Western Connecticut State University
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Papers of James Madison: 25 October 1813-30 June 1814, The
No full textThe article reviews the book "The Papers of James Madison, Presidential Series, vol. 7: 25 October 1813-30 June 1814," edited by Angela Kreider, J. C. A. Stagg, Mary Parke Johnson, Anne Mandeville Colony, and Katharine E. Harbury
My Struggle with a Learning Disability
No full textJournalistic feature-writing piece about the difficulties a learning disabled student experiences.This thesis project is a look inside the difficult journey of a learning disabled student, whose disability fell under the federal law: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Using personal stories and experiences, the author presents flashbacks of her own struggle in her education. The project includes an interview with a special education high school administrator as well as a personal interview with the author's biggest supporter, her mother. Also discussed, are the federal laws that school districts must abide by to provide the appropriate services and accommodations to their students. This is a journalistic feature-writing piece that includes real facts and real information, along with the personal story of a student with a learning disability
Out of the Frying Pan
No full text"Out of the Frying Pan" is a semi-autobiographical short story that I would eventually like to turn into a novel.My thesis is a short story about a man who is struggling to find his true calling in life. Tony Russo is stuck in a rut: he's been working at the same restaurant for twelve years; his co-workers disrespect him, and he finds himself without any real direction in life. When he's forced to run the business that makes him so miserable, Tony finds himself sinking even lower into depression, and resigns himself to a fate as a lifetime restaurant laborer. A visit from an old flame, however, gives him the courage to re-think the opportunities that life has handed him, and allows him to make a decision that could change his life forever
Exploring the Mind of Alexander McQueen
No full textThis is my journalistic profile on the designer Alexander McQueen.My thesis project is a journalism profile on the late British fashion designer Alexander McQueen. The project describes how I was introduced into McQueen‟s work, followed by a biography on the designer. A number of McQueen‟s popular collections will also be described and shown with pictures, as well as, discussing the meanings behind them. The ending will then include my experience of attending McQueen‟s exhibit in 2011
The Art of Not Existing
No full textThe "Art of Not Existing" is a short story that follows the story of Conner, a senior in high school, who has been battling an eating disorder since his freshman year. After falling and coming close to death at a track meet, the story follows him through inpatient treatment and later to outpatient treatment. The reader sees his mental struggle with anorexia and Conner's will- power to fight it, or if in the end he lets the disease consume him
Analyzing the Mentality of a Killer
No full textThis is a journalistic, long-feature story exploring and analyzing the minds of three well-known, American serial killers and 21st century, scientific findings that will give the public understandable reason for their sadistic behavior. The three serial killers who are thoroughly discussed in this work are Herman Webster Mudgett – otherwise known as H.H. Holmes, Ted Bundy, and Albert Fish. The upbringing and daily lifestyles of these killers are discussed individually in this analysis and then linked to and explored through recent scientific findings in psychology
I TOO HAVE A VOICE: THE LITERACY EXPERIENCES OF BLACK BOYS ENGAGING WITH AND RESPONDING TO AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE DEPICTING BLACK MALES
No full textThis study examined how the use of African American literature that depicts Black males influences the reading comprehension and the reading motivation of Black boys as demonstrated through oral, written, and creative expressions. Studies have been conducted using children's literature with Black boys to examine their social interaction with the literature. However, there is limited research with Black boys interacting with African American literature depicting African American males. This research built upon and extended previous studies to determine the impact of the use of African American literature depicting Black males as an instructional strategy to influence the reading comprehension and motivation of Black boys. This study considered the use of creative responses to this literature, such as drama, writing, and visual arts.
A qualitative case study design was employed. A purposeful sample of third, fourth, and fifth grade Black boys were recruited to participate in this study. The research took place in a northeastern city at a local community center from July 2011 to August 2011. Data were collected using several instruments. These instruments included a reading motivation survey, a reading inventory, semi-structured interview questions, interactive read-aloud book discussions, with oral and written responses from the boys. Triangulation of methods was utilized (survey, interviews, book discussions, and boys' written and illustrated artifacts). Field notes were kept, and interviews were transcribed. All data were analyzed, and coded to identify patterns and themes that emerged from the data. Those themes were: The boys experienced new texts, had new reading aspirations and learned about their culture; the boys demonstrated comprehension of text through active engagement, discussions, drawings, and written responses; the boys experienced racial inequalities through literature; the boys were exposed to new mentors; the boys were empowered and could envision their futures through their summer reading; and, the boys demonstrated spiritual awareness. The result from the study indicate that using African American literature depicting Black males is a valuable tool that can lead to increased comprehension and motivation.Doctor of Education (EdD)Education & Educational Psycholog
The Evil
No full textThis project is focused on the aspect of Horror. Also, it is focused on children and how those children react to the dangers around them. The symbolism in this project reflects on original storybook fairytales, as well as Edgar Allan Poe.My final thesis project will is a collection of horror short stories all of which will be inter-related and take place in the same town with reoccurring characters in each story. These short stories are adapted from children's original storybook fairytales into twisted fairytales. While twisted fairytales may be a bit "reaching," the outcome is an original story having very little similarities to the actual fairytale, but rather hold elements from one in which it will reflect aspects of the fairytale through its symbolism. Finally, all of these stories are inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's, The Tell-Tale Heart
Changeling
No full textPoems that mimic or react to poets of influenceThis collection is composed of poems that convey the style and forms of selected poets. Presented is a short introduction for each poet, and poems (in bold) written by these poets next to my poems that react to these poems, borrow some aspect of the poem‟s form, or both. Some cited poems are just a section of the poem. Additional poems presented without a poet‟s original poem only mimic their style, and have little or no connection to a specific poem. Poems are separated by titles, or numerically. For words or names with the symbol °, refer to the notes
WHAT IS MY LIFE: Confessions of a Future Cat Lady and Potential Member of Binge Eaters Anonymous
No full textAn honest, humorous, ridiculous account of a young woman's discovery and exploration of her sexuality and love life.This project is the first nine chapters of a creative non-fiction piece about the trials, the confusion, and the awkwardness of trying to find true love. The author uses a sarcastic, cynical, humorous, yet hopeful tone to tell her stories. It is broken into chapters that explain the significant men (boys) she has encountered in her 22 years, starting from first grade and leading up to the present