Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Where Do Babies Come From?, Marcio Luis Ferreira Nascimento

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

According to European folklore, popularized by a fairy tale, storks are responsible for bringing babies to new parents. This probably came from observation in certain European countries, such as Norway, Netherlands or Germany, that storks nesting on the roofs of households were believed to bring good luck, as the possibility of new births. People love stories, but correlation simply means that there is a relationship between two factors that tells nothing about the direction of said relationship, if any. Another possibility is simple coincidence. Let us say that it’s possible that one factor causes another. It’s also possible that the …

A Classification Of Musical Scales Using Binary Sequences, Thomas Hillen

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Every beginning music student has gone through the four main musical scales: major, natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor. And some might wonder, why those four and not five, or six, or just three? Here we show that a mathematical classification can be used to identify these scales as representatives of certain scale families. Moreover, the classification reveals another scale family, which is much less known: the harmonic major scale. We find that each scale family contains exactly seven scales, which include the modes (dorian, phrygian,...) and other scales such as the Romanian, …

From A Doodle To A Theorem: A Case Study In Mathematical Discovery, Juan FernáNdez GonzáLez, Dirk Schlimm

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

We present some aspects of the genesis of a geometric construction, which can be carried out with compass and straightedge, from the original idea to the published version (Fernández González 2016). The Midpoint Path Construction makes it possible to multiply the length of a line segment by a rational number between 0 and 1 by constructing only midpoints and a straight line. In the form of an interview, we explore the context and narrative behind the discovery, with first-hand insights by its author. Finally, we discuss some general aspects of this case study in the context of philosophy of mathematical …

Where Does Mathematics Come From? Really, Where?, Mark Huber, Gizem Karaali

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

No abstract provided.

The Liminal Church: Why Navigating Thresholds Between Us Leads To Thriving, Andrew Hale

Doctor of Leadership

Through the discovery, design, and delivery stages of the doctoral project, I centered my work on the following NPO: Churches can thrive when they understand, navigate, and leverage the liminality existing between people, the community, and where God is leading. Despite the myriad of different contexts among local churches, whether polity, worship style, belief statements, and geographical locality, congregations are still composed of people living in relationship to one another and the community around them. Relationships, no matter their nature, are complicated. For the relationships within a local church to thrive, they require intentionality, coaching, effort, openness, and vulnerability. My …

Red, White, Blue & Black: A Phenomenological Analysis Of The African American Officer Experience Of Mentorship In The California Army National Guard, Larry B. Rankin Ii

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological analysis is to explore the perception of mentorship through the experiences of African American Officers (in the ranks of O-4 and above), as it relates to their retention in the California Army National Guard.

Methodology: For this study, a qualitative design was used to conduct research to identify and describe the perception of mentorship through the experiences of African American Officers. The sample was composed of five African-American officers (rank O-4 and above) still serving in the California Army National Guard.

Findings: Analysis of the data collected from 10 semi structured interview questions …

Notes From The Editor

Research & Issues in Music Education

No abstract provided.

Klavar: From Tablature To Comprehensive Music Notation System, E. Joop Van Zoelen

Research & Issues in Music Education

Music students often encounter problems in reading sheet music, because of the complexity of Traditional Music Notation (TMN). Klavar is an alternative music notation system that is simple, intuitive, and easy to learn. Thousands of compositions from many composers are available in Klavar. In its original form, Klavar can be considered as tablature for keyboard instruments. The present paper compares advantages and disadvantages of Klavar and TMN. Subsequently, the author proposes an innovative extension of the Klavar music notation, such that enharmonic notes can be discriminated, and harmonic and melodic lines can be identified. The resulting Klavar20 notation is complete, …

Making Good Doctors: The Ama’S Code Of Ethics And A Culture Of Virtue, John Howard Hassmann

Honors Theses

The American Medical Association’s (AMA) Code of Medical Ethics consists of principles that ensure the legal sanctity and professional conduct of practicing physicians. These principles outline imperatives for physicians “primarily for the benefit of the patient. But a physician can be terrible without violating the AMA’s Code of Medical Ethics. Although the AMA’s code ought not be forsaken or replaced, any code of ethics cannot make its adherents good. Physicians cannot become good following a code that neglects to address the delicacy of good habits. Further, a topical, crisis-management approach to ethical training stifles physicians whose ethical goals transcend lawfulness …

Kingdom Economy Found In A Cup And On A Mat, Nicole J. Richardson

Doctor of Leadership

My NPO is: Churches struggle being relevant forces but could become restorative and thriving communities by rethinking traditional approaches to ecclesiology through reframing Biblical koinonia, mission, and worship. Curating a well-balanced “third space” that offers opportunities for people to engage in their spiritual pilgrimage will fill a void in our context. Additionally, it will offer the universal church another way to nurture community, define worship, and practice relational mission daily through radical hospitality. I serve a Presbyterian Church in North Carolina. The focus is to serve an 8-mile radius in the Piedmont Triad area focusing on the Nones and Dones …

White Supremacy And The Major Scale: Reframing Narratives To Teach The Blues, Improvise, And Check In With Students, John B. Bass Iii

Research & Issues in Music Education

Increasing diversity and equity in secondary and college music programs is a common thread in the scholarship across disciplines in the field. While crucial work is being done to decolonize curricula broadly, students often express difficulty relating to formal music study and teachers struggle to balance desires to diversify repertoire and incorporate alternative pedagogical strategies with their own training. Narratives of white supremacy and music have intersected for over 400 years, but the effect goes beyond the composers and pieces we choose to program or teach. It influences foundational concepts of theory, tuning, and even what notes are (the major …

Music Education Majors And Mental Health: A Follow-Up Study, Philip D. Payne

Research & Issues in Music Education

Music education majors across the United States (N = 1029) self-reported indicators of depression, anxiety, personality, and stress. According to the results, music education majors are highly busy, and report elevated levels of stress as compared to their peers. Semester enrollment averages include: 18.5 hours (including 0 credit courses) a semester, rehearsing an average of 9.08 hours a week, and a majority of whom work an average of 13-15 hours a week all while reporting high perceived stress levels. Furthermore, 74% of respondents required additional screening on the DSM-V for depression with over 70% exhibiting symptoms of moderate or severe …

Exploring Your Ancestry Through Postcards, Sara Anne Hook

Graduate Scholarship and Professional Work

No abstract provided.

Cliff Pelloni: The King At Burger King, University Libraries

East Campus Oral Histories

WMU Alum Cliff Pelloni meets virtually via Google Meet with Cassie Kotrch to discuss his time on East Campus as a student at Western. He also describes the time he won Homecoming King.

Liberated Voices An Online Course In Speaking Up, Seth J. Thomas

Doctor of Ministry

NPO Statement: The white church and its leaders have demonstrated postures of silence and privilege, which need to be lovingly disrupted to leverage and encourage the liberative witness at the heart of the biblical narrative.

Key Insights: Faith leaders from the white church are hungry for resources that encourage them to participate in the struggles for social justice in this present era of ministry. Many desire to speak the truth with love but need encouragement and permission to leverage that witness they find in the scriptures. The liberation theology tradition offers excellent historical and present examples of God’s preferential option …

Facing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus Through Art, Imagery, And Imagination, Julie Schendel

Doctor of Ministry

In this Project Portfolio, I will address the following NPO: Christians have a limited understanding of the nature and character of Jesus due to the whitewashed imagery and artwork many American churches portray. Much of the historical artwork shows Jesus with Caucasian or European features that are relatable only to a certain demographic, leaving many minority groups excluded. The overall key insights from my research are twofold: First, a lot of modern artworks that share broader expressions of Jesus are still relatively inaccessible due to licensing fees and limited audiences. Second, most churchgoers have never been encouraged to question the …

Thriving Pastors Cohort: Expanding Capacity For Lifelong Ministry, Michael Spivey

Doctor of Ministry

Assemblies of God pastors can expand their capacity for lifelong thriving by avoiding or recovering from ministry fatigue or burnout. The key insights that emerged from my research are as such: 1) Ministers are a vulnerable and largely self-isolating group who need a mechanism for spiritual growth and companionship. 2) There is already good work being accomplished in this arena, but pastoral thriving can be further nuanced and presented in a non-threatening and life-giving way. 3) There is not a singular way to accomplish the task of assisting ministers to engage in ongoing spiritual advancement. The cohort is but one …

Healing Through Homecoming Rediscovering The Hospitality Of Jesus As The Mission Tone Of The Church, W. Matthew Rice

Doctor of Ministry

This Project Portfolio addresses the following NPO: In an increasingly hostile culture, there is an opportunity to incarnate the hospitality of Jesus to a world in need of God’s embrace; in doing so, the Church will rediscover and release the mission tone of Jesus, a kindness that heals as it welcomes people home and leads to Spirit-empowered turns. The key insight of my research is that the coming of Jesus is the ultimate expression of ancient hospitality, and when God’s kindness permeates the mission tone of a church, it creates an environment where the gospel is heard, the Spirit’s power …

Sol's Porch: Seeking A More Unified Church In A Divisive Culture, Kevin Miller

Doctor of Ministry

In this project portfolio, I will address the following NPO: The fragmented church has countless interpretations of truth caused by tribal fear, which has created ongoing divisions and a longing for control. If unified in Jesus, we could see radical inclusivity in future generations. The key finding in my research revealed the unifying power of Jesus being the ultimate authority of our faith, Bible readings, and Christian practice. I have seen the prevalent church fragments in America and in my current context as a missionary in Toulouse, France. I believe the power of story and metaphor can play a part …

Early Church History: Inspiring And Educating The Faith Of Millennials, Troy Rappold

Doctor of Ministry

This Project’s NPO is: Evangelical Millennial Jesus-followers will be nurtured and inspired in their faith by learning from the experience of the Early Church. A key insight from the research is that Christians in the Millennial Generation (born between 1980 and 1996) are interested in Church history but they do not have the time nor the inclination to read textbooks explaining a subject that covers two thousand years. Research further attests to lower attention spans among Millennials compared to older generations. Therefore, this project’s ambition is to make Early Church history accessible, relevant, and hopefully a source of spiritual renewal …

Sanctified; A Formational Hermeneutic Of The Sanctuary In Seven Reflections, Miguel Mendez

Doctor of Ministry

The initial impetus for the project was to produce a hermeneutical approach that would privilege diversity within the Adventist church. The NPO as initially envisioned was directed to church leadership; the foci however shifted toward a local congregation as it dealt with denominational pressure and internal conflict. The notion of a heavenly Sanctuary that serves as a replica of the Earthly tabernacle looms large in Adventism, it remains foundational to the denomination’s understanding of eschatology, ecclesiology, and missiology. Adventism espouses the belief that Jesus has been ministering in this heavenly Sanctuary since October 22, 1844. This unique understanding of Christ’s …

Place Informs Posture: Developing A Model Of Spatial Lectio Divina For Under-Resourced African Christian Leaders, Chris Kamalski

Doctor of Ministry

NPO DESCRIPTION: How can a small, covenanted, safe community of African Christian leaders grow into the most transformative environment for a person to be formed and empowered holistically?

KEY RESEARCH INSIGHTS: 1. ‘Place informs posture.’ A Christian leader’s socio-cultural position frames their perspective on – and opportunities to receive – ongoing spiritual formation and leadership development. To empower under-resourced Christian leaders ministering in an environment of survival, formation must grow from acknowledging this reality. 2. ‘Leaders thrive deeply in safe cohort communities of their peers.’ A ‘third’ space where leaders can grow in community without fear of becoming spiritually unhealthy …

Built To Last: An In-Depth Look At The Multisite Church And Ministry Succession, Scott R. Jones

Doctor of Ministry

The multisite church model is a movement that, by all indications, is here to stay. According to Portable Church Industries, there are only twelve single-campus churches listed among the top 100 largest churches in the United States. If multi-site churches were a Protestant denomination, they’d be the fourth largest. 1 The NPO addressed is: Multisite churches are predominantly first generation with personality centric leadership, needing intentionality for sustainability and succession. I serve as lead pastor of Grace Church – a non-denominational church with four campuses in the Houston area. I am in my 28th year of tenure. We transitioned to …

Mteule: A Program Of Healing And Spiritual Growth, Kathy Ham

Doctor of Ministry

Mteule is a one-year program of Spiritual Formation designed for the camp mentors of Angaza Discovery Camp and other staff members of Missions of Hope International (MOHI). Mteule means ‘set apart’ in Swahili. Mteule was developed to address the following need, problem, or opportunity: Camp mentors and other staff from the Mathare Valley come with their own experiences of trauma and can be lacking the capacity to maturely minister to traumatized children. MOHI is a Christian non-profit providing spiritual development, education, physical well-being, and sustainability training/micro-finance opportunities to those living in abject poverty in Kenya. MOHI currently has 31 Hope …

Religion: A Repertoire Of Earth Ethics – A Study On The Ecospiritual Dimensions In Refuge: An Unnatural History Of Family And Place By Terry Tempest Williams, Nissi Karunya Ms., Shanthi K. Dr.

Between the Species

Ecological crisis, a contemporary reality has triggered a paradigm shift in human thinking and discourse. Greening of religion is a novel approach to the interpretation of religious literature. The purpose of this study is to identify how literature reflects religious ethics centred on ecology and it brings out perspectives of religion regarding environmental conservation. Through a close reading of the literary text Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place by Terry Tempest Williams, this paper aims to validate how the ecological ethics of religions can be a solution to environmental crisis and how this ecological reformation in spirituality should …

April Nachtigal, Sledding And Views From Prospect Hill, University Libraries

East Campus Oral Histories

WMU alum April Nachtigal meets with Cassie Kotrch virtually to share some stories and memories from her time as a psych student on East Campus.

Wench, Witch, Wife, Widow: The Power Of Address Terms In The Witch Of Edmonton, Laura Kolb

Publications and Research

This chapter explores address terms and their power to shape social reality, especially for women and the socially precarious. The opening of The Witch of Edmonton—“Come, wench!”—is the first of many moments in which one character classifies another in terms of gender, class, or social position. Tracking characters’ reactions to being named (and thereby “placed”) reveals divergent perspectives on the fit between assigned social identity and self-evaluation.

Vol. Lx, No. 1: Steve Tomasula: Twenty-First Century Fiction As A Broken Hammer, Hanna Hadjadj

The Hollins Critic

No abstract provided.

Crossing The Jordan Together: Recoding The Language Of Discipleship Used Among The Tribes Of Jesus Followers, Brian D. Russell

Doctor of Ministry

This Project Portfolio addresses the following NPO: The post-pandemic era leaves many Christians and seekers unmotivated to re-engage with the church. Reconnection is possible by recoding discipleship as thriving, holistic devotional living. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, all churches, regardless of size and vitality prior to the pandemic, were dealing with the same challenges of re-engaging people in the church, especially within their hospitality teams. Therefore, an opportunity arose to bring churches together to find fresh ways to re-engage their faith community where no one is the perceived expert. I am currently an adjunct professor teaching undergraduate ministry …