Liberal Studies Commons^™

Honor Thyself, Alonzo O. Williams

Dance (MFA) Theses

The black male experience and identity in America are filled with complexity. We struggle to know ourselves. We work to see the way of love and the peace of an unviolated free spirit. We want to engage with ourselves with the highest degree of freedom and comfort, not to continue to question our identity in a life-threatening white patriarchal masculinity ideal. Honoring oneself from the lenses of the Reconstruction era of the United States is essential. Reconceptualizing this history explores the significance of emphasizing Reconstruction in my life as a black male to go through a process of self-discovery and …

A View From Somewhere: Situating The Public Problem In Creative Writing Workshops, Erika Luckert

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

This essay is an effort to better situate the creative writing workshop in the diverse perspectives of its participants, by drawing on parallels between critiques of the writing workshop and critiques of the idealized public sphere. Habermas’s idealized public sphere has been critiqued for privileging dominant identities, much as creative writing workshops have been critiqued for privileging white writers like me. In this essay, I begin by listening to the critiques and testimony of BIPOC writers, which reveal that workshops are hegemonic spaces that reproduce and magnify racist, sexist, and classist systems. By reading these testimonies in conversation with critiques …

Review Of Yoga Minds, Writing Bodies: Contemplative Writing Pedagogy By Christy Wenger, Matthew Overstreet

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

When given the chance to review a book for JAEPL, I immediately suggested Christy Wenger’s Yoga Minds, Writing Bodies. Not only is this a book I highly respect, but one of its themes is perhaps more relevant than ever today, some six years after its publication.

Review Of On The End Of Privacy: Dissolving Boundaries In A Screen- Centric World By Richard E. Miller, Kandace Knudson

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

Although I no longer grade student papers, I work closely with students and my faculty colleagues in support of the online learning environment. Need some advice about how to design your online course to increase student engagement? Need to know what the institution’s rules are as they relate to online teaching? Yes, I’m that person: accessibility laws, copyright laws, college policy, how to get this photocopied article into the learning management system, where to click to do this or that.

A Grounded Approach To Integral Art Therapy: Initial Reflections On Art Materials, Natalia Gómez-Carlier

Journal of Conscious Evolution

Art therapy has the power to bring healing and wholeness as it expands globally, an awareness of the integral structure of consciousness can benefit an adaptation of this profession that is both integrative and respectful of multiple perspectives and cultural views. The art-making process in art therapy can ground experience, and art materials can serve as vehicles through which different structures on consciousness are elicited, experienced, documented, and integrated. Integral art therapy can study the use of art materials to activate an integral structure of consciousness. Integrality is defined by its ability to play simultaneously from all structures of …

Aesthetic Altruism: Consciousness Of Street Artists, Melanie Cheng

Journal of Conscious Evolution

In the past few decades, many street artists have gained international recognition and now straddle the worlds of actual street art – art in the streets, art in the public domain – and fine art – art that is perceived to be of a particular quality, shown in galleries or museums. Despite perhaps “transcending” the streets, most successful street artists choose to continue creating artwork in public spaces, both legally with permission, or illegally without. Street art is different from public art, which is categorically created through a public process; while some street art, if not created aesthetically or …

Literary Fiction And Sympathy: How Reading Makes You A Better Person, Emma Rose Wick

Honors Theses and Capstones

I argue in this thesis that literary fiction enhances our ability to sympathize with others as a result of observing—and thereby coming to feel for—the perspectives of the characters by engaging in mental perspective-taking. As a result, we become able to sympathize with an array of individuals whose experiences are unlike our own, and which we may never understand otherwise. I argue that the ability to sympathize with others is valuable for the sake of being a morally good person, and for having an overall good character. This has value in and of itself, particularly from an Aristotelian perspective. I …

Archiving Feminist Truth In Trump’S Wake Of Lies, Julie Shayne

Humboldt Journal of Social Relations

This article is about an assignment I do in one of my Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies social movement classes. I revised the assignment the first time teaching the class after Trump lost the 2020 election. For the assignment, students work in groups to research local feminist and gender justice organizations and deposit all of their original materials – recordings, photos, flyers, etc. – into a digital, open access archive I co-created several years ago with librarians and staff on my campus. In 2021 I had my students do the “post-Trump” edition where they researched local organizations about how their …

Transforming Social Work Practice And Research: Examining Lived Experiences Of Black Male Veteran Students And Mental Health, Tay Robinson

DSW Capstone Projects

Mental health disparities amongst the African American/Black community are well documented in literature. Throughout history the African American/ Black community have dealt with unethical operating procedures and research studies. This capstone project looks at historical facts, the lack of Black male veteran specific research as it relates to mental health, lived experiences of Black male veteran students with mental health/treatment, and developing culturally appropriate approaches to increasing research and effective practices to better serve this community.

The second chapter and first product of this capstone project is a systematic literature review. This literature review focused on finding literature on African …

“Every Beat You Make Has A Time Of Day Or Color”: How Producers And Rappers Changed The Course Of Sampling Music, Elvin M. Castellanos

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrates the importance of the producer and artist relationship in hip hop songwriting and sampling, focusing on producers The Alchemist, Madlib, Sounwave, and Terrace Martin, and artists Freddie Gibbs, MF DOOM, Prodigy, and Kendrick Lamar. Topics covered range from sampling lawsuits and their impact on producers and artists in songwriting; what a producer and artist relationship looks like and how they benefit from their relationship; and the quality of music that comes from a close relationship between a producer and artist. I build upon research about the effects of sampling on hip hop by musicologist Amanda Sewell; sampling …

Catch My Drift? Perceptions And Experiences Of Pesticide Contamination Of Organic Crops In Montana, Sarah Rodgers

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Pesticide drift and inadvertent contamination pose particular risks to organic production. Some organic producers have lost their crops, certification, and/or organic markets because of contamination events. Through this thesis research, I explain the perceptions and experiences that certified organic farmers in Montana have about drift and inadvertent pesticide contamination. I conducted semi-structured interviews with eleven certified organic farmers from various regions of Montana. Along with one-on-one interviews with organic farmers, interviews with industry and regulatory officials were conducted to better understand the policies and procedures that control what happens when drift occurs at the state level. Industry and regulatory official …

Cooking Up A Data Literacy Course, Claire Nickerson Mlis

Library Faculty Publications

This asynchronous online course, Interdisciplinary Studies 815: Introduction to Data, was developed for graduate students in the information analysis and communication concentration of the Fort Hays State University master of liberal studies degree. The course is designed for professionals who need to make data-driven decisions such as educators, policy makers, and nonprofit employees. It is a survey course, so it does not go into great depth on any of the topics covered but rather provides a basic grounding for developing further data literacy skills. It exclusively uses zero-cost resources, including openly licensed content, library-licensed e-books and articles, and free online …

Udergraduate Students’ Perception Of Conventional And Digital Libraries In Nigeria Universities, Joseph Chinweobo Onuoha Ph.D, Chinonso Mbama

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study investigated the perceptions of Social Studies Education (SSE) students towards the use of conventional and digital libraries in South-east Nigeria Universities. It adopted a survey research design. Five research questions and five null hypotheses guided the study. The study was conducted in the South-east zone of Nigeria. The target population for this study was 238 Students. A sample size of 152 students using multi-stage sampling technique. A self-developed instrument titled “Questionnaire on perception towards the use of the conventional and digital Libraries (QPDCL)” was used for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using Cronbach …

Does Social Studies Education Students’ Attitude Determine How They Utilize Conventional And Digital Libraries In Nigeria?, Joseph Chinweobo Onuoha Ph.D, Chinonso Mbama, Nkechinyere Edeh

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study determined the attitude of Social Studies Education (SSE) students towards the use of conventional and digital libraries in South-east Nigeria universities. It adopted a survey research design. Four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study was 238 Students which consisted all the SSE students from 2⁰⁰ to 400 level. A sample size of 152 students selected through multi-stage sampling techniques were used for the study. A- 4-point instrument developed by the researcher titled “Questionnaire on Attitude towards the use of conventional and digital Libraries (QACDL)” was used for the study. …

Reducing Turnover In Higher Education Fundraising Through Interdisciplinary Investments Of Human Capital Management, Clayton Ellis

Graduate Liberal Studies Capstone Projects

In today's modern development profession, the threat of turnover looms over college campuses from creating lasting relationships with donors, leading to repeat gifts. By examining the contributors to turnover, this writing reveals opportunities for fundraising divisions to mitigate this threat by investing in their talent and thus increasing intrinsic value.

The Grizzly, December 9, 2021, Layla Halterman, Morgan Mason, Cici Chagnon, Brooke Hurley, Mike Johnston, Katie Cressman, Kathy Logan, Alessandra Armour

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Bears Walk for Project Healing Hive • Basement Fire in BWC • Phi Psi Fundraiser Gets Messy • Senior Spotlight: Zenya Yanoff • Meet Connor Donovan • Opinions: First Year Check In; Chem Night Exams • Leaving a Player, Returning a Coach • Men and Women's BB Recap

Civic Engagement Through Theatre: Running A Brechtian Workshop In The Classroom, Margot Morgan

eJournal of Public Affairs

This study presents an innovative active learning technique to support the development of civic education: a theatrical workshop based on the dramaturgy of Bertolt Brecht. I argue that the Brechtian workshop can develop three skills necessary for effective civic engagement: perspective taking, collaboration, and critical judgment/self-reflection, and that these skills are directly tied to the three civic values of pluralism, community, and civic responsibility. Using qualitative data gathered in the course of teaching this workshop to two distinct student populations — a self-selecting group of students in a liberal arts environment and a group of students at a commuter campus …

The Grizzly, December 2, 2021, Layla Halterman, Evan Stinson, Ashley Webster, Morgan Grabowski, Cole Gannon, Brooke Hurley, Abigail Peabody, Sean Mcginley

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

How Should We Eat Together? • December Editor's Letter • Mail Center Mishap • Dancing in the Lenfest Once More • Meet Will McCoy • Opinions: Holiday Season on Campus; Growing Concern Over Course Registration • UC Men's Rugby is Back • Field Hockey's Huge Success

Environmental Justice Issues And Sea Level Rise In Frontline Communties Along The Gulf Coast, Karla Michel Lopez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Sea level rise poses a great threat to coastal areas and our way of life. As flooding increases in frequency and intensity across the country, vulnerable populations become a target to its impacts. The U.S. dedicates much research to risk communication and climate change adaptation strategies; however, these coastal areas are home to a large percentage of underserved and underrepresented communities that can be challenging to meaningfully engage. The impacts of short-term sea level rise combined with long-term sea level rise will not only cause flooding, erosion, and intrusion of saltwater into freshwater resources but also increased financial consequences, such …

Teaching Healthy Communication Skills For College Students With Disabilities, Molly Mcshane

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For college students with disabilities, interpersonal communication can be difficult. There have not been sufficient supportive services for college students with disabilities when it comes to learning communication skills in a college environment. Without effective communication skills, college students with disabilities may face social barriers and fewer chances for personal connections, which may lead to social isolation. In order to address this issue, I planned to create a 2-hour lesson for members of the Student Awareness for Disability Empowerment club (S.A.D.E) at California State University, Monterey Bay.

Educating Asian American College Students On The Importance Of Community And Mentorship, Jeah Limbag

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many college students may find it challenging to discover and create a supportive and consistent community or establish meaningful relationships in school. Asian American college students, in particular, have cultural values, experiences, and ideologies that can limit seeking mentors and establishing a social support network. The consequences of this could be increased feelings of loneliness and isolation, worse mental health, lower academic performance, lower attendance, and an increased likelihood of dropping out of school. To address these challenges, I have created an interactive presentation bringing awareness of the importance of mentorship and community to students in the Asian and Pacific …

Catholic Education And The Idea Of Curriculum, Leonardo Franchi, Robert Davis

Journal of Catholic Education

Critical reflection on the curriculum offered in the Catholic school is a valuable addition to wider dialogue on the nature of education and schooling. It enables the Church’s educational agencies to offer a distinctive vision of education to the diverse range of students who freely participate in its educational ventures. In Catholic thinking, education is the study of humanity and its achievements. The curriculum of the Catholic school speaks to internal and external audiences and is a bridge uniting the Catholic worldview with other intellectual traditions.

The Show Must Go On: Challenges, Questions, And Pedagogical Pivots In Response To Covid-19, Patrick S. De Walt

Journal of Multicultural Affairs

On March 18, 2020, many universities and university systems had or were in their initial stages of transitioning to virtual teaching as a result of COVID-19. This transition had varied effects on all aspects of the university community. This paper explores this transition through the teaching experiences of a tenure-track professor during the pandemic. The examination of six sections of a capstone undergraduate course over the course of three semesters was conducted. Through self-reflection, many of the challenges faced shifting from face-to-face to a virtual environment were discussed. Among some of the challenges and limitations experienced when teaching nontraditional and/or …

The Grizzly, November 18, 2021, Layla Halterman, Jenna Smith, Sean Mcginley, Amelia Kunko, Ro Murphy, Brian Tague, Shannon Henes, Cole Gannon, Ava Compagnoni, Kathy Logan

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Ursinus College Democrats Making a Comeback • Bears Frightened Bullets • Bears Bring in Bucks for #Giving2UCDay • The Re"Mark"able Feinberg • Exchanging Sticks for Cameras • Opinions: A Spooky Homecoming; Life After Ursinus: What Will I Do? • SAAC's Spicy Spirit Week • Women's Soccer Final Kick

Incorporate Art Standards In Kindergarten Curriculum, Christina Mattocks

Scholars Week

No abstract provided.

Volume Cxxxx, Number 8, November 12, 2021, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

Review Of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, Bao Diep

Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement

The paper is the review of Ocean Vuong’s novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, which was published in 2019 by Penguin Press, New York. The paper contains a brief summary of each chapter and the author’s views about the complexity of queer identity in Vietnamese culture. The paper also touches on taboo subjects, such as mental health and queerness, and how they shape Vuong’s perspectives on family relationships, generational trauma and toxicity of nail culture. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous represents a new generation of young writers who carry multiple identities and want to reveal themselves to the world.

The Grizzly, November 11, 2021, Layla Halterman, Julia Paiano, Ashley Webster, Alena Deantonellis, Dan Icaza, Olivia Fiorella, Chase Portaro, Madison Handwerger, Cole Gannon

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

How Are You Better Today Than You Were Yesterday? • North Hall Gets Lit • Spreading Holiday Cheer at Cafe 2020 • Here to Rock the Stage: Seismic Step • "Pawsitivity" on Campus • Opinions: The Gym Controversy; Grateful for a Plateful • Welcoming Back Winter Sports! • UC Men's LAX Season...Loading

Volume Cxxxx, Number 7, November 5, 2021, Lawrence University

The Lawrentian

No abstract provided.

The Grizzly, November 4, 2021, Layla Halterman, Sean Mcginley, Ashley Webster, Ava Compagnoni, Katie Cressman

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Insect Intruders in New Hall • A November Note From the Editor • Study Abroad Surge • Meet a Toe-tally Beautiful Sole • Homecoming Queen and King Recap • Opinions: Campus Jobs Should Pay More • The Bears at Work • Our Buzzing Ball Boys