Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Exploring The Gender Gap In Trump Supporters: Why “Real Women Vote For Trump”, Emma Kudelka

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper examines the types of women who support Donald Trump and explores the reasons behind their alignment with him, despite his seemingly contradictory policies toward women. It begins by analyzing the persistent and modest gender gap across the last three election cycles in which Trump was a candidate. The paper then outlines the demographic and attitudinal profile of female Trump supporters—predominantly white, non-college-educated women who often hold traditional views, including sexist or racist attitudes. These views are frequently rooted in their demographic backgrounds and upbringing, particularly the effects of gendered political socialization, which may shape their attitudes toward political …

Little Saigon Vote: The Mobilization Of Vietnamese Voters Through Ethnic News Media, Vân Lê

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

Informed inspectors suspect Vietnamese Americans associate with the Republican Party because of the model minority mindset and their bond over the anti-Communist attitude. These two components created a sense of Vietnamese American nationalism in the refugee community. A way this Vietnamese American nationalism sustains is through ethnic media, which comes in many forms. The most prominent one is YouTube, where many Vietnamese voters (specifically the older generation) gain their political information from. This research seeks to explore how Vietnamese voters make their voting decisions based on the information that they consume by analyzing the content of the four most popular …

Survey Measures On Perinatal Cannabis Use, Aaditya Balasubramaniyan, Jacquelyn Reiss, Amy Donley

Institute for Social and Behavioral Science (ISBS)

No abstract provided.

Capacity, Serious Injuries, Substantiated Instances Of Child Abuse, And Child Fatalities By Child Care Type, Ffy 2025, Tennessee. Department Of Human Services

Child Care Data

This document is a summary of child care center abuses, injuries, and deaths in the fiscal year.

Trading Volume And Forecast Accuracy In Kalshi Prediction Markets, Nicholas Smole

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis examines the accuracy of Kalshi prediction markets and how different measures of trading volume shape their calibration and predictive power. Expanding upon previous models, use nonparametric calibration curves, pseudo-likelihood regressions, and Brier-score regressions on a large panel of Kalshi contracts to compare the effects of ex-post total volume and cumulative trading volume on market accuracy. Markets are typically well-calibrated near expiration; however, at longer horizons, low-volume markets exhibit substantially more miscalibration. Holding time to expiration fixed, greater cumulative volume is associated with higher accuracy. In comparison, higher ex-post total volume is associated with lower accuracy, highlighting the importance …

Demographics, Macroeconomy, Or Monetary Policy: What Drives Japan’S Short Run Economic Movements Since 1991?, James Ac Raymond Ii

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis examines how Japan’s post-1991 macroeconomy behaves by analyzing quarterly inflation, money growth, and equity returns, with a focus on whether demographic change, macroeconomic indicators, or monetary policy better explains short run movements. Using Newey West regressions, the results show that demographics exert almost no influence at short horizons, while major Bank of Japan policy regimes such as QQE, NIRP, and YCC strongly shape liquidity conditions and dominate both money growth and equity performance. The findings suggest that demographic change matters primarily as a long run force that creates a low-rate environment, while short run dynamics are driven almost …

Sinking City To Breakthrough City: A Political Analysis And Evaluation Of Indonesia's Capital City Relocation From Jakarta To Nusantara, Yuji Jones

CMC Senior Theses

This paper analyzes Indonesia’s national decision to move its capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara. Indonesia is facing a dire catastrophe in its most populous city. The land surrounding Jakarta is sinking, and without significant mitigation efforts, the streets will be submerged by 2045. This is a slow-motion disaster coming for Indonesia and Jakarta. This left the country with a crucial decision: to save the capital city. In response to this environmental crisis, Indonesia’s government has committed to making a nationwide and ambitious decision to move the capital to Nusantara, a smaller city bustling with tropical forests 1,000 kilometers away, …

The Economics Of The U.S. Student Loan Market And The Case For The Education Development Financial Institution, Ian Akers

CMC Senior Theses

The United States student loan market is shaped by a variety of market failures–credit constraints, positive externalities, behavioral frictions including myopia, debt aversion, and misperception–that together justify government intervention in the market. Yet the design of federal intervention is just as important as its existence. This thesis details the economic theory underpinning the market for student loans, evaluates three historical federal student loan programs (the Perkins Loan Program, the Federal Family Education Loan Program, and the Federal Direct Loan Program) through the lens of that theory. The thesis then proposes a novel institutional model as a targeted response to the …

Diagnosis And Proposal For Addressing The Depopulation In Northern California Towns, Cahal T. Connolly

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis examines population decline in small Northern California towns as a process of functional depopulation. Demographic loss becomes most damaging when it weakens the institutions that make communities livable. Focusing on rural towns facing aging populations, economic contraction, climate risk, housing instability, and service erosion, the thesis argues that sustainability cannot be measured by population change alone. Instead, towns must be evaluated according to their ability to maintain municipal services such as schools, healthcare, emergency services, infrastructure, local governance, and civic life. The thesis develops a stabilization framework that distinguishes among stabilizable, transitional, and structurally declining communities based on …

Assessing The Feasibility Of Small Modular Reactor Deployment On Islands In Southeast Asia And The Pacific, Hayden C. Beauchemin

CMC Senior Theses

This study looks at the feasibility of using Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to provide island microgrids in Southeast Asia and the Pacific with clean, reliable electricity. SMRs are compared to current methods of electricity generation, namely diesel generators, as well as to renewable alternatives. Policymakers will face geopolitical, technical, economic, and domestic political challenges to SMR deployment. The key considerations of SMRs, including economic viability, safety approaches, public attitudes, and diplomatic relations are considered, and solutions are identified for issues such as financing and nuclear waste disposal. The analysis reinforces the conclusion that SMR deployment is feasible for islands in …

Volatility Modeling With An Application To Risk Parity Portfolios, Kenneth Hou

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis studies volatility modeling in the context of risk parity portfolio construction. I compare three risk parity portfolios that differ only in their underlying volatility model: a historical covariance baseline, a Bayesian stochastic volatility model, and a GRU–GARCH hybrid neural network. Using daily returns on Kenneth French’s five industry portfolios from January 2016 through December 2025, I construct monthly rebalanced portfolios under each model, with the SV and GRU forecasts embedded in hybrid covariance matrices that combine forecasted volatilities with rolling historical correlations. The results document a divergence between forecast accuracy and portfolio performance: the SV model is the …

Making Sense Of East Asian Languages, Keiko Konoeda, Linh Hoang, Geizuo Mahai, Nary Phon, Georgia Green, Ana Grieve, James Soifer

Open Educational Resources

In Winter 2026, the Bates College Asian Studies course “Making Sense of East Asian Languages” launched this open collection of supplementary readings. This collection helps students of Chinese and Japanese explore the histories behind the languages they study. Often, language courses focus on mastering a "standard" version without looking at its context. These readings bridge that gap.

Each entry investigates how certain language varieties became the national standard and what happened to other varieties and languages that were left out. By looking at these historical and colonial contexts, the collection helps students understand the power dynamics that shape language today. …

From Statute To Classroom: The Implementation Gap In California's Queer-Relevant Sex Education Policy, Alejandro Quiroz-Novela

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis examines why strong sex education laws do not reliably translate into consistent classroom experiences for LGBTQ+ students. Using a qualitative single-case study of California, it traces the evolution from SB 71 (2003) to the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA) (2016) and analyzes how mandates move through a decentralized governance chain. Drawing on statutes, legislative records, state guidance, curriculum review tools, advocacy reports, media accounts, and public indicators, the study focuses on implementation mechanisms rather than estimating causal health effects. Three findings emerge: CHYA sets a clear legal floor but is difficult to verify at scale; district discretion and …

Organizing And Advocacy Analysis And Innovation, Shari Simon

Open Educational Resources

This assignment emphasizes students’ evaluation and creation skills while connecting to their broader coursework on advocacy and community engagement. Students analyze a real-world advocacy campaign, applying a SWOT framework to evaluate its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. They then generate at least two original ideas to enhance or expand the campaign’s impact, drawing on their lived experiences, critical thinking, and social awareness. The assignment encourages the use of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to support brainstorming, research, and content generation, with reflection on how AI contributed to their process. By integrating personal perspective, analytical rigor, and creative problem-solving, students develop …

Genocide, Memory & Prevention: Ethical Inquiry And Critical Thinking Through Research & Ai, Linda Humes

Open Educational Resources

This assignment engages students in ethical inquiry and critical analysis by examining lesser-known or silenced genocides within a global and historical context. Using academic sources alongside responsible use of generative AI, students compare dominant and marginalized narratives, analyze recurring patterns and causes of genocide, and reflect on prevention strategies. The assignment emphasizes ethical AI use, historical memory, and the development of civic awareness, empathy, and critical thinking in the study of race, power, and inequality.

Conflict Analysis With Chatgpt, Yeju Choi

Open Educational Resources

This assignment asks students to apply the conflict mapping method to a conflict of their choice and evaluate appropriate resolution processes and strategies. Students use ChatGPT as a structured “peer” to generate alternative perspectives, then compare AI-generated recommendations with their own analysis grounded in course concepts. By designing intentional prompts and critically assessing areas of agreement and disagreement, students evaluate the usefulness and limitations of AI in conflict analysis while reinforcing analytical, evaluative, and reflective skills central to conflict resolution practice.

Annotated Bibliography Assignment, Daryl Wout

Open Educational Resources

This assignment engages students in comparing AI-generated and human-generated annotated bibliographies. Students first read a psychology research article and create their own annotated bibliography summarizing the study’s purpose, literature, hypotheses, design, findings, and implications. They then use ChatGPT to generate an AI-based bibliography and critically compare it to their own work, evaluating accuracy, completeness, and usability. The exercise emphasizes critical reflection on the capabilities and limitations of AI for research tasks, while encouraging students to integrate effective AI strategies into their scholarly practices without compromising independent analysis.

Comparing Chatgpt, Scispace, Copilot, And Human Brainstorming, Sara Martucci

Open Educational Resources

This assignment introduces students to collaborative inquiry, AI-assisted research, and critical source evaluation within the context of contemporary social issues. Working in groups, students brainstorm a course-related social problem, develop an exploratory research question, and generate preliminary explanations grounded in personal experience, common sense, and course concepts. They then use SciSpace Copilot to gather scholarly sources and apply the CRAAP test to evaluate credibility and relevance. Students subsequently compare these findings with responses generated by ChatGPT, analyzing similarities and differences in scope, reasoning, and evidence. Through structured reflection, students critically assess how AI shapes the research and information-gathering process. As …

Essay Assignment On Current Political Development, Esther Verhalle

Open Educational Resources

This assignment asks students to reflect on how recent election results may influence policies related to the administration of justice. Students use ChatGPT as a brainstorming tool to generate possible policy impacts, then select one example and analyze it using course readings. By connecting AI-generated ideas to established scholarly arguments, students practice evidence-based reasoning and application of course concepts. The assignment also requires students to reflect on the strengths and limitations of using AI for idea generation, emphasizing independent analysis, proper citation, and critical engagement with AI-assisted work.

Using Ai To Analyze Survey Data, Sara Martucci

Open Educational Resources

This assignment in Methodology in Sociology/Criminology engages students in the full research process by guiding them through variable selection, data analysis, interpretation, and critical reflection on AI-assisted decision-making. Using a class-generated survey dataset (or an existing dataset), students develop a research question, identify independent and dependent variables, and formulate a hypothesis. They then compare their selections with those suggested by an AI tool, analyzing differences in reasoning and variable choice. Through SPSS, students generate frequency tables, charts, and scatterplots to examine relationships between variables, including potential intervening factors. The assignment culminates in a group presentation and reflective analysis on the …

Examination Of An Article On Cultural Racism In Light Of Covid-19, Mengia Tschalär

Open Educational Resources

This final exam requires students to critically analyze Qian Julie Wang’s New York Times article, “Anti-Asian Racism Isn’t New,” through the lens of American Cultural Pluralism and the Law. Students will examine how the COVID-19 pandemic intensified anti-Asian racism in the United States by drawing on key course concepts, including cultural racism, racialization, borders, belonging, citizenship, identity formation, and white dominance. The assignment includes two components: a visual mind map that organizes theoretical frameworks and evidence, and a structured 800-word essay that integrates at least three peer-reviewed in-class readings using APA citation style. Through this process, students will demonstrate their …

Digital Cultures, Dei, And Ai: Critical Analysis Assignment, Oluremi Alapo

Open Educational Resources

This assignment presents a scaffolded, equity-centered approach to teaching digital culture and artificial intelligence (AI) within an undergraduate Diversity and Multicultural Education course at the City University of New York. Designed as a Writing Intensive, COIL-informed learning experience, the assignment invites students to critically examine digital technologies and AI as social and cultural systems shaped by power, access, and inequality.

Understanding The Needs Of Nontraditional Students At Eastern Michigan University, Matthew Wells

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Nontraditional students comprise 25% of students at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) and include students who work full-time, are over 25, are parents, and are first-generation. It can be difficult for students to focus on their careers, families, and school, as focusing on one can result in a worse performance in the other. The needs and experiences of this population have historically been understudied in the literature. During the Winter 2025 semester, nontraditional students at EMU were surveyed. This survey included questions about their experiences, their needs, and their perceived levels of support from the university. The results of this project …

Do Sleep And Age Concurrently And Longitudinally Predict Children's Frustration Tolerance?, Mavery P. Allen

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Frustration is experienced when there is interference with one’s goal or progress towards one’s goal. This study sought to examine how age and sleep affect child frustration through the observation of 2 experimental tasks, each a year apart. This study included data from 100 children (boys = 54) ages 3 to 5 years (M = 3.86) at Wave 1. There are 2 waves, occurring a year apart. The first task in Wave 1 consisted of giving a child keys to a locked, clear box with intriguing toys, but unbeknownst to them, the keys did not work. The second task consisted …

Theory Of Mind: Effects Of Ecological Syntactic Training In Children With And Without Autism, Jill De Villiers, Stephanie Durrleman

Linguistics: Faculty Publications

Complement clauses, such as Mary says that Santa exists, are complex linguistic structures that have been argued to help children grasp others’ beliefs when those beliefs do not align with reality. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) tend to have difficulties with Theory of Mind (ToM), which might be helped by enhancing understanding of complements. The study investigates whether an ecological approach to training, using children's books containing false complement clauses, can improve false belief reasoning in children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children. The goal is to assess if structured dialogic reading at home, led by parents, …

Why We Stayed, Why We Left: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study Of Hispanic/Latino Child Welfare Professionals’ Experiences Of Organizational And Safety Culture, Cynthia Franco

Theses and Dissertations

This hermeneutic phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of Hispanic/Latino child welfare professionals who were formerly employed at a large urban public child welfare agency. Despite the growing representation of Hispanic/Latino children and families in child welfare systems and the strong vocational commitment of Hispanic/Latino professionals, this group remains underrepresented in the workforce and experiences notable patterns of early attrition. Grounded in safety science and psychological safety frameworks, this study explores how organizational culture, leadership practices, and identity-related dynamics shape professional meaning-making, well-being, and decisions to remain in or leave the field.

Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and …

Nuclear Deterrence And The Security Dilemma In A Complex Multipolar World, Chick Edmond

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

Objectives: The purpose of this research project is to examine how nuclear deterrence intersects with the concept of security dilemma, i.e., when a state takes an action intended to increase its own security it may inadvertently create a risk or threat to another state and contribute to increased levels of tension. Fourth, how nuclear and conventional systems are becoming increasingly interconnected, which will serve to potentially amplify risks associated with these systems.

Methods: Utilizing a qualitative analytical approach of documents such as national strategy documents, defense policy statements and historical records of crises dating from 1945-2025, the study identifies four …

Human Capital And Development, Philippe Aghion, Ingvild Almås, Costas Meghir

Discussion Papers

Human capital is central to efforts to promote growth, convergence, and the elimination of poverty. Drawing on the seminal macroeconomic frameworks by Nelson-Phelps, Lucas and subsequent developments, alongside macro and microeconomic evidence, we examine the role of human capital in driving innovation and growth. We highlight how different types of human capital, characterized by education level, matter in different stages of development. Despite documented increases in years of schooling, the world’s poorest regions still see stagnating outcomes in learning and education quality, potentially creating poverty traps where investments in neither physical nor human capital materialize. We discuss obstacles to human …

Nature-Based Solutions For Urban Resilience And Environmental Justice In Underserved Coastal Communities: A Case Study On Oakleaf Forest In Norfolk, Va, Farzaneh Soflaei, Mujde Erten-Unal, Carol L. Considine, Faeghe Borhani

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Climate change and sea-level change (SLC) are intensifying flooding in U.S. coastal communities, with disproportionate impacts on Black and minority neighborhoods that face displacement, economic hardship, and heightened health risks. In Norfolk, Virginia, sea levels are projected to rise by at least 0.91 m (3 ft) by 2100, placing underserved neighborhoods such as Oakleaf Forest at particular risk. This study investigates the compounded impacts of flooding at both the building and urban scales, situating the work within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). A mixed-method, community-based approach was employed, integrating literature review, field observations, and community …

Ho Chi Minh’S Thoughts On Gender Equality In The Political Sphere In Vietnam And Strategic Implications For Indonesia, Tri Minh Nguyen

Jurnal Wacana Politik

This paper provides an exhaustive examination of the theoretical foundations of Ho Chi Minh’s thought regarding gender equality and its institutionalization within the political fabric of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Focusing on the contemporary period (2021–2026), the analysis evaluates the efficacy of the Vietnamese model of State Feminism in achieving descriptive and substantive representation for women in legislative and executive bodies. Furthermore, the paper conducts a comparative analysis with the Republic of Indonesia, particularly following its 2024 general elections, to identify structural, cultural, and legal divergences. By synthesizing data from government reports, international indices, and academic literature, this study …