Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Paper: An Ecowomanist View On The Dakota Access Pipeline, Ariana Raya

Womanist Ethics

This paper examines the Dakota Access Pipeline using ecofeminist and ecowomanist philosophies, provides a brief historical background of African American and Native American communities, explains the dangers of the pipeline to the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, and offers constructive alternatives.

Legalization Of Physician-Assisted Suicide For Increased Patient Autonomy, Morgan Mcenroe

Religion: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

This essay features an assessment of the various factors which play into the argument for legalization of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) in the United States for increased patient autonomy. Arguments for legalization of PAS as a means of end-of-life care remain separate from voluntary euthanasia. National legalization of PAS, for this fundamental principle of hospice care, is necessary to allow a choice to those in their final stages of life of how they wish to leave. If the values of PAS advocates are maximization of autonomy and minimization of suffering, then it follows that the chronically depressed, as well as patients …

Memory And Music, Sean Harty

Music: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

A literature review of sources pertaining to Music and Psychology. Focusing on how the brain reacts to music, and how our brains change as we age. Relates these topics to practicing music therapists. Proposes future studies based on the collected research.

Asexuality: To Include Or Not To Include A Slice Of Cake In The Lgbtq+ Community, Devin Oliva-Farrell

Tredway Library Prize for First-Year Research

Due to the growing number of sexual orientations and genders that have joined the LGBTQ+ community, a debate has sparked on whether all of these should be included. Specifically, this paper analyzes the debate on whether asexuality should be included or excluded from the group. The results from including or excluding asexuality will have drastic effects on the LGBTQ+ community, self-identified asexuals, and society as a whole when it comes to examining sexualities and genders.

This is illustrated in the following ways: 1) examining the definition of asexuality; 2) exploring the debates surrounding its inclusion or exclusion; 3) highlighting the …

The Effect Of Group Music Therapy On Alleviating Depression In Older Adults, Rebekah Gohl

Music: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Depression and loneliness are significant psychological symptoms that often go unnoticed in older adults. Group music therapy with older adults provides an opportunity to alleviate depression through shared music making, reminiscing, and forming new connections with other individuals. This paper explores the implications of using music therapy to alleviate depression in an older adult population as found in prior research on this topic, advocating for group music therapy over individual therapy as a means to establish connections during old age.

Sr. Holy: A Calling From The Lord, Caitlyn Schaffer

Ask a Sister: Interview Wisdom from Catholic Women Religious

This paper includes a portion of an interview with Sr. Holy, a woman religious missionary who belongs to the congregation of Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, where her theological beliefs are enacted by her service to others. Within the congregation of Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, she is focused on directing the novitiate, giving spiritual direction, volunteering with the aid for women, networking with the aid for women, and taking part in a life learning center making disciples. She uses her gifts that Jesus has given her to employ her virtues in the service of others. Throughout her life she mentioned the …

Sr. Hannah: Handling Change, Jakob Weiss

Ask a Sister: Interview Wisdom from Catholic Women Religious

Sister Hannah is a woman religious I interviewed recently about her life and experiences. Our interview focused primarily on her thoughts about modern-day changes in the Catholic Church.

Sr. Mary Janet: Work And Play As A Hospital Chaplain, Jessica Bolton

Ask a Sister: Interview Wisdom from Catholic Women Religious

In December 2017, I interviewed Sr. Mary Janet, a Franciscan sister who works as a hospital chaplain. This paper includes a portion of my interview with her and her opinions on how chaplaincy has strengthened her faith and ties with her local community.

Sr. Judith: Community And Environmental, Abigail Brown

Ask a Sister: Interview Wisdom from Catholic Women Religious

This paper includes an interview with Sr. Judith, a woman religious who has worked with environmental issues for the majority of her time as a woman religious. It highlights what she has worked on to improve the environment and how to keep our Earth cleaner in the future.

Finding Teaching Inspiration At The Swenson Center, Dr. Kimberly La Palm

Swenson Center Faculty Research Stipend Reports

I spent a week working with the Swenson Center's collections. My original goal was to find material that I could use in my course on Scandinavian Folklore but I found much more material than I realized I would and now I have a list of ideas and inspiration for nearly all of the courses in the catalogue.

Trauma In Guatemala And Postville, Iowa, Jessica J. Lechtenberg

Latin American Studies: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

This study uses a historical understanding of Guatemala to explain the significant trauma following the largest immigration raid in U.S. history which primarily deported Guatemalan residents who had been working at the Agriprocessors meat processing plant without documentation. Through an analysis of literature detailing the immigration raid, Guatemala's history of violence, and court proceedings, I have found that high levels of trauma exist for the individuals who were deported following the raid and for their families and friends. Personal communication with the current Dean of Students at Postville's public school lends a hand in gaining a deeper understanding of the …

Toward A Theology Of Transformation, Hannah Kathleen Griggs

Eddie Mabry Diversity Award

Black liberation theologians come to terms with white supremacy by collectively remembering the story of the Exodus and Jesus' crucifixion--affirming God's preference for freedom and in-the-world salvation. The particular history of white American Christianity requires a different story to provide the foundation for our social memory. As white American Christians, we have certain blind spots—blind spots created by historical and social privileges that have given white people unequal access to power and resources. The story of Zacchaeus has the potential to help reframe white Christianity’s conception of race relations in the United States, shifting from a reconciliation paradigm to a …