Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Preparing Spiritually Resilient Warriors In The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, Vic Morris

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Morris, Victor E. “Preparing Spiritually Resilient Warriors in the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2024. 285 pp.

The Canadian Armed Forces has outcomes and expectations for warriors to be spiritually resilient but does not have a training program that has been researched, tested, and validated to achieve this. This study investigates how chaplains can prepare spiritually resilient warriors in CANSOFCOM. A chaplain-led spiritual resilience course was created and delivered to CANSOFCOM members. The course was aligned with the holistic wellness strategy of OPF2, and designed as an inductive, experiential learning experience. An …

A Spectrum Of Light: Speculative Poetry Of Celestial Bodies And Astrophysics, Shannon Sosebee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This is a collection of speculative poetry with a focus on celestial objects within our solar system and larger bodies outside of our solar system, some of which are only theorized to exist. The author finishes the collection with introspective works, laying bare vulnerabilities and insecurities.

សត្វកង្ហែនប្រាជ្ញានិងសត្វចាបពូកនិយាយ : The Wise Treeshrew And A Talking Sparrow, Jacob Liechty

Master's Theses

រួមដើរជាមួយ ច័ន្ទត្រា វុធ្ទ វាសនា និងចេក្ខាប់ ក្នុងបេលយើងធ្វើដំណើរទៅស្រុកថៃ លើក ទី២ ទី២ ទី១០០ និង ទី១។ ជួបបងប្អូនខ្មែរនិងជនកម្ពុជា ក្នុងចំនួនមួយលានដែលរស់នៅក្នុងថៃ នៅចំការនិងក្រុង គង់នៅដោយផ្លាស់ពីកន្លែងថ្លៃខ្ពស់និងធ្វើការខ្លាំងគ្រោះ។ រៀនពីប៉ាវុធ្ទ រៀងប្រវត្តិលំបាក មកពីសម័យទាហានអាមេរិកចូលនិងទម្លាក់គ្រាប់បែក និងសង្គ្រាមគ្នាឯង និងការភៀសខ្លួន និងការបាត់បង់ផ្ទះទឹកដីក្នុងស្រុកខ្មែរ។ សង្ឈឹមអំពីអនាគត ដោយរកឃើញចិត្តសាសនា ពិនិត្យកំហុសខ្ញុំ និងយល់ឫសឡើងវេញ៕

Join Chandra, Voth, Viasna, and Jacob in Cambodia as we travel to Thailand for the second, second, hundredth, and first time. Meet Khmer and Cambodian brethren, out of the million living in Thai farms and cities, surviving via costly migration and precarious labor. Learn, from Pa Voth, a challenging history spanning back to the United States occupation and bombing, through civil war and refugee crises, and the loss of home and environment for Cambodians …

Decentralized And Divided: Philadelphia’S Public Assistance System And Community-Based Initiatives, Gianna Casey, Shari Orisich

Honors Theses

Public assistance programs and community-based initiatives have aided Philadelphian’s residents in a cohesive effort to fill the gaps of community-needs. While both are inherently different in their methodologies and executions, their structures are built upon a collective foundation of legislative principles and policy-based ordinances in Philadelphia. These concepts, first began with poor laws and religious organizations in the 19th century, have turned into a complex system that has fallen tremendously short of sufficiently addressing the specialized needs of Philadelphian families. The surrounding laws for public assistance program administration (e.g. TANF and WIC), are founded within the objectives of these poor …

Modern Agricultural Servitude: The Modern Farm Worker Experience In The Salinas Valley, Jesus E. Tavarez

Chicana and Chicano Studies ETDs

The prevailing narrative in Chicanx studies focuses on the historical labor activism of the United Farm Workers (UFW) in the 1960s and ‘70s. I am particularly interested in examining the contemporary campesino experience in the Salinas Valley by discussing the history behind Mexican cheap labor, low wages, exploitive work conditions with inadequate healthcare, agrochemical exposure, and historical consciousness of farm workers. I will argue that farm workers are in dire need of a migratory reform as an approach to improve the working conditions of farm workers throughout California. This research aims to shed light on how the multi-billion-dollar agribusiness industry …

The State Of The City's Bridges, Leo G. Miranda

Capstones

An analysis by NYCity News Service of 2024 federal bridge inspection found that 118 segments of city bridges are in poor condition, around 8% of all bridges citywide. Among these are segments of major highways and bridges like the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, FDR Drive, Harlem River Drive, Grand Central Parkway and even a part of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. On a single stretch of highway, where the Grand Central Parkway and the Whitestone Expressway meet in Queens, there are seven parts of highway or ramps in poor condition.

Bridge segments can be any raised roadway that passes over another parkway, …

The Re-Presentation And Mis-Re-Presentation Of The “Indigenous Woman” Throughout Mexico’S Colonial And Early Independence Periods (1521–1830), Alejandra Daosiri Rodriguez

Art & Art History ETDs

This research examines the visual and textual representations of Indigenous women in colonial New Spain and early independent Mexico (1521–1830), revealing how these images evolved alongside dynamic colonial political, social, and cultural shifts. Through an analysis of codices, portraits, and other material culture, this study demonstrates how colonial authorities, artists, and patrons manipulated these depictions to serve wider colonial agendas, from evangelization to social stratification. These representations often used Indigenous women as symbols, rather than as individual subjects, to reinforce hierarchical colonial structures, shape racial and gender identities, and support efforts to ‘civilize’ the native population. By focusing on pivotal …

Hit-And-Runs: A Memoir, Alison Cope

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The vignettes in this collection are memoir essays connected by the theme of hit-and-runs – i.e., random life encounters in which people share bits of themselves and leave subsequent lasting impressions. Resonating with themes of identity and belonging, overcoming obstacles and taking risks, the chronological throughline visits unique locations around the world, and frequently “hits” historical events, while tracing the narrator’s coming-of-age and spiritual journey from the mountains of Appalachia to the streets of Prague and home to Houston, as she “runs” with carnies and psychics, hurricane refugees, lovers, and predators from whom she must escape. Interspersed in these memoirs …

“Know What I’M Sayin’?”: Advocating Hip-Hop As A Primary Source For Historical Scholarship, Christopher Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rap, hip-hop’s most characteristic element, evolved from cultural practices combining in New York and spread across the United States in the latter half of the twentieth century. This thesis argues in favor of the use of rap as primary source material in future historical research. Authenticity has always surrounded hip-hop, making rap a window into artists’ perspectives. Storytelling traditions in rap’s roots allow for fiction’s use as a tool to discuss reality in lyrics. To demonstrate rap’s strengths as a primary source, the thesis examines Let’s Get Free, dead prez’s 2000 debut album. The song “They Schools” is dissected section-by-section …

The Social Matter Of Opioids: Glitches In Immunity Beyond The Human, Nathan A. Leach

American Studies ETDs

The Social Matter of Opioids: Glitches in Immunity Beyond the Human examines the contemporary opioid crisis and its relationship to capitalism, imperialism, and biomedicine. This dissertation also considers how the twin processes of crisis and racialization relate to how human-opioid entanglements perform and transgress normative anthropological assumptions of difference. Through theories of biopolitics, Black feminism, queer of color critique, and psychoanalytic insight, I argue for a more critical account of the entanglement of humans with opioids where processes of capitalist and imperial crisis produce novel forms of social ontology. I substantiate this by examining speculative tissue economies, interspecies relationality, draconian …

Re-Imagining Technical Communication Concepts Through A Social Work Lens: A Case Study And Content Analysis Of The Department Of Aging And Rehabilitative Services, Jonas Kee

Masters Theses, 2020-current

This thesis highlights how traditional technical communication concepts such as social justice rhetoric, disability studies, and user experience (UX) are re-imagined through the lens of Department of Aging and Rehabilitation Services (DARS) professionals. In this thesis, I present information gathered from a content analysis focused on four documents used within the DARS office, a survey, and interviews administered to DARS Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors. This thesis analyzes the documents, survey, and interview questions through the experiences of DARS professionals, clients, and external stakeholders. This thesis concludes with business and pedagogical implications regarding the field of UX and how to effectively …

The Devil In The Details: The Malleus Maleficarum And Its Relationship To Regional Witchcraft Beliefs In Metz And The Corresponding Trials, Morgan Gubser

University Honors Theses

This thesis will explore witch trials in Lorraine, France, in the mid- to late-1400s, with a strong focus on trials conducted in or in reference to the city of Metz. The sixteenth century saw the period of the "great witch trials", which is often studied by those publishing in Witchcraft Studies, but a renewed scholarly focus is now being placed on the time before these great trials. By understanding these smaller outbreaks of trials that occurred in Lorraine before the sixteenth century we might hope to understand why so many trials tore through the region a century later. This thesis …

Meretseger: A Reexamination, Parker M. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Meretseger, “She Who Loves Silence,” the cobra goddess of the Theban necropolis and local deity of Deir el-Medina, is well attested for in the New Kingdom. This single sentence makes up most of the information in publications today, derived from Bernard Bruyère’s Mert Seger à Deir el Médineh (1929-1930), the only study dedicated to the “Mistress of the West.” Since then, new evidence has been found after 1930 and has not been compiled into a single publication until now. This thesis will reexamine Meretseger to form a more accurate, up-to-date study of her attestations and iconographic representations and trace her …

Human Nature: Exploring The Role Of Design In Skincare Branding, Gus Smith

Honors College Theses

Human Nature is a clean skincare brand aimed at first-time skincare users in their mid-20's that uses a four-step system to provide a simplified approach to high-quality skincareI aim for Human Nature to be an approachable, relatable, trustworthy product for buyers in this demographic, and branding is tantamount to this goal. The research stage of this project focused on other skincare brands and advertising, mapping out where my brand would fit and how it would respond to other brands. As this is a graphic design project, This project includes a cohesive visual identity that communicates the brand, including packaging, web …

What’S It Like To Audition In New York City As An International Performer?, Owen Racer

Capstones

Auditioning in New York City is challenging, especially for a living. For foreign-born artists, attempting to succeed on the Great White Way is even more complicated. In this episode, Costa Rican actress Nea Somogyi takes us behind the curtain of the auditioning world in the eyes of an international performer. Produced by Owen Racer and reported by Max Martinez Villalobos, this podcast adds to the ongoing narrative series 'What's it like' by the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism audio concentration.

Election Season Capstone, Richard G. Mendez

Capstones

My capstone project takes a dive into politics this election season by looking at the growing Republican party in New York City, how young voters felt about the failed Harris campaign and how Democrats could learn from their mistakes.

¿Qué Futuro Les Espera A Los Trabajadores Latinos? El Calor Extremo, Las Promesas Vacías Y La Incertidumbre Política, Yunior Rivas Garcia

Capstones

Este artículo explora las condiciones mortales que enfrentan los trabajadores latinos en Estados Unidos debido al estrés por calor, un riesgo creciente en sectores esenciales como la construcción, la agricultura y el almacenamiento. A pesar de representar una proporción significativa de las muertes laborales, las protecciones contra el calor son insuficientes, y la falta de regulación federal agrava la vulnerabilidad de estos trabajadores, muchos de los cuales son indocumentados. A través de casos específicos, como la muerte de Esvin Cruz Mateo, y un análisis de las políticas laborales actuales, el texto examina las fallas estructurales que perpetúan la inseguridad laboral …

Campaigns, Climate, And Congestion: Reporting From The Hudson For Newmark's "Audio Files", Jesse King

Capstones

"Audio Files" is an annual news podcast series by students at CUNY's Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, producing stories to "inform, help, and delight" New Yorkers. This capstone includes a collection of political news stories and science features written for this program, all of which are based in New York's Hudson Valley. The first is a political piece breaking down how Congressional races in the suburbs could impact overall control of the House in the 2024 election. The second focuses on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's approval of a new congestion pricing plan in Manhattan, as proposed by New York …

An Overview Of Japanese Kampo: An Integrative Approach To Medicine, Olivia Yaste

Honors College Theses

There is a growing interest in the use of traditional medicine for the treatment of disease and health conditions around the world. The traditional medicine system of Japan has been in place for thousands of years and the traditional herbal system, Kampo, has been fully integrated into the modern national healthcare system. The compilation of information on topics surrounding Kampo written in English is scattered, making it difficult to gain a broad understanding of the subject without immense time and effort. This paper aims to review the existing literature on a variety of topics surrounding Kampo in order to give …

Persons Or Human-Mimicking Robots? Implications Of Ai For Moral Status, Kate Burckle, Catherine Peters

Honors Thesis

Rapid progress in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), in which AI technologies can now perform human tasks, e.g. hold advanced conversations, cook, clean, and navigate harsh terrain, blurs the line between humans and robots. The emergence of advanced AI technologies suggests that AI programs may develop consciousness in the near future, prompting important questions: if AIs attain abilities to perform the same tasks and exercise capacities traditionally limited to humans, do they deserve similar moral status? If so, what treatment would we owe to them? Through examination of competing accounts of personhood and moral status, this paper seeks to …

Catering To The Majority: Fashion’S Trial-And-Error Process To Make Style Accessible For All Sizes, Tiffany A. Del Valle

Capstones

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, two out of every three U.S. women are considered plus-size, or a size 14 and above. As the plus-size fashion market continues to grow and is expected to be worth $500 billion by 2033, finding extended sizes continues to be a barrier. While the fight for size-inclusive fashion has shown some progress in recent years, some brands have decided to scale back their plus-size offerings, while others have continued to limit their size ranges due to a multitude of reasons including production costs with a delayed return on investment, marketing and limited commitment to serving the …

Interleaving Practice: A Better Approach To Band Rehearsal Structure, Matthew Reimer

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to identify the merits of a band rehearsal structure that incorporates elements of an interleaving schedule, whereby multiple items of a similar nature are rehearsed in a mixed fashion rather than in a blocked format where one task is completed before moving on to the next. The project looks at the current state of research related to interleaving in the study of the arts, potential obstacles, motivational strategies to increase student receptiveness, and specific examples of how to implement the research in an intermediate band rehearsal. Included are resources and strategies for pitch and …

Fictional And Historical Narratives Of African American Soldiers Of Wwii, Abigail Rae Stewart

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the experiences of African American soldiers during World War II through the dual lenses of oral histories and fictionalized accounts, arguing that both are essential to fully understanding their multifaceted journeys at home and abroad. Oral histories provide direct, personal narratives from veterans themselves, capturing their voices, emotions, and reflections on the discrimination, camaraderie, and resilience that defined their wartime and postwar lives. These firsthand accounts offer invaluable insights into the structural realities of systemic racism within the military and society, as well as the personal sacrifices these soldiers made in the name of a country that …

The Armored League - Real-Life Gladiators Fight In A Medieval Combat Tournament, Graham Hartmann

Capstones

From Greco-Roman wrestling, to boxing, to Muay Thai, combat sports have been a part of cultures around the world for centuries. In New York City, a thousand-year-old form of combat is experiencing a resurgence among those brave enough to take part.

The Armored League is a combat sports federation where modern-day knights fight with metal weapons, shields and armor. The league's first tournament took place in Chinatown, NYC on November 1, 2024 with eight men competing for a $1,000 prize.

This story interviews Armored League VP Anthony Rafes and follows knight fighter Orion Goodman as he battles his way through …

Ayazamana Keeps Ecuadorian Tradition Alive Amidst Rising Anti-Immigrant Sentiment, Evelin Fajardo-Alvarez

Capstones

My capstone project was an audio feature I produced to air on AudioFiles. My focus was on an Ecuadorian dance team called, Ayazamana, made up of Ecuadorian-American and immigrant dancers. With Trump’s incoming presidency there is a rising anti-immigrant sentiment and Ayazamana seeks to continue proudly sharing their culture and creating a safe space within the city that houses thousands of immigrants.

Here is the link to my website http://evelinfajardo-alvarezportfolio.tilda.ws/

Eleven Are The Stars Of Joseph’S Dream; His Coat, Many Colors, Alexander B. Bloom

Capstones

At the Conservative synagogue where I attended Saturday school for part of my childhood in the 90s I recall the teachers’ reimagination of the popular Michael Jackson song “We Are the World,” taught to the seven and eight year-olds who were made to sing it in chorus at some holiday celebration that year.

“We are the Jews,” we bleated out, in concert, “We are the Chosen.”

From my place among them I remember the unsettled feeling I had, to consider my non-Jewish friends at school, teachers and babysitters who knew not of tefillin, my maternal grandparents in the pews of …

La Creatividad En Peligro: Como La Inteligencia Artificial Es Un Reto Para Los Artistas., Nathaly Cisneros

Capstones

Los artistas digitales han creado obras maestras que nos han dejado sin aliento con sus pinceles digitales, lápices y pinturas. Desde retratos que parecen saltar de la pantalla hasta paisajes que nos transportan a mundos desconocidos, su arte ha sido una fuente constante de inspiración.

Pero en los últimos años, una nueva fuerza ha comenzado a cambiar el juego. La inteligencia artificial ha estado avanzando a pasos agigantados y ahora se perfila como una amenaza para el futuro de los artistas digitales. ¿Qué significa esto para el arte y la creatividad?

Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xe8UxDMekX_SwiIppyt_JppK8M-lB-YWNWGyeyShlJM/edit?usp=sharing

Do Clothes Make The Feminist?, Jiana N. Smith

Capstones

In September 2024, New York fashion brand Sandy Liang faced backlash online for its girlish style codes as part of a broader debate about trends that reinforced gender stereotypes, like tradwives, “girl dinner” and the coquette aesthetic. However, critics misjudge the brand, which is grounded not in internet trends but in the designer’s real-world experiences. In addition, thanks to the complex fashion landscape, no garment is inherently political but dependent on the wearer’s intentions and styling choices.

LINK: https://medium.com/@jiana.smith80/does-clothing-make-the-feminist-62ae6ec8f063

Ni Reprimir, Ni Rezar, Ni Traducir: Latinos En Nueva York Piden Cuidados De Salud Mental Incluyentes, Laura Rojas Aponte

Capstones

In New York City, only three out of ten Latinos diagnosed with depression receive treatment, compared to over half of white adults with the same condition, according to the latest Department of Health report. Despite the clear need for mental health care, access remains limited, with a lack of culturally competent services further widening the gap.

While mental health has become a more open topic in recent years, many Latinos still face significant barriers to therapy, including high costs, limited insurance coverage, cultural stigma, and disconnects between patients and providers. However, there are ongoing efforts to address these challenges, ranging …

Making Music And Making Rent: The New Wave Of New York City’S Working Class Artists, Hannah J. Fierick

Capstones

Though New York’s local music scene has become a shadow of its former self, the city’s musicians have found creative ways to stay afloat while doing what they love. This piece explores the music scene in New York today through interviews with working class musicians themselves.