The Biocultural Trauma Feedback Loop

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Trauma is repeated throughout a victim’s life, but the biological mechanisms of its recurrence (revictimization), even though understood biologically, are not accepted or discussed in all disciplines. To understand these issues, I conducted a synthesis of existing scientific research on revictimization. Sociological research revealed that initial trauma and revictimization are in a positive feedback loop, with incidences of one increasing the other. In biology, however, this loop has been acknowledged but has not been integrated into these disciplines. Recognizing the existence of this biological feedback loop has the potential to mitigate the damage of past, present, and future trauma.

The Choctaw Tribe and the Nanih Waiya

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The land feature known as the Nanih Waiya mound is central to the religious beliefs and cultural identity of the Choctaw Tribe of Native Americans. The function and creation of this mound differs depending upon the perspective of the Choctaw Tribal divisions, but it is mostly classified as a human-made earthwork that dates back to the Middle Woodland period (c. 0-300 CE) with naturally occurring features. Choctaw tribal members were separated from their original land and the Nanih Waiya after European contact and forced evacuations which began with the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The mound is present in most Choctaw origin stories and is a source of identity and community for the Tribe.

The Counter-Narratives of British and American High Schools Within Television

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This ongoing research project investigates the counter-narrative of high schools within American and British culture within films and tv shows. 90210 and many other American shows shows high school as “the greatest time of your life” while Skins, a British-based series, shows that high school is just something that you want to get out of. Sex Education, which is the main focus, combines the two cultures to combat the negative connotation of the stereotypical British high school. I also explore how as technology improves, rhetoric changes its form (television) to fit with what society needs to get their message across a large audience.

The Cultural Significance of Maori Pounamu

Brandon Borba, Anthropology Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

An anthropological investigation of New Zealand's indigenous Maori people and their unique use of greenstone jade.

The Early History of Humboldt State University's Multilingual Literary Journal Toyon

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Toyon has been recognized as one of the best undergraduate literary journals/magazines in recent years. Currently, Toyon is published by students in a classroom setting oriented towards career preparation for individuals who wish to gain experience in the publishing field, but the beginnings of the journal had a far more humble and nearsighted goal: to publish the creative work of students. The history of Toyon has had to be constructed through primary sources such such as yearbooks, back issues of the school newspaper The Lumberjack, and details from the back issues of the journal itself. The archive editor of Toyon has researched the history of the early issues through the 1970's.

The Educational Development Center: A Stepping Stone to Sustainable Development

Jazzmin Fontenot`, Anthropology Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

At the intersection of anthropology and development, this project explores the efficacy of Participatory Action Research (PAR) through a case study of the Educational Development Center (EDC) and their Basa, Pilipinas! project. PAR utilizes ethnographic methods and emphasizes the importance of collaboration with developers and the community they wish to serve. This is a response to the critiques of educational Development as a method of perpetuating the legacy of colonialism by implanting Western epistemology from imperialist nations into developing countries. While PAR is an attempt to decolonize Development, it is not without critique itself.

The Effects of C-Tactile Afferent Stimulation on Orgasm

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This study aims to test the possible effects of naturally-released oxytocin on aspects of the male orgasm. In two trials, the participants utilize an FDA-approved clinical vibration device to induce orgasm in the absence of any audiovisual stimuli. During one of these trials, the participant is brushed on the forearm to release endogenous oxytocin (via C-tactile afferent activation), at the other they are tapped on the hand with the end of the brush to act as a placebo. Given the role of oxytocin in hedonic (pleasure) responses, it is predicted that oxytocin will significantly increase subjective orgasm intensity and ejaculate volume and decrease ejaculation latency.

The Evology of Addiction

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This research explores popular discourse regarding the “opiate epidemic” and deconstructs the ways in which popular conceptions of addiction and addicts shapes the care that that people recieve. By looking at the systemic causes of addiction, this research also examines the links between addiction, environmental justice, rurality, and the many facets of systemic oppression.

The Feminist Pedestal: Ronda Rousey and the Representation of Female Athletes

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This article will explore the feminist self-identification of female athletes in addition to critiquing the harms and benefits of placing female athletes on a “feminist pedestal.” Ronda Rousey, a well-known athlete in mixed martial arts, will serve as a case study in the analysis.

The Geographic Movement of Goods Related to the Iron Industry in Humboldt County During the Early 20th Century

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This project examines the geographic movement of materials and products related to the ironworks industry in Eureka, CA during the early 20th century. Archival research was undertaken in the Eureka Ironwork's Collection and Humboldt Room at Humboldt State University. Data was analyzed using GIS in order to understand the geographic scope of business transactions.