Liberal Studies Commons^™

The Embedded Scaffolded Writing Mini-Course (Teswmc): An Approach To Improve Teacher Candidates’ Writing Skills And Attitudes, Vicky Giouroukakis Ph.D., Laurie Bocca

Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education

High-quality academic writing is critical to student success in graduate-level education courses and professional advancement in our field. The Embedded Scaffolded Writing Mini-Course (TESWMC) was designed to both improve teacher candidates’ skills in writing critically and effectively and to positively influence teacher candidates’ attitudes towards writing. The 7-week mini-course was taught by the teacher educator/researcher as a “push-in” into a semester-long graduate Education course. The mini-course also served as a pilot study to determine its efficacy. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. Data revealed that teacher candidates reported that their writing skills and attitudes towards writing improved. …

Full Issue 2024 (Volume 2), Taylor University

Lux et Fides: A Journal for Undergraduate Christian Scholars

This open-access journal endeavors to showcase the excellent academic inquiry of Taylor University students. The content within this issue represents multiple academic disciplines within the humanities, natural and applied sciences, and social sciences, and demonstrates the “Light and Faith” mentality that is so central Taylor University’s educational philosophy. We are grateful to all who submitted articles, our faculty reviewers, and the editorial board.

For the first time, Lux et Fides contains both Research Briefs and articles. Research Briefs are abstract-length summaries of grant-funded faculty-mentored student research projects conducted during the summer of 2023 and allow students to articulate to our …

Kantian Reason & Epistemic Humility, Elias Seeman

Lux et Fides: A Journal for Undergraduate Christian Scholars

Immanuel Kant continues to be one of the most influential thinkers in the history of philosophy. His thought shapes much of contemporary culture and has dramatically influenced Christian philosophy and theology. While some of this influence is beneficial, there are components of Kantian thought – especially as it pertains to the capabilities of human reason to arrive at true knowledge of God – that are decidedly problematic. In this paper, two different readings on Kant’s work on this subject are presented, followed by a brief overview of key insights and shortcomings. The final section charts a positive way forward for …

Hymns Of Babel: A Song Cycle Fmus Composition Project, Reed Spencer, Steven Day

Lux et Fides: A Journal for Undergraduate Christian Scholars

Hymns of Babel Research Brief

Over the course of the eight-week faculty mentorship undergraduate scholarship period, Dr. Reed Spencer and senior Steven Day composed a twelve-song cycle on the theme of Generation Z’s interaction with social media. This piece sought to articulate the thoughts, emotions, responses, and impulses that accompany the virtual world. Many of the songs explored where we find God in our social media age, as well as how we create gods, try to act as a god, and pretend there is no God. The collaborative process began by creating a rough lyrical structure and purpose, followed by …

Monstrosity In Mary Shelley’S Frankenstein And Leigh Bardugo’S Six Of Crows, Jordyn Fortuna

Lux et Fides: A Journal for Undergraduate Christian Scholars

The main characters in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows reveal the potential within everyone for Monstrosity. This disregard for humanity can stem from many things, but it can also be prevented through community and sympathy. Monstrosity is often misconstrued due to a false perception guided by a sighted bias. In reality, however, characters’ humanity can be shown to the reader through a greater insight into their traumas and intentions. This paper highlights the idea that reputation cannot be trusted, but instead must be further examined to reveal the Monster within.

Examining The Aggregate Economic Impacts Of Criminal Record Expungement In Marion County, Indiana, Zane Callison

Lux et Fides: A Journal for Undergraduate Christian Scholars

This article investigates the individual economic effects of criminal record expungement identified in a previous article as they appear in the aggregate, particularly rates of unemployment and wages. As interest around the effects of overincarceration increases, criminal record expungement offers a possible solution to the economic woes faced by justice-involved individuals. To that end, this article examines unemployment rates and per capita personal income in Marion County, Indiana, where implementation of the state of Indiana’s criminal record expungement statute has been exceptionally effective. After an analysis, we find that criminal record expungement bears only a light or unclear causal relationship …

Computational Analysis Of O6-Methylated Guanine And Thioguanine Complexes, Kirsten Stinson, Michael Bowman

Lux et Fides: A Journal for Undergraduate Christian Scholars

DNA methylation occurring on the O⁶ position of guanine has been linked to the formation of cancer. DNA complexes with O⁶-methylated guanine have been studied experimentally, yet questions remain concerning the carcinogenic properties of O⁶-methylguanine. This present research explored the interaction between O⁶-methylguanine and its potential nucleobase pairs of cytosine and adenine in hopes of elucidating the mutagenic characteristics of O⁶-methylguanine. A variety of computational methods including Density Functional Theory (DFT), Symmetry Adapted Perturbation Theory (SAPT), Noncovalent Interaction (NCI) analysis, and Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis were employed to comprehensively probe …

A Study And Critique Of Sexual Violence Against Disabled Individuals In Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications For Policy And Practice Of Trauma-Informed Care, Kaeley Sells

Lux et Fides: A Journal for Undergraduate Christian Scholars

This paper examines and critiques current sexual violence against disabled individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa by evaluating the social and cultural stigma present that perpetuates cycles of vulnerabilities. Currently, women and girls with disabilities are disproportionally at risk for sexual violence as economic, cultural, and political structures in many Sub-Saharan African countries fail to recognize and adequately protect those with disabilities. Incorporating evidence from journals, books, reviews, and studies, this paper demonstrates the need for non-government and government actors to recognize the need to provide protection and trauma-informed care for disabled individuals.

Twenty Years Of Community-Based College Success: Oral Histories From Practitioners, Partners, And Peer Mentors Supporting City University Of New York (Cuny) Students, Benjamin J. Carey

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

For the past twenty years, community-based college success programs have supported a generation of young people entering all twenty-five City University of New York (CUNY) Colleges. As the country’s largest urban university system, CUNY has historically been a major engine of economic mobility for young people in New York City. However, gaps in academic preparation and navigational support have weakened student persistence and graduation rates. Community-based organizations (CBOs) that have provided college access support to New York City public school students since the 1980s began to extend their services into college to provide targeted interventions and improve student outcomes. Grounded …

Multimodality And Transfer In First-Year Composition: A Pedagogical Reflection, Mariah Sebastiani

Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE)

This research project investigates how my FYC (First-Year Comp) content transfers into my students’ diverse classes, majors, and professional discourses. By interviewing and surveying my past students, I will use transfer theory to evaluate what pedagogical tools and methods lead students to effectively or ineffectively transfer FYC concepts, such as writing process, rhetorical situations, and discourse communities, into their current classes and professional lives. I will also focus on how multimodal activities impacted the learning environment and concept retention. I will interview and survey my students about how FYC knowledge transfers into their other classes. Using this research, I will …

Bedeviled Beauty: My Journey Through White American Theater Institutions, J'Aila C. Price

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Game console: Oculus Quest

World: American Theater Institutions

Player: Minority

Place: United States

Level: “Ain’t no way.”

This thesis explores the contrast between the Westernized philosophies ingrained in my education and my identity as a Black female artist. It sheds light on the difficulties of pursuing higher education in the arts and the gaps that arise from limited exposure to culturally diverse Black resources, revealing the systemic issues in Western performance education. The paper also discusses the insights gained from my journey as a Black female artist, focusing on my thesis performance of Blood at the Root, which is …

The Grizzly, April 25, 2024, Marie Sykes, Ellie Burns, Kathy Logan, Sean Mcginley, Kate Horan, Mairead Mcdermott, Georgia Gardner, Adam Denn, Renie Christensen, Dominic Minicozzi

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Weaving Stories Into Dance • CoSA Coming This Wednesday! • Ursinus Students Present Biology Projects in San Diego • Editor's Note • Marie Sykes: Editor-in-Chief Signing Off • Grizzly Editorial Team: Senior Goodbyes • Grizzly Editorial Team: Returning Members • Final Crossword • 2024 Spring Sports Recap: Women's Athletics • Signing Off, Go Bears!

The Effects Of Course Modality On Student Satisfaction And Academic Outcomes At A Liberal Arts College During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Suhua Dong

Institutional Research Staff Publications

Using student self-reports on a survey and objective records of academic achievement, I examined the effects of course modality on student satisfaction and academic outcomes at a selective liberal arts college in spring 2021. I compared three groups of undergraduates (N = 729) based on their predominant course modality: Online-Class Group, Residential Blended Learning Group, and Residential In-Person-Class Group. After controlling for gender, race/ethnicity, class level, and socioeconomic status, course modality demonstrated significant main effects on all three satisfaction variables and sense of connection a student felt to the institution. The Online-Class Group reported the lowest satisfaction with level of …

The Grizzly, April 18, 2024, Marie Sykes, Nicolas Ungurean, Andrew J. Perez, Ellie Burns, Kathy Logan, Kate Horan, Sidney Belleroche, Renee Washart, James Rapp

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Tensions High at Congressional Town Hall • Tree Planting Ceremony to Honor Damiano Rotolo • Ursinus Hosting "Out of Darkness" Walk • Phi Kap's LLS Fundraiser • Expert Tips on Graduate School Planning: What You Need to Know • First Year Review on First-Year Housing • Every REP Matters • ReLAXing is Not an Option

The Grizzly, April 11, 2024, Marie Sykes, Ellie Burns, Sean Mcginley, Maddie Wilson, Vaughn Dibattista

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Lavender Graduation: Recognizing LGBTQ+ Seniors • Check Out These Senior Honors Projects! • The Arts at COSA • Bear Innovation Contest • Crossword: Solar Eclipse Edition! • UC Softball Crossword • Walking On, Standing Out: The Jay Sims Story

2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium Program, Coastal Carolina University

Undergraduate Research Symposium Programs

15th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 10-11, 2024.

The Grizzly, April 4, 2024, Marie Sykes, Renee Washart, Caitlin Cunnane, Nicolas Ungurean, Kate Horan, Kathy Logan, Dominic Minicozzi, Donovan Dyitt

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Counting Craters With Physics • Talking With the Cast of Captain Darling • Main Street Revitalization Plan • Watson Fellowship Winner Tommy Armstrong '20: Travels and Reflections • Seniors Share Their Favorite Memories at Ursinus • Sudoku! • NCGA National Championship Puts Ursinus on the Map • Springing Into Action

The Grizzly, March 28, 2024, Marie Sykes

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

This is an April Fool's parody edition of the Ursinus College Grizzly newspaper entitled "The Goofly."

The Grizzly, March 21, 2024, Marie Sykes, Sean Mcginley, Ellie Burns, Renee Washart, Caitlin Cunnane, Carlota Corral Elejabeitia, James Rapp

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Talking Campus Antisemitism and New Social Science With Professor Kopstein • Deadnaming Emails Resolved • Joey Nolan Named Watson Fellow • Drug Delivery Via Carbon Nanotubes • Breakaway Student Productions and WVOU Present: Mircalla • Studying Abroad as a Fulbright Fellow • Softball Spring Break Senior Catch-up and Their "Revenge Tour" • Ursinus Men's LAX Crossword

Whole Genome Sequencing Of The Whipple Azalea Garden, Afia Asamoah, Elizabeth Toth, Amy Vasudevan, Sarah Justice, Elizabeth D. Hasenmyer

Lux et Fides: A Journal for Undergraduate Christian Scholars

Taylor University houses a large collection of North American azaleas. Deciduous azalea species, like those found on campus, are vastly understudied. This project aims to provide publicly available genomic data which will be used to study the genetic basis behind their physical characteristics and their relatedness to other species.

Water Filtration System For Hospital In Bangladesh, David E. Mitchell

Lux et Fides: A Journal for Undergraduate Christian Scholars

The Chadraghona Christian Hospital serves the people of Bangladesh in a Christ-centered way, providing quality care for the people of the region. The hospital has several significant infrastructure needs, including a source of clean water. Currently, the hospital does not have a filtration system and draws its water directly from an adjacent river that is polluted and often cloudy with particulates. Prior work on this project, performed during the summer of 2022, began the design of the filtration system for the hospital. The work performed this summer focused on improving and extending last summer’s work. Improvements in the system design …

The Grizzly, March 14, 2024, Marie Sykes, Sidney Belleroche, Sean Mcginley, Isabel Martinez-Robles, Gregory Dervinis, Nicolas Ungurean, Dominic Minicozzi, Adam Denn

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Librarian Skorina Talks Potential Renovations to Myrin Library • Sodexo Chef Cook-off at Wismer • March Crossword Puzzle • You Like Jazz? • Senior Honors Projects: Featuring Grabowski and Grubb • Where's the Party at? • Winter is the New Spring! • Bears Hard at Work Over Spring Break

The Grizzly, February 29, 2024, Marie Sykes, Sidney Belleroche, Sophia Kumar, Ellie Burns, Kate Horan, Renie Christensen, Andrew J. Perez, Dan Bass, Adam Denn

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Dr. Harold Dean Trulear Talks Theology and Mass Incarceration • Newly Created Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology Major • Ursinus Crossword Puzzle • Reimagine Ursinus-Collegeville: Planting a Seed of Change • Spring at Ursinus College Word Search • Meme Corner • Taco Tuesday! • UCWB Playoff Run Comes to an End in Baltimore • "Pool Party at Gettysburg!" Bears Accept Invitation

The Grizzly, February 22, 2024, Marie Sykes, Kathy Logan, Sidney Belleroche, Kate Horan, Andrew J. Perez, Dominic Minicozzi, James Rapp

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Voluntary Retirement Program: Limited Time Offer • Senior Class Celebrated 100 Days Till Graduation • Which Justices are Just? • A Conversation With Esther Akande: Recently-Graduated President of SUN • New Dungeons & Dragons Club: "The Only Limit is Your Imagination!" • Sedona Taphouse's Satisfying Eats • Painting the Postseason Picture • Ursinus Men's LAX on the Attack!

The Grizzly, February 15, 2024, Marie Sykes, Sidney Belleroche, Nicolas Ungurean, Renie Christensen, Mairead Mcdermott, Dominic Minicozzi, Adam Denn

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Freedom, Transformation and Pathways: Spring Exhibits at the Berman • Ursinus Faculty Discusses Generative A.I. • An Artist's Craft: The Making of Running Away • Everybody Dies • Opinions: What Was Your Favorite Memory Studying Abroad? • Ursinus Athletics Crossword • Bears Come in the Clutch: Ursinus Reels Off Two Straight Victories

Table Of Contents

Early College Folio

(2023) "Table of Contents," Early College Folio: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 1. Available at: https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/earlycollegefolio/vol3/iss1/1

The Grizzly, February 8, 2024, Marie Sykes, Sean Mcginley, Kate Horan, Kathy Logan, Andrew J. Perez, Adam Denn, Dominic Minicozzi

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Restructuring VP Positions • Steam Bending With Adriane Colburn • 2024 Watson Fellowship Finalists • The Writing Fellow Experience • Jasmine's Journey of Sushi • Swimmers Gear Up for Champs • Senior Day Sweep: Ursinus College Men's Wrestling

Building A Pipeline For Transfer And Scholarship Through (Virtual) Honors Research Partnerships, Lauri B. Cockfield

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Excerpt:

At the start of the 2020 academic year, I was approached by the president of the Barry Goldwater Foundation, who invited the Perimeter Honors College to participate in a new initiative they were undertaking with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to identify excellent candidates for the Goldwater scholarship from groups underrepresented in STEM. We were already establishing a framework in research that included appointment of a new Research and Scholarship Coordinator in the honors college, a campus-based research showcase, and a new research partnership with an interdisciplinary bachelor’s program. Because one of the goals of these structural changes …

Reaction To Intention: Developing Hybrid Honors Courses In The Wake Of The Pandemic, Megan Woller

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

Applying lessons learned throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic, this chapter considers the shift from the necessary but reactionary adjustment to a virtual learning environment toward an intentional use of online learning in honors courses. Specifically, this chapter draws on my own experience teaching an honors course entitled “Issues in Music History: Music and Gender.” This course was developed in December of 2019 as a face-to-face class for non-major honors students with a focus on discussion, writing, and teamwork via a final project.

For Here Or To Go? (Re)Packaging The Takeaway, Randi Polk

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

In this chapter, I intend to walk readers through my thought process for creating a virtual study abroad course and show how it was informed by lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as current pedagogical trends. I will then discuss the implementation, including what worked and what did not go as planned. Finally, I will show how this course culminated in a student-led conference presentation and how this topic has shaped future thinking for Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) honors regarding global learning opportunities.