The Wubba Lubba Dub Dub Fandom: An ethnography on the Expressiveness of the Rick and Morty Fandom

Library

The animated hit series; Rick and Morty had an enormous impact within its first 3 years. There are currently two seasons available with a third on its way in 2017. This cartoon featured on Adult Swim, follows a scientific genius Grandfather and his grandson, as they travel through the universe. In the short amount of time that this show has been around, it has spawned a very loyal and dedicated fan base with an increasingly active community. A portion of this fan base is structured as an online community, which uses various platforms to communicate and express their devotion to the show. These platforms include forum sites such as Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, and the fandom run WIkia page.

The Yurok Tribe and The California Condor

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

We will be presenting the connection between the California Condor and the Yurok tribe. Focusing on the reintroduction of the California Condor into Northern California and Humboldt county. We will be presenting information on the history of the California Condor and the problems it has faced in the past.

The ‘Paleo’ diet in the United States: Why, how, and what now?

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

As part of a Masters thesis, this study explored how individuals are defining, interpreting, and practicing the Paleo diet in the United States and any associated health outcomes. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. Ethnographic methods included interviews and media analysis. A national survey was also conducted. This study found that specific practices of this diet varied by individual. Most common practices included frequent vegetable consumption, and avoidance of grains and processed foods. Increased energy and muscle tone, and decreased weight and frequency of illness were the most frequently reported health outcomes from these practices.

Theatrical Folkloric Dance in Egypt

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This poster showcases theatrical folkloric dance styles and companies representing diverse regions in Egypt. Dance, music and cultural arts began serving as a source of nationalistic pride in the years following Egypt's independence in the 1950's. This was the first time an appreciation of dance and dancers as folk artists was included in such a prominent role. Based on research and recent travels to explore folkloric dance in Egypt last year, this poster presents Maleya Leff, Fellahin, Raqs Sharqi, Tahtib, and Nubian dance forms. These vibrant regional dances have been developed and celebrated since the work of Mahmoud Reda's Reda Troupe in the 1960's and continues today.

Therapeutic Group For Anxiety & Reconnection after COVID-19

Artemisia Feral, Social Work Graduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This fall Open Door Community Health Centers (ODCHC) experienced a extremely high number of patients whose anxiety and agoraphobia made it difficult for them to engage in valued life activities. I was asked to assist with developing and implementing a therapeutic group to support these individuals because clinicians at this organization were experiencing such large caseloads that it was difficult for them to effectively serve all the clients who needed support. The goal of this project was to create a group therapy setting where clients could be treated in a sustainable and time effective way.

There's not a lot of cool chicks out there: A regional study of climate change on passerine morphology over time

Tabitha Page, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Wildlife have been responding to climate change in many ways, and I decided to focus on if warming temperatures are influencing avian morphology by using museum specimens from the Cal Poly Humboldt Wildlife Museum. This study focused on passerine birds collected from the 1880's up until 2022.

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: Stories about Global Health in Humboldt County

Eden Donahue, School of Applied Health Faculty

College of Professional Studies

In a collaborative RSCA-funded project, the Cal Poly Humboldt Library and Nursing Program created five activities focused on global health. The inspiration for the project came as Cal Poly Humboldt was selected to host the National Library of Medicine traveling exhibition Making a World of Difference: Stories about Global Health. With a focus on activism within the local community, the Library and Nursing Program engaged students in a variety of projects and invited the community to events showcasing those projects. Come learn how local actions and activism make a significant impact on global health!

This Is All Simlish To Me: An Ethnographic Analysis of The Sims, A Virtual Life Simulation Video Game

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The scope of my research was to understand why Simmers created Sims and for what purpose. Ethnographic research took place over the course of 16 weeks on the Sims 3 and 4, forum sites, and YouTube videos. Through fieldnotes, participant observation, transcribed interviews, and surveys I was able to find three key evolving patterns, which was time investment, community building in game-play and participation in challenges and story-writing.Research findings reveal that the Simmers game-play is not only to pass time, but to achieve a goal that they have set for themselves which, allows them to connect with other Simmers, and creates a community based on shared interests.

Threat Appraisals: Mediator of Acculturative Stress and Wellbeing Among Armenian Americans

College of Professional Studies

Acculturative stress is the stress experienced by individuals when they are in the process of reconciling two or more cultures (i.e., their heritage culture and a new culture). Research suggests that stress is linked to individuals’ wellbeing. Moreover, wellbeing linked to acculturative stress may be explained by threat appraisal (i.e., how individuals perceive stress - as anxiety-provoking and unmanageable). The current study examines threat appraisal as a mediator of the relationship between acculturative stress and wellbeing amongst a community sample of Armenian Americans.

Threat Stress Appraisals Moderate the Relationship Between Social Support and Degree Commitment

College of Professional Studies

We examined the role of social support and perceptions of stress in predicting college students' degree commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students high in threat appraisals tend to interpret stressors as harmful or anxiety-inducing. These negative dispositional perceptions of stress are linked to lower motivation. Meanwhile, greater social support is related to greater college persistence, although students’ ability to cope can mitigate the beneficial effects of social support. We found support for a moderating effect of threat appraisals on the relationship between social support and degree commitment. Implications for student success and the importance of reappraisals are discussed.