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To demonstrate the way in which Benedict Anderson's theory of imagined communities applies to Vietnamese nationalism, a work of historical fiction was written to illustrate several of Anderson's key points. These scenes were then elaborated on in the second non-fiction portion, which analyzes the history of Vietnamese nationalism and how they are portrayed creatively in the first section to prove the accuracy and utility of applying a constructivist model to the origin of the Vietnamese nation.
ContributorsLy, Jane Truc (Author) / Lundry, Chris (Thesis director) / Le, Thuy-Kim (Committee member) / Cruse, Markus (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies (Contributor)
Created2013-05
Description
Abstract As we move forward in education reform in the globalized 21st century, the United States must visit new ways to teach science in high school classrooms. The goal of this investigation is to analyze the current research literature for the best and most promising teaching strategies and techniques in secondary education biology classrooms that promote academic excellence for all students. Looking at policy and school reform literature in science education to establish the context of the current system, the paper will not focus on the political as or systematic changes needed to ground an overall successful system. However, because of their inherent effect on the education system, the political aspects of education reform will be briefly addressed. The primary focus, by addressing the emphasis on standardization, inflexibility of instruction and lack of creativity specifically in high school biology classrooms, seeks to clarify small changes that can influence students' academic outcomes. The United States is performing on such a poor level in science and math proficiency that it cannot match students abroad and this is seen through test scores and the production of competent graduates. This investigation serves to organize literature from education researchers and showcase best and promising teaching and learning practices that catalyze academic excellence for all students in our pluralistic, democratic and complex schooling and societal contexts.
ContributorsHildebrandt, Kevin Andrew (Author) / Ovando, Carlos (Thesis director) / Schugurensky, Daniel, 1958- (Committee member) / Fischman, Gustavo (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2013-05
Description
This creative project is a visual and sonic exploration of emotion in a video game format. The game is a 2D side-scroller created using PyGame and Python that focuses on a character who uses "emotions" to navigate their increasingly unrecognizable world. This project was taken on to explore the ways in which technologically-created media can relate to the human experience of emotion, and the ways in which emotions are like software to the human body's hardware. Additionally, this project conceptually comments on and rejects the idea that human situations always require a specific "appropriate" human emotion in response. Credit for the music in this game goes to Markus Rennemann.
ContributorsBennett, Ashley Laura (Author) / Ingalls, Todd (Thesis director) / Kautz, Luke (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Arts, Media and Engineering (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2014-12
Description
This project is an investigation into the many financial issues professional athletes face. These issues include bad spending habits, poor investments, freeloaders (posses/entourages), and more. Following is an explanation of Financial Planning and Wealth Management, and how the application of these strategies and tactics - specifically the use of Sustainable Withdrawal Rates in a Capital Sufficiency Analysis - can help to avoid such issues. An illustration of these practices "in action" is given through a case study of fictional athletes and portfolios. Lastly, recommendations are given on potential solutions that could help prevent these problems from affecting more athletes.
ContributorsCastellani, Robert Thomas (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Cassidy, Nancy (Committee member) / Judge, Evan (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
In recent years, China and Japan have both experienced the serious challenge of handling some of the most destructive natural disasters in human history with the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and the 2011 Fukushima incident. After careful examination of geological surveys and further evidence released in the aftermath, these two incidents can be regarded as man-made or technological disasters, which differentiate them from the multitude of natural disasters that have happened previously. Their unique causation also creates a need for separate analysis of the public reaction towards these disasters. Due to existing knowledge and communication gaps within the Chinese and Japanese governments, the official media reports of these disasters also hold many problems, such as a lack of clarity, consistency, and transparency caused by a shortage of investigative journalism. Japan, in particular, has grappled with the bias of "nuclear nationalism" since post-World War II. These issues and ideas can change public opinion drastically, which makes it necessary to evaluate the combined effects on the psychology of people trying to come to terms with these technological disasters and examine possible solutions for this problem.
ContributorsPaschke, Lauren Anne (Author) / Spring, Madeline (Thesis director) / Zhu, Jie (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2014-05
Description
As my year abroad in France was vastly approaching, it became apparent that the accessibility of certain resources would prove beneficial in the pursuit of my honors thesis in French. Thus, even before my departure it was decided that I would focus on the French texting language. While the specifics were not yet fully developed, it was certain that the subject was relevant as the use of communication technologies were becoming more prevalent amongst younger generations. Upon my arrival in Lyon, the objective of my thesis was realized as I began to slowly understand the descriptive nuances of both spoken French and the ever-changing texting language. As a language student, it felt necessary to understand and analyze both the prescriptive and descriptive facets of the French language, including those of the text shorthand. Therefore, it was my intention to learn the vocabulary and linguistic traits that were most frequented in this distinct jargon, not solely for myself, but also for my fellow students of French. This task was accomplished by reading and recording the text messages from ten native speakers. These texts were then compiled into a proper corpus, which was primarily used as the resource for the further applied projects I wished to create. Given this research, a type of dictionary was organized from the words that I found to be most exemplary of the French texting language. In addition, an analysis was also written concerning the common linguistics traits found in the corpus. It was my intent to provide the students of Arizona State University with relevant resources that could assist in the immersion process during or before their study abroad experience. In pursuit of any language, it seems that it is integral to maintain a sense of understanding of all common elements of a language, as they are constantly evolving. Thus, it was important for me in my attempt to master French that I understood all the nuances of the vernacular that were being used by the native speakers.
ContributorsMarquez, Monique Evangeline (Author) / Bahtchevanova, Mariana (Thesis director) / Danton, Naomi (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2014-12
Description
Peoria, a city of about 171,000 residents in the northwest Valley, is recognized as one of Arizona's fastest growing cities. Peoria does not have a news source that engages millennials, despite the fact that adults ages 18 to 34 make up about 20% of Peoria's population. Thus, I created a digital news outlet with a complementary social media presence to target a millennial audience. Peoria Next covers news about Peoria that is either not currently covered by other news outlets or is covered in a different way. The goal of the website is to inform millennials of news and events in Peoria with a focus on topics millennials are interested in. The website receives 40 to 50 unique visitors and around 90 views every month, and Facebook insights show that 32% of the people reached by Peoria Next are in the target age range of 18 to 34. This paper discusses the process involved in creating a news outlet for millennials in Peoria with social media platforms as the main avenue for audience development. The first section discusses the role of local news in a community, using social media to engage the audience and how millennials receive and engage with news. The second section discusses how I developed the website and the overall results.
ContributorsRogers, Anya Bryn (Author) / Leonard, Christina (Thesis director) / Pucci, Jessica (Committee member) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / Economics Program in CLAS (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
In today's business environment, customer service is more critical than ever. It is a major factor when consumers decide where to take their business. However, consumer choice is not applicable to all businesses for example, public utilities. Consumers do not have a choice in picking which utility company provides them service; the choice depends upon local jurisdictions and predetermined service territories. This lack of choice creates a "forced relationship" between consumers and public utilities. Because the nature of this relationship can have a negative impact, public utilities need to reevaluate their approach and invest in effective customer service as a valuable tool to achieve their organizational goals. This study investigates the need for public utilities to expand their investment; explores the available avenues to expand their investment; and offers a recommended pathway with the features and interface to expand their investment. Technology is the key in achieving organizational goals as it can reengineer internal and external operations. Self-service technology (SST) along with the features of gamification enable an organization to reengineer both its internal and its external operations. Companies can shift work from employees to customers and develop new mediums for customer service interaction. Overall, three investments are analyzed: traditional call centers, online, and mobile. The analysis focuses on available features and how those features affect the achievement of organizational goals. Two studies comprise interviews with utility representatives and a customer survey completed to reinforce findings. Based on the research, a smartphone application is the best option to enhance customer service while addressing all organizational goals.
ContributorsKosednar, Andrew Steven (Author) / Eaton, Kathryn (Thesis director) / Brendza, Daniel (Committee member) / WPC Graduate Programs (Contributor) / School of Accountancy (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
I am AZ is the beginning of a personal book project which explores six small town museums around the state of Arizona. They include: Cave Creek Museum (Cave Creek), Rim Country Museum (Payson), Navajo Country Historical Society (Holbrook), Superstition County Museum (Apache Junction), Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum (Bisbee), and The Powell Museum (Page). The document highlights these institutions as valuable assets to the community and state as they preserve the stories and artifacts pertaining to both state and local history. This document includes photos of the institutions, local history stories, and interviews with the directors from each of these museums. There are also descriptions of products that came as a result of this project including: postcards as a mode of relaying information about these places, a digital Arizona museum map to highlight the museums I did visit and keep a list of those I have yet to visit, and the accompanying pop-up exhibition that summarizes each place through photos and stories.
ContributorsSimpson, Jessica Mary (Author) / Sweeney, Gray (Thesis director) / Freeman, Stacey (Committee member) / Looser, Devoney (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Department of English (Contributor) / School of Art (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
This ethnography outlines the live storytelling culture in Phoenix, Arizona, and what each of its sub-cultures contributes to the city's community. Phoenix's live storytelling events incorporate elements of an ancient art form into contemporary entertainment and sophisticated platforms for community building. These events are described and delineated by stylistic, structural, and content-based differences into the following categories: open-mic, curated, scripted, non-scripted, micro-culture, and marginalized groups. Research presented in this report was collected by reviewing scholarly materials about the social power of storytelling, attending live storytelling events across all categories, and interviewing event organizers and storytellers. My research developed toward an auto-ethnographic direction when I joined the community of storytellers in Phoenix, shifting the thesis to assume a voice of solidarity with the community. This resulted in a research project framed primarily as an ethnography that also includes my initial, personal experiences as a storyteller. The thesis concludes with the art form's macro-influences on Phoenix's rapidly-expanding community.
ContributorsNorton, Maeve (Author) / Dombrowski, Rosemarie (Thesis director) / McAdams, Charity (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12