Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Confessions And Quantum Uncertainties: The Violence Of Language, Organismic Cells, And The Incarnation Of Words, Nahanni Freeman

Faculty Publications - Psychology Department

This chapter will seek to examine language in its many permutations, including its inculcation from sociocultural, religious and historical forces, and its emergence within a developmental context that includes interiorization into private speech. The limitations of language for simulating the mind of the Other, the distance between minds, and the constant dynamism of words will be evaluated in light of the theme of the value of recognizing subjectivity and acknowledging layers of meaning in the quest for truth and legitimacy. Metaphors of the body are used to represent ecological and systemic forces in language, also emphasizing the potency of mind-word-body …

Digital Commons Annual Summary 2023, Tabitha Ochtera Mlis, Mba

DigitalCommons@Molloy Annual Summary

The DigitalCommons@Molloy Annual summary typically includes: readership totals, usage metrics such as downloads and metadata hits, and top performing items and profiles. Other areas that can be included are any new series or features, refresh or updates to the site design, and any future project plans.

Centering Community Voice And Knowledge Through Participatory Action Research, Jennifer Lucko

Education | Faculty Scholarship

This paper analyzes a Participatory Action Research (PAR) Project focused on improving public safety and community lighting in one Latinx immigrant community in California as a case example to better understand the possibilities for university-community-government partnerships. The paper explores residents' motivations for their sustained participation in the project, the relationships and power dynamics that led to a $100,000 commitment from the city government to fund the recommendations of the PAR collective, and the social contexts that allowed community residents to position themselves as political actors as the PAR project progressed over the 2021-2022 academic year. This case example illustrates how …

Ambivalent Sexism Impacts Attitudes Toward Marital Surname Change Decisions, Erin N. Palmwood

Psychological Science Articles

Couples are making increasingly varied surname change decisions following marriage. However, despite this increased variability, cultural attitudes toward nontraditional surname choices remain rooted in sexism, with women who retain their maiden names often being viewed negatively as individuals and as partners within their marriages. The present study aimed to examine ambivalent sexism as a potential moderator of the link between women’s and men’s nontraditional surname choices and negative perceptions of those individuals and their marriages. To this end, participants (n = 129) viewed a series of vignettes describing heterosexual couples who made traditional vs. nontraditional choices regarding whether to …

Caught In The Crosshairs Of Educational Reform: How Teacher Labor Markets Respond To Polarized Education Policies, Danielle Duffy Chipman

Theses and Dissertations--Public Policy and Administration

Since the passage of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) teachers have been caught in the crosshairs of political debates about education policy (Davis, 2014; EPE Research Center, 2013a; Steiner & Woo, 2021; Woo et al., 2022; Zubrzycki, 2016). As political polarization between parties increased in the 2000s, debates about education policy became more acrimonious impacting teachers’ work lives (Heltzel & Laurin, 2020; Iyengar, 2021; Layman et al., 2006). The topic of these debates ranges from curriculum changes such as Common Core and Critical Race Theory (CTR), school shootings and safety, battles over school choice and voucher programs, teacher activism about …

A Checklist To Design And Evaluate Systems-Informed Wellbeing Initiatives: A Mixed Methods Validation Study, Jaclyn Gaffaney

CGU Theses & Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on global mental health struggles, underscoring the need to prioritize wellbeing. Many disciplines currently research aspects of wellbeing, ranging from psychology, behavioral economics, public health, and public policy, to prevention, evaluation, and education. However, researchers have rarely integrated insights across disciplines or extracted meaningful nuance from real-world applications. Many wellbeing interventions can also fall short due to poor design and execution as well as inadequate application of systems thinking and culturally responsive lenses. This dissertation addressed these gaps by creating a structured framework for crafting and assessing systems-informed wellbeing initiatives in the form of the …

Synergetic Effects Of Democracy And Economic Development On Income Inequality And The Role Of Relative Political Capacity, Nazif Sali

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Diving into the complex dynamics of income inequality, this dissertation studies the multifaceted relationships between democracy, economic development, and inequality, placing a spotlight on the mediating influence of Relative Political Capacity (RPC). Uncovering the pivotal role of RPC as democracies advance and economies progress, this research navigates the contours of income inequality. By dissecting distinct sub-samples of OECD and non-OECD countries, nuanced insights surface. Employing robust methodologies such as ordinary least squares regressions and fixed effects analysis, I argue that targeted policies addressing inequality can not only foster inclusive economic growth but also fortify the foundations of democratic institutions. As …

Rape Violence In India, Chisanga Chanda

CGU Theses & Dissertations

The weaponization of rape in International Relations is often analyzed through the lens of Realism, focusing on cases where rape is systematically used as a tactic of war by enemy combatants or as “spoils of war”. This phenomenon is evidenced by high-profile incidents in World War II Japan (1941), Cambodia (1975), Guatemala (1978), Bosnia (1992), and Rwanda (1994). More recently, terrorist groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria have used rape to bind recruits to the group, and ISIS in Iraq has promised women as rewards and motivation. Such cases meet the criteria for the strategic deployment of rape to terrorize, …

Increasing Help-Seeking Among People With Depression: An Empirical Assessment Of A Static And Trending Norms Approach, Christopher Falco

CGU Theses & Dissertations

The current research examined whether making static and trending norms salient through persuasive messaging could increase help-seeking inclinations (i.e., attitudes, expectations, and intentions) among people with depression. Study 1 indicated that people with depressive symptomatology significantly underestimated the number of people who seek help for depression. Although approximately 66% of U.S. adults with depression met with professionals for help in 2020, on average, participants believed this rate was 35%. Most associations between norm perceptions and help-seeking inclinations were nonsignificant (e.g., perceived static norms were not significantly associated with help-seeking attitudes or outcome expectations; trending norm perceptions did not significantly relate …

Law And Literature In Pennsylvania: A Changing Landscape, Juliette Gaggini

Honors Theses

This thesis examines themes of American national identity perpetuated in Pennsylvania surrounding private property through historical, literary and legal analysis. Ideals of private property and land ownership are broken into three transitions throughout Pennsylvania history: the American frontier and initial land claiming by settlers, mass-deforestation and the introduction of widespread agriculture, and finally industrialization and the introduction of mining and fracking. Each of these transitions highlights the physical changes to the region and how they were influenced by American ideals of private property, productivity, and profitability.

Throughout this thesis, I analyze both literary and legal texts to examine societal beliefs …

Addressing Healthcare Disparities Faced By Aging Down Syndrome Populations, Rhea Mistry

Pitzer Senior Theses

Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal genetic condition that impacts the development of the body and brain. The life expectancy of individuals with DS has drastically improved over the decades, increasing from 9 years in 1929 to 25 years in 1983 and further reaching 60 years by 2002. Individuals with DS face a variety of prominent co-occurring health conditions that are subject to change over time, including cognitive, visual, and hearing impairments, sleep apnea, cardiovascular defects, Down syndrome regression disorder, and dementia. Despite this increase in life span, DS is still most familiar to pediatric care providers, resulting in healthcare …

An Archaeological Investigation Of Communities Of Practice Among Coastal Georgia Potters, Elizabeth Straub

Theses and Dissertations--Anthropology

The Mission period in the southeastern United States (beginning around 1565 AD) was characterized by dramatic social and demographic change. Coastal tribes, which include the Guale, Mocama, Orista, and Yamasee, among others, were simultaneously faced with the challenge of negotiating new relationships with Europeans and the global economy, the spread of new diseases, an influx of refugees displaced by violence, and the threat of increasingly prevalent slave raiding. Since most historical documents about this region were written by Spanish men, the experience of Native American women has been neglected. This project addresses this disparity by focusing specifically on one of …

Exploring The Experiences Of A South Asian Client And Facilitators Of Men's Behaviour Change Programs In Western Australia, Madhuri Mathisen

Theses

This study explores the experiences of male perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) attending men’s behaviour change programs in Western Australia from the perspective of program facilitators and a South Asian client. Informed by social and contextual constructionism with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), this study examines the experience of 10 mixed culture facilitators who worked with South Asian intimate partner violence perpetrators in men’s behaviour change programs and one South Asian client of an intervention. The participants’ experiences were contextualised through a semi-structured interview. The facilitators’ findings revealed that South Asian clients demonstrated patriarchal beliefs with a victim-blaming tendency and …

Csbs Statements, V25, 2023-24, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Social And Behavioral Sciences.

CSBS Statements

Contents:

From the Dean --- 3
A New Home for Health --- 4
Becoming Part of the Solution --- 7
Thriving Through Movement --- 10
Support Across the Lifespan --- 12
Atmosphere of Empathy: Path to Healing --- 14
College News --- 16
Student Spotlight --- 20
Alumni Highlights --- 24
Donor Spotlight --- 30
Annual Giving --- 34
Class Notes --- 38

Effective And Comprehensive Experiments For The Principles Of Microeconomics Classroom

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

This paper structures a set of interactive classroom experiments related to the most significant topics in principles of microeconomics courses. Such experiments have the potential to take teaching and learning beyond the limitations of a traditional lecture-based approach and increase student engagement as a result. The listing established herein includes both simplified, more focused versions of activities used by other researchers as well as an original experiment created for a specific topic which lacked established activities. This work establishes a set of ten experiments that are cost effective, simple to implement, and can be adapted to various class sizes.

Students’ Perceptions Of Internationalization Of The Curriculum

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

This paper explores students’ perceptions of internationalizing the Principles of Macroeconomics curriculum. The study presents survey results showing that most students find the inclusion of global perspectives enhances their learning and engagement. International students, in particular, value understanding international contexts for their future careers. Many students also found international examples interesting and helpful in developing global skills. The findings suggest a strong student preference for globally enriched content and highlight the importance of integrating international perspectives into economics education. The study emphasizes the need for institutions to adopt a more intentional approach to internationalizing curricula across disciplines and informs future …

Optimal Test Length: How Many Pages Do I Need To Grade (Or Even Write)?

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

This paper examines how test length affects average scores and standard deviations in exam grading. After writing (unnecessarily) long exams, we test if decreasing the number of pages changes the average and standard deviation relative to longer exams. When testing exams four to six pages long, we find that exams above four pages do not seem to add any precision to the averages or standard deviations. Additionally, we find that a three-page exam has the same average and standard deviation, but exams with fewer than three pages change the distribution of student grades, making it harder to distinguish student quality.

Simulating Hedge Fund Fee Structures In An Investments Course

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

Graduate level investments courses frequently include a discussion of hedge funds and the related fees. Many alternative fee structures exist for these funds. It is important for future hedge fund managers to wrestle with the advantages and disadvantages of each structure as they define their fund. This paper introduces a semester-long exercise that requires students to select a specific fee structure, implement and track it, and experience the consequences of their performance.

Monte Carlo And Bootstrapping Carry Trade Simulations In Excel

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

In a currency carry trade, an investor borrows money in a low interest rate currency and invests in a high interest rate currency. The trade is profitable if the future exchange rate does not adjust to the interest rate differential. After downloading exchange rate data, a Monte Carlo simulation of a carry trade is performed in Excel based on a normal distribution and the data’s mean and standard deviation. A bootstrapping carry trade simulation exercise is also generated by randomly selecting observations from the historical data. In contrast to the Monte Carlo simulation, the bootstrapping exercise preserves the skewness within …

Utilizing Pitchbook In A Live Case Study

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

This article discusses how to incorporate PitchBook in a live case study for Venture Capital, Investment Banking, or Mergers and Acquisitions courses. Students conduct a live case study in which they prepare an executive summary, forecasted financial statements, and an investment pitch deck for real companies preparing to raise private capital. PitchBook provides extensive capital market data on private equity, venture capital, and merger and acquisitions data across the globe. Students utilize PitchBook to gather data critical to prepare companies to go on a “Road Show” to raise private capital.

On The External Validation Of An Undergraduate Finance Program’S Assurance Of Learning

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

This study examines the assurance of learning in a finance program by analyzing the factors influencing students’ CFA Level 1 exam (CFA-L1) scores. Results show that (1) performance in CFA-L1 is explained by factors similar to those identified in studies on normalized standard examinations; (2) knowledge retention from non-Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK)-aligned courses is almost non-existent. The author suggests that replacing core courses with CBOK-aligned courses is the most effective way to “close the loop.” The author notes that internal validation tools (e.g., course assessments) are not useful due to systemic grade inflation and the culture of favoring soft …

Note-Taking It Back To The Old School: Note-Taking & Student Outcomes

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

Recent research has suggested that students lack effective note-taking skills, but note-taking may improve student learning. In order to promote meaningful learning, a small investment in note-taking instruction may be a valuable use of scarce classroom time. We implement a randomized experiment to assess the effect of note-taking instruction on student note quality in the principles of microeconomics classroom. We compare note quality of students who received note-taking guidance to those who did not. We find that students who received guidance have significantly better quality notes than those who did not.

Does Blended Learning Improve Student Grades? A Quasi-Experimental Study

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

This study evaluates the impact of blended learning on student performance using a differences-in-differences method. In a controlled experiment with two classes, each having two sections, all sections initially used face-to-face teaching. After midterm 1, one section from each class transitioned to blended learning. The differences-in differences method analyzed students' performance on both midterms, with midterm 2 covering material taught through blended learning in the treatment group. Results indicate a non-significant increase in midterm 2 grades for the treatment group.

A Shadow Federal Open Market Committee Exercise: A Semester-Long Approach To Teaching Monetary Macroeconomics In Real Time

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

This paper describes a real-time, semester-long approach to helping upper-level undergraduates understand real-time decision-making by the Federal Open Market Committee. The exercise, which culminates in an end-of-semester “shadow” FOMC meeting that corresponds in time to an actual FOMC meeting (in May or December), is intended to illustrate (1) how the open-market committee incorporates real-time data as they unfold between meetings (2) how the real-life conduct and voting membership of the FOMC may differ from what is described in a typical textbook, and (3) that voting FOMC members are real people with different perspectives and backgrounds that inform their decisions.

Enhancing Student Engagement: The Synergy Of Peer Assessment And Flipped Classroom Design

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

Grounded in student-centered teaching practices, we investigate the synergy of peer assessments and flipped classroom design in an economics course specifically developed for incoming MBA students. This innovative approach was implemented for two consecutive terms. Survey results show that students have a positive view of this integrated approach. It enhances their engagement and improves their knowledge and skills by providing constructive feedback. Additionally, this combination helps students improve their assessment skills.

The Effect Of Risk-Free Rate And Expected Market Return On Corporate Over- And Under-Investment

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

We examine how the risk-free rate (RF) and market risk premium (MRP) affect capital budgeting. While theory recommends adjusting hurdle rates for project-specific risks, many CFOs apply a single discount rate. Using graphical analysis, we show how market shifts impact investment. A decrease in RF combined with an increase in MRP – reflecting greater risk aversion – exacerbates underinvestment for firms with beta < 1 and overinvestment for those with for beta > 1 when the original WACC is applied. If only MRP increases, overinvestment intensifies. This study highlights the interplay between market variables, especially relevant for finance students and future CFOs.

Automated Feedback For Formative Excel Assignments

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

No abstract provided.

Amortization Tables With Loan Prepayments

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

This paper presents an Excel-based learning exercise to build amortization tables with mortgage prepayments. Periodic and one-time prepayments are considered. Students analyze how the application of prepayments changes the cost and term of a mortgage. Essential financial literacy and spreadsheet skills that are highly valued by households and employers are demonstrated in this exercise.

Using Rap Music To Teach Economic Concepts

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

Music is an accessible vehicle by which to convey economic concepts to students. In this article, a framework is presented by which to introduce three broad economic concepts using examples from rap music, currently the most-listened-to genre of music.

The Value Of The 1-Hour Credit Course: Evidence From An Interdisciplinary Course On Financial Literacy

Journal of Economics and Finance Education

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential benefits of one-hour courses by examining the design and learning outcomes of an interdisciplinary course, Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs. The course served 52 students from a variety of majors. Qualitative evidence suggests that students found the course enjoyable and useful. In addition, quantitative evidence from course pre-tests and post-tests suggests significant gains in student learning. Our findings indicate that one-hour courses represent a valuable alternative to traditional course design.