Matching Items (80)
Description
In this undergraduate thesis, I explore the relationship between politics and popular culture through an ethnography of Justice League Arizona, a cosplay ensemble devoted to costumed civic activism. While existing scholarship addresses cosplay ensembles and political theory, there is very little that examines how the act of cosplay can be a form of politics and what the impact of that interpretation has on both individuals and the community at large. Through both participant observation and interviews with members of the ensemble, I discovered that cosplay has the ability to intensify aspects of the self, the ability to expose new aspects of the self, and the ability to bring one closer to a particular character. I also found cosplay to be political through the sensibility and situated knowledge that proves to be in practice during cosplay, ultimately having the power to be used as a form of political resistance.
ContributorsBurrus, Ella Rene (Author) / Mack, Robert (Thesis director) / Behl, Natasha (Committee member) / School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Contributor) / Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Language comprehension is an essential skill in many aspects of life, yet some children still struggle with oral comprehension. This study examined the effectiveness of an intervention to improve the listening skills and comprehension of 4 and 5-year olds. This intervention is based on principles of embodied cognition, namely that language comprehension requires a simulation (or imagination) of what the language is about. Thus, children in the intervention condition moved pictures on an iPad to simulate the stories they were hearing. Children in the control condition saw the pictures, but did not move them. To identify the effectiveness of this simulation training, we analyzed scores on a comprehension test, and changes in motor cortex activity while listening. If the intervention increases simulation, then compared to the control, a) children given the intervention should perform better on the comprehension test, and b) those children should show greater activity in their motor cortices while listening. Furthermore, the change in motor cortex activity should statistically mediate the change in comprehension. Our results showed a significant positive correlation (.79) in the EMBRACE group (but not in the control) between the change in mu suppression before and after the intervention and the change in comprehension questions before and after the intervention. This correlation suggests that children can be taught to use their motor cortices while listening, and supports our hypothesis that embodied language theories, such as simulation are useful for enhancing comprehension.
ContributorsMarji, Michelle Lee (Author) / Glenberg, Arthur (Thesis director) / Blais, Chris (Committee member) / Restrepo, Laida (Committee member) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
This study confirms that there is stigma attached to how Somali-Americans perceive mental and emotional impairments compared to the perception of physical disabilities and impairments. More Somali-Americans are willing to seek help regarding their mental and physical health which is a positive step in improving the perceptions of Somali-Americans towards mental or emotional impairments and physical disabilities. Findings can contribute to the knowledge of health care professionals (i.e. nurses) in caring for patients identifying as Somali to promote culturally competent care.
ContributorsAden, Amina (Author) / Hosley, Brenda (Thesis director) / Lee, Rebecca (Committee member) / Lyles, Annmarie (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Ringside is a digital publication that looks at how the independent professional wrestling organization, the Arizona Wrestling Federation (AWF) has been able to succeed, due to the growth and development of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), in to more than just a sports entertainment company. The purpose of designing an online publication is to inform as well as to serve as a template for how a company like the AWF can create a digital publication. The narrative of the publication follows how the WWE always has been at the forefront of the professional wrestling industry and recently, it has not only crossed over into mainstream sports journalism, also expanded its presence in almost every type of media, including television, online and even toys. Due to WWE's growing influence and fan following, independent companies like the AWF are capitalizing on WWE's success by replicating the show's business model on a smaller scale. This project also serves as a study in design and user interactivity. The link to the publication is bit.ly/RingsideCreativeProject
ContributorsArgeros, Alexander Dean (Author) / Chadha, Monica (Thesis director) / Pucci, Jessica (Committee member) / Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
Description
The purpose of this project was to create a brand identity for an expansion Major League Soccer team in Arizona. We identified and analyzed the numerous components that combine to create a sports brand, as well as a brand's impact on a soccer club's location and community. We determined that visual identity is the dominant aspect of a sports brand that is designed, and we limited our work accordingly. We defined the visual brand identity as being made up of the color palette, team name, logo, typography, and uniforms of a prospective soccer club. In order to create a strong brand, we chose to develop four unique visual identities and gain feedback from an expert panel of trusted colleagues to select a preferred brand. Using panel responses allowed us to identify the brand that most excited and captivated existing Arizona sports fans, thus ensuring the selected brand would be successful when implemented. The creation of each brand identity was constrained by four assumptions. These limitations were inspired by research of the current Arizona sports landscape and Major League Soccer branding, and ensured that our four proposed visual identities successfully assimilated into Arizona and MLS. After presenting our brand proposals to our expert panel, we learned that the AZFC brand proposal had the most popular assets, yet the Arizona SC brand proposal was the most popular overall. From this we discovered that providing a connection between brand and location is critical in order to capture attention. We also learned that this connection must be applied across a unified brand identity, rather than being expressed through individual assets.
ContributorsCambron, Reece (Co-author) / Hyland, Chelsea (Co-author) / Mokwa, Michael (Thesis director) / Eaton, John (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (Contributor) / J. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Over the course of this paper, the overall role and effect street art has on a city and its development will be discussed. It will touch generally on the topic of street art history and how it stems from graffiti practices. While also mentioning two well known street artists that changed how the form can be perceived and applied to the streets, ultimately being a factor in growing city environments. The difference in definitions of street art and graffiti will also be discussed with reference to its overall subjectiveness, followed by street arts interconnectedness with the law. This will lead up to street art and whether it is a factor in gentrification and how this plays a part in the creative city. It will discuss later if keeping street art out is the response to stop gentrification, while also adding to the idea that street art is selling a false sense of city beautification and used as a ploy marketing tool. Several options of art-led gentrification will be analyzed, as well as its varying effects on the planning of a city. Eventually, this will all lead to an analysis of Roosevelt Row and how the presence of street art within the arts district will cause the district to grow and develop in the future, as it becomes a prime location in the contexts of the revitalizing downtown area.
ContributorsRichards, Sarah Renae (Author) / Kelley, Jason (Thesis director) / Dove-Viebahn, Aviva (Committee member) / Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that attacks the nerves in the central nervous system of the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that attacks the nerves in the central nervous system of the brain and spinal cord. The severity of multiple sclerosis varies based on the each person and the progression of the disease. There are roughly 2.5 million people that suffer from this disease that life is changed dramatically from being diagnosed with no main way to ease into adjusting to a new lifestyle. The increase of people that are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and with a majority of those people being diagnosed in their early 20’s, there is a need for an application that will help patients manage their health. Multiple sclerosis leads to a lifestyle change, which includes various treatment options as well as routine doctor appointments. The creation of the myMS Specialist application will allow patients with multiple sclerosis to live a more comfortable lifestyle while they easily track and manage their health through their mobile devices. Our application has seven components that all play an important role in adjusting to the new everyday lifestyle for a patient with multiple sclerosis. All seven components are largely intertwined with each other to help patients realize patterns in their diet, sleep, exercise and the weather that causes their symptoms to worsen. Our application not only connects to a patient’s doctor so that there is full access of information at all time to the doctor but provides beneficial research to help further the understanding of multiple sclerosis. This application will be marketed and available for purchase to not only patients but doctors. It is our goal to lessen the burden of a new lifestyle to a patient, create constant communication with one’s doctor and provide beneficial data to researchers.
ContributorsSaenz, Devon (Co-author) / Peterson, Tyler (Co-author) / Chomina-Chavez, Aram (Thesis director) / Staats, Cody (Committee member) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
The introductory section of my thesis will draw heavily from sources written by experts in the field of creative thinking. First, I will introduce the ideas proposed by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his groundbreaking publications, Flow and Finding Flow. Here, I will discuss the "what" and "why" elements of my thesis, more specifically explaining why creativity is so important and how it could serve to improve the lives of those feeling emotionally or intellectually stifled by their stays in long-term healthcare facilities. Next I will use the steps outlined in Keith Sawyer's Zig Zag to explain the different elements that are involved in achieving creativity, "flow," and fulfillment. This will begin to touch on the issue of "how" from a theoretical perspective. For the latter half of my thesis, I draw from case studies, research papers, and design solutions from architects, designers, and manufacturers alike to begin imagining what designing a creatively conducive long-term care facility would entail, along with providing some examples of how these spaces might look, feel, and function. This portion is not meant to be a comprehensive design solution, but is simply meant to provide a framework and foundation for healthcare designers interested in incorporating creative spaces into their designs. The conclusion of this thesis is that creatively conducive spaces would be a beneficial contribution to the health care environment, particularly in settings that provide long-term care for individuals with limited capacity to leave the facility. These creative spaces will be guided by three key themes: (1) taking influence from children's health care facilities, which are more focused on the formative experiences of the user, (2) utilizing technology to provide opportunity for creative inspiration, expression, and collaboration, and (3) providing patients with the means to be creatively productive, including giving patients the power to control aspects of their environment.
ContributorsHumphrey, Amanda Rose (Author) / Bernardi, Jose (Thesis director) / Neaves, Jeff (Committee member) / Pickett, Christine (Committee member) / Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
This project is an arrangement of three movements from Igor Stravinsky's most famous and beloved ballets for performance by classical guitar quartet. The movements arranged were "Augurs of Spring" from The Rite of Spring (1913), "Russian Dance" from Petrouchka (1911), and "Infernal Dance of All Kastchei's Subjects" from The Firebird (1910). Because the appeal of this music is largely based on the exciting rhythms and interesting harmonies, these works translate from full orchestra to guitar quite well. The arrangement process involved studying both the orchestral scores and Stravinsky's own piano reductions. The sheet music for these arrangements is accompanied by a written document which explains arrangement decisions and provides performance notes. Select movements from Stravinsky for Guitar Quartet were performed at concerts in Tempe, Glendale, Flagstaff, and Tucson throughout April 2016. The suite was performed in its entirety in the Organ Hall at the ASU School of Music on April 26th 2016 at the Guitar Ensembles Concert as well as on April 27th 2016 at Katie Sample's senior recital. A recording of the April 27th performance accompanies the sheet music and arrangement/performance notes.
ContributorsSample, Katherine Elizabeth (Author) / Koonce, Frank (Thesis director) / Lake, Brendan (Committee member) / Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor) / School of Music (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Research supports that music therapy can be used in multiple aspects of care for patients living within different environments. There is a gap in the literature when it comes to the impact of music sessions for older adults who do not have a diagnosed disease, therefore this study analyzes this population specifically. This study examines music therapy and its effects on anxiety and depression in adults aged 65 or older living in independent living homes. The adults participated in a mixed-methods study over the span of one month examining music as an intervention to decrease anxiety and depression. Each subject consented into the study, completed a demographic survey, answered open-ended questions regarding their experience with anxiety/sadness and ways to cope, as well as Profile of Moods Scale (POMS) during the first session. On the last week of the study, the participants were asked to fill out the same POMS scale to evaluate whether music influenced anxiety and depression. There was limited evidence found in this study to support the use of music therapy as an intervention to decrease anxiety and depression in adults over the age of 65.
ContributorsWolfus, Sarah Ilyssa (Author) / Lee, Rebecca (Thesis director) / Larkey, Linda (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05