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Articles 1 - 11 of 11
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Future Of Isis And Us Counterterrorism: A Study Of Isis, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, And The Us Policy Response, Luke Phillips
The Future Of Isis And Us Counterterrorism: A Study Of Isis, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, And The Us Policy Response, Luke Phillips
Honors Theses
This study is comprised of two parts. Part 1 focuses on ISIS, Boko Haram, and Al-Shabaab, examining the structures, tactics, and motivations of the groups. Each group seeks territory in its respective region. After losing territories, Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab both turned to guerilla attacks and suicide bombing, destabilizing the areas formerly under their control. Having lost much territory, ISIS is already showing signs of behaving more like an insurgency and employing tactics similar to Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab by resorting to attacks on soft targets as it continues to be deprived of territory. Part 2 focuses on the US …
The United Nations Cluster Approach To Humanitarian Aid: A Critical Analysis And Reform Proposal Based On Focused Mitigation Efforts, Mary Margaret Gagnet
The United Nations Cluster Approach To Humanitarian Aid: A Critical Analysis And Reform Proposal Based On Focused Mitigation Efforts, Mary Margaret Gagnet
Honors Theses
Overlap and gaps in assistance within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee's Cluster Approach for humanitarian aid is a major issue plaguing the international community and its response to emergencies. The inefficiencies within the cooperative effort of involved agencies leads to prolonged suffering and death within the countries in need of humanitarian aid. With these dire consequences riding on the ability of this mobilization system to function effective, it is imperative that steps be taken to ensure competent humanitarian response. There is no clearly outlined path to assist those experiencing humanitarian crisis, but there is a particular objective in mind. This goal, …
Identifying And Applying Processes Common To Efforts In Improving The Relationship Between Humans And The Environment, Avery Thames Burns
Identifying And Applying Processes Common To Efforts In Improving The Relationship Between Humans And The Environment, Avery Thames Burns
Honors Theses
Environmental justice, corporate social responsibility and gendered discourses are three areas of research and practice in environmental efforts that this thesis research has found all suffer because they lack recognition of and cause marginalization of specific groups. This research has created a framework of four processes that help in understanding these similarities: inequality; disregarding the values and actions of outside groups; disconnect between stated and actualized values; and insider outsider ideals. By exploring how these common processes of reasoning operate in each of the three areas, the research contributes to improving understanding of the areas and increasing their effectiveness. The …
Political Communication In The Online Era: Moral Psychology Of News Media Consumption, New Forms Of News Media, And Political Communication, J. L. Watts
Honors Theses
Drawing on data from the moral psychology of political communication and literature on news media consumption, this thesis explores the relationships between new forms of news media and longstanding trends in the moral psychology of political communication. By discussing dynamic changes in the form and content of news media, as well as the new venues through which it is experienced, this thesis highlights three areas in which new forms of media place pressure on existing literature. Namely, it holds that the ways in which individuals experience new forms of news media place pressure on existing literature centering around the homogeneity …
Cognitive Biases And Reflexive Control, Natalie Minton
Cognitive Biases And Reflexive Control, Natalie Minton
Honors Theses
Manipulating an opponent is nothing new to warfare, but what is new is the understanding behind modern tactics, psychology, and the how the two intertwine under real world circumstances. One modern tactic, particularly used by the Russian government, is called reflexive control. This hybrid warfare tactic is used to manipulate an opponent into unknowingly making decisions benefiting the manipulator while harming the opponent. Though executed through many outlets, reflexive control is aimed at flaws within the opponent's decision making process. Many such flaws are categorized as cognitive biases derived from mental shortcuts that can lead the brain to misjudge information. …
Educational Legislation In A Polarized Climate: A Look Into Mississippi Education Politics, Benjamin C. Logan
Educational Legislation In A Polarized Climate: A Look Into Mississippi Education Politics, Benjamin C. Logan
Honors Theses
The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate the political process related to educational legislation and initiatives. To accomplish this purpose, I conducted four interviews with educational experts who either have been active participants in the educational legislative process or been life-long educators. From these interviews, I organized their responses into four categories. These categories were Educational Issues in Mississippi, Passing Educational Legislation in Mississippi, Polarization of Politics, and Media Influence. With these categories, I did extensive research to bring in outside literature and documents to analyze the political process related to education legislation. In my qualitative study, I …
University Of Mississippi Students' Opinions Regarding Sex Education In Mississippi, Cody Austin
University Of Mississippi Students' Opinions Regarding Sex Education In Mississippi, Cody Austin
Honors Theses
The main purpose of this study is to understand the opinions of University of Mississippi (UM) students regarding sex education policies in Mississippi public schools. Utilizing empirical, quantitative data collected from an online, IRB-approved survey of the UM student body, the study aimed to answer four main research questions that relate to sex education policymaking. The first question asked how sexually active UM students are. The data revealed that most UM students are sexually active, which suggests college students need to have adequate sexual health information by the time they enter college. The second question asked how satisfied UM students …
Examining Federalism In American Water Policy: Taking Stock Of A Modern Issue, James Harrison Ormesher
Examining Federalism In American Water Policy: Taking Stock Of A Modern Issue, James Harrison Ormesher
Honors Theses
As American water resources fall under increasing scrutiny, with shortages costing millions of dollars annually, questions about the effectiveness of the policy managing these resources arises. In particular blurred responsibilities and goals generated as a result of the American federalist system raise questions about the nature of the state and federal relationship and the ability of it effectively develop a functioning water policy. To garner an understanding of American federalism, American water policy, and the relationship between them, I utilized a comparative analysis of both the history of water policy and federalism in America. Following this history, I offer an …
Fighting Extremism: Efforts To Defeat Online Isis Recruitment Methods, Michael Howell
Fighting Extremism: Efforts To Defeat Online Isis Recruitment Methods, Michael Howell
Honors Theses
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and its sympathizers utilize social media platforms to disseminate propaganda, radicalize audiences, and recruit foreign fighters. Some Western social media users are susceptible to these efforts. Although personal privacy and freedom of speech is largely protected by complex governmental limitations, the social media use of extremists sparked a national debate on how to protect American citizens. This thesis will discuss the history of ISIS and its social media use, the terrorist group's target audiences, ISIS recruitment strategies, and policy decisions and options aimed at reducing the effectiveness of pro-jihadist propaganda. This paper …
An Analysis Of Entrepreneurial Education In The Criminal Justice System, Austin Powell
An Analysis Of Entrepreneurial Education In The Criminal Justice System, Austin Powell
Honors Theses
Currently, American federal and state prisons release more than 600,000 offenders each year that contribute to the estimated 70 million or more Americans that have some form of criminal record. By holding a criminal record, successful reentry for offenders are difficult because the criminal record serves as a barrier to public benefits. There are many correctional education programs designed to help offenders while in prison to overcome these barriers. Entrepreneurial education programs are becoming more popular, due to the positive recidivism and post-release employment results. The purpose of this study is to compare entrepreneurial education to other programs while analyzing …
Dewey's Democratic Economy: A Pragmatic Justification For Uber, Christopher Nard
Dewey's Democratic Economy: A Pragmatic Justification For Uber, Christopher Nard
Honors Theses
This thesis investigates the changing regulatory environment around the ride-sharing platform, Uber. As Uber continues to expand, it poses a challenge for existing regulatory systems. This thesis offers a policy recommendation for regulatory agencies under the framework of a Deweyan Democratic Economy. Research was conducted in the three steps: a literature review; quantitative analysis of Uber's wage, demographic, and surge pricing data; and a series of interviews with Uber drivers, consumers, and policy experts. In the literature review, it was found that a company could move towards a more democratic economy by increasing public access to information and economic participation. …