4368 research outputs found
Sort by
Empty Campus During COVID (Western Oregon University)
No full textEmpty Western Oregon University campus during the COVID-19 pandemic
Embracing Identity and Culture: Hawaiian Rhetoric in Kumu Hina’s “He Inoa Mana (A powerful name)”
Get PDFThe 1960’s marked the Hawaiian Renaissance as kanaka maoli (native Hawaiian people) experienced a growing interest in Hawaiian language, music, traditional navigation, and hula. Today, kanaka continue to resist colonial oppression and work together to establish their identity as a people through staying connected to their traditions. There are many community leaders that kanaka maoli look up to, one of them being Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu. She is affectionately known as Kumu Hina who is an educator and community activist. The first section recalls her life story including her life growing up and achievements. Then, the essay delves into a TEDtalk by Wong-Kalu entitled “He Inoa Mana (A powerful name).” The first portion describes the rhetorical situation of the speech. Following the rhetorical situation, the essay explores Hawaiian rhetoric unique to kanaka maoli communication in Kumu Hina’s talk; concepts such as genealogical rhetoric and indigeneity, vivacity, resignification, and identification. Hawaiian influencers like Kumu Hina encourage young kanaka to embrace who they are and their culture to foster a strong lāhui (community, nation)
Literature, A Window to Understanding: Using Children’s Books to Process Loss
Get PDFThis thesis explores how literature can smooth the process of grief. Specifically, it focuses on the loss of pets through the shape of a children’s book with a target audience of children ages two to six. The book is designed to be used with children as loss occurs in their life to provide them with a new lens to learn about what has happened. The book contains back matter for the adult to review to learn about loss and children, and it will also provide discussion starters to open conversations between the adult and the child. The goal of this book is that as the characters find understanding and hope, the children reading it—or having it read to them—will be able to experience the same sense of calm following what could be a traumatic experience. The second piece to this project is a written reflection following the composition of the children’s book which explores the writing process. There is also an expository section which discusses similar resources and research which guided the choices made in the production of this children’s book
A Path to Graduation: An Evaluation of Degree Planning Resources at Western Oregon University
Get PDFEvidence suggests that additional registration tools may improve graduation and retention rates in higher education institutions like Western Oregon University (WOU). The tools that WOU currently employs to support students and advisors could be enhanced to benefit students, advisors, departments, and consequently, the university as a whole. With the guidance of the Student Success and Advising Office and the Office of the Registrar, I conducted research in order to better understand the degree pathway planning needs of students and advisors. Using formal software implementation techniques to elicit software requirements, I evaluated the potential benefits and challenges of available degree pathway planning tools to students, advisors, and administrators. I hope that information generated from this project may be of use to the Office of the Registrar in the process of implementing new systems throughout the continuous improvement of the registration process at WOU. Furthermore, I hope that the recommendations from this research will be a valuable contribution to the university’s mission and its strategic planning initiative, Forward Together. I hope that this project will inspire and inform a successful software implementation and be an asset to the university in its plan to promote student success
Card Again: A Short Film
No full textCard Again is a short film produced by the WOU Theatre department. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdx4MAXEroc&t=1
“The Ties That Bind Us”: The Creation of a Dance Film
Get PDFThis project centers around the creation of a dance film about my sister and I. Though this piece was originally intended for the stage, the pandemic changed my plans and forced me to adapt it into a dance film. This thesis describes my process as I attempted to adapt my original piece into a dance film, as well as examining the influences which made this work possible. In this thesis, I examined the artistic influences which brought me to who I am as a choreographer today, paying homage to the pioneers of modern dance who inspired generations of dancers like myself. In addition, I included a brief history of the relationship between dance and film, and the benefits and challenges which come with putting dance on film. All of this research and background information lays the groundwork for my summary of my creative process, and my reflections on the work and process. Ultimately, this project is about my personal creative process and journey. Through writing this thesis, I was able to analyze my work and my process thoroughly, and learned more about the process of creating a dance film and how to improve when I create my next work
