The Societal and Envrionmental Importance of Fire

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

My research project will explore the significance of fire. I will be researching the importance of fire in environments and communities, and how we can learn from past fire management in order to improve our modern fire management.

The Star Spangled Banner at Sporting Events: 1968-2018

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

This study examines the renditions of and reactions to “The Star Spangled Banner” at sporting events in the United States from 1968 - 2018. First, music as rhetoric is defined. Second, the tradition of including the national anthem at sporting events is discussed. Third, specific examples of positive and negative reactions to different versions of “The Star Spangled Banner” at major U.S. sporting events from 1968 on are identified and examined. Finally, the symbolism of the national anthem in sports is described.

The Tohono O'odham Nation Reservation and the Border Wall in the Context of Tribal Water Rights

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

When the United States acquired the 29,670-square-mile region of present-day southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico through the Gadsen Purchase of 1854, the Tohono O'odham nation was cut in half. Now, they reside on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona and Sonora. The border wall has forever altered their way of life, and new proposals for the wall are putting their relationship with local waterways in danger as well. This poster will be examining the history between the Tohono O'odham tribe and the border wall, specifically in the context of the Federal Indian Water Rights, and what construction of the wall would mean for the tribe in the long term.

The US says 40% of the work force is Contingent. What does this mean for the future of labor and how does this compare to the rest of the world?

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

My poster will be showing what a contingent job is as well as how companies are changing their structure to better fit these jobs. I will also be showing what companies are looking for in new workers and how automation has changed jobs. I will then compare the US to other countries with their percentages of contingent workers.

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.

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.

Through The Eyes of Liberian Americans: The Post-Civil War Consequences on Liberia

Joy Mehn, Politics Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

The research will focus on the experiences of Liberian Americans while fleeing the civil wars, that took place 1989-2003. The displacement was shaped by the human security policies made by the Liberian Government and the United States government. The relevance of this study is the placement of value on the experiences of those who experienced displacement. More often than not, the focus of migration in the global south is the economic factors and how those factors affect the Western world. This research is a way to project the stories of those who are often not heard, the Liberian people.

Tibetan Nationality: tourism, commodification, and souvenirs preserving identity.

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Over the summer of 2014 research was conducted in China and Tibet. The main focus of the research involved the social identity of the Tibetan people and the perception of the people and place through he yes of a tourist. In order to find the perceptions and identity of the people the tourism industry was analyzed using textual analysis and participant observation. Souvenirs in particular were a focal point of the research leading the author to a belief that however difficult and even destructive the tourism industry can be on a place and people in this case it seems that the industry may be serving as an mechanism of national identity preservation.