Arts and Humanities Commons^™

The Post-Millennial French Colonial Empire, Chase Plante

Graduate Research Conference (GSIS)

The French Colonial Empire of the Age of Imperialism was born in the apocalyptic fires of a millennial movement: the French Revolution of 1789. Millennial movements aspire to rapidly, often violently, achieve utopia by transforming their contexts. Revolutionary France went to war to liberate the world from tyranny and so began both French nationalism and the resurged French colonial empire. The crusade failed, but nationalism and imperial expansion remained. The French genuinely believed that, in their imperial and colonial expansion and domination, they were bringing the world closer to utopia. Assimilation, linguistic and cultural, was a key part of this. …

Peace Engagement And Non-Negotiable Commitment Through An In-Depth Lens (P.E.N.C.I.L) Theory: A Film Perspective On Un’S Conflict Resolution, Edward Moses Sam Selvaraj

Graduate Research Conference (GSIS)

This paper introduces the P.E.N.C.I.L. Theory—Peace Engagement and Non-negotiable Commitment through an In-depth Lens—as a metaphorical and analytical framework for understanding the United Nations Security Council’s role in conflict resolution. Using the symbolic structure of a pencil, the theory critiques the Council’s decision-making power ("the lead") and its human consequences ("the eraser"), highlighting how failures in peacekeeping and diplomacy disproportionately affect civilian populations. Drawing on constructivist theory, the paper argues that norms and social narratives, especially those shaped by cinema, are critical in holding international institutions accountable. Through close analysis of films such as Hotel Rwanda, Sometimes in April, and …

Bro. Henderson White

African American Funeral Programs

Bro_Hernderson_White.pdf - Funeral program for Henderson White

2024-2025 Performance Forum - March 21, 2025, Jenna Salliman, Jeremy Jefferson, Sheng Yuan Kuan, Yian Liu, Victoria Bramble, Brooke Gunter, Christian Curran, Roey Dushi

Performance Forum

No abstract provided.

Bridge Over Troubled Water: Crossing The Bridge Between Biblical Confession And Pastoral Practice Regarding Divorce And Remarriage In Unie-Abc Congregations, Marco H. Kälin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Quite a few pastoral workers within the Unie-ABC perceive a discordance between their churches’ biblical-theological confessions regarding divorce and remarriage and the pastoral practice in which they minister. This could induce tension in which a pastoral worker’s counsel is constrained by the church’s biblical position on these issues. In order to diminish that gap, the purpose of this action research project is to implement a redesigned biblical-theological framework regarding divorce and remarriage in training seminars for Unie-ABC pastoral counselors. The project utilized quantitative data collected through email responses and documents provided by Unie-ABC congregations. In addition, qualitative data was developed …

Racism And The African American Church: The Impact That Racial Discrimination Has On The Theology Of African American Churches, Naeem J. Bourne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The theology of the earlier evangelicals (white theology) has influenced the African American church. More to the point, the theology of the white evangelicals (The Puritans) has had both positive and negative impacts on the African American church, which birthed black theology in the United States. The influence continues today in more subtle ways (e.g., an image of a European blue-eyed man imposter posing as Jesus) and not-so-subtle forms (e.g., Kenneth Copeland’s video of making light of slavery in America). The “Protestant icon” of the blue-eyed Jesus was born in the 1940s and has entered African American homes nationwide. The …

Building Unity Between Coeur D’Alene Bible Church And Summit Christian Academy Communities Through Leadership Engagement Groups, Nathan T. Duncan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Western church must model unity to its congregation and the local community as part of the battle against the growing cultural focus on individualism. The purpose of this action research project was to develop and build unity between Coeur d'Alene Bible Church (CBC) and Summit Christian Academy (SCA) by utilizing Leadership Engagement Groups (LEGs). LEGs consisted of individuals from the leadership team of each ministry, five from CBC and four from SCA. They met for five weeks to pray, examine biblical unity, and discuss how they can practically assist the other ministry in their ministry goals. Questionnaires, which measured …

The Resurrection According To Luke: The Meaning And Significance Of Pneumatology In Luke’S Resurrection Theology, Ryan R. Jacobs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The aim of this study, then, is to demonstrate the meaning and significance of Pneumatology in Luke’s resurrection theology based on the following: a) Luke’s “it is written” qualifier of the third-day resurrection, and his description of the Spirit’s activity upon the virgin Mary in his birth narrative, connect Luke with the Spirit’s activity in the creation narrative and nascent resurrection themes in Scripture; b) Luke’s use of the three-fold identity for the son of God (Jesus, Christ, and Lord) and the centrality of Peter’s Pentecost sermon for Luke wherein the resurrection confirmed this identity and enabled Jesus to pour …

How Spanish Seventh-Day Adventists Respond To A Discipleship Characteristics Training Program, Victor N. Rodriguez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The current condition of the local church reflects a problem that concerns many churches in North America: There is a lack of understanding regarding the meaning of discipleship. The local church needs to recover a sense of biblical discipleship to execute the Great Commission and make disciples who make disciples. The purpose of this DMIN action research project was to understand how members of Olympia Spanish Seventh-Day Adventist Church would respond to a discipleship characteristics training program (DCTP). This research project used a mixed method approach to collect and analyze data from 16 participants and 16 members of a control …

Evaluating The Impact Of The Scottish Enlightenment On The Formation Of The United States Government, Lene Carroll

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

To what extent did the Scottish Enlightenment impact the founding of the United States government? This dissertation begins to answer the question by first acknowledging that the Scottish Enlightenment as an independent branch of the overarching intellectual movement separate from both the British and the French. Scottish Enlightenment theories were not only relegated to the capital, but instead, would spread throughout the cities and towns to encourage a community involvement in the growth of new ideas. Some key theories attributed to the Scottish Enlightenment are the Stadial Theory, Ideal Theory, Common-Sense Philosophy, and most well-known, Moral Philosophy. Tracing the ideological …

A Phenomenological Study: Leading The Next Generation Of Executive Nurse Leaders Using Biblical Principles, Patricia A. Willie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Understanding retirement requires getting inside people’s stories, and qualitative research is well-suited to address retirees' more profound lived experiences (Amabile, 2019). This qualitative study uses a phenomenological transcendental method to describe the retired nurse executive's leadership development competency and experiences mentoring emerging nurse leaders using biblical principles such as compassion, caring, serving, and spirituality. For this study, retired executive nurse leaders are defined as those who have served in an acute care hospital's formal executive leadership position and retired less than ten years ago. Leadership development competency is defined as a composite of top leadership principles, biblical principles, mentoring experiences, …

The Effects Of Reading Comprehension Intervention For Dyslexia, Amber L. Coggin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A quantitative study was performed to determine if Lindamood-Bell Reading Intervention had an effect on the self-concept, anxiety levels, and depression levels of individuals diagnosed with dyslexia. This quantitative study was also conducted to determine if a person’s age had an effect on the ability to learn coping mechanisms for dyslexia. Thirty-three participants, ranging in age from 7 to17 years-old were selected to participate in the study. All participants had a formal diagnosis of dyslexia and had not obtained the Lindamood-Bell Reading Intervention prior to participating in the study. The participants were divided into three age groups. Each participant completed …

Defeated By Victory: The Modern United States Navy In Retrospect, Nathaniel E. Whitten

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the transformation of the United States Navy from the world’s largest and most powerful sea force in the history of the world in 1990 to a shell of its former self in only thirty years. The funding the Department of the Navy received during the Cold War to fight the Soviet threat all but dried up and as a result, policy was altered to face the new fiscal reality. A smaller, more agile, and flexible force was envisioned to fill a support role by projecting power ashore rather than fighting on the open ocean with a peer …

Restoring The Restoration: Sidney Rigdon And The American Quest For Primitive Christianity, Bradley Alan Hart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation offers a comprehensive historical analysis of Sidney Rigdon and his contributions to the religious movement known as Restorationism, which gained significant momentum in early nineteenth century America. Often overshadowed by figures such as Joseph Smith and Alexander Campbell, Rigdon’s role as a theological innovator and leader has been marginalized by both his contemporaries and by historians of American religion. This work seeks to reposition Rigdon as a central figure, not only within the Mormon tradition but across a broader spectrum of Restorationist faiths that emerged during this period. Restorationism, while commonly associated with the Stone/Campbell movement and Mormonism, …

The Impact Of A Biblically Based Marriage Boot Camp Program: Effective Or Not, Wanda Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The goal of this Doctor of Ministry thesis project, entitled The Impact of a Biblical Marriage Boot Camp: Effective or Not, was to explore the effectiveness of the biblically based Marriage Boot Camp program offered by Victorious Praise Fellowship Church which aims to strengthen African American marriages. The project addressed a significant concern about marriage relationship within a church congregation and the broader community and the need for practical, faith-centered tools and teachings to support marital satisfaction and longevity in the African American community. Through interviews, observations, and analysis, the project discussed specific areas in the Marriage Boot Camp program …

A Comparison Of Two Worship Education Programs And The Relative Effectiveness Of Preparing Worship Leaders For The 21st Century Evangelical Church, John Dawson Kinchen Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines and compares the worship leadership programs at Liberty University and Union University, focusing on their curriculum design, development, and effectiveness in preparing worship leaders for the 21st-century modern evangelical church. Utilizing a multiple-case study methodology, the research traces the historical development of these programs, evaluates their curricular frameworks, and analyzes their alignment with the standards set by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The study identifies shared core learning competencies, including music theory, conducting, ensemble participation, and theological understanding, while highlighting unique strengths in each program's approach.

Liberty University’s curriculum emphasizes contemporary worship practices, integrating …

“What Do You Want?!”: Black Messianic Masculinity In Netflix’S Last Chance U: Basketball, Linsay M. Cramer, Andrew R. Donofrio

Communication, Media, and Culture

Focusing on Netflix’s Last Chance U: Basketball (LCUB) 2021–2022 docuseries, we interrogate how LCUB’s filmmakers frame the East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Huskies men’s basketball team’s performances of Black masculinity. At the intersections of race, gender, and class, we explore how LCUB’s storytelling invites its viewers to take a “good news” missionary orientation toward Black players and coaches and how that orientation contributes to a rhetorical economy of whiteness. The missionary orientation includes plotlines, religious motifs, and character arcs that work to veil the past and present structural inequalities that traumatize Black men in American society; further, the missionary orientation …

Lived Experiences Of Clinicians Who Support African American Men In Treatment Programs For Opioid Use Disorder In Georgia, Christian Ann Paige

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) among African American men in Georgia has risen significantly, highlighting the need for specialized clinical approaches. Clinicians face complex challenges in delivering effective treatment and support. This qualitative interpretive phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of clinicians working with African American men in OUD treatment programs in Georgia. Grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, the study utilized semistructured interviews with eleven clinicians. Four key themes emerged from the analysis: (a) barriers to treatment, as stigma and systemic inequities hinder engagement; (b) cultural competency challenges, as clinicians strive to provide care that aligns with clients’ …

Escaping Eden, Leslie Walker

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the world of Eden, Hell, and Heaven through the eyes of the young protagonist, Sage. She completes a journey through many different trials, suffering multiple injuries as she slowly pieces together that the ruler of Hell is her brother, Bryce. Sage is greeted by numerous characters such as Adler and Evelyn, along with other souls in Hell. Sage eventually finds herself back near Heaven’s gates after her trek through the underworld, but something feels different. Her brother ultimately tricks her into believing that she has made it out alive, but he never allowed her to leave the …

From Farm To Friend: Fostering Compassion Toward Farmed Animals Through Design, Natalie Kosmos

University Honors Theses

This thesis explores how human compassion for farmed animals can be fostered through design. By analyzing the existing language, imagery, and social norms surrounding animal commodification, the research highlights the root of the issue: how humans perceive farmed animals in relation to themselves. Understanding how humans view and think about farmed animals is important for creating a message that disrupts these existing norms. The culmination of this thesis is a campaign, "From Farm to Friend" which is designed to be approachable and informative, encouraging the audience to have compassion for farmed animals and change their perception, from farm--to friend.

The Lived Experiences Of Residents Of Casablanca, Morocco, And Their Exposure To Jihad In The Belgium Consulate Bombing : A Phenomenological Study, Idriss Bensassi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined if Casablancans believed violent Jihad had influenced terrorist activities inside Morocco by looking at the term Jihad from both cultural and religious in a historical context and the effect of both concepts on the residents of Casablanca. The study described the transformation of Jihad from its true spiritual meaning to its attraction to terror. Three research questions guided this study: (1) What are residents’ lived experiences of the Belgium Consulate terrorist attack in Casablanca in shaping their understanding of Islam and Jihads? (2) How do the experiences and exposure of residents of the Belgium Consulate terrorist attack …

The Impact Of Religious Music On Psychological Well-Being: A Survey Study Of Chinese Christians In Hong Kong Churches, Ka Man Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This cross-sectional survey investigates the relationship between listening to religious music and psychological well-being among Chinese Christians in Hong Kong, addressing a critical gap in Asian studies. Data were collected from 243 participants through a survey comprising demographic questions, music-listening habits (weekly frequency, average duration, and music era preference), and the 24-item Chinese Ryff Psychological Well-being Scale. Multiple linear regression and ANOVA analyses reveal that the average duration of listening to religious music positively associates with overall psychological well-being and its six dimensions, while frequency shows a negative relationship. Traditional religious music (composed in or before 1980) is associated with …

Addressing Church Retention In A Post-Christian Age: A Multi-Faceted Approach, Lawrence Kendall Gurley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Declining and shuttered churches in America have become the norm in the past several decades. Congregations and church organizations have witnessed a steep decline while the average age of members and clergy continues to rise. Interventionist efforts to alter the calculus of these trends have been underway for many years in both mainstream and evangelical circles. Only recently have Pentecostal organizations begun to address this decline. The research shows that church decline and attrition, although pervasive, are not inevitable but require concerted and sustained efforts to restore health and a sense of mission to local churches. This dissertation builds on …

The Lived Experiences Of Mothers Leaving The Fundamentalist Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints: A Phenomenological Approach, Natasha Tebbs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to provide a holistic understanding of the lived experiences of mothers who leave the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). This study answered questions related to familial relationships, career and financial experiences, and overall mental health and well-being associated with leaving the FLDS Church. The theory guiding this study was Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, as it related to understanding the complexities of leaving a high-demand religious group. There was a lack of academic literature available on this population, specifically FLDS mothers’ experiences leaving the cultural and religious group. …

Wind Symphony Chamber Players: March 21, 2025, Anthony C. Marinello Iii, F. Mack Wood, Colby Powers

School of Music Programs

Center for the Performing Arts

March 21st, 2025

Friday Evening

8:00 p.m.

Tell Them We Were Bees, Diamond L. Garrett

Masters Theses

Tell Them We Were Bees is composed of 55 poems. The thesis uses different poetic forms and a variety of literary and rhetoric devices to facilitate the imagery of bees including but not limited to their functions and how they are perceived. The symbolism of bees and nature used throughout in analogies and metaphors represent the experiences of African Americans and women in the society and culture of the United States. The thesis will draw on aspects of racism: such as the system that continues to uplift racism, micro aggressive experiences, internalized racism, colorism, hate crimes, and other personal experiences …

Exploring The Concept Of Eternal Security In The Primitive Church Of Orlando, Fl, Evelyne Petion Laroque

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explores the concept of eternal security in the Primitive Church of Orlando, Florida. The purpose is to accede to a genuine guarantee of eternal life. The Primitive Church of Orlando, Florida, may not understand the concept of eternal security, but the fault may not be entirely theirs. Theologians and believers have debated eternal security for centuries, with some advocating for “Once saved, always saved.” Moreover, others emphasize assurance of salvation. It is unclear how this ongoing argument serves God’s redemptive purpose for His Church. Still, it continues to frustrate believers’ spiritual formation worldwide. This study presents findings on …

Reading Sound: Freedom And Constraint Within Music Media Designs, Aaron Lohmeyer

CLASP Lecture Series

Dr. Lohmeyer’s presentation explores how emerging media designs (such as the phonograph) gave way to new musical practices in the 20th-century and beyond. The literacies emerging from various new media designs changed our orientation to music as technology shifted how sound would be represented, recorded, and transmitted by and for people. Dr. Lohmeyer’s talk examines how “the act of reading sound presents both freedoms and constraints for the reader” and carry important implications for self-expression and democracy.

The Age Of Disclosure, Dereck Daschke

Journal of Religion & Film

This is a film review of The Age of Disclosure (2025), directed by Dan Farah.

Concert Intime

Dance Programs

No abstract provided.