New Jersey History (NJH - E-Journal)
Not a member yet
1151 research outputs found
Sort by
The Geometry of Love
No full textIn The Geometry of Love, Jennifer Le crafts a poetic meditation that merges mathematical imagery with romantic longing. Using terms and structures from geometry, Le weaves an emotionally resonant portrait of a lover whose physical and metaphysical qualities defy comprehension. The poem blends form and feeling, logic and lyricism, to express awe at the beauty and precision found in intimacy. Through its clever numeric and spatial formatting, the poem invites the reader to experience love as both equation and enigma—something as structured as a proof and as elusive as the stars
Arguments Against the Death Penalty
No full textSumana Gadiraju presents a comprehensive argument against the death penalty, critiquing it from historical, moral, legal, racial, and financial standpoints. The article explores the origins and evolution of capital punishment, revealing its deep entanglement with systemic discrimination and unequal application, particularly against communities of color. Gadiraju highlights inconsistencies in sentencing, the lack of reliable deterrence, and the exorbitant financial costs involved in administering the death penalty. Through a wide range of sources—from classical legal theorists like Cesare Beccaria to modern statistical analyses—the paper calls for the abolition of capital punishment and promotes life imprisonment without parole as a more equitable alternative
My Other Half
No full textIn My Other Half, Nicholas Rienstra weaves a narrative about loneliness, deception, and the human need for connection. With dark tenderness, Rienstra explores the ethics of manipulation, the aching hunger for validation, and the paradox of being both predator and caretaker in the same act
Person Seeking Comfort
No full textPerson Seeking Comfort is a quiet, emotionally resonant short story that follows Pepper, a solitary and sensitive office worker navigating life in a new city. Through richly detailed snapshots of routine—feeding a cat, riding the elevator, brushing teeth, daydreaming—the story captures the subtle ache of urban loneliness and the hope ignited by a fleeting connection with a stranger. Jannicelli weaves a narrative of internal longing, where everyday gestures (a smile, a compliment, a cup of coffee) become charged with meaning. With restrained prose and vivid interiority, the piece examines vulnerability, anticipation, and the fear of being forgotten. In the end, a small gesture—a tap on the shoulder—offers a spark of possible human connection amidst the fog of solitude
Interview with Cover Artist Crystal Contreras
No full textIn this artist interview, student editor Nikitha Jeyaprakash speaks with Crystal Contreras, whose artwork Sedona My Loveappears on the cover of the Fall 2021 issue of The Undergraduate Review. Contreras discusses her lifelong journey through various art forms, from traditional painting to digital illustration and collage. She shares the personal and spiritual significance behind Sedona My Love, a piece inspired by a transformative women's retreat in Arizona. The conversation delves into themes of healing, self-expression, intuition, and the role of art as a tool for both personal growth and communal connection. The interview offers a compelling glimpse into the artist’s creative process and emotional landscape
Editor's Introduction
No full textThis editorial introduction to the Spring 2021 edition of The Undergraduate Review at Rutgers University–Camden highlights the resilience, diversity, and academic excellence of the student body during a time of profound disruption. Editors William Huang and Kaitlin McGee reflect on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the strength and adaptability of students whose research and creative work continued despite remote learning and empty classrooms. The issue features faculty-approved student submissions that represent a wide array of disciplines and perspectives. A special mention is given to S.N. Taylor’s contribution on student resiliency, which frames the collection as a celebration of perseverance. The editors express gratitude to faculty advisors Dr. Lee Ann Westman and Brian Everett, and invite readers to recognize the passion and determination that define the Rutgers–Camden undergraduate experience
Grandma, What Big Fears You Have! Cultural Femininity in Little Red Riding Hood
No full textAmanda Clapcich’s essay explores the evolving representations of femininity in various retellings of Little Red Riding Hood, analyzing how each version reflects its cultural moment’s attitudes toward gender, sexuality, and power. Using a post-structural lens, the paper examines literary and oral traditions from Egbert of Liège’s Christianized 11th-century variant to contemporary feminist reimaginings by Angela Carter. Clapcich highlights key shifts in narrative agency, the portrayal of the wolf as a symbol of male desire or societal threat, and the protagonist’s journey from innocence to sexual autonomy. By unpacking versions by Perrault, the Brothers Grimm, Tex Avery, and Carter, the essay argues that Little Red Riding Hood serves as a mirror of evolving social norms and a battleground for the representation of female identity and empowerment
non-partisan student voter organizing, psychology, criminal justice, and counterterrorism. He works as a criminal intelligence analyst for the Camden County Police Department. He is also a graduate student at Georgetown University, where he is pursuing a
No full textIn this analytical essay, Geoffrey Downing explores the mathematical modeling of COVID-19’s rapid spread through the lens of exponential functions. Using definitions and structures from both standard algebra and epidemiology, he illustrates how the reproductive number (R₀) and growth constants model infection trajectories. Downing emphasizes the critical role of two variables: exposure (E) and probability of infection (P), showing how reducing exposure through social distancing directly flattens the curve. He introduces exponential and logarithmic graphing tools to understand spikes and predict outcomes, while also addressing the limitations of pure exponential growth as infection reaches population saturation. The essay advocates for scientifically informed public health strategies and highlights the life-or-death significance of individual choices during a pandemic
The Second Chance Act of 2007
No full textAshanti Howard presents a comprehensive policy analysis of the Second Chance Act (SCA) of 2007, a federal initiative aimed at reducing recidivism and supporting successful reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals. The article begins by unpacking the concept of “invisible punishments”—such as restrictions on housing, employment, and voting rights—that hinder reintegration and increase the likelihood of reoffending. Howard details the SCA’s bipartisan origins, legislative structure, and its implementation through grant-funded reentry programs. The essay evaluates the effectiveness of these programs across various states, drawing on both successes and failures like Project Greenlight. Howard concludes with thoughtful policy critiques and recommendations, emphasizing the need for smaller, more personalized programs, mandatory participation, and risk-tiered interventions. The piece underscores the vital role of the SCA in combating mass incarceration and promoting public safety through rehabilitation rather than punishment
Polarity of the International System: Shift to Multipolarity
No full textAlyssa Granato’s essay explores the evolving structure of global power, arguing that the international system is shifting from unipolarity—dominated by the United States—toward multipolarity, with China and Russia emerging as formidable global actors. Drawing from international relations theorists including Layne, Pape, Waltz, and Monteiro, the paper examines how economic interdependence, military fatigue, and strategic “soft balancing” signal the erosion of U.S. hegemony. Granato critiques the limitations of unipolar dominance, including its tendency toward moral decay, regional conflict, and global resentment, while presenting multipolarity as a more stable, interconnected alternative. The paper blends theoretical frameworks with recent historical developments to offer a compelling case for a changing world order