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Articles 31 - 60 of 62
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
A Targeted Approach? A Study Of Ngo Roles And Practices In Promoting Economic Development, Emma Shoaf
A Targeted Approach? A Study Of Ngo Roles And Practices In Promoting Economic Development, Emma Shoaf
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
In recent years, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have become key actors promoting economic development. Despite their rapid rise, there are still significant gaps in the development sphere regarding what NGOs do in specific contexts. This research evaluates how NGOs promote economic development among Palestinian refugees in Lebanon to give context to general trends within development literature. Through an in-depth case study of the NGO Cives Mundi and their recent development project Tatreez–focused on promoting economic empowerment among Palestinian refugee women through the formation of a weaving co-op–this study seeks to evaluate key advantages and disadvantages to NGO work in specific …
Invisible Children: The Effectiveness Of Non-Governmental Organizations (Ngos) In Primary Education In Central America, Megan Skaggs
Invisible Children: The Effectiveness Of Non-Governmental Organizations (Ngos) In Primary Education In Central America, Megan Skaggs
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
what extent are non-governmental organizations (NGOs) an effective tool in primary educational development in Central America? To address this concern, this project addressed the results of several months of research in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and at the U.S. NGO headquarters, where interviews with educators, NGO workers, and citizens were conducted regarding the role of NGOs in addressing educational concerns effectively. Interviewees included: Pueblo a Pueblo, Serving Orphans Worldwide, U.S. Agency for International Development, Let Girl’s Learn Program, and varied individuals connected with education or non-profit work in that region. My research analyzed the historical and social structures of Nicaragua and Guatemala, …
What Goes Up Must Not Come Down: The Tweet Retraction Process Of Politicians, Paige Settles
What Goes Up Must Not Come Down: The Tweet Retraction Process Of Politicians, Paige Settles
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
In 2011, Congressman Anthony Weiner demonstrated the risks politicians face when utilizing Twitter. While past scholarship regarding Twitter has focused on the impact of the tweets candidates share with their voters, academic attention has not been afforded to the tweets candidates delete. This thesis seeks to delve further into the analysis of Twitter as a political campaign tool by examining the practice of tweet retraction. To achieve this end, this research presents two studies. The first analyzes the deleted tweets of members of the 112th Congress between May and November of 2012 in terms of quantity of retractions and the …
Voter Turnout In A Low Interest, Off-Year Election: A Field Experiment, Zachary Miller
Voter Turnout In A Low Interest, Off-Year Election: A Field Experiment, Zachary Miller
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
This thesis is an analysis on the effects of a low cost get out the vote (GOTV) effort through direct mail on a low interest, off year election. By conducting a field experiment divided into two stages, this project measures the effects of direct mail contact on voter turnout in the state of Kentucky. Postcards were sent during the final week of both the 2015 primary and general elections. The expectation is that those who received a postcard will be more likely to vote than non-recipients. Using data provided by the Kentucky Board of Elections, a data set was created …
The Prospect Of Democracy: China’S Possibility Of Political Reform, Chase Thomas
The Prospect Of Democracy: China’S Possibility Of Political Reform, Chase Thomas
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
What factors help or hinder democratization in China? Democracy in China is not an unknown term, but the difficulty of making “democratic” reforms in China has raised the question of if China will democratize. This literature review and analysis will examine the factors, which help or hinder democratization in China through economic and cultural means. By using a literature review as well as reviewing the concepts of democracy and prerequisites thereof, three scenarios for democratization will be determined. Through the use of the information provided in the latter, I predict that while democracy is possible in China, the state will …
Gendered Legislation: Effects Of Percentages Of Females In Legislatures On Policy, Elizabeth Gribbins
Gendered Legislation: Effects Of Percentages Of Females In Legislatures On Policy, Elizabeth Gribbins
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Does the amount of women in the legislature have an effect on the type of legislation passed? Wide variation exists in gender parity across countries; however, whether or not the amount of women in legislatures has an effect on the type of policy that is proposed and/or passed by the government is largely overlooked. In this analysis, I analyze the percentage of women in the legislature and six measures of women’s rights in 139 countries. I have found that there exists a small positive statistical relationship between the percentage of women in the lower legislature and the more legislation passed …
Opinions On Gun Control: Evidence From An Experimental Web Survey, Mallory Treece
Opinions On Gun Control: Evidence From An Experimental Web Survey, Mallory Treece
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
While a sizable literature exists on framing, little research extends this to gun control. In this study I analyze how partisan framing influences support for gun control. Using an experimental web survey, individual level data shows that Democrats in particular respond more favorably when gun control is framed as sponsored by fellow Democrats. In contrast, controlling for partisanship, gun owners more negatively react to gun control framed as Democrat-sponsored. These findings suggest the extent of support for gun control and ways in which parties can frame the issue in their favor.
The World In Transition: A Comparative Analysis Of Youth Perceptions In China And America, Tyler D. Prochazka
The World In Transition: A Comparative Analysis Of Youth Perceptions In China And America, Tyler D. Prochazka
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Many scholars have argued, over the next two decades China will rise while the United States begins a relative decline. Today’s youth will eventually become the next generation of leaders and policymakers. Thus, understanding youth’s perceptions of these trends can help provide insight into how they will shape the future Sino-U.S. relationship and their state’s standing in the world. This research found that the youth in China were optimistic toward their country’s prospects in the international community compared to their American counterparts. The relative optimism among the Chinese has made them more willing to participate in global affairs and institutions …
Transatlantic Cooperation On Cyber Security: Data Privacy And Cybercrime, Allison Feikes
Transatlantic Cooperation On Cyber Security: Data Privacy And Cybercrime, Allison Feikes
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
The Internet is a vital part of the global economy considering an estimated 8 trillion United States dollars flow through global e-commerce each year. However, this new, innovative tool is not only used to benefit the people; the Internet has become a place for criminal activity as well. With over one million victims of crimes globally every day, the United States works closely with the EU to ally against this Lernaean Hydra. This thesis explores how Transatlantic cooperation can be improved through formalized regulation especially in regards to organized research in tracking child exploitation, Safe Harbor Privacy Principles, and reducing …
Regressions On Personality And Political Preferences Of Greek Letter Social Organizations, Michael B. Armstrong
Regressions On Personality And Political Preferences Of Greek Letter Social Organizations, Michael B. Armstrong
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Research examining fraternities and sororities is minimal. Whenever research does arise, it usually focuses on negative stigmas with these organizations, such as alcohol abuse or hazing. This study seeks to examine more positive aspects of Greek organizations in order to inspire further research into fraternities and sororities. It was hypothesized that Greek-affiliated college students differ from unaffiliated college students in the Big Five personality factors such that Greek members are less likely to be open to experience, less conscientious, more extraverted, and less neurotic than nonmembers. Greek members and nonmembers will be similar in agreeableness. It is also hypothesized that …
Changing The World From Classrooms To Communities: Designing And Disseminating A Service-Learning Curriculum For Teaching In A Formal Education Setting, Amanda English
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
To change the world is a growing desire among many of today’s student populations, portrayed increasingly across the spectrum of media, social trends and career pursuits. While the demand grows among students for community-oriented and socially-responsible opportunities, the offerings in educational institutions must respond to these emerging requests with new and innovative academic programs. This text emphasizes the role of the developing discipline of service-learning in channeling these energies and providing students with deep and meaningful academic experiences. Its content seeks to combat misconceptions of service-learning as simply an extra-curricular activity and provide tangible methods for incorporating its concepts into …
The Growing Use Of Social Media In Political Campaigns: How To Use Facebook, Twitter And Youtube To Create An Effective Social Media Campaign, Kaitlin Vonderschmitt
The Growing Use Of Social Media In Political Campaigns: How To Use Facebook, Twitter And Youtube To Create An Effective Social Media Campaign, Kaitlin Vonderschmitt
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
A political campaign is carefully crafted for each candidate, to address their constituency and present the candidate and party in the best possible way. After the creation of the United States suffrage was limited to land owning white men, these men were involved in politics by reading local newspapers and visiting the politicians face to face. However as we fast forward to the 1930’s President Franklin D. Roosevelt used the radio to connect with the American public, and then in 1960’s Nixon and Kennedy’s debate introduced the mass-produced version of face-to-face politics through televisions all over the country we begin …
The Influence Of European Union Policy On Capital Punishment In The United States Judicial System, Jennifer Thomas
The Influence Of European Union Policy On Capital Punishment In The United States Judicial System, Jennifer Thomas
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Capital punishment has been present for the entirety of American history. Despite this, there have been active supporters for the abolition of the death penalty in the United States since the early 1960’s. Considering the growing importance of the individual state’s participation on the global stage, including the effects of globalization, international law, and human rights standards, the European Union’s capital punishment policy may have an increasing influence over Supreme Court’s interpretations of the constitutionality of capital punishment. This research intends to evaluate the factors that indicate a nation’s likelihood to abolish the death penalty. It will then explore the …
Causes And Effects: An Examination Of Legislative Professionalism As An Independent And Dependent Variable In State Legislatures, Alexandra Edelstein
Causes And Effects: An Examination Of Legislative Professionalism As An Independent And Dependent Variable In State Legislatures, Alexandra Edelstein
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Professionalism’s dual role as an independent and dependent variable makes the impact of its institutional characteristics on legislator attitudes and behavior important to understand. Professionalism affects the behavior and attitudes of the same legislators who control the strength of its characteristics through the policies they create. In this two-part study, I measure the influence of personal and contextual factors on legislator attitudes towards the adequacy of legislative professionalism in state legislatures. I then identify the effects of legislative professionalism on legislator allocation of time. I find that political (party) and personal (ambition) factors play the primary roles in shaping how …
Health Care In America: How To Fix Costs And Employer Provided Insurance Through Consumer Driven Health Care, Jonathan Williams
Health Care In America: How To Fix Costs And Employer Provided Insurance Through Consumer Driven Health Care, Jonathan Williams
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Consumer driven health care is a viable solution to reduce America’s high overall health care costs and to rectify the lack of portability in the current employer driven health insurance model. Health care costs have risen greatly due to factors such as hospital administration and care, medical equipment, pharmaceutical companies, age, malpractice suits, and red tape. Health insurance is a complex field with components such as premiums, deductibles, co-payments, and both public and private providers of insurance. Health insurance in the United States is mainly provided by private insurance companies and these companies allow employers to pick insurance plans for …
Making Wku A Fair Trade University, Matthew John Vaughan
Making Wku A Fair Trade University, Matthew John Vaughan
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Many products consumed on college campuses such as coffee and chocolate come from developing countries where producers are often paid insufficiently and exploited. Fair Trade certification of products guarantees producers a fair price and other social benefits. The objective of my CE/T project is to initiate a successful campaign to increase awareness of Fair Trade among students at WKU and gain "Fair Trade University" recognition for WKU. My efforts have included establishing a permanent Fair Trade Steering Committee, organizing campus-wide awareness events and partnering with campus groups to promote Fair Trade education and awareness. In this final account, I review …
Social Media For Social Good: A Guide To New Media For College Activists, Charles Harris
Social Media For Social Good: A Guide To New Media For College Activists, Charles Harris
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
In a world of Tweets and status updates, how do we take all those hours perusing social networks and put them to good use? In my thesis project, Social Media for Social Good: A Guide to New Media For College Activists, I explore the uses of these networks to activate people towards building positive social change. It is my opinion that college is the best time to be an activist. How do college students communicate? Social Media. From the campus to the global scale, social media can be effectively used to mobilize people to take action on a wide array …
Fighting For Fairness: The History Of Kentucky’S Local Movements To Enact Fairness Ordinances In 1999, Micah Bennett
Fighting For Fairness: The History Of Kentucky’S Local Movements To Enact Fairness Ordinances In 1999, Micah Bennett
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
This CE/T project explores the histories of the local movements for fairness ordinances which transpired in Kentucky in the year 1999. Fairness ordinances expand local civil rights protections on the basis of ‘sexual orientation’ and sometimes ‘gender identity’ to include lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) peoples and usually protect in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations. Four communities in the state considered such laws in 1999: Greater Louisville, Lexington-Fayette, the City of Henderson, and the City of Bowling Green. This thesis takes a holistic approach towards the history of these movements, exploring the procession of chronological events, …
Servant Leadership And Sir Winston Churchill, Benjamin Hardy
Servant Leadership And Sir Winston Churchill, Benjamin Hardy
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
This thesis studies the modern leadership theory formally developed in the 1970s by Robert K. Greenleaf, Servant Leadership. The approach of this project concentrates upon the examination and analysis of the many theories offered by different scholars of servant leadership and the leadership traits exhibited by Sir Winston Churchill. First, a detailed and inclusive definition of servant leadership is developed, establishing the traits necessary for an individual to be identified as a servant-leader. This definition, along with the identified necessary traits, are then applied and compared to the leadership traits of Sir Winston Churchill within the second half of the …
The Future Of The Gender Wage Gap In The American Workforce, Molly K. Merrick
The Future Of The Gender Wage Gap In The American Workforce, Molly K. Merrick
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
This thesis aims to accomplish four goals. First, to establish the extent to which a gender wage gap exists in the American workforce and why it matters. Second, it seeks to explore the various factors that scholars have advanced as potential explanations for this gap with the aim of identifying a more concrete and all-encompassing root cause of the gender wage gap as it exists today. Third, this thesis will individually evaluate a succession of equal pay legislation which has been enacted to date in order to discern the effectiveness of previous attempts to address this root cause, as well …
Why Has The United States Never Ratified The Un Convention On The Elimination Of All Forms Of Discrimination Against Women?, Hannah Elizabeth Kington
Why Has The United States Never Ratified The Un Convention On The Elimination Of All Forms Of Discrimination Against Women?, Hannah Elizabeth Kington
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted by the United Nations in 1979, has now been ratified by 185 countries, consisting of more than ninety percent of all UN members. The United States, however, has never ratified the Convention. The history of the Convention provides evidence of global support for women’s rights. While there are complex reasons behind the United States’ failure to ratify CEDAW, the United States’ commitment to unilateralism, an attitude of “American exceptionalism” and the long-term inequality and discrimination against women in the U.S. all contribute to the stifling of …
Thugs And Drugs: The Terrorists And Drug Networks Of The Islamic Movement Of Uzbekistan, Ian Nash
Thugs And Drugs: The Terrorists And Drug Networks Of The Islamic Movement Of Uzbekistan, Ian Nash
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Recent analyses of terrorist groups reveal their dependency on complex logistical, financial, and operational relationships with other groups. Advantaged by the technological advancements of the last two decades, many terrorist and criminal organizations are now linked through complicated networks. Therefore, experts dedicated to uncovering and unraveling terrorist strategy, can easily get lost in the scattered patterns of today’s terrorism. A web-like structure allows for flexible, though well-connected leadership, and widespread recruitment opportunity. One recent terrorist group that has benefited from network organization is the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU). The IMU was a formidable group because of its experienced and …
What Are We Fighting For? An Analysis Of The Sociopolitical Non-Fiction Of Herbert George Wells, Jason Edward Sloan
What Are We Fighting For? An Analysis Of The Sociopolitical Non-Fiction Of Herbert George Wells, Jason Edward Sloan
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
The legacy of H. G. Wells’ should not be limited to that of a British fiction writer. Wells advocated universal human rights and supported the engagement of broad public policy debate, and he often commented on the British government. His country had lived through World War I, the supposed “war to end all wars.” The roaring 1920’s arrived next, offering hope after World War I’s devastation. World War II was then thrust upon Britain. Wells was incensed that a thirty-year period had elapsed and, despite numerous promises by the British government, no social reform had emerged. For more than a …
The Office Of The United States Trade Representative, Phillip J. Winniger
The Office Of The United States Trade Representative, Phillip J. Winniger
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Since its creation through the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has helped liberalize economies, negotiate trade agreements, and coordinate U.S. trade policy. Although situated within the Executive Office of the President, the USTR is best seen through the lens of legislative action. Congress has used successive trade acts to both expand and constrain the Office, while forcing it to reconcile multilateral goals with unilateral domestic objectives. An examination of the USTR's developmental stages identifies the congressional impact upon the Office and the resulting political balance.
Internet Politics And Cyberparties: Revolutionizing American Democracy, Kelly Prince
Internet Politics And Cyberparties: Revolutionizing American Democracy, Kelly Prince
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
The American political system is characterized by its two-party structure. However, apparently American faith in the status-quo democracy is faltering. With advancing technology, Americans are gaining greater access to political information, and tools such as the Internet are proving to be useful and versatile in the political arena. The elections of this decade have already been touched by the effects of the Internet, and groups such as the revolutionary cyberparties show promise of reshaping the party politics in this country. The current two-party system is in jeopardy of being replaced by one that is more democratic.
A World Federal State: A Study Of The Progression Of Civilization And A Recommendation For The Future, Joseph Oakes
A World Federal State: A Study Of The Progression Of Civilization And A Recommendation For The Future, Joseph Oakes
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
The progression of human civilization sits at the crossroads. Fueled by an emphasis in recent decades on interdependence, the world has realigned its economic and political operations to an international scale. Couple this development with grand advancements made in technology which have served to unite the world, and human civilization has set off on a path that leads to further integration. What is needed, however, is a realization of the inherent benefits that would come from the creation of a capitalistic world federal system.
Nationalism In The Post Cold-War World, Krista Knaul
Nationalism In The Post Cold-War World, Krista Knaul
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Nationalism--one of the most salient forces working within the contemporary system of states--is on the rise, and no state is immune. Contemporary nationalism is fundamentally different from that which first appeared on the political scene more than two centuries ago. In the international system, state sovereignty is recognized over the right of self-determination of nations Since the right of self-determination is incompatible with sovereignty, changes must be made. Some nations work toward receiving a voice or gaining greater autonomy; others clamor for secession. It is the latter which poses the greatest threat to peace and international stability. There are various …
An American In Paris: Defining American Interests In Post Cold War Europe, Kelly Parker
An American In Paris: Defining American Interests In Post Cold War Europe, Kelly Parker
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
For the last fifty years or so, the members of the field of political science have studied the phenomenon known as the Cold War. It has fascinated many scholars and almost demands attention. The reason is this: the Cold War, even though some would argue that it was a governmental affair, affected so much more than military policy. Economies were built around it. Loyalties were built around it. The world divided around it. Most people could not have imagined the end of the Cold War ten years ago. Even now it is difficult to truly grasp the reality of the …
Looking Back: The Iranian Revolution In The New York Times And Christian Science Monitor, Stephen Lega
Looking Back: The Iranian Revolution In The New York Times And Christian Science Monitor, Stephen Lega
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
No abstract provided.
Violent Juvenile Crime: Its Victims And Their Rights, Amy Steinkamp
Violent Juvenile Crime: Its Victims And Their Rights, Amy Steinkamp
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
With the great increase in the number of violent crimes committed by juveniles, the rights of their victims are greatly overlooked by a. judicial system which does not meet the changing needs of society. Violent juvenile crime has transformed completely over the years in frequency. in the types of acts committed, and in the profiles of the perpetrators. Great changes in federal and state laws concerning the treatment of such violent youths are taking place; however, nothing is currently being done to ensure the rights of the victims of juveniles. These aspects of the judicial system are explored.