American Studies Commons^™

Faulkner, Freud, And The Holy Family: The Portrayal Of The Joseph Figure In Light In August, Richard Boland

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

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Ragland, Mark S. (Fa 559), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 559.  Paper:  "Influence of Popular Culture on the Subject of Art," done by Mark S. Ragland as part of a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University.  Includes an interview done by Ragland with artist and art educator Michael Taylor about the influence of popular culture on art, with particular emphasis on the pop art genre.

Supplemental Assignments To Increase The Retention Of Knowledge For Biology I And Ii Lecture, Krystyn Vitale

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

Supplemental assignments for Biology I and II lectures were designed to increase the understanding of important biology concepts. Topics from each lecture, and frequently misunderstood details from that topic, were chosen as the concepts for each assignment. The questions posed allow students to process the information step-by-step and form a conclusion from their piece-wise work. This format allows students to foster their critical thinking skills and increase their retention of the knowledge learned through problem solving sessions.

Comparative Analysis Research On Treatments Of Prostate Cancer Obtaining And Comparing Results Of Patients Who Have Received Laproscopic, Robotic-Labroscopic, Or Cryosurgery, Radiation Therapy, Huy Nguyen

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Large-Scale Production, Biochemical And Structural Characterization Of Lactate Dehydrogenase For The Discovery Of Novel Small Molecule Inhibitors, Erol Jahja

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) catalyzes the interconversion of pyruvate and lactate in the final step of anaerobic glycolysis. Many invasive tumors depend on an increased rate of glycolysis in order to maximize their growth potential under hypoxic environments, a phenomenon known as the "Warburg Effect." By finding a way to inhibit LDH, contributions would be made towards the management of cancerous cells by inhibition of their energy production.

Human LDH isoenzyme A was subcloned into an in-house vector (pET28a with a PreScission cleavage site) and overexpressed in E. coli Tuner(DE3) cells as a fusion protein with maltose binding protein (MBP) to …

Johan Nieuhof’S Cathay: Aspects Of Inventing A Travelogue In Early Modern Europe, Ryan Walsh

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

What’S That Racket? Experiencing Racquet Sports (And Handball) And An Analysis Of Their Trends And Appealing Factors, Christian Dean L. Faral

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Unsung Heroes Of College Basketball: A Closer Look At The University Of South Florida Men’S Basketball Team, Jared Brantley

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

There is very little research or information in regards to men’s college basketball staff positions. This study will focus on five positions on the University of South Florida men’s basketball team and explain what they do and whether it is necessary to the functioning of the basketball team. As a member of the University of South Florida men’s basketball team, I will work alongside these five positions and note their responsibilities and the amount of work that goes into upholding those responsibilities. I will also conduct an interview with each position as to gain any additional information that may add …

Comparative Analysis Research Of Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy, Jonathan Barlaan, Huy Nguyen

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

Introduction: The goal of laparoscopic prostatectomy is to excise the cancer completely, provide good urinary continence post-operatively, and maintain the ability to have erections after the surgery, if present prior to surgery. Robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy is a procedure performed with the assistance of a surgical robot that provides improved magnified vision in order to help achieve these goals while minimizing surgical incisions. With experience in performing this type of procedure, surgical doctors should be able to reduce operating time, blood loss, and margin error.

Methods: We reviewed the records of 200 patients who underwent treatment between July 2008 and …

Comparing And Contrasting Expressionism, Abstract, And Pop Art, William Johnson

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Reciprocal Reshaping Of The American Dream And American Religion, Samir S. Gupte

Master of Liberal Studies Theses

Religion has played an important role in the creation and dissemination of the idea now called the American Dream since the discovery of the North American continent. The first iteration of the American Dream manifested in the sixteenth century as a Return to Eden. The next phase was best represented by the Puritan quest for freedom of religion. In the eighteenth century, independence was the object of the American Dream. This was supported by the First Great Awakening. The nineteenth century American Dream can be characterized as opportunity as evidenced by immigration, westward migration, and the growth of commercial enterprise. …

Breeding Migrations, Survivorship, And Obligate Crayfish Burrow Use By Adult Crawfish Frogs (Lithobates Areolatus), Jennifer L. Heemeyer

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Movements are risky behaviors to animals, and amphibians are no exception. Being unable to cover long distances quickly, amphibians may find migrations challenging, yet many if not most species exhibit cyclic annual migrations. Crawfish Frogs (Lithobates areolatus), are a relatively understudied species of North American amphibian listed as endangered in Indiana and Iowa, and considered a species of conservation concern throughout much of their range. To better understand the biology of this species, and in particular, to assess the role that movements play in affecting survivorship, I radio tracked 48 Crawfish Frog adults, in 2009 and 2010. My study encompassed …

The Influence And Legacy Of Deism In Eighteenth Century America, Tiffany E. Piland

Master of Liberal Studies Theses

This thesis project, The Influence and Legacy of Deism in Eighteenth Century America, examines deism’s impact as a theological system on American life and culture in the eighteenth century. Beginning with a basic definition of the term deism, a historical background is included. Next, the work of Galileo, Bacon, Newton, and Locke is examined for its impact on eighteenth century thought as well as early deist writers such as John Toland, Matthew Tindal, and Lord Herbert of Cherbury.

Moving onto America in the eighteenth century, colonial newspaper articles, letters, and other documents are examined that contain references to deism. Colleges …

Finger Lickin’ Good: An Analytical Investigation Into The Urban Diet, Jennifer T.R. Tomlinson

Master of Liberal Studies Theses

In this analysis, the origins, customs and implications of fast-food culture will be explored with important focus on the customs of fast-food urban eating. Research indicates that lower-income urban areas are more likely to consume fast-food. The high consumption of fast-food subsequently results in the development of social and economical implications, which include health implications, economic dilemmas, a disconnection between consumers and their consumption and issues of social classification. This analysis also explores the customs of fast-food culture of Pine Hills, Florida with added emphasis on Pine Hills’ cultural uniqueness.

Effect Of Barrel Length On The Muzzle Velocity And Report From A Mosin-Nagant 7.62x54r Rifle, Brandon Louis Clark

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

The present paper describes an experimental study into the effects of barrel length for the Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R rifle. The parameters investigated were primarily the muzzle velocity and quality of sound produced i.e. report. The original barrel length of 28.75 inches was reduced to a final length of 16.75 inches in two inch increments. At each barrel length a digital chronograph was utilized to measure projectile velocity approximately ten feet downrange, while the sound profile was recorded via a microphone and audio software on a laptop computer. Testing took place in a single day, outdoors in a rural location in …

"Not Gone Or Vanished Either:" William Faulker's Use Of Memory And Imagination, Kevin Daniel Gleason

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This thesis examines the role that memory and imagination play in three of William Faulkner’s novels: The Sound and the Fury, Absalom, Absalom! and The Unvanquished. While most scholars perceive Faulkner’s characters as burdened, debilitated, and destroyed by the past, I argue that Faulkner presents a wide spectrum of engagement with the past which includes the potential for memory to serve as a tool of redemption and power. Henri Bergson’s notion of the fluidity of all time past, present, and future forms the center of Faulkner’s understanding of time, and in this paradigm, Faulkner’s characters are capable of creating and …

Salt, A Web-Based Ipad Magazine, Caitlin Dewey

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Abstract not included.

Putting The Puzzle Together: Factors Related To Emotional Well-Being In Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Olivia F. Macdonald

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

Autism spectrum disorders now affect 1 in 110 children. Thus, thousands of families are facing the unique challenges associated with raising a child with an ASD. The purpose of the current study was to investigate how parental well-being relates to coping strategies, social support, and isolation. Mothers and fathers were recruited through the email lists of autism organizations, and 221 parents completed an anonymous, online survey. A decrease in reported feelings of anxiety and depression with greater use of social support supported the literature on the beneficial role it has on emotional well-being. Analyses also suggested that informal sources of …

The Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors Of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual And Transgender University Of South Florida (Usf) Students Concerning Human Papillomavirus (Hpv) And The Hpv Vaccine, Andrea E. Larson

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases and can cause several types of cancer, including cervical and anal cancer. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population is an often overlooked subgroup at risk for HPV. The purpose of this research was to describe LGBT college students‟ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors pertaining to HPV and the HPV vaccine. An online survey consisting of 54 items was created and sent to members of an organization consisting primarily of LGBT students at the University of South Florida. A total of 155 students completed the survey. Several major …

An Examination Of The Mind-Body Coordination Of Vocal Technique, Justina Mathew

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

This paper seeks to review the principles of vocal technique as seen from both an artistic and scientific standpoint and ultimately connect these two seemingly incompatible entities. This paper also seeks to review the application of physics to singing; specifically, enhanced coordination between the neural center of the body – the brain – in distinct cortical areas with extremely complex musculature and associated vocal tissues necessary for the production of musical notes. Biophysical modeling can be used to study these intricate processes vis-à-vis the relationship between certain variables such as tract air pressures and the gradients required for song. Such …

An Ethnography Of Polish Immigrant Women Residing In The Suburbs Of Chicago, Illinois, Carolyn C. Mcchesney

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

The purpose of my Capstone project is to construct an ethnography centered on Polish immigrant women living in the suburbs Chicago. The goal is to study whether or not they believe they keep their Polish culture and identity alive. However, in order to study culture, I had to first identify the factors that contribute to the construction and maintenance of Polish culture. They are: values, community, culture, identity, and perceptions of the United States and Americans. My research began with attempts to gather information from established and respected Polish organizations, like the Polish Museum of American (PMA) and the Polish …

Towards A Theory Of Comic Book Adaptation, Colin Beineke

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Contemporary adaptation studies/theories have tended to focus singularly on the movement from the novel/short story to film – largely ignoring mediums such as the theater, music, visual art, video games, and the comic book.  Such a limited view of adaptation has led to an underdeveloped and misplaced understanding of the adaptation process, which has in turn culminated in a convoluted perception of the products of artistic adaptation.  The necessity of combating the consequences of these limited outlooks – particularly in the field of comics studies – is as vital as the difficulties are manifold. In opposition to this current stream …

“Speaking With” The Ravine: Representation And Memory In Five Cultural Productions Of Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, Karl Germeck

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis examines the rich and layered intertextual relationship between five artistic representations of the razed neighborhoods of Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, and its former residents. These works include Seattle-based photographer Don Normark’s 1999 photography collection Chávez Ravine, 1949: A Los Angeles Story; the full-length dramatic play Chavez Ravine, written and first performed by Los Angeles-based Chicano comedy troupe Culture Clash in 2003; Jordan Mechner’s 2004 short documentary film Chávez Ravine: A Los Angeles Story; Ry Cooder’s musical album Chávez Ravine: A Record by Ry Cooder; and lastly, high school history teacher Ken Aven’s 2006 debut …

Nabokovilia: References To Vladimir Nabokov In British And American Literature And Culture, 1960-2009, Juan Martinez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The dissertation examines allusions to the Russian-American novelist Vladimir Nabokov in the work of 147 contemporary cultural producers and – through this filter – the way in which allusion functions as symbolic capital in the field of cultural production. Critics have traditionally considered allusion a strictly localized phenomenon, but this approach – which draws upon the work of sociologists of literature such as Franco Moretti and Pierre Bourdieu, as well as the poetics of Gérard Genette – considers how a Nabokov allusion operates as an intra-authorial calling card, where Nabokov appears as an idealized, intransigent autonomous authorial figure in the …

Recreating Religion: The Response To Joseph Smith’S Innovations In The Second Prophetic Generation Of Mormonism, Christopher James Blythe

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

On June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, was assassinated. In the wake of his death, a number of would-be
successors emerged. Each of these leaders - part of what I call the second prophetic
generation - established a unique vision of Mormonism.

In 1844, Mormonism was in the middle of a major shift in its character. Joseph
Smith’s death left numerous theological and practical questions unresolved. This thesis argues that, rather than merely a succession struggle of competition and power, a principal function of the second prophetic generation in Mormonism …

Mormon Mommy Blogs: “There’S Gotta Be Some Women Out There Who Feel The Same Way.”, Whitney L. King

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Communities in cyberspace have been present since the earliest days of home computers, when connecting to the web meant logging in to the WELL program. In 1994, when the Internet became more accessible to the public, and home computers were no longer considered a novelty, millions flocked to this new, virtual frontier that allowed them to connect with anyone around the globe.

Folkloristics has been largely concerned with the tangible—what we can touch, hear, taste, and see. As the frontier of the web expanded, many folklorists contracted away from using it as a means to explore a new branch of …

A Montage In Its Leaves, Andrew S. Nicholson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation consists of a series of lyric poems preceded by an introduction to those poems. The introduction gives a background to the method of composition and historical precedents to the poems, connecting the lyric poems to the writing and thoughts of William Blake, Martin Heidegger, and Robert Creeley. The poems are presented in three parts, and cover a variety of subjects, frequently favoring the presentation of subjective experience over an imagined objectivity.

The Father Birth, Alissa Nutting

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This creative dissertation is a fabulist and satirical novel. The book follows the story of main character and narrator Earleen, an atypical and hyper-intelligent sixteen-year-old who continues to be traumatized by her sociopathic father even after he dies. A self-taught bookworm born in the early 1980s, her formative years were spent trapped inside her parents' rural methamphetamine cookhouse. When her parents blow up inside their house during a drug-manufacturing incident on the eve of Earleen's early adolescence, she finds herself in the arms of an affluent adoptive couple (Dennis Stark, a fertility specialist, and his homemaker wife Beverly) who have …

Jackpot! A Legal History Of Indian Gaming In California, Aaron Peardon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Indian Gaming has transformed the economic, political, and sociological landscape of California. The growth of Indian casinos has had a profound impact on both Indian and non-Indian communities alike. California tribes took the lead in legalizing Indian Gaming throughout the nation. The efforts of California tribes in the legislative and political process have enabled many tribal groups to rise out of poverty and to gain prosperity that would otherwise be impossible to achieve. They have also brought increased revenue to local communities and have provided thousands of jobs to all Californians.

This thesis discusses the historical relationships between Native American …

The Whiter Lotus: Asian Religions And Reform Movements In America, 1836-1933, Edgar A. Weir Jr.

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study examines the influence of Asian religions and thought on various reform movements in America, including anti-slavery, labor rights, the alleviation of poverty, women's rights, and the rights of immigrants. The interactions between these two forces will be uncovered and analyzed from 1836, the year Ralph Waldo Emerson's ground-breaking work Nature was published, until 1933, the year that Dyer Daniel Lum, the last individual discussed in this work, passed away. Previous studies have demonstrated that those who incorporated Asian religions and thought into their own lives and worldviews also affixed great importance on affecting society in a positive manner. …