Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Balance And Blend: Quality Of Life And Work-Life Balance In Military Reservist Band Directors, Jeremy Ryan White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the research on work-life balance and stress management in various fields and stages of life, the perspectives of music educators serving in the military as part-time reservist musicians have yet to be explored. Teachers with a desire to serve in the military may find the part-time status appealing, as most duties are performed on weekends or during the summer. While there are many benefits to serving one’s country as a reservist, this second career may place added stress on the service members and their families. This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study will gather data via qualitative surveys collected from Military …

A Comparison Of Evangelical And Pentecostal Soteriology To The Bible, Kamia G. Brillon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Soteriology is the study and development of God’s plan to bring mankind back in right standing with Him. Soteriology presents God as the One who delivers humanity from the power of sin through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Human sin is what brought about a need for salvation. Salvation can be seen as a process that involves specific elements. The gospel message reveals how the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ leads to salvation. The New Testament presents faith, repentance, water baptism and reception of the Holy Spirit …

Glitter, Gold, And Glory: The Social, Economic, And Political Legacy Of The Dollar Princesses In Gilded Age Anglo-America, Makayla Elise Talley

Masters Theses

In the late nineteenth century, America and Europe were experiencing drastically different financial situations. While the British aristocracy struggled to maintain their estates and lavish lifestyle due to the repeal of the Corn Laws and agricultural decline, America’s newly self-made men celebrated the expansion of the American frontier, dominating industries and amassing huge fortunes. As a result, the dollar princesses emerged—wealthy American heiresses who married European nobility, stereotypically “trading” money for an aristocratic title and prestige. Many of these transatlantic marriages, however, were actually a result of love or parental/societal force. Through an analysis of the reasons behind the dollar …

A Showman And A Scholar: Bascom Lamar Lunsford And The Preservation Of Traditional Appalachian Music, Benjamin Grist

Masters Theses

Appalachian musical culture is well-known in the modern day. Between old time, bluegrass, country, and clogging, people around the world know and enjoy the musical traditions of the mountains. However, in the 1920s, Appalachian culture was in serious danger of going extinct. A mix of industrialization destroying local economies, an influx of rich outsiders moving to the region, and the people of Appalachia trying to distance themselves from their impoverished lifestyles, traditional Appalachian music and culture was being crushed on one hand and abandoned on the other. Realizing that the region's musical traditions were disappearing, several scholars tried to record …

Fired And Fractured: An Analysis Of Broken Ceramics, Evan Mcguire

Honors Projects

How does the construction of a ceramic object affect how it breaks? How does the force applied affect this break? These questions are based on my first-hand observations of the multitude of ceramic fragments found in different states of decay at archaeological sites. To answer these questions, I created samples that imitate ancient ceramics and then broke them in different ways. I then analyzed the fracture surfaces and looked for evidence of weak points in the objects. Pieces that were hit by a blunt force, such as a hammer, had radial fractures that formed along paths that had clusters of …

The Space Between The Trees: Creative Symbolism In Fantasy, Matthew W. Fenn

Masters Theses

Symbolism points towards absolute truths, while not claiming to be the source of that truth, but rather an expression of it. Utilizing symbolism within writing is a way to convey the author’s faith. One can provide symbolic meaning, but as a Christian with a biblically interpreted outlook, these literary devices can be used as both a voice of good and a reflection of holiness.

Life Immediately After Death, William Berger

Masters Theses

The Bible is the believed, canonical, complete message of God. It teaches morals, values, ethics, virtues, righteousness, truths, and salvation. Every part of life can and should be guided by the words of God for the purpose of accomplishing His final goal. God’s goal for his creation is to achieve through salvation and His grace dwelling with Him in His New Earth and New Heavens. To accomplish this, God created people to be immortal. Within this immortality, death plays an integral part. Because God begins His creation with a defining statement of how it all started, God facilitates an understanding …

Scared Straight: Investigating The Psychological And Moral Dimensions Of Horror, Angelica Martinez

Masters Theses

This research examines the psychological and moral dimensions of the horror genre through qualitative analysis, with particular emphasis on its potential to convey ethical and spiritual meaning. While often dismissed as mere entertainment, horror frequently engages with profound questions of morality, fear, and the human condition. This study argues that horror, especially in its psychological, apocalyptic, and religious forms, serves as a vehicle for moral instruction and reflection. By tracing thematic developments from the 1970s to contemporary expressions of the genre, the research identifies a resurgence of interest in spiritually charged narratives. The findings suggest that horror can play a …

A Modified View Of Unlimited Atonement: An Exegetical Claim From 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, Dillon Cole Delp

Masters Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to uncover the similarities and distinctions between limited and unlimited atonement specifically analyzing which theological perspective was most accurately represented in the text of 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. This research promotes the idea of how unlimited atonement under modified conditions is supported by the text. This modified view is distinct from both Calvinism and Arminianism. This thesis explores various methods for examining the text by using textual, historical, cultural, literal, intertextual, grammatical, and theological analyses. By using this exegetical process, this modified view of unlimited atonement contains the assertion that the death of Jesus Christ …

From Comics To Courage: The Real Life Impact Of Superheroes, Dylan A. Perkins

Masters Theses

Are superheroes good for society? Do fictional stories of heroism have nuggets of applicable truth for the every day, normal citizen? Can it even be a motivation for people who follow religion? All of this and more are explored in this thesis assignment as we examine the history of Marvel and DC Comics and how superheroes have been developed during times of war and uncertainty throughout history. Much of this discourse serves as inspiration for the creative draft which is an original novel excerpt that goes into the life of Jack, a child experiment born with extraordinary abilities set against …

A Deconstruction Of The American Dream Through An Analysis Of 'The Great Gatsby', Juliet Hila Katherine Sage

Masters Theses

This thesis addresses the physiological, social, relational, and spiritual issues associated with materialism through Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. It examines wealth and prosperity, “The American Dream” through Jay Gatsby, and argues that Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship was shaped by Fitzgerald’s personal life experiences. Fitzgerald concludes that financial success and societal achievement cannot replace human connections. Through the character Jay Gatsby, Fitzgerald illustrates that obtaining “The American Dream” does not guarantee success in all areas of one’s life. This paper dives deeper into the psychological, social, and spiritual ramifications of materialistic gain. As a result, the premise of this thesis concludes …

The Prophet Jeremiah As A Type Of Messiah, Jc Cross

Masters Theses

How did Jesus interpret the prophet Jeremiah? Did Jeremiah function as a typological precursor to the Messiah? These questions warrant a renewed scholarly examination. While the book of Jeremiah has been the subject of extensive academic inquiry, particularly its first chapter, little research has focused on the prophet’s personal experiences as a foreshadowing of the Messiah or the textual allusions within the book to a messianic figure. Jesus repeatedly asserted that those well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures should recognize the messianic foreshadowing present in the prophetic texts. Jesus’ disciples reinforce this interpretive framework. While a comprehensive analysis of how all …

Misidentification In A Digital Age: The Ethical Implications And Challenges Of Ai Integration In Scientific Illustration, Bethanie Dian Clawson

Masters Theses

Scientific illustration is a crucial resource in scientific communication, providing visual educational assistance for fields such as science, medicine, and agriculture. This thesis explores the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on scientific illustration and examines the strengths and weaknesses of AI-generated scientific illustration as compared to human-made illustration. Through the analysis of peer-reviewed sources, this study brings awareness to the common issues presented in AI-generated scientific images, explaining the risks associated with professional, research, and public settings.

To address these challenges, research is presented to explain tactics to mediate potential errors associated with AI-generated images, the importance of human intervention …

Yesterday, Today, And Forever: Preserving Traditional Hymns, Randi Martin

Masters Theses

Music plays a vital role in today’s church. Throughout history, Christian songwriters have written hymns that have been passed down through generations of believers. In recent years, contemporary Christian songs have replaced traditional hymns in many churches. While a variety of music styles can be effectively used in worship, the disappearance of the traditional hymn robs churchgoers of the theological depth and timeless truths that live within many of these old hymns. These beautiful, soul-stirring hymns could be forgotten if action isn’t taken to preserve them for future generations of worshipers.

This thesis examines ways to preserve the heritage of …

More Than 9 Lives: Improving Shelter Cat Intake And Adoption Rates, Arthur S. Loomis

Masters Theses

Municipal animal shelters across the United States struggle to properly care for the cats housed in their facilities due to overpopulation. The sheer volume of cats entering shelters greatly outpaces the rate in which they are adopted out, resulting in an immense resource strain that too often results in the euthanasia of millions of shelter cats across the country each year. The enormous influx of cats is largely due to abandonment or considerable populations of feral, stray, or community cats living on the streets. In addition, shelter cat adoptions occur at a much slower pace, with many cats spending months, …

Apologetics And Storytelling In The Lord Of The Rings, Jeffrey R. Ober

Masters Theses

Storytelling has been used for Christian education since the Christian faith first began. The problem is that while storytelling is known as a strong message of communication that has been used throughout the ages; and while it is used by some apologists like C. S. Lewis; there are more opportunities for pastors and others to engage in apologetics and evangelism using storytelling. Christians can use stories to reach others for Christ, just as others throughout history have used stories and storytelling to communicate other traditions and ideas. While this is a good start, there are more opportunities for Christians to …

Strange Bird, James L. Wilson

Masters Theses

Strange Bird is a deeply emotional, character-driven novel about loss, resilience, and the unexpected bonds that heal us. When Camille dies suddenly, her son Malik—an autistic boy navigating a world already challenging to him—is left in the care of those who loved her most but who struggle to fill the void she leaves behind. Margaret, Camille’s fiercely protective mother, and Marcus, Camille’s former partner, battle grief, strained loyalties, and an emerging threat from Malik’s estranged biological father, Daryl.

As Marcus fights to protect Malik's future, hidden truths unravel, testing friendships, family ties, and the meaning of true guardianship. The novel …

A Futurist Exegesis Of Matthew 24:1-42, Kenneth Garcia

Masters Theses

This thesis explores a Futurist exegesis of Matthew 24:1-42, emphasizing its prophetic fulfillment in future events rather than historical or allegorical interpretations. It critiques Preterist and Historicist views, arguing that key elements—including the abomination of desolation, the great tribulation, and the second coming of Christ—remain unfulfilled. By analyzing the text in its historical, grammatical, and theological context, and correlating it with Daniel’s visions and Revelation, this study defends the position that Jesus’ discourse predicts end-times events such as the rise of the Antichrist, the rebuilding of the third temple, and global tribulation. This work affirms the hope of Christ’s imminent …

The Shared Roots And Divergent Paths Of African American Spirituals And Afro-Caribbean Music, Jana Jones

Masters Theses

The resilient perseverance of African culture manifested itself in the music of the diasporic communities of the transatlantic slave trade. This slave trade led slaves to two main areas: North America and the Caribbean. While there were common roots and shared experience of slavery that influenced similar growing musical traditions of African American and Afro-Caribbean music such as rhythmic and melodic elements, over time, their music evolved along distinct paths due to differing social, political and religious contexts. Through a comparative study of lyrical themes, melodic patterns, rhythmic characteristics and cultural functions, this research traces the influence of the African …

Surviving Olympus, Kendra Alexandria Grant

Masters Theses

Pandora has lived with her mother and grandfather always watching the world from a distance for her safety, as her mother told her. Their safety comes to end when Zeus takes them from their home and intends to put them to death, but the kindness of a stranger saves them with the plot of a fake marriage. Follow as Pandora learns to navigate her new world of Olympus in this dystopian society of clones and an impending war.

Vampyres Reimagined, Madison Marie Strand

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the intricate interplay between imagination and reality in fantasy literature, encapsulated within the first ninety pages of my novel, A Ruin of Memories. It is an explorative contribution to the genre, with themes of mental health, loss, and belonging in an environment that morphs reality with the supernatural.

The artist statement serves as a reflective insight into my creative process and personal journey as a writer. It outlines my motivations for crafting A Ruin of Memories, rooted in my desire to paint a picture of spiritual warfare through the lens of vampyres, werewolves, and witches. Through this …

Character Dialogue And How It Works In Cinema, Janet Best

Masters Theses

BEYOND THE DOOR is a psychological thriller screenplay about an abandoned house and two sixth-grade girls with a shared trauma.

A Phenomenological Study On The Effects Of Graded Performance Evaluations On The Longterm Musical Engagement Of Students In Malaysia, Qianxi Lim

Masters Theses

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study aimed to research the effects of graded examinations, such as the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Trinity, on the musical engagement of students who have taken private music lessons. Graded examinations are widely used in Malaysian private music studios, and most music teachers and students use the examinations as the primary source for music education. Participants shared their demographics, experience with graded examinations and private music lessons, and current musical engagement through an online questionnaire on Google Forms. Eight Malaysians who have taken private music lessons and graded examinations were …

The Influence Of Paint, Kaylyn Dunn

Masters Theses

This thesis is made up of multiple essays aimed at examining the relationship between identity, craft, and narrative development. It emphasizes how societal expectations affect self-worth, personal happiness, and identity development. It combines literary, sociological, and Christian viewpoints to highlight the significance of portraying complex and diverse individuals to reflect on the relational nature of identity. This thesis also provides a thorough analysis of theoretical frameworks and practical methodologies for creating compelling characters. By examining psychological models, sociocultural influences, conflict, voice, and genre-specific techniques, it demonstrates how complex character creation enhances narrative. The culmination of this thesis, a novel called …

Science And The Humanities: Are They Two Polar Entities?, Elizabeth Mckenna Silvey

Masters Theses

Science and the humanities are often perceived as being separate entities. In academic settings, there is little to no overlap in these courses of study. One can obtain a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree, but there are no academic majors that allow for the study of both the humanities and the sciences. Despite the seemingly different courses of study, it is through careful examination of literature and thoroughly delving into pieces of literature in order to excavate the meaning and purpose behind the work, that one is able to see the distinct connections between the two …

Waffles And Spaghetti: The Effects Of Cognitive Processing Methods On Team Performance And Communication, Jonah Daniel Browning

Masters Theses

The goal of this thesis is to shed light on a practical method for resolving conflicts in team environments that stem from miscommunications brought on by differing cognitive processes. Our brains use different cognitive processing techniques to make sense of and explore the vast amount of information the world presents them on a daily, even hourly basis. Each person has their own thinking style which influences how teams collaborate and problem solve. However, miscommunication can often arise when individuals fail to recognize and adapt to the varying processing methods, which can lead to frustration and inefficiency.

This research seeks to …

The Development Of Cosmological Theories And Their Correlation With Biblical Scripture In Ancient Times, Margaret A. Burcie

Masters Theses

Agnostics and astronomical researchers like Harlow Shapley's contributions to cosmology, specifically his recalibration of the Milky Way and the discovery of its true structure and size, marked an important moment in individuals’ understanding of the universe.”1 These theorists have redefined humanity's place in the cosmos by accentuating empirical observations over religious theories, laying the groundwork for modern cosmology while simultaneously reigniting the age-old debate about the universe's origin. “Theories may crumble, but good observations never fade,”2 accentuate the lifelong importance of scientific research.

This paper focuses on the relationship between the development of cosmological theories and biblical interpretations; these will …

Little Disciples: Providing At Home Christian Educational Resources To Parents For Their Children’S Spiritual Growth, Samantha Hatfield

Masters Theses

It has always been difficult to keep young people attending church after they reach the freedom of adulthood, but their absence continued to grow with each generation. It is hard to prove whether their decline in attendance is due to lack of spiritual formation in younger years or just the changing of the times is hard to prove, but it can be inferred that more training and honest conversations in earlier years would positively affect this statistic as well as the spiritual wellbeing of future generations. Since the most formative years of children based on brain development are between ages …

Into The Shadows In Context: A Personal Writing Philosophy, The Fantasy Tradition, And A Novella, Genevieve Mumford

Masters Theses

It is important for the aspiring fantasy novelist to consider why he or she writes. Some personal motivations for writing include the desire to glorify God by mirroring His creativity, utilizing one’s talents, reflecting the Gospel of Christ, creating quality art, and providing clean entertainment. Christian authors should be free to pursue whatever type of writing they wish, knowing that when they focus on the story first, the message will flow into it naturally. In addition, fantasy novelists should study key works in this genre. Fantasy stories generally include otherworldly settings, magic, and the victory of good over evil. J. …

Bringing Light To The Knowledge Gap Regarding Menopause Symptoms And Hormone Therapy, Jayme Kendall

Masters Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to raise awareness about the knowledge gap regarding many common menopause symptoms and the positive impact of hormone therapy (HT), a.k.a. hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and menopause hormone treatment (MHT).

Methods: An initial review of current literature is useful for identifying relevant professional resources of knowledge and understanding the problem. Further, analyses of The Menopause Society, the 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, and Dr. Mary Claire Haver's work shed light on the problem and provide insights to help build a successful educational campaign. Additionally, visual analyses of "When to Try Hormone Therapy," …