Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Preface, Tara Westover

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

For the past thirty-seven volumes, The Thetean has showcased the work of history students at Brigham Young University. The selection process is difficult: often staff members disagree and engage in spirited debates as they defend or critique various submissions. There are many moments when it seems the group will never reach consensus. With this in mind, I am always surprised to see the polished and pristine finished product. The completed journal betrays no hint of the discord that created it.

Front Matter

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

No abstract provided.

19. 1862 - A Prayer For The Twenty Millions - Horace Greeley, Wallace Hettle, Horace Greeley

Union Homefront: A History in Documents

Document citation:

Greeley, Horace. “The Prayer of Twenty Millions.” New York Daily Tribune (New York), August 20, 1862, pg. 4.

Retrieved from: https://www.loc.gov/item/sn83030213/1862-08-20/ed-1/

Feminism In Practice: Learning From The Barefoot “Solar Mamas”, Neda Parvin Shaikh

Journal of International Women's Studies

The Barefoot College (India) is an NGO working in the fields of education, skills development, health, drinking water, and solar power mainly to train older, rural women who are determined to challenge restrictive gender roles in their respective communities. Since its inception, the NGO has trained over 2,000 rural women as solar engineers across 93 countries worldwide and has brought electricity to over 18,000 homes. Barefoot trainers employ non- normative methods of sharing knowledge such as color coding, sign language, and practical experience. This paper conducts a critical assessment of the Barefoot College Solar Electrification Programme to explore how it …

Trends In Family Planning Methods: An Intergenerational Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Tribal Women In Attappady, India, Asha Sankar V., Moly Kuruvilla

Journal of International Women's Studies

Family planning methods have the potential to improve maternal and child health outcomes; thus, ensuring the right to family planning methods is critical in safeguarding the sexual and reproductive health rights of women. Despite the high standards of maternal and child healthcare in Kerala, a southern state in India, tribal pockets within the state such as Attappady have a high prevalence of maternal health issues and infant death rates. The present study conducted in Attappady, which focuses on an intergenerational comparison from an intersectional approach, is intended to explore the trends, practices, and experiences of tribal women regarding their awareness …

Rights Of Women Laborers In The Indian Legal System: A Critical Analysis, Kirandeep Kaur

Journal of International Women's Studies

Women laborers form an important part of the labor workforce in India; however, not all are recognized, not many are protected, and very few are treated equally to men. The Equal Remuneration Act of 1976 clearly states that persons doing “same work or work of a similar nature” are not to be discriminated against on the ground of gender. The Factories Act of 1948 has special provisions for women workers pertaining to washrooms, changing rooms, creches, and work hours. The Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 entitles a woman, inter alia, to twenty-six weeks of paid maternity relief. The protection given …

Professional Black South African Women Speak Out In Resistance To Patriarchy: Overcoming Barriers To Self Development, Padhma Moodley, Corné Meintjes

Journal of International Women's Studies

The professional and social spaces occupied by educated Black South African women are arenas marked by multifaceted challenges and struggles. This study looks into the resistance strategies employed by Professional Black Women (PBW) against patriarchal norms and the ways they navigate cultural, gender, and self-development barriers. Utilizing a qualitative research design grounded in the Interpretative Phenomenological Approach, the study aims to elucidate the lived experiences of PBW as they confront various barriers. The purposive sample comprises three professional Black women pursuing doctoral degrees and serving as lecturers within higher education institutions. This paper illuminates the familial and cultural patriarchal structures …

Assessment Of The Economic Empowerment Of Women Before And After Establishment Of The Economic Community Of West African States (Ecowas), Agatha Itohan Oseghale, Abigail John Jirgi, Faith Dabaniyu Ibrahim, Abu Ogaji, Alaba Olanike Ojo, Ramatu Usman Bako, Halima Sallawu

Journal of International Women's Studies

Gender forms an integral element of every aspect of the economic, social, and private lives of individuals and societies. Growth and development can only be achieved if all resources and talents are harnessed; however, all over the globe, there are laws and regulations which can restrict or encourage women’s economic opportunities. This study analyzed the before and after trends in women’s economic empowerment among the members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) union. The study utilized the Women, Business, and the Law Index Score from 1970 to 2021 for the 15 member countries of ECOWAS which was …

Hashtag Counterpublics: #Lifeinleggings As Feminist Disruption To Mainstream Public Media Discourses, Alicia Haynes

Journal of International Women's Studies

This essay explores the disruptive impact that the hashtag #LifeinLeggings, founded by the Caribbean Alliance against Gender-Based Violence, had upon mainstream media, highlighting its role in reshaping public discourse from feminist counterpublics. It examines how women, through the sharing and documentation of their stories, unsettle mass media spaces to initiate crucial conversations about their mundane experiences with sexism and misogyny. Through a critical technocultural discourse analysis, I interrogate the disparities in discourse and representation of the movement in online newspapers at the start of the movement. The article contrasts the silence of local media in Barbados, with more detailed reporting …

“Everyone Here Is Smarter Than Me”: Imposter Phenomenon Among Indian Women Returning To Technology Careers After A Career Break, Swati Singh, Sita Vanka

Journal of International Women's Studies

Research on the imposter phenomenon (IP) is burgeoning. Most research, however, has studied the role of personality factors, attitudinal disposition, and individual beliefs as a determinant of IP. Surprisingly, the role of context has not been explored enough. Recent research indicates that context can trigger the experience of the imposter phenomenon. This study confirms these results and calls for contextualizing IP from a systemic or organizational perspective rather than as a personal challenge. In this study, we argue that women returning to careers in the technology fields after a career break may experience IP due to contextual and situational factors. …

Epistemic Injustice Against Khoi-Coloured Women From The Cape: Connected Encounters With The Matriarchal Lineages Of Krotoa, Darlene Miller

Journal of International Women's Studies

Epistemic injustice towards Indigenous women is a global reality. In South Africa (SA) and beyond, Black pain is a recognized experience. “Coloured” pain is less familiar terrain since “Coloured” identity is accepted by some South Africans but rejected by others. Racial identities, however, often manifest as a material reality in society, shaping the life possibilities and potentialities of people. “Coloured” women have experienced limited upward mobility in post-Apartheid SA, and experiences of non-belonging accompany “Coloured” consciousness, collectively and individually. Claims attached to Khoi-Coloured heritage are growing more assertive in the current body politic and concentrated in provinces like the Western …

Moralistic Science: Socio-Cultural Norms About Sexuality In Indian Biology Education, Panchami Jose, Sugra Chunawala, Deepa Chari

Journal of International Women's Studies

This paper takes the position that the discourses of science and morality are not distinct within biology education; rather, they inform each other to produce, discipline, and regulate human sexuality. Our analysis of the medical and moral discussion on sexuality in a secondary school science textbook (the 12th standard National Council for Educational Research and Training textbook), along with insights from interviews with teachers, reveals that the texts portray a romanticized notion of sex that is limited to a monogamous heterosexual relationship. In the first part of the paper, we analyze how the biology textbook discusses “safer sex” in the …

Re-Envisioning Community-Engaged Healing For Black Women, Reanae Mcneal, Marqua Harris, Vanessa Oliphant

Journal of International Women's Studies

Black women in the United States continue to face multilayered forms of anti-Black gendered oppression leading to severe health disparities and inequities that have a dire impact on their well-being. This paper recognizes the urgency to attend to Black women’s health and healing in the pursuit of creating health equity. The authors call for the creation of sacred spaces for Black women to participate in embodied and community-engaged healing, grounded in a gender justice that is inextricably tied to racial justice. This research is inspired by the long, rich line of Black American women activist-healers that have called for the …

Forced Migration As A “State Of Exception”: The Precarious Lives Of Migrant Women Of Jammu And Kashmir In Kulvir Gupta’S Embers The Beginning And Embers The End Of Mirpur, Rishav Bali, Isha Malhotra

Journal of International Women's Studies

This paper explores the lost stories of the precarious lives of thousands of migrant women from the community that the Indian government officially calls Displaced Persons of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (DPs of PoJK). We examine the stories of those who survived the painful migration that followed tribal raids in the western parts of the kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir, which ceased to exist after its accession with the Union of India on October 26, 1947. Drawing on the concept of precarity as propounded by Judith Butler, this paper critically examines the torturous experiences of women in Kulvir Gupta’s autobiography, …

Dalit Feminist Literature From South India: New Models And Perspectives, Sujatha Moni, Miruna George

Journal of International Women's Studies

Twenty-first century Indian literature has been enriched overall by Dalit feminist literature written originally in regional languages and available in English translation. What are the contributions of South Indian Dalit women’s writings to literature and to feminism? How is the representation of women in South Indian Dalit literature redefining the images of women in contemporary literature? These questions are answered through an analysis of Bama’s Karukku, select short stories by Gogu Shyamala and Joopaka Subhadra, and select poems by Swaroopa Rani, Sukirtharani, and Vijila Chirappad. Using Dalit feminist theory, we examine how the texts analyzed here represent the standpoints of …

The Impact Of Childhood Sexual Abuse On Interpersonal Relationships: A Cross-Sectional Study In Trinidad, Bernadette Marson

Journal of International Women's Studies

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a pervasive social problem that can have long-term effects on women’s relationships because it makes them vulnerable to revictimization. Girls are more vulnerable than boys to be victims of CSA, and those abused by someone they trust are at higher risk of experiencing increased trauma and interpersonal problems. This quantitative research study investigated the association between CSA and interpersonal relationships. Participants completed anonymous surveys exploring these two variables. Results showed that among other vulnerabilities, women who reported sexual abuse within the family reported overall greater interpersonal problems compared with non-abused participants. Given the prevalence of …

Introduction: Selected Papers From The 9th World Conference On Women’S Studies, Bangkok, Thailand, 2023, Alicia Haynes, Asma Noureen, Marlene Johnson

Journal of International Women's Studies

No abstract provided.

Exile Vol. Lxviii, David Baker, Tomás Brockett-Delgado, Annika J. Bruce, Colleen Boyle, Rita Costa, Talia Ferguson-Nieves, Seyeong Hanlim, Ray Hsu, Malina Infante, Tenzin Kunga, Pol Le, Sophie Lemay, Emma Lumsden, Zoe Pettersen, Jules Rizzo, Zoe Schlosser, Fabrizio Vassallo, Amaya Willems

Exile

No abstract provided.

Exile Vol. Lxvii, Sara A. Rashed, Liz Anastasiadis, Anna Berman, Rylee Betchkal, Amber Blaeser-Wardzala, Elsie Bunyan, Jessica Crabtree, Adam Frost-Venrick, William Kelsey, Grace Kennedy, Joanne Lee, Yuan Liu, Alexis Noga, Izzy Ostrowski, Ellie Schrader, Emily Waters

Exile

No abstract provided.

Preserving The Historic And Cultural Music Of Louisiana Through School Music: An Ethnographic Case Study, Christopher S. Song

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this ethnographic case study was to examine the lives of teachers, students, community members, and culture bearers within a musical community located in South Central Louisiana. The geographic area of focus in this research was Vermilion Parish and its surrounding area, known as Acadiana, the heart of Creole and Cajun culture where Traditional Louisiana Music finds its origins. Participants’ intrinsic cultural understandings of Louisiana’s music and impact on school music programs was examined through ethnographic interview and observation. A resource pedagogy known as funds of knowledge was used as a theoretical framework meant to maintain participants’ intrinsic …

A Computational Investigation Of Wood Selection For Acoustic Guitar, Jonah Osterhus

Senior Honors Theses

The acoustic guitar is a stringed instrument, often made of wood, that transduces vibrational energy of steel strings into coupled vibrations of the wood and acoustic pressure waves in the air. Variations in wood selection and instrument geometry have been shown to affect the timbre of the acoustic guitar. Computational methods were utilized to investigate the impact of material properties on acoustic performance. Sitka spruce was deemed the most suitable wood for guitar soundboards due to its acoustic characteristics, strength, and uniform aesthetic. Mahogany was deemed to be the best wood for the back and sides of the guitar body …

Temporary Interruption To Mainecat And Non-Ums Library Requests, Daisy Domínguez Singh, Office Of The Executive Vice President For Academic Affairs & Provost

General University of Maine Publications

The temporary service interruption is due to enhancements being implemented, which will contribute to a more seamless and user-friendly experience, aligning with UMSL's mission to provide exceptional library services. University of Maine System Libraries is committed to a modern, reliable and effective library catalog system for all patrons.

Our Body-Minds Are Not Apologies: How Systemic Oppression, Beauty Standards & Desirability Politics Impact The Body-Image & Sex Lives Of Trans & Non-Binary People With Physical (Dis)Abilities, Elm L. Mack

University Honors Theses

Due to the ableism, whiteness, and cisgender-heteropatriarchy in the US, people who are marked by racial, physical, neuro, and gendered differences are stereotypically considered to be less desirable. By applying a perspective informed by Disability Studies, Trans Studies, and Queer of Color Theory (including scholars like Eli Clare, Robert McRuer, Sonya Renee Taylor, Audre Lorde, Sami Schalk, Chris Finley, and Alicia Cox), I investigate how societal norms, beauty standards, and systemic oppression have disproportionately impacted the body-images and sex lives of trans and non-binary people with physical (dis)abilities. This thesis aims to shed light on the variety of ways in …

To Surpass Convention, Alexander James Odom

University Honors Theses

Something that I struggle with when engaged in creative writing, just as every other writer has struggled with the same issue, is how my stories differ from those written before. It’s difficult to create something that is entirely new, because, as artists, we always fall back on what we know has worked in the past. This uncertainty of unique creativity is what my thesis stems from. I am in the process of writing a fantasy script, but I struggle with originality. I can’t help but compare my fantasy story to the fantasy stories of the past. I want to be …

Full Issue

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

No abstract provided.

Beyond Bakke: Explaining The Anti-Affirmative Action Movement Of The 1990s, Austin Brayley

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

America's long history of racism testifies that despite major reform efforts, American society is not yet egalitarian. Minority racial and ethnic groups emain underrepresented in a number of professional fields such as law, medicine, white-collar business and instructors of higher education. Americans today cannot deny their heritage of discrimination based on race or nationality. In the past, the white majority has denied racial minorities' equal access to these prestigious fields, either through legislation, court rulings or overt resistance.

A War Of Words: Old Testament Slavery Debates In Antebellum Era, Sara Mcconkie

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

Rligious leader Joseph Smith put it eloquently when he stated that early nineteenth-century religious leaders "understood the same passages of cripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling . .. question[s] by an appeal to the Bible." 1 The debates surrounding slavery during the antebellum era validate Smith's statement. With compelling arguments, religious leaders between 1830 and 1860 condoned and condemned slavery, using the Bible to support their claims.

Al-Ghazali' S Views On Education Reform, Joshua Wheatley

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghaziili" (1058-1111 CE) is best known for his development of Islamic philosophy and his embrace of Sufism, but he was also an important contributor to the theory of Islamic education. There is no shortage of scholarship on al-Ghazali"'s promotion of Sufism, his contributions to Islamic philosophy and his involvement in court politics. His position on education, however, is less well-known. Avner Giladi, an authority on the history of education in the Islamic world, has observed that in medieval Islam, education was an inseparable part of religion and politics. Therefore, it is only natural that, rather than writing …

"By The Glory Of Our Fathers": Theodore Parker And The American Revolution, Benjamin E. Park

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

Just like any significant historical event, the Memory and ideals of the American Revolution became an important point of reference for the many rhetoricians that followed. Politicians, reformers, and ministers used the "spirit" or "age" the Revolution as an authoritative text for their modern agendas. As a result, the meaning of the event became malleable, with many people claiming a different lesson to be used for their specific cause. Theodore Parker, a Bostonian Transcendentalist minister writing during the two decades prior to the Civil War, was one of these individuals. He hearkened back to the Revolution as a way to …

"We Will Not Be Silent": The White Rose And National Identity In Post-War Germany, Ardis Smith

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

In 1942, the White Rose resistance group, composed mainly of German university students, published its first leaflet. As part of a series written by Hans Scholl and Alexander Schmorell entitled the "Leaflets of the White Rose," the tract discussed the need for Germans to acknowledge the inhumane actions of Nazi Germany and encouraged Germans to adopt an attitude of "passive resistance" to the rule of National Socialism. The White Rose hoped to motivate Germans to join the resistance movement by asking "[w)ho among us has any conception of the enormous shame that we and our children will feel when eventually …