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Cutlasses and Crucifixes: The Christian Denominational Conflict’s Influence on Seventeenth-Century Buccaneers
Full text linkThis article examines how the political and religious context of seventeenth-century Europe influenced the actions of state officials and sea raiders who worked with the state. It argues that the tensions between Catholic and Protestant Christians between and within states influenced the mostly Protestant buccaneers to be more violent against the clergy and symbols of Catholic worship. Additionally, the religious affiliation of state officials influenced the perception of the buccaneers and the subsequent policies pursued concerning piracy. It tracks how religious conflict affected the buccaneers from the arrival of French Huguenots to Tortuga, to Cromwell’s Western Design and the restoration of the British monarchy, to the end of the buccaneering age after the Treaty of Madrid
Framing the Future: How AI’s Media Representation is Redefining the Entertainment Industry
Full text linkChange, particularly through technological advancement, frequently challenges established norms and prompts a reevaluation of preexisting frameworks, especially in dynamic sectors like entertainment. As such, in an era characterized by the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), the representation of AI in media emerges as a pivotal narrative force. This paper examines the societal impact that the framing of AI in media has had within the entertainment sector, revealing its dual role in reflecting and distorting public sentiment, and fluctuating between two dominant narratives: the social progress frame and the Pandora’s box frame (Brewer et al.). The social progress frame depicts AI as a beneficial advancement that enhances human capabilities and societal welfare, suggesting that AI augments human creativity. Contrastingly, the Pandora’s box frame casts AI in a cautionary light, suggesting that these technologies could lead to potentially harmful consequences, such as alerting us to the fact that AI advancements in entertainment are moving beyond photorealistic images to potentially generating entire films. This raises ethical concerns about transparency in AI use in creative works. These narratives influence legal frameworks and policies, emphasizing the need for updated intellectual property protections. Specific legal measures, such as the ELVIS Act in Tennessee, showcase efforts to safeguard against AI misuse in reproducing artists\u27 likenesses. Perceptions of AI in media ultimately shape the future of entertainment by extending human creativity and redefining work dynamics, necessitating a balance between leveraging technology and preserving human creativity
Preying for a Spot at the Table Examining Regulatory Policies and Solutions to Combat Predatory Microfinance Practices
Full text linkMicrofinance involves financial services such as small loans, savings accounts, and insurance to low-income populations typically excluded from traditional financial markets. While the services it provides can encourage entrepreneurship and work to alleviate poverty, insufficient regulation can lead to borrower exploitation and continued cycles of debt. This thesis explores the regulations leading to successful microfinance outcomes. Particularly, the variance in outcomes between Ghana and Jordan will be examined as a case study. In Ghana’s Wa West District, effective policies and financial literacy programs have enabled microfinance to promote economic growth. In the country of Jordan, however, a lack of strict standards and punitive debt laws have led to widespread borrower hardship and even imprisonment. To promote the success of microfinance programs, well-designed regulatory policies that emphasize borrower protection and fair interest rates are essential for ensuring that microfinance contributes to sustainable development rather than worsening poverty
Beyond the Numbers: Redefining Accounting to Attract the Next Generation of Professionals
Full text linkThe demand for accountants and auditors is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, yet the number of students entering the profession is declining. In the 2021-2022 academic year, the number of U.S. accounting graduates fell by 7.4%, marking the largest single-year decline since at least 1994-1995 (AICPA 2023). This decrease in new entrants contrasts with the growing industry need, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the profession. Research suggests that perceptions of accounting as routine, solitary, and lacking creativity or social engagement may contribute to students opting for other business fields (Steenkamp & Wessels 2009). Given these challenges, addressing outdated views of the profession is critical to improving recruitment efforts. This study examines whether job postings that emphasize the social, moral, or creative aspects of accounting impact student perceptions and interest in the field. While previous research has explored how students view accounting, few studies have tested specific interventions to reshape these perceptions. By analyzing how different job posting framings influence interest in the profession, this study seeks to determine whether presenting accounting as dynamic and multidimensional can attract more students. Findings from this research could provide organizations with practical strategies to improve recruitment efforts and strengthen the talent pipeline. If firms can highlight the broader role of accountants beyond technical skills, they may be better positioned to address the ongoing shortage and reshape how future professionals perceive the field
Telling Their Stories: Contextualizing the Narrative, Legal Atmosphere, and Need for Individualized Care for Human Trafficking Victims
Full text linkThough known in name, human trafficking is a silent plague that often goes unseen. Its prevalence is rendered invisible by both the circumstances in which trafficking occurs and the correlation it possesses with other criminal matters. Human trafficking is a deeply individual crime that is multi-layered, and thus is one that requires unique legislation. This essay seeks to ignite clarity as to what prevention, rehabilitation, and healing look like for victims of human trafficking via interviews with providers of legal and social services for survivors. Building on the content of these interviews and my own experience as a direct-care volunteer with an organization providing services to women who had experienced trafficking, I argue that the healing journey of victims is incomplete without both legal and social services present. The complex trauma trafficking victims experience is not accounted for in current national legislation, and through this essay, I hope to introduce the context necessary to understanding this legal field through the lens of those who are working at the front lines
The Effects of Dystopia on Political Thought
Full text linkThe popularization of dystopian fiction throughout the 20th and 21st centuries make it vital to consider how this media has affected entertainment consumers. Authors such as George Orwell and Suzanne Collins invigorated the genre and spurred public interest such that dystopia emerged throughout film and television as well. The recent, widespread popularity of dystopian media has made it crucial to examine its impact on entertainment consumers. Through my research I aim to answer whether the popularization of dystopian media, particularly literature and film, has influenced the political beliefs of its consumers and hypothesize that individuals who have consumed dystopian media will exhibit a stronger relationship with politics compared to those who have not
