Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Dynamic And Stable Motivation Patterns In Intensive Second Language Learning: Insights From A Russian Summer Immersion Program, Dmitrii Pastushenkov

Russian Language Journal

Understanding what shapes student motivation is essential to improving second language (L2) programs. While motivation is among the widely studied individual differences (IDs) in second language acquisition (SLA), research has largely focused on commonly taught languages, limiting broader applicability. This mixed-methods study, grounded in Dynamic Systems Theory (DST), explores the motivational development of learners studying a less commonly taught language (LCTL), Russian, during an eight-week summer immersion program. Data were collected from 52 students across four instructional levels. Motivation was assessed through two brief online surveys, developed based on research by Gardner, Dörnyei, Lanvers, Thompson, and others, and administered during …

Why Russian? Language Choice And Enrollment In U.S. Universities, Emma Calderwood, Teresa R. Bell, Jennifer Bown, Grant H. Lundberg

Russian Language Journal

Russian language enrollments at U.S. universities have declined steadily since 2009 (MLA, 2023), yet little research has examined current student motivations for studying Russian, particularly after the 2022 escalation of the Russo–Ukrainian War. This study surveyed two groups: (a) students enrolled in any 101-level language course at University X and (b) students in Russian courses at six U.S. universities. Results show that motivations for studying Russian are primarily integrative—general interest in the language, desire to converse with Russian speakers, aspirations to travel to Russian-speaking countries, and previous Russian knowledge—rather than instrumental. Students who considered but did not choose Russian most …

Variability Of Individual Learner Trajectories In A Transformative Language Program, Victoria Hasko, Anastasiya Smith

Russian Language Journal

This qualitative multiple case study investigates how individual learner differences manifest and evolve within a transformative, proficiency-oriented undergraduate Russian language program. Drawing on complexity theory and transformative approaches to language education, the study explores how learners’ motivations, identities, and professional aspirations develop in a curriculum that integrates advanced language learning with long-term career planning. Three focal participants were followed longitudinally across their undergraduate trajectories, using a combination of standardized proficiency assessments and in-depth reflective interviews. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes shaping learner development: evolving orientations toward language learning, the curriculum as a transformative scaffold, emerging professional identities, and growing …

The Mediating Role Of Positive Psychology: Mindfulness And Learner Beliefs In The Russian Language Classroom, Kelly Knickmeier Cummings

Russian Language Journal

Language learning is an inherently emotional process, shaped by both positive and negative experiences that influence the individual difference of learner beliefs. This article explores the mediating role of positive psychology (PP) in second language acquisition (SLA), with a particular focus on mindfulness and its potential to reshape learner beliefs in the Russian language classroom. Drawing on theories such as Seligman’s PERMA model and Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory, as well as evidence-based interventions, the article argues that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) provide practical tools for cultivating positive learner beliefs and inclusive, growth-oriented classroom environments. Examples of MBIs—including practices of noticing, savoring, exploring …

Sustainable Materials And Emotional Durability Correlation In Interior Design, T.A. Hana El-Etr, Prof. Dr. Ola Hashem, Prof. Dr. Dalia M. Ezzat

Journal of Art, Design and Music

This paper studies the relationship between sustainable materials and emotional durability in interior design, within the Egyptian context through the case study: Galleria 40 complex. The concept of sustainability often focuses on ecological responsibility; the emotional impact to how the interior spaces affect long-term users, as well as reducing the consumption of unnecessary materials. Egypt has developed environmental rating systems such as the Green Pyramid and participated in international certifications like LEED, yet the incorporation of cultural identity with user experience in sustainable design remains limited. By tackling a mixed-method approach, involving a public survey and observational study of Galleria …

Properties Of Shape Memory Alloys In Solving Design Problems, Aya Mahmoud Ad-El Gawad Gouda

Journal of Art, Design and Music

Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of materials that possess the ability to return to a predefined shape when subjected to specific thermal or mechanical stimuli. This property, known as the "shape memory effect," arises from the transformation between two phases: the low-temperature martensite phase and the high-temperature austenite phase. SMAs have gained significant attention in various engineering fields, particularly in solving complex design problems that require materials with the ability to undergo reversible deformation. These alloys exhibit exceptional properties such as high strength, elasticity, and the ability to absorb significant amounts of energy, which make them ideal …

Memo Metodológico: Elaboración De La Investigación Titulada “Ser Deseo. El Deseo Femenino Como Abyecto En El Filme Thelma.” [Reporte De Investigación], Ximena Diaz-Santillán, Romano Ponce-Díaz Phd

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

Realizar una tesis de grado siempre constituye un reto, pero también una oportunidad para desarrollar las habilidades y métodos de investigación que serán la base de futuros trabajos. Pese a que, en apariencia, la elección de un filme como objeto de estudio en la licenciatura en Lengua y Literaturas Hispánicas puede resultar extraña, las herramientas adquiridas a lo largo de la formación permiten explorar diversos productos culturales como textos; es decir, se trata de entramados sígnicos que se interrelacionan para generar un sentido dirigido a un público. Si bien existen teorías como la estética de la recepción en la que …

El Estudio Del Arte Contemporáneo Cubano A Través De Cuatro Obras “Apócrifas”: Lo Apócrifo Como Estrategia De Producción De Distorsiones Entre La Realidad Y Lo Ficticio. Un Reporte De Investigación, Laura Magela Garcés Ramírez, Jorge Prieto Terrones

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

Magela Garcés Ramírez's thesis, entitled Between Fiction and Reality. An Approach to the Apocryphal in Contemporary Cuban Art, is a research proposal consisting of four artists, whose common factor is that they discuss the limits of reality and its connection with fiction, with the intention of raising the next questions: What we are seeing?, Is it real?, Is it true?, Is it part of everyday life? The thesis proposes a division of categories to analyze the above: “remix,” “heteronym,” “historical object,” and “simulacrum product.” The document addresses the theorizations, methodologies, background, and selection criteria of artists, namely Jorge Rodríguez …

Role-Playing Game Studies: A Transmedia Approach Por José Pablo Zagal, Y Sebastian Deterding, (Editores). (2018). [Reseña], Cristo Leon, Edgar Meritano

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

"Role-Playing Game Studies: A Transmedia Approach," editado por José P. Zagal y Sebastian Deterding (2018b), es una recopilación exhaustiva del estado actual de la investigación sobre los juegos de rol a través de diversas disciplinas, culturas y medios. El libro traza la historia de los juegos de rol desde sus precursores en los juegos de guerra (wargames) hasta los juegos de mesa (Tabletop), el juego de rol en vivo (live-action role-play), y los juegos de rol contemporáneos de computadora y en línea. Cada capítulo ofrece perspectivas y hallazgos de disciplinas clave como …

Umwelt, Sujetos Transindividuales E Intencionalidad Compartida: Cuerpo, Significación Y Socialidad En La Construcción Del Conocimiento, Juan Carlos González Vidal

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

En este trabajo abordamos, desde el punto de vista semiótico, el vínculo indisoluble que existe entre el cuerpo humano, la significación y la socialidad. Partimos del postulado de que el cuerpo es, desde el nacimiento, una entidad sintiente; luego, una vez adquirida la capacidad de generar procesos semiósicos primarios, empieza a ordenar y a clasificar los estímulos exteriores, hecho en el que se asienta el fundamento de su orientación básica en el entorno. Conforme aumentan sus competencias semiósicas, se incrementan sus capacidades perceptivas y cognitivas que, al ser afirmadas, lo llevan a alcanzar finalmente los más altos grados de socialidad. …

Vuelta Al Camino Del Buitre: La Obra Performativa De Gerardo Faustino Barba A La Luz De Nuevo Material De Archivo, Jorge Prieto Terrones

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

This article aims to expand the study and documentation of a work of art that was thought to exist only one photography. We refer specifically to an untitled artistic action carried out by Gerardo Faustino Barba (1960), an artist from Aguascalientes, who, together with Juan Castañeda (1942), an artist, cultural manager, and photographer from Aguascalientes, conceived the performance, which took place in various streets of the city of Aguascalientes in 1984. This image was shown to the public for the first time in 2014 by Castañeda, who posted it on Twitter (now X). This image was also the starting …

Representación Del Sujeto E Identidad Narrativa En La Cultura Digital Contemporánea: Análisis Hermenéutico De Red Dead Redemption 2, Edgar Francisco Vázquez Martínez He

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

El videojuego, más allá del entretenimiento, se ha consolidado como un objeto de estudio relevante, reflejando y moldeando la cultura contemporánea (Henríquez & Zúñiga, 2017). Su evolución ha generado un campo de investigación donde el sujeto es protagonista, irrumpiendo en el panorama cultural de manera similar a la televisión y el cine en sus respectivas épocas (Jiménez, et al., 2020). Con millones de jugadores a nivel mundial y un mercado en constante crecimiento (Statista, 2023), los videojuegos se han convertido en una forma de consumo cultural significativa.

Teóricos como Frasca (2001), Seraphine (2016), Juul (2013), Bogost (2012) y Eco (1986) …

Registro Del Roleplaying Como Modelador De La Conducta En Situaciones Comunicativas Informales, Ximena Díaz-Santillán

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

En el presente texto se propone explicar que el uso del lenguaje de los juegos de rol, aplicado a la vida cotidiana, tiene implicaciones no solo a nivel discursivo, sino que también influye en la conducta que las personas llevan a cabo en las interacciones, fuera del roleplay, en las que se emplean dichos términos. Con esta finalidad se recurre a la Lingüística Sistémico Funcional propuesta por Michael Halliday (2001), la cual toma como base la semiótica para explicar que la manera en que hablamos —desde el tono de voz hasta la sintaxis empleada— depende de la situación comunicativa en …

From The Pages To The Gaming Table: Designing A Homebrew System To Adapt A Book Series Into A Ttrpg, Ricardo Victoria-Uribe, Nazario Robles-Bastida, Chris Birmingham

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

Adapting media properties, in particular fantasy, science fiction, and horror books, has been a staple of the development of tabletop role-playing games since their inception. Different properties, ranging from Lord of the Rings to Call of Cthulhu and everything in between has been undergoing this process. Developing an indie game based on indie and self-published books can be used as a promoting tool on overlapping audiences, which is the case for the selected book series for this design exercise. This paper has the aim of sharing these developing experiences during the early stages of creating a quick start guide supplement …

Editorial: Jugar, Narrar, Habitar Mundos: Cuerpos Y Ficciones En La Cultura Contemporánea, Romano Ponce-Díaz Phd

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

En este número del Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM (Vol. 4, núm. 2, Noviembre 2025- abril 2026) buscamos situarnos en ese cruce. En los artículos de investigación que aquí se exponen, se observa cómo los sistemas de juego, los universos narrativos, los performance, la mirada artística y las operaciones cognitivas intervienen en la configuración del concepto de sujeto, paisaje y comunidad. Estos artículos no son meras descripciones de objetos culturales; aquí se enuncian procedimientos metodológicos, contigencias operativas y aplicaciones eminentemente prácticas a campos de conocimientos transdisciplinarios.

Journal Of Roleplaying Studies And Steam (Jrpssteam) Vol. 4 [2025], Número 2 (Issue 2), Cristo Leon, Romano Ponce-Díaz Phd, Ivan Avila Gonzalez Phd, James Lipuma Dr., Bruce G. Bukiet, Ricardo Victoria-Uribe, Nazario Robles-Bastida, Chris Birmingham, Ximena Diaz Santillan, Edgar Francisco Vázquez Martínez He, Jorge Prieto Terrones, Juan Carlos C. González Vidal S, Edgar Meritano, Laura Magela Garcés Ramírez

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

En una sesión de juego por medio del registro lingüístico se organiza la escena, se orienta la manera de nombrar las tareas, se distribuyen los roles actanciales, se establecen la expectativas; por lo tanto, se establece una puesta en escena. De tal forma, las prácticas lúdicas y ficcionales se configuran a partir de nuestra mirada del mundo e irremediablemente también reconfiguran esa misma mirada. El ser y el estar en un espacio es la especificidad mediática fundamental de los juegos de rol; dicho de otra manera, en los sistemas de juego de rol dentro de sus universos narrativos, en su …

The 1973 Detroit Teachers' Strike And Its Long-Term Effects On Labor Negotiations, Jacob Staten

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This paper examines the efforts made by Detroit educators in 1973 to secure better wages and smaller class sizes as well as Board of Education decision-making processes in response to budget cuts imposed by the city. Further, this research traces concurrent socio-economic issues that were morphing into political issues, helping define not only the labor struggles of teachers but also reflecting struggles felt by citizens in Detroit and other U.S. industrial cities. This study aims to contribute to research on how local budgets and federal policy have impacted and continue to impact public education nationwide to the present day.

Piracy And Patriotism: The Forces Of Resistance In Viet Nam’S Video Game Industry During The 2000s To The Early 2010s Through The Case Of 7554, Dat Vo

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This paper examines cultural resistance in Viet Nam’s video game industry through the case of 7554, the country’s first indie, first-person shooter. Piracy, normalized by economic hardship and distrust of capitalist systems, both enabled access and undermined domestic creativity. Viet Nam’s shifting intellectual property laws reflected broader balancing between socialist sovereignty and global economic integration. By situating 7554 within Viet Nam’s historical context from colonial resistance to socio-economic reforms, this study argues that piracy functioned not only as economic necessity but also as a decolonial practice shaping cultural sovereignty.

Beyond The Binary: Gender & Space In The Art Of Helen Mcnicoll (1879-1915), Jakira Ahmed

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

In recent art history discourse, scholars have proposed reworking the binarism perpetuated by separate sphere ideology that led to a lack of nuance. This paper situates itself within this renewed framework, using McNicoll’s market scenes which breaks down the rigid dichotomous nature of gendered spaces and confronts how labor and class relations complicate the gender-spatial dynamic. I propose that these images begin to collapse the binaries of the public/private and urban/rural debates, creating more fluid binaries.

“I Thought We Were Past That”: Questioning Coleman Young’S Conflicting Ideologies Of Tough On Crime And Police Reform In Reference To The Malice Green Killing, 1974-1994., Carsen Troub

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This paper seeks to historicize conflicting tough on crime and police reform ideologies of Detroit Mayor Coleman Young. These policies help explain the events that culminated in the killing of Malice Green, as well as police brutality in Detroit. This paper argues that attributing the death of Malice Green to Coleman Young is irresponsible, and further, it is important to understand that Young's tough on crime policies and lack of investment in fundamental police reform played a role in the attitudes that led to the death of Malice Green and many others.

Language Attitudes Towards Drag And The Lgbtq+ As Influenced By American Theater, Kj Myke

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This paper examines the relationship between theatrical drag portrayals and American social perception of LGBTQ+ through an analysis of drag characters in theater. This inquiry discusses whether these portrayals influence language towards LGBTQ+ in American culture. Two cases—Knock ‘Em Dead and Kinky Boots—reveal differing attitudes: one being more stereotypical and inauthentic, while the other offers more authentic nuances to queer experience. Findings indicate that the context in which shows are created heavily influences which language attitudes get adapted by the show and advertised to audiences.

Tiles Of Time And Faith: Pewabic Pottery, Sacred Symbolism, And Gothic Imagery In Religious Architecture, Katie Nabozny

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This research explores the presence and significance of Pewabic tiles in sacred spaces in historic churches. It examines the architects, artistic influences behind the tiles, and thematic connections to religious iconography, including Gothic and astrological symbolism. It emphasizes zodiac symbolism in ecclesiastical settings, linking these designs to historical and cultural traditions across Europe and the United States. Additionally, the study highlights Mary Chase Perry Stratton and her research on religious art, which informed her ceramic works. By analyzing archival materials, site visits, and historical sources, this research deepens understanding of the intersection between Pewabic Pottery, religious architecture, and astronomical symbolism.

Traversing The Internal And External Worlds: An Analysis Of Du Fu’S Use Of Nature Imagery, Arwen Mox

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

Born in 712, the Chinese poet Du Fu lived in the cultural peak of the High Tang and the devastating events and aftermath of the An Lushan Rebellion in 755. This essay explores how Du Fu employs nature imagery as a medium for reflection the internal and external worlds. By tracking the use of this motif across the three major periods of his work as embodied in three different poems, the nuanced shifts in his portrayal of nature and humanity becomes apparent. This essay argues that nature is a versatile medium within Du Fu’s work.

Star Wars And Gender In 1980s America, Melissa Ulmer

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This research paper examines the role of gender in the franchise Star Wars. With the first installment of the trilogy released in 1977, many expected this film would turn out like many before. However, the world that George Lucas created was an instant hit and continues to be today. This paper focuses on how the franchise was set apart from other science fiction films based on a defiance of typical gender roles that were prevalent in the late twentieth century, specifically focusing on the two leading roles, Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, and employing analysis of the films, cast …

The Politics Of Style: How Black Fashion Redefined Identity In The Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1970s), Ava Saleh

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

This paper explores how fashion served as a powerful political tool during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s-70s, tracing its evolution from the polished Sunday Best to the Afro and militant style of the Black Panther Party. By examining respectability politics, the rise of the Black is Beautiful movement, and the Black Panthers’ visual strategies, this research explores how clothing and style reflected shifting approaches to resistance. It argues that Black Americans used fashion to challenge Eurocentric standards, reclaim heritage, and express pride, leaving a legacy of empowerment that continues to influence social movements.

Under The Influence: New York’S Crisis Of Addiction, Exploitation, And Drug Policy Within Depression-Era Films, Simone White

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

During the 1930s, New York City stood at the center of media innovation and cultural influence. It was also the center of the continuing opioid epidemic and a pivotal site for the reception and promotion of addiction films. This article argues that Depression-era films, The Struggle (1931), Narcotic (1933), and Assassin of Youth (1938), reflected economic, political, and moral anxieties surrounding drug abuse. Using National Board of Review records, studio pressbooks, and contemporary periodicals, this study examines how cinematic portrayals of addiction influenced ideologies, criminalized users, and deepened social stigma.

From Prometheus To Pygmalion To Pandora: Teaching Greek Mythology With Frankenstein’S “Dark Brides”, Kyle William Bishop

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

As Mary Shelley unambiguously informs readers on the title page of her 1818 novel Frankenstein, her tale of Victor’s discovery of the secret of non-biological reproduction represents the Promethean myth, a morality tale warning against the usurpation of divine authority. In Shelley’s novel, Victor ultimately recognizes the dangerous path he has discovered, and he refuses to create a female companion for his hideous progeny, risking his own life to protect the world from a potential race of monsters. In the cinematic tradition, however, this unrealized “bride” often has been created, and these fantastic narratives realize the Pygmalion myth, that …

The Impact Of Strategic Social Media Guidelines In Healthcare Communication, Margaret Marie Milka Kouassi

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

This capstone project examines how hospitals can strengthen social media engagement through a structured, research-informed communication guideline. Phase One analyzed randomized hospital social media activity. and found that low engagement was often linked to unclear target audiences, inconsistent messaging, limited planning, and a lack of measurable goals. These results suggested that the issue was not whether hospitals used social media, but how strategically they used it. Phase Two built on these findings by developing and testing a Healthcare Strategic Social Media Guideline. Using applied quantitative design, the study employed two online surveys, administered before and after a two-month implementation period, …

The Feminine Way Of Campaigning: How Female Politicians Navigate Gender Bias, Jordan V. Pruitt

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

Women are rapidly taking over the world of politics, holding more elected positions than ever before. With the increase of women in politics, we begin to question how gender stereotypes and bias affect female politicians. There are numerous studies examining the public's perception of female candidates and how they are framed differently from their male opponents in the media; however, the main objective of this project is to learn how gender affects women’s campaign strategies or public personas, and how this differs from their male counterparts. Through interviews with women in locally elected positions, this study examines these issues through …

Table Of Contents

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

No abstract provided.