Celebration 2009 Paper & Panel Abstracts

Session (A) PANEL: "Critical Social Issues in Contemporary Society"
Moderator: Dr. Penny Harris

(A.1) “Bodies, Technologies, and Aging in Japan”
Dr. Susan Orpett Long, Sociology
Contemporary Japan is known both for its high tech culture and its rapidly aging population, with 21% of people currently 65 years and older. This paper explores the way these elements come together in the experience of frail older people who depend not only on human caregivers but on special devices, from walkers to kidney dialysis machines to electric massage chairs. It begins to consider the questions: what technology is available and to whom to aid failing bodies? What does the use of this equipment mean for people’s understanding of human life, and for one’s sense of self? Data come from interviews conducted in 2003-2007 as part of a study of elder care in Japan. The project was funded by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, Technology, with additional support from the University Foundation and John Carroll University.

(A.2) “A study of social capital acquisition within a Latina/o community”
Dr. Gloria Vaquera, Sociology
With the growing Latino population in the US, there is a need for more research focusing on the ways immigrants adapt to the host society. This study of the first cohort of Project ¿Q.U.É.? families, a middle school science/math program run in partnership with a Latina/o Catholic parish and JCU, seeks to examine social capital acquisition. Social capital is a resource comprised of social trust, norms and networks that people can draw upon. Various researchers have focused on the concept of social capital to understand how inequality is produced or reproduced. Social capital has also been widely used to study educational inequality. As many educators and activists work to improve the educational attainment of Latinos in the US, we need to understand the various paths to greater social capital for this community.

(A.3)”The Enforcement of Anti-Social Behavior Legislation: An Examination of the War on Incivilities in Suburban Communities”
Dr. Richard D. Clark, Dr. Ernie DeZolt, Sociology; Jennifer Bremec, Undergraduate
Based upon perceptions of increased incivility, several suburban communities have recently responded with Anti-Social Behavior Legislation. Originating in Great Britain, ASB legislation is designed to control incivilities through the use of police enforcement rather than through the use of community norms. Supporters of ASB legislation argue that traditional methods of informal social control no longer work, thus greater formal control of minor incivilities is needed. We will review the theory behind ASB legislation, including an assessment of its strengths and weaknesses such as due process concerns and negative impacts upon the rights of juveniles. In addition, since ASB’s are often directed at younger individuals, we will survey college students to ascertain their feelings on the appropriateness/effectiveness of this type of legislation. Included within the student interviews will be an assessment of their feelings regarding “neighbors from hell”, an essential concern of ASB legislation. Policy implications will be discussed.

(A.4)“Intimacy, Sexuality and Early Stage Dementia: The Changing Marital Relationship”
Dr. Phyllis Braudy Harris, Sociology
When one’s marital partner receives a diagnosis of dementia, it has major ramifications for a couple. Such a diagnosis affects every aspect of marital life, including the most intimate areas. This qualitative study: 1) focuses on the perspectives of married couples, caregivers and their spouses in the early stage dementia, as they discuss their intimate relationships, 2) identifies how they cope with these changes to their marital relationship, and 3) develops evidenced-based recommendations for other couples and for their health care providers. Data were collected through 8 focus groups with people with early stage dementia and their spouses. From analysis of the data, two main themes emerged: 1) a typology of the changes, consisting of two overall types, and 2) recognition that positive changes could occur among the negative experiences. This research was funded in part by a John Carroll University Summer Research Fellowship.
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Session (B) PANEL: “Bringing Words to Life: Performance-Based Assessment” Moderator: Dr. Mary E. Weems, Education and Allied Studies
Presenters: Dr. Mary E. Weems; Jessica Driskell, Raynard Holmes, Irene Paparizos, Ashley Egson, Krystle Sky Rivera
This panel presents some of the results experienced by students challenged to do oral presentations as midterm assessments. Beginning with a brief overview of Weems’ imagination-intellect theory, which comprises the critical
framework for developing a student, question-driven performance model for
mid-term assessment, this panel of students will present their midterms.
Next, Weems will moderate a brief discussion of the process including critical
question development, creating the texts, and getting each performance
ready to share with the learning community within a 5-7 minute time period.
Students will also compare and contrast this experience with taking written
exams.
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Session (C) PANEL: "Asynchronous Teaching and Learning by Video -- It's not just for online courses"
Moderator: Dr. Mark Waner, Chemistry
Presenters: Dr. Barbara D'Ambrosia, Dr. Paul Lauritzen, Lisa Lewis, Dr. Michael Nichols, Dr. Jay Tarby
This panel will explore the ways in which faculty are utilizing video presentations as asynchronous teaching and learning tools for students taking courses across campus. Panelists will share what they have learned about using video presentations and supplements as part of their courses. Discussion will include a description of the content, technology tools used as well as the lessons they’ve learned about teaching and technology.
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Session (D) PANEL: "Student Involvement in Entrepreneurship Activities at JCU"
Moderator: Dr. John C. Soper, Economics & Finance
Presenters: TBA
Student Involvement in entrepreneurship learning cover a wide range of activities, starting with the student (or team of students) who wins the JCU preliminary round of the 2009 LaunchTown Entrepreneurship Award, to be determined on March 16. The winning team from JCU wins a cash prize of $1,000, plus the opportunity to advance to the Final Round at Baldwin-Wallace College. The winning JCU team will compete against seven other teams from regional institutions for the Grand Prize of $5,000 on April 2. A second presenter will come from the group of JCU students living in Entrepreneurs’ House. A third presenter will be one of the five JCU student participants in Entrepreneurship Immersion Week 2008, held at JCU last August. A forth student presenter will come from the JCU team of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). Finally, one student involved in CEO/The Reality Bridge, a new program for members of the Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Organization chapter at JCU. All student presenters will then form a panel to respond to questions from the audience.
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Session (E) Moderator: Dr. Mindy Peden, Political Science

(E.1)“Accounting and Culture in South Africa”
Marilyn Oboh, Undergraduate; Dr. Robert Kolesar, Honors Program
Many accounting transactions between countries are hindered because of the inability to gain access to foreign capital market due to the lack of uniformity in accounting standards. Although discussions have been going on concerning adopting one set of accounting standards, a major factor that will affect the convergence of different countries into one set of accounting standards is the culture of individual countries. As a result of colonization, countries in Africa did not develop their own accounting methods, but adopted the various accounting practices of their colonial leaders. Although South Africa, a British colony, adopted the accounting practices of Britain, accounting practices in South Africa are not tailor made to the adopted conceptual framework. This paper defines South Africa’s accounting culture by applying Hofstede’s cultural dimensions about individualism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity, and long-term orientation and Gray’s accounting values about professionalism, uniformity, conservatism, and secrecy.

(E.2) “Thomistic Anthropology and Contemporary Life Issues”
Todd Kooser, Undergraduate; Dr. Chad Engelland, Philosophy
The moral controversy regarding “life issues” such as abortion have become increasingly relevant in the current academic and political environment. Although the issue is most often treated in terms of religious freedom or political expediency, it is at heart a problem of moral philosophy, and as such can be subjected to a philosophical analysis. In most modern arguments, the issue is reduced to the perceived function of the developing person within society. Indeed, the status of the human person is reduced to his or her ability to function in society. This reductionistic tendency leaves the argument open to criticisms of being arbitrary or self-contradictory. The solution this paper proposes is a return to the classic anthropology developed by St. Thomas Aquinas, whereby a person is defined not by function but rather by ontology. This definition removes ambiguity regarding the status of a fetus as a human person.

(E.3) "Measuring Success: Discrimination and Foreclosure in the Northeast Ohio" James W. Rudyk Jr, Undergraduate; Dr. Liz Stiles, Political Science
Historically, race has been a significant marker in loan originations and denials in the United States, specifically urban communities. Currently, urban communities remain highly segregated based on race. Cleveland is currently one of the most segregated major cities in the United States. Given the history of segregation in Cleveland the current rise in foreclosures; I think it is worth reviewing the impact of race on lending. I examine loan originations, loan denials, and high cost loans in Cleveland and surrounding communities. Analyzing the importance of race and lending through a historical overview, a historical analysis, and a look at the current rise in foreclosures. Given my findings, I conclude that race is the strongest (not only) predictor of foreclosure in Cleveland and surrounding communities.
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Session (F) Moderator:

(F.1)"The Second Life Classroom at John Carroll University – Conduit and Content " Dr. Daniel Palmer, Mathematics and Computer Science
In the past year, I have introduced the virtual world Second Life into three different courses in three different contexts. I presented a unit to my CS 101 students on Second Life as an example of a virtual world. I taught an FYS class where we used Second Life as a space to explore social justice issues. Second Life’s programming a central topic in CS 301 Alternative Programming. In addition to connecting with students and bringing a level of excitement, Second Life also provided many practical benefits such as my being able to: have virtual office hours after 10 o’clock at night, hold class while I was away at a conference, give a quiz to a student who was snowed in, and interactively grade assignments while both the students and I were at home. This technology, just as the web did before it, will become an integral component of education.

(F.2)"Computer Science and service learning: Empowering nonprofit organizations through open source content management systems”
Dr. Linda Seiter, Mathematics and Computer Science
A new, civic-minded generation of students is enrolling in college. In order to combat decreasing enrollments, computer science programs must find ways of attracting this new generation. Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) provides an outstanding example of how individuals can collaborate to contribute to the greater good, and it provides a solid basis for integrating service learning into the computing curriculum. Content Management Systems (CMS) are the most popular type of free and open source software used in the nonprofit sector. Students can easily utilize open source CMS tools to build powerful web sites for organizations that provide community and humanitarian services. Such projects allow students to become involved with civic service and to fulfill their desire to contribute to their community. This talk will present the JOOMLA open source CMS and members of the audience will actively use JOOMLA to quickly prototype a dynamic web site.
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Session (G) Moderator: Dr. John Day, Academic Vice President

(G.1) "Regression Analysis: Testing the Determinants of GDP per Capita Growth Rates”
Zachary Walker, Undergraduate
Economic growth is important to improving standards of living and reducing poverty. Poverty remains one of the world’s most pressing issues. Economic growth is thus an important research area. This paper will examine possible determinants which account for variation in rates of economic growth. Specifically, a regression analysis will be used to test the statistical significance of education, political freedom, economic freedom, foreign direct investment and population growth on rates of economic growth. The results of the regression were not of statistical significance. This was possibly due to a dependent variable not fully representative of economic growth. So while this paper shows that higher amounts of education, political freedom, economic freedom, FDI, and lower population growth are associated with higher GDP per capita, the regression model is unable to explain to any level of significance variation in economic growth rates.

(G.2) “The Jewish Gospel According to Matthew”
Bridget Ludwa: Graduate Student; Dr. Sheila E. McGinn, Religious Studies
When any scholar studies the Gospel According to Matthew, it is vital to study the text in the Christian Jewish matrix in which it was written. The catastrophic event of the Temple destruction forced Jews to reexamine issues surrounding the function of their Temple, loss of their land, their relationship with God, and the rest of the world. However, this was not the first time in their history that Jews were faced with these conditions. When the Israelites endured the first Temple destruction and Babylonian Exile hundreds of years before the time of Jesus, the exile presented these same issues of Temple and land in relation to Jewish identity. When the Gospel According to Matthew, a Christian Jewish post-Temple text, is read in this Jewish exilic context, the writer’s agenda becomes clear - faith in Jesus replaces the Temple and Jerusalem and releases Jews from exile permanently.

(G.3) "Educating the Other: Children, Technology, and the Future”
Dr. David Shutkin, Education and Allied Studies
[T]he future is what is not grasped […] The other is the future. – E. Levinas, 1947
This essay is about the other; it is about middle school children involved in a project to integrate laptop computers into their schools. I explore a deeply held belief that children are the future. But I question whose future? Do young people participate in the creation of this future? Is it their future? The laptop initiative is an expression of the district’s commitment to a future that requires educated citizens for an interdependent and technologically advanced global society. Through narrative inquiry, I explore the involvement of students in the conceptualization, organization and implementation of this laptop project and therefore their involvement in the creation of their own future. Along the way, I explore issues that relate student voice, social networking, and cell phones to federal funding linked to the regulation of technology in schooling.
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Session (H) Moderator: Dr. Paul Murphy, History

(H.1) "The Revival of Platonsim in the Renaissance and the Palaelogan Culture of Byzantium
Adam Foley, Undergraduate
The argument of this paper is twofold. First, we cannot deny that there is a positive correlation between the changing social and political conditions of Quattrocento Italy with their corresponding intellectual expressions, and specifically to the two phases of Platonism. On the other hand however, if we only take into consideration the internal politics of the late medieval commune or early Republic to explain the first phase of Platonism, or if we only look to the internal politics of the Medici regime for that of the second, our story of the revival of Platonic studies in the renaissance will be starkly one sided. We must also take into consideration the dynamics of Byzantine Greek émigrés in the west, the international politics of and theology behind the union of the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches, as well as the rich tradition of Palaeologan culture and learning transmitted to the west via Byzantine émigrés seeking refuge from the Turks.

(H.2) "The Humanist Laura Cereta”
Sarah Narkin, Undergraduate
The great humanists of the Renaissance sought to understand human nature and capacity to reason. Individuals who contributed to this dialogue, such as Giovanni Pico della Mirandola and Baldassare Castiglione, greatly elevated the male-dominated society’s view of man, but rarely applied the same standards towards women. Women were greatly excluded from the humanist dialogue, often due to the greater emphasis that was placed on controlling their weak moral nature and sensuality over encouraging their mind. Yet the attempts of some women to challenge the norms of their society were courageous, and female humanist Laura Cereta stands out as an exemplary figure among them who demanded her voice to be heard in the ongoing dialogue regarding women’s nature, did not accept the limitations that had been set for her by her male-counterparts, and sought to break away from the gender stereotyped roles of women to create a new, empowered definition of self and a new identity for all women.

(H.3) "Petrarchan Self-Fashioning"
Matt Weiss, Undergraduate
Contrary to the popular belief, the Renaissance was not a utopia of art and
social change as it is so often portrayed. Instead the Renaissance was a time of
great turmoil and social upheaval plagued by diseases, wars, governmental coups and religious controversies. These disasters changed how individuals 'defined' themselves whether it be through a social institution or their own
investigation of the self. Stephen Greenblatt's idea of 'Renaissance self-fashioning' has been applied to numerous cases within this period, but perhaps the changing ways of how individuals defined themselves is no better illustrated than by the acclaimed Father of the Renaissance, Francesco Petrarca.
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Session (I) PANEL: Communications Research
Moderator: Dr. Jackie Schmidt

(I.1)“Ratings and The Late Night Show with David Letterman”
Erin Borger, Undergraduate
The paper is a business analysis that examines several different aspects of the Nielsen Ratings and how they affect the production of The Late Show with David Letterman. The paper uncovers how the three departments that make up Worldwide Pants Inc. are affected by the ratings, as well as what changes and decisions are made as a result of the ratings.

(I.2) “Target Marketing: How Well Do Marketers Advertise to Different Sexes, Ages, and Ethnicities”
Sarah Levicky, Undergraduate
This study analyzed advertisements from five different credit card companies (American Express, Chase, Citi, MasterCard, and Visa. A total of 128 people were surveyed and were asked of the five advertisements which was their favorite, why, what they would change about it and to whom it was targeted. The same questions were asked of their least favorite.
Results discuss differences based on sex, age, ethnicity, and intended target audience.

(I.3) “Interviewing Styles of Diane Sawyer”
Caitlin Overdorf, Undergraduate
This paper analyzes if there is a difference in the interview style that Diane Sawyer uses when interviewing for a morning talk show, Good Morning America, compared to a prime time show such as 60 Minutes or PrimeTime Live. Interviewer questioning, nonverbal style, and approaches will be discussed

(I.4) “Women in Sports Media”
Kristin Rudman, Undergraduate
This study uses personal interviews and surveys to assess attitudes about the role of women in the sports media, both broadcast and print. Topics addressed are obstacles encountered, opportunities for women, perception of changes in the role of women in sports media, and motivation for women to enter the sports media.

(I.5) “Examining Women’s Interviewing Skills Based on the Gender of Their Subjects”
Kate McCall, Undergraduate
Two experienced female reporters, one from a large newspaper and one from smaller, local paper were interviewed. The paper examines issues of facing female reporters based on gender such as ease of access, difficult situations, reactions to a female reporter, and interviewing styles.
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Session (J) PANEL: “Emerging Views on Career Development in Childhood”
Moderator: Dr. Nancy Taylor, Education & Allied Studies
Presenters: Nicole Ebner, Megan Goldfarb, Marisa Luli, Graduate Students in Community Counseling
A review of the recent, fragmented literature spotlights the need to become more intentional in integrating research and practice in children’s career development. Three panelists will provide the framework for stimulating curiosity in childhood in relation to promoting a healthy self-concept. The aim is to prevent premature foreclosure on career exploration in adolescence. In contrast, teens are encouraged to expand their possibilities. There are specific implications for removing external barriers created by factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Finally, a discussant will offer implications for further research and describe one specific model that invites children to get “all aboard the train to success.”
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Session (K) PANEL: “CHAMPS Program Evaluation: Community-based Research”
Moderator: Dr. Penny Harris, Sociology
Presenters: Max Cotton, Katie Durante, Erin Kelley, Jillian Kaltenbach, Dan Pirchner, Theresa Prabucki, Jimmy Rudyk , Mallorie Hennessey, Alyson Werner, Brittany Fako, Ashley Bikach, Maricela Almendarez, Billy Mather, Natalie Terry, Jeanie Muellner, Peter Rembusch, Jessica Bader, Laura Heid, Undergraduates

In Fall 2008, Dr. Harris’ “Poverty and Welfare in the U.S.” course conducted an evaluation of the CHAMPS Program for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District. CHAMPS (Character, Honor, Achievement, Motivation, and Partnership = Success) is an after school enrichment program with a strong focus on academics for elementary and middle school children. The evaluation was conducted by student research teams on five CHAMPS programs across the district. The evaluation involved 66 individual qualitative interviews conducted on three participant groups (children, parents, teachers/counselors/administrators) which had experience with CHAMPS. The qualitative findings were then analyzed by common themes and presented in such a way as to offer a broad overview of the program’s success as well as recommendations. Overall, it was concluded that CHAMPS has had a significant impact in improving the academics and social skills of “at risk children” who have attended the program and no major changes were recommended.
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Session (L) Moderator: Dr. Brendan Foreman, Education & Allied Studies

(L.1)“A Marxist Analysis of the Prison-Industrial Complex”
Katie Durante, Undergraduate; Dr. Wendy Wiedenhoft, Sociology
There are currently over 2 million people incarcerated in the United States, making up approximately more than 20% of all of the world’s prisoners. More than 60% of prisoners in the US are racial or ethnic minorities and women serve as the fastest growing group to be incarcerated. The terminology Prison-Industrial Complex refers to special interest groups that have come to rise over the past several decades and can be seen as trying to profit by expanding and privatizing prisons and working with corporations and government. The intent of these groups is arguably not to rehabilitate prisoners or reduce crime rates. This paper presents a Marxist analysis on the different groups that often fall victim to the Prison-Industrial Complex and the power elite who is likely to benefit from their incarceration.

(L.2)“Speak Easy: Freedom of Expression According to John Stuart Mill and the Jesuit Catholic University”
Margaret Phillips, Undergraduate; Dr. Earl Spurgin, Professor, Philosophy
This essay examines John Stuart Mill’s conceptions of freedom of expression and whether such expression can be applied to a Jesuit Catholic university, such as John Carroll University. In examining freedom of expression, the essay addresses the problem of hate speech and the difficulty of assessing genuine harm as opposed to mere offense. The essay suggests that the differences between the expression of ideas and the disrespectful expression of ideas can help in determining what speech should be regulated by the university. Ultimately, the essay proposes that freedom of expression is compatible with the theoretical conceptions of Jesuit and Catholic education, as well as the mission, vision and values of the Jesuit Catholic universities. Therefore, John Carroll University, in keeping with its commitment to freedom of inquiry, can and should allow for greater freedom of expression through the events, speakers and groups that it allows on campus.

(L.3) “Academic Motivators: The Influence of Self-efficacy, Identification with Academics, and Emotion on Urban, Alternative High School Students”
Danielle A. Goldstein, Graduate Student, Community Counseling
Dr. John L. Rausch, Education and Allied Studies
The relationship between self-efficacy, identification with academics, motivation, emotion, and academic outcomes was investigated with urban, alternative high school students. The results showed that self-efficacy and identification with academics produced significantly positive correlations with intrinsic motivation and academic outcomes. Significantly negative correlations were found between self-efficacy and identification with academics with depression; public self-consciousness; and depression, anxiety, and hostility when taking exams. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated significant predictors between emotion and self-efficacy; motivation and emotion with meaningful processing; meaningful processing with academic outcomes; and direct predictions between motivation and academic outcomes. The relationship of self-efficacy and identification with academics with motivation and academic outcomes was similar to what has been found in more general school populations. This study adds to the motivation and education literature by utilizing a new population of alternative high school students and the new variable concerning the impact of emotion.
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Session (M) PANEL: “ Packaging Japanese Popular Culture”
Moderator: Dr. Susan Long, Sociology, East Asian Studies

(M.1) “Japanese Popular Music: 'Authentic' Reflections of an American College Student”
Patrick Santilli, Graduate Student
Japan and America have been in close ties culturally since the Meiji restoration in 1868. During this period, Western culture made a big impact on the Japanese culture. Music is still a big part in the media and is seen everywhere. I went to Japan in May of 2008 to research the music scene, and to see how much of an impact American music has on the music scene in Japan. I saw many street bands varying from many different musical genres. My research was staged in two parts; several musical genres and their images in Japanese society, and field research on Japanese music. The intent of the field research was to see if America has as much as an impact on the music scene as it seems, also to see if the dilemma of authenticity in Japanese music is really important. Both stages of the research led to positive results and a better understanding of music in Japan.

(M.2) “The Cultural Transformation of the Japanese Tea Ceremony”
Elizabeth Radgowski, Undergraduate; Keiko Nakano, Classical & Modern Language & Cultures
The traditions of the Japanese tea ceremony, chanoyu, have transitioned from monasteries to homes, from Buddhist monks to modern day women. The main focus of this paper is on how women have influenced the way the tea ceremony is practiced and performed, highlighting women’s empowerment and independence in a male dominated society. I researched the way the ceremony has been transformed throughout the centuries with academic articles, scholarly books, and a personal memoir from a Japanese woman. In the Spring of 2008 I traveled with the East Asian study tour and gained first-hand experience by participating in two tea ceremonies. I was also able to observe and interviewed two people at the Urasenke headquarters in Kyoto. I conclude that women have been able to transcend traditional Japanese gender roles though their mastery of and participation in an art form that was once dominated by men.

(M.3) “The Draw to Japanese Video Game Art”
Christina Martin, Undergraduate Student
Japanese videogames are an integral part of Japanese popular culture. This paper explores art as a contributing factor to their popularity. Videogame art is defined as game graphics and any other form of art associated with videogames. Research was completed to determine how Japanese videogame art has evolved over time, and which styles of art influence it. Further research was conducted in Japan through general observation and visits to the Toei Animation Studio and to the Konami Computer Entertainment School in Tokyo. Japanese videogame art shares a historical connection to anime (Japanese animation) and it currently reflects several different styles of art including anime and manga (Japanese comics), traditional Japanese art styles, realistic imagery and even Western styles of animation. Due to the variety within Japanese videogame art, Japanese citizens of all ages enjoy some aspect of it, and this enjoyment has facilitated the continual popularity of videogames in Japan.

(M.4) “Made in Japan, Made for the World”
Alex Millar, Undergraduate
Japan is synonymous with video games throughout the world. However, to what extent are Japanese video games an extension of Japanese popular culture? Japanese popular culture is clearly divided into two distinct types of production in Japan, between the uchi (Japan/made for Japan) and the soto (outside-the rest of the world/made in Japan but Made for the world to reflect a false Japanese Culture). I have researched this phenomenon in Japan, and concluded that Japan does in fact still hold to the two production methods; however it is having adverse effects on the gaming culture, production, economy and popular culture within Japan.
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Session (N) PANEL: “Project W.I.S.E. – Working in Informal Science Education”
Moderator: Dr. Greg DiLisi, Education & Allied Studies

Presenters: Nicole Bianco, Caroline Clarke, Kelly Cooper, Rebecca Jennings, Jennifer Krauss, Brynn McNicholas, and Lianne Torok, Undergraduates
We describe the design and implementation of our Project W.I.S.E. partnership, a multi-institutional collaboration that assembles interdisciplinary teams of high school students charged with developing S.T.E.M.-focused* community youth-programs. Our goal is to promote young women’s interest in S.T.E.M. through an early, positive exposure to informal science education at Cleveland’s International Women’s Air and Space Museum. The project serves as a model of how high schools can collaborate with universities and informal learning centers to build strong, successful youth-program partnerships that serve the local community. Our project is innovative in its youth-development strategies, the targeting plan for diverse audiences, and the focus on women’s contributions to aviation and space flight. The project also gives high school students rare but powerful opportunities to contribute directly to the quality of life in their community and to work in multi-disciplinary, multi-generational teams.
*S.T.E.M. = Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
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Session (O) Moderator: Luigi Ferri, Classical & Modern Languages & Culture

(O.1)"September 11 and the American Literary Response"
Garth Sabo, Undergraduate; Dr. Peter Kvidera, English
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, irreparably colored the identity of modern America. The nation, stunned in communal grief, struggled in the aftermath to find a way to adequately express the gravity of the events. In the months and years that followed, a literary tradition has developed that greatly subverts many primary functions of postmodern writing to create what can be seen as a new, post 9/11 genre of American writing. The texts developed in this vein convey a powerful sense of disconnect from traditional nodes of expression and tend very strongly towards abstract, and at times non-literary, vehicles for meaning. This paper will seek to delineate the dominant shared characteristics of writers operating under the shadow of the attacks, and will argue that the World Trade Center collapse ushered in a new era of American postmodernism
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(O.2): "Bishop John Carroll's Eulogy for President George Washington"
Dr. Charles Zarobila, Grasselli Library
When President George Washington died, Bishop John Carroll
delivered a eulogy on him in February of 1800. This presentation
will be a rhetorical analysis of Carroll’s eulogy of Washington. It
will also compare Carroll’s oration with other contemporary eulogies
of Washington. Finally, it will compare Carroll’s view of Washington’s
character with historical and contemporary views of Washington
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Session (P) Moderator: Dr. James Martin, Boler School of Business

(P.1) "The Learning Organization Concept as a Framework for Organizational Improvement"
Dr. Michele Scott Taylor, Administrator, Enrollment Services
This paper highlights a qualitative research study in higher education management and on student affairs divisions in particular. The purpose of the study was to develop a conceptual framework for pursuing organizational improvement in student affairs divisions toward the distal goal of improving student learning and engagement outcomes. In doing so, the author re-appropriates the concept of a “Learning Organization,” and uses it as the foundation upon which to develop the conceptual framework. An extensive literature analysis and semi-structured interviews using a modified Delphi process were the primary data collection methods. Results indicated that student affairs divisions face at least four major challenges: developing a professional identity, aligning diverging interests, understanding the changing student culture, and developing a global perspective for practice. Effectively addressing these challenges, while supporting a culture of risk-taking and learning, was reported as an indicator of a high quality student affairs organization. Implications for practitioners and scholars are provided.

(P.2) Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dr. Denise Ben-Porath, Psychology
The goal of the current project is to write a conceptual paper that would adapt the relevant components of the dialectical behavior therapy model, (e.g., emotion regulation skills, mindfulness skills, interpersonal effectiveness skills, and distress tolerance skills) that could then be taught to parents to assist them in better managing their anger and frustration
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Session (Q) PANEL: "The Sociological Perspective: Different Lenses for our World"
Moderator: Dr. Richard Clark, Sociology

The sociological perspective offers an opportunity to look at our world through multiple lenses, each of which offers a different perspective on society. This panel will offer four different perspectives of the world.
Presenters:
(Q.1) Samantha Cocco, Undergraduate: "Existing Social Stigmatization of Bipolar Disorder"
(Q.2) Stephanie Showalter, Undergraduate: "Violence in Jamaica"
(Q.3) Julie Myers, Undergraduate: "The Rastafarian Religion in Jamaica"
(Q.4) Jessica Shephard, Undergraduate: "U.S. Secret Service Internship"
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Session (R) Moderator: Dr. Pam Mason, Political Science

(R.1)"Global Innovation: China and India"
Stephanie Besser, Graduate Student
In the world of business, globalization has become the key to successful international companies. In previous decades, the powerful countries of Western Europe, the United States, and Japan have been the leaders of globalization and innovation. However, developing countries, such as China and India, will be uniting with these powerful countries in the next few decades as the ambassadors of global innovation. Both countries have begun to foster their innovation through joint-ventures with foreign multi-national companies. For instance, as China excels in innovation through the manufacturing sector, India is leading the way in technology and other service fields. This paper will focus on the developmental stages of innovation, as well as the advantages and challenges both countries face in competing with the Japan, the United States, and Western European countries. In addition, the paper will also focus on cultural, economic, and political factors affecting global innovation in China and India.

(R.2) "The Economics and Politics of Royal Commemoration in Renaissance Florence"
Dr. Linda Koch, Art History
The burial chapel of the Cardinal of Portugal (1460-68) at the church of San
Miniato al Monte in Florence is extraordinary among funerary monuments in
the Renaissance city. Not only is it unique in housing the tomb of a
Portuguese royal prince, it also incorporates several unusual visual
features that have not been adequately understood. This paper analyzes the
significance of the painting of the Annunciation, the large gilded lily, and
the throne on the west wall as reflections of the economic and political
interests of the Florentines and the cardinal's royal relatives.

(R.3) THE POLITICAL ROLE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN GUATEMALA
Ann M. Schaeffing, Undergraduate
Guatemala has not yet experienced a successful grassroots indigenous or nationalist revolution as has occurred in other Latin American states, including Bolivia as an example of the former and Nicaragua as an example of the latter. After a forty-year civil war, Guatemala still exists under neo-colonial rule with the indigenous people living in a politically and economically subordinate position within the society. Demographically Guatemala appears to be similar to Bolivia, yet unlike in Bolivia, Guatemala has not demonstrated features of a successful indigenous-based revolution or construction of an indigenous-based national identity. My thesis will identify the key features and explain the failures hitherto of efforts to organize for either a nationalist or indigenous revolution in Guatemala, specifically focusing upon socio-economic factors.
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Session (S) Moderator: Dr. Zeki Saritoprak, Religious Studies

(S.1) "A Qualitative Perspective of Outreach Ministry from the Eyes of African American Women in Christian Ministries"
Melanie Faithwalker, Graduate Student, Community Counseling
We will learn from the stories of African American women in leadership positions of outreach ministry that are involved in inner city Cleveland ministry teams, churches and also some women involved in outreach ministries in other states through interviews. What will be the main focus of discussions are the obstacles, plights, tradition, cultural boundaries, and fight to help the poor through ministerial outreach programs here in inner city Cleveland and abroad. The true subjective report of women Ministers, Pastors, Bishops, and Deacons of Christian faith will be revealed. The reality of an African American female leader in Outreach Ministries in impoverished areas is told through face – to – face interviews.


(S.2) "Laws Restricting Feeding the Homeless: Implications for Labre Ministry"
Mr. James Menkhaus, Religious Studies
In the past five years numerous large cities in the United States have created or implemented new laws restricting groups from feeding the homeless. Citing reasons ranging from health and safety to cleanliness, these laws have become an obstruction to those who feel called to serve the homeless by providing them food. This presentation will examine the implementation of these laws in a few cities and will then use Cleveland and the Labre program at John Carroll as a case study to see how these laws have affected their ministry. As a Jesuit institution that forms “men and women for others” and impresses upon its students the importance of service, what is the appropriate course of action?
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Session (T) Moderator: Dr. Malia McAndrew, History

(T.1) "Listening to the Voices of the Poor: Recommendations to Reduce Poverty"
Jillian Kaltenbach, Undergraduate
This qualitative research project seeks to gain an understanding of the strategies people who are poor would recommend to relieve poverty. Much of the research on anti-poverty strategies does not include opinions of people who are experiencing extreme economic hardship. Data were collected through eight face-to-face interviews with adults currently experiencing economic hardship who live in the Mt. Pleasant area of Cleveland. A content analysis was completed based on common themes that emerge from the interviews related to anti-poverty strategies and their perceived effectiveness. The information taken from the interviews was then compared to the research already available on experts’ opinions about anti-poverty strategies.

(T.2): "The Effect of Conflict on social Identification and Tolerance"
Dina Baky, Undergraduate
In the study of conflict and its resolution, it is important to consider the effect on individuals, particularly in regards to issues dealing with identity and tolerance. The social psychological theories, Realistic Conflict theory, Social identity theory, and Terror Management theory suggest that presence of conflict may lead to increased identification with one's in-groups and increased intolerance towards out groups. This idea has been supported in the literature, but has not been applied on a worldwide scale. In this study, aggregate country data from the Global data set was used to look at the correlation between the existence of conflict in a nation and the identity and tolerance of its citizens. It was predicted that those in countries face in conflict would display higher identification with their religion and nation and a higher perceived dichotomy between good and evil. It was also predicted that members of nations with conflict would display increased intolerance to outgroups within the nation. Results supported an increased identification with ingroups and an increased perceived dichotomy between good and evil. Results did not conclusively support increased intolerance but did display some evidence towards this, pointing to issues for further study.

(T.3) "Environmental Factors of Domestic Violence" Intimate Partner
Megan Greene Undergraduate
Violence is the leading cause of physical assault against women. Because IPV is a result of environmental factors and not genetics, in order to find a way to effectively reduce and end this epidemic research must be done to find which of these environmental factors are most specifically responsible. Through testing, this report attempts to prove that three major factors of IPV are growing up in abusive households, education, and military service.

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