Matching Items (122)
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I wrote creative non-fiction to enrich and expand the existing narratives of Mexican immigrant experiences by preserving oral histories and thus, influence a broader cultural understanding. As a first-generation Mexican-American writer, I believe there is a pressing need to explore the stories of my people, particularly those of my father.

I wrote creative non-fiction to enrich and expand the existing narratives of Mexican immigrant experiences by preserving oral histories and thus, influence a broader cultural understanding. As a first-generation Mexican-American writer, I believe there is a pressing need to explore the stories of my people, particularly those of my father. I also acknowledge the master narratives that work to influence and consequently oppress my own voice as a writer. The master narrative values white experiences and voices in narrative writing while devaluing work from non-white authors. Thus, it became critical for me to reclaim my true voice as a writer and consequently, disrupt this harmful master narrative. Through this project, I reclaimed my voice as a writer, the one that pays homage to my cultural roots by writing my father's stories authentically. I integrated my heritage language Spanish and English in the writing of these stories. As the daughter of immigrants, this is an important way of representing my identity through my writing. Additionally, the importance of this work is greatly exemplified by the unity that springs forth among Mexican immigrants and children of those immigrants when experiences like these are shared and released into the world. At present, the Mexican immigrant community faces social and political discrimination in the form of misrepresentation, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and racism. Therefore, there is a palpable need for more accurate representation to combat these issues. Written storytelling provides a valuable glimpse into my father's experience as a Mexican immigrant and is a valuable tool to challenge harmful master narratives.
ContributorsVillezcas, Araceli (Author) / de la Garza, Amira (Thesis director) / Cuadraz, Gloria (Committee member) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
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This project will explain the positive impact and effectiveness of Sarbanes-Oxley on corporate responsibility, and through that lens, examine how to make certain subchapters of Title 42, "the Sunshine Act", concerning healthcare fund tracking more transparent and without conflicts of interest. There will be an analysis of the implementation of

This project will explain the positive impact and effectiveness of Sarbanes-Oxley on corporate responsibility, and through that lens, examine how to make certain subchapters of Title 42, "the Sunshine Act", concerning healthcare fund tracking more transparent and without conflicts of interest. There will be an analysis of the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in corporate America and the impact it had on corporate responsibility. There will be a comprehensive review of the history of both the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Sunshine Act, along with their origins, stakeholders, and impact on their respective industries. Suggestions to improve certain current United States Code subchapters and subsequent regulations will be announced considering the success that has come from Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley.
ContributorsRogers, Anne Marie (Author) / Brian, Jennifer (Thesis director) / Agne, Sara (Committee member) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
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The goal of my thesis is to examine gender roles and their implications on mental illness in the short story of "The Yellow Wallpaper." The context of this thesis is historical, medical, and literary. The project includes five parts. The introduction is an analysis of the various literary criticisms associated

The goal of my thesis is to examine gender roles and their implications on mental illness in the short story of "The Yellow Wallpaper." The context of this thesis is historical, medical, and literary. The project includes five parts. The introduction is an analysis of the various literary criticisms associated with the short story. The second part is research on Charlotte Perkins Gilman and her journey with mental illness. The third part is research and background information on mental illness in the 19th century. The fourth part is research and analysis on the social, political, and economic context of the 19th century in the United States that affected the view of mental illness in the period, such as gender roles. The final part of the thesis is an analysis of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper." The analysis focuses on gender roles of the story and how these relate to the depiction of mental illness. This analysis takes into account the historical background and research when studying the context behind the story. In conclusion, the research and information in this thesis provides a new criticism for readers to consider when analyzing "The Yellow Wallpaper."
ContributorsFitzpatrick, Erin Elizabeth (Author) / Fette, Don (Thesis director) / Soares, Rebecca (Committee member) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
The goal of this creative project was to create a weaving from raw materials. With the mass-production of modern textiles, the skills and traditions of fiber artistry have seemingly become irrelevant. The scope of fiber artistry is vastly diminished from its historical position; and yet, it still carries a great

The goal of this creative project was to create a weaving from raw materials. With the mass-production of modern textiles, the skills and traditions of fiber artistry have seemingly become irrelevant. The scope of fiber artistry is vastly diminished from its historical position; and yet, it still carries a great weight of cultural significance. When working with fibers, one draws upon a history that spans all cultures and the majority of human history (all of human history, excluding approximately the past 150 years of mass-manufactured fibers). This project encompassed each step of the textile production process, from cleaning raw wool, to spinning yarn, to weaving on a loom. The curveball: this project was undertaken with almost none of the essential skills. Consequently, there were many errors and mistakes, and production was frequently derailed and scaled back. These mistakes are documented in photos and videos, so that others who endeavor to learn fiber artistry may avoid these errors, and additionally heed this warning: ask for help early and often. The true value of handmade fiber arts is developed through the maintenance of tradition and sharing new skills with other people. Fiber art communities and the personal maintenance of technical skills allow us to keep a special connection to the past and to the arts. This project was a success in that it produced a valuable learning resource and allowed me to develop my skills in several fields of fiber artistry, while also providing me with a difficult lesson about when to ask for guidance and counseling.
ContributorsWeary, Martina (Author) / Hanson, Erika (Thesis director) / Hensel, Camille (Committee member) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
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The purpose of this study to bring awareness to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) among Native American children. The study is a layered autoethnographic study which drew on research completed on ASD and modeled autoethnographic work completed by Henson (2011) and Sughrua (2013). The premise of the study was to examine

The purpose of this study to bring awareness to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) among Native American children. The study is a layered autoethnographic study which drew on research completed on ASD and modeled autoethnographic work completed by Henson (2011) and Sughrua (2013). The premise of the study was to examine my experiences as a Native American mother who has a child diagnosed with ASD. The research completed is seen through my ethnic and cultural lens and focused on my son, ASD, minority children, and how race may have effected date of diagnosis.
ContributorsHoover-Bennett, Marcene (Author) / Dybvig-Pawelko, Kristin (Thesis director) / Zanin, Alaina (Committee member) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
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In 1986, Wendy Chapkis published Beauty Secrets: Women and the Politics of Appearance, exploring beauty as it is interpreted through physical appearance, gender, and sexuality. Over thirty years later, many of the trends and problems Chapkis identified still exist or have gotten worse; we still live in a society that

In 1986, Wendy Chapkis published Beauty Secrets: Women and the Politics of Appearance, exploring beauty as it is interpreted through physical appearance, gender, and sexuality. Over thirty years later, many of the trends and problems Chapkis identified still exist or have gotten worse; we still live in a society that praises ideal physical beauty, and creates and reinforces unrealistic beauty standards. This research strives to determine why these problems still exist, and how to solve them. Through a combination of creative writing and analytic research, this project will discuss topics that have helped to create problems like cultural influences, gender norms, and the media, as well as discuss the consequences like mental health and eating disorders, and the unattainable ideal beauty standard. The purpose of this study is to bring new attention to the flaws of a society that teaches people they are defined by their appearance, in order to teach people what actions we need to take to make real progress. Research was conducted using an online survey to allow for anonymous, honest, responses, which were then analyzed to inspire sections of creative writing, as well as fuel the analytical research portions of the paper. In this way, the text mirrors Chapkis’ original style to connect and engage with readers. Research shows that many respondents know there are problems with society’s standards, but feel powerless to change anything. This study provides a platform to restart the conversation, and call people to action, to inspire people not to simply redefine beauty, but teach them that they should not define others or themselves by merely their physical appearance.
ContributorsFast, Elizabeth (Author) / Fontinha de Alcantara, Christiane (Thesis director) / Barca, Lisa (Committee member) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05
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This study compared mock jurors' verdict decisions regarding three different insanity defenses that are used across jurisdictions in the United States' Criminal Justice System. Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity (NGRI), Guilty Except Insane (GEI) and Guilty But Mentally Ill (GBMI) all have different effects on the defendant and on

This study compared mock jurors' verdict decisions regarding three different insanity defenses that are used across jurisdictions in the United States' Criminal Justice System. Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity (NGRI), Guilty Except Insane (GEI) and Guilty But Mentally Ill (GBMI) all have different effects on the defendant and on the system, but little is known about how jurors' will use these different verdicts. This study used a vignette and online survey delivered through MTurk to see which of the three verdicts, if rendered, would be more preferable by the mock jurors. It was predicted that GEI (a "compromise" verdict with elements from both NGRI and GBMI) would be more favorable than NGRI (the most lenient) but less favorable that GBMI (the strictest). However, the findings indicated that lay people cannot tell the difference between the three insanity verdicts: an equal proportion of mock jurors in each condition chose the relevant insanity verdict. Limitations, implications, and future directions are discussed.
ContributorsSiso, Cassidy Brooke (Author) / Neal, Tess M.S. (Thesis director) / Schweitzer, Nick (Committee member) / School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
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This research project examines the craft brewing industry and its position in the North American market. Specifically, this research will highlight the most important aspects of the product market, cost structure, market trends, as well as an assessment of the viability of several modes of entry. The data and analysis

This research project examines the craft brewing industry and its position in the North American market. Specifically, this research will highlight the most important aspects of the product market, cost structure, market trends, as well as an assessment of the viability of several modes of entry. The data and analysis provided indicates that the industry is promising and poised to grow in comparison to many other sectors within the alcoholic beverages industry, as demand for differentiated craft beer products is relatively strong. The continued existence of craft brewing would not be made possible without the devotion and dedication of individuals simply interested in brewing recipes at home. Although the process of brewing remains relatively traditional, the paper will discuss the possibilities to diversify as a successful craft brewing brand due to consumers' willingness and curiosity to try new beverages. Production details and supply chain processes will be discussed to fully understand the fruitful beginnings of a local brewer to a large scale company that distributes nationwide. Nonetheless, prominent risks include extensive regulatory hurdles ranging from local to federal levels and threats from significant established competitors. These competitors and their business activities will be heavily discussed as it pertains to the question of whether entering the market is a smart business decision. The purpose of this research is to provide potential business owners and investors the strength and knowledge to engage in the craft brewing industry. In essence, the business decision to participate in the craft brewing industry is met with encouragement from an avid consumer base, collaboration with competitors, and an undying passion to brew quality beer for consumption.
ContributorsKnapp, Kurt (Co-author) / Wu, Katherine (Co-author) / Nguyen, Kelley (Co-author) / Budolfson, Arthur (Thesis director) / Bhattacharya, Anand (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
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Description
To many people, shopping is just a chore that needs to be done in order to get groceries, household supplies and clothing. To others, shopping is a sacred time where people relieve themselves of all stress and worries by spending money. Going into the mall with a lot on ones

To many people, shopping is just a chore that needs to be done in order to get groceries, household supplies and clothing. To others, shopping is a sacred time where people relieve themselves of all stress and worries by spending money. Going into the mall with a lot on ones mind can be dangerous because as soon as one become distracted with items in the stores, they can truly get whisked away in spending money. Spending money and buying luxury goods actually brings a lot of excitement to people's lives. Retail therapy is defined as method to positively improve one's mood through shopping (Yarrow 2013). About 62% of consumers have purchased something to cheer themselves up and another 28% had purchased as a form of celebration (Atalay 2011). More than half of Americans participate in some sort of retail therapy in their day-to-day lives (Yarrow 2013). Retail therapy is so prevalent in people's lives because of its basis that people are striving for self-regulation of their happiness or looking for a quick and easy happiness booster. If people are motivated to want to look good or feel better about them, they are self-regulating to where they strive for these goals, which leads them to partake in retail therapy. Shopping is a chance of finding visualization for their future lives. When people go shopping and see a certain item, they automatically picture themselves in the item and what event they will be wearing the item to. It is so easy to get mentally lost during a shopping spree due to these expectations and visualizations that it feeds into people's heads. The happiness boost, the high expectations and the escape from reality are the main factors as to why shopping does indeed make people happier. This thesis will observe the concept of Retail therapy and whether or not it actually makes people happier
ContributorsDawoud, Mariam (Contributor) / Higbee, Yasmine (Contributor) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Kashiwagi, Jacob (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
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Website usage on both smartphone and tablet devices is rapidly increasing. Website success hinges largely upon how well information on the site is recalled and perceived. The purpose of this study is to explore the question of whether or not the differences in display size and resolution of smartphone versus

Website usage on both smartphone and tablet devices is rapidly increasing. Website success hinges largely upon how well information on the site is recalled and perceived. The purpose of this study is to explore the question of whether or not the differences in display size and resolution of smartphone versus tablet devices affect the recall of website information. I hypothesize that tablets will produce greater website recall than smartphones, due to their larger screen size and higher resolution which may reduce cognitive strain. During the study, participants viewed a sample website for two minutes on either an iPhone or iPad, and then participated in a brief 20 question memory test to evaluate how well they remembered the website information. Although test scores for the iPad users were about one test point higher than test scores for the iPhone users, the difference was not statistically significant. However, the study was limited by the low sample size (n = 94). This indicates that further research may find that tablets indeed allow for increased recall of certain kinds of website content.
ContributorsRaines, David Thomas (Author) / Martin, Judith (Thesis director) / Johnson, Kathryn (Committee member) / Wiedmaier, Benjamin (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2013-05