History Commons^™

Pandemic Memory Project: Student Reflections On The Covid-19 Pandemic Of 2020, Javier Acosta, Jazylina Albelda, Stella Artukovich, Carter Bell, Tyler Bernius, Hailey Butcher, Janelle Feraro, Declan O'Flynn, Trinity Formalejo, Abigail Garcia, Jason Halpren, Jasmin Mazarlegos-Rodas, Citlaly Molina, Armando Munoz, Sophia Portillos, Alaiyah San Juan, Leslie Solorio, Sven Zalmovic, Adrianna Torres, Brooke Vafi, Saul Valle, Deepalakshmi Vanaraja, Olivia Wynn, Yoselin Calderon, Alycia Carrasco, Pj Volz, Nanik Tangore, Aaron Richardson

History and Political Science | Pandemic Memory Project

"The Pandemic Memory Project," is the work of students in Making of Today: Contemporary World History from Fall term, 2023. It is a poignant and insightful e-book collection that documents both American and international student experiences of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. Through a series of reflective essays, students candidly share their memories and reflections on the profound impact of the pandemic as it affected various aspects of their lives.

Spanning the periods before, during, and after the pandemic, these essays offer a rich tapestry of personal narratives that explore the complexities of learning, friendships, and personal identity amid unprecedented challenges. …

Cochise: A Re-Imagination, Arthur Scott

Faculty Authored Books and Book Contributions

This is a fictionalized work that looks at Cochise’s life, through a series of imagined scenarios. My intention in writing this was to provide an intimate venue by which he not only comes alive as an extraordinary warrior and sage archetype, but as a human being who struggled with doubt, loss, and fear. Leadership, honesty, and honor are important themes that Cochise’s life exemplified. Though soft spoken, he imparted volumes on leadership to his people and enemies through his spiritual, emotional, and physical presence.

Plot To Kill The President: A Novel, Arthur Scott, Brian Heath

Faculty Authored Books and Book Contributions

I was always skeptical of The Warren Report as were countless other Americans over the decades.

I was reenergized to look more closely at November 22,1963, by a chance encounter with Brian heath, a JFK aficionado, who had made some startling discoveries about the assassination. He had studied meticulously the Nix film and concluded that the fatal shot came from within the presidential limousine from the driver, William Greer. Similarly, that many of JFK’s cabinet members consisted of former OSS spooks, who dominated the CIA, and were major spokesman for the national security state and America’s global dominance.

They saw …

Perception Vs. Reality: The Influence Of Civic Experiences In High School On Adult Civic Engagement, Kaya Bottmeyer

Political Science & International Studies | Senior Theses

Research on political socialization has shown that individuals’ families and education play a significant role in their later political actions and attitudes, but more needs to be understood on how large the role of education is and, specifically, what impact secondary education has on people’s political socialization. Literature suggests that educational standards that require more civics or social science courses are more effective in creating civically engaged individuals, and curriculums that employ service learning and experiential learning techniques are even more effective at increasing civic engagement, but to what extent does a person's perception of their educational experience factor into …

Wicked Problems And The Invention Of Calculus, Ernesto Diaz

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Faculty Scholarship

Since the 1980s, wicked problems have represented a category of challenges that defy clear description, cannot be addressed with existing models or theories, and resist experimentation in trying to solve them. This class of problems existed before they were identified and have been unsuccessfully addressed with Thomas Kuhn’s model of scientific discovery, an expectation that requires the identification of a new object and the development of its correct interpretation. This paper proposes an alternative view of scientific discovery using the invention of Calculus as a case study that describes a successful process addressing wicked-like problems from a philosophical perspective, develops …

American Dream, American Nightmare? Students Respond To White Christian Nationalism, Kaya Bottmeyer, Charolette Moody, Gina Dudley, Alexander Kulin, Madeleine Larson, Jason Halpern, George Faithful

Social Justice | Student Perspectives on Religious Nationalism

What happened in the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021? Students enrolled in Dominican’s “Religious Nationalism” course have responded based on their own perspectives. The title of this volume is a question. Some of authors answer it “yes,” some “no,” others “maybe.” We as a nation have witnessed a resurgence of religious nationalism. It isn’t always white (depending on how you define “white”) and it isn’t always Christian (same), but that particular racial-religious intersection plays an especially prominent role, sometimes more, sometimes less, in what follows.

Japanese Colonialism: Unraveling The Complex Historiography And Cultural Genocide In The Korean Peninsula, Madison Huckabay

History | Senior Theses

Upon the influence of western imperialism reaching East Asia, Japan began its own imperial conquests as it worked to establish itself as a world power alongside Russia and Western powers. After the first Sino-Japanese war between Qing China and Imperial Japan, China was forced to recognize independence to Korea, along with ceding the Taiwan, Pescadores and Liaodong territories to Japan as of 1895. While Japan initially claimed to promote Korea’s independence and nationalism, they officially ended up annexing Korea as of 1910. From the perspective of the western powers and historians, they were initially optimistic about Japan’s reform on Koreans. …

Sheriffs, Outlaws, And No Good Cowboys: An Analysis Of The Violent Struggle For Power In Eastern California Borderlands, Brennan Krebs

History | Senior Theses

As the United States continued to expand during the nineteenth century, the creation of new states and acquisition of foreign territory posed many problems for the people living or attempting to live within these territories. On paper, the borders of these lands were clearly defined. However, the infant United States was still a vast array of “borderlands” that many groups, especially indigenous peoples, refused to believe were legitimate. California is no stranger to such conflicts that perpetuate the disregard for borders and the law for one's personal gain. The advent of ranchers and miners in the Owens Valley created a …

Black Hillbilly: An Exploration Of The Black Erasure From The Appalachian Historical Narrative, Suzanne S A Blunk

Master of Arts in Humanities | Master's Theses 1936 - 2022

In 1915 two Black businessmen, Archie McKinney and Matthew Buster, secured the purchase and operation of Eagle Coal Company Inc. in Montgomery, West Virginia. A Black-owned coal company operated and existed in southwestern West Virginia. Eagle Coal has all but disappeared, even from historical memory. What exactly happened to this coal company remains very much a mystery and is a poignant image that represents the mystery that surrounds the Black experience in Appalachia. In the face of “social injustice, racial violence, disfranchisement, and the intensification of the segregationist system,” Black Americans set out from the South in search of better …

The Long Investiture Controversy: Western Europe's Power Struggle Between Church And State (494-1598), Kieran Vrklan

History | Senior Theses

Conflicts between the Catholic Church and European monarchs are nothing new. Foremost among this timeless conflict is the Investiture Controversy, beginning in 1076 due to a feud between Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV of Germany and ending in 1122 with the Concordat of Worms. Monarchs were appointing bishops and abbots, a job meant to be for the Pope. The Concordat sought to alleviate the conflict by stating the Church had the sole ability to select the bishops and appoint abbots of monasteries. However, this crisis continued centuries after as monarchs sought to appoint, or publicly support, clergy to …

The Rise Of Oxycontin: How Purdue Pharma And The Sackler Family Is Responsible For The Epidemic Behind The Pandemic, Colin White

History | Senior Theses

This research paper serves as a case study, providing an updated history of the American opioid crisis through the lens of OxyContin and Purdue Pharma. In 1996 the long-acting opioid OxyContin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration and became the most prescribed Schedule II narcotic by 2001. Prescription guidelines from the World Health Organization show that opioid prescription before 1996 was limited primarily to those who were terminally ill or suffering severe pain. This paper will show how Purdue Pharma successfully manipulated the medical outlook on pain and opioids in an attempt to streamline OxyContin for mild pain. …

The Evolution Of Frederick Douglass’ Slavery Debate: An Examination Of His Rhetoric, Jacquelyn Torres

Political Science & International Studies | Senior Theses

From leading the Abolitionist movement to holding a lecture tour abroad, Frederick Douglass is well known for championing racial justice and leaving a legacy of exposing the evils of slavery. Scholars have primarily focused on Douglass’ actions as an abolitionist but not on the evolution of his thinking about slavery. While Douglass’ actions, such as in the Abolitionist movement, are discussed in-depth amongst academic circles, there is oversight regarding looking at his arguments about slavery. Douglass’ rhetoric was impacted by his experiences traveling abroad when he gave lectures in the British Isles between 1845-1847. This thesis examines speeches given by …

An Examination Of Women’S Rights In South Korea: From “New Women” To Female Idols, Cece Trifoso

History | Senior Theses

Between 2000 and 2022, South Korean popular music and the accompanying entertainment industry contributed to a unique solidarity among young Korean women, whilst also perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The widespread popularity of all-girl music groups from Korea has motivated women around the world, including in Korea itself, to stand on their own and establish recognition without the influence of men. This relatively new era in Korean feminist thought requires historical contextualization in order to fully appreciate and comprehend its impact on a globalized society. The evolution of feminist thought in South Korea encompasses the accumulation of knowledge from various conversations on …

Shadowcrest Manor, Michaela Bishop

The Tuxedo Archives

A soft cold breeze flowed throughout the whole house, it carried the scent of the Sea Island cotton and seawater, taking away the smell of dust and stillness. Shadowrest Manor was to become our new home here in Charleston. The manor had been vacant for a while since its last owner had passed away and leaving no will or surviving heir, the plantation was shut down. The outside was a little bit weather damaged however, Father is having the whole house repainted a colonial white, the front columns will be a nice off white to balance the main color. The …

Indigenous Boarding Schools In The United States: Why Would Such Institutions Exist?, Aisleen Renteria

Political Science & International Studies | Senior Theses

Native Americans have a complex relationship with the United States government. Ever since the first European settlers arrived in the Americas, Native American lifestyle and culture began to dissipate. Native Americans have had their culture, identity, traditions and language dis- respected by the U.S. government. Every treaty Native Americans ever entered with the U.S. government has been broken by the U.S. government. One of the most momentous periods in the relationship between Native Americans and the federal government involves the creation of resi- dential boarding schools. These schools were developed to “civilize” Native American children. Prior research has examined the …

Addressing Maternal Mortality Rates Of Black Women In The Us: California's Example, Selah Laigo

Humanities and Cultural Studies | Senior Theses

This essay examines California’s legislation, activism, and the role of women’s clinics in serving Black communities in the fight against maternal mortality. Maternal mortality is a death related to pregnancy or childbirth. In the United States, maternal mortality rates have been increasing since the beginning of the 21st century and there is a significant racial disparity with Black women being at greater risk. Despite national rates increasing, California has managed to decrease maternal mortality rates (MMR) since the early 2000s by adopting legislation and policies that work to decrease preventable deaths, multidisciplinary maternity care for the protection of Black women, …

The Spanish Flu In The Dominican Sisters' Archives, M. Dougherty

History and Political Science | Faculty Scholarship

This 2020 coronavirus pandemic prompted an investigation into the health crisis of a century ago. The Dominican Sisters Archives in San Rafael, CA, contain annals, pictures, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings which document the experience of the 1918- 1919 flu in Vallejo and have been recently processed and described in a finding aid published on OAC by an archive intern, Alison Howard, under the direction of the archivist, Jack Doran. Sixteen Dominican Sisters lived in St. Vincent’s Convent in Vallejo at the time; they administered and taught in St. Vincent’s high school and elementary school. Vallejo was a town of about …

The Flame That Sparked Outrage: Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, Amanda Isaacs

History | Senior Theses

The Flame that Sparked Outrage

The 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, a tragic event in New York City, reflected the ignored demands by both foreign born and U.S born citizens. The unrelenting rioting and protesting marked a turning point in progressive American politics. The late 19th and early 20th century was a glorious time for new beginnings in America. The buzz about the opportunities in the States roamed the globe and sparked interest in every person encountered. The ships carrying Eastern European immigrants; Italians, Jews, and those of Polish descent, were migrating across seas to enter into the modern world of …

Excelsior!: Stan Lee’S Philosophy For Liberty And Justice For All, Matthew Kodweis

History | Senior Theses

Excelsior was Stan Lee’s famous catchphrase which is a Latin word meaning “ever upward.” What began as a clever sign off for Lee’s comics became his life motto. Stan Lee has always been working hard in his life to create equality for all, oftentimes through his comics. This is the reason for the title Excelsior to commemorate Stan Lee for making the world a little more super.

This essay will examine the evolution of Stan Lee’s valuable contribution to the American values of equality, patriotism, and fairness through an analysis of several of his comic book superheroes, from The Fantastic …

More, Pope, Swift: The Use Of English Satire Within The Intellectual Historical Narrative (1516 - 1726), Monica Barry

History | Senior Theses

This paper traces the use of satire as a literary form in England from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment. By analyzing three major English satirical writings from the 16th through 18th centuries, this paper unites literature and intellectual history, illustrating how literary analysis provides deeper insight into the progressive relationship between these two major eras in intellectual history. The paper provides a literary criticism of the genre of satire; the use of irony, humor, and exaggeration to criticize one’s vices, often relating to politics. First, the paper explores major concepts and themes of satire during the Renaissance period. Thomas More’s …

From Fields To Factories: The Industrialization Of The United States’ Cattle Industry, Joseph Petersen

History | Senior Theses

This paper will look at the changes of the United States of America's cattle and beef industry from the 19th into the 21st century. It will also show how the industry has evolved into its current state and predict the changes to come. This paper will be evaluating how technology and equipment have changed the traditional farming and ranch lifestyles. While also breaking down the economies from pre-industrial times into modern day. This paper will also explore the effect that technology, equipment, ranching styles, labor and financial changes had on the cattle and beef industry. Finally, this paper will prove …

Dolores Huerta: A Groundbreaking Activist Of Today, Olivia Patania

History | Senior Theses

This paper examines the development and transformation of human rights activism and labor relations that can be attributed to the efforts of several groups and individuals in society through the United Farm Workers Union. Understanding the strategies employed by the groundbreaking activism of Dolores Huerta is critical to comprehending the effectiveness and development of union action and labor relations in addressing the problem of labor exploitation in American society. This paper examines three major texts that have been critical in evaluating the efforts of different individuals and their contribution to the labor and human rights movement of the 1950s, 1960s, …

Flipping The Script: Gabriela Silang’S Legacy Through Stagecraft, Leeann Francisco

Humanities and Cultural Studies | Senior Theses

Flipping the Script: Gabriela Silang’s Legacy through Stagecraft is a chronicle of the scriptwriting and staging process for Bannuar, a historical adaptation about the life of Gabriela Silang (1731-1763) produced by Dominican University of California’s (DUC) Filipino student club (Kapamilya) for their annual Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN). The 9th annual show was scheduled for April 5, 2020. Due to the limitations of stagecraft, implications of COVID-19, and shelter-in-place orders, the scriptwriters made executive decisions on what to omit or adapt to create a well-rounded script.

In this chronicle, scriptwriters’ choices in character development and musical elements in the show are …

A New Model For Marriage And Motherhood In Postwar Britain, 1945-1960, Caroline Bland

Humanities and Cultural Studies | Senior Theses

Following the end of the Second World War in 1945, married women, who had been such a crucial part of the British workforce during the war, returned to domestic roles. British government policy focused on relieving poverty and promoting motherhood; pregnant women received maternity benefits and mothers received a family allowance. Although historians such as Martin Pugh argued that women were happy to leave the workplace and enjoy the stability and relative ease of domestic life, women's own stories illustrate the growing frustration with a lack of choice. By examining historical and sociological research, analyzing media influences on women's attitudes …

Dilettantes Of War -The Impact And Importance Of A U.S. Tribal Engagement Strategy In Afghanistan, Fernando Pons

Humanities and Cultural Studies | Senior Theses

Since 2019, the Taliban and U.S currently engaged in peace talks, now is the time to reconsider the Tribal Engagement Strategy (TES) implemented by U.S Army Major Jim Gant in 2010-2012. The Impact and Importance of a U.S. Tribal Engagement Strategy in Afghanistan argues for the 2010-2012 successes of TES in Afghanistan and its potential future benefits for other regions.

Peace talks or troop reduction negotiations are not peace for the people of Afghanistan. Once the Taliban assumes control, establishing a new TES will lead to much needed security for the people of Afghanistan. After nineteen years of war, first …

The Impact Of The World Wide Web On 21st Century Elections In The U.S., Phillip Barr

History | Senior Theses

Traditionally, Presidential candidates would go door to door and town to town, sharing their political ideas in the hope of gaining supporters. This paper aims to analyze the evolution, contribution, and the future of internet use in terms of gaining support and its crucial ability to help persuade American citizens to vote. Focusing primarily on the elections from the year 2000 to 2012, data and research will be used to analyze how web usage has evolved from president to president. The future of campaigning will continue to revolutionize through the internet because of its ability to alter the traditional methods …

The Nineteenth Century British Workhouse: Mission Not Accomplished, Brenda Derin

Senior Theses

How to correct poverty in a society is extremely complex. In the nineteenth century, the British struggled to house, feed and care for the unemployed and destitute men, women and children created by the Industrial Revolution. Many in the upper classes considered poverty a moral failure, yet they had little impetus to end it. Poverty, as defined by an inability to provide for one’s needs due to a variety of factors, was seen as necessary, for without it there would be no motivation for the lower classes to work and provide a luxurious life for the wealthy.

Although some in …

Unangan Orthodox Christianity: Conversion Through Similarity, Robert Daley

Master of Arts in Humanities | Master's Theses 1936 - 2022

Between 1741, when Russians first entered the Aleutian archipelago, to 1867, when Russia sold Alaska to the United States, virtually the entire Aleutian indigenous population, the Unangan peoples, having been minimally missionized and influenced only by traders, had subsumed their ancient religious beliefs and practices into a new framework and converted to Russian Orthodox Christianity. This, despite the fact that by 1800, murder, disease and forced labor at the hands of the Russian traders were major causes of a near-extinction-level Unangan population decline of eighty percent.

This thesis will argue that, despite the injustices suffered by the Unangax at Russian …

Name Fluidity And Its Effect On Ashkenazi Genealogical Research, Meredith Dreyfuss

Senior Theses

It is commonly believed that genealogical research has become easier and more popular than ever before, and with more and more records being digitized and available over the internet, the ability to research family history can be done by anyone with an interest and a computer. Where one might have had to travel to the places that housed the records that trace family life, now many of those records are online, with the data store growing all the time. Similarly, relatively inexpensive DNA testing is bringing family background and history to the masses.

However, while science and technology have revolutionized …

Two Sides Of A Democratic Coin: President Johnson's International Approach To The Civil Rights Movement, Kayla Marie Robinson

Senior Theses

The Declaration of Independence famously states, “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal.” These words quintessentially set the course for the American ideal of democracy; yet, debate as to who was and was not included in this ‘equality’ has clouded this American ideal. This debate sparked international concerns at the end of World War II; specifically the Soviet Union, which questioned the validity of democracy in the United States. As the United States entered the Cold War against the Soviet Union, both ideologically and physically across the globe, the Civil Rights Movement gained …