Boston College: Open Journal Systems
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Misogynist or Rhetorician? Machiavelli's Writings and Hegemonic Masculinity in Renaissance Florence
No full textNiccolò Machiavelli’s works are often interpreted as having misogynistic undertones and being of a chauvinistic nature. In this paper I will examine how Machiavelli’s writings are much more complex than simply being “products of their time,” and through a multi-faceted analysis of both his political works and comedies, it is demonstrated that he held a nuanced and complex understanding of gendered relations in renaissance florence. Through a holistic survey of Machiavelli’s works and sources that well represent Renaissance society, Machiavelli is understood to utilize gendered rhetoric to incite political action to recover a corrupted Italy. Additionally, his works can be seen as an effort by the author to assert his own masculinity by rising to a certain political status through authorship. If seen as a performance to demonstrate his own masculinity, Machiavelli’s works take on a much more complex role both in the author’s own life and the lives of Florentines around him
"She Who is Not" Living In the "Footsteps of Christ": Trans*, Fluid or Gender Nonconforming Identities of Female Italian Saints in the Later Middle Ages
No full textThis research paper explores the potentially gender nonconforming or queer identities of two notorious female saints from medieval Italy: Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) and Catherine of Siena (1347-1380). While they are often portrayed as epitomizing female sanctity, I argue that their lives and writings actually reveal a want to transcend their assigned sex at birth–in this case, being assigned female-at-birth, or AFAB–and, by extension, their perceived gender identities as women.. I explore how both saints navigated and subverted gendered expectations through their religious expression and, by extension, how Christianity itself could open up such possibilities for non-conforming or trans* individuals in the medieval period. With that, I pay close attention to the influences of Christian theology, particularly the idea of "imitatio Christi" and androgyny in God and humanity in the Bible itself, showing a sort of "third gender," or nonconforming state that Christians could achieve through their belief, seeing this kind of expression being possible. Through all this, I find that Christianity, even when the Church and Church writers upheld strict gender lines–especially towards women–still provided a space for individuals like Clare and Catherine to be able to express their own gender nonconformity or queerness through religious means. Through the use of secondary scholarship and closely analyzing Clare and Catherine's hagiographies, or vitae, and their own surviving writings, these themes of identity and gender non-conformity are not only just present, but are essential to their stories, making trans* or generally queer identities all the more important a subject of historical analysis.  
Predatory Publishing: Drivers, Consequences, and Ethical Dilemmas
No full textThe term “predatory publishing” refers to the exploitative and deceptive nature of predatory journals that are published for profit with no regard for academic scholarship. This article discusses the growth and drivers of predatory publishing, and the impact thereof on higher education internationally
Internationalization in 2025 and Beyond: Taking It to the People
No full textProfound cracks are emerging in the social and political orders of many liberal democracies today, notably in the United States and Europe. This is placing internationalization in higher education under unprecedented pressure. Strengthening the foundation of research on internationalization’s societal impact and sharpening the approach to dissemination of research findings are key responses to this watershed moment
The Economic Situation of Higher Education Graduates in the Labor Market in Poland
No full textPolish higher education has gone through three decades of spontaneous changes and governmental reforms. However, after this transformation—driven by skyrocketing aspiration and facilitated by the growth of new institutions, modes of studies, and programs—graduates are still regarded as a fairly homogeneous group despite their diversity. A more nuanced view on how this expansion has affected the labor market outcomes of an increasingly diverse population in a high-participation system is imperative, as is a review of related policies
Higher Education and Nation-building in the “Newborn” Country of Kosovo
No full textKosovo, the youngest country in Europe, is often referred to as “newborn.” This paper maps the trajectory of higher education in Kosovo through the lens of internationalization. This article focuses on the ways that higher education internationalization is used as a tool for nation-building, development, and international recognition, highlighting both home-grown initiatives and the influence of foreign donors, as well as ongoing challenges that the “newborn” nation faces to date
Statistical Modelling in Enrolment Management: A Higher Education Case Study
Full text linkEnrolment management is important to institutions of higher learning. Administrators at these institutions are annually faced by the question: how many offers for a given academic programme should be made to applicants to meet the registration target set by the authorities?
Data on past and new applicants are available at most institutions. In this paper, data from the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of the Western Cape are used to develop a statistical model that provides estimates of the likelihood of new applicants accepting registration offers from the Faculty. The paper therefore contributes to the important field of strategic enrolment management. The paper shows how a statistical model estimated from historical data can assist administrators to determine the number of offers that should be extended to applicants to reach a given registration target
Voter Turnout Disparities: Analyzing And Comparing Racial Differences Among Naturalized Immigrants In The US And The UK
Full text linkThis paper examines voter turnout among naturalized immigrants in the United States and the United Kingdom, focusing on the impact of race, socioeconomic factors, and systemic barriers. It compares the participation rates of naturalized immigrants, particularly those from marginalized racial groups, and explores the underlying factors contributing to disparities in electoral engagement. Through a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative analysis of voter turnout data and qualitative case studies, this study highlights how race, naturalization status, and historical contexts of discrimination influence voting behavior. The findings suggest that while both countries face challenges related to immigrant participation, the United Kingdom tends to exhibit higher voter turnout among naturalized immigrants due to its more inclusive electoral processes and supportive community structures. In contrast, the United States' complex voting regulations and polarized political environment create more significant barriers. This research underscores the need for targeted policy measures to address these barriers and foster greater political inclusion. The study calls for further exploration of the intersectionality of race, socioeconomic status, and immigrant status, with an emphasis on long-term research and comparative studies to inform more equitable democratic practices
