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The Destruction of Microfinance in Cambodia - A Mixed Method Critique of the Marketization of Global Development
No full textUsing econometric tests, a critical lens analysis, and power-mapping techniques, I illustrate a shift in microfinance, prompted by neoliberal market-fundamentalism, resulting in the commercialization of the sector. Originally oriented to answer the question: “Do microfinance institutions effectively reduce poverty and empower women?”, this thesis interprets the redefining of microfinance’s goals from poverty reduction and empowerment to a more sinister imperial task, funded by billions of dollars globally
Counter-Insurgency as Colonial Violence: The Red-Tagging of Lumad Schools in the Philippines
No full textGeographically located in Mindanao, the Philippines, this thesis explores the red-tagging of Lumad schools as a form of colonial violence and harm. The Lumad, a group of Indigenous tribes of Mindanao, are subject to high levels of militarization and violence via military and state-sponsored paramilitary. The Lumad are often forced to evacuate their communities in response to these extreme levels of violence and harassment. This manifests through violence via the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and AFP-supported paramilitaries, who target the Lumad and their schools for their supposed affiliation with the New People’s Army (NPA), a communist insurgency group. Lumad individuals and organizations are “red-tagged,” or baselessly accused of being a communist and then harassed, arrested on trumped-up charges, or murdered extrajudicially. This is legitimized under a state-run anti-communist counter-insurgency project. In order to understand this dynamic, I argue that the Lumad have a colonial relationship with the Philippine government through a distinct form of colonialism known as internal colonialism. I ground this theory by tracing how Indigenous Filipinos have become differentiated from the majority of Filipinos since the Spanish colonial period until present day along narratives of incivility and wildness. Focusing on the Lumad schools as a site of analysis, I argue that the schools provide a critical-place-based pedagogy that directly threatens the state\u27s colonial project, necessitating their closure. I contend that the counter-insurgency campaign has been weaponized as a means of committing colonial violence with the aim of dispossessing the Lumad of land, autonomy, and sovereignty
LANDS LOST: TRACING DISPLACEMENT AND ECOLOGICAL DEGRADATION AMONGST THE TATAVIAM, KAWAIISU, KITANEMUK, AND VANYUME PEOPLE OF ANTELOPE VALLEY, CALIF.
Full text linkExploring the historic and ongoing impact of settler colonialism in the Antelope Valley, this thesis argues the Tataviam, Kawaiisu, Kitanemuk, and Vanyume, the aboriginal tribes of the valley, are effectively erased from the valley’s narrative and imagination. Through a series of genocidal and colonization efforts, first from Mission San Fernando and then from the California State Government and arrival of Anglo American settlers, the valley’s tribes can be subjugated to acculturation, displacement, massacres, and marginalization. Recognizing the valley\u27s moral responsibility to platform their living descendants, the thesis proposes a path forward through decolonization, calling out local governments (Lancaster and Palmdale) and cultural institutions (MOAH, AVIM, WHM) to acknowledge and spread Indigenous histories through the creation of long-lasting relationships with established tribal organizations (FTBMI, Kawaiisu Nation, Tejon Indians, SFBMI). It emphasizes the need for educational initiatives, cultural programming, and outreach activities that engage residents with Indigenous knowledge and history. The goal is not reconciliation with settler colonialism but rather to unsettle the dominant narrative, guiding efforts toward justice and decolonization. By embracing these efforts, the Antelope Valley can begin to address the historical injustices it perpetuates, contributing to the broader movement for Indigenous justice
Crisis in the Current: A Proposed Study on the Impact of Columbia River Basin Water Quality on Juvenile Chinook Salmon Survival
Full text linkSalmon occupy a vital role in the ecosystem, economy, and indigenous culture of the Pacific Northwest of the United States, specifically within the Columbia River Basin. Of the five species of Pacific Salmon that live in the basin, Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) are the most widely commercially fished and are the largest. In recent years, Chinook Salmon populations have heavily declined from human influence. Rising temperatures from anthropogenic climate change, habitat destruction (dams, human presence), runoff from agricultural practices, and overfishing have all contributed to this decline. Because of their role as a keystone species and their cultural significance, there will be widespread negative impacts economically, culturally, and ecologically from further population decline. There is currently research being done on spawning and pre-spawn mortality in adults and eggs, however, there is a lack of research regarding juvenile Chinook (fry). This proposed study aims to focus on taking a deeper look at how human influence through rising water temperatures and exposure to pesticides could be a factor in the survival rates of these juveniles. Water temperature, nitrate levels, DDT levels, Aldrin levels, Glyphosate levels, and population counts will be measured repeatedly through the juvenile stage as they migrate to the ocean. It is expected that higher water temperatures, higher pesticide presence, and higher nitrate levels will correlate with lower juvenile survivorship rates in any given year. If successful, the model of this study can be repeated for other fish species and help us understand the lasting impacts that human activity can have on an ecosystem. This study could also use its data to support change in policy for Glyphosate use in industrial agriculture. Overall, it has the potential to be used in a variety of future studies
Equality and Excellence: Providing Quality Opportunities in Women’s Athletics through Title IX
Full text linkIn 1975, the U.S. codified Title IX amendments to require institutions that receive federal funding to provide both sexes with equal athletic opportunity, an extension of the requirements on non-discrimination in education. While this has helped increase female participation in athletics particularly at the collegiate level, schools engage in four shady practices that can skirt around the intent of Title IX. These include taking advantage of a singular census date, double- or triple-counting athletes, overpacking rosters, and counting male practice players as female athletes. In this paper, I analyze how each of these four practices might improve female athletic opportunities at the DI level, keeping in mind Dworkin’s conception of the equality of opportunity. My findings suggest that with caveats, there is a way to implement each of these shady practices to incentivize schools to improve the quality of athletic opportunities available to female collegiate athletes at the DI level
Synthetic Statocracy - Pakistan’s Self-Created Inferno: Examining the Causes and Consequences of Military Dominance in Pakistan
Full text linkThis paper examines the history of military rule in Pakistan. Applying the framework of Johannes Gerschewski in The Three Pillars of Stability: Legitimation, Repression and Co-Optation in Autocratic Regimes, this paper looks to explain how military rulers who presided over the three periods of military rule in Pakistan consolidated and maintained their power, as well as the effects that these periods of rule had on Pakistani society. This paper will also supplement Gerschewski’s general framework by applying the findings of various established authors who have been published extensively on Pakistan’s political history, economy and relationship with the military. Such authors include Ishrat Husain, Hasan Askari Rizvi, Hussain Haqqani, Ayesha Jalal and Ian Talbot. This paper will also make use of economic data that is publicly available thanks to the Pakistani government to support its claims, as well as journalistic publications to establish contextual information about societal attitudes. Ultimately, by synthesizing the works of Gerschewski, Husain and Acemoglu and Robinson, this paper will conclude that the path forward for Pakistan must involve institutional reform, although endogenous factors such as societal norms and the established grip of the military pose significant barriers to any such reform
Maximizing the MLB Draft: How College Performance and Leverage Impact Player Signing Bonus and Team Payoff
Full text linkThis thesis examines the factors that enable NCAA Division I college position players to maximize their signing bonuses in the MLB draft. I focus on how performance metrics, player characteristics, and program-related attributes shape bonus outcomes relative to draft slot values. Using data from the top five rounds of MLB drafts from 2012 to 2022, this research provides insights into optimal valuation strategies for draft prospects. Additionally, it explores whether higher signing bonuses correlate with a player’s likelihood of eventually making their MLB debut, assessing the potential return on investment for MLB teams. By filling a gap in existing literature, this study presents a framework that benefits players in maximizing their bonuses and teams in making strategic draft investments
Just as Advertised: The Perception and Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence in Digital Advertising
Full text linkWhat do you think when you hear “AI in advertising”? Does it spark intrigue, or does it feel like just another tech buzzword? In today’s fast-paced digital marketing landscape, connecting with consumers is a high-stakes challenge, and artificial intelligence is at the forefront of innovation. From automating campaigns to creating hyper-targeted content, AI promises efficiency and precision—but how do audiences perceive this shift? By analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) like impressions, click-through rates, and cost-per-click in an an original A/B test, this thesis evaluates the perception and effectiveness of AI-driven advertising strategies. Combining historical insights, case studies, and an original A/B test, it explores how AI reshapes digital marketing, revealing its strengths, challenges, and potential to enhance consumer engagement. Through these findings, this paper demonstrates that while AI introduces new opportunities, its true success lies in balancing technological innovation with human-centered authenticity
What Does an Integer Sequence Sound Like?
Full text linkIt may be difficult to assign a sequence to every piece of music, but a piece of music can surely be assigned to every integer sequence. The Online Encyclopaedia of Integer Sequences (OEIS), a comprehensive and collaborative database of over 350,000 integer sequences, offers a unique ’listen’ feature that converts numerical sequences into melodies. This sensory approach to sequences provides a novel way to experience the beauty and complexity of mathematical patterns. We describe the process of how integer sequences are mapped to musical notes, using modular arithmetic, and discuss the various parameters that influence the resulting sound. Highlighting specific sequences, such as the Fibonacci sequence and its Pisano periods, we demonstrate the auditory appeal and educational potential of these mathematical melodies