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.
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- Creators: Fette, Donald
Description
Within our current educational infrastructure, there’s a lack of substantial preventive care knowledge present among elementary schoolchildren. With education cuts occurring statewide, many schools are left impoverished and schools are incapable of implementing various programs to benefit their local communities. This endeavor aims to visit public and charter elementary schools in the Phoenix Valley to educate youth regarding easily avoidable health risks by implementing healthy eating habits and exercise. Project BandAid will immerse students ages 7-9 in hands-on activities to enhance their knowledge on hygiene, healthy eating habits, and safety. This project incorporated funding from the Woodside Community Action Grant and Barrett, the Honors College as well as the help from Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) volunteers.
ContributorsCovarrubias, Sidney Alicia (Co-author) / Kothari, Karishma (Co-author) / John, Benson (Co-author) / Fette, Donald (Thesis director) / Holechek, Susan (Committee member) / Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / School for the Future of Innovation in Society (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
According to a Washington Post and YouGov study conducted in 2014, 60% of
the 861 U.S. citizens surveyed supported aid and subsidized housing for the homeless
Population. Of that same survey group, however, 52% and 46% supported banning panhandling
and sleeping in public, respectively. This disconnect highlights how we as Americans view
homelessness: people who are on the fringes of society that deserve help, but only from a
distance. This creative project is a book of twenty poems in which each poem will correspond
aspects of the homeless experience. This project also serves to make the homeless population
more relatable to the general population, bring a voice to a marginalized population who are not
heard or helped, and bring about better resources for the homeless population.
The project was completed in stages. First interviews with homeless individuals were
conducted and questions such as “What is your passion?” and “What three words would you best
describe homelessness as?” A special effort was made to make sure that the thoughts and
feelings of the homeless individuals were presented without bias. The book was then put together
as a manuscript. An analytics paper was also prepared that discussed the background of the
problem, influences on poetry, and challenges throughout the process. A presentation on the
process was also prepared for the thesis defense.
the 861 U.S. citizens surveyed supported aid and subsidized housing for the homeless
Population. Of that same survey group, however, 52% and 46% supported banning panhandling
and sleeping in public, respectively. This disconnect highlights how we as Americans view
homelessness: people who are on the fringes of society that deserve help, but only from a
distance. This creative project is a book of twenty poems in which each poem will correspond
aspects of the homeless experience. This project also serves to make the homeless population
more relatable to the general population, bring a voice to a marginalized population who are not
heard or helped, and bring about better resources for the homeless population.
The project was completed in stages. First interviews with homeless individuals were
conducted and questions such as “What is your passion?” and “What three words would you best
describe homelessness as?” A special effort was made to make sure that the thoughts and
feelings of the homeless individuals were presented without bias. The book was then put together
as a manuscript. An analytics paper was also prepared that discussed the background of the
problem, influences on poetry, and challenges throughout the process. A presentation on the
process was also prepared for the thesis defense.
ContributorsRajani, Shashank Mahesh (Author) / Fette, Donald (Thesis director) / Cohen, Liz (Committee member) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
In the last 100 years, humans have grown increasingly dependent on synthetic plastic products. Companies have taken advantage of the low cost and convenience that plastics provide. However, the rise in plastic consumption has had unforeseen consequences. Due to plastic’s resistance to biodegradation the hazardous material has accumulated in the environment. While few plastics are recycled and placed in landfills, the majority of this waste will accumulate in the oceans where it threatens the health of marine wildlife. Ocean organisms often become entangled or consume plastic waste; in the majority of these cases death is inevitable. The consumption of plastics causes contamination throughout all marine trophic levels. Plastic toxins bio-accumulate in tissues. The toxins concentrate as they move up the trophic levels and harm life processes of marine organisms. A vital step in combating plastic pollution is educating the public. Children, in particular, need to understand the negative implications of plastic pollution because they will experience the consequences. The goal of this project is to spread awareness of plastic pollution to young children in an entertaining and emotional way. There are several approaches to publishing a successful children’s book; the story should be captivating, reliable, with a compelling story that the reader may relate too. For this project, three well-structured children’s books were examined for inspiration. A children’s book was then constructed to inform children of ocean plastic pollution.
ContributorsPluhar, Alexis Faye (Author) / Fette, Donald (Thesis director) / Foy, Joseph (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
In June of 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum for its citizens to decide whether to remain a part of the European Union or take their leave. The vote was close but ultimately the U.K. decided to leave, triggering the two-year process of negotiations that would shape the U.K.’s departure (Brexit). The question of what will become of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is heavy with implications for the national identity of people living on either side of the border, and this makes it one of the more pressing concerns in Brexit discourse. This research analyzes how national identity is used as a rhetorical tactic in media to influence and persuade readers to vote in accordance with the author’s political goals. It does so by evaluating how borders shape national identity and analyzing newspaper articles from the two highest circulating Northern Irish daily newspapers (The Irish News and the Belfast Telegraph) during the week leading up to the June 23rd, 2016 referendum. In analyzing news articles relating to the Irish border issue of Brexit from The Irish News and the Belfast Telegraph during the time frame of June 16th-23rd, 2016, four analytical categories of how identity-related rhetoric was used were discovered: fear, self-interest, Irish Nationalism, and a negative association of the past. Further, it was hypothesized and confirmed the political leanings of the papers influenced which type of rhetorical tactic was used. In the broad realm of Brexit and media related discussion, this research could help strengthen understanding of how traditional media uses national identity to persuade readers to and influence voting behavior in the midst of such a divisive referendum.
Key Words: Brexit, Irish border, national identity, rhetoric, newspapers
Key Words: Brexit, Irish border, national identity, rhetoric, newspapers
ContributorsCaldwell, Tara (Author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Ripley, Charles (Committee member) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor, Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
This thesis project examines the ethical considerations within study abroad programs at Arizona State University through the use of a survey of past study abroad students and analysis of research in the field. Topics of consideration include environmental impact and sustainability, impact on local economies, history and current events of the host country, laws and rights of the students, politics and religion, and social norms, values, and beliefs, among others. Through this analysis, a pre-departure guide has been created in order to ensure that topics of responsible travel are easily accessible to students in study abroad programs.
ContributorsArehart, Spring (Author) / Fette, Donald (Thesis director) / Zeiher, Caroline (Committee member) / School of Sustainability (Contributor, Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
As a Marketing and Business Data Analytics student, it has become increasingly apparent through coursework and professional experiences that the landscape of e-commerce and data-driven marketing is changing. Many companies flounder and are barely keeping up with the fast-developing world of e-commerce, while others are thriving and becoming “E-Commerce Giants”. What do they do that make them successful?
Through research from case studies and professional interviews, it can be shown that those who fail and become victim to the e-commerce giants are those who do not allocate enough budget and resources to allow e-commerce to succeed; they do not correctly utilize data throughout the creation of their e-commerce site nor their marketing, have a vast lack of knowledge, and ultimately do not adapt to trends in e-commerce.
E-commerce giants are those who lead in the world-wide e-commerce revolution. They have entered a market and have caused/are continuing to cause instability for those who have not adapted or changed. These e-commerce giants do not have to be “giant” in size; rather, they are making giant changes that allow them to be successful within the industry. They are the prime examples of how e-commerce and data-driven marketing can be successful.
My research shows in order to successfully practice e-commerce, companies must adapt the best practices shown by these giants: owning your data, developing a strong budget for data-driven marketing, investing in the technology and people needed to implement a sound strategy, training employees in basic data, utilizing data in all aspects of marketing, creating an easy online experience that using AB Testing, hosting post mortem meetings to identify successes and failures, understanding your customers, creating the appropriate customer segmentation, nixing the “one fits all” strategy, and never getting too comfortable. If a company is stagnant, they are behind.
Through research from case studies and professional interviews, it can be shown that those who fail and become victim to the e-commerce giants are those who do not allocate enough budget and resources to allow e-commerce to succeed; they do not correctly utilize data throughout the creation of their e-commerce site nor their marketing, have a vast lack of knowledge, and ultimately do not adapt to trends in e-commerce.
E-commerce giants are those who lead in the world-wide e-commerce revolution. They have entered a market and have caused/are continuing to cause instability for those who have not adapted or changed. These e-commerce giants do not have to be “giant” in size; rather, they are making giant changes that allow them to be successful within the industry. They are the prime examples of how e-commerce and data-driven marketing can be successful.
My research shows in order to successfully practice e-commerce, companies must adapt the best practices shown by these giants: owning your data, developing a strong budget for data-driven marketing, investing in the technology and people needed to implement a sound strategy, training employees in basic data, utilizing data in all aspects of marketing, creating an easy online experience that using AB Testing, hosting post mortem meetings to identify successes and failures, understanding your customers, creating the appropriate customer segmentation, nixing the “one fits all” strategy, and never getting too comfortable. If a company is stagnant, they are behind.
ContributorsSirois, Natalie Rose (Author) / Giles, Charles (Thesis director) / Fette, Donald (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
Description
This paper examines and analyzes what Dr. Marcello Arnaldo Picucci termed “discovery narratives” in video games, which is something unique only to the interactive and dynamic video game medium. Discovery narratives exist to give players a level of freedom in engaging with the game’s story and world, requiring the player to explore and interact with the game in specific ways to access these particular narratives. While Dr. Piccuci didn’t focus on discovery narratives too much and only lightly touched upon the topic with a few examples, this paper will categorize six different types of discovery narratives and explore an example of a game for each category. These categories are “Side-stories,” “Character Information,” “Sidequests,” “Main Quests,” “Challenge Narratives,” and “True Endings.” Before categorizing, though, the paper will make important clarifications regarding some possible areas of confusion or conflict in the analysis, such as the definition of narrative itself according to H. Porter Abbott, the methodology of the categorization, the other three models of narrative architecture besides discovery narratives, the distinction between “alternative narrative paths” and discovery narratives, and the external process of how these narratives are discovered. The categories of discovery narrative are not mutually exclusive, however, and in the final part of the paper, the game Dark Souls will be used as a prime example of how these different categories of discovery narrative can be mixed together in order to create a narrative that functions almost entirely on discovery. By exploring these different methods of discovery narrative and analyzing the games that use them, the unique narrative possibilities of video games will be much more understood.
ContributorsManganiello, Dominic Christopher (Author) / Irish, Jennifer (Thesis director) / Fette, Donald (Committee member) / Department of English (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05