Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection
Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University proudly showcases the work of undergraduate honors students by sharing this collection exclusively with the ASU community.
Barrett accepts high performing, academically engaged undergraduate students and works with them in collaboration with all of the other academic units at Arizona State University. All Barrett students complete a thesis or creative project which is an opportunity to explore an intellectual interest and produce an original piece of scholarly research. The thesis or creative project is supervised and defended in front of a faculty committee. Students are able to engage with professors who are nationally recognized in their fields and committed to working with honors students. Completing a Barrett thesis or creative project is an opportunity for undergraduate honors students to contribute to the ASU academic community in a meaningful way.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 41
Description
Partial differential equation (PDE) models are widely used for modeling processes in the physical sciences, economics, and sociology, but are otherwise new to the realm of social media. They allow researchers to construct a single spatiotemporal mathematical model to predict, in the case of this study, the level of information saturation at particular points in space at specific times. Utilizing data from the popular social network Twitter, this study presents a preliminary work looking into the effects of aggregating spatial data on such a PDE model. In other literature, the source of analytical and statistical bias that results from arbitrary spatial aggregation is known as the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). We use a previously-studied dataset from the 2011 Egyptian revolution for simulation, and group data points using several distance metrics based on geographical location and geo-cultural similarity. This paper will attempt to show that a PDE model, necessarily dependent upon aggregating data, is subject to significant bias when said data are arbitrarily organized and grouped for simulation. We look primarily into the zoning problem, which amounts to maintaining a fixed number of regions located in different areas across the globe, but make note of the scale problem, an inherent issue in PDE modeling that results from aggregating data points into increasingly larger regions. From looking at specific values from each simulation, this study shows that such a model is not free from the MAUP and that consideration of how data are aggregated needs to be made for future studies. In addition, it also suggests that geo-political and geo-cultural spatial metrics generate better diffusive patterns for tweet propagation than do simple geographical proximity metrics.
ContributorsRaymond, Ross Edward Scott (Author) / Kwon, Kyounghee Hazel (Thesis director) / Gruber, Diane (Committee member) / School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
It seems that we are incessantly scolded about the importance of the American political process and its virtue of practicality in contemporary society. Whether through the accumulation of the so-called facts about the issues that inform the veneration of the contest between candidates, the stern and noble duty of becoming an activist performing dreary tasks, or the religious fervor surrounding the sacred obligation of voting, we are assured and reassured that our system is sound and that we must only confront problems of implementation rather than structural ones. From here, the narrative goes that if we subscribe to the doctrine of exclusively employing the efficient, strictly rational, and the immediately realistic, we will almost assuredly succeed in persuading others toward producing the resolutions required to solve our shared challenges. Admittedly, these ideas serve a role in addressing the issues we face. However, when unaided by sophisticated and nuanced notions and applications of the fantastic, the beautiful, the ideal, the possible, the playful, the useless, in a word, dreaming, we foreclose the possibility of building a future that can qualitatively improve society and more meaningfully elevate our being-with-one-another in the world. Therefore, this work aims to validate the aforementioned claim by engaging in a critical, political, and hermeneutic exploration of what it means to dream against the backdrop of present-day American politics. It will honestly seek to analyze the prevailing notions of contemporary western thought and action to work on the way toward a new, yet latent, way of understanding. This understanding would fundamentally revolutionize the task of civilization as being grounded upon the appropriate channeling of our desires and dissatisfactions toward actualizing the projections of our imagination. Simply put, this project seeks to repudiate the mandate of work as toil and order as oppression to clear the way for envisioning a more suitable alternative.
ContributorsGoldsmith, Adam Jay (Author) / Ramsey, Ramsey Eric (Thesis director) / Gruber, Diane (Committee member) / School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences (Contributor) / School of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
This thesis aims to explain how a child can deal with loss through a children's book that I have written and illustrated. The goal is to have a child, as young as the age of seven, be able to pick up the book and come away with an initial understanding of how grief affects people. There are references to other works of literature similarly dealing with the above topic. The different stages of grief are examined, as well as the ways in which grief can be handled. Facial expressions and body language are crucial to understanding others' pain and grief, so this thesis delves into how to translate different expressions and actions, and how artwork and illustrations can portray these same ideas. The story from the book is interwoven throughout the thesis, so as to show my reasoning for each section of the text. Finally, there is a full analysis of the text as well as the illustrations that explains why the text is fitting for each section of the story.
ContributorsFauste, Cristina Maria (Author) / Lewis, Stephen (Thesis director) / Gruber, Diane (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor) / School of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
This thesis argues that our current attitudes toward meat consumption should be questioned for multiple reasons: because eating meat is cruel to the animals being eaten, it is detrimental to the environment, it is not at all necessary for a balanced diet, and lastly because the amount of faux meat options are endless. To begin the thesis describes the types of meat filled food that surrounds all of us, as Americans, in our everyday lives. It then meditates on the history of these other non-meat choices, in order to show how important faux meat has been throughout time for various cultures and religions. The work then continues from the past to the present, and profiles the growing availability and abundance of faux meat products in North American culture. In doing this it presents the current vegetarian meat options available to the average American consumer. In hopes of convince consumers that choosing ethically doesn't have to mean choosing blandly, it presents reviews of the taste, texture, and physical appearance of the more popular faux meat products on the market today. After which it turns to the future and commends technological and scientific endeavors in the search for a new cruelty free meat source through in-vitro meat research. And finally this thesis explains the disastrous environmental impact of our current meat filled diets. It concludes that the strong westerner tradition of eating meat is not necessarily the right way to eat. By purchasing and eating meat the consumer is voting, with their dollar, for animal abuse and environmental destruction. The consequences of eating meat are atrocious enough that if people are given a more ethical, delicious, and cheap meat-alternative they will chose it.
ContributorsGuinn, Victoria E (Author) / Ramsey, Ramsey E. (Thesis director) / Gruber, Diane (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Delegation is a very important skill for a manager to have in any organization and is of the utmost importance when it comes to tasks being executed. Often times, delegation can be seen as something that managers dread because they do not want to give up their power and they feel that they can do it better. The notion of delegation can be something that is influenced by a variety of factors. For one, gender can be a driving force in how managers talk to their employees. In this project I will be exploring sections of Genderlect theory in how men and women's communication styles are received differently. Critical theory of communication approaches will also be explored. Also, the way in which delegation is used is what needs the most attention. That is where relational and nonverbal communication also come into play. All in all, the way in which society is constructed, delegation is a skill that needs to be mastered because the job needs to get done.
ContributorsGatica, Jose Guadalupe (Author) / Waldron, Vincent (Thesis director) / Gruber, Diane (Committee member) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
This thesis grew out of my own experiences of the sudden loss of a loved one. It turns to the philosophy of Martin Heidegger and Paul Tillich to examine how vertical and meditative thought, respectively, aid in interpreting art to overcome such a tragic event. The first section of this thesis begins with an explanation of how I came to realize that my capacity to understand and interpret life had been restricted by a lens of calculative thought. The second section of this thesis addresses the philosophical lessons about depth in thought in the vertical plane that Paul Tillich teaches us about, and is combined with Martin Heidegger's teaching about the difference between being studying in meditative versus calculative thought. Following their explication on the importance of our elusive capacity, the third section is reserved for becoming aware of how to practice our capacity of meditative and vertical depth in thought through the art of poetry. The final section concludes with a discussion of the importance of involved thinking, along with a poem I created using a meditative mind frame.
ContributorsDillman, Blake A. (Author) / Ramsey, Ramsey Eric (Thesis director) / Gruber, Diane (Committee member) / School of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
Description
My thesis will revolve around the ideology and sociology of the sneaker brand and it particular, basketball sneakers. The mega sneaker superpower Nike and the under dog of Under Armour have shoes they want to sells and consumers they want to buy them. I will discuss how the advertisement are used and implanted but both Nike and Under Armour. The two points of references from each company will be LeBron James, Nike, and Stephen Curry, Under Armour. Both basketball players have signature shoes and are undoublty the NBAs most relevant players this past season. The two players just so happened to face off against each other in the NBA finals, which enhanced the marketing potential for both companies. Thus, the advertisements for these and their shoes would have been its peak trying sway consumers to either side. Nike and Under Armour both ploy attempts in creating marketing material to attract their consumer base. The Thesis will look at why sneakers have become a social trend and high commodity. I will look at how pop culture and psychological diseases play a roll in the consumers' choice to purchase either shoe. The work as a whole will attempt to bring forth some revitalizing information on today's sneaker culture. Research was limited, however with the information to conduct this thesis, the thesis should spark interest in a new research related field. Thus, bringing forth a new renaissance in today's culture; the Sneaker Life.
ContributorsMitchell, Devon Willie (Author) / Ramsey, Ramsey Eric (Thesis director) / Gruber, Diane (Committee member) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
This thesis takes four modern dance genre films — Footloose (1984), Save the Last Dance, Take the Lead, and Step Up 2: The Streets — and analyzes them through the psychological concepts of trust, self-esteem, and prejudice. This thesis begins by identifying the cinematic elements of the dance film genre. It then explores and explains the underlying psychological elements and the impact they have on the film viewers. This thesis contains three chapters that will explore the significance of this new genre. Chapter One will describe how documentary dance films differ from fictional dance films. This will be followed by a history of the fictional dance films beginning with foundational films Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Dirty Dancing (1987) as a gateway to the modern dance film storylines. Chapter Two identifies the genre elements of modern dance films in regards to the typical characters, settings, and filmic devices. Chapter Three provides an in-depth view of the psychological concepts of trust, self-esteem, and prejudice, showing how they are integrated in the lessons the characters and audience learn throughout the films. The purpose of the thesis is to educate readers that dance films not only have an entertaining element, but also the ability to offer a deeper psychological understanding through the audience identification with the characters.
ContributorsFlack, Desirae Adele (Author) / Ramsey, Ramsey Eric (Thesis director) / Gruber, Diane (Committee member) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Multiracial individuals are the fastest growing demographic group in the United States. In order to explore and gain insight into how mixed-race individuals understand and negotiate their identity, this project includes a documentary of compiled interviews with multiracial individuals. These interviews seek to address both positive and problematic notions associated with identifying as mixed race/multi-ethnic, including issues that these individuals encounter if, and when, the dominant culture rejects their blended racial heritage. The video format allows individuals to convey the complicated nature of belonging to different groups of people that are hierarchically divided in the United States.
ContributorsCavazos, Amanda Catherine (Author) / Elenes, C. Alejandra (Thesis director) / Gruber, Diane (Committee member) / School of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies (Contributor) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2015-12
Description
As the return to normality in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic enters its early stages, the necessity for accurate, quick, and community-wide surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 has been emphasized. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been used across the world as a tool for monitoring the pandemic, but studies of its efficacy in comparison to the best-known method for surveillance, randomly selected COVID-19 testing, has limited research. This study evaluated the trends and correlations present between SARS-CoV-2 in the effluent wastewater of a large university campus and random COVID-19 testing results published by the university. A moderately strong positive correlation was found between the random testing and WBE surveillance methods (r = 0.63), and this correlation was strengthened when accommodating for lost samples during the experiment (r = 0.74).
ContributorsWright, Jillian (Author) / Halden, Rolf (Thesis director) / Driver, Erin (Committee member) / School of Music, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05