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.

The Gift of Kings: Reciprocity Between Worlds

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

I investigated the role of reciprocity in sacrificial rites of Iron Age Ireland through literature review of three well-documented bog bodies: Clonycavan Man, Gallagh Man, and Oldcroghan Man. I hypothesized that the elite status of these men made them valuable as sacrificial offerings. Literature indicates their high status as well as the ritual nature of their deaths and deposition. Sacrificial ritual establishes reciprocity between mortals and the divine. Reciprocity is a universal social phenomenon which creates a network of mutual obligation. The people of Iron Age Ireland used high-value offerings in sacrificial ritual as a means of obtaining high-value returns from their deities.

THE HIMALAYAN BLACKBERRY (RUBUS ARMENIACUS) IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY RIPARIAN AREAS :Mapping and Analysis of the Mad River and Jacoby Creek Ecosystems

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

California is a native biodiversity hotspot, and is affected by over 60 invasive plants and animals despite aggressive state efforts to combat this problem. This project will focus on the relationship between the Himalayan blackberry and its effect on neighboring native species in the riparian areas of the Mad River and Jacoby Creek in Arcata, CA. The goal of this project is to highlight the spatial location and extent of the invasive blackberry thickets and design a potential abatement program that can be implemented at the local level. GIS will be used for mapping and special analysis.

The Hippie: From Conception to Today

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Beatniks, Free Spirits, Tree Huggers, Bohemians, and even Freaks some may say, are all words commonly used to describe what one might generalize as a “Hippy”. This subculture has been a highlighted group synonymous with fashion, mass media recognition, environmental conservationism, musical creation, music culture, nomadism, drugs, and various other connotative associations. This analysis seeks to identify the media correlation between the identified subculture of the “Hippy” from its conception to today and how the evolution of this culture has manifested itself in today’s mass media-flooded society as well as media of the past.