Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Moralitas, Pancasila, & Political Homophobia: The Resilience Of The Indonesian Lgbtq+ Community, Madeline Morton

Indonesia: Arts, Religion, and Social Change

In this paper, I attempt to understand Indonesian LGBTQ+ identity. With negative views on LGBTQ+ freedoms prevalent amongst the state, religious institutions, and media, I investigate what degree of visibility and expression can be afforded towards community building and individual expression. I catalogue the historical and legal perspectives which influence the current, lived realities of LGBTQ+ individuals. The concept of an ‘appropriate’ expression of gender and sexuality is learned, dynamic, and entrenched in cultural context. In Indonesia’s case, these understandings are forged through dominant systems of knowledge surrounding gender roles, marriage, and familial structure as connected to a nationalist identity. …

Combating Genocide Denial Through Rwanda’S Foreign Policy, Jonathan R. Beloff

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

Rwanda’s foreign policy is still greatly influenced by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, commonly referred to as the Rwanda Genocide. Despite the genocidal massacres ending over thirty years ago, the Rwandan government still perceives its continued threat. Despite tangible threats to the state, such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) decline, the concern of the genocide’s lasting ideology and denial still concerns Rwandan policymakers responsible for the nation’s foreign policy and remembrance. This research relies on in-depth fieldwork with various Rwandan government agencies responsible for crafting state security, foreign policy, and anti-genocide policies. It examines …

Food For Thought: The Impact Of The Gut-Brain Axis On Mental Health, Emily S. Miiller

Honors Thesis

Research regarding the role of the human microbiome has grown over the years as professionals develop a better understanding of the gut-brain axis. New studies and expanding knowledge on the relationship between the nervous system and gut microbiome promote a deeper understanding of the impact of diet on mental health. Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy balance between the gut and the brain. Incorporating nutritional modulators, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamins, is crucial for supporting the gut-brain axis by influencing neurotransmitter production, managing inflammation, and promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. On the other hand, …

Let's Grow: Investigating The Relationship Between Houseplants And Mental Health In College Students, Makia G. Adler

Honors Thesis

This literature review explores the potential mental health benefits of houseplants for college students, a population increasingly affected by anxiety and depression. With traditional mental health services strained and often inaccessible, simple and low-cost alternatives are urgently needed. This review examines whether the presence and interaction with houseplants can improve psychological well-being, specifically symptoms of anxiety and depression. Drawing from ten peer-reviewed studies, this review finds a generally positive association between houseplants and mental health, though results vary. Notably, the duration of exposure appears to have little effect, while setting and autonomy in plant interaction are more influential. Interactions in …

74/2 | Hellenistic Nysa-Scythopolis: The Finds And Conclusions, Gabriel Mazor,, Walid Atrash, Débora Sandhaus

IAA Reports—Monograph Series of the Israel Antiquities Authority

This is the fifth volume of publications of the Bet She’an Archaeological Project, describing the large-scale IAA excavations at the site of Bet She’an–ancient Nysa-Scythopolis, during 1986–2002. Bet She’an V: Hellenistic Nysa-Scythopolis is the second volume presenting the full excavation report of the IAA excavations at Tel Iẓṭabba, conducted between 1991 and 1994. The first volume in this series, Bet She’an IV (IAA Reports 62), focused on two corpora of finds: stamped amphora handles and sealings. The current volume, Bet She’an V, is comprised of two parts (IAA Reports 74/1, 74/2) dedicated to the stratigraphy, architecture and finds from the …

Centering Users By Design: Implementing An Iterative Usability Testing Program, Lindsey Skaggs

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Libraries are increasingly employing usability testing to inform the design of their websites, discovery layers, and digital services, but designing and facilitating testing can be intimidating for libraries without UX expertise or designated staff. This poster will explain how a librarian designed and facilitated an iterative seven-test Usability Testing Program over one academic year and outline how librarians new to UX can implement a similar program. Results from each test will be shared, demonstrating how the collected data was used to improve the library’s website and discovery layer and center the user experience.

Raise Your Voice, Amy Cooper Cary

Library Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Sexual And Gender Minority Stress And Risky Sexual Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis Of Current Literature, Tobias Mcdaniels

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Introduction: Research on sexual and gender minorities demonstrates a significant relationship between identity related stress and risky sexual behavior. Minority stress theory claims that stressors unique to the sexual and gender minority community may explain the high prevalence rates and the risk of negative health outcomes, including risky sexual behaviors. With the observed high stress levels within this community, sexual and gender minority stress may be a significant risk factor and may explain the origins of risky sexual behaviors, as well as provide insight into a population that is understudied. Method: A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between …

Toward A Global Roadmap: An Analysis Of National Strategies Toward Digital Education Improvements Across Southeast Asia And Southern Africa, Z Alexandra Anderson

Computer Science Undergraduate Theses

The rapid global expansion of digital technologies has created significant opportunities to transform education systems, foster innovation, and reduce inequalities. However, access to and benefits from these technologies remain unevenly distributed, shaped by differences in infrastructure, human capital, governance structures, and economic development. This thesis investigates how systemic approaches to digital education in Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe can inform a more inclusive and adaptive global roadmap for digital transformation in education.

Adopting a mixed-methods design, this study combines a comparative quantitative analysis of the CISCO Digital Readiness Index (DRI) with a qualitative content analysis of national …

Enhancing Quality Of Life Through Participant-Led Programming For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Hannah Bolton

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

There are currently over 6.5 million Americans living with an intellectual disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019). Research shows that individuals with intellectual disabilities are more likely to experience a lower quality of life (QOL) compared to those without disabilities (Hughes-McCormack et al., 2017). Eight core domains have been identified as essential to quality of life: emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, material well-being, personal development, physical well-being, self-determination, social inclusion, and rights (Lachapelle et al., 2005). In response to these needs, this capstone project aimed to implement customized, supported, participant-led programming at a day program for adults with …

Beyond The Suburban Ideal: Addressing Southern California’S Strained Affordable Housing Market Through Density Bonus Programs, Alissa Larue

School of Public Policy Capstones

This study examines how expanding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) could serve as an effective policy solution to address the housing affordability crisis. In San Diego, a Bonus Program has been implemented to incentivize the construction of affordable ADUs by relaxing burdensome regulations. A Differences-in-Differences approach using two-way fixed effects is employed to evaluate the program's effectiveness in promoting ADU development, using city-level data from San Diego and Los Angeles counties. ADU permit applications serve as a key indicator of policy impact. The findings strongly suggest that the Bonus Program influenced increasing ADU permit applications in San Diego. Because the model …

The Influence Of Institutional Barriers And Personality On Gendered Occupational Choice, Mia Sideris

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Men hold a disproportionate share of high-paying jobs, leading to an uneven distribution within the workforce. Possible rationalizations behind the formation of the occupational gap can be narrowed down to two factors: institutional barriers and personality differences. Accounts of prestigious organizations intentionally underrepresenting women in academic spheres, in addition to the persistence of societal norms can explain the observed distribution. Other perspectives insist that sex determines one’s behavior in selecting a life-long occupation, where a woman’s instinct to nurture and develop interpersonal connections leads them to choose fields that necessitate these characteristics. Compiling data from mainstream companies like Apple who …

The New Antebellum: A Sociological Interpretation Of Christian Nationalism And Its Danger To Both Christianity And American Democracy, Paige R. Dickerman

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Hate and fear have become the new American identity, plaguing social media platforms and legislation as it drips from the mouths of the citizenry. The nation has been torn apart by polarization in a continuation of the division and extremist ideology that has tormented generations of Americans since its founding. Today, Christian nationalism is at the forefront of division and extremism in its idea of a new America, defined by traditionalism, biblical law, and an end to our taken-for-granted democratic processes. Its proponents insist that America’s survival depends on Christian laws and national observance, a claim that hides the truth …

Discrimination That Requires A Remedy: The Case Of Mothers Of Children With Disabilities, Ewa Rejman

Mercer Law Review

International human rights law devotes particular attention to the protection of vulnerable groups owing to their special needs and distinctive challenges which should be adequately considered. Building upon this premise and stressing the importance of gender approach, the Article describes particular vulnerabilities that mothers of children with disabilities face and explains how addressing them remains contingent upon safeguarding, in particular, the right to the highest attainable standard of health, the right to social security, the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to family life. Through the analysis of the responsibility for the omission in international law, …

Race Centers As Critical Curriculum Spaces In U.S. Law Schools, Katheryn Russell-Brown, Vanessa Miller

Mercer Law Review

This piece aims to amplify the role of law school race centers. In fact, these centers are central curriculum spaces for student teaching and learning about race. The discussion highlights the role of race centers in law schools, explores the scholarly potential of race centers, and proposes strategies for sustaining race centers. The piece examines the role of race centers in helping law schools meet American Bar Association Standard 303(c), which requires that law students are exposed to race‑related curriculum, such as bias, cross‑cultural competencies, or racism. Tracing the historical roots of modern‑day race centers to Black Culture Centers of …

The Anatomy Of Creating A New Legal Discipline In Which Intersectionality Is Integral: Teaching Employers To Accept The Importance Of Workplace Discrimination And Understanding The Connection Between The Intersectionality Messages We Receive And How They Are Manifested In The Workplace Resulting In Violations Of Title Vii Of The Civil Rights Act Of 1964 And Lack Of Diversity, Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander

Mercer Law Review

The Author created the first law course in the country for colleges of business that taught business students how to recognize and work to avoid the genesis of workplace discrimination legal claims that lawyers are then called upon to handle, many of which are firmly rooted in intersectionality. That is, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 violations and employer liability. This led to her creating the earliest iteration of what we now know as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). In doing so, she had to explore how workplace decisions are made, which led to the realization …

"Data Science For Digital Privacy: A Practical Guide For Non-Technical Audiences", Kayla Ahrndt

SPARK Symposium Presentations

As companies increasingly rely on consumer data for personalization and profit, the need for stronger user protections, security measures, and transparency in data practices grows. Legal frameworks must be continuously re-evaluated and updated to ensure accountability, while individuals must be equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their digital presence. However, personal data privacy education remains widely inaccessible due to the technical language and the effort required to navigate complex policies. This project, presented in both zine and blog formats, addresses this gap by providing clear, actionable, and accessible recommendations for data privacy and personal cybersecurity. As an …

Kelly Miller Smith: The Role And Recognition Of Local Leadership, Kenneddia Mastin

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This paper examines the life and legacy of Reverend Kelly Miller Smith, highlighting the pivotal role of local leadership in the Civil Rights Movement and questioning why figures like Smith are celebrated primarily within their communities rather than nationally. By analyzing Smith’s early life, education, activism, and involvement in events such as the Nashville sit-ins and the NAACP, this study underscores his significant impact. A comparison with John Lewis, a nationally recognized leader, explores the dynamics of civil rights leadership, focusing on the disparities between local and national recognition. The research advocates for a more inclusive perspective that equally values …

Sport For Inclusion: Advocating For Adaptive Sports And People With Disabilities, Gabrielle Kline, Chloe Hreha, Sophia Lasley

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Sports are often undervalued in India, with many families prioritizing careers in fields like engineering and medicine over athletics (Tewari, 2021). This cultural sentiment extends to people with disabilities, where adaptive sports receive little attention despite 4.3% (around 61 million) of India's population living with a disability (MOSPI, 2021). Adaptive sports, however, play a crucial role in promoting physical health, mental well-being, and socialization, particularly in rural areas (Chen et al., 2024). The Sittruli Foundation, a non-governmental organization in India, offers wheelchair basketball, swimming, and running programs for people with disabilities. The foundation faced several challenges in its mission to …

Apathy Or Arrogance? Why High Schoolers Are Uninformed About Current Events, Delia Dixon

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study analyzes the associations between high school student confidence levels on international current events, their motivations to learn more, optimism for the future, and their general understanding of international current events. Using a survey, I first asked students how confident they felt about their understanding of current events, their level of desire to learn more, why they felt that way, and their level of optimism for the future. The second section had the participants list 3-10 current events that they felt were the most important. The third section tested their general awareness of current global events by having them …

Piloting Free Ai Tools For Open Student Course Applications, Christine Hober

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Objective: The purpose of this mixed-methods, quasi-experimental pilot study was to analyze practice outcomes after incorporating the university sponsored artificial intelligence (AI) adaptive learning platforms and assistants with the major course project of the student nurse educator development course. The study’s aim was to implement AI tools without increasing student perceptions of course work stress.

Methodology: Utilizing a convenience sample of 10 graduate students from a mid-western rural, public university following structured implementation of normally assigned coursework, process modifications for implementing AI tools were shared. Surveys analyzed student perceptions of stress (specifically linked to new technology implementation) alongside the perceived …

Res Historica, Volume 4, Lynneth Miller Renberg Phd, Alpha Rho Epsilon Phi Alpha Theta

Res Historica

The 2025 journal of historical research by Anderson University students, Res Historica.

The editorial team for this edition of Res Historica was Dr. Lynneth Miller Renberg, Samuel Sanders, and Julia Ackerman. The cover art for this volume is an open access image.

Reserve Officer Training Corps Officers’ Perspectives On Diversity, Equity, And Inclusionary Practices In Commissioning Minority Officers In The U.S. Military, Christopher Tompkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem addressed in this study was the lack of research on Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) officers’ practices using diversity, equity, and inclusionary (DEI) in commissioning minority officers in the U.S. military. This deficiency of literature and research illustrates the necessity to explore ROTC officers' perspectives of practices in this context. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore ROTC officers’ perspectives on DEI practices related to commissioning minority officers in the U.S. military. The conceptual framework was grounded in critical race theory and aversive racism theory. The research question was focused on ROTC officers' perspectives on DEI …

What's Missing From Value-Based Care-Accounting For The Costs And Benefits Of Quality Improvement, Donald E. Casey

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Physiotherapy In Community-Based Rehabilitation In Middle And Low-Income Countries: A Scoping Review, Er D. Petil Jr., Napoleon R. Caballero

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is a widely recognized approach to address the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical therapy (PT) plays a crucial role within CBR programs. This study aimed to synthesize the current state of literature regarding the integration of PT in CBR programs in LMICs across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, examining key characteristics, reported outcomes, and challenges to implementation.

Methods: A comprehensive review of literature was conducted, focusing on studies published in the past decade. Data were extracted and synthesized in matrix format to compare and contrast findings across the …

How Sexism Affects Women In Healthcare And Medical Training In The United States And The United Kingdom, Emily Kerr

Honors Projects

This in-depth secondary research was performed to review existing literature about how sexism affects women in healthcare and medical training in the United States and the United Kingdom. Despite previous legislation passed to limit sexism and sexual harassment in both countries, sexism and sexual harassment are still relevant today, especially in the medical and healthcare field. In fact, despite a continued increase of women in medicine, 91% of qualified female health professionals have experienced sexism at work and 54% of both male and female health professionals believe that sexism acts as a barrier to career progression (BMA, 2024). Based on …

Formerly Abducted Youths In Northern Uganda: History, Impact, Intervention, And Reintegration, Noelani Stahl

Orphans and Vulnerable Children Senior Capstone

In 1988, a rebel group called the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) formed in Northern Uganda. A civil war broke out between the LRA and the government, lasting more than two decades and affecting almost the entire population of Northern Uganda. Children were some of the most impacted by the conflict, as the LRA’s primary strategy was abducting children and forcibly recruiting them as sexual slaves (brides), manual laborers, and soldiers.First, this paper establishes the historical and political backdrop of the conflict, providing context for the psychological impacts that abduction into war had on children, Acholi culture, and the communities involved. …

Flood Risk Assessment In Humanitarian Contexts: A Remote Sensing And Gis Methodology Applied To Nyarugusu Refugee Camp, Tanzania, Carolyne Vincent Mbirika

Theses

Flooding is a global challenge, with effects mostly experienced in developing countries due to insufficient data for effective flood risk assessment and management. Refugee settlements are particularly vulnerable to flooding due to their remote locations, high population density, and temporary shelters, necessitating flood susceptibility mapping to effectively mitigate risks and minimize damage prior to flooding events. This study assessed flood susceptibility in the Nyarugusu refugee camp, Tanzania, through Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process using remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) approaches. The flood susceptibility map that resulted from this process categorizes flood-prone areas into three classes: …

Climate And Crop Modeling For New England Agricultural Climate Change Adaptation, Madeline K. Wolfe

Geography Undergraduate Senior Theses

As climate change brings increased temperatures and precipitation variability to New England, it is imperative to understand the ways that farmers make decisions about agricultural climate change adaptation for their corn farms. Dairy farming is the largest agricultural industry in New England, with corn being a primary crop to feed these cattle. This project seeks to understand how climate modeling and crop modeling are and are not useful for these corn farm decisions, and contributes research about what types of information are useful and available to farmers making adaptation decisions. Crop modeling over New England reveals that corn farming in …

Using Musical Interventions As A Non-Pharmacological Strategy To Improve Chronic Pain Levels And Satisfaction Among Patients With Sickle Cell Disease, Fredeline Metellus

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Background

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a chronic, inherited blood disorder characterized by severe pain episodes that are often poorly managed with standard pharmacological treatments. In response to patient dissatisfaction with pain control and the desire for holistic alternatives, this quality improvement project explored music therapy as a non-pharmacological pain management strategy.

Purpose

The primary aim was to reduce chronic pain by at least 20% and improve patient satisfaction with pain management among adults with SCD using a structured musical intervention.

Methodology

This project was implemented at a comprehensive outpatient SCD clinic using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. Five adult patients …