Analyzing Cultural Alignment In Rwandan Sexual And Reproductive Health Education, Amit Gerstein

Journal of Critical Global Issues

Rwandan education cannot be understood outside the context of colonization. This study investigates the cultural alignment of Rwandan sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education. Using existing literature on indigenous sexuality and reflective practice from teaching in a Rwandan secondary school, this paper analyzes three SRH curricula to examine the extent to which they incorporate local knowledge versus Western scripts. The analysis focuses on four key areas: the definition of sex, contraception, consent, and female anatomy.

The findings reveal significant disconnects, where Western narratives regarding sex and sexuality appear to overwrite or displace indigenous sexual knowledge and practice. This study concludes …

Indigenizing Aquaculture: In Pursuit Of An Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System For Enhanced Self-Sufficiency In Akaroa Harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand, Cali R. Trainor

Capstone Collection

This study assessed the feasibility of integrating two pre-existing aquaculture activities in Akaroa Harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand into an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system. The cultivation of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) presents an opportunity to improve the sustainability of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) farming by introducing alternative food sources for salmon, which can be used to produce fish feed locally, enhancing the self-sufficiency of the community and boosting the holistic efficiency of the system. Macroinvertebrates residing in giant kelp wrack were collected, identified, and quantified to determine if any of the Macrocystis-associated specimens could serve as …

Shining In Times Of Crisis: How Refugee Women Display Leadership And Transform Hardship, Laura Iorg

Capstone Collection

Abstract

There are currently approximately 122.6 million people displaced globally (UNHCR, 2024). This figure includes 43.7 million refugees (UNHCR, 2024). Nearly half of them are women. This qualitative study examined the following questions: How do women manifest leadership and agency in refugee situations? Subquestion: How do women contribute to peace, transformation, and healing through that leadership and agency? Five different individuals who had worked with women refugees for at least two years were recruited for the study. Two data collection instruments were employed: a preliminary survey and a structured interview. The study focused on the lived experiences of refugee women …

Coffee In Brasil: Sustainability And The Role Of Intermediaries, Livia Petzinger

Capstone Collection

ABSTRACT

Coffee is traded in a highly complex global value chain where countless sustainability initiatives have emerged to address social, economic, and environmental issues, challenges which persist due to dominance of the market structure by largescale traders and roasters. Specialty coffee and direct trade have emerged as alternative trade arrangements that promote high-quality coffee through the use of sustainable practices, transparency, and a shortened supply chain. This research analyzes the role that intermediaries in the Brazilian specialty coffee supply chain play in the implementation of sustainability initiatives asking what kinds of sustainability practices they implement and why, and how this …

Applied Theatre For Peacebuilding: Exploring The Value Of Embodied Practice, Emily Machin-Mayes

Capstone Collection

Arts, storytelling, theatre, and drama have been woven into strategic approaches to peacebuilding after conflict to engage with people’s experiences and emotions, share silenced stories, and build trust and empathy. Applied theatre challenges audience members to take a more active role, either through participating in the storytelling or acting itself or through dialogue and reflection activities. This collaborative art form has been used for community-building, reconciliation efforts as well as in post-conflict settings. This study examines the impact and value of an intensive applied theatre workshop, using participant-observation, and semi-structured interviews. Some of the qualitative findings include the value participants …

Youth Alchemy: Non-Formal Learning Around Identity & Agency, Jayashri Sarkar

Dissertation Collection

The social and educational disruption during confluence of COVID isolation and Black Lives Matter protests was critical to learning and agency amongst Youth of Color. This phenomenological qualitative study centers around Youth of Color in Providence, Rhode Island as they contested formal education and sought to make meaning of these events. Drawing on Amartya Sen’s capability approach, a series of in-depth phenomenological interviews with participants to explore the meaning they gleaned from their engagement in Youth-led emancipatory educational initiatives, particularly in terms of their sense of identity and agency. Although existing literature documents Youth resistance, this study explores Youth reflections …

The Impact Of Neurological Diseases In Kisumu, Kenya: Case Studies At Jootrh And Kcrh, Jack F. Dunham

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Introduction: The burden that neurological diseases put on health systems is high, and growing across the globe, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like Kenya. For this reason, our study sought out to study the burden and impact of neurological diseases at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) and Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH), which are in Western Kenya.

Methods: Utilizing data from handwritten patient records spanning 23 months, our study collected said data and analyzed the prevalence, incidence, distribution, and outcomes of different neurological diseases as they impact the Kisumu community.

Results/Discussion: Comparing …

Socioecological Assessment Of Birds In Ngezi-Vumawimbi Nature Forest Reserve, Eli Taub

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Effective management of natural resources requires consideration of the environment through both a physical and a sociological lens. In this study, the birds in Ngezi-Vumawimbi Nature Forest Reserve were examined through both a biological mist-net survey and a socioecological series of interviews with people living in the surrounding villages. The mist-net survey compared the understory species in undisturbed and disturbed area of the forest, as well as analyzing birds caught for biologically meaningful information on subspecies and sexual dimorphism. While the mist-net survey was largely unsuccessful, highlighting the need for alternative bird capture methods in Ngezi, it found a decrease …

Beyond The Binary: Analyzing Transgender Legislation In Spain And Its Implications For Equality And Rights, Stephanie Hernandez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Spain is considered one of the leading countries in LGBT+ acceptance and rights with their progressive laws, gaining a name for itself as a haven for those within the community. In this research paper, I investigate the evolution of transgender legislation in Spain into the current day and how it impacts the public perception and gender affirmative care available to trans people. Focusing primarily on the passage of Trans Ley 4/2023 and the windows it opened in Trans rights. Looking into the improvements made in Trans laws, from Ley 3/2007 to current day. Additionally, this paper will look into attempted …

Empoderamiento De Las Mujeres De La Organización Chaski Warmikuna, Iliana Sarai Barnes Diaz

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Este artículo examina el trabajo de la organización de mujeres indígenas Chaski Warmikuna, conocidas como “mujeres mensajeras” en kichwa, en la región de Saraguro, Ecuador. El grupo organiza apoyo a mujeres para aprender herramientas y estrategias que les permitan salir de la violencia y sanar sus traumas. A través de entrevistas con mujeres, revelan la prevalencia y normalización de la violencia en algunas comunidades, pero también iluminan el fortalecimiento y empoderamiento que estas mujeres han experimentado para liberarse de la violencia. Además, se señala que la violencia frecuentemente es transmitida de generación en generación en las familias y la sociedad, …

What Soil Is Worth: A Cost-Benefit Framework Analysis Of Syntropic Farming, Aubrey Kettley

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Syntropic farming, a type of regenerative agriculture, models its farming system after a forest. This type of farming prioritizes soil health while also providing a varied yield of crops. Because it is a fairly new system globally, little research has been done on the economic impacts of syntropic farming, and therefore the feasibility of scaling up regenerative systems like this. This study aims to analyze the economic feasibility of this system through a literature review and a cost-benefit analysis framework. The results highlight the applicability, environmental advantage and economic feasibility of the system. Based on the presented framework, the short …

Career Readiness: A Study Of Vietnamese University Students' Views On Post-Graduation Prospects, Tobias Amstutz

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study examines Vietnamese university students' perceptions and attitudes towards post-graduation job prospects, which could serve as an economic indicator. Utilizing survey data from over 200 students across institutions and disciplines, the research investigates how factors such as confidence in educational preparation, chosen field of study, and perceived job readiness relate to demographic characteristics and intentions to pursue the same academic path.

The most significant findings of the study reveal that English language confidence and major fields of study were influential factors in shaping students' perceptions and attitudes. Students with higher English confidence had statistically significantly higher levels of job …

“Njangi Never Dies”: The Social Impacts And Non-Financial Benefits Of Njangis In Batoufam And Yaoundé, Cameroon, Georgia Schaefer-Brown

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Rotating Credits and Savings Associations (ROSCAs) are present in much of the developing world and are incredibly common in Cameroon. The financial impacts of ROSCAs have been researched extensively, but there has been less research on the social impacts and non-financial benefits. This research aims to fill this gap and add to the discussion of ROSCAs in Cameroon (called njangis), as well as demonstrate how njangis are social institutions. This project is in the specific context of njangis in Batoufam and Yaoundé, Cameroon. Interviews and observations informed the conclusion that there are extensive social impacts and non-financial benefits within the …

Diaspora As A Cultural Hearth: A Case Study Of The Amazigh In Morocco, Maximo Ellis

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Diaspora consists of a group of people who reside in a location different from their imagined homeland. Despite the growing prevalence and prominence of diasporas around the world as contact between cultures becomes more frequent, there is relatively little consensus regarding the nature of diaspora communities and their identity construction. This paper uses the case study of the Amazigh diaspora to reveal some of the nuances and aspects that affect both the creation and spread of identity within diasporas. The Amazigh diaspora differs from other diasporas because it is a historically marginalized and oppressed group within their countries of origin, …

Los Determinantes Sociales Y El Acceso A La Salud De Las Mujeres Migrantes: Desde La Perspectiva De Las Usuarias Y Los Trabajadores De Salud, Vanessa Gutiérrez

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

For the past few years, Chile has developed laws and programs, such as the Program for Access to Healthcare for Immigrants, Decree N° 67, and recently Law N° 21.235, to improve the access that migrants have, however, there has been a failure to comply with these regulations. In this qualitative and descriptive investigation, the main objective is to find out how accessible, adequate, and effective the health resources offered by clinics are for migrant women. In order to carry out the investigation, eight semi-structured interviews were held with five primary healthcare workers who frequently work with the migrant population and …

Emprendimiento, Informalidad Laboral Y Vulnerabilidad De Los Migrantes Venezolanos En La Economía Ecuatoriana, Destiny Carlisle

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

La movilidad humana, particularmente la movilidad interregional en América Latina, guarda una estrecha relación con el incremento de emprendimientos informales en la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador. Diversos factores y condiciones vulnerables impulsan la iniciativa de emprendimiento y la informalidad laboral entre la comunidad venezolana en Cuenca, destacando especialmente el rol de la violencia de género, la explotación laboral y la xenofobia, entre otros aspectos. En este contexto, dicha comunidad ha propiciado la creación de nuevos mercados que benefician tanto al sector formal como informal. Las organizaciones extranjeras han desempeñado un papel de particular importancia en el respaldo a la comunidad …

Transmitir Lastesis: Hacia Una Conciencia Feminista A Través Del Arte En Valparaíso, Chile, Alena Rooney

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

No abstract provided.

El Derecho A La Interrupción Voluntaria Del Embarazo A Inicios Del Gobierno De Javier Milei (Argentina, 2024) / The Right To The Voluntary Interruption Of Pregnancy At The Beginning Of The Government Of Javier Milei (Argentina, 2024), Willa Rudel

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

El objetivo de esta investigación fue entender las realidades del activismo en relación con el derecho al aborto en Argentina en el período después de la aprobación de la ley 27.610 del derecho a la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo, particularmente en 2020 y durante el gobierno actual de Javier Milei. Para responder la pregunta que articula la presente investigación, realicé seis entrevistas con activistas procedentes de una variedad de formaciones y con distintos tipos de participación en el movimiento. Primero describo la historia del activismo a favor del aborto en Argentina hasta la aprobación de la ley y el estado …

Avian Diversity And Abundance Among Agricultural Land, Forested Land, And Their Ecotone In Guadalupe, Cerro Punta, Chiriquí Province, Republic Of Panamá., Stella Rae Kinard

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As the human population increases, finding the balance between modifying land use for resources and protecting areas to preserve species that are threatened by anthropogenic disturbance is an ever growing problem. Guadalupe is a town in the Western Highlands of Panamá that struggles in this balance as its primary income source is agriculture, but it is located on the border of two protected areas, Parque Nacional La Amistad and Parque Nacional Volcán Barú. By understanding the unique ways in which avifauna utilize distinct vegetative landscapes, recommendations can be made for management styles of farms in Guadalupe to implement practices that …

Community Opinions On Environmental Action On Isla Porvenir And Whichub Walla In The Guna Yala Comarca, Sofia Houts

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The Guna Yala Comarca is the autonomous, self-governed territory of the Guna people, one of seven Indigenous groups in Panama. The Comarca is located on Panama’s eastern Caribbean coast and includes 365 coral islands. Forty nine Guna communities and roughly 32,000 individuals live in the territory. The Guna General Congress is the highest authority, and each community has a local congress. As a low-lying coastal region, Guna Yala is especially vulnerable to climate change and is already impacted by sea level rise, biodiversity loss, and changing precipitation patterns. Sub-national, national, and international forms of governance and environmental action are crucial …

Community Knowledge Of Shark Ecology, Abundance, And Species Composition In Wichubwala, Nalunega, And Porvenir Communities In The Guna Yala Comarca, Panamá, Kayley Jane Porter

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Sharks play a critical role in marine ecosystems as apex predators that exert top-down control of lower trophic levels. In recent decades, global shark populations have declined to unprecedented levels, triggering a cascade effect that threatens ecosystem functioning and, therefore, coastal community livelihoods that rely on marine resources for food and income. It is known that shark populations are vulnerable and on the decline due to anthropogenic stressors such as fishing and coastal development, but shark species composition and abundance are difficult to monitor due to the evasive nature of sharks, the often remote and inaccessible location of certain shark …

Interpretative Representation And Justice: The Effects Of Inadequate Translation On The Human Rights Of Migrants In The Justice System In Spain, Danielle E. Libby

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Across the world there is an increasing human rights issue regarding the improper treatment of immigrants in the justice system. Fundamental human rights are protected by Spanish and European Union law, which includes the right to interpretative representation. Adequate interpretation and translation are recognized by many individuals in academia and law as crucial for adequate communication. The right to interpretative representation is essential to address the cross-linguistic and cross-cultural needs of migrants when entering a state that does not standardize their native tongue institutionally. When inadequacies appear with interpretation throughout the justice system, improper communication often occurs, causing issues for …

Vascular Epiphyte Population Dynamics Within Human-Modified Landscapes Of Guadalupe, Cerro Punta, Chiriquí, Panamá, Lucine Tashjian

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants non-parasitically, and globally, epiphytes compose a very large and diverse group. They are especially abundant and species-rich in the tropics- particularly, in tropical montane forest ecosystems. Human population growth in the tropics, however, has resulted in significant declines in forest cover with land being converted largely for agricultural purposes. Studies on epiphytes have traditionally been undertaken in pristine, undisturbed forest ecosystems, yet terrestrial land conversion has increased the need to understand the value of human-modified ecosystems for epiphytic populations and biodiversity conservation. This study sought to understand the relationship between human modification …

The Increase Of Allergies In Developed Countries: A Comparison Of The Quality Of Life And Psychosocial Burden Of Individuals With Food Allergies In Switzerland And The United States Of America, Adrienne Ell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The Hygiene Hypothesis suggests that as societies become increasingly sterile and there is less exposure to microorganisms early in life; consequently, there is an increase in inflammatory autoimmune disorders and allergies due to a maladapted immune system to the new sterile environment. This hypothesis can offer a possible explanation for the observed increase in allergies, specifically food allergies, in developed countries. To explore the psychosocial burden of allergies and evaluate the quality of life this paper will explore the food allergen labeling policies for prepackaged foods, the regulation of allergen information for non-prepackaged foods, and the psychosocial burden food allergies …

Exploring The Medicalization Of Menstruation: Analyzing Menstrual Hygiene Initiatives By Igos, Non-Profits And National Government In Switzerland, Victoria Wright

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Menstrual health serves as a critical indicator of reproductive health. It is pivotal in achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to women's and girls' comfort, agency, participation, safety, well-being, and dignity (Loughnan et al., 2020). This research investigates the medicalization of menstruation in Switzerland through a mixed-methods approach examining the strategies and roles of key stakeholders such as the WHO, local government initiatives, and NGOs in shaping the landscape of menstrual medicalization.

The findings reveal that while medicalization has brought about progressive changes, including the introduction of menstrual leave policies, it has resulted in a complex regulatory landscape, increased …

The Impact Of Jordan’S Peacebuilding Efforts In Gaza On Its Domestic Politics, Nina Sretenović

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The Israeli-Palestine conflict has persisted for decades, becoming one of the world's longest unresolved conflicts. It is a long-standing struggle for sovereignty and territorial legitimacy on the land between the Jordan River on the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Since the UN Partial Plan in 1947 and the formation of the country of Israel until the most recent war started by the attack of Hamas on October 7, 2023, this conflict has shaped the politics of the Middle East. Jordan as its closest neighbor has especially been impacted by the developments of the conflict. Taking into consideration …

Role-Playing And Rentierism: Rethinking Morocco’S Approach To Migration Diplomacy With The Eu, Mia Mcgrath

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Morocco’s unique situation as a Mediterranean “gateway” between Africa and Europe makes the country a key strategic partner to the European Union. When it comes to migration diplomacy, however, cooperation between the two actors is hardly a given. This paper studies Morocco-EU migration diplomacy between 2000 and 2020. It provides an overview of the events and agreements that have shaped the relationship, with a focus on Morocco’s rationale. I argue that Morocco makes use of two tools to strengthen its negotiating position and narrow the gap in relative power – role-playing and rentierism. The former is an element of International …

“¡Que Se Vayan Todos!”: La Crisis Socioeconómica De Argentina En Diciembre De 2001 Y El Papel Del Fondo Monetario Internacional En Su Desarrollo / “Down With Them All!”: Argentina’S December 2001 Socioeconomic Crisis And The Role Of The International Monetary Fund In Its Development, Romita Chattaraj

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Desde su inicio en 1944, el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) ha sido objeto de controversia por su participación en algunas de las peores crisis financieras de la historia económica global. La crisis socioeconómica de 2001 que experimentó Argentina tras décadas de apoyo del FMI es uno de sus casos más destacados. A pesar del crecimiento económico explosivo que experimentó Argentina a lo largo del siglo XIX y principios del XX, Argentina cayó víctima de la inestabilidad macroeconómica durante la segunda mitad del siglo XX y finalmente llegó a declarar lo que en ese momento fue el mayor incumplimiento soberano de …

¿Fiesta O Protesta? La Marcha Del Orgullo En La Ciudad De Buenos Aires En Los Inicios De La Era De Milei Party Or Protest? / The City Of Buenos Aires Pride March In The Beginnings Of The Milei Era, Ella Mcdaniel

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Este proyecto investiga el estado actual de la Marcha del Orgullo de Buenos Aires en el contexto del nuevo presidente libertario de la ultraderecha, Javier Milei. Se explora la eficacia de la Marcha en poder alcanzar su potencial político a través de la revisión de la historia del movimiento LGBTTI argentino. Además, se realizaron cinco entrevistas semi-estructuradas tanto con organizadores de la Marcha como con participantes para entender los objetivos y métodos del evento desde la perspectiva de lxs involucradxs. Usando principalmente las teorías de interseccionalidad y homonacionalismo, con una base en la teoría de la Estructura de las Oportunidades …

Conceptualizando La Movilidad Y Movimiento De Mujeres Indígenas Embarazadas En Búsqueda De Servicios Médicos Bajo Una Perspectiva Migratoria, Nazareth Castro

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

El traslado de mujeres indígenas embarazadas en Oaxaca hacia la ciudad de Oaxaca de Juárez debido a la falta de centros de salud en sus localidades se ha convertido en una realidad arraigada, impulsada en gran medida por el impacto del flujo migratorio por razones económicas durante finales del siglo XX. Sin embargo, este proceso de migración plantea una serie de complejidades para las mujeres, quienes enfrentan experiencias negativas debido a sus múltiples identidades que resultan en una exclusión social tanto dentro como fuera de sus comunidades de origen. Esta dinámica puede entenderse desde una perspectiva feminista multicéntrado, que las …