students of Latin were not yet ready for the major rhetorical texts of antiquity, such as Cicero’s and Quintilian’s, Soarez wrote this manual as a digest of ancient rhetoric to the beginner. This thesis uses the rhetorical precepts found in Cyprian’s work to analyze the work’s own two prefaces. Thus, it aims at providing …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Past Three Fifa World Cups: Nations’ Regulations, Policies, And Global Impact, Arturo Flores

History and Political Science | Senior Theses

The current study investigates the relationship between alcohol and sports marketing. Throughout this research paper, the primary focus is to look at the three previous World Cups and their hosting Countries: Brazil, Russia, and Qatar. To do this, the methods that are used to analyze the three countries will consist of a collection of digital archives consisting of YouTube ads, alcohol policies of the countries hosting the World Cup, and the effects of the World Cup on the hosts overall. In addition, the study goes into how the alcohol policies of each country have shifted before, during, and after being …

The Influence Of Japanese Art And Aesthetics On The Paintings Of Théodore Rousseau, Erinn Alexis Stuart

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Landscape paintings of Barbizon painter Théodore Rousseau provide a unique perspective on the impact of Japanese artworks on nineteenth-century French painting. The examination of Eastern influences on Western art has been confined to Western urban popular culture, resulting in a narrative that restricts the understanding of modern art to the context of Western industrialization. This method of exploring cultural influences constructs a narrative of othering, confining the perception of its impact to the superficial and commercial, thus perpetuating an othering subnarrative, not only between the two nations but also between the different genres of Western art. Through an investigation into …

The Shadow Of Exceptionalism: Morality, Pragmatism, And Covert Action In American Cold War Foreign Policy, Kyle Stacy

History Theses - Archive

The complex forces of national identity, economic ambition, and ideological justification created a dynamic and contested landscape that shaped America’s Cold War policies. A carefully curated useful past, bolstered by religious convictions, fostered a belief in American exceptionalism and moral leadership that provided both the impetus and justification for 11 America’s actions abroad. Yet, America’s stated ideals—freedom and democracy—existed in stark tension with the pursuit of its national interests, often clashing with its self-perceived moral superiority. The Cold War environment fostered a culture of secrecy within the highest levels of government. Here, transparency and accountability were readily sacrificed for strategic …

Assessing Understory Along The Elk River (Hikshari') In Headwaters Forest Reserve, Humboldt County, California, Julie R. Meyers, Aliyah M. Ingram, Caleb N. Larkin, Joshua L. Carpenter

Environmental Science & Management Senior Capstones

Northern California’s extensive logging history and lack of forest management has altered old-growth coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forests, leaving dense, homogenous second and third-growth forest stands. This has led to the use of modern restoration techniques such as variable density thinning (VDT) which aims to rehabilitate old-growth forest conditions by improving stand heterogeneity and light availability for understory species. Our study was done in Headwaters Forest Reserve (HFR) along the Elk River (Hikshari’) Trail in Humboldt County, California. Initially, the project was supervised by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arcata Field Office. However, the 2025 U.S. government …

Understanding Tap As A Narrative Form, Jylian R. Haynes

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

I will be researching tap dancing as narrative form. As a tap teacher and member of the dance community, I feel pulled to learn about tap as a narrative form to educated myself and my students, and to inspire my choreography. I will support my research on tap as a narrative form by looking at tap history, technique, and pull from personal experience. As well as writing a research paper, I will create a piece of choreography to showcase my research. The paper and choreographed piece will work adjacently to emphasize the things I learn about tap as …

Youth Vocal Pedagogy: An Overview Of Teaching Voice To Children Lecture And Recital, Juliette Love Harrison

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Youth vocal pedagogy is an under-researched subject that creates much controversy, and the goal of this honors senior creative project Youth Vocal Pedagogy: An Overview of Teaching Voice to Children Lecture & Recital was to address this area within the field of vocal instruction that is in desperate need of study. The research presented in this project is significant because it offers the reader a compilation of information from the limited resources available on youth vocal pedagogy. Courses, several books, and a research article were carefully studied to form the culmination of the lecture portion of this project. The recital …

Finishing My Sentence: A Critical Autobiography Of A Black Woman Who Has Been The Principal And The Prisoner, K.C. Wilbourn Snapp

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This critical autobiography explores how my experiences as a Black woman born and raised inDetroit profoundly shaped my worldview, leadership style, and professional decisions as a school principal. Anchored in the theoretical framework of critical race feminism, this study examines the intersections of race, gender, and place, revealing how Detroit’s complex social, historical, and cultural dynamics informed my development and the paradigms that guided my thinking as both an educator and a leader. Through self-reflection and scholarly inquiry, I analyze how these lived experiences influenced my approach to problem-solving, community engagement, and the pursuit of equitable learning environments. This work …

Including Black Farmers, Excluding Pests: Perspectives On Participation In The Cooperative Extension Service, Briana Bazile

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

In recent years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has faced renewed scrutiny for documented discrimination against Black farmers, yet far less attention has focused on its century-old partner in public service delivery, the Cooperative Extension Service (CES). This gap is especially notable considering 1) federal parity mandates extant since 1972 in response to significant disparities between Black and White constituents and staff,2) public commitments to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in 2020 and, 3) the contributions of Black leaders at the origins of CES, at Tuskegee University in the late nineteenth century. Using the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (KYCES) as a …

Preserving The Horizon: How Henry David Thoreau And William Morris’S Environmental Aesthetics Ward Off Ecoapocalypse, Esther Kw Mack

West Chester University Master’s Theses

To add to the current the current ecodiscourse, this thesis sets out to reimagine contemporary ecological discourse through the analysis of nineteenth century figures Henry David Thoreau and William Morris, two countercultural figures who dedicated their lives to protecting nature. Where Thoreau’s “Autumnal Tints” highlights autumn’s tide through a scientific narrative, Morris encapsulates the four seasons’ companionship in “Verses for Pictures,” as well as his infamous textile “Acanthus.” By synthesizing ecoadvocates’s life works from around the world and positioning them as interlocutors to Asian philosophy, art, and practice merge to evolve into a profound ecorehetoric accompanied by aesthetics. As the …

Developing Cultural Intelligence Skills At Gracepoint International Church In Gastonia, North Carolina, Sumner Brichelle Rhodes

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Churches across the globe are constantly being reshaped by issues of interculturality, global migration and questions of power and belonging. As churches deal with these dynamics, in our globalized world, it is important for them to have the tools and skills necessary to lovingly reach out to people of all cultures and differences. Reaching people of diverse backgrounds is a part of the Central Commission that Christ commanded for His Church in Matthew 28:19-20. This project explores how developing a high Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is essential for the Church. CQ can help churches lovingly connect with and embrace people of …

Weeping In The Household: Equipping Pastoral Caregivers Among Grieving Families At Grace Presbyterian Church In Baltimore, Maryland, Charles Brandon Brewer

Doctor of Ministry Projects

This project sought to equip pastoral care ministry members of Grace Presbyterian Church to explore communal grief and deepen their own understanding of family systems in intergenerational grief. Participants engaged in a four-week training series aimed at reducing fear surrounding discussions of death, dying, and grief, empowering pastoral caregivers in the church to offer compassionate care to grieving individuals and families. Participants were trained to facilitate Bible studies, group discussions and were equipped with the skills necessary to guide and expand the church’s existing bereavement ministry beyond crisis intervention, strengthening pastoral care efforts, and the pastoral care ministry of the …

Personification: A Short Film, Charles R. Adams

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Personification follows a group of college students as they receive news that mysterious shape-shifting creatures are posing as humans. They quickly turn on each other, realizing there is no one they can trust. In the style of mid-20th - century horror films, notably Don Siegel’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), the short film explores themes of paranoia and the value of human expression in a time when generative AI seeks to replace the creative method. In keeping with this theme, the emphasis for this project was on the act of creation. Pre-production—which included scriptwriting, casting, and various organizational tasks—ran …

Self-Esteem Moderating Multiracial Identity And Social Anxiety In Asian Americans, Hoa Vo

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between multiracial identity and social interaction anxiety among emerging Asian American adults. Specifically, it explores the moderating role of self-esteem and potential gender differences in these relationships. Multiple regression models and independent samples t-tests were used to analyze data from 139 multiracial individuals with Asian heritage (Mage = 19.95, 79.13% female) aged 18 to 29. The results indicated that while multiracial identity integration (MII) was positively associated with social interaction anxiety (SIAS; B = 0.843, p = .010), it was not significant and self-esteem (RES; B = 0.036, p = .899) did not significantly moderate …

Pressing Matters: American Print Culture And The Development Of Proto-Romanticism, Daniel Young

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis explores the distinctive features of post-independence American print culture and their influence on the emergence of American Romanticism. Advancements in printing technology, the establishment of paper mills, and the proliferation of newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets created a dispersed and unrestricted print environment. This accessibility allowed for a dynamic exchange of ideas, disseminated revolutionary concepts, and cultivated a unique American ethos characterized by individualism and intellectual freedom. Key works such as Washington Irving's The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. and Charles Brockden Brown's Wieland and Edgar Huntly illustrate how early American Romanticism evolved to reflect the unique American …

An Exploratory Study On The Usability Of Distance Learning Technology In The U.S. Army Recruiting And Retention Command, Rony Arizandieta Rodas

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This exploratory study investigates how integrating distance learning technologies within the U.S. Army impacts enlisted soldiers in terms of implementation, usability, and long-term career mobility. With internet-based education, active-duty enlisted personnel can pursue academic degrees from accredited military-affiliated institutions while simultaneously fulfilling operational duties, deployments, and daily training. The U.S. Army Recruiting Command has capitalized on this advancement by framing online education and digital accessibility as core components of its enlistment strategy. This approach is particularly relevant given that a significant proportion of new recruits originate from rural and economically disadvantaged areas, where access to higher education is often limited, …

The Effect Of Inclusive Leadership By Pastoral Leaders On Catholic Parish Vitality, Matthew F. Manion

Dissertations

Catholic parish life in the United States has passed the point of decline where minor changes will enable it to grow again. Church leaders need a new missionary culture and outward-focused approaches to reach people today with the timeless truths of the faith. The old mindset of putting all the responsibility on the shoulders of the clergy to solve problems no longer works. Since heterogeneous groups make better decisions than homogeneous groups in complex, adaptive situations, this study explores the hypothesis that inclusive leadership by Catholic parish leaders leads to more innovation and better solutions to the challenges of church …

Addressing The Challenges Of A Catholic Parish Elementary School With Systemic Design Problem Solving, Alfred E. Bradley

Full-Text Theses & Dissertations

For more than a decade the repeated use of conventional analytic thinking and linear strategic planning approaches produced little effective progress or solutions for the many ongoing and emerging problems of St. Laurentius Catholic School, a parish elementary school within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Indeed, many in the community believed that their distressing pathway characterized by continued differing perceptions among stakeholders, resource limitations and lack of autonomy were leading the school to closure. When a new clerical leader who was also a Doctor of Management in Strategic Leadership student was assigned, however, he suggested a novel approach. By reframing the …

The Categorisation Of Different Periods In Indian Art & The Market’S Role, Devashi Jain

MA Theses

When one thinks of Indian art, a broad spectrum of types of art & periods come to
mind. Each period is marked by distinct differences in style, influence, medium and
more, yet a significant number of these periods are grouped together, despite the
differences. Indian art is traditionally seen on the market under the Antiquities, or
Modern & Contemporary category in spite of the distinguishable differences in the
aesthetic, and cultural context. These categories inform market perceptions, value of the works as well as preferences of the collectors, and hence it is imperative to have well defined categories. This paper …

The Evolution Of Heritage: How Three Iconic American Jewelry Houses Have Navigated Their Legacy, Emily Vanderford

MA Theses

This thesis explores the evolution and preservation of heritage of three iconic American jewelry houses: David Webb, Harry Winston, and Tiffany & Co. Through a detailed examination of their foundational design philosophies, the impact of ownership changes, and responses to modern trends and cultural shifts, this study investigates how each house has navigated the balance of tradition and innovation. Archival research, published materials, and analysis of design practices have revealed the influence of each house’s foundational principles as well as the challenges posed by evolving markets and ownership. This research highlights the strategies that have allowed each house to remain …

Take Shrigley’S Word For It, Mary Gurley

MA Theses

This essay investigates the complexities of text-based art and contemporary conceptualism by focusing on David Shrigley’s work. By exploring the origins, evolution, and function of language-based practices, Take Shrigley’s Word for It emphasizes the artist’s use of text across various mediums, all of which occupy textual fields, blurring the line between commercial and fine art. Despite Shrigley’s extensive career, limited scholarship exists on his eccentric pairing of words and visuals, as well as his abundant spaces dedicated to sales. This paper also considers how Shrigley transformed the practice of text-based art by making it accessible and relatable to wide ranging …

Artistic Interventions In The Public Sphere: Keith Haring & Jenny Holzer, Matilde Sirolli

MA Theses

This thesis investigates the intersection of art and the public sphere in late 1970s and 1980s New York, a period characterised by significant socio-political and cultural transformations. Grounded in Jürgen Habermas’ conception of the public sphere, the study examines how the unique historical phenomena of the period yielded unprecedented opportunities for artists to intervene in the public sphere. The research provides a comprehensive analysis of the period’s political, economic, cultural and sociological landscapes. It then delves into case studies of Keith Haring and Jenny Holzer, exploring their distinct approach to public engagement: Haring’s blend of art, commerce and populism, and …

“The Entire Art Movement Has Become An Enormous Business Venture” Financing The American Art Museum, Lucy Owen

MA Theses

This thesis examines the intricate relationship between financial operations and the public function of American art museums. The distinctive American nonprofit model relies heavily on private funds for its survival and success. The thesis traces the historical development of this model, and then analyzes the contemporary state of American art museums, with a specific focus on two prominent institutions: MoMA PS1 and the Yale University Art Gallery. The analysis highlights the significant influence of board members' financial contributions and their business expertise on museum operations. Moreover, the thesis argues that the museum world has undergone rapid financialization in the twenty-first …

Female Photographers’ Practices And Markets: A Three-Part Case Study, Emma Howard

MA Theses

This thesis explores the intertwined histories of artistic legacy, cultural impact, and market reception of female photographers, who have often been decentered in art history and overshadowed by male contemporaries. While photography has historically been more inclusive to women than other art forms, women photographers have nonetheless faced marginalization in the canon of photography history and the art market. Building on efforts to reclaim and elevate the contributions of women photographers, this research integrates art historical and market analyses to provide a holistic understanding of their careers and legacies. Through detailed case studies, this thesis examines the artistic practices, biographical …