International and Area Studies Commons^™

Comments On Former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’S Chatham House Proposal, - Sudanese Student Union

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Civilian Priorities For Ending The War In Sudan, Abdalla Hamdok

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Rape And Sexual Violence In Sudan

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

The United Arab Emirates Trip: A Problem Of Propaganda, Cecilia Volk

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Us Government’S Genocide Determination For Sudan And The Us Treasury Department Sanctions, Us Government Press Releases & Responses

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Sudan: A Nation Divided, A People Displaced, Talmiz Ahmad

The Journal of Social Encounters

Sudan’s civil war nears its second year, with 150,000 dead and 12 million displaced. Yet, the prospects for peace remain bleak and distant.

Introduction: The Continuing Saga Of Darfur And Sudan, Mawa Mohamed, Ron Pagnucco

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Unsettled Ground: How Jewish Undergraduates Are Negotiating Identity Shifts And (Un)Civil Campus Discourse After October 7, Vikki Katz, Emma Forman, Noel H. Mcguire

Communication Faculty Articles and Research

The post–October 7th period has been a period of redefinition for many Jewish American undergraduates and particularly for those who identify as politically left-of-center and who found themselves encountering anti-Israel and antisemitic attitudes among peers and organizations they had been part of previously. Via in-depth interviews with Jewish American undergraduates and their non-Jewish peers, this study documents undergraduates’ realignments of their Jewish and political identities and examines how those identity changes explain the students’ decisions to engage in, or avoid, discussions with peers about October 7, the war in Gaza and the broader Middle East conflict, and/or rising U.S. antisemitism.

Recovering Palestinian Lives: Qudsiyya Khurshid From Mandate Palestine To Postwar Pennsylvania, Andrea L. Stanton

Religious Studies: Faculty Scholarship

This article works to recover the life story of Qudsiyya Khurshid, a once well-known Mandate Palestinian intellectual and educator, who wrote essays for publication and for broadcasting on the Palestine Broadcasting Service, while working as a principal at girls’ schools in al-Bireh and Jerusalem. One of a number of educated women active in the Mandate public sphere, she disappeared from public consciousness after the Nakba. But in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, where she had moved with her husband, a naturalized U.S. citizen, she became a prominent figure in civic work and as a community speaker on Palestinian and Middle Eastern life …

Biblical Theodicy The Evolution Of Satan As A Solution To The Problem Of Evil, Madison Estrada

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis attempts to serve two functions. The first is to discuss how the problem of evilin Christianity has been a problem not only in modernity, but also with premodern authors and editors of biblical canon. The second is to explain how the literary character of Satan has developed alongside the narrative in a way that seeks to answer to the problem of evil in the form of a literary theodicy. While it may be demonstrated in the textual evidence that this character can take away some of the ethical implications imposed on God by taking on evil himself, it …

Syncretic Spirits / Espíritus Sincréticos, Angelica Tapia - Estrada

School of Art, Art History, and Design: Theses and Student Creative Work

Syncretic Spirits / Espíritus Sincréticos is a multimedia exhibition that invites viewers into a fantastical space where cultural identity and perception intertwine. Colorful shaped panels, sculptural installations, prints, and drawings bridge physical and metaphysical realms. Personal archetypes intuitively inspired by natural forms drive the work.

Influenced by the dualities of my upbringing as a first-generation Mexican American, I was immersed in Mexican culture through my family traditions while finding a home in the nurturing embrace of the heartland. The work has become a means of reclaiming a new layered sense of self, disentangling from my Catholic upbringing, embracing indigenous healing …

Humans Are Far Dearer Than Gold, Richard Gorban

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The author of the article proves that the genocidal war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine is aimed at the total destruction of both the Ukrainian nation and its culture, based on the methodological principle of actualizing biblical texts in the current circumstances and by selecting elements from the exhaustiveness of the content of the Book of Isaiah, the Prophet, which are able to reveal the ontological foundations of this war. It is the clash between the two incompatible experiences of existence: the existence of a human community in peace and that of a community in war. Ukraine has become …

Encouraging Conversation: Sharing The Oral History Of Nepalese Refugees Through Dialogical Preaching To Inspire Intercultural Collaboration, Matthew Clark

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Clark, Matthew J. “Encouraging Conversation: Sharing the Oral History of Nepalese Refugees through Dialogical Preaching to Inspire Intercultural Collaboration.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2025. 286 pp.

The project attends to the context of Ascension Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where a minority group of church members are refugees from Nepal. As Ascension grows in ethnic diversity, however, much of the congregation has only a shallow multicultural level of engagement, where different cultural groups are only aware of each other as they exist parallel to one another with limited interaction.

The project seeks to answer the …

Repositioning North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato): The New Security Dilemma On Trans–Atlantic Relations Amid Shifting Global Geopolitics, Daniel C. George, Indra Alverdian

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

The shifting global geopolitics have led to a new security dilemma in Europe, especially in trans–Atlantic relations. NATO as the vanguard of the trans–Atlantic defense pact is faced with transitional conditions of non-conventional threats that return to conventional threats. Due to the shift in the new global order, these threats require a repositioning for NATO to counter the new security dilemma amidst shifting global geopolitics. By referring to the three asserted pillars–the return of conventional warfare on the European continent; a more assertive Russia in the European continent under Vladimir Putin; and the geopolitical of China's rise impacted trans–-Atlantic …

The History And Manifestations Of The Metaverse In Contemporary Literature, Marlon Semuel Contantin Kansil, Wanting Sun

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

The metaverse, an interactive and immersive virtual world, has emerged as a critical theme in contemporary literature, significantly impacting narratives and character development. This paper explores the history and literary manifestations of the metaverse, investigating its influence on identity, space, and social interactions. We find that the metaverse supports flexible and individualistic identities, reshaping how characters and readers understand themselves. The digital space of the metaverse provides a dynamic setting for moral and emotional conflicts, enriching the literary aesthetics of space. Furthermore, literature plays a crucial role in both shaping and reflecting the concept of the metaverse, employing symbolism and …

“Blood And Fire” In Chikankata: An Idiosyncratic Approach To Religious Conversion By The Salvation Army In Colonial Zambia, 1945–1964, Apex Mwanza

Zambia Social Science Journal

This article examines distinctive strategies used by the Salvation Army to convert Africans to Christianity in the Chikankata district of Zambia. Using data from both primary and secondary sources, the article argues that the Salvation Army largely relied on African agents and the use of open-air meetings, march pasts, uniform wearing, and brass bands as methods of evangelism. This stands in contrast to academic lenses that have viewed and endorsed missionary education and healthcare provision as principal methods of evangelism in colonial central Africa.

Religion In The Republic Of Georgia, Emma L. Lilyea, Alexander Lorenz

University of South Carolina Upstate Student Research Journal

This article examines the role of religion in the Republic of Georgia, emphasizing the historical and contemporary influence of the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) on the nation’s identity, politics, and society. Drawing on multiple sources, including the U.S. Department of State’s 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Georgia, the Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook, and works by Giuli Alasania, Ramaz Shengelia, Lika Kobeshavidze, and Stephen R. Hussar, this study analyzes the religious demographics of Georgia and the relationship between church and state. The findings reveal that Orthodox Christianity remains dominant, with 83% of the population identifying with the …

National Warriors In God's Vineyards: Political Catholicism And The Problem Of Militant Clergy In Fascist Croatia, Rory Yeomans

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

"Religion, and particularly Catholicism, has long been a source of contention among historians of the Ustasha regime and Independent State of Croatia [Nezavisna Država Hrvatska]. Aside from debates about the number of Serbs murdered at the Jasenovac concentration camp complex, there can be few topics related to the wartime Croatian state that have generated as much research or provoked such controversy as the conduct of the Catholic Church and clergy under the Ustasha regime...

...This article aims to provide an insight into the ambiguous relationship between Catholicism and the Ustasha regime as well as the synthesis between religion and fascist …

Hungarian Ruling Political Party Fidesz’S ‘Soft Power’ Use Of Religion: Themes, Networks, Partnerships, Alexander Faludy

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article aims to stimulate better understanding of Fidesz’s use of religion as a ‘soft power’ tool. Exploring the Hungarian government’s ‘soft power’ has lately engaged the attention of professional researchers. The use of religious messaging, networks, and opinion formers to propagate positive images of Fidesz abroad has, however, largely been overlooked. This essay argues that such use has been both substantial and successful. The article’s primary focus will be on the use made of Christianity in government aligned communications and network building. Attention will, however, also be paid to the subsidiary roles played by Fidesz’s outreach to both Jewish …

The Social Policy Of Churches In Ukraine Today: Theoretical Foundations And Practical Implementation, Oleksandr Sagan, Mechyslav Yanauer

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the engagement of Ukrainian churches in addressing social challenges, emphasizing historical continuity and contemporary responses, particularly in the context of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. The study highlights diverse social services provided by religious institutions, including chaplaincy, rehabilitation, advocacy, and humanitarian aid, noting significant contributions during pivotal moments such as the Orange Revolution, the Revolution of Dignity, and the recent military conflict. Religious organizations notably support military personnel, displaced persons, and trauma victims, and actively participate in international advocacy through diplomatic channels. The article explores the current state of social doctrines, highlighting the ongoing development and adaptation process …

Operation “Prophets” Or Integration Of Pentecostals Into The Structures Of The Aucecb By The Nkgb-Kgb, Александр Коротаев

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The purpose of this article is to expose the work of the Soviet special services, which was directly aimed at incorporating the Pentecostals of the USSR into the structure of the All-Union Council of Evangelical Christians and Baptists (AUCEC&B). It reveals the mechanisms, forms, and methods used by the Soviet special services (NKGB-KGB) to achieve this incorporation. It has been proven that this process was purely coercive in nature and was directly intended to eliminate Pentecostals as a denomination, using Evangelical Christians and Baptists (ECB) as a means to that end.

Transformations Of Religious Consciousness Of Ukrainians In The 1990s, Bogdan Sulyatytskyy

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article analyses the transformation of religious consciousness of Ukrainians during the first decade of the post-Soviet period. It identifies the socio-cultural, economic and political factors that influenced the formation of a new attitude of Ukrainian citizens towards religion. It is noted that in the 1990s, a distinction between ethnic and religious identity occurred in the religious consciousness of Ukrainians, which contributed to the rapid transformation of Ukraine from a historically Christian (mainly Orthodox) country into a poly-confessional one. During this period, new syncretic mental structures were formed, radically different from the established traditional religious ones, in which elements of …

Muslim Communities In Post-Communist Bulgaria (Challenges And Perspectives For Communication Between Orthodox Christians And Muslims), Klara Toneva

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The paper explores the challenges and prospects for communication between Orthodox Christians and Muslims in post-communist Bulgaria. After providing a brief overview of the Bulgarian ethnic model, it presents the current situation of Muslim communities in the country. The paper examines the ongoing processes within these communities and the different paths they may take: adherence to tradition, re-Islamization, secularization, or religious radicalization. It outlines the prerequisites and causes that contribute to manifestations of religious radicalization. The integration of Muslim communities into Bulgarian society, the role of religious education, and the presence of a strong spiritual elite are emphasized as key …

Digital Orthodoxy And Political Populism In Eastern Europe: How Orthodox Media Facilitate Political Mobilization, Dmytro Garaschuk, Oleh Sokolovskyi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the intersection of Orthodox digital media and political populism in Eastern Europe, focusing on how religious institutions utilize digital platforms to facilitate political mobilization, reinforce nationalistic narratives, and undermine democratic institutions. Drawing on a comparative analysis of six countries–Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Georgia, and Montenegro–the study identifies a shared ideological matrix that fuses populist rhetoric with theological motifs. The research highlights the strategic use of digital media by Orthodox actors to construct moral binaries, sacralize political resistance, and disseminate disinformation framed in religious language. Particular attention is given to the role of the Russian Orthodox Church and …

Islam, Memory, And Denial: Preserving Bosniak Identity After The Srebrenica Genocide, Alek Barović

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The role of the Bosniak Islamic Community in preserving identity and collective memory of the Srebrenica genocide remains a subject of ongoing debate among Bosniaks in Bosnia, the wider Balkan region, and the diaspora. This paper explores how Bosniaks perceive the Islamic Community’s efforts in shaping and sustaining post-genocide identity through religious, cultural, and educational initiatives. By analyzing narratives from survivors, religious leaders, and community members, this study investigates whether the Islamic Community is seen as a central institution in the preservation of historical memory or as one actor among many in the broader struggle against denial and historical revisionism. …

Temporary Marriage In Iraq: Views And Perceptions, Zena Al Safar

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In July 2024, the Shia Muslim Parliament members proposed an amendment to the Personal Status Law. This amendment was passed on February 11, 2025. Per the amendment, the Shia Ja’afari School of Islamic jurisprudence has four months from the time the amendment was passed to submit a Personal Status Code for approval. It is speculated that this new Code will legalize mut’ah marriage, which is a type of temporary marriage. Temporary marriage within Islam is a heterosexual marriage that does not convey long-term commitment and usually has an end date. While scholarly written work in this field exists in other …

40 Years Passing By In (A) “Heartbeat”, Christopher Janney

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

This article outlines the forty-year history go Christopher Janney’s iconic performance work “HeartBeat.” Trained as an architect and jazz musician, Janney combines these two disciplines to create large interactive light/sound installations and performances. On the one hand, he attempts to make architecture more like music, more “alive” using real-time sensing devices as on his “Harmonic Convergence” installation on the Miami International Airport. On the other hand, he attempts to make music more like architecture, more physical more visual. In his “HeartBeat” performance, a dancer wears a heartbeat device that amplifies his/her heartbeat in “real time.” Over this pulse, live musicians …

Yoga Sūtra Book Four And The Yogabindu, Christopher Key Chapple

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

Four themes from the fourth pāda of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra are examined here: karma (IV:2-13), individuality (IV:16), humility (IV:20-22), and freedom (IV:29-34). Affirmations and variant interpretations of these four are provided from Haribhadra Virahāṅka’s Yogabindu, most likely composed a century or two later.

Collective Karma: From The Yogasūtra To Taylor Swift, Zoë Slatoff

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

The Indian knowledge traditions speak at length about karma, which is divided into three categories—accumulated (saṃcita), ripe (prārabdha), and future (kriyamāṇa). While much is said about our individual karma and how it affects our repeated reincarnation in cyclic existence, how does this affect others and how do others affect us? In other words, as this paper explores, what is our reciprocal and collective karma?

Painting Liberation: A Visual Ontology Of The Interplay Of Mind And Consciousness In Book Four Of The Yoga Sūtras, Melissa Townsend

Monsoon: South Asian Studies Association Journal

This presentation explores how artistic practice can illuminate philosophical questions about the nature of mind, consciousness, and liberation as articulated in Book Four of the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. Through a series of paintings that visually translate these sūtras, I propose that art offers a unique, experiential means of engaging with the complex relationship between citta (mind) and puruṣa (consciousness).

The paintings function as a form of “visual ontology,” inviting viewers to engage with abstract philosophical concepts in a sensory, tangible way. By depicting the interplay between the mutable processes of the mind and the unchanging awareness of consciousness, these …