Sophomore Essay Abstracts
 

What fools these mortals be: Shakespeare’s Use of the Supernatural ~ Tabitha Arnold Class of 2008 

Many of William Shakespeare’s plays contain some element of the supernatural: ghosts, witches, fairies, or even just magic in general.  Are these supernatural elements used purely for entertainment value?  In this essay, I examine four of Shakespeare’s most accessible, supernaturally-based plays: The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, and Macbeth.  For all four plays I argue that the supernatural elements are an essential part of the drama and plot.  I attempt to show that Shakespeare uses the supernatural to create a certain atmosphere, motivate the action of the plot, examine the role of God and free will in a person’s life, and explore ideas of love and integrity in society and in individuals.

The United States as a Blank Canvas: An Argument for Visual Artists in America ~ Sara Basher Class of 2009

The United States is not fully realizing the implications that art has in society, such as in art for its own sake, or l’art pour l’art.  Art education builds creative thought in growing minds.  Art builds integrity for the culture in which it is created, and it is often a vehicle for social awareness.  Although Canadian artists are still struggling, the Canadian government has begun to recognize visual artists in their laws as well as through organizations such as CARFAC.  Conversely, visual artists in the United States have dealt with nearly losing their art in museum bankruptcy cases.  Also, although the National Endowment of the Arts was created by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 to help the arts, its budget was cut forty percent in 1995 and it has been struggling with its finances ever since.  Hopefully, the United States can realize how important art is to society and artists can be more appreciated.

Sketches of Sophia:  The Philosophy of Miles Davis ~ James Baublitz  Class of 2008

“Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn.”  This statement by jazz legend Charlie Parker is the basis of this essay: the investigation of the presence of philosophy in the music of trumpeter Miles Davis.  Exploring specific musical examples as well as considering the context of Davis’ career, this essay argues that Miles Davis had a define philosophy, something entirely unique.  Communicated through the music itself, this essay explains Davis’ vast audience, distinguishes him among other philosophers, and exemplifies his thoughts and wisdom: his philosophy.

Divided National Government:  Benefits Outweigh the Risks ~ Bill Bustin Class of 2009

The 20th century has seen a drastic increase in the number of party divided national governments in the United States.  With this increase has come much debate on whether or not the American political system functions better when unified by political party or divided.  Unified control can lead to the rubber stamping of important legislation by own party in power, and divided control to lead head on into a legislative stalemate due to partisanship.  By using past research from well known scholars on divided government and combining it with more contemporary interpretations and statistics, the legislative, oversight, and institutional benefits of divided government vastly outweigh the risk of political gridlock.

An Examination of Meanings of the Christ Story in Light of Resurrection Myths in Other Cultures ~ Ashley Flanagan Class of 2009

Three myths about resurrection from Native American, Celtic and Egyptian cultures are examined literally, culturally and symbolically.  Insights gained from these examinations are applied to the story of Jesus in order to see symbolism in a story which is often read only literally.  Research was done on the aforementioned cultures and their attitudes towards death, as well as how certain literal elements of the story were understood as symbols within the culture.  Analyses of symbols and their relation to the story of Jesus are solely the author’s.  The purpose of the paper was not to discredit literal readings of the Jesus story, but to add to that other, more symbolic analyses.

The Role of Traditional Medicine in Modern Drug Development ~ Andrew Kester Class of 2009

 Historically, (wo)mankind has utilized plants as medicines and functional foods. Currently, 80% of the global population relies on traditional medical systems for healthcare, often involving the use of plants. Many cultural groups have acquired a knowledge of medicinal plants gained through centuries of experimentation. This knowledge, referred to as ethnobotanical knowledge, is an effective indicator of pharmacological efficacy in plants, and has the potential to benefit the drug development process. This essay surveys Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese, and Amazonian medicine to demonstrate the correspondence between biomedical research and traditional knowledge, and to argue that ethnobotanical studies should be incorporated further into modern pharmaceutical development.

Micro-aid and Macro-assistance:  Comparative Effectiveness in Relieving Poverty and Raising Living Standards ~ Amanda Moser Class of 2009

The issue of poverty is an international concern that must be addressed by the international community.  Examining the abilities and shortcomings of macro-assistance and micro-aid, the two competing international aid types, it can be seen how both can be used in cooperation to effectively provide assistance to those in need.  Though it has been active for some time, macro-assistance has numerous shortcomings that can be supplemented by micro-aid, while micro-aid does not have the capability to considerably alter government institutions necessary in society.  Yet used in conjunction, international assistance would be more globally beneficial. 

The Lost Art of Armor ~ Joseph Pilcavage Class of 2009

Armor is a unique art form that began from the earliest established civilizations of man and peaked at the time of Medieval Europe. Armor is most commonly linked to Knights shown in a full suit of Iron Plate. Although this depiction, however, is far from origins or the ends of the use of armor, it does generally account for the complexity of armor at its historical peak.  To understand the true complexity and various forms and functions of the armor of medieval times, I have traced its evolution starting with the earliest recorded occurrence of armor use; Egypt.

Volunteers, the Media, and New Orleans Today ~ Claire Polcrack Class of 2009

The relationship between the media and volunteerism and their impact on the city of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is described.  An analysis of the media coverage of the state of city and then of the work of volunteers is used to find a connection between volunteerism in New Orleans and the media.  Included in the paper are the findings from a Lexis-Nexis search on the number of articles published on volunteerism and New Orleans in the years after Hurricane Katrina hit.  The paper concludes that the media could not handle the memory of Katrina and that volunteers are working to keep the city of New Orleans and its memory alive. 

Orientalism" in French Film:   A Study of Culture and Film ~ Therese Ryley Class of 2009

Edward Said first published his renowned book, Orientalism, nearly forty years ago.  In it he discusses Western perceptions of people from North Africa, the Middle East and Asia; perceptions which began to develop during the Crusades.  Today Westerners have been experiencing a more intimate interaction with “Orientals” due to immigration.  France is one particular Western nation that has had a significant influx of immigrants from the “Orient.”  By analyzing three films: Chaos, Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran, and Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain, this paper explores French understandings of immigrant culture in relation to Said’s Orientalism.

Yorkist Propaganda during the Wars of the Roses:  Defending the Right to the Throne of England ~ Kayla Smith Class of 2009

During the Wars of the Roses, the members and supporters of the House of York used various methods of propaganda to claim their superior right to the throne of England and control of the government. Evidence of this includes “The Arrivall of Edward IV” and “The Edward IV Roll.” These documents are used to promote the Yorkists by emphasizing Christian themes in connection with Edward IV, by discrediting Henry VI, and by glorifying the reputation of Edward IV. The circumstances of the political environment and views of the time were the reasons the aristocracy felt the need to promote its cause with propaganda.

The Ethics of Subliminal Advertising ~ Amber Welborn Class of 2009

Subliminal advertising is a creative method of advertising that aids in jogging memories and creating feelings that one can associate with a specific brand or product; therefore, they are not detrimental to the health or safety of the general public and should not be seen as unethical.  This paper argues that the objectives of subliminal advertising have been misperceived and blown out of proportion by a public uneducated on the topic.  It is common for people to fear something they do not know.  Subliminal advertisements have never been proven or shown to cause any type of detriment to one’s mental or physical well-being.

Fists versus Words:  Explaining Gender Differences in Aggressive Behaviors ~ Sarah Weller Class of 2009

There is a solid research base showing that men are more physically aggressive than women. There are two major theories which attempt to explain gender differences in aggression. The first, social constructionism, attributes gender differences to social and cultural shaping. The other, evolutionary  biology, attributes gender differences to natural and innate qualities of males and females and ultimately to the evolutionary forces that shaped these qualities.  This paper explores the theoretical and research literature on gender differences in aggression in order to evaluate these two claims.  Although these two views are traditionally held as incompatible, the literature suggests that both are equally influential in the creation of aggression.

Small Business Retail: What it Takes to Succeed ~ Alexander White Class of 2009

Small business retail is a constantly evolving game, and one that has not been immune to the arrival of the automobile, the emergence of the Internet, and the passing of various business and economy-oriented federal and state legislations.  However, these factors only make it more challenging for small businesses to succeed.  Retailers must learn to think not only as businesses, but also as customers.  The three most important distinctions for a business to focus on are customer service, product differentiation, and connections.  Given these three foci, it is possible for a small business retailer to succeed.

An Inquiry into the Compatibility of Christianity and Freemasonry ~ Cynthia Wilson Class of 2009

The organization of the Freemasonry has caused a lot of controversy throughout history. Due to its mysterious and ambiguous rituals and mission, an aura of secrecy has become associated with this group.  Numerous historians have devoted their time to researching the origins of this association as well as its effect on society today.  Many Christians believe it contradicts fundamental beliefs set forth by the Christian religion; however, despite this common misconception, the ideologies of these two organizations are compatible.  One may hold the status of a member of both organizations without detracting from the experience of either one.