American Studies Commons^™

Review Of Kansas Politics And Government: The Clash Of Political Cultures. By H. Edward Flentje And Joseph A. Aistrup., Burdett A. Loomis

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

Prior to the publication of Kansas Politics and Government, there was no essential book on Kansas politics, policy-making, and institutions. Now there is. It's as simple as that. Anyone who wants to understand the Sunflower State's politics should start here. Most prosaically, this is one more in the Nebraska Press's ambitious series of single-state studies. But Ed Flentje and Joe Aistrup (disclaimer: I write a column for Kansas papers in rotation with them and two other political scientists) have done more than cover the breadth of the state's politics. In their emphasis on political cultures, they provide an effective way …

Review Of The Leadership Of George Bush: An Insider's View Of The Forty-First President. By Roman Popadiuk, Caroline Heldman

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

The Leadership of George Bush is infused with a sentimentality exemplified by the book's opening statement describing the Bushes' emotional response to Bush 43's election to the presidency: "George Bush sat straight up, his back rigid but his chest heaving slightly as he sought to hold back tears. Barbara Bush sat quietly, unmovable, a glint of satisfaction and pride sparkling in her eyes." Despite the author's proximity and long-time affiliation, the book provides scant new information about Bush 41 's presidency, mostly because the author fails to connect it with larger literatures on presidential leadership and executive management. Instead, it …

Review Of Bridging The Divide: Indigenous Communities And Archaeology Into The 21st Century. Edited By Caroline Phillips And Harry Allen., Larry J. Zimmerman

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

An outgrowth of demands for ethical treatment and repatriation of their ancestral remains, Indigenous Archaeology (IA) reflects the desire of Indigenous peoples to have a say in how stories of their pasts get told. Too often, Indigenous people claim, archaeologists have discounted oral tradition in favor of scientifically derived histories, histories that may discount or contradict millennia-old beliefs. IA is different, done for them, sometimes by them, and usually in complete collaboration with them. Their questions are central to research agendas and interpretations. IA is controversial because some archaeologists see collaboration as infringement on academic freedom, as movement away from …

Review Of Hell Gap: A Stratified Paleoindian Campsite At The Edge Of The Rockies. Edited By Mary Lou Larson, Marcel Kornfeld, And George C. Frison., Jack W. Brink

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

Every Plains archaeologist has heard of the Hell Gap site. But few could tell you much about it. All that changes with the publication of this needed, dense, thorough collection that chronicles the life and content of this singularly important archaeological site. With 20 papers and 13 appendices, this book takes a monumental step forward in furthering our knowledge of nearly the entire Paleoindian sequence of occupation on the western Plains. Hell Gap is the type site for three Paleoindian point styles: Goshen, Hell Gap, and Frederick, and contains at least six other cultural complexes: Folsom, Midland, Agate Basin, Alberta, …

Review Of Kiowa Military Societies: Ethnohistory And Ritual. By William C. Meadows, Gregory R. Campbell

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

Drawing on over a decade of research, in combination with archival and published anthropological and historical literature, William C. Meadows provides a detailed ethnographic account of Kiowa military societies and their historical development. Employing a perspective spanning from the prereservation era to the present, Meadows describes each military society'S origins, structures, rituals, ceremonies, functions, and associated music, dances, songs, and material culture within the context of the Kiowa military society system. Beginning with Rabbits Society in the first chapter, he graphically portrays the Mountain Sheep Society, Horse Headdress Society, the Black Legs Society, Unafraid of Death or Skunkberry Society, Scout …

Review Of Environmental City: People, Place, Politics, And The Meaning Of Modern Austin. By William Scott Swearingen, Jr., Jonathan R. Wynn

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

William Scott Swearingen, lr.'s Environmental City is a social history of how a place like Red Bud Isle and the larger city surrounding it could come to exist. Swearingen opens with the founding of Austin, and takes the reader through the ideals shaping its modern era: the battle between the twin paradigms of "growth" and "green." At its heart, the book tells the story of the success of Austin's green campaign: how "place" was created, fought for, and won. Not all battles were victories, but Swearingen points to key moments, and unpacks the slow process of institutionalizing broad environmental concepts …

Rebuilding After Hurricane Katrina: The Big Easy, And The Long Road Home., Jennifer S. Boucher

Political Science Theses and Capstones

The objective of this study is to analyze the influences of demographic patterns, planning politics and funding disbursement processes in rebuilding New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina's storm surge engulfed several neighborhoods of Orleans Parish Louisiana, on August 29th 2005.Immediately following the storm surge, national opinion makers began debating the possibility of shrinking the footprint of New Orleans, as part of the rebuilding process. Although recovery efforts were begun almost immediately, at the five year anniversary of the cataclysmic natural disaster more than a hundred thousand of New Orleanians are still displaced. Utilizing regression analysis as a quantitative measure and qualitative …

Gender Stereotypes In The American Electoral Process, Samantha Stinedurf

Political Science Theses and Capstones

Gender stereotypes can increase the negative perception of female candidates during an election. This can decrease a female politician's chances of running for office and/or being elected to office. When these stereotypes are attached to female candidates, it can cause bias against them which then effects voting behavior among both men and women voters. Many of these stereotypes include looking at the typical personality traits as well as the perception of competency when dealing with social, economic and foreign policy issues. How do gender stereotypes present bias against women? Using data from the American National Election Study I assess the …

The Politics Of Subsidizing Sports: Legislative Voting For Three Minnesota Sports Venues, Dave Hitchcock

Political Science Theses and Capstones

Since 1998 the State of Minnesota has funded the building of the Xcel Energy Center, Target Field, and TCF Bank Stadium. The focus of this research is to locate voting trends within the Minnesota House of Representatives towards these venues. I recorded the votes of each member on the legislation approving these venues from the Minnesota Journal of the House and then constructed data sets for all three buildings. From this data, trends emerge potentially linking the voting tendencies of members based on party, gender, and geographical location of their district. Initial analysis supports a fairly strong relationship between district …

International Student Exchange Among Muslim Nations; Soft Power And Voting Alliances At The United Nations, Nambee Ragavan

Political Science Theses and Capstones

The main goal of this research is to analyze the impact of student exchange as a component of soft power in American foreign policy. Since September 11, 2001 there has been a significant increase in the number of Muslim international students enrolled in American institutions. In addition, there has been an increase in study abroad programs to predominantly Muslim countries by American students. I analyze the potential benefit to America’s foreign policy of accepting these international students and sending American students abroad. The measurement is whether or not the United States gets more support for measures it endorses in the …

Great Plains Research, Spring 2011, Vol. 21, No. 1 (Complete Issue)

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

Workplace Religious Accommodation for Muslims and the Promise of State Constitutionalism • Peter J. Longo and Joan M. Blauwkamp . 3

Using Euro-American Hunting Data to Assess Western Great Plains Biogeography, 1806-35 • Cody Newton . 17

The Political Consequences of Population Consolidation in Nebraska • Diane L. Duffin . 27

Cottonwood Riparian Site Selection on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation • Julie A. Thorstenson, Diane H. Rickerl, and Janet H. Gritzner . 39

Do Invasive Riparian Woody Plants Affect Hydrology and Ecosystem Processes? • Julie A. Huddle, Tala Awada, Derrel L. Martin, Xinhua Zhou, Sue Ellen Pegg, and Scott …

Price Ceilings And Rationing: The Base Ingredients Of The Black Market Food Industry In Nevada During World War Ii, Richard B. Keeton

Psi Sigma Siren

After the Empire of Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Americans braced themselves for what would surely be a long, hard-fought war. In World War II, brave young United States soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice across the seas on both the European and Pacific fronts. However, the millions of citizens on domestic soil also made countless sacrifices in a national mobilization to support the war effort. People in Nevada and across the nation gave up everyday conveniences and seemingly ordinary items to show their support for the troops. Government agencies instituted tight rationing guidelines on a variety of consumer goods. Perhaps the …

Historical Archaeology Of The Pine Level Site (8de14), Desoto County, Florida, Jana Futch

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 1866 the seat of Manatee County was moved to Pine Level, a newly-formed town in the wilderness of south Florida. By the 1880s, it contained stores, boardinghouses, churches, and government buildings. In 1887, Pine Level became DeSoto County’s first seat. However, when it lost county seat status to Arcadia only 18 months later, in 1888, Pine Level rapidly declined in population and importance, and eventually died out. The investigations of the Pine Level site detailed in this thesis were carried out as a public archaeology project, involving the DeSoto County Historical Society, University of South Florida, and the Florida …

Lybarger, Shaunn Maree (Fa 41), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 41.  Interviews conducted by Shaunn Maree Lybarger with Langdon Dyer about his gardening and marketing of produce at the Bowling Green farmers market.  Also includes biographical data, including information about Dyer’s service as an Army Air Corps pilot during World War II.

The Effect Of U.S. State Taxes On State Economic Prosperity, Casey Dainsberg

Political Science Theses and Capstones

Policy makers today are faced with trying to create solutions for economic troubles that become increasingly more complex and foreboding. Tax cuts and tax hikes are proposed and considered as possible solutions to various economic problems. However, the question still remains regarding which policies are most effective. The purpose of this research is to asses these competing claims. It seeks to find evidence that will shed light on one of these views. I have done this by accumulating tax and economic data from the fifty U.S. States between the years 2001-2009. Previous research has concluded that taxes do affect the …

Asian Americans And Politics: Voting Behavior And Political Involvement, Elizabeth Hoene

Political Science Theses and Capstones

Voting behavior and political involvement are two commonly studied topics among political scientists today, most commonly involving Caucasian, African, and Hispanic Americans. However, there have been relatively few studies done on Asian American and Asian immigrant voting behavior and their political involvement. What causes Asian Americans and Asian immigrants to vote the way they do? How involved are they in American politics and why? These are questions that I am aiming to answer through the studying of the Pilot National Asian American Political Survey 2000- 2001 from the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. Socioeconomic factors such as income, …

Pannell, Jennifer Lynn, B. 1985 (Fa 555), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text (click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 555.  Ethnography project on three deer hunters, focusing on motivation, skills, equipment, and venison preparation.  Project was completed for a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University.

Wronski, Genevieve Elissa, B. 1980 (Fa 556), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text (click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 556.  Ethnography project focused on three tattoo artists and their art in Glasgow, Kentucky.  Focuses on skills, training, procedures, machinery, aesthetics, and artist inspiration.  Also provides a brief history of tattooing.  Project was completed for a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University.

Threlkeld, Matthew Kohl, B. 1985 (Fa 552), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text paper (click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 552.  Ethnography project focused on Prince’s Hookah Lounge in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  The cultural and social aspects of a hookah lounge are explored, with particular focus on its importance to Saudi Arabian students at Western Kentucky University.  Project was completed for a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University.

Doyle, Kathina Jo., B. 1990 (Sc 553), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text paper (click on "Additional Files" below) of an ethographic project on Tim Doyle, a clock repairman in Glasgow, Kentucky.  Rosalie McCuiston, a clock enthusiast from Glasgow, Kentucky who repairs her own clocks, was also interviewed for this project.

Tracy, Janet (Fa 40), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 40.  Collection consists of interviews with Artie Emmet Lemaire about his business selling merchandise at flea markets and roadside stands in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Interviews also include biographcial data about Lemaire.

Fisher, Lucas Samuel, B. 1987 (Fa 554), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text (click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 554. Project consists of an ehtnographic study conducted by Luke Fisher with Tom Blumenberg, an artist who creates solid wood and segmented wooden bowls in Hiseville, Kentucky. This project was completed for a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University.

Smith, Corey William, B.1989 (Fa 549), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text paper (click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 549.  Joke collected from Joe Lohden by his stepson Corey Smith, which was told to Smith during his childhood.  This project was a requirement for a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University.

Parrish, Erin Kate, B. 1989 (Fa 545), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text (click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 545. Folk similie and a superstition collected by Erin Kate Parrish. This project was completed as a requirement for a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University.

Fisher, Lucas Samuel, B. 1987 (Fa 547), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text (click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 547.  Paper titled:  "Bowling Lingo," written by Lucas Samuel Fisher about the folk speech of bowlers, gathered in Glasgow, Kentucky, and nationally through an online bowling forum.  This project was a requirement for a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University.

Meredith, Maria, B. 1987 (Fa 546), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text (click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 546.  Proverb collected by Maria Meredith from her father, Walter Meredith, about Christmas tree customs in their family.  It details when the tree should be taken down.  This project was a requirement in a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University.

Shirley, Latrel, B. 1989 (Fa 543), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text (click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 543. Paper titled "The Bible Time Capsule" written by Latrel Shirley about Lisa Gail (Morrison) Shirley's Bible and the ephemera stored in it. Includes colored illustrations.

Wronski, Genevieve Elissa, B. 1980 (Fa 544), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text (click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 544. Paper titled "The Monkey Walk" written by Genevieve Elissa Wronski in which she documents Brian Greever's ape imitation performed at social parties. Includes colored illustrations and video.

Buttram, Nora Agnes (Crump), B. 1944 (Fa 539), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Folklife Archives Project 539. Paper: "How Pig Store Goft Its Name" in which Nora Buttram relays how a community general store in Edmonson County, Kentucky received its name. The brief paper is based on an interview with William Barbee of Smiths Grove, Kentucky.

Breedlove, Andrew, B. 1987 (Fa 557), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text (Click of "Additional File" below) for Folklife Archives Project 557. Paper: "The Thin Line Between Reality and the World of Warcraft" in which Andrew Breedlove examines the popular role playing game. He includes his paper with illustrations and notes, interviews on compact discs with two friends who participate in World of Warcraft, and indexes to the interviews.