Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Book Review: Dangerous Innocence: White Men, Mass Culture, And The Southern Outsider's Appeal, 1960-2020, Chris Sharpe

Georgia Library Quarterly

A book review of Dangerous Innocence: White Men, Mass Culture, and the Southern Outsider's Appeal, 1960-2020 written by William P. Murray.

Book Review: A Deeper South: The Beauty, Mystery, And Sorrow Of The Southern Road, Lindsay Josey

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Old Enough: Southern Women Artists And Writers On Creativity And Aging, Catherine Bowers

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Conflicted Help-Seeking: Vulnerable And Grandiose Narcissistic Traits In College Students, Daniel G. Lannin, Rachel Brenner, Jake R. Solka, Amanda Martin, Anthony Hermann

Faculty Publications – Psychology

This study highlights distinct patterns in help-seeking behavior among college students with narcissistic traits, focusing on grandiose and vulnerable manifestations of these traits. Two undergraduate samples (N₁ = 398, N₂ = 424) completed measures of narcissistic traits, stigma, psychological distress, and help-seeking intentions. Higher levels of vulnerable narcissistic traits were positively linked to help-seeking willingness, with indirect effects through heightened distress (positive) and stigma (negative). In contrast, grandiose narcissistic traits showed no consistent direct or indirect effects on help-seeking behavior. These findings reveal that students with elevated vulnerable narcissistic traits may experience conflicting motivations for seeking help – driven by …

[Bhm] Black History Month 2025, Raquel Estrada

Library Display Posters

Collection of posters created celebrating Black History Month 2025. Poster topics include: Steaming Videos, Popular Titles, African Americans and Labor, Spotlight on A. Philip Randolph, Regional Material Library Guides, CHAPS Films, and Government Resources. Book and video covers are hyperlinked

Virginia Heat Watch: Collaboration To Assess Climate Vulnerability At Local To Regional Scales, Todd R. Lookingbill, Karin P. Warren, J. Christopher Haley, Elizabeth G. Malcolm, Lisa Jordan Powell, Scott M. Starr, Srarah Melissa Witiak, Michael J. Wolyniak, Beth Zizzamia

Geography and the Environment Faculty Publications

Systematic studies of temperature using consistent, field-validated methods are needed to make inter- and intra-urban heat comparisons and to prioritize resources and mitigation strategies. This study investigated spatial patterns of heat hazard across 10 small- to medium- sized cities in Virginia, USA, using a community science approach. Air temperature data were collected on a high-heat day in July 2021, employing a network of 213 volunteers. Geolocated one-second temperature and humidity measurements were used to create and validate 10-m resolution temperature models for each locality. Results indicate substantial intra-urban temperature differentials even in the smallest localities, averaging 3.2 °C for …

Zombie-Auras: Genai And Hybrid Text Production, Joshua Nieubuurt

English Faculty Publications

This paper explores the iterative evolutions of textual production and their impact on the “aura” of texts, as conceptualized by Walter Benjamin. The study identifies three key phases of textual production: the natural, the mechanized, and the digitized, each progressively displacing the “cult value” of texts. This cult value is lost through increased ease of creation, reproduction, dissemination, and dislocation of creators and audiences in time and space. The advent of Generative AI (GenAI) marks the latest evolution, transforming the “aura” into a memetic “zombie” form—familiar yet opaque, evoking both the sublime and fear. By examining Benjamin’s notion of “aura” …

Building And Defending Lgbtq+ Collections, Jason D. Phillips, Jordan Ruud

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This chapter explores the critical role of collection development policies in libraries, particularly in supporting and defending LGBTQ+ collections. The authors argue that a robust, regularly updated, and transparent collection development policy is essential for ensuring equitable representation and resisting censorship. They emphasize that such policies must account for the needs of historically underserved communities, including LGBTQ+ populations, and serve as tools for advocacy and defense against internal and external challenges.

Using real-world examples, the chapter highlights the consequences of outdated or ineffective policies, including instances of hidden censorship and administrative interference in material acquisition. The authors advocate for retrospective …

Does Money Buy Happiness? Examining Spending And Approval Of Senators, Steven D. Kaga, April Johnson

The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research

This project seeks to examine the relationship between approval ratings for US senators who ran in the 2020 election and the amount of campaign spending while controlling for Gender, Incumbency status, Party affiliation and the number of primary challengers to seek greater understanding on how campaign spending impacts the overall sentiment that the voters have for their representatives.

The Evolution Of Masculinity And Fatherhood In God Of War: Ragnarok, Jacob Tf Wingo

The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research

God of War: Ragnarok was released in 2023 to millions of sales and offers its players a unique look at the themes of masculinity and fatherhood set to a backdrop of mythical deities warring against one another. This game relies heavily on its narrative to convey its core themes of divergent forms of masculinity and the conflict between father and son due to differences in their masculine forms. In light of the game’s popularity and its nuanced representation of masculinity, this study uses textual analysis to explore research on masculinity, fatherhood, and gaming, focusing on the dominant narratives in God …

Wireless Access: A Barrier To Success?, Kara Dees Auger

The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study investigates the differences in the speed of the Internet among various libraries in rural and urban counties, as well as how this difference affects KSU students' access to educational materials. The primary purpose was to determine how download and upload speeds compare across libraries and what impact those differences have on academic performance. A sample of libraries in counties with over 500 KSU students was selected, and speed tests were executed at two major libraries per county.

Data analysis by the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed the presence of considerable differences, with rural libraries like Maude P Ragsdale Public Library, …

Poverty And Voter Turnout: An Elusive Relationship, Mckenna C. Doran

The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research

As poverty becomes an increasingly pressing issue in America, researchers and scholars alike are left to determine the extent to which poverty has become ingrained in our society. Many different theories exist on how poverty plays (or does not play) a role in politics, particularly voter turnout. Gaps in previous research have left room for my study to connect some dots and draw conclusions based off my own data. After collecting data from 25 Georgia counties and the 2020 presidential election, I had to conclude that in my study, there exists no confirmed relationship between poverty and voter turnout. There …

A Computational Analysis Of The Effect Of Hard Choices On The Individuation Of Values, Norberto M. Grzywacz

Psychology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Background/Objectives: Experimental studies show that when an individual makes choices, they affect future decisions. Future choices tend to be consistent with past ones. This tendency matters in the context of ambivalent situations because they may not lead to clear choices, often leading people to make “arbitrary” decisions. Thus, because of choice consistency with the past, people’s decision-making values diverge. Thus, hard choices may contribute to the individuation of values. Methods: Here, we develop a Bayesian framework for the effects of cognitive choice consistency on decision-making. This framework thus extends earlier cognitive-science Bayesian theories, which focus on other tasks, such as …

Perceptual Complexity As Normalized Shannon Entropy, Norberto M. Grzywacz

Psychology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Complexity is one of the most important variables in how the brain performs decision making based on esthetic values. Multiple definitions of perceptual complexity have been proposed, with one of the most fruitful being the Normalized Shannon Entropy one. However, the Normalized Shannon Entropy definition has theoretical gaps that we address in this article. Focusing on visual perception, we first address whether normalization fully corrects for the effects of measurement resolution on entropy. The answer is negative, but the remaining effects are minor, and we propose alternate definitions of complexity, correcting this problem. Related to resolution, we discuss the ideal …

Amidst The Frenzy Over Deepseek Ai, Us Federal Science And Tech Policy Is A Mess Of Internal Contradictions, Yujia He

Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce Faculty Publications

The release of the R1 model by the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company, DeepSeek, shocked the US tech industry. Yujia He writes that while DeepSeek’s model may not be quite as superior compared to its competitors as originally thought, the Trump administration has responded to its innovations by further pushing for US leadership in AI. Taking a close look at US research and development policy under the second Trump administration, however, shows the significant disconnect between rhetoric and policy. Federal funding freezes and reduced funding for the National Science Foundation could have dire long-term consequences for research and international cooperation …

Beyond Water Surface Profiles: A New Iterative Methodology For 2d Model Calibration In Rivers Using Velocity Data From Multiple Cross-Sections, Fabian Rivera-Trejo, Gabriel Soto-Cortes, Kory M. Konsoer, Eddy J. Langendoen, Gaston Priego-Hernandez

Faculty Publications

Observed longitudinal water-surface profiles are commonly used to calibrate river hydrodynamic models, relying on assumptions of lateral uniformity in water surface elevation and velocity distribution. While suitable for 1D models, this approach has limitations in regard to 2D model calibration. When 2D flow measurements are available, a more robust quantitative evaluation is necessary to assess model accuracy. This study introduces a novel methodology to improve 2D model calibration and evaluate performance. High-resolution bathymetric and hydrodynamic data collected with a multibeam echosounder (MBES) and acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) were aligned to compare observed and simulated flow velocities at matching spatial …

Earliest Ancient Maya Salt Production In Southern Belize: Excavations At Jay-Yi Nah, Heather Mckillop, E. Cory Sills

Faculty Publications

Salt works along the Yucatan coasts of Mexico and Belize provide a record of salt production for inland trade during the height of Late Classic Maya civilisation (AD 550-800). At the Paynes Creek Salt Works in Belize, production focused on the creation of salt cakes by boiling brine in pots supported over fires in dedicated salt kitchens. Underwater excavations at the Early Classic (AD 250-550) site of Jay-yi Nah now indicate there was a longer and evolving tradition of salt making in the area, one that initially employed large, incurved bowls to meet local or down-the-line trade needs before inland …

Aging In Uxbridge: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin E. Coyle, Katherine Burnes, Ceara Somerville

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Town of Uxbridge. The goals of this project were to investigate the interests, preferences, and opinions of Uxbridge’s residents aged 55 or older by engaging the community regarding their experiences and needs relevant to the Council on Aging’s (COA’s) and Senior Center objective to identify and serve the needs of all Uxbridge citizens 55 and older. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Town of Uxbridge, the …

When Silence Speaks: Understanding The Bystander Effect In The Digital Age, Sandy G. Boles

SPARK Symposium Presentations

The bystander effect has long shaped social movements, influencing whether individuals take action or remain passive in moments of crisis. In the digital age, social media has redefined activism, raising the question: Does online engagement mobilize individuals toward meaningful action, or does it foster a culture of passive participation, creating a culture of 'keyboard warriors' who express support online without taking direct action? This study aimed to explore the intersection of social media and activism, investigating whether digital platforms amplify or diminish the bystander effect. A mixed-methods survey was conducted to examine this relationship by assessing social media engagement, activism …

Survey Report On Technology Use In Georgia Libraries, Changwoo Yang, Xiaoai Ren

Georgia Library Quarterly

This report presents the findings of a survey on technology usage in Georgia libraries. It offers a snapshot of the current technologies utilized by library professionals. It aims to help library stakeholders, including employers, LIS educators, students, and job seekers, better understand the current use of technologies and the necessary skills. It also provides specific insights that are relevant and useful to the needs of each group.

The Economic Imperatives Of Ensuring Accessible University Education In Nigeria, Adekunle Alexander Balogun

Bullion

This study exmined economic imperatives of enhancing access to university education for Nigerians. It submits that university education is the most important factor for technological and innovative breakthroughs, as it equips graduates with receptive minds for complex reasoning that innovation requires. The study employed critical discourse analysis, focusing on the association between the attainment of a university education and the higher incomes of its recipients. The study recommends that the government increase funding for university education to complement private-sector initiatives. It also recommends that university authorities in Nigeria should tap into the vast endowment and embrace grant opportunities for funding.

Community Engagement Newsletter, February 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Office Of Community Engagement.

Community Engagement Newsletter

Contents:

--- Engaged Department Institute
--- INSPIRE Conference
--- Community Engagement Celebration Day - Register Now
--- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
--- McElroy Youth Leadership Funds
--- Veridian Community Engagement Fellowship
--- Sustainability Efforts at UNI
--- Certified Nonprofit Professional Credential

A Visual Instrument For Military Public Affairs, Rose Di Trolio

Theses

This directed project is a visual guidebook that assists Missouri National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians onboarding within the Public Affairs Office and 70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. This guidebook serves as a tool for the creative-minded perspective to better understand materials such as the overall public affairs process, community relations, and social media creation and management. All the contents of this guidebook are directed from publicly-made information and labeled UNCLASSIFIED. This graphical guidebook uses vectors and images combined into one PDF file. Within the Military profession, it is typical and sometimes expected for members to relocate, deploy, or attend …

Industrial Policy In The Competition Between An Existing Hegemon And A Rising Superpower: The Case Of The Us And China, Kevin Honglin Zhang

Faculty Publications – Economics

Central to the current US-China geopolitical rivalry is the strategic use of industrial policy (IP) by both countries, which is an unexpected reverse of view on IP. This paper examines the role of IP in the economic competition between the US, the incumbent global hegemon, and China, the rising superpower. Both countries increasingly view IP as essential to winning the rivalry. While the methods differ –more market-driven in the US and more state-led in China - their IP reflects shared goals: securing technological leadership and strengthening national security through self-reliance. China’s IP works well in achieving scale, coordination, and technological …

My Own Private Library: A Peek Inside The Personal Library Of A Librarian, Laura Burtle

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Comparative Civilizations Review

No abstract provided.

Christopher Dawson And The Challenges Of Interdisciplinary Studies, Joseph T. Stuart

Comparative Civilizations Review

The following interview was conducted by Ms. Bibi Pelic, the Director of Communications for the International Society for the Comparative Study of Civilizations. The recording is available on the ISCSC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so-hS2SdoZc

How Companies Heal And Maintain Health: A Unique Function Of Corporate Museums In Japan, Aki Kinjo

Comparative Civilizations Review

Capitalism is embedded in our civilization. Despite its faults, weaknesses, and sins, modern civilization cannot prosper without capitalism. Companies are the engine of capitalism. Yet, just like humans, companies make mistakes, sometimes gross. How do companies overcome unforgivable mistakes? This paper argues that corporate museums in Japan play an important role in helping companies heal from their sufferings, recover, and maintain organizational health.

I deploy a cultural approach to management, analyzing corporate museums as a platform for conveying explicit and hidden narratives. A cultural approach to Japanese management helps us understand why Japan has so many corporate museums, well …

How The State Replaces Civilization: The Japanese Exception, Robert Bedeski

Comparative Civilizations Review

By conceptualizing civilization and state as integrated systems consisting of interacting subsystems, their similarities and differences can be analyzed. The central hypothesis is that civilization consists of three material subsystems — economy, government, and knowledge — and one non-material subsystem, transcendence. When the transcendent subsystem is diminished or destroyed by decree or overwhelming rational and scientific evidence, the emergence of the state occurs as in the cases of the Mongol Empire, the Soviet Union, and communist China.

The apparent universality of this observation is countered by an examination of the Japanese civilization and state, where imperial transcendence dominated and reinforced …

The Rise Of China And The Concept Of Civilization: Constructing A Conceptual Apparatus For Cross-Civilizational Comparisons, Liah Greenfeld

Comparative Civilizations Review

The Rise of China and the Concept of Civilization: Constructing a Conceptual Apparatus for Cross-Civilizational Comparisons

The paper examines the deficiencies of the current understanding of “civilization” in the social science literature, among others exemplified by “civilizational analysis,” and proposes a new concept that adds to the conceptual apparatus of sociological theory — a new, fully independent of others, variant of the cultural process. This independence makes distinctions between civilizations as the root cause of socio-cultural diversity.

Combined with the idea of humanity as a culturally constituted reality sui generis, this concept allows the construction of the theoretical scaffolding …