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.
For my senior thesis, I explored the topic of toxic masculinity in America, specifically on college campuses and cultivated through aspects of Greek Life. My exploration of the topic culminated in an art showcase that was intended to create a space for candid dialogue about the impact and effects of a persistent culture of toxic masculinity perpetuated through Greek Life. It is important to note that I do not believe that masculinity in and of itself is toxic; rather, often the ways in which it is conceptualized and enacted is harmful to men, women, and society as a whole. Thus, my goal is not to disparage men or masculinity, but rather to open a dialogue exploring how Greek Life reproduces a culture that pressures men to conform to a rigid and narrow conception of masculinity.
Samantha and Rachel both have a history in gifted education and wanted to create a safe space for the two of them and their peers to discuss the effects gifted/ accelerated education has had on them, specifically pertaining to burnout. To best dive into this matter, Gifted Kid Syndrome podcast was born! During which, our hosts interviewed students and professionals, allowing everyone to share their pasts, their hopes for the future, and what they’ve learned along the way regarding mental health, identity, education, and personal success.
