Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (Hhxrf) As A Non-Destructive Method For Trace Element Analysis Of Ancient Maya (Pre-Conquest 800 Bc - Ad950) Teeth From Altun Ha, Belize, Griffon G. Binkowski

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In anthropology, elemental analysis of bone and teeth can provide significant details about an individual’s life history, such as diet, toxicity exposure, residency, and migration patterns. Intra-individual comparisons can help to gather information about a single individual’s life, while inter-individual comparisons can help illustrate a community’s life history during these periods. However, current methods of elemental analysis commonly involve the destruction of skeletal samples, which can damage a collection’s integrity and be perceived as disrespectful by descendant communities. Preliminary research has validated handheld x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (HHXRF) as an accurate and reliable method of analysis appropriate for determining the elemental …

Empowering Communities And The Self: Applying Trauma Informed Care To Program Development In A National Nonprofit, Carly Collins

Student Research – Stevenson Center

The Community Opportunity Alliance is a national nonprofit organization that serves as a field builder for the wider community development field. They are laser-focused on building strong communities through shared resources, collaboration, and a network of stakeholders working together to improve the lives of people and the communities where they live. This capstone project intends to demonstrate how program development that incorporates a trauma-informed approach using anthropological methodology leads to improved outcomes for individuals served by nonprofits at the state and local levels. The work outlined reflects the experiences of an intern in the Stevenson Center’s Applied Community and Economic …

An Institutional And Policy Analysis Of Adaptive Capacity To Climate Change Of The Agricultural Sector Of Bangladesh, Calvin Wood Martin

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis evaluates the adaptive capacity of Bangladesh’s agricultural sector in the context of climate change, focusing on policy and institutional capacities. An analytic framework is applied to assess policy coherence, resources, and implementation effectiveness of key national and international policies. The study also examines aspects of institutional capacity, such as administration, technological innovation, protective infrastructure, and access to benefits and resources. Through expert interviews and a comprehensive literature review, the research identifies both strengths and challenges in current efforts to enhance climate resilience. The findings highlight areas for improvement, particularly in strengthening policy coherence, resource needs, and institutional support …

Using Ethnobotanicals For Language Preservation And Cultural Connections, Riza James Mcclurkin

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The creation and implementation of interpretive ethnobotanical trails can be used to help preserve and teach about the use of native, and in some instances, non-native plants that were brought into use, both historically and in present day by Indigenous peoples. As examples, I will use my work assisting on the Reserve Street Trail in Missoula, Montana and the Pioneer Park Campground Interpretive Trail on the Colville National Forest in Washington. The Reserve Street Trail is still in its beginning phases but has the goal to cultivate plants identified as being culturally significant to Indigenous peoples and to create trail …

Let Your Head Hang Down: A Narrative Examination Of Cultic & Conspiratorial Romance, Kyle Macy

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

A response to recent cultural trends of radicalization, extremism, and violence in American society, this dissertation, a novel rendered in ephemeral fragments of oral histories, interrogates the romanticist postures that compel a community of musical artists, the so-called “Folk Revival Revival,” toward infamy and tragedy. Where more traditional sociological approaches to cultic formations stress the importance of centralized charismatic authority, and more traditional psychological approaches rely upon a conspiratorial Cold War ethos of cognitive bias and coercive control (i.e. “brainwashing”), this project meets such assumptions with incredulity, asserting instead that cultic and conspiratorial entrancement awakens first from within, and may …

The Shifting Suns: A New Understanding Of The Five Suns Story Of The Mexica Empire And 16th Century Colonial Mexico, Heungtae Yang

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

In this dissertation, I study the Mexica creation story commonly known as the Five Suns Story (Abbreviation: FSS) to explain the coexistence of multiple texts of FSS, the evolution of FSS from 1400 to 1600, and its multiple functions in multiple cultural spheres of the Mexica society. In contrast to previous studies up to the 1990s, whose main goals were to cite the Five Suns Story as part of a larger research topics, reconstruct a pure pre-Columbian version of the story, and analyze specific aspects of its symbolism, I conduct an intensive study of the FSS that brings together multiple …

Creating Belonging: Fujianese Migrant Community And Transnational Motherhood, Shu Yi Chen , '24

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

No abstract provided.

Obsidian Occurrence And Frequency From The Upper Middle And Lower Upper Columbia River, Elizabeth Armstrong

All Master's Theses

Previous lithic studies have documented obsidian occurrence in the central Washington archaeological record. Those efforts have focused on the implications of stone tool source proximity as well as the selective conditions for stone tool cost and performance. The following research will use a scientific evolutionary archaeology comparative framework to further investigate obsidian stone tool occurrence in the upper Columbia River valley. Twenty-seven archaeological sites were identified containing 545 obsidian artifacts, and 82 were sent for x-ray fluorescence geochemical analysis. A model of cost and performance was used along with a paradigmatic classification analysis to identify inter-variable relationships across stone tool …

Lgbtq+ Heritage In Kittitas County, Washington, Tiernan Vansuetendael

All Master's Theses

We know that LGBTQ+ people lived, loved, worked, and made history in Kittitas County—but you would never know that if you visited a local historical site or museum. LGBTQ+ histories exist, yet they are not always visible within the landscape, and this is particularly true for rural communities like Kittitas County. Meanwhile, representation of marginalized communities within local history can contribute to a sense of belonging, of knowing one’s place and the people who came before. This thesis addresses this gap in LGBTQ+ history by conducting archival and ethnohistorical research for the purposes of documenting LGBTQ+ history. Utilizing input from …

Comparing The Prevalence Of Stereotypic Behaviors And Enrichment Use In Rhesus (Macaca Mulatta) And Japanese Macaques (M. Fuscata), Jesscia Oscavich

All Master's Theses

To improve captive nonhuman primates’ welfare, particularly those utilized in biomedical and behavioral research, it’s important to understand their behavior. Rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and Japanese macaques (M. fuscata) are two closely related species that are commonly utilized in biomedical and behavioral research. In this study, I compared the frequency of stereotypic behaviors, which are abnormal repetitive behaviors that are apparently non-functional, and enrichment use among four groups of each species. Stereotypic behaviors were divided into motor, which the animal performed while active, and self-directed stereotypies, which the animal performed towards themselves. Enrichment use was divided into …

Foodways: An Ethnographic Analysis Of Cwu International Students’ Perception Of The Role Of Culturally Relevant Food In Their Sense Of Belonging, Joy Ihuka

All Master's Theses

International students face unique challenges adjusting to new academic environments, including developing a sense of homesickness and lack of belonging. Studies have shown that consuming culturally relevant food helps international students relieve homesickness, fostering a sense of belonging. Curiously, nonetheless, literature on student belonging rarely focuses on food. Within this gap, this thesis explores the significance of culturally relevant food in fostering a sense of belonging among international students at Central Washington University. Using ethnographic interviews, this research examines how culturally relevant food (including how food is prepared) or lack thereof may influence international students’ perceptions of belonging. This study …

The Auricular Surface Of Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes) As An Indicator Of Age, Kalila Garrison

All Master's Theses

Great ape skeletal remains are scarce and their use in biological profile estimations has been limited. Skeletal remains analysis provides key demographic information and ecological context to the individual. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) share skeletal morphological characteristics with humans, and this study seeks to understand if two noninvasive methods using the auricular surface of the ilium to age human skeletal remains could be applied to chimpanzees. The sample consisted of n = 8 individual left auricular surfaces from known age groups of both sexes. Firstly, the Buckberry and Chamberlain Method assigns numerical values to five different traits on the auricular …

High-Risk Individuals And Naloxone Use: Implications For Thn Programs In Rural Appalachian Communities, Victor Garcia, Lisa Mccann, Erick Lauber, Christian Vaccaro, Melissa Swauger, Alex Daniel Heckert

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Take-home naloxone (THN) is being made available across rural Appalachia to curb opioid overdose fatalities. Despite this initiative, some opioid users do not possess naloxone, and if they do, do not administer it to others.

Purpose: Research findings on risk factors that contribute to opioid overdose are presented. These factors, identified in a sample of 16 overdose cases, are (1) early onset age of opioid use; (2) progressive opioid use; (3) a transition from pain medication to heroin and fentanyl; (4) fears of being arrested at a naloxone intervention if first responders are contacted, and (5) limited knowledge of …

Sayap Palace Memorial: Reconstruction Of The Lost Malay Culture, Asril Asril, Hasnah Faizah A.R, Elmustian Elmustian, Hermandra Hermandra

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

The Sayap Palace is a relic of the Pelalawan Kingdom, located in Pelalawan Regency. This palace was built during the reign of Sultan Assyaidi Syarif Hasim. The purpose of this article is to describe the process of the establishment of the Sayap Palace, its role in people’s lives, and its use in the field of education. This article uses the historical method with descriptive analysis techniques and literature studies. After the end of the reign of the Pelalawan Kingdom, the Sayap Palace was no longer occupied and then collapsed. The Sayap Palace’s restoration took place twice, in 2003 and 2015. …

Collection-Based Research On A Kampilan Sword In Jambi People’S Struggle Museum, Irsyad Leihitu, Ujang Hariadi

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This article discusses the kampilan sword in Jambi People’s Struggle Museum. Kampilan is a traditional weapon originating from the Philippines but has spread to several regions in Indonesia, including Jambi. The kampilan sword collection is often overlooked, and there is not much information regarding these objects, despite the museum’s primary function is research and communication. Therefore, we conducted a study of a collection of kampilan swords to explore information related to these objects, allowing the museum to utilize and develop them in the future. The research model was based on the material culture study, using the social life of things …

Embodiment Of Regional Cultural Resilience Through Preservation Of Traditions: A Study On The Tumpeng Sewu Tradition In Kemiren Village, Banyuwangi Regency, Agus Danugroho, Siti Murtinigsih, Paramitha Dyah Fitriasari

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This study aims to find out how the preservation of the Tumpeng Sewu Tradition in Kemiren Village, Banyuwangi Regency, has direct implications for regional cultural resilience. The preservation of the Tumpeng Sewu tradition in Kemiren Village, Banyuwangi Regency, is an interesting phenomenon because it has various impacts. In the midst of a global era that demands modernization, the preservation of traditions is very necessary so that they remain sustainable. However, it is also at risk of losing its local culture as a result of modernization. This is a descriptive qualitative study. The findings of this study suggest that the preservation …

Narrating The Act Of Truth In The Jataka And Avadana Reliefs At Candi Borobudur, So Tju Shinta Lee

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This paper analyzes the Act of Truth in nine Jataka and Avadana stories depicted in Candi Borobudur, Central Java, aiming to identify its key factors and purpose in the allegories. Through content analysis and comparative analysis, the study finds that merit, right speech, and intention are the primary contributing factors to the Act of Truth. A beneficial Act of Truth involves taking a firm stance on truth, driven by compassion to benefit others and attain one’s highest potential. The findings suggest that the acts in these stories form a part of the bodhisattva’s path to achieving perfect awakening. This study …

Generation Z’S Perception Of Javanese Oral Tradition Of Myth And Taboo Ora Ilok In Javanese Society, Tira Nur Fitria

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

The various myth and taboos of ora ilok are familiar among several Javanese groups. The objective of this research is to understand generation Z’s perception of the Javanese myth and taboo ora ilok in Javanese society. This research employs the descriptive qualitative method, involving 76 respondents from various regions of Java such as Central Java, East Java, West Java, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The respondents were born between 1996 and 2005. Results show that the majority of respondents do not believe in the ora ilok myths. However, there is a different opinion from Generation Z. Some consider myths …

How Covid-19 Affects Libraries In Mongolia, Tseren Ganbaatar Dr., Associate Professor, Narantuya Otgondoo, Zolboo Mashbat

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted all spheres of the education industry, including libraries. The absence of emergency plans for unforeseen situations like COVID-19 disrupted regular operation and demanded the adoption of new operational protocols. The objectives of this paper are to examine the impact of COVID-19 on library operations, to identify the challenges encountered in libraries, to examine the changes in users’ service preference, and to reflect on the best practice for library operations in the future. To achieve these research objectives, both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed. Surveys and interviews were conducted to understand changes …

The School Of SharīʿA Judges: SharīʿA Courts’ Reform And Legal Modernization In Egypt (1907-1927), Yamen Nouh

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis studied the history of the school of sharīʿa judges (1907-1927) as an essential episode of the reform of Sharīʿa courts in Egypt in the early 20th century. The thesis studied the school in connection with the broader context of legal modernization of the Egyptian legal system. The study explored the institutional, pedagogical, and legal aspects of the reform that the school advocated. The study analyzed the impact of the school’s pedagogy on the practice of the Islamic judiciary and the theoretical conception of Sharīʿa. The study used a significant yet understudied historical source: the judicial press. A comparative …

Immigration, Diversity, Cultural Clash, And – Hopefully – Cultural Melding? A Review Of Mrs. Chatterjee Vs. Norway (2023), Raja Ramanathan

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

For migrating from 'developing’ countries, to relocate in the ‘advanced West’, a message that came through from the western society is clear: “Integrate.” The Norwegian official in the movie 'Mrs. Chatterjee vs. Norway" says this unequivocally and with impact: “Be like us if you want to live here or go back to where you came from.” The message of the western world – ever since they started colonizing the ‘native’ lands of Asia, Asia and the Americas – was that the natives had to be saved from themselves. That was “the white man’s burden” – a burden of “civilizing” the …

Managing Diversity In A Culturally Fractional World: Review Of Diversity: A Key Idea For Business And Society (2023) By Mustafa F. Özbilgin, Cihat Erbil

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

No abstract provided.

Marketing Doctrines, A Resurrection Guide: Review Of The Art Of Strategic Marketing War: Pearls Of Wardom (2019) By Pete Jeans, Tugberk Kara

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

No abstract provided.

Whither India’S Development: Toward Being A Super Power Or A Super Civilization?, Pradip Khandwalla

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

This commentary was triggered by my reading a lecture delivered by Saurabh Kumar, a former student of mine at Indian Institute of Management, who later served as India’s ambassador in various countries and international bodies. He bemoaned that China had much greater status in global affairs than India. Many others in India hanker for a super power status for India. I find this concern to be somewhat misguided. India should be aiming to be a great civilization, rather than a domineering superpower. The record of all the superpowers till now has been quite spotty in humane terms. My vision for …

The Coveted ‘Developed’ Imprimatur: Twenty-First Century Prospects And Cultural Crosscurrents, Nikhilesh Dholakia, Deniz Atik

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Volcanic Deposits On Human Preservation, Charles M. Nuncio

Culture, Society, and Praxis

No abstract provided.

Reviewers And Referees

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Author Biographical Notes

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Statement From The Indiana Academy Of The Social Sciences And Board Of Directors

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Editors' Note, Nirupama Devaraj, Bharath Ganesh Babu

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.