Modern Languages Commons^™

Natureculture: Interdisciplinary Ecologies And Place-Based Writing For Student Success, Kerry Neville, Hedwig Fraunhofer

Academic Affairs

The NatureCulture collaborative study abroad course represents a central outcome of the Collaborative Research Grant and has undergone substantial conceptual, curricular, and pedagogical development. While finalization of a site-specific itinerary has been delayed due to unanticipated challenges in securing a stable and academically viable location, the collaborative course itself is fully designed and pedagogically complete. Grounded in interdisciplinary, team-taught instruction, the NatureCulture model integrates environmental humanities, creative writing, intercultural learning, and eco-pedagogy to foster place-based, experiential, and critically reflective learning. Within this framework, faculty have developed complementary courses that collectively serve students across multiple stages of the curriculum.

Dr. Neville’s …

Underrepresentation Of Black Students In Advanced World Language Study, Megan E. Golden

Curriculum and Instruction (Ed.D.) Dissertations

Advanced K-12 world language (WL) courses (level three and beyond) suffer from significant underrepresentation of Black students, subsequently impacting Black students’ college and employment opportunities. This study employs a critical constructivist grounded theory framework to analyze quantitative surveys and retrospective qualitative interviews with Black college-aged individuals. The goal of this study is to center the voices of Black students and reveal how they describe their world language courses, how they perceive the impact of those courses, and what factors influence their decision on whether to continue to advanced-level world language study. Survey data found that Black students express limited feelings …

“Et Les Filles”: Le Féminisme Subtil De Françoise Hardy, Charlotte Aexel

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This article focuses on “yéyé” music, in particular the music of Françoise Hardy. I examine the feminist themes in the songs found on her first album, Tous les garçons et les filles. The majority of critics view her first album as immature, but I suggest that it shows a subtle but powerful feminism. For me, Françoise Hardy’s first album shows depth and advanced perception of social dynamics. In particular, Hardy demonstrated an awareness of the experiences of young women in her time. From her first album, Hardy presented herself as independent and intelligent. I cite critics from Hardy’s time and …

La Importancia De La Comunicación No Verbal En La Interacción Humana, Bradley Wilson

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

Nonverbal communication is an essential element in human interaction, influencing how we convey and receive emotions, intentions, and messages beyond words. The studies reviewed in this paper explore how aspects such as facial expressions and gestures influence diverse contexts, from education to intercultural and professional interactions. Throughout, my sources emphasize the importance of nonverbal communication as a tool for communicating with or without speech.

La Historia Externa Del Español Hasta La Reconquista, Alicia Westmoreland

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This paper talks about the romance language, Spanish, which evolved from Vulgar Latin after the fall of the Roman Empire. Influenced by the Visigoths, Moors, and the Christian Reconquista, its linguistic development reflects centuries of cultural exchange. The Moors introduced Arabic vocabulary, while the Reconquista reinforced Castilian dominance. Despite external influences, Spanish retains a phonetic system closely linked to Latin. This essay examines Spanish’s historical linguistics, highlighting how conquests, migrations, and societal shifts shaped its evolution.

La Movida Madrileña: Pedro Almodóvar Y La Representación De Las Mujeres, Jack Licata

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This paper is an exploration in the connection between La Movida Madrileña, Pedro Almodovar and the representation of women. This paper looks at what the Movida was, and what it meant for the people in Spain during the height of the movement. Following an introduction, the paper explores who Almodovar was and the role that he played during the movement, with several examples of his contributions and the way that his works demonstrates the ideas and thoughts of the movement. Finally, this paper mentions the connection between the movement and how women were represented during this time with examples of …

Avant Et Après : Examen Du Proto-Féminisme À Travers La Résistance Littéraire En France Au Xve Siècle Et Au Mexique Au Xviie Siècle, Madison Coleman

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This essay seeks to understand the implications of a “before” distinction in the feminist canon— i.e., why is there “proto-feminism”, and not just “feminism”? This essay will explore the works of “proto-feminist” writers, Christine de Pizan and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and examine how the feminist themes and issues prevalent throughout their respective works are in response to the respective and collective inequities and injustices they experienced. Their oeuvres provide insight into what advocacy for women and other marginalized peoples looked like outside of the modern understanding of the historical “waves” of feminism. This essay seeks to examine …

Mujeres Hispanas Y Latinas: Influencias Culturales Y Religiosas En El Uso De Métodos Anticonceptivos, Paola Martinez

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This paper analyzes the importance of sexual and reproductive health for women’s overall wellbeing, focusing on how religious and cultural factors significantly influence contraceptive use in Hispanic and Latina communities. Religious affiliation, particularly within Catholicism and evangelical Christianity, promotes values that may discourage contraception, impacting STI prevention and family planning. Sociocultural constructs like machismo and familism reinforce these barriers, limiting women’s autonomy. Additionally, a lack of sexual education and distrust in healthcare systems contribute to unplanned pregnancies and increased STI risks. The analysis suggests that culturally sensitive educational programs could improve access to reliable information and empower women to make …

Sistemas De Salud Público Y Privado En El Salvador, Ana Ledford

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This paper analyzes El Salvador’s healthcare system, divided into public and private sectors. The public system, managed by the government, provides accessible healthcare for most of the population, though it faces issues like long wait times. In contrast, the private sector offers faster, specialized services for those who can afford them. The study discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each system, highlighting the need to enhance public healthcare and address access disparities. Solutions include increasing healthcare facilities in underserved areas and fostering collaboration with national and international organizations to improve overall healthcare quality for Salvadorians.

Poner En Práctica Las Regulaciones Federales: Habilitando A Los Pacientes Dominio Limitado Del Inglés, Caitlyn Gailey

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This paper examines the gaps in the U.S. healthcare system that affect the Hispanic community, focusing on language barriers and cultural competence. It highlights the challenges faced by Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients, who may struggle with medical terminology, leading to misdiagnosis and improper treatment. The paper advocates for culturally sensitive language services, including qualified interpreters, translated documents and signage in order to improve communication, patient satisfaction, and reduce medical errors. It calls for systemic changes to ensure equitable care for all patients, regardless of language or cultural background.

Indiana Par George Sand : Une Perspective Écoféministe, Lily Gauntt

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

George Sand’s 1832 novel Indiana explores themes of love, individuality and social class as the titular character, Indiana, battles with the temptations and consequences of an affair with the handsome and elusive Raymon de Ramière. Sand’s novel centrally explores place as it jumps back and forth from high society France and Paris to the Ile Bourbon where Indiana is from. Sand’s depiction of the Ile Bourbon presents the agency of the more-than-human world as Indiana struggles against the society that she has been forced into and the male characters that control her life. The novel’s interplay between the more-than-human world …

Los Beneficios De La Enseñanza De Lenguas Extranjeras Con Cuentos Bilingües En Escuelas Rurales, Morgan Gosdin

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This action research explores and reflects on the use of bilingual storytelling as a model for foreign language education in third-grade classrooms. Previous research indicates that familiar stories foster an ideal environment for young learners, shifting the focus to language rather than content (Kirsch, 2008). Stories invoke curiosity in students and allow learners to view a foreign language as comparable to their own rather than simply a list of rules and vocabulary words. The action research, conducted in rural Middle Georgia third-grade classrooms, incorporates cultural and linguistic education. A class of undergraduate language students conducted biweekly lessons reading Spanish stories, …

Los Inmigrantes Indocumentados Y Su Pelea Para La Salud Medica En Los Estados Unidos, Alejandro Del Rello

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This essay explores the critical issue of healthcare access for undocumented immigrants in the United States. Despite contributing significantly to the economy through labor and taxes, undocumented immigrants face systemic barriers to medical care, including lack of insurance, fear of deportation, and economic troubles. These barriers result in untreated illnesses, mental health struggles, and increased use of emergency services, which generate higher long-term costs. The paper argues for inclusive healthcare policies, such as Medicaid expansion and protections for patient privacy, to improve public health, reduce disparities, and enhance economic stability. Drawing from U.S. and international examples, the essay demonstrates that …

El Uso De Las Prácticas Curativas No Occidentales En Lugar De Y Dentro De La Cultura Biomédica, Lynda Gulledge

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This paper explores the difficulties that the Hispanic community faces when accessing healthcare in the United States, which emphasizes the use of biomedical culture. Topics such as cultural and linguistic barriers, past and present healthcare policies, and the use of non-Western medical practices are examined. Furthermore, this paper explores the history and use of curanderismo as an accessible and culturally appropriate form of healthcare. Lastly, the integration and acknowledgement of curanderismo in biomedical culture is explored and encouraged in order to create a more holistic healthcare experience for the Hispanic community.

El Movimiento Romántico En España: El Costumbrismo, Lo Gótico Y Su Recepción, Charlotte Parker

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This essay explores the history and development of the Romantic movement within Spain. Considering the historical context of the 18th century, topics such as the influences of the monarchy and the Catholic Church, the authors Mariano José de Larra and José Zorrilla and the literary works produced in this era are investigated. The presentation reveals unique aspects of romanticism within Spain. Additionally, it investigates how these themes were reflected in popular culture values. Finally, it examines the perception of a Spanish national identity, as well as the relationship between Spain and the rest of Europe.

Le Proto-Féminisme De George Sand, Jasmine Harrison

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

George Sand, the pen name of Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, was a radical and revolutionary writer. Through her writing, she challenged social norms and incorporated gender equality into her novels. This presentation examines Sand's four works: Indiana, Valentine, Lélia, and La Mare au diable. The question of Sand's status as a feminist writer, or even as an early feminist writer, is explored through women's roles in society through the analysis of nineteenth-century literature.

Manque De Réussite : Le Préjudice Dans Le Football Français, Will Bedell

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

Despite being called The Beautiful Game, soccer in France has a few issues that take away from its beauty. This presentation aims to identify the causes and reasons behind the issues of racism, homophobia, and sexism which plague the French soccer scene. By looking at the causes of these from within French culture, history, and their society we can hope to understand why they exist as well as to establish the sources from which these issues arise.

Quemando Leña En Guatemala: Salud, Sostenibilidad Y Costumbres, Sydney Underhill

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

In the Central American country of Guatemala, firewood is an important fuel source. Eighty-eight percent of households in rural areas use wood stoves and open fires to cook and heat their homes. This tradition has fundamental roots in the culture and customs of Guatemala. Unfortunately, these methods contribute to air pollution. Consequently, it also results in smoke inhalation, which causes health problems. Additionally, the massive agriculture of other crops decreases the amount of firewood available to these households, affecting the sustainability of the resource. Some communities resist changing their use of firewood due to the profound nature that firewood holds …

Le Dix-Neuvième Siècle : Les Mouvements Littéraires Français Et La Classe Ouvrière, Grace Horton

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This presentation is an analysis of the connections between the different literary movements of 19th century France, such as romanticism, realism, and modernism, and how they were initiated by the French revolutions of 1830 and 1848. It covers the impacts of these revolutions on different prolific 19th century French writers such as Alphonse de Lamartine, Victor Hugo, Honoré de Balzac, and Charles Baudelaire, and how each writer prompted their respective movements.

L’Évolution Du Libéralisme Dans La Littérature Au Xixe Siècle, Sophie Hardy

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This presentation is a dissection of a quote made by Victor Hugo during the preface of his work Hernani (1830), where he wrote that, “romanticism is just liberalism in literature". This presentation strives to contradict this statement by analyzing Hugo’s early works before the revolution of 1830 to prove that not all of his works discussed liberalism. This presentation will also analyze the works of Alphonse de Lamartine and Alfred de Musset during this romantic era and compares Hugo’s earlier statement to their works.

Los Intérpretes Médicos Son Un Derecho, No Un Privilegio, Morgan Uesseler

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This essay explores medical interpretation as a right, not a privilege. It argues that medical interpretation is a vital service that should be required in all healthcare settings, not just in those that are funded by the government. Themes addressed include the difference between interpretation and translation, face-to-face interpretation versus telecommunication, liabilities and risks associated with untrained and uncertified medical interpreters, and the federal law Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Challenges experienced during any medical session are underscored, while giving special focus to limited English proficient Hispanic patients whose healthcare literacy is in Spanish, not English.

Los Grupos Paramilitares Como Desafío Al Modelo Estado-Nación En La Región Andina, Alexandra Furney

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

Paramilitary groups in Colombia and Bolivia reflect a fallout of the Western nation-state model that was mapped over former Incan spaces at the beginning of the 19th century. Somewhere between plurinational and unformed states, these Andean nations face challenges in forming a coherent governing structure, at times challenged by geography and at others culture.

Representación De Mujeres En El Cine Español: Icíar Bollaín Y Pedro Almodóvar, Jennyfer Sanchez Toribio

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This paper examines the representation of women in Spanish film, particularly the films Flores de otro mundo (1999) directed by Icíar Bollaín and Volver (2006) by Pedro Almodóvar. Both directors choose to protagonize women as strong individuals capable of being independent and having the ability to move forward in life without the help of a man. Many of the scenes in these films contradict the patriarchal systems set in place to maintain the inferiority of women. Both films also refute societal gender roles and challenge the ideas of machismo, and as a result positively represent women and their capabilities.

Luchas Contra La Matriz Colonial Del Poder: La Liminalidad Del Inmigrante En Axolotl De Julio Cortázar Y Everything, Everywhere All At Once De Daniel Kwan Y Daniel Scheinert., Daniela Hernandez

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

Throughout this essay, immigrant liminality and its connection to Anibal Quijano’s colonial matrix of power is highlighted. Literature and film, such as "Axolotl" and "Everything Everywhere All at Once," illustrate the impact of colonialism on immigrant liminality. Decolonization, anti-colonial thought and culture, can empower marginalized communities by recognizing the ongoing impacts of colonialism. Such representations acknowledge the state of limbo immigrants face, which is disconnected from the mainstream representation of the immigrant experience and the American Dream. By exploring liminality, these representations can help dismantle the colonial matrix of power that shapes how immigrants are perceived in the Western world.

La Liberté Face À L’Absurde : Comment Exister Dans Le Monde Moderne, Braiden Ellis

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

French existentialist literature was born in response to the horrors of World War II. The two most prominent representatives of French existentialism were Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. Both writers were once friends, but their differing approaches to existentialism drove them apart. Camus believed that people should appreciate the life they have, rather than focus on the meaninglessness of a world without God. Sartre believed that people should take agency for their own lives to achieve a state of higher consciousness called “pour-soi.” Sartre’s ideas of self-agency were sometimes problematic, however, in that they ascribed inferiority to selected groups and …

La Représentation Des Personnages Féminins De Colette Avant Et Après La Première Guerre Mondiale, Payton Thompson

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

At the time that the French novelist Colette was writing, there was a clear hierarchy between the genders that limited the representation of women in literature. In examining the main female characters within two of Colette’s novels, Chéri (1920) and La fin de Chéri (1926), we see that the characters Léa and Edmée disrupt this hierarchy. Specifically, they disturb the patriarchal structures of the time through their representation of the feminist ideas of autonomy in the aspect of freedom of choice, sexual liberation, the inversion of gender roles, and the creation of an individual identity. Since these novels take place …

Dios, Søren Kierkegaard, Y Miguel De Unamuno: Desarollando El Propio Yo, Allyson Chumley

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

The philosophies of Søren Kierkegaard and Miguel de Unamuno were born within turbulent times and the rise of naturalism. As a result, they both embraced subjectivity and individualism. While the two used indirect communication to explore similar ideas, they both had very different concepts of the self, religion, and the process of making yourself a self. While Kierkegaard viewed the process of self-actualization as a mostly linear path of conquering three stages or realms of existence, Unamuno viewed these same stages as mere aspects of human existence, viewing self-actualization as distinct for every individual but generally consisting of striving for …

Neocolonialismo Y Sus Agentes En También La Lluvia, Amber Youngblood

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

The Spanish film También la lluvia (2010) directed by Icíar Bollaín is a commentary about the social factors that resulted in the Water Wars of Cochabamba, Bolivia. This essay contextualizes the circumstances that led up to the violent riots that plagued Cochabamba from November 1999 to April 2000. También la lluvia centers around a foreign film crew seeking to film a movie in Cochabamba, Bolivia for its beautiful landscape and cheap labor. In the months it takes to film the movie, portraying the colonial exploitation of Native Americans, the Water War is developing in the surrounding city. This essay examines …

Machismo, Masculinidad Tóxica Y Estereotipos Del Género: Simulaciones Y Utopías En Niebla (1914) Y Don’T Worry Darling (2022), Mattie Stewart

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This paper explores the use of simulations and utopias in works of literature and film to critique and interpret social problems affecting people in society. Specifically, it examines Miguel de Unamuno's novel Niebla (1914) and Olivia Wilde's film Don't Worry Darling (2022) as examples of how authors use simulated realities to criticize societal issues. Unamuno's novel highlights the protagonist's separation between reality and fantasy, while Wilde's film creates a simulated reality that reveals toxic masculinity and gender stereotypes in society. Both works inspire fear towards technology and highlight the difficulty in distinguishing reality from illusion. This paper ultimately argues that …

Consecuencias Sociales En El Cine Latinoamericano: Alta Visibilidad De Lo Queer, Tucker Wayne Skipper

World Languages and Cultures Senior Capstones

This presentation explores hegemonic societies in the Caribbean and the Southern Cone of Latin America as framed by the cultural phenomenon of high queer visibility in four films: Fresa y chocolate (1995) by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabío, Antes que anochezca (2000) by Julian Schnabel, El beso de la mujer araña (1985) by Héctor Babenco, and Hoy quiero volver solo (2014) by Daniel Ribeiro. It examines the social consequences that each of the main characters must pay to their hegemonic societies because of this visibility. This research also makes a case for compulsive heterosexuality and how the heterosexist …