Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Lucky Strike Branch Library, Vanessa Yvonne Vinsant

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis project is an examination of how design can reinvigorate interest in reading through the creation of a branch library. The primary focus of this study is to generate a space that successfully binds intellectual interests, social and economic groups to re-establish community.

Choreographing Cabaret: A Guide To Storytelling Through Dance And Movement, Katie Claire Bradley

Theses and Dissertations

American Musical Theatre is one of the unique American methods of storytelling that exists in performance. In a musical, text, song, movement, and dance tell a story. In Music Theatre, when a character can no longer express what they desire in words, they sing. If singing cannot satisfy the need, the element of dance comes into play. Richard Kislan states, "What sets dance apart is the universality in movement and gesture which is not bound like language to nationality or culture. Dance transcends geography in a way that language cannot. Dance humanizes expression in a way that music cannot."(237) In …

In The Spin, Kathryn Noel Beles

Theses and Dissertations

In the Spin is a semi-autobiographical collection of poetry, dealing primarily with themes of family, marital infidelity, loyalty, the female body, and the tension between political vs. aesthetic existence. This is a collection of poems influenced by the work of French Feminism, Shakespeare and Faulkner, and hybrid lyric-narrative poets of the last fifty years.

In An Expression Of The Inexpressible: Even This Title Is Stolen, But I Chose It, Carmen Alis Mcleod

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides a tour through an imaginary building that contains the work I have completed in the last two years at Virginia Commonwealth University. The body of the text provides a discussion of specific paintings as well as more general themes related to painting and art. The discussion includes thoughts on futility, desire, schism, the leap, collage, photography, materiality, painting, image, and landscape. The second part of the text is an abstract statement about the paintings included in the thesis show, Splinter Paintings.

Integrating Nature Into Urban Educational Environments, Caroline Anne Davenport

Theses and Dissertations

Urban educational environments struggle to offer green space and natural light to their students. Studies have shown that exposure to natural elements, such as natural light, ventilation and vegetation improves student performance and concentration. The Waldorf School understands a child's innate need for natural learning; making it a natural choice when studying design options that integrating nature into the educational environment. The emphasis on nature based learning in the curriculum leads Waldorf to be the perfect school to test the boundaries of what is possible in urban educational environments. The project integrates nature into an urban adaptive re-use school environment, …

Funnel Vision, David Grainger

Theses and Dissertations

This paper will talk about the videos and sculptural installation in my thesis exhibition. Shooting videos outside of the studio developed into a project overarching any individual video or its particular signs. Thus, this paper will focus on the video project with examples that follow a timeline of development, rather than the actual 6 videos on display in the exhibit. The two-part sculpture "Deer in the Headlights" is created in the context of these videos, and coexists with them in a specific architectural space. This space, as well as the clichéd meaning of the deer's gaze, have a relation to …

The Director's Presence, Paul Stephen Wurth

Theses and Dissertations

This text is partial record and narrative of the process and productions of Orphans by Lyle Kessler that opened on March 29th 2007 for a four day run ending on April 1st, The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh that opened October 28th 2007 for a three day run ending on October 30th, and Terra Nova by Ted Tally that opened on February 21st 2008 for a four day run ending on February 24th. The majority of the text follows the three shows from Spring 2007, Fall 2007, to Spring 2008, focusing on the process of direction of each production. Incorporated in …

Say Yes To Who You Are, Brooke Ann Inman

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Magic, Mystery, Illusion And Magic, Alexis Semtner

Theses and Dissertations

This document vaguely describes what happened to me and my paintings during my time spent at VCU.

Grace Street Senior Center, Virginia Brockett

Theses and Dissertations

Societal structure has changed through the decades to reflect a contemporary interest in youth culture. The nuclear family, where generations lived under one roof no longer exists, leaving the elderly on the periphery of the family structure. Where once grandparents, parents and children all cohabitated, now the oldest family members are relegated to solitary retirement and aging alone. Studies have shown that "depression in the elderly is more likely to lead to suicide. Elderlywhite men are at greatest risk, with suicide rates in people ages 80 to 84 more than twice that of the general population. The National Institute of …

Sing Together! Choral Singing As A Supplementary Training Method For Actors, Daniel C. Dennis

Theses and Dissertations

Voice and speech training for the actor has traditionally defined itself as distinct from the vocal training of the musical theatre or opera singer. The separation in philosophy and practice by trainers of actors and singers reflects the resultant capabilities and proclivities of our performers. Those performers generally sing or act, and if asked, will sometimes do both, but may damage their voices in the process. This study aims to explore and reveal how actors may develop a greater sense of courage and trust, have easy access to breath, find freedom in their bodies and voices, become better listeners and …

Trembling Earth, Amy Beth Chan

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis details the literary and visual influences in my work, the definition of American Gothic, and its connection it to my work. Literary sources such as Edgar Allan Poe and Fanny Kemble help spark a vision of the landscape. Visual influences include Japanese woodblock prints, scenic wallpapers, vintage postcards and Victorian mourning pictures. My regional explorations span the James River, Tidewater swamps and architecture within the city of Richmond.My work depicts local history and ecology inspired by Richmond and the surrounding region. Subtle Gothic elements add anxiety to the otherwise pastoral scenes. Gothic foreboding in the work questions our …

The Possibilities Of Sort Of, Jesse Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

Simultaneity and conflict are incessant qualities one is confronted with when looking at things. Shifting from familiar to foreign, from present to implied. There seems to be a tendency, if not necessity to embrace this multiplicity. Using the film theory construct of extra-diegetic and relative qualifier 'sort of' to investigate Pulp Fiction, Bose Wave CD player, Sunset Boulevard, American Apparel, and The Uncanny.

Control, Counter-Examples, And Reasons-Reluctance, Nicolas Michaud

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This work considers the soundness of Henry Frankfurt's argument that the principle of alternative possibilities is false and the implications of his argument for holding agents responsible in a causally determined universe. Frankfurt does seem to be pointing clearly to the fact that many of us do continue to hold agents responsible despite a lack of alternative possibilities. What Frankfurt may be lacking is an adequate account of control which is taken up by John Martin Fischer. What Fischer presents us with is the possibility that the reason why we continue to hold Jones responsible is because of the kind …

The Significance Of Trust For Ethics Critical And Applied: A Critical Account Of Watsuji's Metaethics, Sean Patrick Smith

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Watsuji Tetsuro's philosophy in the early 20th Century presented a view of ethics that was markedly different from the more common theories of the Western philosophical tradition. He viewed ethics as a natural outgrowth of our essential nature as human beings. By investigating what it means to be human, Watsuji argued, one could develop a stronger understanding of our reasons and methods for being ethical. One of his ideas involved trust's importance and inevitability in our ethical palette. Developed by Watsuji, this connection between trust and our nature as human beings was interesting.

It is my claim that how we …

Graduate Recital In Voice, Mark Bjorklund

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Mark Bjorklund, tenor, presented his graduate voice recital on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 8:00 PM in Davis Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The recital was given in collaboration with pianist Kirstin Dyer and included selected works from Schwanengesang by Franz Schubert (1797-1828), Winter Words by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) and the entire set of Cinq Poemes de Baudelaire by Claude Debussy (1862-1918). This abstract discusses musical and historical features of the recital pieces.

Master Of Music Bassoon Performance Recital, Benjamin R. Fox

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Benjamin Fox presented a graduate bassoon recital on 28 February 2008 at 8 P.M. in Davis Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at the University of Northern Iowa. Mr. Fox was assisted by Dr. Robin Guy on piano, Bonnie Alger on violin, Renee Rapier on viola, Rachel Stadler on cello, and Dr. Jean McDonald on voice. The recital was presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master of Music degree in bassoon performance. The repertoire selected represents a variety of challenging pieces spanning a broad range of styles, instrumental groupings, and periods.

A Graduate Recital In Voice, Carmelita Guse

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Carmelita Guse, soprano, presented a graduate voice recital on Friday, October 17, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in Davis Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The recital was given in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance. It was presented in collaboration with pianist Kyung Lee, and contained art songs by Henry Purcell, Gustav Mahler, Ernest Chausson, and a cycle of spirituals by John Carter.

A Graduate Recital In Conducting (Orchestra), Philipp Gulidov

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

A Graduate Conducting Recital, by Philipp Gulidov, was presented on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. in Davis Hall at the University of Northern Iowa. The recital was presented in partial fulfillment of the Master of Music degree in Conducting. The performers for this recital were Adam Ebert, tenor, Benjamin Fox, bassoon, and the Northern Iowa Chamber Orchestra. The program consisted of five works from different historical periods: Classic, Romantic, early and late Twentieth Century. The works presented included Chamber Symphony No. J "Spring", op. 43 by Darius Milhaud, Mozart's Symphony no. 15 in G major, K. 124, "Vaudemont's …

Of Panjandrums, Pooh Bahs, Parvenus, And Prophets: Law, Religion, And Medical Science, George P. Smith Ii

Scholarly Articles

This Monograph derives from a Lecture, under the same title, given in Sydney, Australia, honoring Michael D. Kirby, AC, CMG, Justice of The High Court of Australia. The first part of the Monograph analyses the significant contributions that Justice Kirby has made as a compassionate champion of human rights and acknowledges what is styled as the Kirby Ethic which, in turn, is seen as the foundation for the body of work of the Justice as well as the moving force in his private life as well. Building upon a theory of transcendent idealism which interprets God's purpose as safeguarding the …

‘Slender Knowledge’: Sovereignty, Madness, And The Self In Shakespeare’S King Lear, A.G. Harmon

Scholarly Articles

In King Lear, the English law of madness, especially the aspects of testamentary devises, royal accession, waste, and plunder, is thematized in such a way that the conflict between civil order and savage nature is brought to the foreground. This dynamic overshadows, and to some extent disguises what truly lies at the heart of ancient Britain’s woes: a deficit of ontological self-inquiry on the part of the sovereign and his royal retainer, Gloucester, from which all of the other complications ensue.

God, Gold, Or Glory: Norman Piety And The First Crusade, Samuel Andrew Bartlett

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recent trends in crusade historiography depict the Frankish participants of the First Crusade as acting out of piety, while their Norman counterparts remain as impious opportunists. This thesis challenges this prevailing point of view, arguing that the Norman crusaders met the same standard of piety as the Franks. To support my theory, I looked at four different facets on the question of Norman piety, dividing them up into chapters of my thesis. In the first chapter, there is a brief discussion of the current portrayal of the Normans in modem crusade historiography. In the next chapter, I established what piety …

Crafting Content: Searching For The Individual In Craft Making, Megan Marie Hosch

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

My creative thesis is a visual exhibition exploring the genre of craft in fine art and investigating the relationship of craft making to the artist. I am personally and professionally involved in craft making due to its strong presence in my identity as an artist, a woman and educator. As a child, I was a paper weaving master, dedicated to coloring inside lines, painting by numbers, and carefully following the cross-stitch patterns. However, during my undergraduate studies in art education, I steered clear from re-enacting earlier activities involving craft making. My ideas about craft making were easily conformed to the …

Hsin-Yi Serena Hou, Piano, Hsin-Yi Hou

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Hsin-Yi Serena Hou presented a graduate piano recital at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 in Davis Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music. The recital was presented in partial fulfillment of the Master of Music Degree requirements in Piano Performance. The recital program consisted of works by George Frederic Handel, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Felix Mendelssohn.

Master Of Music Vocal Performance Recital, Janeen L. Jensen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Janeen Jensen. soprano. presented a graduate vocal recital at 6 pm on Wednesday, November 30, 1994 in Russell Hall Auditorium at the University of Northern Iowa. Ms. Jensen was assisted by Marleta Matheson on piano. The recital was presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Masters of Music degree in vocal performance. The repertoire selected represents a variety of challenging pieces with an emphasis on the 20th century. The program began with two of Gioacchino Rossini's art songs which highlighted the Romantic period. Repertory presenting the 20th century includes four of the Siehen Fruhe Lieder by Alban Berg …

Alejandro Amenábar And The Embodiment Of Skepticism In ​Abre Los Ojos​, David Laraway

Faculty Publications

For most philosophers of the Anglo-American tradition, the problem of radical skepticism and its variants - i.e., the possibility that I could be massively mistaken in my beliefs about the external world, other minds, and even myself - no longer has the cachet itonce did. Although itmaintains a respectable place in contemporary epistemology it is clearly on the periphery of the discipline and no longer claims the attention once devoted to it by philosophers of the stature of Descartes, Hume, and Kant. Pride of place now goes, rather, to the task of naturalizing epistemology, which seeks to interpret questions about …

Abortion, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, And Waste, David A. Jensen

Faculty Publications

Can one consistently deny the permissibility of abortion while endorsing the killing of human embryos for the sake of stem cell research? The question is not trivial; for even if one accepts that abortion is prima facie wrong in all cases, there are significant differences with many of the embryos used for stem cell research from those involved in abortion—most prominently, many have been abandoned in vitro, and appear to have no reasonably likely meaningful future. On these grounds one might think to maintain a strong position against abortion but endorse killing human embryos for the sake of stem cell …

Human Reproductive Cloning And Reasons For Deprivation, David A. Jensen

Faculty Publications

Human reproductive cloning provides the possibility of genetically related children for persons for whom present technologies are ineffective. I argue that the desire for genetically related children is not, by itself, a sufficient reason to engage in human reproductive cloning. I show this by arguing that the value underlying the desire for genetically related children implies a tension between the parent and the future child. This tension stems from an instance of a deprivation and violates a general principle of reasons for deprivation. Alternative considerations, such as a right to procreative autonomy, do not appear helpful in making the case …

A Culture Of Necrophilia: The Rise Of The Undead In Film, Lugene Rosen

Library Articles and Research

In recent years, the undead have been on the rise in films. Zombies and vampires are taking center stage and raking in money in record amounts. Resident Evil moved on to its fourth installment, 28 Days Later morphed into 28 Weeks Later, and 30 Days of Night is scoring some serious box office attention. George Romero, the king of the undead film, released his latest Land of the Dead, fourth in the Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, and Day of the Dead series. There has even been an updated remake of Dawn …

Jim Pitts Oral History, Jim Pitts, Courtney Tollison

Furman University Oral Histories

Audio recording of an interview with retired Furman Chaplain, Jim Pitts. Jim Pitts graduated Furman in 1960, came back as Assistant Chaplain in 1967, became the Chaplain in 1981, and retired in 2003. Chaplain Pitts talks about his early memories of Greenville, SC, and mentions Dr. David Ramsay, Greenville Woman's College president. He talks about what led him to attend Furman, life as a student in the 1950's, getting married as a Furman student, and the relationship between the Greenville Woman's College and Furman. Chaplain Pitts speaks of his time as Assistant Chaplain and Chaplain at Furman, highlighting big issues …