College of Arts and Sciences
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Item 1980 : Reagan, Carter, and the politics of religion in America.(2010-02-02T19:54:55Z) Hogue, Andrew P.; Medhurst, Martin J.; Political Science.; Baylor University. Dept. of Political Science.This dissertation examines the political uses of religion in the 1980 presidential election, doing so within the broader context of how and why those uses emerged, as well as how they functioned to usher in a new era, setting the parameters for future presidential candidates' uses of religion in presidential elections. I go about this by first examining several streams that converged in 1980, among them: the expansion of the American conservative movement upon its inclusion of religious conservatism as a major concern; the various historical factors that led to the engagement of religious conservatives in American politics; the surfacing of religious rhetoric in presidential politics during the 1976 election; and the disappointment experienced by religious conservatives during the Carter presidency. I then closely examine of the candidacies of Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and John B. Anderson in 1980, showing the ways in which these candidates constructed lasting discourses of political religion and signaled the emergence of a new religious era in presidential politics. Finally, I observe the legacy of the 1980 presidential election, offering lessons from it to inform what appears to be the present dawn of a new religious era in American politics.Item A 2007 aircraft-based study of plumes from biomass burning origin from Mexico and Central America advected over south Texas and the western Gulf of Mexico.(2009-06-10T12:57:33Z) Alvarez, Sergio L.; Shauck, Maxwell Eustace.; Air Science.; Baylor University. Institute for Air Science.Biomass burning is the burning of living and dead vegetation which includes grasslands, forests, and agricultural lands (Levin, 1998). It is a global phenomenon and serves a multitude of purposes such as clearing of forests and brushland for agricultural use; control of weeds; production of charcoal; and energy production for cooking and heating (Crutzen and Andreae, 1990). The Baylor Institute for Air Science (BIAS) equipped an aircraft to measure trace gases and aerosols during two science flights in the south Texas region. One science flight was flown to collect "background" continental and marine layer air data and the other to collect data in biomass-burning smoke plumes from Mexico and Central American countries. Measurements were taken in the geographic region along the US-Mexico Border and adjacent area over the western Gulf of Mexico. Results of this study indicate that individual smoke plumes may occur episodically over the Texas border region to Mexico under prevailing southeasterly wind directions. The origin of these plumes may be diverse ranging from individual local fire emissions to medium range transport of biomass burning.Item “A beautiful, strong friendship to bless them both” : cross-gender friendship in The Woman in White and Little Women.(2022-04-19) Flint, Justice, 1995-; Pond, Kristen A.The marriage plot is intimately connected to the form of the nineteenth century novel, both giving shape to and being shaped by it. Its dominance, however, often precludes the representation of other crucial relationships in fiction, especially cross-gender friendships. Scholarly attention to heterosocial relationships in the Victorian novel has often been eclipsed not only by studies of the marriage plot but by attention to same-gender friendships in this literary period. In this thesis, I examine two notable cross-gender friendships in nineteenth century fiction, namely, that of Walter Hartright and Marian Halcombe in Wilkie Collins’s The Woman in White (1859), and that of Josephine “Jo” March and Theodore “Laurie” Laurence in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women (1868). I highlight the ways in which these depictions demonstrate both the unique challenges and unique benefits of cross-gender friendship and consider the insights that these works offer for broader reflection on cross-gender friendship and on its representation in literature, as well as on the intriguing connections between narratives of friendship and our reading relationships to—and expectations of—the novel.Item A beta regression approach to nonparametric longitudinal data classification in clinical trials.(2022-04-07) Hernandez, Roberto Sergio, 1995-; Tubbs, Jack Dale.Classification is an important topic in statistical analysis. For example, in applications involving clinical trials, an often seen objective is to determine whether or not novel medicines and treatments differ from existing standards of care. There are numerous methods and approaches in the literature for this problem when the endpoint of interest is normally distributed or can be approximated by an asymptotic Normal distribution, yet, the approaches when using a non-normally distributed endpoint are limited. This is especially true when these endpoints are correlated across time. In this dissertation, we investigated several techniques for use with longitudinal, repeated measures data where there is a special interest in adapting some recent results found in the literature on Beta regression. The proposed methods provided a nonparametric, with regard to the design endpoint, model that can be used in the repeated measures problem.Item A bigger piece of the federal pie : politics and crime in the United States.(May 2023) McGourty, Meagan L., 1999-; Mencken, Frederick Carson, 1964-In the United States, the fear of crime has risen to an unprecedented level - higher than that of 1994; a time when violent crime reached a peak. However, with recent data, scholars can begin to understand where this fear disseminates from and how it can be curbed. Using the General Social Survey (GSS), I find significant values regarding various demographics and their fear of crime, particularly related to race and political affiliation. My research methods consist of secondary survey analysis, utilizing regression analysis and interaction effects within regression. My findings outline an established concept in other literature; that minorities and Republicans have a greater fear of crime than Whites and Democrats. However, I also find that Black Republicans are among those who feel the United States should spend less, indicating a lesser fear of crime. These findings contribute to the literature involving fear of crime, as well as introduce new speculations regarding who is necessarily more afraid.Item A brief seizure prior to learning selectively impairs hippocampal learning and memory and is associated with alterations in PI3K/Akt/mTOR and FMRP signaling.(2018-06-11) Holley, Andrew Jacob, 1990-; Lugo, Joaquin N.Studies utilizing rodent models of acute seizures have indicated that a single brief seizure impairs retention of spatial and contextual memory. However, the timespan for which a solitary seizure can impact memory or which kinds of memory it can hinder are obscure. Additionally, evidence for a mechanism underlying seizure-induced memory impairment is lacking. Addressing the first question, we induced a seizure and then trained mice in trace fear conditioning, novel object recognition, or the accelerating rotarod and later examined memory at various time points following the seizure. We also examined activity levels and anxiety-like behavior in the open field and elevated plus maze (EPM). We investigated a potential mechanism using western blot analysis to assess PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling at time points correlated with the memory tests. We also stained brain tissue taken at 24 hours and one week using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to examine for gross damage after a seizure. In the open field, we found a reduction in locomotion 24 hours, but not one week after a seizure. Anxiety-like behavior in the EPM was unchanged. Hippocampal trace fear memory was impaired at 24 hours and one week in mice that experienced a seizure one hour prior to training. Moreover, the level of impairment was more prominent during the one week test. In contrast, non-hippocampal learning and memory was unaffected in the NOR and rotarod tasks. Western analysis revealed increased hippocampal phospho-S6 and total FMRP one hour after a seizure. H&E stained tissue revealed no indication of cellular damage or gross lesions. Together our data indicates that a brief seizure selectively impairs hippocampal learning and memory, while sparing non-hippocampal learning and memory. Increased PI3K/Akt/mTOR and altered FMRP signaling one hour after a seizure suggests that changes to de novo protein synthesis necessary for memory consolidation underlie the memory impairments we observed. The lack of overt damage and transient changes in molecular signaling in the current study in comparison to studies using chronic and multiple seizure models suggests a different mechanism underlies memory impairment associated with brief seizure activity.Item A cognitive poetic exploration of Elena Poniatowska’s La noche de Tlatelolco.(2021-05-04) Boyd, Megan Michelle, 1996-; McNair, Alexander J.This study of Elena Poniatowska’s La noche de Tlateloco is based on a cognitive poetic approach to explore readers’ perceptions of the work. It affirms both the historical veracity and literary ingenuity of the text by highlighting literary elements and asserting that they strengthen rather than weaken readers’ historical understanding of the censured collective trauma. This study applies theories of readers’ literary perceptions to investigate the work as a sensorially immersive experience. It analyzes the emotional atmospheres in “Ganar la calle” and “La noche de Tlatelolco” by highlighting cognitive qualities of emotions within the text. It then postulates that the creative presentation of La noche draws readers’ attention to historical silences and immerses them into parts of the past often overlooked by conventional historiography.Item A comparison between an inventive present perfect and the preterite.(2020-04-08) Booth, Olivia C., 1996-; McManness, Linda M.Based on research evidence proving the evolution and expansion of uses of the present perfect tense, a comparison between the preterite and the present perfect should be acknowledged and instructed in the Spanish language classroom. Though they are taught separately, the present perfect and the preterite tenses overlap with regard to their functions and characteristics. Such an overlap confirms the value of an established comparison in the Spanish language classroom. The present study first provides an objective description of the uses of both the present perfect and the preterite tenses. Second, research investigations focused on the present perfect uses in Spain, Latin America, and Mexico will prove the inventiveness of present perfect uses. Finally, data collected from local news articles in the regions of Spain, Latin America, and Mexico are used to present the varying percentages of the present perfect versus preterite usage.Item A comprehensive understanding of racial attitudes for Muslims among whites.(2020-07-10) Li, Ruiqian, 1990-; Andersson, Matthew.; Froese, Paul.How do white racial attitudes shape anti-Muslim opinion in a racially diversifying American society where many whites are anxious about their race’s self-interest? Using ANES 2016, this study examines if the white anxiety informs anti-Muslim opinion independently to ethnocultural prejudice. Based on different statistical methodologies, findings illustrate that white anxiety independently predicts anti-Muslim sentiment, yet a lack of white anxiety does not result in warmness or even acceptance of Muslims. However, both pro- and anti-Muslim attitudes are significantly predicted by ethnocultural prejudice. It indicates that many whites do not need to embrace that whites are ethnoculturally superior to Muslims: they can also perceive Muslims as threat to the group self-interest. Last, this study implies that social scientists should adopt a new theoretical paradigm to understand interracial relationships between white Americans and non-white immigrants in the contemporary America.Item A critical analysis of neorealism and writing the screenplay, Mid-Sized City (Waco).(2021-04-30) Pasma, Blaine R., 1996-; Kendrick, James, 1974-; Hansen, Christopher J.This thesis outlines both the historical and theoretical background to Italian neorealism and its influences specifically in global cinema and modern American independent cinema. It will also consist of a screenplay for a short film inspired by neorealist practices. Following this, a detailed script analysis will examine a variety of cinematic devices used and will be cross-examined with the research done before. The thesis will also include personal and professional goals.Item A critical biography of Bernard Ramm: an exemplar of the development of a neo-evangelical-Baptist identity in the American Baptist Convention.(2017-07-06) Kim, Andrew Jean Suk, 1971-; Weaver, C. Douglas.Bernard Ramm (1916-1992) was an American Baptist (ABC-USA) theologian who lived during the heart of the twentieth century. His embrace of the neo-evangelical movement, which arose during the 1940s, led to the development of a unique neo-evangelical-Baptist identity. Through his own theological journey and crises, Ramm was instrumental in helping American Protestants break free of the confining theological commitments of militant and isolationist fundamentalism so that Christians would be able once again to re-engage with the culture and grow theologically. This dissertation outlines a history of the American Baptist denomination as well as American Protestant Fundamentalism in order to set a context for the rise of the neo-evangelical movement and Ramm’s place within it. The dissertation then offers a detailed biography of Ramm’s life and the reasons behind his departure away from fundamentalism and toward neo-evangelicalism. Ramm’s theological journey is particularly highlighted through his work on the rapprochement of science and Christianity, as well as through his professional and personal relationships and subsequent writings. Ramm’s place in Christian history is critical as one who helped to validate the neo-evangelical movement as well as the interplay between science and faith in order to help reclaim evangelical identity and history.Item A different kind of evangelical : an examination of the political diversity that exists within evangelical Protestantism.(May 2023) DeDeyne, Jesse Lee, 1981-; Dougherty, Kevin D.While anecdotally people understand that not all evangelicals are white, Republican, conservatives who only vote for Republicans little research has been done to support these anecdotes. In this dissertation, I analyze nationally representative samples of adults in the United States in order to: 1) describe the cross-pressures that people face when their political identity is not in line with the majority of political identities in their religious tradition; 2) examine how different groups of evangelicals, based on party identification and political ideology, report the most important problem facing the United States today; and 3) uncover diversity that exists within evangelicalism using their policy preferences (operational ideology) and not just their self-reported political ideology (symbolic ideology). The results from these analyses will allow researchers to better understand that diversity of thought exists within evangelicalism, and it will help add complexity and diversity to the study of evangelicals.Item A director's approach to Dancing at Lughnasa.(2017-03-21) Breeden, Heidi, 1983-; Castleberry, Marion.This thesis details the production process for Baylor Theatre’s mainstage production of Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel, directed by Heidi Breeden, in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts in Directing. Dancing at Lughnasa is a somewhat autobiographical memory play, featuring strong roles for women and requiring advanced acting skills. This thesis first investigates the life and works of Brian Friel, then offers a director’s analysis of the text, documents the director’s process for the production, and finally offers a reflection on the strengths and opportunities for improvement for the director’s future work.Item A director's approach to Helen Edmundson's Anna Karenina.(2018-04-09) Horowitz, Joshua R., 1991-; Toten Beard, Deanna M., 1969-Helen Edmundson’s adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is an engaging yet complicated script that presents a challenge to directors and designers alike. The play breaks down the eight hundred-page novel into an evening’s entertainment and forces the two main characters to encounter one another and together relive their stories. This thesis is a documentation of the director’s process in approaching, conceptualizing, analyzing, and staging Edmondson’s script at Baylor University in February of 2018. This thesis explores the difficulties in adapting a literary classic like Anna Karenina for the stage and relates specific adaptation choices to the theatrical style of the play.Item A director's approach to Ken Ludwig's Moon over Buffalo.(2016-07-05) Hoenshell, Nick R., 1986-; Toten Beard, Deanna M., 1969-Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo is a comedy that presents its audience with a unique theatrical experience. While attempting to follow the dramatic structure of certain classical comedies, the thematic plot of Ludwig’s play is largely interrupted by farce. This thesis examines the directorial process of approaching and producing Moon Over Buffalo, with a consideration to the playwright, production history, critical response, conceptual approach, and the process of working with designers and actors to bring the play to a performance run at Baylor University. This thesis also provides a special exploration into the nature and historical development of the genre as a legitimate theatrical art form.Item A director's approach to Sam Shepard's True West.(2015-07-14) Yoho, Rob E., 1987-; Jortner, David, 1971-Sam Shepard’s True West is a black comedy that tells the story of Austin and Lee, two brothers leading vastly different lives who meet unexpectedly at their mother’s home in suburban Los Angeles, and through a series of increasingly surreal events, attempt to assume the identity of the other. This thesis surveys and critiques the research and practical phases of Baylor University’s May, 2015 mainstage production of this play. Chapter One examines the life and works of Sam Shepard with special attention given to True West’s critical legacy and major productions. Chapter Two analyzes Shepard’s play and applies relevant critical theory to his text. Chapters Three and Four chronicle the application of this analysis and theory to directing the play and collaborating with actors and designers. Finally, Chapter Five assesses the production’s strengths and weaknesses.Item A director’s approach to A Monster Calls.(May 2023) Curto, Chelsea, 1990-; Jortner, David, 1971-This thesis documents and analyzes the directorial approach to the process and product of A Monster Calls, produced at Baylor University at the beginning of December 2022. This piece charts the conception of the adaptation of A Monster Calls from idea to novel to stage production and engages ecocritical theory as a lens through which to analyze the script and develop a directorial concept for the Baylor production. The thesis also charts the development, design, and rehearsal process of staging the Baylor production, emphasizing the director’s effort to facilitate a communal and collaborative artistic process. The thesis ends with an analysis of the reception of the process and product of the work and an autoethnographic reflection of the director’s role in bringing the piece to life.Item A director’s approach to Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville : a Sherlock Holmes mystery.(2021-08-05) Vermeulen-Wise, Edward E., 1977-; Jortner, David, 1971-This thesis documents the production process and the directorial approach to Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery performed at Baylor University in the spring of 2021. The work explores Ken Ludwig’s biography, how his writings are inspired by the comedies in the Great Tradition, and an analysis of the play. As subgenre of comedy, mysteries share many of the same qualities as comedies in the Great Tradition. Ludwig’s adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles shares a pedigree with the greatest mysteries ever written, wrapped in a comic guise influenced by the works of Shakespeare, Sheridan, and Goldsmith. Additionally, this thesis explores the challenges that arose in the design and rehearsals processes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Item A director’s approach to the new Gershwin musical Crazy for You.(2018-03-08) Brown, Aaron Matthew, 1987-; Jortner, David, 1971-In 1992, The “new” Gershwin musical Crazy for You premiered on Broadway to rave reviews. The musical production, adapted from the 1930 Gershwin musical Girl Crazy, featured a new book by Ken Ludwig, choreography by Susan Stroman, and a score compiled from the music catalog of George and Ira Gershwin. The tap-dancing comedy adapts and invokes the conventions of classic musical theatre. This thesis documents the production process and the directorial approach to Crazy for You performed at Baylor University in the fall of 2017.Item A duty to participate : a dramaturg’s approach to Twelve Angry Jurors.(May 2023) Scott, Hailey, 1997-; Toten Beard, Deanna M., 1969-In 1954 the teleplay by Reginald Rose Twelve Angry Men premiered on CBS’s Studio One anthology series. It was an immediate stand-out in the works of the already boundary breaking Rose. The story about the power of one person to stand up against seeming insurmountable odds to seek mercy for a stranger struck a chord with audiences that would carry it to a permanent place in popular culture. Like the rest of Rose’s work, it used the legal system as a device to examine the responsibilities we have to each other. Multiple stage versions were developed to bring the story to live audiences in the decades since. This thesis examines the production process surrounding the October 2022 Baylor Theatre production of Twelve Angry Jurors. It explores the playwright’s life and work, and the history of the development of the script from which we worked. It then details my role as the dramaturg in this process while explaining theory of dramaturgical practice.