Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

China And Africa: The Crucial Urban Connection, Xiangming Chen, Garth Myers

Faculty Scholarship

The relations between China and Africa have become increasingly complex over the last four decades. As China’s economic ties with Africa go beyond commodity-dominant trade, Xiangming Chen & Garth Myers consider China’s activities in Africa’s broader economy with a focus on urban infrastructure.

Religious, Spiritual And Secular: The Emergence Of Three Distinct Worldviews Among American College Students, Barry A. Kosmin, Ariela Keysar

Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture (ISSSC)

AMERICAN RELIGIOUS IDENTIFICATION SURVEY. A Report based on the ARIS 2013 National College Student Survey

The Forward Exchange Rate Unbiasedness Hypothesis: A Single Break Unit Root And Cointegration Analysis, Michael E. Mazur, Miguel D. Ramirez

Faculty Scholarship

In an age of globalized finance, Forex market efficiency is particularly relevant as agents engage in arbitrage opportunities across international markets. This study tests the forward exchange rate unbiasedness hypothesis using more powerful tests such as the Zivot-Andrews single-break unit root and the KPSS stationarity (no unit root) tests to confirm that the USD/EUR spot and three-month forward rates are I(1) in nature. The study successfully employs the Engle-Granger cointegration analysis which identifies a stable long-run relationship between the spot and forward rates and generates an ECM model that is used to forecast the in-sample (historical) data. The study’s findings …

Race And Social Class Relations At Trinity And Beyond, Isabelle Boundy

The First-Year Papers (2010 - present)

No abstract provided.

The Post-World War Ii Suburb In The United States, Seth Browner

The First-Year Papers (2010 - present)

No abstract provided.

China And Southeast Asia: Unbalanced Development In The Greater Mekong Subregion, Xiangming Chen, Curtis Stone

Faculty Scholarship

Integrating with Southeast Asia is a key component of China’s multi-pronged regionalisation around its borders as its global rise continues. Xiangming Chen and Curtis Stone consider the ambition of China’s ‘Go Southwest’ strategy to extend its economic interests and influence into Southeast Asia, and explore how China’s regional assertion reinforces the larger trend of new spatial configurations in light of increasing globalisation. The authors show how simultaneous globalisation and regionalisation unleashes a dual process of de-bordering and re-bordering where the traditional barrier role of borders is yielding more to that of bridges, as small, marginal, and remote border cities and …

Federalism And The Modern Presidency From Eisenhower To Obama: If All Men Were Angels, Daisy Chastain Letendre

Senior Theses and Projects

American government is an experiment. It is theory in application based on a design principle which specifies the terms and conditions of the experiment’s proper extent and structure. Federalism in American government is the original design principle specifying representation, divisions of power, checks and balances, and the capacity for self-government as the terms and conditions of the experiment of the American Republic. Federalism in this sense is the “republican remedy for the “diseases most intrinsic to a republican government.” (Publius 1787-1788 [2003], 46) The experiment has continued for over 200 years although the terms and conditions have …

China And Central Asia: A Significant New Energy Nexus, Fakhmiddin Fazilov, Xiangming Chen

Faculty Scholarship

China now accounts for almost 20 percent of the world’s energy consumption and its demand is still growing at high speed. In order to keep up with the expanding industry China turns to Central Asia with ambitious gas line projects and considers countries such as Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to be key factors in its energy security nexus.

From Sectation To Nation, Anthony F. El-Hachem

Senior Theses and Projects

A sectation is a country consisting of individual parts with disparate identities. Lebanon is classified as such because of the sectarianism that emerged out of the confessional political system’s emphasis on sect and religious affiliation. My work attempts to find a potential solution to the division in the country. It includes: First, an analysis of the history of Lebanon in order to find instances where confessional politics actually induced sectarianism. Second, the use of the Qur’an and political Islamist thinkers to explain how the establishment of an Islamic government may help move Lebanon towards nation. Third, an examination of the …

How Good Is Gold? Recognition Of The Golden Rectangle, Rebecca A. Eydt

Senior Theses and Projects

The Golden Proportion is the place where a line is divided in such a way that the ratio of the length of the shorter segment to the longer segment is equal to the ratio of the longer segment to the length of the whole line. It has been claimed by artists, architects, and aestheticians that the Golden Section is the most aesthetically pleasing division of a line, and that the Golden Rectangle is the most aesthetically pleasing of all rectangles. Although there is experimental support for these claims, it is not unequivocal. Many studies have been on preference for the …

Accessing Human Rights Through Faith-Based Social Justice And Cultural Citizenship: Hartford's Low-Income Latino Immigrants., Sarah C. Kacevich

Senior Theses and Projects

Many low-income Latino immigrants in Hartford lack access to the human rights to education, economic security, and mental health. The U.S. government’s attitude is that immigrants should be responsible for their own resettlement. Catholic Social Teaching establishes needs related to resettlement as basic human rights. How do Jubilee House and Our Lady of Sorrows, both Catholic faith-based organizations in Hartford, Connecticut, fill in the gaps between state-provided services and the norms of human rights? What are the implications of immigrant accommodation via faith-based social justice for the human rights discourse on citizenship and cultural relevance? A formal, exploratory case study …

"You Never Leave Anyone Behind": A Story Of The Young Unemployed Veteran, Jack Nettleton

Senior Theses and Projects

This thesis analyzes the current opportunities and challenges for young, Post-9/11 veterans reintegrating back into civilian life. Young veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have higher unemployment rates compared to their non-military counterparts. This thesis explores how multiple deployments and higher percentages of physical disabilities contribute to the uniqueness of the young veteran’s challenge to obtain employment. Despite the many benefits provided by the VA, young veterans often have to endure very long waiting periods before the VA can process and grant their benefits. The thesis also identifies three individual states with different economic profiles that contribute to either …

The Avengers: How Superhero Comics Preserve Ruling Class Ideology, Wendy Huang

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Challenges Of Rural Microfinance In China - What Can China Learn From Bangladesh And Indonesia?, Shuyang Zhu

Senior Theses and Projects

Given that China has the largest rural population in the world, the demand of finance is very high. On one hand, Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) is moving to serve urban areas, and Rural Credit Cooperatives (RCCs), currently the most important source of formal credit in rural areas, are not doing very promisingly. On the other hand, nongovernmental programs-microfinance institutions (NGO-MFIs) have been performing well in terms of reaching the poor in the remote regions; however, due to the government’s regulations they are only allowed to offer loans but not to take any deposits, thereby limiting their future development and …

Logros, Desafíos Y Justicia: La Cultura Política Lgbtq En Argentina E Italia, Michael E. Kozek Jr.

Senior Theses and Projects

Through waves of chain migration in the first-half of the twentieth century, and more recently in the aftermath of the 2001 financial crisis, Argentina and Italy have shared interconnected historical cultural ties with increasing numbers of dual citizens. In this way “lo porteño,” the identity associated with Buenos Aires, has not been very different from “lo italiano” in their cultural intermeshing. This is not to say, however, that each nation does not hold its own unique traditions and histories. The fight for political visibility amongst the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, and Queer (LGBTQ) community has proved to be a schism …

Que Se Vayan Todos!: An Analysis Of Antineoliberal Social Movements In South America, Jeffrey Sybertz

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

"You Never Leave Anyone Behind": A Story Of The Young Unemployed Veteran, Jack Nettleton

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

The Relations Among Psychological And Demographic Factors In Individuals With Lower Limb Amputation, Jasmine Washington

Senior Theses and Projects

According to Graham et al. (2008) in the United States, there are roughly 1.7 million people living with limb loss. Adams et al. (1999) estimated that one out of every 200 people in the United States alone has had an amputation. The loss of a limb is devastating and requires many life adjustments. Amputation can lead people to a loss of self-esteem, loss of one’s independence, and even unemployment. Few studies, however, have explored a) the extent to which depression is associated with other psychological factors such as body image and social support, b) if age at amputation is significantly …

Effects Of Judicial Warnings About Cross-Race Eyewitness Testimony On Jurors' Judgments, Molly C. O'Connor

Senior Theses and Projects

On July 19^th, 2012, the New Jersey Supreme Court released a decision requiring judges to issue a set of instructions pertaining to problems researchers have found with eyewitness identification. This was a landmark decision because New Jersey was the first state to require judges to issue warnings about biases associated with eyewitness testimony. The present study examines the effectiveness of the New Jersey judicial warnings, specifically focusing on cross-race bias in eyewitness identification. It was hypothesized that judicial warnings would reduce the likelihood that a defendant would be found guilty and that this effect would be especially strong …

Gun Control Myths And Realities: Public Opinion, Glendaly Macci

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Need For Health Care Reform: Finding Solutions To Health Care Issues In The U.S. By Looking At Foreign Models, Andres F. Vargas Heredia

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Que Se Sepa: Perspectives From The Puerto Rican Diaspora In Hartford, Christina T. Williams

Senior Theses and Projects

Que Se Sepa focuses on the perspectives of individuals of Puerto Rican descent living in the Diaspora here in the city of Hartford, Connecticut. These individuals represent a community that comprises of first, second, and third generation Puerto Ricans. Through discussions surrounding the topics of food, religion, politics, race, language, and music/arts, Que Se Sepa presents an array of perspectives regarding experiences both in Hartford’s Puerto Rican Diaspora and in Puerto Rico.

Que Se Sepa is two things: an effort to promote dialogue and a personal journey. Que Se Sepa the dialogue gives direct agency to a community. Within the …

The Spirituality Of Food And Nutrition: A Critique Of The United States' Food Practices Through An Analysis Of Three Asian Religions And Philosophies, Kiley G. Hagerty

Senior Theses and Projects

There is no question that the United States is a country that is currently faced with serious health epidemics, such as hypertension and diabetes, associated with being overweight and obese. It has been the assumption of the government and the public that the large food corporations are to blame for the country’s poor health. However, it is too simplistic to believe that tighter regulations upon corporations would alone lead to improved health. There needs to be a change at the individual level, and of the practices of most of the country’s citizens. Through an analysis of three Asian religions (Hindu …

Colonial Trajectory As A Determinant Of Economic Development In Cuba And Puerto Rico: A Comparison, Carleigh Haron

Senior Theses and Projects

As an effect of globalization, the disparity between the richer and poorer nations grows increasingly larger. Colonialism marginalized many poorer, “developing” nations, two of which are Cuba and Puerto Rico. In economic development scholarship on former colonial nations, Cuba and Puerto Rico are rarely focused on as a central point of comparison. I believe that these two islands prove to be particularly interesting to compare due to their distinct colonial trajectories, which are unique within the realm of all former Spanish colonies in the Americas and from each other. I believe the distinctive character of their colonial development translates into …

An Empirical Analysis On Excessive Reserves In U.S Banking System And Its Application, Lianjiang Lu

Senior Theses and Projects

This paper examines factors that account for excessive reserves held by U.S banks and potential consequences of this phenomenon. This paper shall firstly establish economic rationales to address the current abnormity and then use empirical data to reinforce its argument.

As an empirical analysis, this paper firstly seeks evidence in macroeconomics and adopts time series models using U.S data. This mainly involves regressions to identify determinants of excessive reserves. Furthermore, this paper examines microeconomic factors in order to model for individual banks and unveil their motivations of holding reserves. This mainly involves panel analysis on different U.S commercial banks.

Based …

Standard Oil: Cost Reductions And Predatory Pricing, Francisco Bedoya

Senior Theses and Projects

Standard Oil was founded by John D. Rockefeller and later dismantled by the US Supreme Court in 1911 for attempting to monopolize the market of the refined-oil kerosene. The objective of this thesis is to determine if the Supreme Court’s accusations relating to predatory pricing were based on facts; or did the government make groundless denunciations due to pressure from society at the time.

My objective revolves a historical case study that can be understood with economic theory. I intend to use empirical information from historical data about the growth of the company to determine whether the accusation of employing …

India's Boom Towns: Socio-Economic Consequences Of Information-Technology Led Development In Chennai And Bangalore, Ananya Sahay

Senior Theses and Projects

The multitude of economic activity that encompasses the globalized world today provides a development channel for many countries; one such activity is the functioning of the Information Technology (IT) sector in India-particularly in Chennai and Bangalore. However, a significant downside in terms of displacement of people, rapid urban renewal and spatial inequality, streamlined educational opportunities arise because such a growth pattern is narrowly confined to a highly specialized sector. My focus lies in unearthing the critical facts of this monadic growth and in probing myriad socio-economic factors that affect these two cities in diverse ways. Some such elements include, but …

The Effect Of Myanmar’S Foreign Investment Policies On Fdi Inflows: An Analysis Of Panel Data Across Asean Member Countries, Blake Tretter

Senior Theses and Projects

Once one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia, Myanmar has suffered the effects of a closed economy for over 50 years to become one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world. Though excited international investors wait to exploit Myanmar’s large labor force and natural resources as it reopens its markets, the country is currently far behind its potential. In such a small economy, large FDI inflows would have a significant impact on the country’s path going forward. Whether or not it receives these inflows depends on how multinational enterprises view Myanmar’s investment environment. In particular, it’s …

An Index Of Macroeconomic Performance, Leo L. Liyeung

Senior Theses and Projects

There exists an abundance of economic indicators and ways to interpret macroeconomic data. While the rates of unemployment, inflation, GDP growth, etc all give important insights into the performance of an economy, all these indicators are, at best, incomplete ones that fail to look at the bigger picture of the economy as a whole.

Several macroeconomists have looked into the development of an Index of Macroeconomic Performance (IMP) that provides a comprehensive account of economic performance, the formulation of which allows for straightforward comparisons of macroeconomic performance internationally and intertemporally. Conventional indicators like unemployment, inflation, and GDP growth are taken …

Differences In Empathy Between High And Low Schizotypal College Students, Spencer Mccauley

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.