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The impact of a graduate assistantship and optional courses on becoming a teaching librarianThis reflective chapter discusses the impact hands-on practice and optional coursework had on an academic librarian's preparedness to teach information literacy. The chapter is published within Training Library Instructors Volume 1, A Guide to Training Graduate Students. According to the publisher, "Training Library Instructors collects examples of how we train our colleagues to teach, whether they’re student workers, non-librarian staff, new or experienced librarians, or something else entirely. Volume 1, A Guide to Training Graduate Students, focuses on teacher training for graduate students in LIS programs and in academic libraries. It presents existing literature and theories, approaches to teaching library school students to teach, and critical reflections from librarians about their varied experiences receiving teacher training."
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At arm’s length: MFA Thesis - SculptureAt arm’s length speaks to societal and bodily responses to unwanted but essential elements of our environment. Specifically, my research links societal attitudes toward poison ivy to those toward migrants and marginalized groups.
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Conformity and punishment: does conforming to an antisocial behavior reduce punishment?Prior research has examined the inverse relationship between conformity and free will beliefs, as well as the impact of free will beliefs on punishment severity (Alquist et al., 2013; Moynihan et al., 2018; Pande, 2021). However, there is less information on the direct impact of conformity on punishment. The current study examines the influence of conformity on punishment decisions for moral breaches, taking into account the role of authenticity and free will. More specifically, the study explores if individuals conforming when committing a crime are perceived as deserving a lesser punishment than those acting on their own free will. The study, involving 67 participants who evaluated fictional scenarios of criminal behavior, revealed that participants in the conformity condition recommended harsher punishments, specifically in terms of imprisonment. However, conformity did not significantly impact other punishment measures. Ultimately, the study challenges prior assumptions, providing insights into social influence dynamics and moral judgment complexities.
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Identity development and cultural expectations: exploring the identities of LGBTQ+ individuals through the lens of master narrativesThe purpose of this study is to better understand how LGBTQ+ individuals understand and make meaning out of their identities in relation to societal expectations that are prevalent in the United States. In my research, I employed the master narrative framework (McLean & Syed, 2015b), which shifts focus in the study of identity from the individual to the intersection of self and society, highlighting the role of culture within the identity development process (McLean et al., 2017). This framework involves master narratives, culturally shared stories that provide a foundation within which individuals can organize and story their own experiences, beliefs, and values (McLean & Syed, 2015b; Syed & McLean, 2023). In my study, I had participants (N = 21) complete in-depth, semi-structured interviews in which they reflected upon their life experiences and how they came to understand themselves as LGBTQ+ identifying individuals. My research was guided by two research questions surrounding (1) the construction of master narratives and (2) how LGBTQ+ individuals align with and deviate from it. Upon conducting a thematic analysis of the data, I was able to reveal how LGBTQ+ individuals are aware of different cultural expectations that have been imposed on them. Analysis of the data revealed the existence of distinct master narratives of a good life for straight individuals and a good life for LGBTQ+ individuals, each encompassing unique cultural expectations. In a case study, I was also able to highlight the complexity of alignment and deviation within these narratives, emphasizing the need for further research to explore the nuanced ways individuals navigate master narratives. Key Words: identity, LGBTQ+, master narratives, narrative identity, cultural expectations
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Violence and power in Ukraine and Russia: how geography, history, and identity define the conflictRussia's actions against Ukraine in 2014 and 2022 are intricately linked to Russian (triune) identity, historical and narratives, as well as to its rejection of Ukrainian sovereignty and borders. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russian state actors and population believed the country remained a great power, like its main rival, the U.S.A., due to its intrinsic quality within the Russian national identity. Without great power status, Russia cannot legitimate its existence or actions domestically and internationally. The domination of Ukraine is required by Russia’s view of its ethnic identity and international status. The loss of Ukraine to Western powers like the U.S. illustrates a fissure within the Russian identity and state. By looking at the actions and rhetoric of Russian institutions and elites, we can see the war against Ukraine as rooted in the great power narratives, ontological security, as well as imperial irredentist claims. Keywords: history, geography, political science, Ukraine, Russia, conflict, identity.
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Carotid dissection: a stroke of insight into safer work conditionsA 51-year-old man was admitted to hospital on the basis of dysarthria, left-side facial paralysis, pharyngitis, proximal loss of vision, left-arm paresis, and asphyxiation. Through various neurological testing, the patient was confirmed to have an ischemic stroke caused by an arterial dissection with a subintimal hematoma in the area of the carotid artery (carotid dissection). The patient was released from the hospital 3 days after being admitted with post-incident treatment instructions to ensure recovery. In this case study, detailed clinical assessments, radiological findings, and therapeutic interventions will be reviewed to provide a holistic understanding of the patient's journey from injury to recovery. Through a meticulous analysis of real-life patient care, this thesis aims to help highlight the early symptoms of strokes and their impact on individuals, particularly those in physically demanding and dangerous work conditions, such as the patient, who worked as a roofer. By shedding light on the unique challenges faced by individuals in such occupations, I seek to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in stroke medicine. Ultimately, the goal is to improve clinical management and outcomes for individuals affected by carotid dissection while advocating for safer working conditions for those at risk. Keywords: Psychology, Psychobiology, Evolutionary Studies, Honors, Neuroscience, Neurology, Carotid Dissection, Stroke, Medicine, Work Conditions
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Fear and masculinity in the private expressions of soldiers during World War OneWorld War One catapulted the world into modern warfare. Hand-to-hand combat was replaced by trenches, heavy artillery fire, and chemical warfare. Consequently, soldiers entered combat unprepared and left experiencing combat-induced traumas including shell shock. These traumas caused men to physically and emotionally break down which was a stark contrast to the brave and stoic male gender ideal at the time. Most historians argue that shifts in gender ideals didn’t occur until after the First World War. However, by analyzing the personal expressions of male soldiers at the front it is apparent that gender ideals were shifting in the trenches during the war.
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Assessing the accuracy of telluric correctionsObserving transiting exoplanets with ground-based telescopes and high-resolution spectrographs enables the resolution of individual absorption lines in the exoplanet transmission spectra. However, observing from the ground inherently introduces telluric contamination: spectral contamination from absorption due to molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere. We take high-resolution observations of a transiting exoplanet around a bright A-type star as a case study and use synthetic telluric molecfit models to remove contamination from water and oxygen molecules in Earth’s atmosphere. The quality of the telluric corrections was statistically assessed for several different telluric regions based on absorption depth and molecular absorption species. We find that corrections for shallow telluric lines are more robust than deeper telluric lines, though both depend similarly on airmass. Corrections for different molecular bands varied by region. Some regions demonstrate a higher dependency on airmass, potentially due to the wavelength, depth, or quantity of telluric lines. Finally, we determine that the most accurate corrections are performed at observations with airmass under 1.07 corresponding to a zenith angle of approximately 20.84 degrees. Whilst this is a somewhat limited airmass range, these results highlight the need for improving telluric models for future searches of water and oxygen features in Earth-like exoplanet transmission spectra with 30m-class telescopes. These results may assist in optimizing observations for retrieving and preserving more data in an exoplanet transmission spectrum, especially when absorption features from the same molecules–and potential biosignatures–in Earth-like atmospheres fall in these highly contaminated regions. Key Words: astronomy; astrobiology; exoplanets; atmosphere; spectroscopy; telluric contamination; telluric corrections
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Kensington’s drug and opioid epidemic: evaluating influences, policy, and community based responsesThis thesis explores the complex landscape of Kensington's opioid crisis, examining its history, and governmental aspects along with community-led initiatives. By examining the socioeconomic environment of the neighborhood, the influence of urban planning, and the significant effects on education, child welfare, health, and mental well-being, this study highlights the critical importance of holistic strategies in tackling the crisis. Using insights from the community and input from local organizations and law enforcement, this research promotes cooperative, evidence-based policies that focus on equity in health and social equality. This thesis contributes to drug policy, health equity, and psychological research by synthesizing important findings and providing insights on future research directions. It highlights the importance of collective action in addressing the opioid epidemic in Kensington and beyond.
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Evolution and critiques of terrain mapping techniques in the upper Esopus watershed concerning turbidity reduction in the NYC water supplyThe most recent Pleistocene glaciation ended approximately 12,000 years ago, a cooling interval that deposited lacustrine clay and glacial till throughout the Catskill watershed. These fine-grained glacial legacy sediments erode during heavy rainfall events and create turbidity in the streams. The streams of the Catskills feed into various reservoirs that provide clean drinking water to millions of residents in New York City. Turbidity reduction in the Catskills is a NYS-funded effort to ensure the cleanliness of the New York City Water Supply. Since the early 2000s, the New York Cite Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) has worked collaboratively with the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (AWSMP), contracted firms, and municipalities to uphold its initiative to reduce turbidity in the Ashokan Watershed. This analysis of stream management explores the evolution of terrain mapping techniques used in the Stony Clove watershed and Broadstreet Hollow Creek watershed, both tributaries to the Upper Esopus Creek. The survey, monitoring, and restoration project phases of stream management all play a crucial role in the success in turbidity reduction. Over the past two decades, these approaches to stream management have evolved as new innovations have been made in the industry. Even so, there are still mentionable critiques of stream management that can be applied to future stream assessments, monitoring studies, and restoration projects.
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An Iŋgliš Orþografē RēformWriting is our most effective method of communication, yet English has many complex and contradictory rules for doing so. This thesis project aims to make a case for standardizing English spellings for words based on current and common pronunciations for words by using letters from the extended Latin script. “An Iŋgliš Orþografē Rēform,” concerns a hypothetical restructuring of the way English is written. The project uses a combination of print medias, including posters, packets, and 3D-printed magnets to advocate for the addition of the letters “Ð, Ŋ, Þ” and the adoption of the “caron” and “macron” diacritic marks to help standardize English spelling. KEYWORDS: Graphic Design, Spelling Reform, Typography, Orthography, Phonetics, IPA, 3D-Printing, Unicode, SoundSpel, English, Language, Writing
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From saga to tragedy: exploring the original sources of Hamlet and MacbethAlmost all of Shakespeare’s plays are based on prior sources, some contemporary to him and some not. By looking at the prior sources for two of Shakespeare’s famous tragedies, Hamlet and Macbeth, we can better appreciate and understand Shakespeare’s work. This paper begins with a discussion of whether Shakespeare exists as an adaptor, a plagiarist, or an appropriator. Next, I explore how Shakespeare’s changes to the endings, protagonists, and female characters change the original texts from historic sagas to theatrical tragedies. Keywords: English, History, Shakespeare, Hamlet, Macbeth, Raphael Holinshed, Saxo Grammaticus, The Danish History, Amleth, The Hystorie of Hamblet, Hamblet
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Emotional labor performed by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting shifts in workplace perceptionIn the fast-paced and emotionally demanding environment of a pandemic, nurses were confronted with various challenges that require effective coping strategies. This qualitative research study explores the intricate interplay between stress, trauma, emotional labor, and the mechanisms employed to cope with these multifaceted experiences. Through in-depth interviews, the study delves into the concept of communication resilience and its role in mitigating the effects of stress. It examines how solidarity and support systems can foster a sense of collective strength, enabling individuals to navigate stressful situations more effectively. Furthermore, the research sheds light on the profound impact of emotional labor and its potential to contribute to traumatic experiences. It investigates the significance of support networks and their capacity to provide a sense of security and understanding, facilitating the healing process and promoting emotional well-being. This study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of human experience and the diverse strategies employed to navigate life's challenges. The findings have implications for mental health professionals, workplaces, and communities, offering insights into fostering resilience, nurturing supportive environments, and empowering individuals to thrive in the face of adversity. Keywords: Communication Studies, Communication resilience, emotional labor, COVID-19, nursing, coping, stress, female dominated industry
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Harmonizing voices: exploring the integration of music and speech therapy in enhancing communication skills in children with ASDThis research paper examines the impact of music and music therapy techniques in enhancing the communication and social skills of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The studies addressed in this paper demonstrate how music therapy, such as Improvisational Music Therapy (IMT), has been shown to help improve non-verbal communication behaviors such as joint attention and turn-taking in children with ASD. This paper also discusses evidence supporting the idea that children with ASD who engage in music therapy demonstrate great improvements in verbal communication and social skills, such as understanding and perspective-taking. This research reveals that music is beneficial in enhancing sensory and emotional regulation, creating an environment conducive to effective communication. Overall findings support the idea that music therapy can be used in collaboration with speech therapy to help improve the communication skills of children with ASD. Keywords: Communication disorders, music therapy, autism spectrum disorder, vocal communication, joint attention, social skills, sensory integration, emotional regulation
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Play therapy for parental loss in children: a comprehensive review of interventions and outcomesPlay therapy is a therapeutic approach most often used with children to help them cope, prevent and resolve psychosocial challenges (Association For Play Therapy, n.d). Using play therapy, children who experience grief are able to learn positive coping mechanisms. Previous research has demonstrated that play therapy benefits grieving children. The following literature review will review how play therapy interventions can be utilized for the loss of a parent during childhood. Parental death will be shown in parents who died due to suicide, substance use disorder, serving in the military, terrorist attacks and natural disasters. Regardless of the circumstances, childhood grief of a parent is challenging. However, different play therapy interventions can be utilized, creating positive outcomes for a child’s coping mechanisms in various contexts of death. Keywords: Psychology, Play therapy, Childhood Traumatic Grief, Coping
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Signing on screen: exploring deaf narratives in filmThe representation of Deaf individuals and Deaf culture in media has been a debated topic in the Deaf Community for years. Many feel that the way Deaf characters are depicted on screen perpetuates negative stereotypes that can spread misconceptions about the Deaf Community. With recent blockbuster films like CODA and A Quiet Place featuring Deaf characters played by Deaf actors, it brings up the question of if these modern films depict deafness in a way that is accurate to and accepted by the Deaf Community. The purpose of this thesis was to collect data to try and better understand how Deaf characters in film have been portrayed and characterized in films from 1975 to 2021. The desired outcome by conducting this research was to determine if the quantity of Deaf characters has increased over time, and whether the quality of the Deaf characters has improved over time as well. A questionnaire was designed that allowed me to keep track of the role that Deaf characters played in the films I watched. Based on the data collected through the questionnaire, it was determined that the total number of films featuring Deaf characters has increased over time, and that these characters have overall become more well-rounded and developed. Areas for improvement when it comes to representation of the Deaf community in film were also pinpointed, as there was a lack of representation that was age appropriate for children, as well as several stereotypes that were seen in multiple films across the years. This thesis contributes to pre-existing literature surrounding the representation of deafness in the media. Key words: Communication disorders, Deaf, representation, film, stereotype
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Slow down, you're doing fine: examining the relationships between awe, expanded time perception, and life history strategyThis two-part study fills an important gap in the literature on the self-transcendent emotion awe: Awe’s relationship to behavioral ecology and the mechanisms of awe and time expansion. Awe is thought to expand one’s perception of time by shifting attentional resources away from the self and toward an awe-inducing stimulus. In this way, awe may create distance from the self and generate a greater sense of connectedness. Perhaps awe’s many positive outcomes can be attributed to shifts in time perception, feeling as though time is more expanded and available. In Study 1, I focus on the dispositional components of the awe experience. As Life History Ecology has often been implicated in perceptual alterations of time, I examine its relationship to dispositional awe, the individual tendency to experience the emotion. Specifically, I predict that a slow Life History Ecology is positively related to greater dispositional awe. Additionally, I examine individual differences in time perspective as a mediator of dispositional awe’s well-documented outcomes, such as life satisfaction and subjective well-being. In Study 2, I experimentally induce awe with virtual reality technology to examine its impact on retrospective perceptions of time and self-reported well-being. I expect that individuals exposed to an awe-inducing stimulus will overestimate the time of the intervention as compared to those exposed to a neutral stimulus. Key Words: Psychology, Awe, Time Perception, Well-being, Behavioral Ecology
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The American public school: an educational oasis or psychological prison?The authoritarian roots of state-sanctioned education continue to impact public schools in the United States, despite the nation’s democratic ideals. Increased police presence, strict hierarchical relationships between students and adults, and limited opportunities for student autonomy are just a few examples of authoritarian tendencies in modern public education (Goodman et al., 2011; Mann et al., 2019). Furthermore, the current literature suggests that these elements may be influencing the students’ attitude towards their academics, as well as their socio-emotional well-being (Goodman et al., 2011; Mann et al., 2019). The primary purpose of the present study was to examine empowerment in high school based on the level of respect former students perceived from adult authority figures and their level of control and autonomy within the institution. Empowerment was then examined in relation to current confidence and adjustment to adulthood. A significant positive correlation was observed between empowerment and adulthood adjustment (r(64) =.428, p < .001), and empowerment was also found to be significantly predictive of adjustment (sr2 =.08, p = .015). These findings suggest that the sense of control and connection people felt in their school experience is intertwined with subsequent development into adulthood and confidence in handling the challenges and duties of this new phase of life. Motivated by the goal of promoting a healthier and smoother transition into adulthood, future research directions and possible interventions in schools to empower students and mitigate authoritarian influences are discussed. Keywords: psychology, public education, authoritarianism, empowerment, development, preparation, mental health
